Ed Tech Blog
Tanner (2008) explains that exposure to natural sunlight is required to ensure that a student’s basic physiological needs are being met, which allows effective learning to take place. Although it may not commonly be realized, the need for natural sunlight is second only to the need for food and water (Tanner, 2008). Evidence of the benefits of providing for this need in an educational setting can be identified in a 1999 study that compared classrooms that were exposed to appropriate levels of sunlight to classrooms in which sunlight was lacking. Classrooms whose access to windows was limited, and in turn lacked sunlight, were stunted in their progress on both reading and math (by 26% and 20% respectively) (Heschong Mahone Group, 1999). Edwards and Torcellini’s 2002 comprehensive literature review relayed similar findings and Burke & Burke-Samide’s (2004) research does so as well. Research conducted in 1992 succeeded in dispelling the idea that plentiful window access in a classroom will distract students from activities outside. The study revealed that of all the distractions from learning, views from windows are typically the least drastic (Kuller & Lindsten, 1992). In addition to providing specific guidelines for optimal sunlight access via classroom windows, Tanner’s research also notes that light bulbs that are capable of mimicking natural light may be used as an alternative. Information on proper lighting and window sizes in a classroom is most beneficial to district school boards and the designers they contract to build schools. District school boards should be well informed about the need for natural sunlight in classrooms and the ability to gain such sunlight from larger windows. This would allow designers, who would also ideally be informed on the subject, to follow a board recommendation for larger windows (and skylights) and an overall school design that allows for all...
Read more: Impacts of the Physical Environment on Classroom Learning - Part 2
Flex time is proving to be useful in the ongoing effort (by teachers, administrators, and parents) to increase student progress and achievement. Using a regularly scheduled flex period, such as a study hall or other period in which students have both free time and access to a helpful teacher, students can accomplish a number of critical tasks. Students who have fallen behind on completing required work, due to illness or another understandable situation, have the opportunity to make good on their promise to complete that work. Students who are current on the completion of their class assignments can use flex time to make progress on the goals established by their advisory committees (which often include the student, subject teachers, and the flex period teacher). There is, in fact, a seemingly limitless number of ways in which flex time can be used effectively. One area that is ripe for exploration is the integration of flex time directly into courses. And so, the question becomes, how can we do this effectively?
Generally, we have a certain vision of what teaching looks like. Students come into classrooms, take their seats, and teachers stand at the front of the classroom and provide direct...
Read more: Supporting Students by Combining Asynchronous Instruction and Flex Time
Small group Edmodo chats expand student audience and deepen meaning-making
Founded in 2008, Edmodo has evolved as a leader in education apps providing classrooms with a hub of connectivity and resources. In recent years, Edmodo has expanded its offerings to professional development resources and continually updated the classroom interface with student-friendly features like a daily agenda.
At its core, Edmodo creates a home base for classes to interact. Teachers also can utilize Edmodo much like any LMS to assign assessments, pose checks for understanding, or post materials. Edmodo’s strength, unlike some sites, lies in its ability to serve as a vehicle for easy discussion.
Aesthetically, an Edmodo classroom looks very similar to a social media feed, albeit a bit more academic. The “like” and “comment” feature invites students to quickly respond to teacher and peer contributions in a low-stakes, comfortable way. While some other LMS feeds and commenting systems are cumbersome and require multiple clicks, students often find the Edmodo feed much more intuitive.
Small Group Feature
Teachers using Edmodo in their classroom may find the small group feature to be particularly beneficial in setting up protocols for small-group discussion. Once students join the class, the teacher can group students...
Read more: Edmodo offers new and engaging way for students to discuss text
Introduction
COVID-19 taught all educators that we have the ability to be resilient and adapt to a changing technological world, including those of us who teach music. As we return to our normal classrooms, it’s important that we never forget the lessons we were taught during the pandemic. This article will outline various ways we can implement technology into the music classroom.
Music Technology for Elementary Music Specialists
Do you have old Music Play books in your classroom from decades ago? Did you know that it is all online? www.musicplayonline.com is a wonderful resource created by Denise Gagne for elementary music specialists. All your favourite songs like “Lucy Locket” are there with lesson plans, lyric videos, chords for guitar and ukulele, orff arrangements and boomwackers. In addition to a comprehensive list of songs organized by grade, there are also learning modules in rhythm, solfege, vocal warm-ups and games. This is a necessary resource for all elementary music educators.
www.bucketdrumming.net is another great resource for upper elementary and early middle school teachers. Sammy Foster has created an amazing bucket drumming curriculum that includes proper percussion technique as well as rhythm and pitch reading. I highly recommend his “6 Days...
Old school presentations centered around tri-folds and posters are an old-time favorite, but they seem obsolete in the modern world of Prezi and Powerpoint. However we can bring back the treasured tri-folds and poster boards, and more importantly, there is a way to make them interactive. By using a small device that is relatively cheap, you can convert an old-school presentation into a more interactive presentation that students, teachers, and parents will love.
So what is a Makey Makey? It is a circuit board with alligator clips and a USB cable. It can turn any conductive material into an interactive component. People have turned liquids, balloons, play-doh, etc. into interactive musical instruments. The major concept of a Makey Makey is you are creating a circuit. In order for any project to be interactive, you have to complete the circuit. Often one may have to hold an alligator clip while touching an object in order to complete the circuit, but this isn’t always the case. Different projects have different ways of completing the circuit. If you can dream it, you can probably turn it into an inventive project with a Makey Makey.
Some cool projects that you...
Teachers are often tasked with the challenging job of working in classrooms with large class sizes and difficult compositions. Teachers are masters at catering their lessons to their students. You may wonder, what do you do when there is such a large range of needs amongst students in one classroom? Assistive technology can be a way to aid in leveling the playing field for our students who have diverse learning needs.
Assistive technology (AT) is defined as any product, piece of equipment or system that enhances learning, working, and daily living for persons with disabilities. AT can be high-tech and expensive, such as reading software like Kurzweil or Dragon Naturally Speaking, or it can be low-tech and budget friendly such as pencil grips for students who have dysgraphia.
Some teachers shy away from the use of assistive technology because they believe that it requires additional specialized staff training, it’s expensive, it’s difficult to integrate into their lesson plans or they are concerned about technical difficulties. Hopefully this article will highlight how this is untrue.
Who Benefits from Assistive Technology?
In classrooms, AT will likely be implemented to support the following students:
1. Students with dyscalculia (deficit in understanding and learning numbers...
Read more: Integrating Assistive Technology into the Classroom