Strategies for the Tech-Savvy Classroom [Paperback]

Diane Witt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1593633564 | ISBN-13: 978-1593633561

Technology is opening doors for students of all ability levels—but especially for gifted kids. For teachers, the opportunities to integrate technology solutions into the classroom are virtually limitless. This exciting book features tools such as:

• classroom podcasts and blogs,
• wikis and WebQuests,
• telementoring, and
• Internet research strategies.

Many of these tools have already been embraced by students in their personal lives. Now, Strategies for the Tech-Savvy Classroom provides tested lesson plans aligned with the national standards, real-world classroom applications, and notes from the field to help educators learn to harness these technologies and put them to work in their own classroom.

Adaptable to any grade level and helpful to general educators and specialists alike, this comprehensive snapshot of technology for today and tomorrow will highlight well-known tools and tactics such as blogs and online journals, as well as introduce innovations new to many classrooms, including distance learning and virtual mentoring programs. Critical information on staying safe online, cyberbullying, and cyberethics also is provided to help educators stay tech-savvy and protect their students while exploring the new horizons technology can provide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Prufrock Press, Inc. (December 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593633564
• ISBN-13: 978-1593633561
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #775,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable and Much Needed Resource for Parents & Teachers, October 6, 2011

By 

Sarah Reinhard "Catholic wife, mother, writer... (snoringscholar.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strategies for the Tech-Savvy Classroom (Paperback)

This is a book I'm glad I discovered. I have a tendency to geek out about education and technology, and to be able to combine them: bliss! Diane writes from experience as an educator and as a mom, and she speaks to some concerns I think we all have when we face the onslaught of technology and the need to educate.

I came away with some great ideas for myself--and for my kids! I plan to apply some of her ideas and concepts to my religious education classroom and to my home.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Book That Makes Teachers More Tech-Savvy Than Their Students, April 25, 2011

By 

Joan Franklin Smutny - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strategies for the Tech-Savvy Classroom (Paperback)

When it comes to technology, many teachers find themselves scrambling to keep up with the knowledge and skill of their own students. I found this book by Diane Witt to be an excellent guide that helps teachers understand and apply the technologies young people are currently using, explore some promising new concepts, and implement safeguards to ensure their students' security online. The sheer volume of new gadgetry and programming options can be overwhelming for any teacher. From my own experience, I've seen too many teachers struggle with books on technology that are simply too lengthy and detailed for them to read and digest during the school year. What Witt has given us here is a concise book on the essentials--the most suitable technologies and topics for classroom teachers, as well as step-by-step instructions, sample units, and Web Sites for further research. A teacher can easily thumb through its pages over a weekend and find many ideas to try.

Beyond its readability, practicality, and scope, Witt's book also shows how easily technology can integrate into the curriculum and align with national standards, while also providing more choices for students to learn and apply new knowledge. In many cases, the versatility and variety of these technologies make differentiated instruction more manageable than ever before. The book explores well-known tools such as, blogs, podcasts, WebQuests, Wikis, e-portfolios, simulations, telementoring, and virtual teams, as well as some forward-looking innovations. As a reader and an educator, I was impressed with the way that Witt has managed to sift through the volume of programs, devices, and functions in the industry and isolate the most promising technologies for classroom teachers. The sample units alone are worth the purchase of this book! Created by teachers, they are easy to follow, use different technologies (depending on the subject and learning goals), apply to all grades, and align with curriculum standards throughout. I cannot recommend this book enough.