MindMeister Mindmap of Technology Integration into the Grade 6 Curriculum

  Here is the link, and an embedded version of the MindMeister mindmap on integration of technology into the grade six curriculum, specifically for strands and expectations in mathematics, science, and social studies.

http://www.mindmeister.com/416958550/technology-integration-higher-order-thinking-skills-in-grade-6



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Reflection:  How has technology aided (or not) in student and teacher collaboration? How has the use of the internet in the classroom changed how a teacher delivers content? Does the curriculum need to explicitly state that technology is used?

The main focus that technology has aided in terms of student and teacher collaboration has been the ease in communication and its use. Through email, file sharing, social media, and cloud storage, students can access the internet at any time, both at home and during school hours, to ask questions, complete and submit assignments, collaborate with other students on projects, and learn independently. As such, it has created a paradigm shift in teaching, that has lead to many classrooms moving towards a more blended style of learning, wherein technology is integrated into daily teaching and learning practice, and flipped classrooms are becoming more common in teaching.

With use of the internet in the classroom, students don't need to wait for the in class lesson to learn new concepts. Teachers can communicate new units and topics that students will be learning, and students can begin to examine these new teachings online. The flipped classroom now has students doing their learning at home, while classroom time is reserved for questioning, clarification, practice, assignments, and projects. Teachers are no longer centres of information of new concepts and ideas, but rather facilitators of new learning and self discovery. This new paradigm will continue to shape how lessons are taught and how content is delivered.

With this paradigm shift, the curriculum does need to reflect this new method of learning, however, it does not necessarily need to be explicitly stated. While many strands of the curriculum do state for students to communicate their learning through various "multimedia" sources, more and more students are naturally turning to technology to communicate their learning and display their thinking. It's as natural as the shift from chalkboards and slates, to pencil and paper, and today, to computer and tablet. As long as technology is easier and more motivating to use than traditional methods, students and teachers will be more willing to utilize 21st century skills in the classroom. The shift towards more technology use in the class will be a natural one, regardless of explicitly stated curriculum expectations.