Teaching and Learning with Technology
Technology can be a fantastic tool for practicing skills. Having clear expectations for students to follow is key! The technology you use also needs to be useful and applies to what the students are doing, avoiding busy work sites. Learning with Technology can be amazing for kids!
Learning with Technology
I have a complete list of various educational websites. Some of my favorite ELA websites are: Teach a Monster to Read, RAZ Kids, EPIC, ReadWorks, just to name a few. Not all of these are free. Another skill I like to use with technology are typing websites. There are a bunch, but students need to learn how to type! Check them out here reading and writing websites here.
The websites I like are the ones that allow the student to work on their individual reading level. One of my favorites is RAZ Kids because of this reason! You do need a subscription, but I’m lucky that my district provides this for me. It’s worth asking your district.
Downsides of Technology
Technology is great, but students can get distracted by other sites. One expectation I have for any student that is on technology, is their screen needs to face me, another teacher or an adult in the room. It keeps them accountable. Now, I can do this with small groups in my room, but this may be tougher for a general education classroom.
I have heard that some districts give the teacher technology that allows them to see each student’s screen at the same time. Even allowing teachers to close tabs they shouldn’t be on. I don’t have this, but I am eagerly waiting for the day!
Links & Passwords
With technology, comes students learning how to find the website, logging in, and learning passwords. For my special education groups, each student has a “Passwords and Links” google sheet that I share as a web page with them. This contains links to websites that will go directly to the student login page. It also has all their usernames and passwords. A blank example of the one I created is pictured below.
I realize this is a lot of work up front. But for special education students, once it’s completed, all you have to do update as need and it can be used every year.
My resource team at my school are using this same links and passwords page. We have one person who houses all the students who receives services under one login. We all share that login so we can access the students information as well as the students not needing new logins. It’s a win-win for all sides. The one I use is in my Free Resource Library. You can sign in below or here.
Technology is a fantastic resource when used the correct way with students. I have a list of educational websites linked here. If you know of other websites, let me know and I’ll add them! My email is TheTeacherHub.Lisa@gmail.com.
Calls to Action
