KATE

Technology and Inquiry

Instructional Illuminations

By:  Andrew Clinton, Fulton County Middle School 

What do students need to achieve at high levels in the state of Kentucky? Students need units of study that implement useful technology and that have access to a variety of learning activities and assessments. Children today know technology. They watch television, use computers, play video games, and have cell phones. In fact, a good percentage of children know more about technology than their parents. So it is essential that educators use this effective tool in their arsenal. In addition, students today do not learn the same way children did twenty years ago; or even ten years ago. It is important that teachers allow the students to access content in many different ways to ensure student understanding. Gone are the days of teachers standing in front of the students regurgitating memorized information. Today's teachers must not only provide valuable, interesting, and meaningful instruction to guarantee student success, but use instructional technology to foster student motivation, engagement and excitement.

Teachers need to learn more about different types of technology. There are many professional development activities and organizations that are encouraging teachers to step out of their comfort zone and step into the world of technology. An organization like Murray State's Teacher Quality Institute has made it possible for many teachers to receive valuable training on creating technology rich lessons and units. Through the work of the Kentucky Academy of Technology Education at Murray State hundreds of teachers have gained useful knowledge in creating PowerPoint, Photo Story, and SMART Board presentations. KATE has provided teachers with hundreds of technology tips making teaching a little less stressful. Where there is a teacher that is excited about technology, there will be a class that is excited about learning.

The second thing teachers must do is infuse their lessons with hands on activities, visual images, and anything else that could tickle the student's senses. Implementing inquiry-based activities raises the possibility of student learning. If you want proof that inquiry-based activities work just think about how children learn; they touch, taste, and try new things until they find a favorable outcome. How many children learned to ride their bike by listening to a thesis lecture on the importance of balance and pedaling procedures? Most children learned from skinned knees, tearful faces, and that proud parent running behind them. Teachers must stop telling the students how to ride the bike and let the students learn for themselves. Instead of standing in front of them saying how, teachers need to stand behind them yelling WOW! It is time to literally place the learning in the students' hands.

As teachers of the present we must understand that the children of the present will soon be the leaders of the future. It is important to know that every mind touched, every thought encouraged, and every attitude shaped takes us a step closer to a brighter future. Encourage students to teach us things about technology that we may not know, allow students to get their feet wet trying new things, and be proud of all the successful students that touch our heart everyday.

Related Lesson Plans, Activities, and Classroom Resources

• Integrated Technology Lesson Plans
• Microsoft lesson plans for students and educators
• Technology Lesson Plans
• MAIS K-6 Science Inquiry, Investigation, and Design Technology ...