Integrating Technology Into The Classroom

Hello everyone! I have started blogging on Medium for my Graduate Class Leadership in Administration of Education Technology. I am currently in my fourth year of teaching at Jesuit Academy in Omaha, Nebraska. I have always been interesting in using technology in my classroom but I am not very “technology savvy” and am excited to learn different strategies and ideas in this class.

I taught fourth grade for the three previous years at Jesuit Academy. We were a self-contained classroom where I taught almost all the subjects except for the students’ specials. I was lucky enough to get several iPads donated to my classroom to use with the students.

I had been asking for iPads for over a year, so when our president and principal surprised me with them, I was pumped! I immediately began researching apps to use that my students would not only enjoy, but benefit academically from as well. I will list some of the apps I thought were most beneficial at the end of this post.

I had the most luck finding apps for Math. I received the iPads in the middle of our Multiplication unit so the timing was perfect. I was able to find multiple apps that had the students practicing their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. The students loved the various ways they could practice, rather than just using worksheets and flashcards.

The students mainly used the iPads when they had completed their coursework. This was a great motivator for my students as they were excited to use their new tablets in the classroom. To curb students from rushing through their work so they can get an iPad, I would have to look over their work to make sure it was satisfactory, then I would have the give them the go ahead to use an iPad.

The biggest challenge I had with the iPads and the apps was the fact we did not have an iPad for every student. Because of this, when a new student was on an app that did not have mutiple users, they would erase the progress the student before them had made. This caused the students to have to redo much of the work on the apps that would build on the progress made by the student.

When I moved to the sixth grade, I had to leave the iPads in the fourth grade classroom. Because of this, I never got any further than using the tablets except for extra practice when the students were done with their homework. However, my next step would have been to start incorporating the iPads into lessons.

Our sixth, seventh, and eighth graders all switch classes at Jesuit Academy. Because we are such a small school (approximately 75 students total) the faculty has to teach multiple classes. I currently teach the following: fourth grade Social Studies, sixth grade Math and Reading, seventh grade United States History, and eighth grade Religion. The two classes I would like to incorporate technology in are Math and United States History.

The first semester in United States History, my main objective was teaching the students how to take quality notes and be able to use them as a study aid. We used a little technology with powerpoint, watching videos, as well as having the students write papers. Moving forward, I would like to use more technology in various ways. The students have done a good job taking notes along with completing the other projects we have worked on. I want them to be engaged and enjoy coming to my class. In today’s world of technology, I know I must find ways to use it in all my classes.

We have been lucky enough to receive a donation for our entire school to be 1:1 with either a iPad or a chromebook. We have not received the tablets or computers yet, and I would like to be prepared with activities and projects before we get them. I need to get started with research!

I believe using technology in our classrooms can only enhance our students’ experiences. I am looking forward to learning more and putting it to work at Jesuit Academy!

Great Apps for 4th Grade Students: Math Drills Lite, Jack’s Math, 4th Grade Learning Games, iTooth, The Spelling Bee, 4th Level Grammar, 4th Grade Smart Kids