Using Technology to Enhance Teacher Effectiveness Plan & Reflections Elana Youssef Piscataway High School Piscataway, NJ November 10, 2021
What is EdTech? EdTech or Educational Technology is the infusion of any type of technology, including hardware or software, to enhance learning.
Who is using it? Walk into any school today, and you are very likely to see EdTech being used by all: teachers, students, administra -tors, secretaries, the list goes on.
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How is it being used?
EdTech looks different in every classroom or office of any school. The use depends on the needs and resources available. Here at Piscataway, we are fortunate to have many resources at our disposal. Here are just some of the tools in our toolbox.
Why should we invest in technology? The world is exploding with new technological advances every day in every part of the world. It is clear technology is the future, especially when you consider that AI (artificial intelligence) is taking over every sector of jobs.
"automation will supplant about 85 million jobs by 2025. WEF says there’s nothing to worry about since its analysis anticipates the future tech-driven economy will create 97 million new jobs." Preparing our students for the workforce can only be done by teaching them skills compatible with the needs of the future. This is impossible without the use of technology.
"Teachers are responsible for preparing students for a 21st century world, and exposing them to technology is a part of that"
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Student Engagement EdTech helps peak students' interest and increase engagement.
Learn Anywhere COVID has taught us the value of learning anywhere, this can also support remediation and acceleration at home.
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Collaboration Many platforms allow effortless collaboration to help support students and improve classroom culture.
Include ELLs Translation tools are invaluable in overcoming language barriers in the classroom.
The Benefits of EdTech Are Countless Aside from the paramount benefit of preparing our students for the workforce of their time, EdTech provides students with an enriching learning experience. Furthermore, teachers also benefit greatly from infusing education with technology. These are just a few...
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Learner Feedback Realtime individual student feedback helps teachers differentiate and adjust teaching instantly.
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Strengthen Communication With so many options for digital communication, teachers can easily keep in touch with students and families.
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Education Leadership & Management Reduce waste and speedy input of data save time and help crate meaningful reflection.
Professional Development Technology allows teachers to access PD opportunities anywhere at anytime.
Is EdTech Being Used Effectively? According to research, the answer to this question is "no" in many cases. “Unfortunately, our collective investment of more than $100 billion in EdTech over the last decade has fallen far short of its potential impact,”
In order to use EdTech effectively, we must make data-driven decisions moving forward How can we accomplish this? We can learn from or JOIN the EdTech Genome Project 6
Why is our use of EdTech ineffective? 14,000 school districts spend over $13.2 billion on over 6,000 EdTech tools, and these numbers are on the rise. EdTech tool selection decisions are not data-driven, rather, they are based largely on online searches and colleague recommendations. What is the outcome? Only 15% of EdTech tools are used properly and effectively 30% could have been effective, but are not utilized properly 55% did not stand a chance to be effective because they were a "poor fit"
We need to make data-driven decisions! Here is how... The EdTech Genome Project was launched through the EdTech Evidence Exchange program. The goal of the EdTech Genome Project is to create a database, the EdTech Evidence Exchange Platform. This will contain data to help match districts with detailed data from similar districts about the effectiveness of EdTech they have used. The more data added to this platform, the better it will serve us. This will ultimately aid districts in making EdTech choices for their schools. The data was collected through the EdTech Evidence Exchange in which diverse stakeholders are surveyed on context variables shown below. These variables have been shown to be the most important in choosing EdTech. More details about this amazing project can be found here.
What Is New In EdTech And How Can We Use It? Compiling data for the EdTech Genome Project will take time, so how do we make decisions here and now?
11th grade students at Dwyer Technical Academy are shown above exploring atoms and molecules in their Chemistry class using VR to bring their curriculum to life and show them content in ways that would have never been possible.
We can learn from their process and look at districts that are similar in population and needs to Piscataway such as Elizabeth, both districts are Title I. Then, follow paths they found successful. What are they up to?....VIRTUAL REALITY! NJIT is conducting research at Elizabeth Public Schools to study the impact of VR on student learning. During the 3-month study, researchers reported an increase in student engagement and comprehension.
Researchers reported students were more interested in the content when utilizing VR.
Technology from Oculus such as these goggles, were used in this research study.
Sources Kelly, J. (2020, October 27). U.S. lost over 60 million jobs-now robots, Tech and artificial intelligence will take millions more. Forbes. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2020/10/27/us-lost-over-60-million-jobsnow-robots-tech-and-artificial-intelligence-will-take-millions-more/?sh=76e9ba4 c1a52 . Virginia researchers map the "EdTech genome". School of Education and Human Development | University of Virginia. (2021, August 3). Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://education.virginia.edu/news/virginia-researchers-map-%E2%80%9Cedte ch-genome . EdTech Evidence Exchange. (2021). (rep.). The EdTech Genome Project. Retrieved November 5, 2021, from https://edtechevidence.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1.-FINAL-EdTechGenome Project-FinalReport_July2021-2.pdf . Lynch, M. (2018, July 24). 25 ways that EDTECH benefits teachers and students. The Tech Edvocate. Retrieved November 08, 2021, from https://www.thetechedvocate.org/25-ways-that-edtech-benefits-teachers-and-st udents/ . Lynch, M. (2020, July 31). How edtech makes educators lives better. The Tech Edvocate. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://www.thetechedvocate.org/how-edtech-makes-educators-lives-better/. James, S. (2018, July 11). NJIT Lecturer Uses Grant From Oculus to Study Virtual Learning Environments. NJIT New Jersey Institute of Technology. Retrieved November 8, 2021, from https://news.njit.edu/university-lecturer-lands-grant-oculus-unlock-potential-vir tual-learning-environments . Berry, B., Doucets, A., & Ben Owens. (2020, May). Teacher leadership in the aftermath of a pandemic: The now, the dance, the transformation. Teacher Leadership in the Aftermath of a Pandemic The Now, The Dance, The Transformation. Retrieved November 3, 2021, from https://issuu.com/educationinternational/docs/2020_research_covid-19_nowd ancetransformation?fr=sZDU1MzE0MTkwMTA .
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