Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1158290
Kristin Bowling, director of technology services at Enterprise Elementary School District, says that allowing students to learn about a particular topic and then use AR/VR to interact with it brings the learning to life. "I have seen students travel to faraway pl aces and th en into th e circul ator y system in our bodies through headsets," says Bowling, a member of the Enterprise Elementary Teachers Association. "Stu- dents are able to connect their knowledge with what they are seeing, which creates a stron- ger mastery of the concept. It's realia of the 21st century." An d i t 's n o t j u s t t a k i n g v i r tu a l t r i p s a c r o s s s p a c e and tim e; v i d e o streamin g technology brings the world's experts into classrooms, pro- viding students with access to working scientists, mathema- ticians, engineers and other brilliant minds. " We can bring in experts from any- where in the world — or off-world in the case of astronauts — to share informa- tion with students. Before, this would be contingent on the expert's calendar and location, whereas now it can be sched- uled more easily and allow a more robust int eraction w ith stud ents," say s O ak Grove education technology specialist Sergio Rizzi. E d Te c h n a tu ra l ly l e n d s it s e l f t o a variety of project-based learning oppor- tunities, giving students opportunities to dive deep and develop multiple skills at the same time. Canale has been using video-based , student-led news shows to teach sixth-graders everything from ancient history to marketing. With video editing software like Touch- cast or WeVideo, Canale helps students produce "Time Box," a n e w s program about th e latest and greatest in ancient civilization. Student anchors go live to roving reporters on the scene of the Greco-Persian War or to an exclusive inter- view with Cleopatra (recorded using the green-screen video application D o Ink) b efore airing a commercial for the coming Olympic games. "It's a great way for students to show what they have learned, practice writing a script, practice public speaking (great for English learners), learn about videogra- phy, and collaborate with other students," Canale says. Touchcast gives students the tools to produce their own interactive videos. Why is EdTech necessary? "Why do we need technology in the classroom? The pur- pose of any tool is to increase productivity, improve efficiency, and make the mas- ter's job easier to accomplish. Likewise, that is the purpose in education: Tools allow students to practice skills more produc- tively, and teachers to implement les- sons and check for understanding more efficiently and easily. There are many skills that we want students to learn and benefit from, and good teach- ing can happen with or without the tools. But the tools make it easier to help stu- dents to learn." STEVE HARMON, SERGIO RIZZI. and BRUCE NEFF EdTech specialists, Oak Grove Educators Association (above) 22 cta.org Andy Mitchell