Technology

Choosing the Right Tool (courtesy of WCPSS Tech Dept)
NC Information Technology Essential Standards - Technology as a Tool: Use technology and other resources for assigned tasks. Somewhere between “make a PowerPoint” and “choose any tool you like,” students can find the right tool for the right task at the right time. The right tool: The wrong tool: To get to the right tool, ask yourself questions. Does this presentation need to stand on its own or will there be a live presenter? Videos, artwork, songs, or infographics are examples of presentations that do all the work for you. They do the speaking for you. Slideshows, images, or text often serve as a background for a speaker. Will the audience participate? Tools that allow the audience to click and explore, follow along, answer questions, or discuss allow them to become a part of the presentation. If the audience doesn’t need to interact with the presentation, the tool doesn’t need that feature. Is the creation of the presentation collaborative? Creating the presentation in a group might require that the presenters use a cloud-based tool. Working together might be face-to-face or online. Is there a better way to present this information? Use more than one tool. Get “help” presenting from an avatar. Embed a video in your slide. Create a comic strip for an alternative way to make your point. Take time choosing the right tool or tools for the task.
 *  Allows a learner to effectively communicate, express, share, or present information.
 *  Doesn’t get in the way of exploration or synthesis, but supports it.
 *  Serves the learner’s needs.
 *  Engages the learner and the audience.
 *  Dictates the end product.
 *  Distracts the learner and/or the audience.
 *  Requires modification of the content to work.
 *  Makes it harder to assess learning.

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