Mrs. Kristina Russell

  Video Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9Lk-Bg0W9I Written Explanation I decided to add an engaging video, memory test, and fill in the blanks activity to a Nearpod lesson in order to reinforce content being taught in the classroom regarding letter recognition. This technology will be used in addition to whole group lessons taking place in the classroom. Our school has one-to-one devices where Nearpod can be used. Nearpod allows for individual student engagement on an appropriate and acceptable technological level. I believe the technology will be beneficial to student learning because it motivates and encourages all students to participate while also allowing me as the teacher to formatively assess each student’s learning and mastery of their alphabet knowledge. This tool also facilitates collaboration among students and enables effective communication allowing the teacher to give immediate feedback to students.  This technology can be used as specifically as a...

There are several benefits associated with gaming in the classroom. “Classroom gaming is a promising teaching and learning strategy that has been shown to facilitate engagement and meaningful learning” (Ignacio &Chen, 2020, p.1). Benefits include student engagement and motivation, active learning, and personalized learning. Gaming in the classroom can provide an interactive and immersive learning experience for students, this motivates them to participate, engage, and be active in their learning. Many game based learning activities are adaptive and can meet the specific needs of each student.   Implementing gaming in the classroom requires access to technology that some schools don’t have, which can be the first of many challenges. Other challenges include time and classroom management when using the technology, and technical issues.  Strategies that I use in my classroom to make gaming productive is starting by choosing educational games that allow me to clearly define th...

Professional Development Presentation

  Personal Philosophy  Technology plays an important part in our everyday lives and just as technology is an integral part of our daily lives, it also plays a crucial role in education on a daily basis. Technology is used for multiple purposes that involve enhancing and transforming the learning experience. It provides access to virtually endless amounts of information and enables interactive and engaging learning activities. These learning activities can include multimedia presentations, simulations, educational games, and more. These learning experiences can promote deeper understanding, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. “Technology integration in the classroom is seen as an important educational innovation to enhance teaching and learning processes in the 21st century” (Backfisch et al., 2021, p.1). Technology in education facilitates access to information personalizes learning experiences, promotes collaboration and communication, improves accessibility and...

An effective teacher can successfully balance the demands of standards-based curriculum while also catering to the individual needs of the students. Our Roblyer and Hughes (2019) text says, "Teaching is a complex combination of what teachers know about the content they teach, how they decide to teach that content, and the tools they use to carry out their plans” (Roblyer & Hughes, 2019, p. 38).   There are many tools and strategies that teachers can use to achieve this balance. For example, differentiated instruction can be used to tailor teaching methods, content, and assessments to meet the diverse needs of students. Implementing formative assessments, data analysis, collaboration, and professional development are all ways teachers can ensure that there is balance between standards and student needs. When incorporating technology in instruction, there are several best practices that can enhance its effectiveness. Zaza and Neiterman explain that since the early 2000s, student...

  Kristina Russell Central Florida  Kindergarten Teacher with four years of experience teaching in Title l schools.  Technology plays a large role in my daily life. I use a smartphone, laptop, xbox gaming console, and "smart" appliances throughout my day and home. In my classroom, I enjoy using a wide variety of educational technology. I use interactive whiteboards, presentation softwares (Microsoft/Google), document camera, video conferencing, and adaptive learning software. My students use tablets, educational apps, and online learning platforms. These are just a few examples of the technologies used in learning and teaching contexts.  Educational technology continues to evolve, offering innovative tools and approaches to enhance the educational experience for both students and teachers alike. I'm excited to see what the future holds!