These tools are based on the ability to potentially enhance teaching in new yet powerful ways, make subject easy to learn as well as be well supported, and it must be an innovative new tool or a substantial improvement on an earlier version. For instance, the first tool is Lego Education's WeDo Robotics Construction Set. Lego Education Collaborated with MIT to created WeDo. This tool is designed for kids 7-11 and includes more that 160 Lego elements, it motor, tilt sensor, motion sensor, icon-based software, and teacher notes with curriculum objectives, discussion questions, and suggestions for activity extensions. Students use the drag and drop WeDo Robotics software to create their own on-screen animations with WeDo constructions, integrating virtual and physical worlds. Students can even share their stories with children in other countries. Cost= including Robotics Construction set 129.95, WeDo Robotics Software 39.95, and We Do Robotics Activity Pack, 129.95. Altogether about $300
Smart Table by Smart Technology is similar to a white board, but it is a multitouch, multiuser, interactive learning center with customizable applications. There are ready-made lessons that allow you to substitute your own images and content. The Smart Table is a very interactive tool but it costs about $8,000 and that is a little too expensive for teachers to purchase on their own. Hopefully new versions will be available soon.
Next we have an AVer Pen. The AVer Pen is like having an interactive white board in the palm of your hand. The pen is like a mini projector with interactive tools, image capture, video recording capabilities, and a variety of activities, plus the image can be projected on anything in a room, and pens can write on almost any surface. There is a built in answer selection keypad that acts as a group response system that desplays poll results as graphs and tables, and the teacher's pen can interact with up to six student pens simultaneously making it a useful tool in any classroom. Cost 799.99
Multiuser Virtual Environments are one of the most exciting programs for me. These are virtual worlds were oys and girls from all over the real world comt to chat, play, learn, and have fun together. Kids design their own character that have the ability to travel play games, visit theators, start their own businesses, buy cars, or even write for the town newspaper all through a virtual world. So instead of teaching students about economics through text. They can log on to the Virtual Environment and have the ability to work make purchaces and experience what their parents do every day. Some examples of the Virtual Environments are Whyville (www.whyville.net), Skoolaborate (www.skoolaborate.com,Quest Atlantis (http://atlantis.crlt.indiana.edu), EcoMUVE (www.ecomuve.org/index.html), and even World of Warcraft in School (www.wowinschool.pbworks.com).
Google Apps Education Community is the last Tool talked about. this site offers video tutorials on using Google Apps, lets users vote on their favorite apps for education, provides a forum where educators can share ideas and get advice, and contains a list of educators from around the world who are using Google Apps. It has links to dozens of leson planss posted by teachers, and you can search by application, subject area, and grade level, and IT'S FREE.
Wow! So cool to read about all these tools that are available to teachers. Many of the different tools that were introduced in the article seem like they would do a great job of engaging students. Some of the tools seemed a bit expensive while others seemed to be very affordable. I was very intrigued by the last one that you mentioned. What a great way for students to learn economics. Seems like something many of them would be excited to participate in and would hold their interest.
ReplyDeleteIts great that technology has come so far but it is even cooler that it has reached the classrooms on so many fun and interective levels. I remember my first trip to a computer lab in the second grade. Then I remember when my 5th grade class got its own in class computer. Then in junior high everyclass had about 2-3 computers in it and high school had the coolest computer lab! I cant even imagine what are offered to students today, but for the districts that arent fortunate enough to have the funds for technology, its great that programs like these are offered online for free.
ReplyDelete