The document summarizes the instructional technologies available in a 4th grade classroom where the author did their student teaching placement, including an overhead projector, classroom computer, computer lab with LCD projector, and keyboarding program. It describes how each technology was used, such as the overhead projector for math lessons, the classroom computer for math games and writing, and the computer lab weekly for lessons using Web 2.0 tools like BookBuilder and PicLits. The author believes technology should be integrated into every classroom to engage and motivate students with different learning styles.

1. Instructional Technology in the Classroom Katie Hollander

2. Student Teaching Placement Fourth Grade Classroom

3. Resources Available Overhead Projector Classroom Computer Computer Lab with LCD Projector

4. Overhead Projector The overhead projector was used everyday in math class and occasionally in the other classes to show graphic organizers. During this placement, I have used the overhead projector more than the white board because it was clearer to read and I could face the class and write at the same time. Also, the overhead projector was useful because I could replicate student workbook pages and graphic organizers that the students had so when we went over the problems and graphic organizers together everything was the same. The students liked using the overhead. The cooperating teacher always used it as well so the students were used to it. Also, the students seemed to enjoy writing on the overhead when I let them solve math problems on there occasionally.

5. Classroom Computer The fourth grade classroom that I worked in had a computer. It was an older computer which ran slow, but it still worked. The classroom computer was used during math centers. I would set up six different stations with four to five students in each station. One of the stations was an interactive math game on the computer and there would be two students on the classroom computer and two student on the teacher’s. Students were also able to take turns using the classroom computer during writer’s workshop time. During this time students could type up one of their writings or create a powerpoint presentation. The students loved this time so much I wish there was a computer available to every student.

6. Computer Lab The school that I was working in did not have much technology but they did have an allotted time for each class to use the computer lab for at least a hour a week which was great. However, for the first part of my placement there was MAPS testing so we could not use it very much. Once I was able to get the class in there I was able to have the students use some Web 2.0 tools. Students also practiced their keyboarding skills each week for about ten to fifteen minutes in the beginning of the lesson. Lastly, each student got a chance to work on their writer’s workshop pieces and play interactive games when there was free time at the end of the lesson in the computer lab.

7. LCD Projector The LCD projector was in the computer lab. Therefore, when I took my class to the computer lab I was able to use it. I used the LCD projector to show the class what they would be doing in the computer lab each time that we went. I also used the LCD projector to show the class what some of the students in the class created during the class period. This was a very helpful tool to use because the students better understood what was expected of them once they visually saw the steps in front of them and they were also able to share what they created with the rest of the class.

8. Keyboarding Program Every week when I took my students to the computer lab I would have them practice their keyboarding skills for the first ten to fifteen minutes. The students went on http://keybr.com . http://keybr.com is a web based software that is not like other regular software which makes a person type the same characters all of the time. Instead it gives new words and sentences based on letters and words that would usually be written next to each other based on the person’s level. The students did not seem to like typing that much and always groaned when they had to do it. However, I think that this is an essential skill for them to learn so I tried to give them time to practice each week so they would hopefully improve.

9. Web 2.0 Tools http://bookbuilder.cast.org www.PicLits.com

10. Bookbuilder The first web 2.0 tool that I had my fourth grade students use in the classroom was bookbuilder which allows a person to create, share, publish, and read digital books. All of the students wrote their own stories during writer’s workshop and got them edited. Then when we went to the computer lab they were able to create them using bookbuilder and share them with the rest of the class. The students were very excited to use this site and some of the students even went home and created their own account so they could continue creating books online.

11. Student Example Front Cover Inside Pages

12. PicLits The second web 2.0 tool that I had my fourth grade students use in the classroom was piclits which inspires students to write creatively through the use of pictures with selected keywords. All of the students created pieces of writings on two different pictures when we were in the computer lab one week. The first picture needed to include a noun and two adjectives and the next picture needed to include figurative language. The students enjoyed the beautiful pictures as well as the site as a whole and were able to be very creative with the pictures and the selected keywords.

13. Student Examples

14. Feelings about Technology I believe that technology should be integrated into every part of the classroom. There are a variety of students with different learning styles and the use of technology can not only help them, but motivate them as well. Throughout my time at Lincoln-Erdman I tried to incorporate as much technology as possible with the resources available to me and it has enforced my belief about technology in the classroom. When students used the web 2.0 tools they not only engaged students instantly in the lesson but they enhanced their learning as well.

15. Students Working in the Computer Lab PicLits Bookbuilder Keybr