Week+Four+5364

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= Designing Student-Centered Learning Experiences with Technology =

In our reading assignments for week four we looked at the McREL Technology Initiative (MTI) that was launched to address the issue of the lack of appropriate technological guidance, resources, and professional development programs in schools. The result of this initiative was a comprehensive, research-based model of professional development that helps teachers integrate technology into their classrooms and students achieve content standards.

We also learned about the importance of engaging students in cooperative learning activities and looked at some of the tools that can be used to support this method of learning. Cooperative learning helps students make sense of, or construct meaning for, new knowledge by interacting with others. Organizing groups based on ability levels should be done sparingly, groups should be small in size, and cooperative learning should not be overused but should be consistent and systematic.

We are nearing the end of our group project. As technology leaders, we will be expected to know and understand what types of professional development best supports teachers for the implementation of various technologies in the instructional process. As we continue to create a solution for our scenario-based project, the group collaboration among our learning team is equipping us to devise technology-enhanced learning plans and interventions to meet the needs of diverse learners.

[|Animoto Learning Activity]


 * Group Project: Design and Create Technology Based Learning Activities**