So this week’s focus is presentations; PowerPoint, Google presentation, prezi, those slides that go along with lectures that are supposed to aide in your learning. We have all experienced those types of presentations where you are just overwhelmed with all of the special effects and beauty of the slides. As a student you're distracted you're not focusing on the information being given. What about those ones where there is so much information on the slides that once again you're overwhelmed? This time with information overload.
When creating presentations it’s easy to get carried away with all the options you have and all the information you want to share. However in regards to presentations it is continually emphasized that less is more, simplicity is best, your goal should be clarity. I completely agree. This last week in one of our classes we had our first, in what will be many, group of presentations. It was interesting to see that many groups really took this week’s Communications Technology and Education class to heart. They were clear, had big easy to read text, and made effective use of pictures. These were way more effective than other groups who, though they had lots of information, had too much text on their slides. With these slides I found my eyes would gloss over, and I would end up not reading much of it because there was just so much.
Anyways, to the topic of effective technology integration for 21st century learners: First and foremost I believe that in order to reach today's technology age child you must use technology to keep them engaged. This could include things like interactive instructing using a smart board, or using things like twitter to comment on learning during instruction. Using technology to reinforce learning is also an effective way one could incorporate technology. Instead of assigning worksheets use blogs to find out what the students learned. Send out links of YouTube or other movies that further emphasize your lesson. Or have the students create their own movie or YouTube blog to show what they've learned. Send links out of educational internet games that reinforce learning for the gamer students in your class. There are also many main stream games that have a historical basis or are based on biology or civilization that you may recommend. Then as a class you could discuss how true to the facts they remain and their deviations (like Spore, or Civilization). You would have to be pretty careful with this though and keep in mind the age group of you students. Effective integration of Technology also has practical applications. It teaches students how to use technology in the real world and gives them the skills of how to use it and use it more effectively (typing classes, excel etc). It also uses a wide variety of technology as using one type over and over gets tedious and does not show students the vast array of technology out there to use for work and fun. My last point is that it makes learning fun as technology is what students go home to use for their own fun.
To end off this impactful YouTube movie reminds us why it is SO essential and necessary that teachers DO incorporate technology into learning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8&feature=fvw
My Prezi: What is Effective Technology Integration
http://prezi.com/fmc8mrxjhrfo/what-is-effective-technology-integration-for-21st-century-learners
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