Ten simple guidelines for Digital Integration
The integration of digital resources can be fairly intimidating to even the most technologically seasoned educator. The following guidelines and resources will provide you with basic information as you consider purposeful integration within your own instruction.
When determining how, when, where, and why any technology resource (hardware or software) should be integrated within instruction for teaching purposes, consider the following questions:
- Is the tool easy to learn and use? If the answer is NO, consider searching for an alternative.
- Does the resource provide easily accessed and utilized professional development options? It is very important that tutorial resources are concise yet complete in order to effectively learn how to leverage the technology.
- Would utilization of the resource enhance and promote the content that it will be intended to deliver? the tool should not replace instruction but support and promote the information.
- Will the content delivered by the resource remain aligned to content? If there is even a slight chance that alignment will be compromised by the technology, do not use it.
- Can you utilize the resource as a data collection and analytic tool? This is important in order to provide formative feedback to the learner.
- Does the resource provide the ability for collaboration between both teacher to student and student to student? The most effective resources provide components that offer collaborative learning environments.
- Will learners be able to use the resource to reflect upon their learning? Reflection leads to iteration, and iteration leads to refinement of knowledge.
- Can the resource offer the ability to differentiate instruction for individual learners? Differentiation is a key component of instruction; it ensures that each learner is being taught to their own learner characteristics and cognitive capabilities.
- Does the resource provide the opportunity to create authentic and relevant instruction? Relevant instruction, to the learner population, results in greater knowledge acquisition and retention.
- Does the resource instruct the student both in and out of class? It is vital that students have the ability to return to content, at a later time, to review and gain a confirmation of understanding.
When determining how, when, where, and why any technology resource (hardware or software) should be integrated within instruction for student learning support purposes, consider the following questions:
- Is the tool easy to learn and use? If the answer is NO, consider searching for an alternative.
- Does the resource provide easily accessed and utilized help options if the student needs technical assistance? It is very important that tutorial resources are concise yet complete in order to effectively learn how to leverage the technology.
- Would utilization of the resource enhance and promote the content that was delivered during the lesson? The tool should not replace instruction but support and promote the information understanding.
- Will the content remain aligned to content delivered through instruction? If there is even a slight chance that alignment will be compromised by the technology, do not use it.
- Is formative feedback immediately provided to the student through formative assessment apart from class instruction? This is important in order to provide immediate formative feedback to the learner.
- Does the resource provide the ability for collaboration between both teacher to student and student to student? The most effective resources provide components that offer collaborative learning environments.
- Will the resource allow students to privately reflect upon their own content understanding? Reflection leads to iteration, and iteration leads to refinement of knowledge.
- Can the resource adapt to the learner, or can the learner adapt the resource to achieve learner customization? Differentiation is a key component of instruction; it ensures that each learner is being taught to their own learner characteristics and cognitive capabilities.
- Does the resource provide the opportunity to create authentic and relevant project-based learning assignments? Relevant instruction, to the learner population, results in greater knowledge acquisition and retention.
- Does the resource instruct the student both in and out of class? It is vital that students have the ability to return to content, at a later time, to review and gain a confirmation of understanding.
Click here to download a checklist and guide for vetting digital resources intended to support your lesson. |
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