Student+Engagement+Through+Technology




 * __STUDENT ENGAGEMENT THROUGH "TEACHNOLOGY"__**​

What is instructional technology?

I believe the answer to this is fairly straightforward. Any technology that can be effectively applied in order to foster any sort of learning can be referred to as "instructional technology." While most people would just think of the 'norms' they have seen (such as computers, calculators, scales, etc.), I believe the definition can be much more broad. If you have the drive to incorporate any sort of technology in your classroom in order to further learning, I believe you could convincingly call whatever you used: "Instructional Technology."

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How did I choose my best examples of technology?

It was somewhat easy. When I had originally read the question, two instances immediately popped into my head. They are both examples of how I use different sorts of technology (whether or not they are considered "abstractions" of the term) to engage and teach my students.

My Edutaining Teachnology Paper

This file goes over my two instances of how I use instructional technology in my classroom. Or, more precisely, one way in which I use technology to engage and teach my students, and one way in which I believe I can enrich their lives further. "Well, Eric, what is it you already do in your classroom with technology?" you might ask. One word...

WII.

Check my doc to find out how!

My PodCast About "Wii Love Math!"

media type="file" key="StudentEngagementTechnologyVocalEricWalter.mp3" width="240" height="20"

Reflection I believe the two things that I learned most from this activity are...

1) I still have lots of room to grow. While it was easy to come up with 2 instances of either where I already apply technology well or places where I can in the future, had the topic asked me for 3+ ideas, I think I would have been pretty strapped. While I think a lot of what I do with technology and whatnot is great stuff, I guess I have a more severe critique of myself and really have to dig in order to come up with things I think other people will actually find interesting.

and

2) I really think the Wii activity is one of those concepts that shows that video games aren't just for entertainment if you just want to work a little creative magic on it, AND the whole idea of educational technology is really a malleable topic if you are willing to take the time to think, plan, and develop activities that will help justify "playing games" in a classroom in order to help learners (struggling and unmotivated or not!).