Blog Post #3 - All about Really Simple Technologies

Really Simple Technologies

Really Simple Technologies (RST) are something I have become familiar with thanks to my own presentation on this topic as well as my fellow classmates' presentations.  I learned through these classroom presentations what RST's are all about and how to successfully integrate them into my own class.  I believe that the usefulness of RST is twofold.  First, it enhances student's learning, through reinforcement.  RST's allow students to exercise their abilities - which is like a workout for your intelligence.  This mental exercise reinforces concepts that the students have learned because it allows them to exercise their skills in a variety of ways and it increases student engagement.  Second, RSTs provide teachers with resources to help teachers in planning, teaching and assessing.  For example Cody's RST, Rubistar, provides teachers with rubric templates as well as suggested rubrics that a teacher can use for their assessment.  These sorts of RSTs are excellent for teachers - especially new teachers, because they expand the teacher's repertoire and gives the teacher ideas when they can't think of anymore on their own.  I think that Amanda's Jeopardy Lab RST fulfils both requirements for RST usefulness.  It helps assists the student's in their learning because their knowledge is 'tested' in a unique way, that is fun.  Also it is a very practical resource to aid teachers in teaching and assessing their class.

RST's can fit nicely with multiple intelligences.  This TED talk is about creativity and multiple intelligences.