The use of technology in the classroom mirrors the world students live in and incorporating technology in the classroom is part of preparing students for today’s digital world. Incorporating technology allows teachers to refine instructional strategies and learning activities, so they create a classroom that is inclusive of all learning styles. Technology allows students access to information, helps them share knowledge and experiences, and promotes active engagement and high expectations for everyone. Classrooms that utilize technology frequently have higher levels of collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.  

You have been asked by your school’s principal to create a professional development opportunity for teachers about the types of technology they can utilize in the classroom that will improve active student engagement and learning outcomes, increase collaborative learning, and promote self-motivation and high expectations for all students.

Scenario: You are teaching in a Title I school that includes a diverse student population. Below are the student demographics:

72% of the students receive free and reduced lunch.
85% of the student population are English language learners with 10 first languages represented.
19% of the student population has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Create a resource for teachers at your school by using the scenario and demographics above.

Tri-fold brochure, including documentation of resources
Utilizing the deliverable of your choice, present the following information to educators:

Explain why teachers should utilize technology in the classroom and how it benefits student engagement, creativity, persistence, and self-motivation.
Provide 2-3 strategies or tools teachers can utilize to integrate technology into their lessons to increase student engagement and motivation. At least one strategy or tool should provide opportunities for students to virtually collaborate in an authentic, real-world learning experience with experts, teams, and/or other students locally and/or globally.
Discuss how teachers can provide accessibility and equity to all students in the classroom, regardless of their setting (in-person, hybrid, or at home), with the use of technology tools, digital content, and other online learning opportunities.
Provide at least one digital assessment tool that teachers can utilize during instruction and how they can ensure that the tool is equitable for all students.
Address a minimum of two potential barriers students may encounter when using technology and provide a solution to each barrier. One barrier should address the topic of safe technology use in the classroom and how teachers can model and promote student management of their personal data, digital identity, and data privacy.
Discuss how the rules and procedures in your future classroom will create experiences for students to make positive, socially responsible contributions to the environment. Describe how you will teach students to demonstrate empathy towards one another in the online environment.
Explain how technology can be used to communicate with families about student progress, ways to support students at home, and where parents can locate online resources relevant to the classroom. Discuss how you will ensure all families have access to this information.
Discuss why it is important to dedicate planning time to collaborate with colleagues when creating authentic learning experiences that leverage technology and provide opportunities to co-learn new digital resources and tools with students. Provide examples of how to make time for these collaboration strategies and examples of how to co-learn new technology with students.