Technology+to+Support+Higher+Order+Thinking+C.W

__Supporting Higher Order Thinking Through Technology__ Using technology to support higher order thinking allows students to become engaged in the material they are learning as well as in control of their own learning. Through using interactive tools, such as Google Earth, allows students to explore the world in a matter of seconds. With Google Earth. students can go from a broad view of the earth from space and zoom in on specific countries, cities, and street views. Other online programs, such as Zon, use technology, like interactive game play, to teach Chinese through a real life simulated platform. Players have to complete certain activities, such as going to the bank or speaking with a simulated teller in order to move on in the game. Through interactive games such as Zon, players learn how to interact in a foreign environment as well as learn the language. This type of learning environment can play to students and their frequent use of various technologies, helping to expose them new types of learning.

__Affirming Diversity Through Technology__ Technology can affirm diversity within a classroom in many ways. Through the wonders of the internet, people can become connected with the rest of the world in a matter of seconds. Teachers can create or swap podcasts with other classrooms from around the world, show videos, find images, or even incorporate interactive websites that focus on exploring diversity throughout the world. For instance, the National Geographic website for kids has an interactive display where children can learn and view pictures from other countries around the world. Although all the countries are not represented in the website, the information presented is amazing. From the homepage, students can click on a country they are interested in, view pictures of the landscape and day to day life, as well as, learn about the climate and the countries geographic location. With websites like these, students can become accustomed to different cultures and backgrounds with the click of a mouse. Here is a link to National Geographic's kids website, [|National Geographic Kids]

__Supporting All Learners Through Technology__ Technology can be used to help students with special needs to become fully engaged and functioning in the classroom. Students with speech disabilities can use an Augmented Alternative Communication Device (AAC) where specific words or phrases can manually be applied to the device so that students can communicate at school and home. These devices can be changed and modified for specific classrooms or specific situations at home (i.e. programmed in another language so that a student can use the device to communicate in multiple languages). For students with disabilities, especially speech disabilities, using this type of technology allows them to fully interact with their classroom, family, and peers. Being able to do this, students with disabilities can become less frustrated trying to learn and communicate and express themselves for who they are, instead of their disability.