Tech+Rich+Lessons

=What is effective technology integration?= Objective: Participants will reflect on their definition of effective technology integration. //What is considered evidence of effective technology integration?// media type="file" key="A Vision of K-12 Students Today.flv" width="360" height="270" Read the following research summaries and add evidence to your list of what makes technology integration effective.

Summary 1 Sivin-Kachela and Bialo (1998) found that students in "technology-rich environments" experienced positive effects on achievement in all major subject areas. Both studies found more positive attitudes toward learning among students using technology.

Summary 2 Wenglinsky (1998) found that technology has an impact on student performance in math and science, but only when it is tied to high-quality professional development, and when it encourages higher-order thinking skills.

Summary 3 Schacter (1999) cites evidence that technology use is "less effective or ineffective when the learning objectives are unclear and the focus of technology use is diffuse."

Identify Criteria for Effective Use of Technology
Review the student work below and list features of effective use of technology shown in the samples.
 * [|Student Work 1]
 * [|Student Work 2]
 * [|Student Work 3]

Roller Coaster Examples: Suggestion: Right click on the links below and select "Open new window"
 * [|Roller Coaster - Example 1]
 * [|Roller Coaster - Example 2] (takes a couple of minutes to load)

After reviewing the student work, brainstorm the distinguishing features of effective technology integration. After sharing your ideas with the group, review the Criteria for Effective Use of Technology and compare the features.

Technology is an effective tool in education when: A) It helps to make the teaching and learning process **more efficient or productive**. For example: B) It helps **enrich or extend student learning** in a way that would not have been possible without the technology. For example: C) It helps students **produce quality work using professional tools**. For example: D) **It increases student motivation** to accomplish learning objectives. For example:
 * Criteria for Effective Use of Technology**
 * [|Word processing software]
 * [|E-mail]
 * [|Internet]
 * [|Spreadsheets]
 * [|WebQuests]
 * [|Simulations]
 * [|CAD software]
 * [|Publishing software]
 * [|Web pages]
 * [|Presentation software]
 * [|Internet]
 * [|Web pages]

Evaluate Lesson Plans
Review the lesson plans listed in the table below. Identify one lesson or activity in the subject or grade level that you teach.
 * ~ Primary ||~ Elementary ||~ Middle ||~ High ||
 * [|Get the Turtles to the Pond]

[|A Vacation to the Polar Regions]

[|Your Changing Town]

[|Down on the Farm WebQuest] || [|Accessing and Investigating Population Data]

[|Exploring Pioneer America]

[|Making Money with Lemons]

[|My Hero]

[|Once Upon a Thank You]

[|Journey of a Water Molecule WebQuest] || [|A Tribute to Miró]

[|Culture Shock]

[|Candy is Dandy]

[|Do Vampires Really Exist?]

[|Friends, Romans, Countrymen]

[|The Art and Science of Fractals]

[|Addiction WebQuest]

[|Personal Budget WebQuest] || [|Understanding Ratios of Areas]

[|Seasons: Why They're Essential]

[|Globalization]

[|Piracy: A Continuing Problem]

[|Bridging the Generation Gap]

[|Literary Scavenger Hunt]

[|Traits R Us!]

[|Small Business WebQuest]

[|Fastball Physics] || Answer these questions about the lesson. Complete these sentences describing the lesson. "This lesson meets (criteria). The lesson could be improved by (suggestion) because (missing criteria)."
 * 1) What kind of technology was used?
 * 2) Does the use of technology help students be more productive or make the product more efficient?
 * 3) Does the use of technology enrich and extend student learning?
 * 4) Does the use of technology help support instructional goals?
 * 5) Would the lesson produce high-quality student work?
 * 6) Do you think the use of technology increased student motivation?
 * 7) How could this lesson be improved?

Modify a Lesson
You are now going to write a lesson plan for an activity that effectively integrates technology. Use your own lesson plan template, download [|LessonPlan.doc], or use the one in your Participants Workbook. Remember to consider the criteria for effective use of technology. If you wish to adapt an existing lesson plan or activity, feel free to use the resources listed below. ==Online Technology-Rich Activities and Lessons== [|Bernie Dodge's WebQuest Matrix] WebQuests are inquiry activities that make extensive use of online resources?once on the WebQuest home page, click [Top] on the left-hand navigation bar to see a list of WebQuests. [|Microsoft Classroom Corner] Lesson plans and activities that incorporate technology, with a focus on Microsoft products Technology-Rich Lesson Plans [] Lessons from DIAL Learning Communities, listed by subject and grade

[|EconEdLink] Economics lesson plans and activities from the National Council on Economic Education [|Xpeditions] Geography lesson plans from the National Geographic Society [|Edsitement] Lesson plans for all of the humanities from the National Endowment for the Humanities [|Illuminations] Math lesson plans and activities from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [|Science NetLinks] Science lesson plans and activities from the American Association for the Advancement of Science [|ArtsEdge] Arts-based curricula, lessons, and activities from the Kennedy Center [|Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Spreadsheets] Lesson plans and ideas for using spreadsheets in your classroom