Technology in the Classroom

 

Technology in the Classroom

Hello fellow educators and welcome back to the Newton's Nook blog! As your school librarian, it is part of my responsibility to assist you in incorporating new ways of learning into your classroom. One way to do this is through the use of technology. Within the past 10 years, technology has skyrocketed in education. COVID-19 showed us just how useful technology can be to facilitate learning remotely. Now that we are back in the classroom, we can continue facilitating lessons with our students through the use of Chromebooks. At the beginning of the year, each student received their own Chromebook. Now that it is February, let us revisit the benefits and uses of the Chromebook in the classroom as a refresher.

Chromebooks

Chromebooks are not all that different from laptops. Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, not Windows. Chrome OS is created by Google. Chromebooks are perfect for our students who are learning digital safety, literacy, and especially for those who are just learning how to use a computer and creating basic documents on Google. Watch the video below for more information on Chromebooks and contact me directly with any questions or concerns.

(Chromebook, 2023)

RAT Model

We will be discussing the use of Chromebooks in relation to the R.A.T. Model by Dr. Joan Hughes with the University of Minnesota. So, what is the R.A.T Model? According to Dr. Joan Hughes, "RAT is an assessment framework for understanding technology’s role in teaching, learning and curricular practices" (n.d., para. 1).

Replacement:

Using the RAT model, replacement means that the medium in which learning takes place is changed digitally (Hughes, 2022). Chromebooks help to replace the use of traditional pen and paper when facilitating writing assignments. Having Chromebooks in the classroom allows teachers to instruct their students on typing paragraphs and conducting research. Also, students are able to complete research using their Chromebook in the classroom or at home whenever they have access to the internet. The same lessons can be taught through the use of Chromebooks. 

Amplification:

Using the RAT model, amplification means "technology increases efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of instructional practices, student learning processes, or content goals. The tasks stay fundamentally the same while the technology extends our capabilities in effectiveness or streamlining" (Hughes, n.d., para. 4). Chromebooks give students access to creative outlets to design presentations and study (Schultz, 2019). Also, since students have their Chromebooks with them all day in the classroom, it makes the school day more time efficient. Now, teachers do not have to book the library or computer rooms when conducting lessons with technology. Students are able to stay in the classroom to complete online assignments, quizzes, presentations, and more. 

Transformation

Using the RAT model, transformation means having access to things like, "new cognitive forms could emerge, new people could be involved, or new content may be accessible" (Hughes, n.d., para 5). Technology changes the curriculum. Teachers are able to use Chromebooks to help their students connect more personally with the curriculum (Google Workspace, 2017). Students can use various forms of presentations, like WeVideo, a digital video platform for presentations. See the video below for more ways that Chromebooks have transformed learning in the classroom! 

(Google Workspace, 2017)

To conclude this blog, I wanted to share a couple more resources for you all to visit in case you need extra assistance facilitating lessons with your students using Chromebooks. The first resource I am sharing below is an introduction video to using WeVideo. This gives a basic overview of WeVideo's functions and how to teach your students to use the platform using their Chromebooks. 

(Anna Searcy, 2013)

The second resource I want to share with you all are apps, gathered by Shake Up Learning, that you can use with your Google Classroom. These apps make it easy and fun to facilitate learning in the classroom (Bell, 2021). Whether you need ideas for a brain break activity or are stumped developing a unit plan, these apps are here to help! 

References

Bell, K. (2021, June 22). 85+ Awesome apps that integrate with Google Classroom. Shake Up Learning. https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/20-awesome-apps-that-integrate-with-google-classroom 

Chromebook. (2023, Jan. 10). What is a Chromebook? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXaHt9pZCa8

Google Workspace. (2017, May 23). Chromebooks redefine learning in the classroom. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH-RZlM_lds

Hughes, J. (n.d.). Replacement, amplification, and transformation: The R.A.T. model. TechEdges. https://web.archive.org/web/20190612101737/https://techedges.org/r-a-t-model/

Searcy, A. (2013, Sep. 26). WeVideo for Chromebooks tutorial. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2gYrd8IiDk&t=3s

Schultz, K. (2019, June 9). 10 Benefits of 1:1 Chromebooks in schools. EduParts. https://edu-parts.com/blog/post/10-benefits-of-1:1-chromebooks/