Classroom Technology
Describe the technology that you are currently using in your classroom. How does the use of it contribute to enhanced learning?
I use several UTUBE clips and Kahn academy .
Powerpoint...ugh, I know! However, I must mention that my slides are heavily graphic and usually serve as a visual support for what I am sharing through discussions. I also have a selection of video links for each class to supportive material that reinforces or explains a concept. We also have a student portal that allows the students to access assignments, grades, feedback, etc.
I am a fan of using technology in the classroom. I use student polls, clickers and anything else that's available.
For when I'm lecturing, PowerPoint is used on video screens. Some movies/short clips are used when applicable to the subject. One rule of mine though - Technology is good, until it isn't. Have a backup and always be prepared to teach the old fashioned way.
I teach mostly film and video classes. We use an overhead projector and we have two large screen TVs (client monitors) to both front-sides of the classroom using a Blackmagic Intensity HDMI card in order to show real time video and effects.
Without the overhead, students the learning outcomes would slow tremendously, especially in complex programs such as AVID and Adobe After Effects. For example; In one class, the projector would not display my screen, so I actually taught the class without visuals. We accomplished about a 1/3 of my lesson plan that day. Visuals for technology based courses is imperative.
Ron,
Traditional teaching methods are effective and will never go away, but our students today have many different learning styles. Using social media (audio and visual aid) helps with increased participation. Many students need to find reading a text and lectures are very helpful but being able use technology they have or that is not overwhelming can increase engagement.
Antoine Lewis
I teach a combination of Design Lab and theory courses. Technology is intrinsic in what I do, aand is actually considered to be the norm to the majority of my students. I have been teaching for a long time, and my personal evolution in expanding the classroom. Social media assignments such as using pinterest or providing structured internet research assignments (where sources are evaluated) have helped keep students engaged and provide them opportunities to do assignments when they at unconventional times (on break from work, or on the train).
This helps keep technology from becoming a crutch, and I still am a strong beliver in whiteboards and traditional delivery methods in conjunction with technology to provide and organic learning mode. Keeping your lectures fresh is always a challenge when you implement technology and can be a trap when the same presentations are used term after term.
Dorothy,
PPT fatigue can happen if PPT is not used as needed in the classroom. Using audio and visual aid in other ways is valuable to student today because of the many learning styles they have. Case studies and group discussion helps increase student engagement. A good mixer in the classroom keeps things interesting.
Antoine Lewis
I want to expose my students to as much professional pastry work as possible, so I show them photos or videos of what industry professionals are doing on a daily basis. I usually give no more than one "powerpoint lecture" per week to avoid PPT fatigue, and I really like to get the students engaged by breaking them into groups to do a quick topic or photo search on their phones -- it's amazing what they can find in a short 2-3 minute search and they LOVE being able to use their phones in class.
Jason,
Prezi is great alternative to PowerPoint as both students and teachers have become less amused with traditional presentations. Prezi allows for active learning to take place making learning interactive. This is a great tool while in or outside of the classroom to teach without boundaries.
Antoine Lewis
I use power point and have just started using prezzi a little bit. i am in the process of getting websites built for the classes i teach so that students can access the information from a tablet or smart phone. putting all of that in front of the staudents in a form they are familiar with will help keep them interested and motivated.
Qadar,
Overhead projectors are still a valuable classroom technology. In today's classroom the chalkboard is a thing of the past. The projector always for you to display various images making better use of class time.
Antoine Lewis
I use overhead projector for my lecture. I also use ExamView technology for my exams: multiple choice, T/F, and matching. Thanks to my publisher, the test bank comes with the instructor resources.
Pamela,
MyItLab is a great tool to have as it relates to realistic simulated training exercises. Also being able to get immediate feedback is a plus. This has become a great feature for IT programs to provide hands on learning. Continued success using MyITLab
Antoine Lewis
I use technology in most of the classes I teach, for the MS Office classes, I use myitlab. This is an online simulation, training, exam taking software. It also allows students to practice for MOS certification exams. for A+, Network+, and Security+, I use TestOut.com. It provides the students with video lessons, and real world simulations to demonstrate and practice what they have learned about concepts for the certification exams that they are studying for. I also use email, an online gradebook, and cloud storage. Students can login to the gradebook and see their grades, they can also message me through the online interface. We use dropbox.com also, some of the work is turned in to a shared folder that I set up for students, and it gives each of them a place to store their work in a safe and secure location that is available through any computer via an internet connection. There are other technologies we use also, too numerous to explain, including youtube.com, texting, and social media.
I find technology to be invaluable in the delivery of my classes. It gives students real world practice with the technology and software they will be using when they graduate.
Joe,
Using Turnitin or Grammarly is a great tool for students if offered by the institutions. Also open ending question are great to use when completing assignments or having classroom discussion as the response will not be predictable.
Antoine Lewis
Joe,
Power Point presentations are a great tool. Visual aid is important today for many student. Even as you lecture being able to provide visual or audio help in the learning process.
Antoine Lewis
I encourage students to use the "Turn-In " process, However much of the homework students complete in our coursework in self-quiz or open answer exercises.
I use PowerPoint presentations to review course content and to provide a visual learning situation for students.
