A comprehensive guide for integrating educational technology in the K-12 classroom This is a must-have resource for all K-12 teachers and administrators who want to really make the best use of available technologies. Written by Doug Johnson, an expert in educational technology, The Classroom Teacher's Technology Survival Guide is replete with practical tips teachers can easily use to engage their students and make their classrooms places where both students and teachers will enjoy learning.
- Covers the most up-to-date technologies and how they can best be used in the classroom
- Includes advice on upgrading time-tested educational strategies using technology
- Talks about managing "disruptive technologies" in the classroom
- Includes a wealth of illustrative examples, helpful suggestions, and practical tips
This timely book provides a commonsense approach to choosing and using educational technology to enhance learning.
Table of Contents:
About the Book ix
About the Author xi
Introduction 1
Why This Book? 1
Why Is an English Teacher Writing This Book Instead of Bill Gates? 2
Creating the Essential Conditions Needed for Successful Technology Use 3
Chapter One: Why Should Classroom Teachers Be Technologically Skillful? 7
Revolution or Evolution in Educational Change? 8
Developing a Framework for Thinking About Technology in Schools 10
Established Infrastructure 12
Effective Administration 14
Extensive Resources 16
Enhanced Teaching 19
Empowered Students 21
Chapter Two: Q&A About Some Basics 29
What Type of Computer Should I Have? 29
What Operating System (OS) Should I Choose: Windows, Macintosh, GNU/Linux, or Chrome? 29
How Much Memory Do I Need, and How Fast Does the Computer Need to Run? 31
Desktop, Laptop, Netbook, or Tablet? 31
What Other Equipment Should I Buy? 32
What Basic Software Do I Need? 33
What Are Freeware and Open-Source Software? 34
How Do I Manage Files on Multiple Computers? 36
What Is Cloud Computing, and What Are Its Advantages and Disadvantages? 36
How Can Teachers Take Advantage of Cloud Computing? 38
Disadvantages of Cloud Computing 39
What Does a Technologically Well-Equipped Classroom Look Like? 40
Seven Stupid Mistakes Teachers Make with Technology 42
Seven Brilliant Things Teachers Do with Technology 44
Chapter Three: Using Technology for Professional Productivity 47
Keeping Professionally Organized: Managing the Business of Teaching 48
Communicating Using Technology 49
Student Information System 52
Curriculum Management System 53
Course Management System 53
School Web Site and Teacher-Created Class Pages 54
Basic Productivity Tools 60
Word Processors 60
E-mail 61
Web Browsers and Search Engines 62
Graphics and Digital Image Editing Tools 64
Spreadsheets 65
Presentation Software 67
Basic Online Tools 69
Online Productivity Suites 70
Blogs 74
RSS Feed Aggregators and Readers 75
Wikis 76
Social Bookmarking Sites 77
Sites for Storing and Sharing Media 78
Options for Sharing and Working Collaboratively on Documents 79
Chapter Four: The Technology Upgrade 83
Getting Started with Technology in the Classroom 83
Assessing Technology-Enhanced Student Work 88
What IT Skills Should Teachers Expect of All Students? 94
Survival Skills for the Information Jungle 104
Problem-Based Learning and Information Literacy 105
Information Problem Solving Meets Technology 106
Information Jungle Survival Skills 107
The Hazards Are Great, but So Are the Rewards 111
Chapter Five: Teaching 21st-Century Skills 113
The Fourth R—Research 114
Designing Technology-Enhanced Projects—the Four A’s 115
The First A: Assignments 117
The Second A: Activities 119
The Third A: Assessment 120
The Fourth A: Attitude 123
Everyday Information Problem Solving 126
Entertain or Engage? Why You Need to Know the Difference 127
A Few Thoughts About Creativity 129
Right-Brain Skills and Technology: A Whole New Mind(-Set) 131
I Will as a Teacher 134
Chapter Six: Managing Disruptive Technologies in the Classroom 137
Some Approaches to Managing Technology in the Classroom 139
Using Technology in the Classroom to Support Student Learning 142
Computer Games in the Classroom 146
Why You Should Let Your Students Use the Internet for Nonacademic Purposes 147
Chapter Seven: Commonsense Practices for Safe and Ethical Technology Use 149
Teacher’s Day-to-Day Security Guide 150
Hardware Security 150
Passwords 151
Backups 152
Viruses 154
Data Privacy 154
Personal Privacy 155
Helping Students Stay Ethical and Safe Online 156
What’s Different About Technology Ethics? 157
Basics of Technology Ethics: Privacy, Property, Appropriate Use 158
Staying Safe on the Read-Write Web 161
What Are the Read-Write Web Safety Concerns, and How Valid Are They? 161
What Students Need to Understand About Technology Use 163
Guidelines for Educators Using Social and Educational Networking Sites 166
Social Networking Scenarios 168
Social Networking Scenario 1: Mr Blake and Jennifer 168
Social Networking Scenario 2: Ms Olson’s Camping Trip 169
Social Networking Scenario 3: Juan and Philip Trade Insults 169
Social Networking Scenario 4: The Social Networking Ban 169
Social Networking Scenario 5: The Blog About Blobs 169
Chapter Eight: Developing a Long-Term Learning Strategy 171
Keeping Your Sanity 173
The Librarian: Your Technology Partner 174
Bonus: Top Ten Secrets for Conducting a Successful Technology Workshop 177
Chapter Nine: Looking into the Crystal Ball 187
Three ‘‘High-Tech’’ Schools of the Future 188
Skinner Elementary School 188
John Dewey High School 189
Duncan Middle School 190
So What’s the Point? 191
How You Can Invent the Future and Take Charge of Your Own Technology Environment 191
Have a Personal Vision of Education and How Technology Should Be Used in It 192
Have a Voice in School Technology Policymaking and Planning 194
Experiment 195
Look for a Mentor, Coach, or Guide 196
Share Information 198
Support Others and Use a Team-Teaching Approach 198
Change from the Radical Center of Education 199
Adopt an ‘‘And’’ Not ‘‘Or’’Mind-Set 199
Look for Truth and Value in All Beliefs and Practices 200
Respect the Perspective of the Individual 201
Recognize That One Size Does Not Fit All (Kids or Teachers) 201
Attend to Attitudes 202
Understand That the Elephant Can Only Be Eaten One Bite at a Time 203
Make Sure Everyone IsMoving Forward, Not Just the Early Adopters 204
Don’t Be Afraid to Say, ‘‘I Don’t Know’’ 205
Believe That Measurement Is Good, but Not Everything Can Be Measured 205
Know and Keep Your Core Values 206
The Giant and the Ants: How Problems Are Solved 207
Readings and Resources 209
Chapter One: Why Should Classroom Teachers Be Technologically Skillful? 209
Associations 209
Some Influential Writers in the Field 210
Technology Critics and Skeptics 210
Other Education and Technology Thinkers 211
Chapter Two: Q&A About Some Basics 211
Chapter Three: Using Technology for Professional Productivity 211
Chapter Five: Teaching 21st-Century Skills 211
Chapter Six:Managing Disruptive Technologies in the Classroom 212
Chapter Seven: Commonsense Practices for Safe and Ethical Technology Use 212
Chapter Eight: Developing a Long-Term Learning Strategy 213
Chapter Nine: Looking into the Crystal Ball 213
Index 215
