Technology+Issues+(SW)

Higher order thinking involves analysis, evaluation and innovative skills. Technology can be used to support higher-order thinking in many different ways. For example, one could use Microsoft Excel and a word processing system to analyze and interpret graphs. Simulations involve problem-solving skills and a cause-and-effect conceptual understanding.
 * Higher Order Thinking Questions**:

Illuminations is a terrific resource for students. It is a website that has many tools to help one learn and practice mathematics. To the left of the site's home page, there are four different categories of learning. They include: Activities, Lessons, Standards and Web Links. These different categories allow students to use an interactive resource in a new and exciting means of leaning mathematics. Do not be confused; however, these interactive lessons and activities are not just a set of practice, recall and recognition questions. They involve complex problem solving skills and involve real-world problems.

There are several ways in which technology affirms diversity. It allows us to learn about each other, communicate with each other and interact with each other in almost every way imaginable. Also, people can view other people's ideas, music, pictures, videos, art, etc. Technology not only affirms diversity, it has been a major reason behind the recent movement towards diversity. Technology is the medium in which diversity can truly flourish.
 * Using Technology to Affirm Diversity:**

One of the great technologies that specifically affirms diversity are the on-line translators such as the Google Language Tools. These technologies can allow us to personally communicate with people around the world of almost any language! This new technology destroys the standard block of communication between people who cannot speak the same language. This technology is the epitome of affirming diversity.

There are many technologies that can help address learners with special needs. There are technologies that can read digital words out loud, there are translators, audio books, class sound systems, etc. Basically, if there is a student with a special or diverse need, there is a technology readily available to assist his or her experience in the classroom.
 * Using Technology to Support All Learners:**

For example, a technology that I would use in my future classroom, if the need were to arise, would be is a class sound system. This would enable my voice to be better projected over the entire classroom. Students that are hard of hearing could comfortably sit anywhere in my classroom. While speaking into a headset for the sound system, I could also easily record my lecture and make it available to all students.