Top ten tips for using technology in the classroom

Tweet Get the Flash Player to see this content. This video will take you through my top ten tips for using technology in the classroom. Technology helps makes learning more appealing, attractive and relevant to pupils in our digital age. See this previous post to read more about this topic. Whereas I read books and occasionally watched the odd [...]

Posted by José Picardo on August 7, 2008

Get the Flash Player to see this content.

This video will take you through my top ten tips for using technology in the classroom. Technology helps makes learning more appealing, attractive and relevant to pupils in our digital age. See this previous post to read more about this topic.

Whereas I read books and occasionally watched the odd documentary on TV, students nowadays use computers for all this and more. They use computers for their work, they use them to communicate, to pass their free time and to play. They also have increasingly powerful and functional mobile phones and mp3 players. Why not then use all these resources to your and their advantage?

If you make the learning process more relevant and suited to you pupils’ expectations you can ensure that they remain motivated and interested in your subject.

What do you think? What is your experience of using technology in the classroom?

These are some of the websites and tools I mentioned in the video and more!

YouTube Teachers TV iTunes Skype Hot Potatoes Game Makers ContentGenerator GarageBand Audacity Blogs Wikis SlideRocket Facebook Voki Animoto

There are more resources like these listed in my Internet Resources page.

You can subscribe to these video podcasts in iTunes.

The Top Ten Tips video is also available on YouTube and on Vimeo (better quality).

José Picardo

José is Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Nottingham High School, a secondary school in England, and is interested in the way technology can be used to enhance and transform teaching and learning. José has been curating Box of Tricks since 2007 and holds a MA in ICT and Education.

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  • http://www.effectiveict.co.uk/ Andrew Field

    Excellent ideas and tips – presented in a really accessible and useful way. Ideal to counter your previous issues in sharing technological ideas with less technologically savvy teachers. Great to show in a staff meeting :)

  • http://mylearningzone.motime.com/ angelesb

    Nice list ! Thanks for sharing :-)

  • http://www.effectiveict.co.uk Andrew Field

    Excellent ideas and tips – presented in a really accessible and useful way. Ideal to counter your previous issues in sharing technological ideas with less technologically savvy teachers. Great to show in a staff meeting :)

  • http://mylearningzone.motime.com angelesb

    Nice list ! Thanks for sharing :-)

  • http://www.nstoneit.com/ Daniel

    Accessible, entertaining and professional.
    You’ve inspired me to try and create my own videos for staff in my school! (and anyone else who wants to watch) – just need to find the time!

  • http://www.nstoneit.com Daniel

    Accessible, entertaining and professional.
    You’ve inspired me to try and create my own videos for staff in my school! (and anyone else who wants to watch) – just need to find the time!

  • http://acjeppo.blogspot.com/ Andrew J

    Love your work Jose. Simple but effective. As Andrew wrote – great to show staff; and even if they only find 1 thing amongst the 10 that they are prepared to try, it’s a start. Thanks for putting it out there!

  • http://acjeppo.blogspot.com/ Andrew J

    Love your work Jose. Simple but effective. As Andrew wrote – great to show staff; and even if they only find 1 thing amongst the 10 that they are prepared to try, it’s a start. Thanks for putting it out there!

  • http://e-ponder.blogspot.com/ Bob Bartley

    Some great suggestions for all levels of education. I am a primary school teacher and would love to access things like animoto, voki and blogs etc, but a lot of these things are blocked at my school so I am very excited for those who can use them. Another example I think is voicethread, another web2.0 tool that can have a huge impacts on learning when used appropriately.
    Good job,
    Bob

  • http://e-ponder.blogspot.com Bob Bartley

    Some great suggestions for all levels of education. I am a primary school teacher and would love to access things like animoto, voki and blogs etc, but a lot of these things are blocked at my school so I am very excited for those who can use them. Another example I think is voicethread, another web2.0 tool that can have a huge impacts on learning when used appropriately.
    Good job,
    Bob

  • http://isabellejones.blogspot.com/ Isabelle Jones

    Hi there Jose,

    That has got to be No1 on my back-to-school meeting agenda…
    Thanks for sharing.

    Isabelle
    http://isabellejones.blogspot.com

  • http://isabellejones.blogspot.com Isabelle Jones

    Hi there Jose,

    That has got to be No1 on my back-to-school meeting agenda…
    Thanks for sharing.

    Isabelle
    http://isabellejones.blogspot.com

  • Poonam

    Great, Your video helped me align my checklist.
    Thanks

  • Poonam

    Great, Your video helped me align my checklist.
    Thanks

  • http://lisibo.blogspot.com/2008/06/animation-for-education-goes-ning.html Lisa

    Estoy completamente de acuerdo
    Lisa xx

  • http://lisibo.blogspot.com/2008/06/animation-for-education-goes-ning.html Lisa

    Estoy completamente de acuerdo
    Lisa xx

  • http://www.edutwist.com/ Sharon Elin

    This list is a great starting point for the teachers I work with, who generally don’t use any web 2.0 applications or IWB features (other than displaying presentations). They’re still stuck in the rut of commercial apps such as PowerPoint. Thank you.

  • http://www.edutwist.com Sharon Elin

    This list is a great starting point for the teachers I work with, who generally don’t use any web 2.0 applications or IWB features (other than displaying presentations). They’re still stuck in the rut of commercial apps such as PowerPoint. Thank you.

  • http://mmeperkins.typepad.com/ Marie-France

    This is a great list José and easy to follow for all teachers. Thank you for sharing this with us.
    Marie-france
    http://mmeperkins.typepad.com

  • http://mmeperkins.typepad.com Marie-France

    This is a great list José and easy to follow for all teachers. Thank you for sharing this with us.
    Marie-france
    http://mmeperkins.typepad.com

  • http://www.wearelittleamigos.blogspot.com/ Maribel

    I could not agree with you more! Teachers should make an effort to incorporate modern tech. to keep students interested and engaged. I’m trying to do what “Dora the Explorer” did for young children… she made it cool to learn a foreign language. But I want to take it a step further as far as vocabulary is concerned. I started an audio podcast, but I know how important visuals are for really young children, so a video podcast most likely will be the way to go for me… stay tuned!

    Maribel Suardy
    “We are Little Amigos”
    http://www.wearelittleamigos.blogspot.com

  • http://www.wearelittleamigos.blogspot.com Maribel

    I could not agree with you more! Teachers should make an effort to incorporate modern tech. to keep students interested and engaged. I’m trying to do what “Dora the Explorer” did for young children… she made it cool to learn a foreign language. But I want to take it a step further as far as vocabulary is concerned. I started an audio podcast, but I know how important visuals are for really young children, so a video podcast most likely will be the way to go for me… stay tuned!

    Maribel Suardy
    “We are Little Amigos”
    http://www.wearelittleamigos.blogspot.com

  • Mead

    Using music in lessons is an easily misjudged strategy. Use it too frequently and you turn into a DJ. I would not recommend using their music. CHOOSE. pertinent music to change the mood of the thinking, to signal a change, to emphasise a novelty, but never to entertain, as this will lead to distraction rather than an attention grabbing tool.

    Take care.

  • Mead

    Using music in lessons is an easily misjudged strategy. Use it too frequently and you turn into a DJ. I would not recommend using their music. CHOOSE. pertinent music to change the mood of the thinking, to signal a change, to emphasise a novelty, but never to entertain, as this will lead to distraction rather than an attention grabbing tool.

    Take care.

  • http://owd-links.wikispaces.com/ Mary

    I am interested in the interactives that you created on your spanish website in the video – is there a “template” someplace to work with?

  • http://owd-links.wikispaces.com Mary

    I am interested in the interactives that you created on your spanish website in the video – is there a “template” someplace to work with?

  • http://owd-links.wikispaces.com/ Mary

    Thanks – I plan to use them!! I’m going to start following your site/blog.

  • http://owd-links.wikispaces.com Mary

    Thanks – I plan to use them!! I’m going to start following your site/blog.

  • http://ahaafoundation.org/ Katherine Bolman

    Just to let you know that your YouTube on Linkedin does not work and when I clicked on Youtube it was great. You might want to do something about that.

    I am creating an online free art history course and integrate YouTube videos into almost every unit. Check it out….just for fun.
    ahaafoundation.org

  • http://ahaafoundation.org Katherine Bolman

    Just to let you know that your YouTube on Linkedin does not work and when I clicked on Youtube it was great. You might want to do something about that.

    I am creating an online free art history course and integrate YouTube videos into almost every unit. Check it out….just for fun.
    ahaafoundation.org

  • http://umpercurso.blogspot.com/ Teresa

    OLá!

    Vou escrever em português para ver se consegues perceber :-D :
    excelente! Um óptimo trabalho que divulgarei com muito gosto no meu blogue. Obrigada!

    Nice job! Thanks!

    • Guest

      De nada Teresa, muito prazer. Obrigado ;-)

  • http://umpercurso.blogspot.com/ Teresa

    OLá!

    Vou escrever em português para ver se consegues perceber :-D :
    excelente! Um óptimo trabalho que divulgarei com muito gosto no meu blogue. Obrigada!

    Nice job! Thanks!

    • http://www.boxoftricks.net José Picardo

      De nada Teresa, muito prazer. Obrigado ;-)

  • http://www.reinventedsolutions.com/ Al Meyers

    I have enjoyed reading some of your blog posts and we share a common interest in reinventing our education system, not only in the U.S. but around the world. After being afforded the privilege of unveiling my vision at TED 2009 in Palm Springs, I continue to be optimistic that in this generation, we will fix the problems and provide our children with the education they so richly deserve.

    Respectfully,

    Al Meyers

  • http://www.reinventedsolutions.com Al Meyers

    I have enjoyed reading some of your blog posts and we share a common interest in reinventing our education system, not only in the U.S. but around the world. After being afforded the privilege of unveiling my vision at TED 2009 in Palm Springs, I continue to be optimistic that in this generation, we will fix the problems and provide our children with the education they so richly deserve.

    Respectfully,

    Al Meyers

  • http://www.activa-education.co.uk/ Peter Provins

    I am wondering what your thoughts are on the new range of software based language lab products such as LogoLab and ReLanpro?

    These are installed onto your existing network and provide one integrated solution for both teachers to create and manage resources and for students to interact with these video, audio and text based resources. They are compatible with all of your top ten ICT facilities but allow them to be used in a classroom setting, across the network and for home use in a more manageable way.

    If you would like to see one in action, give me a call 07808 787348

  • http://www.activa-education.co.uk Peter Provins

    I am wondering what your thoughts are on the new range of software based language lab products such as LogoLab and ReLanpro?

    These are installed onto your existing network and provide one integrated solution for both teachers to create and manage resources and for students to interact with these video, audio and text based resources. They are compatible with all of your top ten ICT facilities but allow them to be used in a classroom setting, across the network and for home use in a more manageable way.

    If you would like to see one in action, give me a call 07808 787348

  • Thais

    Kids always need to be motivated!!!
    Technology came to stay! Web tools are fantastic! The classrooms nowadays have the chance of becoming a more motivating place!

  • 1stkathine

    Hi Jose
    I am doing an assignment about integrating technology into the classroom. May I use your video on my blog for this assignment?
    Azazi

  • http://www.josepicardo.com José Picardo

    Of course. Glad you're finding it useful. José

  • Bethania

    Hey Jose!
    Loved yor video and your tips!
    Thank you!

  • Angela

    Thank you Jose, your tips are great. I have to check out some stuff such as Hot Potatoes, Game Makers, GarageBand, ’cause I’d never heard of these before. So you know what I’ll be doing this week. Thanks again.

  • Marilia Garcia

    Hello Jose!
    I really liked your tips, I’ll start using some of them this week.
    Thanks a lot!

  • Eloisa Paula

    Hi Jose, very good indeed, but let’s not forget that we still live in a world where many students are technologicaly excluded. So we should use all it’s possible for us and use it well, but let’s not make some students who don’t have these gadgets feel excluded. But your tips are fantastic and I’ll use them all.

  • Milaborecki

    Great tips! When it comes to technology, teachers are the first learners, especially if we are not digital natives. As I like to say, the most difficult part is to find a balance between what is really learning and what is not.

  • Pingback: Teacher juggle many things at a time inside the class…now technology is added to the equation!! | My Thoughts

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