Identifying+Similarities+and+Differences

Technology 1: Digital Camera [[image:uses-digital-camera-classroom-200X200.jpg width="160" height="160"]]
[Image Source:http://i.ehow.com/images/a02/2i/j9/uses-digital-camera-classroom-200X200.jpg]
 * __Rationale__
 * Students learn more when they have visuals to focus on during class discussions or lectures. By incorporating the digital camera into the classroom, the teacher can supply many different types of visuals for students to use when studying similarities and differences. For instance in science, students studying body patterns could see various types of shellfish, animals, and insects which would make the concept of body patterns more relevant in their learning. The teacher would be able to display photographs of various body patterns on the SMARTBoard during the lesson.


 * __Resources needed by school/Estimated Cost__
 * SMARTBoard- already installed in classroom.
 * Digital Camera- Schools have digital cameras teachers can borrow for class assignments (no additional cost). If a teacher prefers a class camera, a decent one can be purchased for $100-150.

Technology 2: Digital Video Camera
[Image Source: http://www.mtsd.k12.nj.us/645936122311312/lib/645936122311312/dvcamera.jpg]
 * __Rationale__
 * Students are very good at creating their own learning experiences. Using a digital camera allows them to document their findings in a creative way that can be shared with the class. For instance, students in art class, could use the video camera to document similarities and differences in various shapes, textures, colors, designs, and patterns throughout the school. Students could be assigned one concept such as texture and asked to video similar textures throughout the school and different ones as well. The videos then could be shown for the class to discuss what has been found. As students take ownership of their own learning, they tend to have deeper more meaningful connections with the material.


 * __Resources needed by school/Estimated Cost__
 * Digital Video Camera- Most schools own a video camera for school use (no additional cost). If the classroom teacher prefers a class video camera- a decent one can be purchased for $150- 200.
 * Computer or SMARTBoard- to show videos- already installed in classrooms (no additional cost).

Technology 3: Laptop/SMARTBoard
[Image Source: http://www.advancedproducts-inc.com/smart/images/fundamentals.jpg]
 * __Rationale__
 * By integrating the laptop/SMARTBoard into lessons teaching similarities and differences, students can have current, relevant examples from which to study and learn. For instance in language arts, students studying elements of a story can use graphic organizers to display the similarities and differences between characters, settings, plots, and themes of stories. As students become adept at creating these organizers and displaying them on the SMARTBoard, they can use them to teach their peers and gain a greater understanding of story elements.


 * __Resources needed by school/Estimated Cost__
 * Laptop/SMARTBoard, already purchased and installed in classrooms (no additional cost).

Educational Challenge(s)/How One of Technologies Deals with Challenge(s):

 * **STUDENT MOTIVATION**
 * Students who lack motivation in the classroom, many times feel disconnected or detached from the learning process. By engaging students to create their own learning experience, such as the video camera project, where they shoot their own videos, students are more likely to feel connected to the lesson. Motivation is higher when students have a say in their learning and can create lessons for themselves. When students are able to make their own videos and find their own examples within their world, they are directly connected to their own learning.

__Resources__:

NETC. (2005). Focus on Effectiveness: Current Education Challenges. Retrieved April 24, 2010 from []