How to Integrate Technology Into the Middle School Classroom

Middle school students often struggle to make it through long, mentally draining school days. Teachers can help them accomplish this task by integrating technology into their lessons. Taking advantage of technological opportunities makes the teacher's job easier, as it cuts down on preparation and lecture time. It also makes the lesson more effective, as students are more engaged when presented with technology-rich lessons. Check out the technology options available at your school, and work to gradually integrate technology into your middle school lessons. You will quickly find that the benefits are worth the time and effort.

Things You'll Need

• LCD projector
• Computer speakers
• Books on CD
• Audio recording program
• Movie maker program
• Presentation program

Instructions

1. Hook your computer up to speakers and an LCD projector. If possible, have a projector mounted in your room, so that you can use it frequently, without having to hook it up every time. Get speakers for your computer so you can play audio files and CDs for students.

2. Watch Internet videos. Show news stories to a history or English class, videos about influential thinkers to a math class, or videos that demonstrate complex processes to a science class. The use of videos increases student engagement and using the Internet for videos saves the teacher the time that she once had to spend checking out a TV and VCR from the media center.

3. Listen to books on CD. The practice makes it possible for struggling middle school readers to hear fluent reading. If possible, acquire CD-recorded versions of novels and text books that you use in your curriculum, and play them in class. Many recorded versions of novels are available through bookstores or online retailers. Most textbook companies offer recorded versions of their texts for use with struggling readers or special needs students.

4. Create digital recordings. If you are using materials that are not available in an audio version, use a digital recording program, such as Audacity or GarageBand, to make your own audio version. Ask a fluent student to read the text, or read it yourself. Save the audio file on your computer, and play it back for your students during class.

5. Add multimedia presentations to your lecture. Having these accompany a lecture can greatly increase student engagement. This practice ensures that students have something to look at, and helps keep them focused. It also makes it easier for the teacher to bring up to speed students who have been absent, as she can simply print off a slide handout of the presentation and give it to the student when he returns.

6. Create coming attractions. Previews create excitement for upcoming films; allow them to do the same thing for future lessons. Before starting a book or topical unit, create a preview and show it to your students. Use a movie maker program to create a short, engaging film. You can use pictures, record voiceovers, and incorporate special effects.

References

• Discovery Schools: Classroom Technology
• Scholastic: How to be a Tech Savvy Teacher