Teachers and TechnologyIn the Spring of 2016, Education Week conducted a national survey of classroom teachers concerning their opinions about and use of technology in the classroom. The results are very interesting. Here are some of the highlights:70 percent felt that technology enriches the classroom experience for both students and teachersA majority believed that technology helps facilitate learningIn addition, the survey showed that the top three roles technology should play in the class room are:To provide a variety of learning tools or modalitiesTo make the learning experience more engagingTo differentiate the learning experienceHere is how the digitized artifacts at Artifacts Teach meet each of the expectations for technology in the classroom.138 digitized artifacts ranging from drop spindles and candles molds to 20th century children's toys, textiles, tools and Civil War objects provide the widest variety of learning potentials for teachers in a student-centered, teacher-led environment.Artifacts engage students immediately at levels of higher order thinking. "What is this?" "Where have I seen it, or something like it before?" These are all questions that immediately emerge in a student's mind when an artifact is presented to a class. Both of these questions access prior knowledge, the first step in higher order thinking.Utilizing artifacts automatically allows for differentiation. Students engage with and analyze objects based on their own personal experience. They do not have to read well. They do not have to write well. They do not have to be fluent in a specific language or an expert in a particular discipline in order to participate actively and effectively. Because students engage personally with objects, artifacts naturally differentiate within any class and any lesson.Artifacts Teach is easy to use - three mouse clicks and you have a lesson. Artifacts Teach provides background and context support for each and every artifact in the gallery. Artifacts Teach can make the positive impact you desire in your classroom as you begin this new academic year.Artifacts Teach - anytime, anywhere, any student.
