4. Technology as a Communication Tool
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When the radio was invented, it was forecasted that technology
would revolutionize education. Yet there was little evidence in
change of the delivery in teaching and student learning. Not until
communication between parties has become easy to use, and information
could be easily presented has there been a significant change in
the way that we teach and work.
Students are engaged and enthused with learning when they
can communicate and collaborate with others globally. Authentic
learning can take place as students interview and collaborate with
peers or experts in the field of their study.
There are a variety of ways that learning can be designed
to communicate with others. Some of these include asking experts
for advice, engaging in keypal projects, impersonations of historical
people, and gathering and exchanging information with peers.
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Ask an Expert
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The only separation that students have from experts in any
field of study is a computer. Before asking experts questions on
a topic, be sure that your students have exhausted other sources
of information before asking their question. Research the expert's
web site to see if they have already posted the answer to the question
that you are asking.
- Ask
an Expert Sites
- hotlist of useful sites for this activity
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Impersonations
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One activity that offers creativity in teaching curriculum, is
becoming involved in a collaborative project where either your students
impersonate historical figures and pose as that person or your students
communicate with others that are impersonating characters.
- Abraham
Lincoln
- Here is a man that poses as our famous president and answers
questions regarding Lincoln's life.
- Mrs.
Claus
- This teacher and second grade class pose as Mrs. Claus in
this fun Christmas activity.
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Key Pal Projects
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Communicating with peers from other communities can be a rewarding
experience for your students.
- More
Than Just KeyPals
- by Tammy Payton
This article appeared in the magazine, Library Talk.
Find out where you can go to find keypals for your class as
well as suggested activities that you can do.
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Traveling Buddies
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A fun and easy collaborative project that your classroom and even
your whole school can participate in, is with Traveling Buddies.
Traveling Buddies are stuffed animals that are mailed to participating
schools. While this animal is visiting that school, the host school
for the project and the participating school communicate between
each other.
- Traveling
Buddies
- by Tammy Payton
This article will give you ideas on what kind of travel buddy
you could use to represent your school, activities that you
can do with participating schools, how to post your announcement
for this project, a suggested itinerary, and ways that you can
creatively share information. This appeared in the Classroom
Connect magazine.
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Information Exchange Between Peers
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This is an example of authentic learning in action. Students are
motivated to research and refine writing and communication skills
when engaged in these projects.
- Monster
Exchange
- This is an educational project for K-9 graders. Students
try to communicate an original monster image into another child's
mind using learned writing skills and technology.
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Finding or Creating Collaborative Projects
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least two or three collaborative projects that are currently
on-going. You can learn how information is exchanged and gain
insight as to what you like or dislike about these projects.
For more information on joining and creating a collaborative
project, visit my tutorial: Collaborative Projects |
(WORKSHOP handouts/activity)
Go to the next
page for NETS 5: Technology as a research tool