Using Technol ogy Tools in the Classroom
By Robyn Jacks on
There are typically three purposes for using technology — communication, research, and to enhance instruction.
Communication
Email- Use email or create a class email list to communicate to parents about course requirements,
upcoming assignments, and students progress. Try Yahoo groups for a free service.
Chat rooms – Use chat rooms to facilitate student discussion and as a virtual means of conducting a student
study group (for more on setting up study groups, go to
http://www.mindstepsinc.com/resources_downloads.asp and look under “Tips and Strategies.”)
List serves – Use list serves to learn from and share ideas with your colleagues across the county. Try
www.tappedin.org, www.classroom.com, or www.apcentral.org.
Discussion Boards – Use discussion boards to facilitate student discussion around a specific topic or as a
means of helping students with homework. For a free discussion board try or http://www.quicktopic.com/.
Blogs - Have students create blogs that chart their progress through the course or long-term project, or as a
way of helping students develop their writing. Try www.blogspot.com to create free blogs.
Personal Sites – Develop a course website to communicate the goals of your course, your syllabus,
homework assignments, post grades, and post worksheets and handouts.
File Sharing – Use file sharing sites as a way of storing student handouts and as an “electronic drop box” for
students to turn in their assignments.
Research
Search engines – In addition to the typical search engines, try specialized search engines such as google
scholar. Also use meta-searches in engines such as www.dogpile.com and www.metacrawler.com.
Webquests – create webquests as a way of guiding student research. http://www.webquest.org/index.php is
a great place to learn how.
Databases – use library databases as a way of getting articles that were previously only available in print form
or that may not appear in traditional search engines. Proquest, SIRS, and Galenet are examples.
Instruction
Simulations – Use online simulations to visually reinforce concepts you teach in class. To find simulations
type the concept or topic and the word “simulation” in your favorite search engine.
Virtual field trips – Take students on virtual fieldtrips without ever leaving the classroom. Most museum
sites have virtual tours as does http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/ and
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/vft.htm for starters.
On-line Tutorials – Use online tutorials as a way of remediating students or reinforcing concepts. To find a
tutorial type the topic and the word “tutorial” in your favorite search engine.
CD-ROMS – Many text books come with CD-ROMS you can use to reinforce material you are teaching.
Electronic Portfolios – Have students create electronic portfolios of their work using PowerPoint and
hyperlinks. For a template, go to our resources page.
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