Integrating Technology into the Classroom using Instructional Strategies
based on the research from:
Classroom Instruction that Works
by Robert J. Marzano, Debra J. Pickering, Jane E. Pollock

These authors have examined decades of research to determine which teaching strategies have positive effects on student learning. To learn more about these strategies, click on Building Better Instruction by Kathy Brabec, Kim Fisher, and Howard Pitler. Another article, Focus on Instruction, by NREL, gives K - 12 examples of classroom activities. The following activities offer technology resources to give students the opportunity to increase their academic achievement.

Identifying Similarities and Differences   Nonlinguistic Representations
Summarizing and Note Taking   Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback
Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition   Generating and Testing Hypotheses
Homework and Practice   Cues, Questions, and Advanced Organizers
Cooperative Learning    

Identifying Similarities and Differences


This strategy focuses on the mental processes that students can use to restructure and understand information. Classroom activities that ask students to identify similarities and differences include comparison tasks, classifying tasks, and the use of metaphors and analogies. These strategies result in understanding content at a deeper level. To learn more about Similarities and Differences, click on Research and Implementation Strategies.
Technology Resources:
 

Comparing
Venn Diagram
Comparison Matrix

Classifying
Word Sort
Leaf Classification
Classifying Critters

Creating Metaphors
Metaphors
Four Box Synectics

Creating Analogies
 Analogy Web
Summarizing and Note Taking

Summarizing is restating the essence of text or an experience in as few words as possible in a new, yet concise form. Summarizing and note taking requires the ability to synthesize information. Students must be able to analyze information and organize it in a way that captures the main ideas and supporting details that is stated in their own words. Students can summarize information in different ways, including deleting information that isn't important to the overall meaning of the text, substituting some information, and keeping some information. As students practice these strategies, it enhances their ability to understand specific content for learning. To learn more about summarizing and note taking, click on Research and Implementation Strategies.
Technology Resources:
 

Summarizing:
Beginning, Middle, End
Sequencing Key Events
Main Idea and Details
Character wants, but, so...
Rule-Based Summarizing

Note Taking
NoteStar
2 Column Notes
3 Column Notes
Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition


These strategies address students' attitudes and beliefs. Most students are not aware of the importance of believing that their level of effort is related to their achievement. When students are rewarded or praised for achieving specific goals, their level of achievement is higher. To learn more about reinforcing effort and providing recognition, click on Research and Implementation Strategies.

 
Technology Resources:
 

Use Bingo Maker to write vocabulary words, ideas, and/or concepts that you would like your students to know and understand. As your students cross off a word, ask them to write a one sentence summary or illustrate the word
on the back of their bingo card.

Look at these sites to give students recognition for writing.
Teen Ink
Kids are Authors
Words, Words, Words

Use these sites to create notes, awards, and certificates to provide recognition
A Drop for your Bucket
Make Awards for Kids!
Award Certificate Maker
Homework and Practice
Homework and practice both provide opportunities for students practice, review, and apply knowledge. It also enhances a student's ability to reach a level of expected proficiency for a skill or concept. Research referenced in Marzano, Pickering, and Pollock's book indicated students need to practice a skill 24 times to reach 80% competency, with the first four practices yielding the greatest effect. To learn more about homework and practice, click on Research and Implementation Strategies.
Technology Resources:
 

Homework Hub
Study Buddy
Math Activities and Interactive Tools
First Gov for Kids
Flashcard Exchange
Secondary Homework Help
High School Ace
Brain Pop Movies
This blog is created to share simple ideas for blogging for students to reinforce
reading, writing, and math skills.
Blog IT!

Nonlinguistic Representations

This strategy can enhance a student's ability to represent and elaborate on knowledge using mental images. When students elaborate on knowledge, they are able to understand it in greater depth and be more successful at recalling it. Nonlinguistic representations can include graphic representations, mental pictures, physical models, drawings, and kinesthetic activities. New knowledge is usually presented in a linguistic form. When students are also able to use imagery, the effects on achievement can be significant. To learn more about nonlinguistic representations, click on Research and Implementation Strategies.

Technology Resources:
 

Using Graphic Organizers
Concept Web
Time Sequence Web
Cause and Effect Webs
Biography Web
Graphic Organizer Web Resources

Generating Mental Images
Evaluating a Photo
Themes of Oregon Journey
What is Geometry?
Patterns and Geometry in Our World
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Drawing Pictures or Using Pictographs
Seasons
Name that Fraction
Pattern Book
Creating Pitographs with Microsoft Excel
Photo Image resources

Engaging in Kinesthetic Activities
A Living Alphabet
Cooperative Learning

When students are provided with opportunities to interact with each other in a variety of ways their learning is enhanced. These activities support the ideas that there should be a variety of criteria to group students; that there should be formal, informal and base groups and that the size of learning groups should be continually monitored. To learn more about cooperative learning, click on Research and Implementation Strategies.
Technology Resources:
 

Games and Projects
Power Point Jeopardy
Collaborative Online Projects
More Projects

Blogs
Using Blogs: A Discussion
Policies and Forms
An Online Book Club

Creative Minds Wiki

Webquests
Best Web Quests
Create your own Webquest

CPS Team Activities

Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback
Setting objectives establishes a direction for learning. Once students understand the parameters of an objective, they should brainstorm to determine what they know and what they want to learn. Specific, timely, and regular feedback to students enhances their learning. Also, feedback should include an explanation of why an item is correct or incorrect and be criterion referenced. In other words, students should understand where they stand relative to a specific target of knowledge or skill. To learn more about setting objectives and providing feedback, click on Research and Implementation Strategies.
Technology Resources:
 

PBL Checklists
Rubric Builder
RubiStar
Rubric Maker
Electronic Portfolio
SurveyMonkey
SMART Goal Setting
Assessment as Feedback
Generating and Testing Hypotheses
The strategy of generating and testing hypotheses includes several processes including systems analysis, invention, experimental inquiry, decision making, and problem solving. Students should be asked "what if?" as they plan and conduct simple investigations (e.g., formulate a testable question, make systematic observations, and develop logical conclusions). To learn more about generating and testing hypothesis, click on Research and Implementation Strategies.
Technology Resources:
 

Hypothesis Proof Web
Scientific Method Web
Graph Maker
You be the Historian
Kids' Mysteries
Science Fair Central
Design a Roller Coaster
Invention at Play
Cues, Questions, and Advanced Organizers
Giving students a preview of what they are about to learn or experience helps them activate prior knowledge. This strategy gives students the opportunity to connect what they already know to what they need to know. Questions should focus on what is central and most important. Advance organizers are most useful for information that is not easily presented in a well-organized manner. For example, creating an advance organizer for a field trip can provide students with information about what they are about to see and do. To learn more about cues, questions, and advanced organizers, click on Research and Implementation Strategies.
Technology Resources:
 
Cues Anticipation Guides
Questions Book Marks
Jamie McKenzie's Questioning Toolkit
Advanced Organizers

Teacher Resources
KWLH