Technology Teaching and Learning Tools

							    Technology Teaching and Learning Tools
From: Don Zundel (Apple Computer)

Database

As a teaching tool
   • Compiling, storing , sorting & reporting information
   • Dynamic and open-ended
   • Flexible
   • Many people can contribute
   • Adaptable to ages & skill levels
   • Useful over time—provides historical perspective
   • Can always be updated

As a learning tool
   • Good organizing system
   • The whole idea of query to find data - learn concept
   • Can always be updated
   • Powerful tool to sort, filter and organize data
   • Offers a variety of ways to report
   • Can be reported with different emphasis using same data
   • Potential huge archives of data to be accessed locally or via networks

Spreadsheets

As a teaching tool
   • Tool to assist in the teaching of math and science skills (averages, mean, median, mode)
   • Organization of data
   • Collect data
   • Create charts and graphs;
   • Grade books and other numerical data functions

As a learning tool
   • Application as a tool in math and science skills
   • Compare and contrast information
   • Predict trends and observe cycles
   • Visual representation of abstract data
   • Can be controlled by the user

Printer

As a teaching tool
   • Publishing documents (handouts, tests, etc.)
   • Printing downloaded information
   • Clean display of information
   • Desktop publishing (newsletters, bulletins, etc.)
As a learning tool
   • Editing - writing process - can view previous versions
   • Taking information away from the computer to be used elsewhere
   • Publishing documents
   • Desktop publishing
   • Integration tool (from different media)
   • Capability of printing near-professional quality graphics
   • Promote self-esteem

Scanner

As a teaching tool
   • Use to start a discussion on copyright infringement
   • Develop a portfolio, either electronic or hard copy
   • Scan photographs for teaching (like for field trips, etc.)
   • Communicating with parents by sending work home
   • Capture artwork
   • Capture 3 dimensional objects electronically
   • Scan text documents to make them electronic and editable

As a learning tool
   • Having students communicate (exchange their work with other students) via e-mail
   • Scanning images into reports
   • Scan work samples for portfolios
   • Scan images and objects
   • Edit pre-made pictures for presentation
   • Create magazines, yearbooks, etc.

Digital Camcorder

As a teaching tool
   • Good for assessment (film students at work)
   • Immediate feedback for students
   • Creates motivation for revision/improvement/refinement
   • Provides equal access for all kids—the quietest kid might have the best insight
   • Allows person to capture visual data to use at a later date
   • Powerful as a communication vehicle

As a learning tool
   • Mobile
   • Invites creativity
   • Versatility—can be a still camera
   • Brings in different modalities—Planning, visual, sound, scripting, narration, performing,
        critiquing
   • Provides a lens of focus for learners who may be scattered
   • Promotes cooperative learning
   •   Fun to use
   •   Surprisingly simple to use
   •   Allows students to be makers of media
   •   Shows the perspective of the person w/control of the camera
   •   Powerful as a communication vehicle

Digital Camera

As a teaching tool:
   • Portable
   • Personal - point of view of person w/ camera
   • Immediate
   • Images can be used in multiple applications
   • No developing
   • Images easily edited
   • Brings the environment into the classroom

As a learning tool
   • Engaging
   • Easy to use
   • Student Centered
   • Personal - point of view of person w/ camera
   • Creative
   • Easily manipulated
   • Immediate feedback

CDROM

As a teaching tool
   • Research (text, audio, video, graphics)
   • Access to applications
   • Indexed and searchable (Boolean search)
   • Relatively inexpensive
   • Authoring tool and can be re-writable
   • Mass storage medium
   • Inexpensive

As a learning tool
   • Reinforcement, skill builders
   • Virtual tours
   • Audio and visual access to curricular content
   • Multiple modalities
   • Indexed and searchable (Boolean search)
   • Authoring tool
Networks

As a teaching tool
   • Shared resources to include: files, hardware, software, pictures, sound and text
   • Promotes collaboration
   • Frees up space on local computers
   • Can help standardize applications (on each machine)
   • Accessible from anywhere in the network
   • Can create local e-mail and discussion groups
   • Simultaneous access to the same information
   • Great for backing up your work
   • Important management tool
   • Multi-tiered security

As a learning tool
   • Accessibility (any classroom, library)
   • File and resource sharing
   • Access to more hardware and software
   • E-mail
   • Students can see progress (chron record) better than with series of disks.
   • Document student work over K-6
   • Save presentation to network for file sharing

Presentation Software

As a teaching tool
   • Addresses multiple intelligences
   • Interactive
   • Can be used to promote group collaboration
   • Professional looking
   • Effective way to address large group
   • Promotes organized structure
   • Portable & easily accessed
   • Entertaining

As a learning tool
   • To present a report
   • Learning the software as well as the material
   • Can be used to promote group collaboration
   • Allows for creative expression
   • Professional looking
   • Effective way to address large group
   • Promotes organized structure
   • Portable & easily accessed
   • Fun
Word Processing

As a teaching tool
   • Writing skills (drafting, editing, publishing)
   • Can promote a variety of writing: letter writing, report writing, creative writing, genres
        (poetry, short story, etc.)
   • Can be used in writing across the curriculum
   • Teaches typing skills
   • Develops organizational skills
   • Allows a mix of text and graphics
   • Create cards, banners, signs
   • Develop instructions
   • Reinforce vocabulary and grammar skills,

As a learning tool
   • Writing skills (drafting, editing, publishing)
   • Can promote a variety of writing: letter writing, report writing, creative writing, genres
        (poetry, short story, etc.)
   • Can be used in writing across the curriculum
   • Teaches typing skills
   • Develops organizational skills
   • Allows a mix of text and graphics
   • Create cards, banners, signs
   • Reinforce vocabulary and grammar skills