Assignment #1

Tasks to improve productivity by using technology in the classroom

The way in which students learn and conduct research. Access to countless information is an excellent benefit that technology brings into a classroom and by showing our students how to use the Internet correctly and safely we, as educators, would be able to improve productivity in the classroom. I am a tutor at an elementary school and I want to teach elementary students and there are so many websites that are so helpful to help children learn, in which they can find innumerous data, such as, kidsknowit.com, funbrain.com, zooburst.com, e-learningforkids.org, starfall.com, learninggamesforkids.com, funschool.kaboose.com, kids.discovery.com, go2web20.net, just to mention a few. Children also have public access to various online dictionaries and encyclopedias that are age appropriate such as, factmonster.com, academickids.com and kids.britannica.com.

Also communication and collaboration can be reinforced by creating a website in which students could post comments about the class and also ask questions about things they are not understanding in class. Also student parents could communicate with the teacher through that website.  Even though students are not in the classroom, teachers can help students out and review their work in a timely manner to provide feedback.

Web 2.0 tools is another excellent way in which we can improve productivity in a classroom. Web 2.0 tools are websites in which teachers and students can work in a collaborative manner, this tools include, blogs, wikis, and social networks. Also teachers can develop real-life situations tasks with Web 2.0 tools and online interactive activities. Applying real life examples to all content areas allows students to develop more authentic connections. When children relate what they are being taught to prior knowledge it is easier for them to retain the new information also it is easier to capture their attention and to get them more involved.

By using interactive whiteboards and different software to introduce lessons or emphasize specific information is an excellent way to get the students more involved in class and interested about the different topics. There is another way in which we can improve productivity in classrooms that is through the use of different software such as Excel and Word that help us organize all our information in a clear and easy way.