10 Most Engaging Uses of Tech Integration- Assignment 2B

Summary-

The article has put together some effective uses of technology that have helped and will help in the future of learning of students and the teaching of teachers.
1) Audio/Video Feedback: research and data show that verbal feedback is more effective than an email or written feedback. When a teacher/professor is verbally explaining something to a student, the student is more likely to understand what he/she is saying and is able to discuss it face-to-face.
2) Digital Portfolios: if the student has some sort of competition to work toward like the article says "being a performer for an audience" the student is more likely to give more effort.
3) Blended Learning: this is probably the most effective in learning. The students are supposed to listen to the lectures at home. It is convenient because they can watch it at their own time and own pace so when they get in the classroom they can be involved in classroom discussion, which keeps them more engaged in the class. The teacher also used technology to provide a way to support one another with help outside of the classroom.
4) Social Media: social media provides groups on Facebook or blogs for students to interact with one another for academic reasons. Social media can be used for something productive and positive in academics so students can help one another.
 5) Game-Based Learning: many games can be used to help students learn. Many games are already being used for learning from kindergarten to college. Games are an interesting way to make learning fun.
6) Collaboration Tools: these tools give students opportunities to use technology for discussion such as sharing their work and getting feedback and exchanging compliments to build confidence in students.
7) Design Thinking: students that are interested in what they are doing are easier to motivate and show more effort in their projects. Finding common interest in students then getting them in a group can help drive students to use their talents to better their education.
8) Reaching Individuals and Groups: like the article says "this activity would not have been possible without technology." Technology can bring projects to life. Especially projects that involve history that did not use technology.
9) Tracking Progress: students that are self-motivated are able to use the self-tracking progress because they will use whatever they can to make themselves and their work better. By keeping up with their progress they are able to use it to stay on the right track.
10) Visual Literacy: visual learning is most common. Technology helps a lot with visual learning because you can search anything to help you learn or see things with your eyes to better understand what you are doing.


My Opinion:

While all of these are so completely true, there are both positive and negative sides. Technology is awesome these days for teachers and students because it opens many door and provides many different opportunities. Something that is a problem with this is that we as a population have became so dependent on technology, we find every way to use it. Though a lot of it is helpful, we should find ways to help students learn better without depending on technology to do most of the work.