It's science time!!!
 
            It has been clearly established in the education world that there are multiple intelligences and we do not all learn the same way.  Therefore, in order to reach more students during instruction, I try to utilize various modes of presentation during my lessons.  Even the simplest task can be presented in multiple ways.  The more options we give children to learn, the higher the chances they will achieve understanding.  

            This is where technology steps in.  I believe in using traditional in-class methodologies and software instruction side-by-side rather than choosing one to supersede the other.  There are tasks a teacher can out-perform any current software.  A teacher can give instant feedback and support based on an individual’s response.  Current software can provide feedback and support at the end of a student’s performance or if a student chooses certain icons/options (but the feedback/support will not be as individualized).  

            On the other hand, software can give students as much time as they need.  It is not practical or possible for a teacher to provide every student in the class with as much time a computer can.  With software they can revisit areas of difficulty again and again until they have mastered the concept.  They can practice and hone these skills independently.  

            The Internet has been a great resource for me to find free websites for games, videos, activities and lesson plans.  The sites I have listed on this website are only a few I have utilized for my Math and Science lessons.  I plan to continue to use technology to differentiate my instruction for different learners.  It will support me in providing knowledge, a chance to apply their learning, extra practice and review for my students.

            In order to differentiate my instruction, I need various ways to target the different learners in my class.  Including computer activities and games into the Math and Science curriculum gives the children time to reinforce and practice skills.  By using an interactive whiteboard, I am able to target my visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners simultaneously.  I am able to show videos on various Math and Science topics.  It allows students to come up and actively apply their knowledge to solve problems via games and activities.   Most of all, it motivates and engages them to want to learn.

 
            Technology continues to be an important part of our lives as the world becomes more interconnected.  In order for my students to be successful and competitive in the real world, we need to be knowledgeable in technological tools that will generate progress and growth.  I strongly believe that technology should be used in the classroom as part of the curriculum, as well as utilized outside of the classroom.  Being able to navigate the World Wide Web independently, use various computer programs and apply this knowledge to solve problems are some 21st century skills my students need in order to be successful inside and outside of the classroom.

            After speaking to other educators, it seems almost everyone thinks technology is important and should be used as much as possible to promote education.  Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is technology is not utilized as often as it should be in classrooms.  Some reasons are lack of resources and insufficient technology training to build teacher knowledge.  

            I feel very lucky to have an interactive whiteboard and the necessary programs to create interactive lessons for my students.  I use it to create most of my lessons and find them to be very effective, especially for Science.  I find the interactive whiteboard to be very engaging and motivating.  The children exhibited greater motivation and interest in lessons and activities when they were demonstrated on the interactive whiteboard.  I also feel the children have a greater chance to be active in the instruction with the whiteboard.  I love how they can come up to the whiteboard to demonstrate and reinforce what they have learned.  

            Although I have only received three hours of training with the interactive whiteboard through professional development in school, my previous experience with technology gives me the ability to self-explore.  In addition, my current technology course in my graduate program has provided me with further knowledge to effectively use the Smart Notebook and Inspiration program.  The online websites I’ve acquired in this course are also very useful as I have infused them in many of my lessons already.  This knowledge has given me the confidence to continue to infuse technology into my instruction.    

    Author

    I am a special education teacher.  I currently teach in a integrated co-teaching classroom.  Science is one of my favorite subjects to teach.

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