Blog 3 - Technology Integration
I am glad that Professor Bowman (2022) pointed out in her video that no matter how great a new technology tool seems it may not be needed to use in all lessons. Teachers need to think about what the content is that the students need and how they can integrate technology tools to make it easier for the students to understand and support that learning goal. I have been in education since 2001 and it seems like as soon as teachers get a good grasp on the newest technology tool, another one comes and takes the place of it. I understand that technology outdates itself quickly but I feel that sometimes educators jump to the newest tool and abandon the tools that are actually working for students. As a first year Media Specialist last school year, when it was time for students to upgrade to the newer model Chromebooks, I had students beg me to let them keep their old device because they said they felt more comfortable with it than the newer one. Most of the students were seniors so they had that Chromebook for years.
In this Blog, I would like to tell you about Promethean boards, which is a type of interactive whiteboards, and how this technology tool can be integrated to support student learning. Interactive whiteboards are boards that project images from a computer or a tablet. Whiteboards can accommodate students that have different learning styles such as visual or auditory activities. These boards can be customized with preloaded maps and gameboards. The boards make lessons more interactive and engaging for students. Educators can also use the screen record feature that can record the lesson to share with students later.
A technology enabled learning model that would work well with white boards is the Replacement Amplification and Transformation (RAT) model. With the RAT model (Hughes, 2018), teachers can use whiteboards in lessons to replace, amplify and transform their lessons. In this model, technology should serve as a digital means to help aid in the instructional process. By using the white board, it will give students the opportunity to see and experience the information in a different format other than a paper textbook. The graphics that are integrated with a whiteboard will hold students' attention longer. As educators, we are already competing with the over-the-top graphics from video games and this is what this generation is used to. By having the information available in many forms, digitally and in book form, the student can have a choice in the best one that suits their educational needs.
References
Bowman, J.D. (2022, May 18). Module 5 intro [Video]. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnb9A9zxKiQ
Hughes, J. (2018). Replacement, amplification, and transformation: The R.A.T. model. Tech Edges. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20180830171822/http://techedges.org/r-a-t-model/
Nicholson, D. (2020, September 21). How to use Promethean ActivInspire: A guide for teachers [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy36LSgnPiA
WhiteboardFM. (2022, January 11). Valuable resources for beginners [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXJg5QHzCq4
Thanks for highlighting Promethean Boards this week. I think those of us who entered education during the era of overhead projectors and actual white (dry erase) boards can be intimidated by interactive whiteboards and would definitely benefit from training on how to use this technology to its full capacity. When I was in a district in the Upstate of SC, we learned Promethean Boards. Then, when moving to a district in the Lowcountry, it is SMART boards. Both of these devices are considered interactive whiteboards but differ in their functionality. You touched on the comfort level of students as they learn new technology in your example about Chromebook changes. As educators, we also might struggle with our comfort level as new technologies are released or even as we are exposed to new technologies in different settings. I think it is important that we are aware of our own comfort (and discomfort) to ensure that we are utilizing and encouraging the proper use of technologies equitably. It is up to us to take advantage of training opportunities to help be better informed of the full potential of any piece of technology we have access to.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Dr. Bowman that technology does not have to be used all the time. In my school, we have a few teachers who use technology just for the sake of using technology. I always challenge them answer why they are using, and how does it improve the learning process for students. I am old school in some ways, using paper notes and worksheets. Why? Because digitizing them would only fall in the replication section of the RAT model. Indeed, it replicates them for the ease (and possibly laziness) of the teacher, it does not actually help students. The RAT Model pushes us to be purposeful with our technology use. We should not be using technology just because it exists, we should use it to amplify and transform learning!
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa! Thank you for your thoughtful post this week. I enjoyed reading your response and learning more about Promethean Boards. I agree with your point that it does seem like once we (educators) learn a new piece of technology, something else replaces it. I have used both the Promethean and SmartBoard. Both concepts do enhance learning by making it more engaging and interactive. I was not familiar with the screen record feature, so I will have to look more into that. Interactive boards are very helpful in reaching all types of learners. While other modes of teaching can be used, this interactive board allows students to explore in new ways. As the RAT model notes, Promethean boards can increase the effectiveness of instructional practices.
ReplyDeleteHey Theresa! I am so guilty of using my Promethean Board for my use only. I use it on a daily basis as white board or to play videos for my student to watch. I honestly forget that this board can be interactive with students. I need to be more intentional to use it to enhance my student's learning experience. I am glad you mentioned the RAT model in your post because I found it very useful to follow. What I appreciated most about the RAT model is that it isn't a linear model.
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa! Our library just got its first mobile Promethean Board this past year and I love it! I can move it all over the library which helps depending on what the students are learning. I am still in the process of learning all the ends and outs of using it, so your videos were very helpful. I am trying to learn how to use in more so that the students can interact with it as well. That is my goal for this year. You are right by saying that technology is changing at a rapid pace. Our school district is getting new computers this year, so I am curious to see if the students like them or not. I am very invested in my computer, so I am sure that there might be some push back from the students. Thank you for your post!
ReplyDeleteI love that you have highlighted Promethean boards! There are a lot of good things to say about them! I really like that they integrate with my iPad and then I can teach from anywhere in the room (and not just with my back to the class while I'm writing on the board). I also really like that it allows for more than one person to write on the board at a time. That makes for some great collaborative opportunities!
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your initial statement from Mx. Dreeszen Bowman about technology tools being overused for the sake of using them in the classroom. I currently use a SMARTboard in my classroom, so I'm glad to learn more about Promethean boards and the technological enhancements they provide. Most of the time, I use my SMARTboard to project a presentation or video clip. I rarely use the SMART Notebook software, as it doesn't tend to be compatible with Google applications. I know a lot of Math teachers still like to use it, as it can be more compatible with showing a problem or example on the whiteboard. It seems like a Promethean board may be a bit more user friendly and more compatible with the Google Suite. I like how one of your videos encouraged teachers not to be scared and to be curious about technology. I tend to shy away from a technology tool unless I've had more practice with it. However, I've found if I have the courage to jump right in, sometimes students can be the best teachers, especially if they've used the applications in other content areas. Thanks for sharing!
Good morning Theresa!
ReplyDeleteThank you for talking about the Prometheus boards! I have always wanted to try one out and this definitely solidified that for me! I am intrigued as to whether this technology is available for each student. Can their individual devices be linked to the boards and projected to the class on a case by case basis, or is this a teacher led technology?
Tegan,
DeleteThe teacher can give anyone, including students, the right to screen share to the board. So whatever is on the students screen can be shared with the class. This is a great feature when students are making presentations.
I hope this helps!
Theresa