I feel that technology can be used to motivate students in a variety of ways. Students seem to enjoy using and experimenting with new technologies. Teachers can use these technologies as a tool for students who struggle, as well as a reward for students who complete a task that is asked of them. My students always want to go on the computer or use the new technology that is in my classroom. I often allow them to use them if they finish with work early, as well as for assignments. With literacy, I feel that there are many programs that teachers have access to that help students. Recently my class has been using reading pens. The students love to read with them and it is helping them be more motivated to read and become more independent. My students now feel more comfortable reading independently because they know that if they come across a word they don't know, they can use the pen to help.
Technology can motivate students because it can deliver instruction in a different way than a teacher. Students often find technology more interesting and are more apt to want to try new things. Technology can make literacy activities, such as writing, much more manageable and appropriate for students. For example, a student of mine uses a write-out-loud program for extended written responses and he enjoys using the program which results in a better piece of work than if he struggled with handwriting and spelling doing it the traditional way. Students are less frustrated once they find the programs that work for them. When there are new programs or objects that can support or supplement instruction, students often enjoy them, resulting in better motivation for projects and assignments.
Technology can be a source of motivation for students because it grants students a sense of independence and self-sufficiency they might not otherwise have. Greece uses the Read 180 program and one of the components involves the students going on the computers to practice phonics, sight-word identification, fluency, and numerous other literacy skills. The students are enthused with the idea of going on the computers, so what might otherwise be seen as agonizing practice is more perceived as independent time to play with technology. In addition, the system tracks the student's progress and reports to them the strides that they are making. This visual evidence of improvement is what students need to feel validated and that the effort they're putting forth is worthwhile. Finally, middle school students value their independence from adults and revel in the time that they can do things without adult support. The Read 180 program grants them this independence, which is really great and a huge motivating factor.
I agree with Janet, Kellie, and Susan. Students find technology a more interesting way to learn new things or reinforce material that was already taught. When students participate in hands-on, inquiry-based learning, they develop lasting skills that often transforms into higher levels of student achievement. Instructional delivery that includes technology applications provides teachers with ways to motivate students into becoming active, real-world learners. A program that we use in Greece to help struggling readers become proficient readers is Kidbiz. Kidbiz is a program that is tailored to students individual reading levels and monitors their comprehension. The program assesses individual students’ comprehension skills on non-fiction articles. Incorporating this program into my literacy instruction provided my students with ownership their reading and learning.
Technology is a way for students to connect and acquire things differently than within the classroom. It is also a place where many students spend a great deal of time when they are at home. Therefore, when they participate in educational websites they are reinforcing their skills and strategies that they have learned in the classroom. Technology offers students ways to make connections through reading events that are often motivating. Students can use websites such as Into the Book (www.reading.ecb.org) where they can create a movie, summarize stories or make inferences. It is an interactive and engaging website that many kids can enjoy.
Students who struggle maybe more motivated to participate and experiment with language when it is not so labored for them. Software and handheld devices allow students to concentrate more on what they are writing and not how they are writing it. Student who need to hear things repeatedly can benefit from hearing read alouds as well as books on tape or from the computer. Students also get really excited to show other students what they know and when students can collaborate and use technology or use technology to show what they know (like on a Powerpoint) they become really engaged with the content because they can easily add/remove/manipulate information when it is on the computer.
Technology can be used in a variety of ways to motivate students to learn and enhance academic achievement. It can be used to engage students during classroom instruction, while also helping to reinforce lesson content. Like Kellie mentioned, technology can also be used as a reward for students who finish their work or any other classroom task. In regards to literacy, computer software programs, such as Co-writer and Kidspiration, have the ability to motivate students who struggle with writing and organizing information to express their ideas more effectively. Websites that contain literacy-related games, activities, movies, and online stories motivate students to enhance their reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary skills as well.
I have seen technology used in many ways in different classrooms. In a first grade classroom they would have computer time, but it was also a time that the teacher was allowed to assess the students. They would have certain programs geared to different students in the classroom to motivate their literacy. The students loved that interactive sites and the activities they got to do that involved reading and answering questions, but the students were having fun doing that. The good thing about it is that the students are at their own level and the teacher isnt trying to constantly catch other students up. So technology can be used in that way as well as using something that is a simple technology such as a follow along highlighter, that way the student is able to read without getting distracted motivating them to keep reading. There are many uses of technology to motivate students, in many different forms.
I think technology by itself is motivation enough sometimes for students. Using technology is entertaining and students can have a sense independence when using it. The different modality may also offer students a different way to learn and retain the material being taught. Visual literacy is a growing trend among students and technology is a great way to access that type of literacy and reinforce those skills needed in this highly visual environment and culture that we live in. Most technology reinforces skills with games and interactive activities which is a non threatening way to get stud nets to practice skills they have learned or need more practice with.
Students today are growing up in a completely technological generation. They are immersed 24-7 in computers, video games, cell phones, and iPods. No wonder it feels unnatural and uncomfortable to learn in a traditional classroom environment- void of all the technologies listed above. Computers, at the very least, are available in most classrooms/schools. More advanced types of technology are accessible in some places. As teachers, it is our responsibility to use these new ways of communicating with students to reach them in a fun and informational way! Whether it is an educational software game, an interactive lesson on the Smartboard, or printable resources, technologies can increase student learning and retention of material.
I feel that technology can be used to motivate students in a variety of ways. Students seem to enjoy using and experimenting with new technologies. Teachers can use these technologies as a tool for students who struggle, as well as a reward for students who complete a task that is asked of them. My students always want to go on the computer or use the new technology that is in my classroom. I often allow them to use them if they finish with work early, as well as for assignments.
ReplyDeleteWith literacy, I feel that there are many programs that teachers have access to that help students. Recently my class has been using reading pens. The students love to read with them and it is helping them be more motivated to read and become more independent. My students now feel more comfortable reading independently because they know that if they come across a word they don't know, they can use the pen to help.
Technology can motivate students because it can deliver instruction in a different way than a teacher. Students often find technology more interesting and are more apt to want to try new things. Technology can make literacy activities, such as writing, much more manageable and appropriate for students. For example, a student of mine uses a write-out-loud program for extended written responses and he enjoys using the program which results in a better piece of work than if he struggled with handwriting and spelling doing it the traditional way. Students are less frustrated once they find the programs that work for them. When there are new programs or objects that can support or supplement instruction, students often enjoy them, resulting in better motivation for projects and assignments.
ReplyDeleteTechnology can be a source of motivation for students because it grants students a sense of independence and self-sufficiency they might not otherwise have. Greece uses the Read 180 program and one of the components involves the students going on the computers to practice phonics, sight-word identification, fluency, and numerous other literacy skills. The students are enthused with the idea of going on the computers, so what might otherwise be seen as agonizing practice is more perceived as independent time to play with technology. In addition, the system tracks the student's progress and reports to them the strides that they are making. This visual evidence of improvement is what students need to feel validated and that the effort they're putting forth is worthwhile. Finally, middle school students value their independence from adults and revel in the time that they can do things without adult support. The Read 180 program grants them this independence, which is really great and a huge motivating factor.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Janet, Kellie, and Susan. Students find technology a more interesting way to learn new things or reinforce material that was already taught. When students participate in hands-on, inquiry-based learning, they develop lasting skills that often transforms into higher levels of student achievement. Instructional delivery that includes technology applications provides teachers with ways to motivate students into becoming active, real-world learners. A program that we use in Greece to help struggling readers become proficient readers is Kidbiz. Kidbiz is a program that is tailored to students individual reading levels and monitors their comprehension. The program assesses individual students’ comprehension skills on non-fiction articles. Incorporating this program into my literacy instruction provided my students with ownership their reading and learning.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is a way for students to connect and acquire things differently than within the classroom. It is also a place where many students spend a great deal of time when they are at home. Therefore, when they participate in educational websites they are reinforcing their skills and strategies that they have learned in the classroom. Technology offers students ways to make connections through reading events that are often motivating. Students can use websites such as Into the Book (www.reading.ecb.org) where they can create a movie, summarize stories or make inferences. It is an interactive and engaging website that many kids can enjoy.
ReplyDeleteStudents who struggle maybe more motivated to participate and experiment with language when it is not so labored for them. Software and handheld devices allow students to concentrate more on what they are writing and not how they are writing it. Student who need to hear things repeatedly can benefit from hearing read alouds as well as books on tape or from the computer. Students also get really excited to show other students what they know and when students can collaborate and use technology or use technology to show what they know (like on a Powerpoint) they become really engaged with the content because they can easily add/remove/manipulate information when it is on the computer.
ReplyDeleteTechnology can be used in a variety of ways to motivate students to learn and enhance academic achievement. It can be used to engage students during classroom instruction, while also helping to reinforce lesson content. Like Kellie mentioned, technology can also be used as a reward for students who finish their work or any other classroom task. In regards to literacy, computer software programs, such as Co-writer and Kidspiration, have the ability to motivate students who struggle with writing and organizing information to express their ideas more effectively. Websites that contain literacy-related games, activities, movies, and online stories motivate students to enhance their reading, writing, spelling, and vocabulary skills as well.
ReplyDeleteI have seen technology used in many ways in different classrooms. In a first grade classroom they would have computer time, but it was also a time that the teacher was allowed to assess the students. They would have certain programs geared to different students in the classroom to motivate their literacy. The students loved that interactive sites and the activities they got to do that involved reading and answering questions, but the students were having fun doing that. The good thing about it is that the students are at their own level and the teacher isnt trying to constantly catch other students up. So technology can be used in that way as well as using something that is a simple technology such as a follow along highlighter, that way the student is able to read without getting distracted motivating them to keep reading. There are many uses of technology to motivate students, in many different forms.
ReplyDeleteI think technology by itself is motivation enough sometimes for students. Using technology is entertaining and students can have a sense independence when using it. The different modality may also offer students a different way to learn and retain the material being taught. Visual literacy is a growing trend among students and technology is a great way to access that type of literacy and reinforce those skills needed in this highly visual environment and culture that we live in. Most technology reinforces skills with games and interactive activities which is a non threatening way to get stud nets to practice skills they have learned or need more practice with.
ReplyDeleteStudents today are growing up in a completely technological generation. They are immersed 24-7 in computers, video games, cell phones, and iPods. No wonder it feels unnatural and uncomfortable to learn in a traditional classroom environment- void of all the technologies listed above. Computers, at the very least, are available in most classrooms/schools. More advanced types of technology are accessible in some places. As teachers, it is our responsibility to use these new ways of communicating with students to reach them in a fun and informational way! Whether it is an educational software game, an interactive lesson on the Smartboard, or printable resources, technologies can increase student learning and retention of material.
ReplyDelete