This document summarizes a presentation by Brent Coley about using educational technology effectively in the classroom. Coley argues that technology should not be more important than the teacher, and that it is irrelevant to discuss how to use technology ("how") without establishing a clear purpose or reason for its use ("why"). He then provides examples of how he uses various technologies like websites, podcasts, videos and social media to connect with students, help them prepare for class, and allow them to share what they've learned.

1. Educational Technology:
Without Why, How Is
Irrelevant
T.E.L.L. Conference 2010
Brent Coley
5th Grade Teacher &
Instructional Technology Leader
Tovashal Elementary School
Murrieta Valley Unified School District
www.mrcoley.com
bcoley@murrieta.k12.ca.us
iPad photo courtesy of Jared Earle – http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaredearle/4675262184/

2. It’s been said that
everyone has a
twin…

4. Is it possible to be
a good teacher
without infusing
technology into
lessons?

6. The tool should
never be more
important than the
teacher.

7. “It’s time to use
technology to rewrite the
rules of education.”

8. Without why, how
is irrelevant.

9. The all-important acronym…
C.P.S.

10. Not Child
Protective Services

11. C
P
S

12. Connect
P
S

13. Connect
Prepare
S

14. Connect
Prepare
Share

15. Connect

16. Communication =
Connection

17. Classroom Website

18. Classroom Preview

19. My inspiration…

20. “What did you learn
in school today?”

21. “Nothing.”

22. The Daily Blog

23. Book Blog

24. Online Grades

25. Twitter

26. According to a recent
study, 74% of all 7 th-12th
graders say they have at
least one profile on a
social networking site.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation – http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia012010nr.cfm

27. Prepare

28. Imagine this
scenario…

29. This is Sarah…
Photo courtesy of Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hellogeri/1348671074/in/photostream

30. StudyCast
www.mrcoley.com/studycast

31. “I like the StudyCasts
because I can listen to them
on my computer while I’m
doing my homework. I
listened to the Puritan
StudyCast five times and I
got a good grade.”

32. ColeyCast
www.mrcoley.com/coleycast

33. Talk about motivation!

34. Podcasting Resources
Web Links Tutorial Videos
www.mrcoley.com/podcasting

35. iPod Flash Cards
www.mrcoley.com/flashcards

36. Math Review Videos

37. Share

38. Do you have an
educational
mentor?

39. Tony Vincent
learninginhand.com

40. “I thought you should know
that today you managed to
indirectly touch the lives of
18 students here in
Alabama...

41. …Late last night, I stumbled
across your website and
noticed your social studies
flowchart for your lesson on
Columbus.

42. Coincidently, this just
happens to be the lesson we
are on in social studies. So, I
thought I would give it a shot
with my kids.

43. TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY
that my children ENJOYED
social studies. Today was the
first day my students
comprehended ANYTHING
having to do with social
studies…

44. …I just thought you would
like to know that you made a
difference in the lives of 18
children today, even though
we are almost a continent
away.”

45. Are you a mentor?

46. Connect
Prepare
Share

47. Contact Information
www.mrcoley.com
bcoley@murrieta.k12.ca.us
@brentcoley