Resources part 2: ipad and Smart Boards

There a couple of useful tools that teachers are using in the classroom today and they lack the knowledge of how to use these items within a lesson. This will help teachers develop an understanding of how to use these types of technology.

iPad

Here are some useful tips for integrating iPad into a lesson

Smart Board

There are many schools across the globe are are fortunate to have a smart board in their class but are not knowledgeable enough to use it. I found a really interactive website resource that actually has a classroom example set up. You are able to click and find out more information about the SMART Document Camera, SMART Board interactive White Board and the SMART Board Table.

SMART classroom tour

Connecting iPad to SMART board

I found a really good YouTube video that explains a step by step process of how to connect your iPad to a SMART board. This can be very useful to teachers to help guide students. The iPad comes equipped with potential to video mirror. What this means is that with a Digital AV Adapter and HDMI cable you can project what is on your iPad up to the SMART Board. It merely allows projection of the iPad screen and shows interaction on the iPad but other students can’t interact with the iPad but touching icons on the image of the iPad on the SMART Board.

Resource part 1: mentor program

The question to consider:

Are there resources for teachers that are not up to date with being knowledgeable with using and incorporating digital literacy within a lesson?

To alleviate the fear and uncertainty associated with teaching with technology there is growing support for providing practical skills for technology integration as part of the preparation to teachers

When coupled with the support and encouragement of a knowledgeable teacher-mentor, specific skills training along with practical experience has been determined to be a useful model for preparing  teachers to deal more effectively with the myriad of challenges associated with integrating technology into teaching.  The probability of continued growth and development of technology in education further illustrates the importance of ensuring that teachers develop strong self-efficacy beliefs in their ability to successfully integrate technology into their practice.

A teacher to teacher support mentor program is also an important part of collaboration that will help teachers to work together as a team. 

Self-Efficacy with technology

The main goal is to help teachers gain knowledge of how they can integrate technology within their lessons. Being ready to use the available technological resources is the number one goal that teachers need to develop to successfully integrate technology within the classroom.

The question to consider:

Are there resources for teachers that are not up to date with being knowledgeable with using and incorporating digital literacy within a lesson?

When I think of a teacher who has significant knowledge of using technology within the classroom self-efficacy comes to mind.

Teacher self-efficacy is defined as a teachers judgement of his or her capability to bring about the desired outcomes of students engagement and learning. An overarching problem lies in the failure of educators to embrace and adopt technologies into their pedagogical systems, which represents an impediment for student success. If teachers are properly taught to use technology before they enter in the classroom or before a lesson, their self-efficacy will increase, along with the likeliness that they will use technology in the classroom. A strong sense of computer self-efficacy of school teachers can affect the extent as well as the way technology can be used in everyday instructional practice, changing both the teachers and students roles. With a higher level of self-efficacy teachers will also be willing to try new things and experiment more with educational innovations in the classroom which will build self-confidence.

Lack of teacher confidence

What is the biggest problem?