Issues+in+Educational+Technology+K.S.

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= = =Using Technology to Support Higher Order Thinking=

Technology can be used to support high order thinking because it gets students involved in their own learning. Most websites that support higher order of thinking are extremely interactive and allow students to choose their own outcome in different scenarios. They often teach students about cause and effect and independence. These websites allow students to use their own creativity to the maximum in order to learn. One example of a technology that supports higher order thinking would be the Lewis and Clark website by Scholastic. This website puts the students in a journalist's shoes in the early 1800's, and the student's task is to use research to write an article on Lewis and Clark's expedition. This helps support higher order thinking because the student is guided by specific guidelines, but they are free to use their creativity to write an article and learn about the expedition by researching on their own.

=Using Technology to Support all Learners=

Many classrooms have students who are very bright, but need tools to assist their learning. Some people who have the inability to speak may need to use a high-tech voice box to communicate for them. Not all of these tools need to be expensive and high-tech. Many students need tools that will help them either physically, mentally, or both. There are assisted learning devices that these students may use to help them get the most out of their education. There are many different advanced technologies that support learners of all kinds.

=Using Technology to Affirm Diversity=

It is very important to celebrate diversity in the classroom. There are many websites that teach people of all ages about different cultures. Some websites, like the Smithsonian website, teach its visitors about the history of different cultures, such as African cultures. Other websites show the history of Native Americans. Another technology is an online translator. Students who do not speak English as their first language can go online to discover what a given word or phrase means. This way that student doesn't have to be confused when doing homework. Through these technologies, diversity doesn't have to be suppressed. Diversity can be honored, respected, and celebrated.