Engaging Students Using Technology

Engaging students and facilitating their learning is central to the role of educators. Many educators are using “stand and deliver” methods to educate students instead of facilitating their learning through multiple means of engagement.  To learn more about engaging students, we need to know what they know, how they know it and most of all, how do they want to learn the material?

Select this link to view the Evolution of Instructional Technology from 1650-2011

In this activity, you will listen to student voices. What do they say about learning? How do they learn best? What do you do in your current practice that reflects these ideas? What would your students say if you were to ask them?

Select the video image below to watch the video and listen to what they have to say. As you watch, think about how technology could facilitate their learning.

ASSIGNMENT:

For this assignment you may choose to either create and administer an interest inventory OR interview a group of students.

Option A: Student Interest Inventory

• Choose a class, create and administer an interest inventory. Create an interest inventory (see several examples below) and administer it to a class of students.
• Write up a one page reflection on how this went when you administered, what you found out or what you hope to find out. How does he or she learn? What motivates him or her? What are her/his concerns, attitudes, and beliefs, as well as behaviors? What does s/he understand about the subject matter? What skills does s/he have? How do the results intersect with your own schooling experience and how you learn? How will the results alter your instructional practice?

Option B: Student Interviews

• Develop an interview protocol (around 4-5 questions) and administer to a diverse group of students (note: choose students who are at the extremes in your class). Sample Protocol:
  • 1) Why should students learn social studies/history?
  • 2) What do you think helps students learn the subject matter?
  • 3) What kind of strategies help you learn best?
  • 4) What challenges do you face in learning history/social studies?
• Write up a one page reflection on how this went when you administered. What surprised you about the interview with the students? How did this experience affect your knowledge and beliefs about student learning, teaching and perceptions of the subject matter? How does this interview intersect with your own schooling experience and how you learn? How will the results alter your instructional practice?

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Sample Student Learning Inventories: