TECHNOLOGY PORTFOLIO 1
Technology Portfolio
Shante Ellison
Liberty University
Education 636
Technology Portfolio 2
Technology Portfolio
Hardware Devices
iPad
General Functions and purpose
The iPad is a piece of hardware that is being implemented in classrooms for educational
purposes. It allows teachers to upload educational apps for students to enhance learning. It allows
students access these apps, the internet, as well as create documents.
Objectives/Goals
An example of the use of an iPad in a social studies class would be using the IXL app to
have the students I test their knowledge on identifying urban, suburban, and rural areas. “People,
Places and Environment” would be the NCSS standard that could be explored. Social studies
programs should include experiences that provide for the study of people, places, and
environments (NCSS, 2003, p.23).
Strengths and Weakness
The use of iPads in school can be cost effective as it eliminates the use of having to buy
textbooks that will become outdated. By using an iPad, the students will always have to use the
most up to date information. It is also user friendly so even students with disabilities can
navigate the device. One of the main disadvantages of using an iPad is that it does not support
Adobe Flash which can be problematic since many educational websites for students require the
use of Flash. There is also the possibility of students becoming distracted with other apps or
social media platforms instead of doing schoolwork.
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Chromebooks
General Functions and purpose
Chromebooks are laptops that are run on a Google based operating system. They can be
used offline and online. Chromebooks are used starting at elementary school because of the user-
friendly capabilities. Chromebooks have applications such as Google Classroom that allow
teachers and students to achieve more together.
Objectives/Goals
The use of a Chromebook gives students access to all the information they will need to
work. The NCSS theme “People, Places, and Environments.” Students will be able to use this
resource in Geography, while looking up the locations of continents and oceans, or creating a
map. “. In the early grades, young learners draw upon immediate personal experiences in their
neighborhoods, towns and cities, and states, as well as peoples and places distant and unfamiliar,
to explore geographic concepts and skills” (NCSS, 2003, p.3). They will be able to learn to use
geographic tools such as a map and recreate a map of their own to show that they have
understood the standard being taught.
Strengths and Weakness
An advantage of having students use Chromebooks in everyday classroom instruction is
the increase in digital literacy which will help them build technology skills. The use of
technology can generate excitement and interest from the students to learn the new material
being presented to them (Orlich, 2018, p. 131). One of the biggest drawbacks of using the
Chromebook is the lack of safety when it comes to keeping student information private.” The
most recent issue to make headlines is the lack of protections in G Suite apps for students'
privacy” (Ahlfeld, 2017, p.286). This can riase the question if the privacy risks involved are
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worth the use of technology in schools. Another issue with the use of Chromebooks in the
classroom is the dependence on the device from the studetnts. With students become dependent
on having some form of technology, and it now being required in school parents have no tangible
way of limiting the use of the devices. This can leave parents frsutracted because for students to
get the full educational experience the use of a computer is required.(Ahfeld, 2017).
Business/Productivity Software
Microsoft Word
General Functions and purpose
Microsoft Word is a word processing software that is used to write papers. It is used for
business, schools, and personal use. This software allows you to create edit your work in one
place.
Objectives/Goals
The NCSS standard, “Culture” could be integrated by providing students with the
opportunity to write a paper on the study of two different cultures. “Through experience,
observation, and reflection, students will identify elements of culture as well as similarities and
differences among cultural groups across time and place” (NCSS, 2003, p.24).
Strengths and Weakness
One of the advantages of Microsoft Word is that it has already made templates for several
types of documents. This makes it easier for students to correctly set up papers in APA
(American Psychological Association) or MLA (Modern Language Association) format. It also
has PDF (Portable Document Format) support, which allows you to edit PDF documents in
Microsoft Word. A disadvantage is that it needs a computer to run properly thus making it less
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than ideal for someone who is on the move. While it has it where you can collaborate, it limits it
to where only one person can edit the document at a time.
Google Drive
General Functions and purpose
Google Drive is a form of cloud computing which allows users to share information
through the internet. “Sites such as Google’s Drive space allow groups to create and collaborate
by sharing word-processing, spreadsheet, and drawing documents that all members of the group
may edit and revise” (Orlich, 2018, p.224). Teachers can create, upload, and leave feedback on
assignments for students.
Objectives/Goals
Google Drive is ideal for students when working on group projects. Students are all given
access to view and edit files that are uploaded. Since they can access the files from anywhere it
allows them to avoid the distractions that can come with group projects.
Google Drive can be used in a Social Studies classroom using the NCSS standard,
“Individual Development and Identity” This standard allows students the opportunity to examine
how groups are alike and different. “The examination of various forms of human behavior
enhances an understanding of the relationships between social norms and emerging personal
identities, the social processes that influence identity formation, and the ethical principles
underlying individual action” (NCSS, 2002, p.3). Google Drive could be used to create a Google
form that allows the option to create a poll or a question. This could be used if the teacher were
having the students pick a topic for a presentation so that she was able to see and track what each
student had chosen. The students could then go on to create the presentation using the application
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Google Slides. This would keep all the files in one place and allows the student and teacher an
organized place to access them.
Strengths and Weakness
One of the strengths of Google Drive is its usability. It is easy to manage being an online
platform for storing files. It does not create complexities for the users when trying to maneuver
the program to access files. This form of technology allows students to share their work and
experience by sharing their work on the platform. The learning goes beyond the walls of the
classroom. It allows for transformative learning by increasing communication between students
and teachers to create a more meaningful construction of knowledge. “While technology has the
potential to create opportunities for transformative learning in higher education, it is often used
to merely reinforce didactic teaching that aims to control access to expert knowledge”
(Rowe,2013, p.594).
Web-based Technolgies
The Khan Academy
General Functions and purpose
The Khan Academy is a web-based technology that is well-known as an educational
resource. The Khan academy is “an extensive collection of instructional videos that help students
with everything from basic mathematics operations to college admissions” (Orlich, 2018, p.31).
It is an Open Educational Resources open to the public.
Objectives/Goals
The Khan Academy is ideal for enhancing student learning. The use of short videos is
used alongside practice assessments and activities for students. It also has materials for educators
to access to help with lessons to help students learn the material in a differentiated way. It’s a
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supplement to in class learning for students who need extra help. It is another option for students
who might need another learning style besides traditional lectures in the classroom. “Time,
Continuity, and Change” would be the NCSS standard that could be covered by using, The Khan
Academy. This could be used by having students create a timeline of events when learning about
the 13 colonies, the region, the founders, and when it settled. “They gain experience with
sequencing to establish a sense of order and time and begin to understand the historical concepts
that give meaning to the events that they study” (NCSS, 2002, p.2).
Strengths and Weakness
One of the main strengths of The Khan Academy is that it is free and accessible to
everyone. That means that students who might not be able to pay for additional educational
services will have access to this platform. It also has various subjects for the students to learn at
and it does not have a time limit so students can access the material at their own pace. The
lectures also come in multiple languages so English Learning students will also have access to
the videos in their native language for better understanding. One of the main weaknesses is the
constant changing of the material on the website. “Finding these resources can be a bit of a
challenge because new ones arrive frequently and some occasionally disappear” (Orlich, 2018,
p.31).
Google Earth
General Functions and purpose
Google Earth uses satellite imagery to create a 3D view of the Earth. It is computer-
generated and allows the users to explore various landscapes and cities. This allows users to
explore and study parts of the world that they would not otherwise have access to.
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Objectives/Goals
Google Earth could be used in the NCSS standard, “People, Places, and Environment.” If
students were studying the climate in different regions of the world, they could use Google Earth
to see how the climate differs in places like Antartica and Ecuador. This allows them to study
and explore different regions of the world. “Students learn where people and places are located
and why they are there. They examine the influence of physical systems, such as climate,
weather and seasons, and natural resources, such as land and water, on human populations”
(NCSS, 2003, p.23).
Strengths and Weakness
A strength would be how user-friendly Google Earth is for students and teachers. It
allows for a hands-on approach and is ideal for inquiry-based teaching. One of the disadvantages
is that Google Earth has lost the ability to look at multiple layers at once.
Multimedia Software
Multimedia Educational Resources for Learning and Online Teaching (MERLOT)
General Functions and purpose
MERLOT is an educational resource that is controlled and organized by recognized
professional educational organizations. They have various resources on finding and creating
lesson plans for instruction on the internet. The contributors are educators at every level of
professional experience (Orlich, 2018, p. 126).
Objectives/Goals
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The objective of Merlot is to enhance the learning of students around the world. This
resource can be used as a research tool when looking for articles to draft a paper, or research
information that comes from creditable sources. This could connect to the NCSS standard,
“Global Connections”. Since the resource has educators from distinct parts of the world it allows
students access to resources and educational tools and research from this resource. It allows
students to make global connections and interdependency. “Within this context, students in early
grades examine and explore various types of global connections as well as basic issues and
concerns” (NCSS, 2003, p.12).
Strengths and Weakness
One of the advantages of MERLOT is that it is considered an Open Educational
Resource, OER which means that it has expanded access to learning for all students. It also
allows students to access the material repeatedly. While being an OER is an advantage it can also
come with its disadvantages. Since the level of expertise of educators will vary on the site the
quality of the resources may vary.
iMovie
General Functions and purpose
iMovie is a video editing platform created by Apple. It gives students the ability to create,
edit, and share videos with their peers and teachers. For educators, it allows them to create
lessons that they can share with their students such as presentations. iMovie can add photos,
music, text, and multiple other effects while creating a video.
Objectives/Goals
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Students could create a video that shows create a video about natural resources and how
humans can abuse them until they do not exist. This video could show the NCSS theme of
“Production, Distribution, and Consumption”. Focusing on how we produce these goods,
distribute them to the masses, and how consumption has increased over the years, and how we
can change as a community. “They explore economic decision-making as they compare their
own economic experiences with those of others and consider the wider consequences of those
decisions on groups, communities, the nation, and beyond” (NCSS, 2003, p.25).
Strengths and Weakness
A strength of iMovie is that it is user friendly. This allows people who are not as tech
savvy to use the resource. One of the biggest weaknesses of iMovie is that is cannot be used on
multiple platforms. iMovie is only available on Mac/iOS devices. This restricts the amount of
people that can use the resource. Importing videos is limited and often complicated for users to
change the format of the video. iMovie is often not an acceptable video format for universities
and can create a challenge when trying to upload it into programs such as Canvas.
Games/Entertainment
iCivics
General Functions and purpose
iCivics is an online tool used to teach Civics with the use of games, lessons that are
innovative, and other online activities. “To date, the popular iCivics interactive games have been
played more than one million times by students” (Chapin, 2013, p. 182). iCivics has resources
for teachers as well including lesson plans to follow the curriculum of Civics. It spans resources
from elementary school to high school.
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Objectives/Goals
iCivics is beneficial with the NCSS standard, “Power, Authority, and Governance.” This
could be used to show students the importance of government, and how the power of the
government is divided up. This could be done playing the “Branches of Power” game that is on
the iCivics website. “In exploring this theme, students confront questions such as: What are the
purposes and functions of government” (NCSS, 2003, p28)?
Strengths and Weakness
iCivic having interactive games can be considered a strength because it is a fun way to
engage students and allow them to be open to learning new material. One of the advantages of
using this resource is that is does not require the student to have any prior knowledge before
playing the games as it teaches you as you play. Students could also just get click happy and just
click through the simulations without reading the material leaving them no understanding of the
material.
PBSkids: Games- Social Studies
General Functions and purpose
PBSkids is an educational website that has games and videos for learning. The games are
centered around themes using characters from children's television shows. By centering it around
children’s television shows it creates an educational source of entertainment as well.
Objectives/Goals
PBSkids algins with the NCSS standard, “Time, Continuity, and Change” as it allows
students to study the past so that they can understand it. “Knowledge and understanding of the
past enable us to analyze the causes and consequences of events and developments, and to place
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these in the context of the institutions, values and beliefs of the periods in which they took place”
(NCSS, 2003, p.22) If students were trying to understand why the 13 colonies broke away from
British rule, they could use the games on the website to help them understand the history.
Strengths and Weakness
PBSkids has the advantage of being user friendly which makes it easy for elementary
aged kids to navigate. With so many options it gives all students the ability to find something
that they want to engage in. A disadvantage is that PBSkids is a directory site that leads to other
websites. Due to this, teachers will have to be extremely specific about what games they want
their students to play so that they stay on task. Teachers cannot use this to track the performance
of students as the performance tracking is limited on the website in real time.
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References
Ahlfeld, K. (2017). Device-driven research: The impact of chromebooks in american schools.
The International Information & Library Review, 49(4), 285-289.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10572317.2017.1383756
Chapin, J. R. (2013). Elementary social studies: a practical guide. Pearson/Allyn and Bacon
Publishers.
Kagohara, D. M., van der Meer, L., Ramdoss, S., O’Reilly, M. F., Lancioni, G. E., Davis, T. N.,
Rispoli, M., Lang, R., Marschik, P. B., Sutherland, D., Green, V. A., & Sigafoos, J.
(2013). Using iPods® and iPads® in teaching programs for individuals with
developmental disabilities: A systematic review. Research in Developmental Disabilities,
34(1), 147-156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2012.07.027
National Council for the Social Studies. (2002). National Standards for Social Studies Teachers
(2nd ed.). Silver Spring, MD: Author. http://www.socialstudies.org/
standards/teacherstandards
Orlich, D. C., Harder, R. J., Brown, A., Trevisan, M. S., & Miller, D. (2018). Teaching
strategies: a guide to effective instruction. Cengage Learning.
Rowe, M., Bozalek, V., & Frantz, J. (2013). Using google drive to facilitate a blended approach
to authentic learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 44(4), 594-606.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12063
