There are so many web tools out there that have educational value, are easy to work with, and are fun and engaging for students. Students love the interaction with the computer. Whether it’s a laptop, a touch-pad or a phone device, more and more interaction on these devices is becoming the norm.
What makes the difference, however, is whether or not the devices are being used as a way to occupy students’ “free time” in the classroom or for the early finishers, or used as reward for various things. I put the words “free time” in quotes on purpose…I don’t believe in teachers giving students “free time” where there is supposed to be instruction or practice of newly learned objectives. I am OK with the use of devices for early finishers, as long as it’s not to play some type of Arcade Game. Having students earn time to work on devices should go hand in hand with past, present or future learning, and in an organized manner. I like to call them ACD’s…or Activity Choice Days…but, I digress.
Since so many districts across the country have gone to a one-to-one system, where every student has their own device, doing their own work, research and projects. I think it is more important than ever to teach them how to work together. Expanding the number of devices is great, but let’s not lose the collaboration skill that we worked on so diligently before all of these devices became a part of our daily school activities.
Fortunately, there are tools out there that that have plenty of ways to share and collaborate. Without trying to name all of them, for fear of not mentioning a good one that folks out there use and endorse, I will share the one we have made use of in our district. We have the Microsoft Office 365 package. There are so many Apps in the O365 suite that allow for collaboration. Just recently, a teacher asked me to help her in the classroom with having students create a group project. Working and planning with the teacher, we shared the tools, created the groups, decided on the basic parameters of the project, and created the rubric.
We hoped the small groups would work together and figure a way to collaborate thoroughly on the project without us telling them exactly how…since some of the work would have to be done at home, meaning working independently…or did it? Because of the previous work we’d done with Office 365, one student in the first class of the day, asked out loud if they could create their project and share it with each other using O365. We were thrilled and told them ‘Certainly.” It caught on like wildfire. Those that were very comfortable with how to make this happen, readily helped all of the other groups get on board to collaborate online as well. Watching this “help” session was so fulfilling, seeing them excited to lend a hand to their fellow classmates. Leaving the classroom and mingling in the halls, the news spread quickly, and all of the classes for the rest of the day wanted to follow suit.
So now these students are working online, working as a group at school, working independently at home, yet working together online on a “live” project.
Because of the way this teacher was open to letting the students work in groups, and be innovative thinkers, they became a “Collaboration Nation.”
A fusion of lowcountry technology and instruction
Friday, November 18, 2016
Friday, May 13, 2016
Getting Ready for a Tech Fair
A school district’s Technology Fair brings about many emotions for teachers and students. Anxiousness, excitement, anxiety, and restlessness. Now understand, that these can be both positive and negative…depending on how you spin it.
We typically hold our Technology Fair at the end of the school year. Keep in mind that there are so many things going on at the end of the school year, and this issue in itself can cause one to be stressed about participating in the Tech Fair. There is State Standardized testing, MAP testing, End of Course testing, teacher evaluation final reviews, teacher–administrative conferences, awards programs, District Art Shows, Academic Programs, Junior Scholars, and concerts and athletic banquets…not to mention having to get grades in and notes to the permanent records.
With the newer approach to testing online, computers are imaged, updated and sequestered for much of the testing time, which can last from two to four weeks. When a school doesn’t have enough computers for all to test in a shorter time frame, or the infrastructure to handle the extreme band width, it is just going to take a longer time.
That being said, computers may be held in a secure place to insure they are in proper working order for the testing, and kept away from students for a time. If this time happens to coincide with the request for computers from teachers and student…it becomes stressful; especially if lessons, activities or technology projects are planned.
Well, take heart, there is good news. Being involved in this process for several years now, I began to tell teachers that their Tech Fair projects, and those of the students should be happening all year long. When you integrate technology in the classroom from the beginning of the school year, students benefit. They are more familiar with the keyboard and shortcuts, they become more skilled at using programs and web tools, they become problem solvers and intuitive learners, and their confidence builds.
I know many teachers, who not only start integrating technology in the first week of a new school year, but they start within the first month or school, talking about the Technology Fair. They use the rubrics from the Tech Fair as the rubric for their class projects. They invite the Tech Coaches into their classrooms to work with them and their students early and often. They save projects all year long, and then as the Tech Fair season gets closer, they bring them out and have students take a look at them again…just tweaking them, and reviewing them enough to be sure they meet all of the criteria of a particular category for the big event.
For all of the reasons above, some teachers might be hard pressed to participate, or even find that they have to drop out of events. It is understandable with all that is going on at the end of any given school year. By the same token, the ones that start planning for their Tech Fair in August and September, that plan with and invite their Tech Coaches into the classrooms, and that use the Tech Fair rubrics in their classrooms all year long, will be the ones that are less stressed, and more excited when it comes time to submit projects for themselves or their students, and even enter multiple projects. Think about planning with your Tech Coach to integrate technology projects into your lesson plans early and often. Good luck to all you enter Technology Fairs across the country, and across the world.
We typically hold our Technology Fair at the end of the school year. Keep in mind that there are so many things going on at the end of the school year, and this issue in itself can cause one to be stressed about participating in the Tech Fair. There is State Standardized testing, MAP testing, End of Course testing, teacher evaluation final reviews, teacher–administrative conferences, awards programs, District Art Shows, Academic Programs, Junior Scholars, and concerts and athletic banquets…not to mention having to get grades in and notes to the permanent records.
With the newer approach to testing online, computers are imaged, updated and sequestered for much of the testing time, which can last from two to four weeks. When a school doesn’t have enough computers for all to test in a shorter time frame, or the infrastructure to handle the extreme band width, it is just going to take a longer time.
That being said, computers may be held in a secure place to insure they are in proper working order for the testing, and kept away from students for a time. If this time happens to coincide with the request for computers from teachers and student…it becomes stressful; especially if lessons, activities or technology projects are planned.
Well, take heart, there is good news. Being involved in this process for several years now, I began to tell teachers that their Tech Fair projects, and those of the students should be happening all year long. When you integrate technology in the classroom from the beginning of the school year, students benefit. They are more familiar with the keyboard and shortcuts, they become more skilled at using programs and web tools, they become problem solvers and intuitive learners, and their confidence builds.
I know many teachers, who not only start integrating technology in the first week of a new school year, but they start within the first month or school, talking about the Technology Fair. They use the rubrics from the Tech Fair as the rubric for their class projects. They invite the Tech Coaches into their classrooms to work with them and their students early and often. They save projects all year long, and then as the Tech Fair season gets closer, they bring them out and have students take a look at them again…just tweaking them, and reviewing them enough to be sure they meet all of the criteria of a particular category for the big event.
For all of the reasons above, some teachers might be hard pressed to participate, or even find that they have to drop out of events. It is understandable with all that is going on at the end of any given school year. By the same token, the ones that start planning for their Tech Fair in August and September, that plan with and invite their Tech Coaches into the classrooms, and that use the Tech Fair rubrics in their classrooms all year long, will be the ones that are less stressed, and more excited when it comes time to submit projects for themselves or their students, and even enter multiple projects. Think about planning with your Tech Coach to integrate technology projects into your lesson plans early and often. Good luck to all you enter Technology Fairs across the country, and across the world.
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Get Out of Their Way
It is critical that we build a foundation in all of our educational content areas. In Math, we teach whole numbers, fractions, and add, subtract, divide and of course the multiplication tables. In ELA, we teach our students sight words, compound words, sentence structure and on to basic writing. It’s the same with Social Studies and Science, Physical Education, Career Courses and Music. So why do we assume that students know all of the basics for using technology? Some might say that the students now are so much more familiar with technology and use it all the time. Partly true, but it doesn’t apply equally to all of our young people.
We should try to steer our efforts toward the technology basics, and there are some things we need to be sure to cover, especially Digital Citizenship. Too many of our students already have multiple Social Media accounts, and in reality, many are not ready to use them appropriately. Well, many adults don’t use them appropriately for that matter.
But as we guide our student population down the path toward computer basics and digital citizenship, let’s be careful to NOT overstep our bounds…and be too rigid in our assignments. Yes, direct students to be mindful of others’ feelings on social media. Yes, warn students of the dangers of putting too much personal information out there for those with mal intent might want to use. Yes, reinforce the no-bullying policy. Yes, remind students that they are creating a “digital footprint” as they travel the cyber world. Yes, reinforce using good grammar, correct spelling and punctuation. Yes, give students as much opportunity as possible to practice with laptops, so that they are familiar with the keys and the functions of the laptops. Teach them to write…teach them how to drag and drop files and folders…teach them how to input files…teach them how to save, transfer and share files. No, we don’t want to impede their creativity or innovation.
When I was young, my mom used to let me use the cookie cutter to stamp out cookies in the shapes of animals and stars, and people. The cookie cutter allowed me to make the cookie in a designated pattern, and pretty much they all looked alike. I liked the consistency. However, when it comes to students, I prefer to avoid the “cookie cutter” approach. All of the students don’t look like, don’t learn alike, and don’t produce academically like the next student. We talk a lot about the techniques with differentiated instruction, and I think we need to be reminded to remember the differences in our kid’s personalities and styles as well.
As professional educators, it is imperative that we lead by example. Try new tools, try new strategies that integrate technology, use the programs that are available by your district or company. When we are teaching and facilitating, it is super important that we lead, guide and assist students…BUT…as soon as they catch the vision for their projects…as soon as you see the spark in their eye, and realize that they understand their assignment…that we are smart enough to “get out of their way.” Give them some parameters, give them some structure, and give them a time frame…because that’s what they’ll see in the real world…but then, “get out of their way.” Let them create. Let them invent. Let them be innovative. Sometimes the more reluctant students, when given the opportunity to use computers, and be hands on…they will take on a new persona. Give it a try…”get out of their way” and watch them shine.
Follow the Georgetown County School District Tech Coaches on Twitter:
Keith @KTech8
Jenny @ItsThatJenny
Marc @FrechetTech
Doug @FreshD85
We should try to steer our efforts toward the technology basics, and there are some things we need to be sure to cover, especially Digital Citizenship. Too many of our students already have multiple Social Media accounts, and in reality, many are not ready to use them appropriately. Well, many adults don’t use them appropriately for that matter.
But as we guide our student population down the path toward computer basics and digital citizenship, let’s be careful to NOT overstep our bounds…and be too rigid in our assignments. Yes, direct students to be mindful of others’ feelings on social media. Yes, warn students of the dangers of putting too much personal information out there for those with mal intent might want to use. Yes, reinforce the no-bullying policy. Yes, remind students that they are creating a “digital footprint” as they travel the cyber world. Yes, reinforce using good grammar, correct spelling and punctuation. Yes, give students as much opportunity as possible to practice with laptops, so that they are familiar with the keys and the functions of the laptops. Teach them to write…teach them how to drag and drop files and folders…teach them how to input files…teach them how to save, transfer and share files. No, we don’t want to impede their creativity or innovation.
When I was young, my mom used to let me use the cookie cutter to stamp out cookies in the shapes of animals and stars, and people. The cookie cutter allowed me to make the cookie in a designated pattern, and pretty much they all looked alike. I liked the consistency. However, when it comes to students, I prefer to avoid the “cookie cutter” approach. All of the students don’t look like, don’t learn alike, and don’t produce academically like the next student. We talk a lot about the techniques with differentiated instruction, and I think we need to be reminded to remember the differences in our kid’s personalities and styles as well.
As professional educators, it is imperative that we lead by example. Try new tools, try new strategies that integrate technology, use the programs that are available by your district or company. When we are teaching and facilitating, it is super important that we lead, guide and assist students…BUT…as soon as they catch the vision for their projects…as soon as you see the spark in their eye, and realize that they understand their assignment…that we are smart enough to “get out of their way.” Give them some parameters, give them some structure, and give them a time frame…because that’s what they’ll see in the real world…but then, “get out of their way.” Let them create. Let them invent. Let them be innovative. Sometimes the more reluctant students, when given the opportunity to use computers, and be hands on…they will take on a new persona. Give it a try…”get out of their way” and watch them shine.
Follow the Georgetown County School District Tech Coaches on Twitter:
Keith @KTech8
Jenny @ItsThatJenny
Marc @FrechetTech
Doug @FreshD85
Friday, November 20, 2015
Be Thankful
So often times in schools, educators tend to focus on what’s NOT working…what’s NOT good…what we do NOT have. Much of the educational news spotlights issues or sensationalizes stories where someone or some program has faltered. It is understandable that we focus on the “NOT” kind of things. Appropriate study of data and trends for the things NOT working enables us to design and implement new or different strategies to make improvements or fix things.
But now let’s take a look at the other side of that fence…and look at what we DO have. Educators in the schools have a job. Maybe not one of the highest paying jobs, but we are gainfully employed. Be thankful. We have cars and places to live before we come to work. Be thankful. We live in a country where we can live, work and play with freedoms that many around the world don’t enjoy. Be thankful.
We come to work at buildings that are generally well kept, heated and cooled. We have access to the school cafeteria where meals are available for students and staff members. Be thankful.
We have access to technology in the schools with laptops, tablets and phones. Our students have access to that technology in the form of devices and the Internet. Many of them have access at home, but far too many still do not have that access at their homes. For those that have access away from school…so be thankful.
We have FREE web tools with which to enhance our lessons, and engage our students. We can use these tools to have students blog, be notified or reminded about upcoming events, post to online bulletin boards, partner with parents, create pictorial presentations, assess themselves, remediate, create videos, brainstorm, innovate, think critically, communicate and collaborate outside the walls of the classroom and with other students and schools across the state, nation and the world. Be thankful.
If we have a question, we can pretty much get anything answered through the various search engines on the world-wide-web. We can organize and record data to show student progress within the programs like PowerSchool and School Net…to make life easier for us. We have email accounts where we can communicate to virtually anyone anywhere. Be thankful.
I once held up a blank piece of paper at a conference that had only one black dot on it, near the bottom right side of the page. I asked people in the audience “What do you see?” They replied, “I see a dot on the bottom right side of the page.” I then told them, “I see the dot as well, and know that I need to work on that to make it mesh with the rest of the page…and that the rest of the page is my classroom. The dot represents the negatives, the students that misbehave, the things we do NOT have. I will choose to focus on the things I do have…and be mindful of those that either need my help, or try to drag me down.”
In the old riddle where you see a glass with water up at the midpoint, the question comes up, “Is the glass half empty or half full?” I say whichever you see, there’s always room for more. Be thankful.
But now let’s take a look at the other side of that fence…and look at what we DO have. Educators in the schools have a job. Maybe not one of the highest paying jobs, but we are gainfully employed. Be thankful. We have cars and places to live before we come to work. Be thankful. We live in a country where we can live, work and play with freedoms that many around the world don’t enjoy. Be thankful.
We come to work at buildings that are generally well kept, heated and cooled. We have access to the school cafeteria where meals are available for students and staff members. Be thankful.
We have access to technology in the schools with laptops, tablets and phones. Our students have access to that technology in the form of devices and the Internet. Many of them have access at home, but far too many still do not have that access at their homes. For those that have access away from school…so be thankful.
We have FREE web tools with which to enhance our lessons, and engage our students. We can use these tools to have students blog, be notified or reminded about upcoming events, post to online bulletin boards, partner with parents, create pictorial presentations, assess themselves, remediate, create videos, brainstorm, innovate, think critically, communicate and collaborate outside the walls of the classroom and with other students and schools across the state, nation and the world. Be thankful.
If we have a question, we can pretty much get anything answered through the various search engines on the world-wide-web. We can organize and record data to show student progress within the programs like PowerSchool and School Net…to make life easier for us. We have email accounts where we can communicate to virtually anyone anywhere. Be thankful.
I once held up a blank piece of paper at a conference that had only one black dot on it, near the bottom right side of the page. I asked people in the audience “What do you see?” They replied, “I see a dot on the bottom right side of the page.” I then told them, “I see the dot as well, and know that I need to work on that to make it mesh with the rest of the page…and that the rest of the page is my classroom. The dot represents the negatives, the students that misbehave, the things we do NOT have. I will choose to focus on the things I do have…and be mindful of those that either need my help, or try to drag me down.”
In the old riddle where you see a glass with water up at the midpoint, the question comes up, “Is the glass half empty or half full?” I say whichever you see, there’s always room for more. Be thankful.
Thursday, September 17, 2015
How to Engage Us in the Classroom
Over and over, as we go throughout the school day…visiting schools and co-teaching or modeling lessons, it is so evident that “engagement matters.”
Lots of folks have their own ideas of engagement, and we see engagement up and down the scale. For some it might be a teacher asking questions from time to time during the lecture. For others, student projects and partnering or small group stations are engaging. For still others, the room looks like organized chaos, yet everybody is on task.
So as I visited schools this week, I asked middle school students (although these apply to all grade levels) to tell me some ways to engage them in learning. Although most of these you could have predicted, I think it’s good to be reminded of them. And besides that, to hear it from students themselves, I think it is more impactful. Here is the Top Ten List, in no particular order, of what middle school students across several school in my district told me:
Lots of folks have their own ideas of engagement, and we see engagement up and down the scale. For some it might be a teacher asking questions from time to time during the lecture. For others, student projects and partnering or small group stations are engaging. For still others, the room looks like organized chaos, yet everybody is on task.
So as I visited schools this week, I asked middle school students (although these apply to all grade levels) to tell me some ways to engage them in learning. Although most of these you could have predicted, I think it’s good to be reminded of them. And besides that, to hear it from students themselves, I think it is more impactful. Here is the Top Ten List, in no particular order, of what middle school students across several school in my district told me:
- Let us move around some. “We don’t want you to let us go crazy, but allowing us to move around the room, sort of energizes us.” Most students like coming to the board to work a problem or validate their responses. There is some science to getting up and moving around and getting the blood pumping that helps them function.
- Allow us to Communicate and Collaborate. It’s hard for us to sit still for a long period of time, much less have us to be absolutely quiet for an hour. Even if it’s as simple as standing and stretching for a minute, and saying something to our friends…it’s better than nothing. They like it when their teachers say things like, “Turn and Talk to a partner for 15 seconds about…”
- Let us be Creative. Even students realize that they will get off track talking about everything except the lesson, but most of them would be focused on the topic if given the chance to work with partners or small groups. Students say they tend to be more creative when they can bounce ideas off of one another. They say, “Give us a chance to prove we can do it.”
- Dump the Worksheets. Yes, it’s the easiest way to complete assignments…but students really don’t like them. The more simplistic the worksheet (fill in the blank), the less material retained. “When we go into class and our teacher hands us a worksheet…it’s like, oh no…another worksheet. Let’s just fill it out and get it over with.”
- Vary your teaching styles. Every once in a while, it’s nice for students to know that they will be doing something different than just taking notes or copying from the board…that’s boring. Most tend to “check-out” mentally after too many lectures…sometimes even before the class starts, because they know that’s what is going to be happening in the class that day.
- Make sure instructions are clear. Students admit that they don’t always listen like they should when directions are given…and they miss parts of the instructions. Said one young lady, “If the teacher gets our attention first, then gives us clear directions, it’s easier.”
- Students tend to like Rubrics. Students say that they would rather know up front, what is expected. Students also said that they would love to see a completed project or assignment, where possible, to give them a picture of what their project is to look like when completed.
- Let us use technology. Technology is sort of where we live. We know we have to follow school rules as fa as personal devices, but we like to use computers…so give us a change to use those tools.
- We like hands-on projects. A student said, “You know that old saying about if I hear it, I remember a certain amount…if I see it I remember a little bit more, and if I do it I remember even more? Well that’s true.” Enough said.
- Make it Relevant. Students want to know that what they are doing has some meaning for them other than busy work. “Telling us how this might help us in the future or where we may have experienced this topic or subject in the past, somehow makes it more real…more valuable to us.”
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Getting Geared Up for the New School Year
Unpack the boxes. Restack the books. Put up the posters. Organize the desks. Refresh and re-energize your lessons…and don’t forget to dust off the computers.
Hopefully you were able to investigate some of the tools introduced at your summer classes and conferences. There are so many tools out there. Be open to new ideas and new ways to teach while you integrate technology. Be willing to take a risk into the technology world. It is exciting to learn about some of the tools out there; and then to anticipate how you might use them in your classroom.
Just remember this:
1. There IS plenty of time to “Integrate” technology. Rely on your Tech Coach to help mesh the technology in with a teacher’s lessons.
2. Including the Tech Coach during planning helps to streamline the process of technology integration.
3. Make sure the tools you choose enhance the learning, and are not just “fun” tools that don’t contribute to the learning objectives.
4. Investigate the compatibility of the tools and the browsers to make sure all runs smooth on the day you want to use the tools. Do a trial run “as a student” a few days before.
5. Understand that because it is a tool and a device, there may be some issues that prevent smooth operations. Be sure to anticipate and know how to fix issues. You might even have a “paper and pencil” alternative ready just in case.
6. Be sure to check the Permissions in the Terms of Service of the web tool to make sure your students are legally using the tool and have parental permissions as needed.
7. Start with the basics. Use easy tools at first, or use tools that you have used before to get your students comfortable with the technology integration.
8. Keep it educational. Don’t give students license to just “browse” on the internet. This usually leads to sites that are not related to school, games that require high bandwidth use, or perhaps even inappropriate sites.
9. Find ways to combine tools in projects, and encourage problem-based learning through research. Have students use technology to think critically, collaborate, and be creative and innovative.
10. Be ready to share what you have learned with your colleagues…and to have students share their work outside the wall of your classroom.
Call on your Technology Coaches to do model lessons, investigate possible tools and interests you have for the students, and to co-teach in your classroom. Have a great year.
Hopefully you were able to investigate some of the tools introduced at your summer classes and conferences. There are so many tools out there. Be open to new ideas and new ways to teach while you integrate technology. Be willing to take a risk into the technology world. It is exciting to learn about some of the tools out there; and then to anticipate how you might use them in your classroom.
Just remember this:
1. There IS plenty of time to “Integrate” technology. Rely on your Tech Coach to help mesh the technology in with a teacher’s lessons.
2. Including the Tech Coach during planning helps to streamline the process of technology integration.
3. Make sure the tools you choose enhance the learning, and are not just “fun” tools that don’t contribute to the learning objectives.
4. Investigate the compatibility of the tools and the browsers to make sure all runs smooth on the day you want to use the tools. Do a trial run “as a student” a few days before.
5. Understand that because it is a tool and a device, there may be some issues that prevent smooth operations. Be sure to anticipate and know how to fix issues. You might even have a “paper and pencil” alternative ready just in case.
6. Be sure to check the Permissions in the Terms of Service of the web tool to make sure your students are legally using the tool and have parental permissions as needed.
7. Start with the basics. Use easy tools at first, or use tools that you have used before to get your students comfortable with the technology integration.
8. Keep it educational. Don’t give students license to just “browse” on the internet. This usually leads to sites that are not related to school, games that require high bandwidth use, or perhaps even inappropriate sites.
9. Find ways to combine tools in projects, and encourage problem-based learning through research. Have students use technology to think critically, collaborate, and be creative and innovative.
10. Be ready to share what you have learned with your colleagues…and to have students share their work outside the wall of your classroom.
Call on your Technology Coaches to do model lessons, investigate possible tools and interests you have for the students, and to co-teach in your classroom. Have a great year.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Technology Class - MORE than Just Technology
I need to take a class to get some recertification points ore hours for my teaching certificate. I know, I’ll take a Technology Class. Well guess what? A Technology class is MORE than just technology.
There has to be a paradigm shift from “Show me a cool tool to use with my class.” – to – “Let me show you my lesson, and I want you to help me find a way to integrate technology into my session.” Once that occurs, the mind has been opened to a different tactic and strategy for using technology with your students.
What laws govern the use of the Internet? Well let’s see…there’s CIPA, COPPA, and FERPA. I suggest you do a little research into what those mean for you.
In the process of taking a technology class, we should also take time to review good teaching strategies. The Nine Differentiated Instruction Strategies in the book, “Classroom Instruction that Works” by Robert Marzano (et. al) is an excellent source.
The principle of TPACK that includes a summary review of Technology, Knowledge and Pedagogy is a wonderful place to refocus.
The International Society of Technology Educators (ISTE) Standards for using technology in the classroom gives a great perspective of what is important for Administrators, Teachers, Curriculum coaches and Students. The Digital Citizenship section alone is a must.
After there is a basic understanding of the foundations of technology in the classroom, then, and only then, will the learner and their learner’s students be able to understand a appreciate the use of the many tools that are out there for us to enhance what we do in the class.
There has to be a paradigm shift from “Show me a cool tool to use with my class.” – to – “Let me show you my lesson, and I want you to help me find a way to integrate technology into my session.” Once that occurs, the mind has been opened to a different tactic and strategy for using technology with your students.
What laws govern the use of the Internet? Well let’s see…there’s CIPA, COPPA, and FERPA. I suggest you do a little research into what those mean for you.
In the process of taking a technology class, we should also take time to review good teaching strategies. The Nine Differentiated Instruction Strategies in the book, “Classroom Instruction that Works” by Robert Marzano (et. al) is an excellent source.
The principle of TPACK that includes a summary review of Technology, Knowledge and Pedagogy is a wonderful place to refocus.
The International Society of Technology Educators (ISTE) Standards for using technology in the classroom gives a great perspective of what is important for Administrators, Teachers, Curriculum coaches and Students. The Digital Citizenship section alone is a must.
After there is a basic understanding of the foundations of technology in the classroom, then, and only then, will the learner and their learner’s students be able to understand a appreciate the use of the many tools that are out there for us to enhance what we do in the class.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)