Michele Weiss

ourfifthgradeyear.weebly.com
EDU-225
September 12, 2015

Blog entry 2: Integrating Instructional Technology

Instructional technology is evolving so quickly that as educators, if we are not developing our
teaching techniques along with it we will be left in the dust of the pencil shavings that are
themselves becoming obsolete. As part of the Arizona state standards across the board students
must be able to gather, evaluate, and interpret information across diverse media styles and
formats(AZ Department of Education, 2013). Not only is this a standard mandated by the state,
but many educators have jumped on this technological bandwagon years ago and are reaping the
benefits of higher test scores, easier data collecting, and more engaged students(Khan, Slavitt,
2013). Skype, TED-Ed, and Khan Academy, are just three technology based teaching tools that
can be used to enrich classroom instruction using videos, pre constructed lessons, data collection
and analysis, and interactive learning platforms.
Skype
Skype is video conferencing, and therefor requires a computer with internet access and a web
cam. Skype can level the playing field when it comes to specialized distance learning by
allowing students that may never get the chance to visit places of historical significance due to
physical, financial, or geographical limitations. Skype also allows those who cannot attend
traditional classrooms for whatever reason, the chance to be a part of that learning
experience(Abe, Jordan, 2013). Fifth grade Arizona writing standards are quite rigorous, and
speaking directly to an author via Skype would be a great tool to discuss how to develop events
using proficient technique, appropriate details, and well organized sequence of events(AZ Dept.
of Ed, 2013).

Khan Academy
Khan Academy is an online instructional tool that really puts learning in the hands of the student.
Instruction is initiated and evaluated by the teacher with pre-tests to evaluate a students
knowledge and data collection tools. The difference is the student is encouraged to go at their
own pace until they have mastered the skill they are working with. This puts the teacher in a
different role of leader and facilitator instead of content deliverer(Khan, Slavitt, 2013). The
site started with simple math videos, and has grown to skills involving macroeconomics, organic
chemistry, and specialty partnerships with the NOVA labs and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In fifth grade math standards, students are expected to think critically, reason abstractly, and use
multiple manipulatives and tools strategically(AZ Dept. of Ed., 2013). The state standards are
also mapped out in a detailed manner, so it would be easy to find Khan Academy content to
match, such as finding the rule in the pattern. Khan Academy has a fifth grade level video on
visualizing and interpreting relationships between patterns.
TED-Ed
TED-Ed is an off chute of TED which is a non-profit that started out in 1984 as a one-time
conference of people from the Technology, Entertainment, and Design fields sharing ideas.
TED-Ed is a website of educational videos with accompanying lesson plans(TED-Ed, 2014). An
account allows the user to create lesson plans on any of the videos found on YouTube , or add to
and modify current lessons on TED-Ed. The user can create multiple choice, true and false, or
essay questions pertaining to the chosen videos as well, and then publish their lesson for other
users. These simple and short videos and lesson plans are great tools for new teachers to use as
they are learning new techniques and technology tools, and for seasoned teachers to easily add to
their repertoire. The Arizona fifth grade reading standard for informational text states that

students must be able to compare and contrast concepts in two or more texts, and draw from
information from multiple sources(AZ Dept. of Ed., 2013). Creating a TED-Ed video lesson on
comparing and contrasting texts with the same main idea is very easy. The lesson editor on the
site gives options to create multiple choice, and essay questions right along side the video that is
being used. Then discussion points can be added as well. This is a quick and easy way to
introduce a lesson, and many teachers are benefiting from the use of TED-Ed in the flipped
classroom setting where students view lectures or videos on-line before class(Hsin-liang,
Summers, 2015).
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning
Technology in the classroom is here to stay, but the methods in which it is used vary
from teacher to teacher. Educators that are trained, knowledgeable, and comfortable with the
uses of technology can keep their students engaged, provide a copious amount of up to the
minute information, and thusly better prepare their students for higher level learning and the job
market of their future(Gunter, Gunter, 2015). On the flip side teachers can not become blas or
dependent on the technology to solely teach the lessons. At its best technology can allow a new
teacher to emerge, one who is a mentor and catalyst, not a simple regurgitater of facts and
details(Khan, Slavitt, 2013).
Wired and Wireless Classrooms
Wired and wireless classrooms are much as they sound; classes connected to technology
via traditional phone lines or classrooms connected to the internet via wireless
technology(Gunter, Gunter, 2013). Since most classrooms have wireless capabilities this allows
for a much wider range of hardware use such as tablets and smart phones. Wired desktop

computers are still used in computer labs and classrooms but somewhat limit the user to that
space. Wireless capabilities expand where the user is able to use the technology given.
Conclusion
The world of academia is forever changing and evolving, however slowly, to include
technology more and more in the education of students. As the world is becoming more
dependent on technology in every aspect of life, so students must be prepared to join the legion
of adults expected to be able to function well in it. Educators have a new role to teach to this
new expectation, to prepare our children for this technology heavy job market. Integrating
technological tools is making the teachers job easier by including lesson plans, data collecting
tools and video instruction for them. State standards mandate the use of multiple and diverse
media to teach students, and there are countless tools available to teachers willing to grow and
evolve into the teacher of this millennial generation.

References
"Arizona Department of Education K-12 Standards." Arizona Department of Education, n.d.
Web. 12 Sept. 2015. Retrieved from, http://www.azed.gov/.
Khan, S., & Slavitt, E. (2013). A Bold New Math Class. Educational Leadership, 70(6), 28-31.
Hsin-liang, C., & Summers, K. L. (2015). Developing, Using, and Interacting in the Flipped
Learning Movement: Gaps among Subject Areas. International Review Of Research In
Open & Distance Learning, 16(3), 41-64.
Gunter, Glenda A., Randolph E. Gunter, and Gary B. Shelly. Teachers Discovering
Computers: Integrating Technology in a Changing World. 8th ed. Cengage, n.d. Web.
Retrieved, 12 Sept. 2015.
Abe, P., & Jordan, N. A. (2013). Integrating Social Media into the Classroom Curriculum. About
Campus, 18(1), 16-20.
TED-Ed. (2014). About. Retrieved September 12, 2015, from http://ed.ted.com/about