Is the use of technology making a difference in our students learning?

Technology is a great tool to enhance learning, but could never take the place of good instruction! 

Do students learn from Technology?  I think they develop or improve skills with technology, but the learning takes place before they use the technology.   

When we plan as teachers, often we can use technology to present or enhance the lesson, but we are interactive with the students and the technology.  That interaction is where we check for understanding. 

When allowing students to use iPads or Chromebooks, I often think...what is the goal?  Can all students do this activity?  Can I differentiate it or find a different app if this one will not work for everyone?  Can the student work independently with this app?  What data can I get from students after they use technology? 

Technology is one of the bigger tools in my teacher toolbox!  I just want to make sure my students get excellent first instruction before they go and work on a piece of technology.

Teach me app...students apply knowledge already taught, and keeps track of students progress.

Planning and Goal Setting

In a Kindergarten classroom very little work is independent.  As I have worked with this years group of students I have found that many are open to new tasks and challenges.  I believe I have a few students that are ready to use digital tools to enhance their writing and publish their work.  Paper and pencil tasks are necessary, but I felt that it may be more engaging to dive into digital illustrating (using ipad screen to draw pictures and color), typing of writing (using keyboard on ipad to type writing), and introduce the self recording of students reading back their work (they love hearing their own voices).

Here are some examples of the writing pieces ready for digital illustrating:

I have decided on using Seesaw and having the students upload this work using Draw on the app.  The tools and very simple and easy to use.  They can draw with their fingers and add colors to their drawings.  They can then touch the typing icon and begin typing on the page with their illustration.  Draw also has the added feature of recording the student reading their writing.  This will be very engaging for students as they work through this process of digitally publishing their work.  They will also be able to share it with peers from our class and collaborate to edit and improve their work.  

We will also be able to give parents the opportunity thanks to Seesaw to see their child's work!