Liston Masters Portfolio 1

Technology Statement

The teacher demonstrates the ability to apply technology to support student learning which
can include: The integration of interactive technologies and resources in instructional
plans, the use of technology opinions for learners to manage data and direct their own
learning, the use of technology to scaffold content understanding and skill development, the
employment of technology to support assessment practices both to engage learners more
fully and to assess and address learner needs, the use of technology to engage learners in
meeting learning objectives, and the effective evaluation of technology resources for
quality, accuracy and effectiveness.
Technology is an intricate and essential part of our everyday life in and out of the

classroom. Teachers all over the world have been using technology in the classroom, but over

the past several years, teachers have used technology at a higher rate due to the pandemic and the

need for online education. Basic technology skills are essential for everyday living and for the

educational setting. My goal as a teacher is to provide students with the practical knowledge

around technology and to utilize technology to enhance lessons and engagement in the

classroom. I try to utilize many different technological tools within the classroom as another

method of creating a classroom of lifelong learners.

Technology is used to enhance lessons and student engagement, but is also a key role in

classroom management in the classroom. Technology has become increasingly prevalent in

elementary education, offering new opportunities for students to learn, engage and explore in

exciting new ways. For example, teachers are using interactive whiteboards to create engaging

and interactive lessons that can capture the attention of learners. Students can also use the

boards to participate in class activities and presentations (Murry, 2019). Instruction should be

based primarily on developing learners thinking, not necessarily always on what outcome it is

going to generate. For efficiency, technology can be used to implement structure and routine

with students. For example, every morning my students know to expect the morning routine to

be on the board in the form of this slide from the daily slideshow. Students get use to the
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routine, know what to expect every morning, and know to look at the television (more

technology) in the classroom to see what they need to do before school starts. There are also a

variety of educational apps available that can help elementary students learn and practice basic

skills, such as reading, writing, and math. For example, the app “Reading Eggs” helps young

learners develop reading skills through interactive games and activities (Zhao, 2020).

Students were assigned the task of identifying an Olympic sport they wanted to know

more about. Once students identified the sport they were interested in learning about, they

researched the sport and created a slide show presentation (link) that they were tasked with

presenting to their 4th grade peers. To engage students and jumpstart their curiosity, we used

technology to enhance their excitement through previewing each sport online. We also use

technology to facilitate a wide variety of skills within the assignment. Students created a hard

copy rough draft, peer edited each other’s slides, used technology to research the subject and

create their individualized presentations, and practiced public speaking by presenting their

project to their peers.

There is a student’s cognitive development in which a student grows, adapts, and changes

over their lifetime. Slavin argues that cognitive development is a key component of educational

psychology. He suggests that cognitive processing such as memory, attention, and problem

solving are critical for learning, and that understanding how these processes work can help

educators design effective instructional strategies (Slavin, 2021). I have noticed the move to

more technology in the classroom, and with the fast-paced change in technology, there will be a

continued need for teachers that are willing to embrace the change and grow as technology

grows in the classroom. Providing students with the skills to succeed outside the classroom,

would include giving them the opportunity to learn and utilize technology in a way that will aid
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them not only in the classroom, but in life outside the class. As mentioned previously, students

in my classroom learn to utilize technology to research a subject, and create a slideshow to

present to the class.

Moving forward, my goal is to evolve and change, just as technology evolves and

changes and give students the opportunity to make connections between their efforts and their

successes and take those skills into the community. Technology can enhance the learning

experience of students in the classroom and should be viewed as a tool that can support student

learning (Sousa & Tomlinson, 2011).

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References

Murry, M. (2019). Interactive whiteboards in the elementary classroom: Best practices for
integration. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 22(4), 198-208.

Slavin, R. E. (2021). Educational psychology: Theory and practice (13th ed.). Pearson.

Sousa, D. A., & Tomlinson, C. A. (2011). Differentiation and the brain: How neuroscience
supports the learner-friendly classroom. Solution Tree Press.

 Zhao, Y. (2020). Educational apps for elementary students: A review of the literature. Journal
of Educational Technology & Society, 23(3), 112-123.