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b. Maintain and manage a variety of digital tools and resources for teacher and student use in technology-rich learning environments
f. Collaborate with teachers and administrators to select and evaluate digital tools and resources that enhance teaching and learning and are compatible with the school technology infrastructure
Digital Independence in the Classroom
Managing and evaluating available digital tools for teacher sand student use can be overwhelming, especially with a constantly growing and changing supply of options. I have spent significant time investigating how the task of managing and evaluating digital tools can be driven by students instead of teachers. Choice often brings ownership of learning, as well as engagement. In my blog post, ISTE 3: Digital Independence in the Classroom, I explored how encouraging students to explore, evaluate and select their own digital tools for assignments actually prepares them for future careers, where making choices and problem solving are likely to be required skills. I created the above flowchart to assist students in making appropriate decisions in selecting digital tools for assignments.
Ed Tech Lead
As an Ed Tech Lead at my school, I have also collaborated with teachers to find tools that fit their pedagogical and curricular goals. Teachers have sought help to:
- incorporate 21st century tools into science projects
- promote online collaboration in health class
- set up student blogs in social studies
- understand emerging technologies for technology classes
- implement methods for BYOD management across curriculums
Two specific resources that can be used by teachers and students to identify already vetted digital tools are EdTechTeacher and Graphite by Common Sense Media. Both of these sites hold a database of available online tools that have been evaluated for a variety of needs such as price, ease of use, and accessibility.
<-Return to ISTE 3 Digital Age Learning Environments
