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Understanding Educational Technology

laptop and projector

This site will help you in understanding what educational technology is and how to use it.

Information on Using Educational Technology

Techtorial Archive

The site contains information on how to use different technologies.

Tech-Ease: Classroom Tech Help

This will open iTunes. Use the tabs to view different technologies. This contains pdfs and movies.

Training

Edutopia - Teacher Training

This site contains free resources on Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, and Assessment.

UEN - Professional Development

Utah Education Network (UEN) can arrange specific trainings at your school, but also gives a list of courses being offered, including online courses for those who can't come to the University of Utah. Some of these trainings cost money, and most count towards license renewal.

UEN - Thinkfinity

This site has a few tutorials on using various online educational resources.

Types of Educational Technology

Blog Definition:
Blog is a shortened term for "weblog." Either term refers to a website where entries are made similar to a journal or diary.

Educational Uses:
Teachers use this as a website for their classroom, club websites or sports websites. Students would use this to post electronically so that many can read it rather than just one.

More Information:
Blogger
Easiest to use. Home page links to a tour and video tutorial.
Edublogs – Tutorials
Use this site if your school blocks Blogger.
Example
See how one teacher uses blogs in the classroom.
Wiki Definition:
A type of website that allows users to add, remove or edit most of the content very quickly and easily. The ease of interaction and operation makes wiki a tool for collaborative sites and communities.

Educational Uses:
A wiki enables documents to be written collaboratively. Students websites, Teacher websites, Project hosting service, Free to education.

More Information:
Pbwiki for Classrooms
Many fell this is the easiest wiki site to use.
Example
See how one teacher uses a wiki in the classroom.
Google Docs Definition:
Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and form application offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating in real-time with other users.

Educational Uses:
Students can work in groups on one project but be on different machines. You can even collaborate with students from other schools. Teachers can work on projects with other teachers from around the district.

More Information:
Google Docs
This tour will teach you how to use Google Docs.
YouTube Definition:
YouTube is a video sharing website where users can upload, view, and share video clips.

Educational Uses:
Teachers and students can find educational videos to use in their classrooms or in reports

More Information:
YouTube – Help Videos
These videos will help you get started on YouTube. As a general tip, never show a video without viewing it by yourself first.
TeacherTube
This site has many educational videos and is less likely to be blocked by your school.
Podcasts Definition:
This term refers to published audio or video files on the internet. They are referred to as “podcasts” or “shows” and are similar to talk radio or public access television shows. Podcasts can focus on any topic, and generally post new shows daily or weekly.

Educational Uses:
Many network and cable television shows have been released as Podcasts. Some teachers have created their own shows that they share with other teachers so they can use them in their lessons. Students can get podcasts and use them in reports.

More Information:
iTunes – Podcast Tips
Here you can learn everything you need for iTunes podcasts.
Podcast Alley – Education
If you can’t use, iTunes, this site also has educational podcasts.
Web Conferencing Definition:
Web Conferencing software allows users to talk over the Internet. With some services, you can call landlines and mobile numbers. Additional features include instant messaging, file transfer and video conferencing.

Educational Uses:
Teachers can use this to bring in guest speakers into their classrooms. Students can use this to collaborate with other students from around the district, state, or even from another country.

More Information:
Skype – Features
This program provides free text, audio, and video chat, including conference calls.
Google Talk – About
This program gives you free text, audio, and video chat.
Photo Sharing Definition:
Photo Sharing websites allow users to upload pictures to the internet and store and share them with others. Some sites also provide basic photo editing software. Many bloggers use this service to host their pictures.

Educational Uses:
Teachers, students and clubs can use these sites to upload picture from different activities. Teachers and parents can upload pictures throughout the year that could be used in a class yearbook.

More Information:
Photobucket – About
This site has many features, and mature content is prohibited.
Flickr – Tour
One distinguishing feature of this site is the ability to copyright your photos, and also includes a safety filter.
Last Updated: 9/1/21