Technology Infused Classroom

What does a technology infused classroom look like? If you think about computer classes as a kid, everyone was doing the same lesson that taught you something about the computer solely. You learned how to type, copy and paste or open up new programs. It is much more these days! Students are learning through technology. Technology is being "infused" into the classrooms by being integrated into daily routines and the curriculum. For example, students are learning how to copy and paste pictures of different phases of the moon in science. Students will range from the levels of technology that they are able to complete. In kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms student will be at the remember and understand stage. Hopefully some will get to the create stage where they can use technology to create something.

See how technology being infused in this classroom helps students get involved and motivated!

Some think they have to have these great technology lessons that drag on for days. Using technology a little bit each day such as a youtube video or students are practicing spelling words on the computer is a great start! How do you plan on creating a technology infused classroom?

Visual Literacy and Technology

Do you wish your students can interpret and critique images that they understand? Then try and use visual literacy. It creates a thinking environment with, about and through pictures. 
Visual Literacy is the way someone interprets an image to effectively communicate. Sometimes visuals are used with text or alone. Teachers are using them to relay information to students. Here is a new visualization of concepts in the ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.

Visual Literacy Array based on ACRL’s Visual Literacy Standards by D. Hattwig, K. Bussert, and A. Medaille 

Copyright 2013 The Johns Hopkins University Press. This image first appeared in PORTAL: LIBRARIES AND THE ACADEMY, Volume 13, Issue 1, January 2013, p. 75.

Teachers can combine visual literacy with the Internet to communicate effectively with students using less text. It can take place of pages of power points or lectures. Simply by replacing with images, videos and audio students can get the same information in less time. 

There are many types of visual literacy you can use in your classroom. Here is a list you can try:

• Photos
• Story boards
• Videos
• Cartoons
• Advertisements

There are many strategies you can use when you use them. All of them are based around discussions and what students see. You can use formal formats such as charts for the students to record ideas.

The Internet can play a huge role in your classroom if you plan for it. I plan to use blogging in my classroom in place of writing journals. Look at how this classroom have taken on Blogging as a hobby.  Blogging is a great way to get students to start writing!