Design Challenge Eight - Part 1

Presenter: Tori Spinoso

Title: Integrating the use of technology into non-traditional classrooms.

Equipment required: Internet access, overhead projector, speakers, laser pointer

Abstract: Public school classrooms integrate people of all ethnic races with all levels of technological intelligence. Good schools are now leaning toward using technology more and more in the classrooms. However, it has been stated that white males have the most access to computer time minority students and those of a lower economic status receive the least. According to Infoplease.com, approximately 19% of elementary-high school students are Hispanic. What does this mean for you as a teacher? It means that educators need to concentrate on how they might incorporate technology into classrooms that include females and non-white students. This presentation will discuss options such as creating bi-lingual on-line stories, connecting with schools in other countries through epals.com, creating virtual fieldtrips of contries that relate top the classroom students with the use of Flickr. We will also discuss the opportunities to develop coorporative learning situations by bringing together students with similar expertise and collaborative opportunities by bringing together students with varying expertise levels.