Tonya Watts

EDU-225
October 11, 2014
Professor John

www.education-is-fun.weebly.com


Part 1


Example RAFT
Writing: Sight Words

ROLE (student) AUDIENCE FORMAT TOPIC
Row 1 An explorer. Your family. A speech. Explore your
house for at least
three things that
begin with the
letter Aa. Report
back to your
parents to help
you write on paper
what amazing
things you found.
Row 2 A painter. Your classmates. Show and Tell You paint your
name on a big
piece of white
canvas paper to
display to your
friends. Be
creative!
Row 3 A treasure hunter. Your friends. Show your parents. You have five
sight words
hidden around
your house; get a
friend to help you
collect all the
words to earn a
big treasure at the
end.


2014. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved











1
st
Example RAFT Task Card: Sight Words
Objective:
You will be able to recognize and write things that begin with the letter Aa.
Student Role:
You are an explorer.
Audience:
Your family.
Format:
A speech of your findings.
Topic: Explore your house for at least three things that begin with the letter Aa. Report back to
your parents to help you write on paper what amazing things you found so you can show you
teacher.


Directions:

1. Visit www.education-is-fun.weebly.com and click on the homework tab to learn more
about this assignment.
2. Use paper to have your parent write what you find.
3. Have a parent help you write the Aa words you found around your house.
4. Practice reading saying the words of the different items you found.
5. Bring your list of all the Aa things you found so you can tell your teacher and classmates.

Resources:
Websites to visit:
www.education-is-fun.weebly.com








2
nd
Example RAFT Task Card: Sight Words
Objective:
You will paint your name on a piece of white poster board to display to your friends. Be
creative!
Student Role:
An artist.
Audience:
Your classmates.
Format:
Show and tell.
Topic:
You will paint your name on a big piece of white canvas paper to display to your friends. Be
creative!

Directions:

1. Visit www.education-is-fun.weebly.com under the homework tab to learn more about
this project.
2. Use a half size poster board to paint your name on.
3. Paint your name so it is legible to everyone.
4. Practice recognizing and sounding out the letters in your name.
5. You will bring your poster to school to be displayed outside our classroom for others to
see your artwork.
Resources:
Websites to visit:
www.education-is-fun.weebly.com







3
rd
Example RAFT Task Card: Sight Words
Objective:
You will be a treasure hunter and work with your crew to find your hidden sight words to receive
a treasure.
Student Role:
A treasure hunter.
Audience:
Your friends and family.
Format:
Show your family.
Topic:
You have five sight words hidden around your house; get a friend to help you collect all the
words to earn a big treasure at the end; but first you must recite your sight words to a parent.

Directions:

1. Visit www.education-is-fun.weebly.com under the homework tab to learn more about
this assignment.
2. Use index cards to write the sight words on.
3. Hide the sight words around the housebe creative!
4. Have your child find the sight word cards and report back to you.
5. Have your child recite the sight words to you a couple of times.
6. Once your child has finished these steps; give him a hint where he can find his treasure.
Ideas for treasure can be: a special snack or treat; a small toy, or a great book to read at
bedtime. You choose!

Resources:
Websites to visit:
www.education-is-fun.weebly.com















www.education-is-fun.weebly.com
Importance of Student-Centered Technology in the Classroom
In todays classroom, student-centered technology is of great importance. Research shows
that computer use supports and increases young childrens skills in the social, cognitive,
language, literacy, writing, and mathematics realms. Students share and help one another, ask for
and provide information and explanations, and collaborate to solve problems. (Heft &
Swaminathan, 2002; Wang & Ching, 2003) When technology brings students together and
promotes more productive learning, this is a step in a positive direction for our schools and
education systems.
Children today have access to technology almost at all times of the day, due to laptops,
computers, I-pads, I-pods, tablets, and other devices. So it only makes since to incorporate
technology into our classrooms to allow students to have the opportunity to explore digital media
for learning purposes. One of the most important reasons for teachers to utilize digital media
software in the classroom is because it appeals to all students different learning styles. It is of the
up most importance for every student to be able to learn to the best of their ability in todays
society; especially with all the digital resources we have available for use. When using digital
media in the classroom, students seem more engaged in what they are learning; therefor they will
retain knowledge on a subject better. Experiences with technology can pave the way for
unprecedented learning and opportunities. (McManis, et.al. 2012)
Integrating technology into the classroom is using technology to help meet the curriculum
standards and learning outcomes for each lesson, unit, or activity. When teachers are planning
lessons that use technology, teachers must consider the skills and knowledge level required for
students to start and complete the lesson successfully. It is best to assess students computer
skills in the beginning to identify each individual students academic and technology skill levels
and then create a starting point for developing instructional strategies. Teachers need to
remember technology can be a disruption if you do not organize, manage, and match it to your
instructional objectives and strategies. Technology should be used by teachers to enhance
learning at the appropriate times and to remember to teach the standards. When teachers
effectively use technology in the classroom they can introduce new concepts, give lectures, as
well as demonstrate effective screen design and presentation techniques.
Technology can be used in many different ways to enhance technology for students and
teachers. One form of technology that can be used is an interactive white board (IWB), a wall
mounted, touch-sensitive flat screen that connects to a computer (or other device) and a
projector, it displays enlarged instructional content. Teachers can incorporate this in math
instruction to help engage their students. You can use it to complete electronic worksheets or
show examples of problems to be solved during a lesson. It can also increase the richness of
lesson plans and the collaboration and communication among students. The interactive
whiteboard is user friendly for students and teachers. It also provides new opportunities for
presentation and communication in the classroom. Students benefit from this technology by
having a greater opportunity for interaction in the classroom, enjoyment, and motivation, and
clearer understanding of complex concepts.
Another form of technology that can be very helpful for students and teachers is special needs
software. Special needs software (Assistive Technologies Software) is designed specifically for
students with physical impairments or learning disabilities to assist them in completing school
assignments and everyday tasks. This type of technology can really help people with disabilities
be able to be more engaged in their learning. This can also help educators be able to be more
connected with the student they are trying to teach. Technology can play an important role in
special education because many students with disabilities need special instructional treatment.
(Duhaney & Duhaney, 2000)
Technology affects the way teachers teach, students learn, and administrators operate. Roles
and teaching and learning strategies are changing because technology fosters the use of more
student-centered learning strategies. As the role of the teacher changes, relationships between
teachers and students, and between teachers and teachers, change. The teacher-student
relationship changes as students become independent learners; teacher-teacher relationships
change as teachers become collaborators and partners in curriculum development. (Norum, et.al.
1999) The key to using technology is to integrate it into the curriculum in a way that is most
helpful to your students. Three main rules to remember when using technology in your
curriculum is the selection of methods, media, and materials. First, decide on method of
instruction. Second, choose the media format that is appropriate for the method. Lastly, select,
update, modify, or design materials for the instruction.






References
Linder, S.M. (2012) Interactive Whiteboards in Early Childhood Mathematics. YC: Young
Children, 67(3), 26-35.
McManis, L. & Gunnewig, S.B. (2012) Finding the Education in Educational Technology with
Early Learners. YC: Young Children, 67(3), 14-24.
Norum, K.E., Grabinger, R. & Duffield, J.A. (1999) Healing the universe is an inside job:
Teachers views on integrating technology. Journal of Technology & Teacher Education
7(3), 187-203.
Sze, S. (2009). The Effects of Assistive Technology on Students with Disabilities. Journal of
Education Technology Systems, 37(4), 419-429.
Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology in a Connected World
Retrieved from: http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/cengage/2010/teachers-dicovering-
computers-integrating-technology-and-digital-media-in-the-classroom_ebook_7e.php