What is integration? Integration is the combination of technology and learning. It pushes our students to think critically in a technology driven world. Our students don't need to ask "how does this relate to the real world?" because they can see first hand how it relates and that learning technology is crucial for "real word communication". When do our students do integration? For six weeks I instruct K-5 students on one element of the Microsoft Suite (Word,Powerpoint, or Excel). After the six week "Final Challenge", it's like a mini test to check understanding, our amazing classroom teachers take over the computer lab and integrate using classroom learning material and technology. With the 6-8 grade classrooms it is done outside of the assigned computer classes during that specific teacher's classroom time. Can I get an example? Our third grade has been studying Excel with me, the computer teacher, for six weeks. They have breezed through their final challenge showing that they have a good understanding of Excel. The next few weeks following the final challenge their amazing classroom teacher will come take over the lab and teach them about planets, which they were currently learning in class. Students will create an Excel worksheet comparing and contrasting planets, adding data to the cells, and using formulas to calculate data. In the middle school grades, I've seen teachers do book trailers using iMovie, science classification using Word, and calculating cost of In-N-Out dream burgers using Excel. Our amazing teachers get pretty creative with the integration projects. Who grades Integration projects? The classroom teacher grades integration projects. Why I love integration:
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