Teaching with Technology
In the classroom, Natalie uses technology as an engaging and interactive way to introduce students to a new topic of study, record and notate dance, as a resource for student learning, and for students to show what they know. Using technology in the classroom allows Natalie to draw on the 21st century skills of creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, technology and media literacy as well as the higher order thinking skills of creating, evaluating, and analyzing. Below you will find two resources, one is a Prezi and the other a Google Site, that Natalie has developed as teaching tools.
Digital Story using Prezi
http://prezi.com/hvi9kkodxnom/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
A digital story is the use of digital content, images, sounds, and videos to tell a story. In this Digital Story, Natalie adapted the book Drumbeat in our Feet by Patricia A. Keeler and Julio T. Leitao into a Prezi presentation to introduce students to African dance. Digital stories, and Prezi presentations, can also be used by students to demonstrating their research and learning.
WebQuest using Google Sites
https://sites.google.com/a/scarletmail.rutgers.edu/swan_wq/
A WebQuest, when designed by the teacher for student use, is a guided inquiry based research project and authentic task that allows for multiple open ended solutions. Natalie created this WebQuest for students to develop an understanding of who Bill “Bojangles” Robinson is as well as his impact on the development of tap dancing. In this WebQuest, students are reading, viewing, and responding to articles and films regarding Mr. Robinson and then synthesizing their learning by creating an informational flyer, using Microsoft Publisher, persuading classmates and community members to attend a fictional “one night only” performance by Mr. Robinson.