Technology CAN Enhance Student Learning!

I really enjoyed the model of learning that Yen-Ling described to us in class on Tuesday. The model is right-students learn best when they have an opportunity to be creative, play around with the materials, and then produce something to show their new learned knowledge. Thus, I think technology is a great avenue to use to help students become creative and to produce materials.
In literacy, students can use the internet to research the author of their text, they can research the setting (as suggested by Kat and Tara) on Google Earth, they can write a letter or email to the author. Students can also practice their writing skills while eliminating the extra thinking process of handwriting. If students become proficient in typing, they can use computers more and more for writing which will only help them become more fluent writers. Students with learning disabilities in writing can use the computer to record their thoughts; they can use certain programs that help students organize their ideas before writing. Students with reading disabilities or visual impairments can scan the text into the program and have it read to them. They can also use the computer to enlarge the text. Finally, they can change the color of the text to ease their reading.
In mathematics, students can use computer programs to visualize fractions, money, etc. Students can participate in many computer games that make fractions fun! Second graders in my classroom were delighted to make pizzas on the computer, following recipes for ¼ mushrooms, ¼ cheese, and ½ pepperoni. They were so proud to have been working with fractions.
In science and social studies, students can research on the internet, look at images, and develop models. The students in my classroom were looking at an atlas the other day and traveling east and west, north and south to different states. I wanted to jump in and show them real images over Google Earth. This would have been an excellent opportunity for students to see images of real places right in front of them. Students can also conduct inquiry lessons through the internet and research databases. They can also organize their data in spreadsheets and other programs.
I have limited technology in this piece to computer technology, but it can be extended to voice recorders, speaking dictionaries, translators, scanners, cameras, camcorders, etc. Students love technology and they love to be hands on. Technology is just one more way for students to grab a hold of their learning and become active in constructing their knowledge.