The ABSOLUTE BEST TOOL for the Classroom

Every day of every week, App developers are coming up with new products and tools to make it easier to organize, impart, share and instruct us.  There are so many tools that can be a positive influence on our young people, and a few of those that are making the rounds as of late, or making a resurgence can be found easily by consulting with your district technology coaches and/or by doing searches for new tools. However, this Blog post will focus on the most important tool in the education business:  the Classroom Teacher.

The Classroom teacher has always been and will always be…the most important teaching tool in the classroom.  The teacher is the one that sets the tone.  The teacher creates the learning environment and drives instruction.  The teacher is one who looks at the students’ strengths and weaknesses, their learning modalities and determines the best way to deliver material.  Some students will learn best by hearing the information (Auditory), some will learn best by seeing the learning demonstrated (Visual), and some will be better served if they are allowed to participate in the learning (Tactile).  There are those students that perform best when using some of these modalities in combination.  Whichever ones are used in a particular lesson, the best tool for all of the learning opportunities is STILL the teacher!

The teacher, however, must deal with things that are distracting to the teaching process.  Discipline among the most common, others include, being a mentor to small groups, advisors of career paths to others, club sponsors, duty station managers, and to a certain extent, a counselor of life…all stress builders.

Going one to one with devices can also be stressful if not managed properly.  It is great to have a one to one device program in your building; however, this “blessing” can also be a distraction.  We constantly hear that students are going places on their devices to watch movies, check unapproved websites and social media platforms, and play games to mention a few.  We must realize that there are new websites that come on line every day, and the creators of these are always trying to find ways around content filters put in place at the schools.  We have even found a few that tout ways to get around school content filters…and if you see these, then you know that their mission is not in the best interest of the child, but in securing traffic and users for their sites.  Keep in mind, putting into action a good system of management now, makes it easier to handle as you move along in the school year.

Here are 10 Tips that will help with device management and cut down on the stresses they bring:

1.       Remind students of any Acceptable Use Policies you have in place…including their agreement to follow those policies.  It might not be a bad idea to review this often in your classroom.

2.       Practical Utilization:  Only allow device use when specific lesson plans call for their utilization.  Otherwise, devices should NOT be activated, open or even powered on.  It would probably be a great idea to have some sort of sign posted in your classroom that all can see that reminds students to stay in authorized areas on their devices.

3.       Use Courtesy Mode:  Students should have devices either closed half way down or turned to Face-the instructor, when content is being shared, or instructions are being delivered.

4.       Proximity:  Constantly moving around the room, even as students are using devices to complete assignments should be employed.

5.       Responsibility:  Remind students that by signing the Acceptable Use agreement, they are using the devices as the instructor directs, without going to other sites.

6.       Remind students that unauthorized use, including being on sites not designated as acceptable, is a violation of device use, and that such a violation could warrant the removal of the privilege.

7.       Do not leave assignments for Substitutes that require the use of devices. In fact, ask subs to have students collect on a front desk or store away devices while in that particular classroom.

8.       Administrative Support:  Talk with your administration, and ask them to reinforce the proper use of devices, along with proper care.  Their support is crucial to afore mentioned conditions seen in #6 and #7 above.

9.       Do not give students free reign to use devices if they finish an assignment early or in any “down” time.  Use of devices should be for instructional purposes. 

10.   Report to your Administration…and to I.T. by way of a Work Order, any sites that you deem inappropriate or unnecessary to your instructional needs.

Teachers are responsible for providing quality lessons and opportunities for students to be successful, and coaching them along the way to accomplishing those lessons.

 

Students are ultimately responsible for their own actions, and the following of guidelines and policies towards the successful completion of those lessons. 

The BEST tool in the classroom is and always will be the TEACHER!  

eLearning in the Georgetown County School District, SC

What is the eLearning Program?

The eLearning Program was successfully “piloted” in five school districts in SC during the 2018-19 school year.  GCSD wrote and extensive application and is proud to have been accepted as a part of Cohort #2 for the program beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.  

Districts that are a part of this pilot program can use eLearning days for an individual school or for the entire district for varying situations beyond the control of the district (ice storms, floods, hurricanes, natural disasters, etc.).  The day(s) will be counted as students attending school in PowerSchool as long as they complete work within the guidelines. This will serve to not only keep students moving forward in learning, but also prevent the district from having to create a “make-up” day of attendance later in the school year.  GCSD will use Google Classroom as our Learning Management System for this project.

The program specifies that students must be “engaged in learning” a minimum equal to 200 minutes to be acceptable.

Implementation 

Our eLearning LMS (Learning Management System) is Google Classroom.  Since this is a pilot program, as much training as possible was done up front and will continue all throughout the year to make it a successful venture.  Students will be taught how to complete work “offline” in the event that Wi-Fi is not available.  Students will be able to take home school devices, or may opt to use their own devices at their residence.  Assignments per subject will be loaded into Google Classrooms for completion.  Teachers will utilize Virtual Field Trips, Discus, the State Library, streaming video, Video tools, Google Docs, Slides, Drawing, and Sheets as assignments.

Communication about the eLearning Project

Teachers will have “Virtual Office Hours” while at home, to give students opportunities to communicate.  Teachers and students can communicate with each other within the LMS for clarifying questions about assignments using some of the following, but not limited to Google Classroom Private Comments, Remind, Email, Class Tag, Class Dojo, etc.

eLearning Mock Day (Trial Run)

The district set aside a day for all to practice the eLearning assignments, called a “Mock” eLearning day.  This will allow the IT team and the Instruction departments to prepare for the day.    

Communication between students and teachers (as far as instruction) should be seamless (as though the Teacher and the students were NOT at school).  Regular interaction from teachers may be necessary to assure a meaningful experience. 

Teachers will create assignments for each subject in a shortened version, and will allow students to go to, at least all four of the core areas to practice.  In the best-case scenario, it is recommended that the “mock” practice take place at the beginning of all classes…and not in one area for the whole day, because teachers are not available in the other subjects while the eLearning is being conducted

For An Actual eLearning Day

Kindergarten through Grade 2 students will take home “Learning Packets” preceding an official eLearning day. Grades 3-12 students will either use the school devices, (or opt to use their own) and engage through our LMS, which is Google Classroom.  

Teachers will have assignments loaded into their individual Google Classrooms.  All assignments collectively, should be a minimum of 200 minutes of engagement per student for each official eLearning day.  Students will work and turn in assignments via Google Classroom.  Schools are to work with students on a case-by-case basis with issues of connectivity at home.  Students will have 5 days from the return to school to complete makeup work given as a part of the eLearning day.  Work not completed within the five days will be graded according to the district/school/teacher’s grading policy, and the student will be marked absent. 

Feedback

After a “mock” eLearning Day, a survey will be administered to various constituents (district staff, teachers, parents, students, non-instructional staff, etc.) in the school community to determine how the project went, if there were issues, and to allow us all to concentrate on improving the pilot project process.

 Non-Instructional Staff

eLearning Days will also take into account projects for non-instructional staff members as well, such as:  Maintenance Staff, Teacher’s Aides, Clerical Personnel, Bus Drivers and Cafeteria staff.  

Teacher's Virtual Office Hours

Teachers will be available to answer questions that may arise concerning assignments using Email, Google Classroom, Google Meet, or Remind.  Your teachers should share the best options.  Office Hours will be:

• Elementary Teachers:  8:30 am - 10:00 am ... and ... 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
• Middle and High Teachers:  10:00 am - 11:30 am ... and ... 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm  

Teachers will inform students beforehand concerning the best way to contact them during these hours:  Email, Google Classroom, Google Meet, or Remind. 

Leadership Team

Administrators, Curriculum Coaches and Guidance team members will be monitoring through Google Classroom throughout the day.

Instructional Technology Coaches

The Instructional Tech Coaches for each level are available to instruct, coach, teach and model the use of the Google Classroom for effectively conducting an eLearning mock day and an actual eLearning Day.  They will be monitoring classes around the district on an eLearning day.

Integrating Tech at Any Level of Experience

Each of the last seven summers, my partners and I have enjoyed teaching a class as Adjunct Professors for the College of Charleston here in SC.  Marc, Doug and I really look forward to this class.  We teach Teachers how to use technology as a tool to enhance their lessons.  We make clear that the Teacher is the most important part of the teaching element. 

The class is 48 hours; squeezed into 3 weeks, meeting Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am – Noon.  There were some homework assignments, but most of the work was done in the class.

We began a few years ago doing the class completely paperless using Google Classroom as our Learning Management System platform.  Not only are we able to model what we’d like to see them using at their schools, the teachers in the class are now empowered to take it on to the next level and their student will be the benefactors!

 

We teach some of the basic tools for presentation, collaboration, creativity, innovation, and problem solving. We teach them how to set up their own classes, use their content standards and infuse the ISTE Standards (International Society for Technology in Education).

Students did a comprehensive lesson plan, “Turned It In” in our Google Classroom, and used Google Sites to create a website for their classes to be used in the Fall. 

Here is what’s so cool about our class this summer:  We had a new hire that just graduated in May of 2019, and a teacher that will be starting her 47^th year…two retirees and all kind of years of experience in between.  They all worked beautifully together.  Given the right situation and the right approach, teachers are NEVER too old to start learning how to integrate technology in the classroom.  Excitement was high for the start of another school year in August of 2019.  Cannot wait to see the ways this group will use their new skills!

Keith

Plethora of Tools. What’s the Best Tool?

There are an incredible number of web tools that come online every day.  If you are looking for a particular tool to help you in the classroom, it is probably already out there.  You may have to dig a little to find exactly what you are looking for, but more than likely, you can find something.  For those that are especially gifted in coding and tech language. If they have not found it…they write or create it.

With that being said, let’s get back to the tools that we know about.  Tools that help us collect data, analyze data, create videos, audio programs, podcasts and make digital books.  Tools that are coming on board lately have figured out that to make headway, they should work well when integrated with the Learning Platforms that are being used by educators…for example Google Classroom or Office 365.

Here in our little school district in Georgetown, SC, made a paradigm shift years ago from “find me a something cool: to do with my class to the more sound “Here’s my lesson plan, what might work well to enhance what we are going to be doing?”

Let us not forget that the single best tool in the toolkit for instructing kids is and will always be the teacher.  Teachers inspire us.  Teachers challenge us to be creative.  Teachers give us the confidence to be innovative.  Teachers lead us into collaborative learning.

If you are a teacher, you are very much appreciated.  If you are a student, let your teacher(s) know that you appreciate them.

 As for the  web tools, HERE is a link to some tools we have put together for Teachers to explore and use as they see fit in their classrooms.  Enjoy!

Keith

Get Out of Their Way

Teachers spend hours carefully designing lessons that we hope are informative, engaging and cause students to think critically about their subject matter.  Teachers also consider pacing, differentiating instruction, individualizing the learning and allowing time to be able to check for understanding.

By nature, teachers are very structured, and indeed, need to be.  However, I wanted to share what happened in a couple of instances where teachers I was working with, made some big adjustments in what they had planned…and got great results.  Understand that students do need direction, guidance and monitoring, but here's what might happen if you loosen the reins just a bit.

Instance #1

A teacher wanted small groups of students to work on different tasks during the class.  The way the teacher had it designed was to assign different students the tasks, and then have them work on it at their individual desks.  After watching the 1^st period class, I made a request:

Let’s take the next period, which is your planning time, and design the lesson to create stations where students would work.  The teacher agreed with some reservation, fearing the students would be unruly.  As the class progressed, and students rotated through four stations, there was some talking that rose above the normal level in the room.  I asked her to move to each station and listen in a few minutes.  When the teacher came back to me, they reported that the noise was elevated, but that the students were all talking about what was happening at their stations…and said, “I’m pleasantly surprised, and glad we did this.  I have a new perspective on small group work.  It was worth it to plan the session and then get out of their way.  Thank you.”  

Instance #2

I was in a class where a rubric was handed out in a class for a technology project.  Although I didn’t think it was out of line, it was very lockstep as to how the projects were to be done.  However, I will give credit to the teacher who told student that this was a framework rubric and that if they had something a little different that they wanted to try, to come and they would talk about it.  This teacher gave flexibility to the assignment, and simply told the students to make their final work worthy of not only their efforts, and a major grade, but also of a project that the student would be proud to present. It was amazing to see the projects that students turned in…they were artistic, well organized, creative, very innovative, and way above the original expectations.  A great example of giving an assignment, and after checking for understanding, simply “got out of the students way.”

These are just a couple of samples of what happened in a classroom, where students lived up to the expression I often used when I was a Principal, and that is, “As the tide rises, so do the boats.”  Sometimes we just need to give them a direction, and then get out of their way and let them navigate, problem solve and create.  They most often will produce way beyond what we thought we might see.

The Tech Secure Dozen

With the advancement of technology in the classroom, it is more and more important that we take all of the precautions possible to keep our accounts secure.  One-to-One devices give students better, faster and a more wide-ranging access to the tools that make school work more efficient. 
The more devices and logins also increases the opportunity for those that have nothing better to do with their time than to try and “hack” other’s accounts.  This is why is it so very important that we take the steps to keep our accounts safe and secure. 

Here are some hints to help:

1.  Don’t use your name or birthday as your password.
2.  Change your passwords on a regular basis or as instructed to do by your school’s I.T. Department.
3.  Memorize passwords. (I know this can be a challenge if you have accounts to lots of sites)
4.  Don’t write down your password, and then keep it on, under or near your laptop or other device.
There are several SECURE APPS for your phone that will keep your accounts secure. 
5.  NEVER share your passwords with Friends…especially don’t write it down on paper and give it to anyone.
6.  Don’t share your passwords in an email, text, or on any Social Media site.
7.  Don’t walk away from your device with any open windows or tools or drives exposed for anyone to access.
8.  Never OPEN STRANGE emails.  If you don’t know who sent it, and know that they are a trusted source, do not open the email.  It may contain a virus that could harm your computer and/or your network.
9.  Sign OUT of accounts when you are finished using the site or tools.  This is especially important if you share your device with other students throughout the school day.
10.  When sharing a document or presentation through a learning platform (Office 365, Google, etc.) be careful not to give editing rights to the recipients unless you are sure that’s what you want to do.  (It is a good idea to make a copy and share the Copy, so as to maintain the integrity of the original.)
11.  Close or Delete accounts that you no longer need.
12.  If you use a Single Server Sign On…make sure it is SECURE and LOG OUT of it each time you are finished working…and especially when you leave for the day.  Logging out and Closing Out are very different.  LOG OUT!

I often give my students this little analogy:  If you go to a mall or big box store, you should always lock your car doors before going inside.  You would never just leave your car doors wide open, would you?  Do the same with your accounts online…sign or log out, close down and lock those “doors.”

Classroom Management with 1:1 Devices

Remember, classroom management should focus on students as we steer them toward learning opportunities. What worked in your classroom before technology will continue to work.  Consistency, along with clear expectations will always be your guide...even in the technology rich classroom.  The following list is certainly not all-inclusive, but provides a good base to initiate and maintain a successful classroom management plan for the 1-to-1 classroom.

1.  Instill pride.

Instill pride among your students about how fortunate they are to have devices, because not all schools have this privilege. Talk with students about how they are getting to use the latest technology, they are impacting their own future, and that they are going to be “so much more ready” for their next level of education than many of their counterparts across the state, country, and world.  Give the students a sense of value when you tell them that they are essentially pioneers for what technology will look like for the next generation.

• Ask students to give you reasons they should appreciate the devices.  A good idea might be to have a guided discussion, make a list, then compile it, and post it in a prominent place in the classroom.

  

2.  Distribution is Important.

Be diligent in planning for distribution of devices when students come into the classroom.  sure to talk about how they should handle the devices:  1) Use two hands when carrying, 2) Do not grab or pick up any laptop style device by the screen, 3) Be careful to place the device on a solid and level surface before using, 4) Take care when retrieving or storing devices.  Some have student pick up devices when they enter the classroom.  They do not have to open their devices right away unless you have something for them to do with the devices immediately.  If they do not have something immediately, students should leave devices closed until the teacher gives the instructions to open and log on. You need to decide what is the best, and most efficient way to distribute devices without being a time waster or making it stressful on the teacher.  

• Students sometimes crowd around carts and tend to bump against one another, which may cause another to drop their device.   

3.  Discuss Expectations.

Hold detailed discussions about expectations and appropriate use of devices. Every teacher needs to have this talk with students.  It’s alright if the students hear it over and over as they move from one teacher to the next.  The more students hear a consistent message, the more chance that it becomes common practice.  Schools should have open conversations and make decisions as a team about how to manage the 1-to-1 classroom.  

• We get our best ideas from more experienced peers and, of course, from trial and error. As more personal devices are introduced into the classroom, more common solutions to the management issues are emerging.  Share your best practices.

4.  YOU control when devices can be used.

Just because every student has a device, does not mean that they have to be on them all the time.  The teacher decides and makes the ground rules for when students are allowed on their devices in the classroom.  A good rule for controlling the device use is to have a set activity on the board that does NOT require the use of the device.  (This may not be the case every day, but then again, the teacher can make that determination.

• This prevents students from coming into class and immediately getting onto devices unrestricted. 

5.  Face Up and About Face.

When you want students to use devices, have a standing rule that they log on, and then turn their devices so that the screens face the front of the room.  This is called “FACE UP.”  Once all students are logged in and you are ready for the class lesson or activity to start, the teacher gives the students a verbal outline of what will be going on in class today, what the goals are, and any time frame you expect to be honored.  Once that is done, you would check for understanding, and then give the prompt, “ABOUT FACE.”  This is when students can turn devices back around and begin work.

• You are controlling when, how, and time allowed for device activity.

6.  Use timers. 

Give students a time frame to complete any assignment or activity.  Make the time practical, but at the same time, without too much leeway.  They need to be busy with the task at hand the entire time you allow. Use the timer on your Promethean or Smartboard, or just type it into google and display it (for example, type 2 minute timer into the Google Search Box and it will display and start a countdown immediately for your to project). 

• Early finishers tend to wander around the web in gaming sites, news sites, sports sites or video sites.  Don’t permit it. 

7.  Have something ready for Early Finishers.                                                                                          As with all heterogeneous classrooms, there will always be some early finishers.  Have something planned that is productive, lesson related, and it doesn’t have to be on the device.  In fact, it’s better if it is “off-device.”  That way you can ask them to close the lids or turn their devices over when finished so you’ll know when to move to the next activity…especially if all are finished before your set time limit.                                                                                                                           

• Idol hands and idol minds…well, you get it.

8.  Stress Good Digital Citizenship.

Make sure to impress upon student the appropriate use of the tools they are privileged to use in our schools.  Comments not dealing with the task or assignment have no place in general classroom discussions.  Neither do comments that are offensive, or bullying in nature.  Remember that you should not type it if you have second thoughts about it being the right thing to say.

• This keeps the activity focused on the learning instead of getting off track with nonsensical comments.

9.  Proximity.

One of the absolute best practices for teachers using 1-to-1 is proximity.  When students are on digital devices, teachers must move around the classroom...up and down each row, and over to every group work station.  The depth of what technology presents to young people is just too powerful a temptation to stray from a lesson’s content, and provides so many avenues for distraction.  Whatever the negatives, a good classroom management plan promotes the overwhelmingly positive potential of students having access to a device when needed. Teachers need to literally be doing laps around the room. 

• Change your pattern of travel around your room.  Skip a row and come back, pop into a group doing a collaborative project, start at a different place when you start moving around, when you stand in one place briefly...be where you can see the most student device screens.  

10.  Students in Charge take Pride in Care

Put a student or two in charge for the week to make sure all devices are stored correctly, in the correct spots and are plugged in for proper charging.  Rotate each week who will be on your “Tech Team.”  Post this week’s names at the front of the room or near the device storage cart.  Create a short checklist that the students can follow every day.  This list provides consistency and gives the students a sense of security that they performed their job correctly.

• Giving students important jobs tends to boost their confidence, and they tend to take such jobs very seriously.

11.  Devices Don’t Just Teach How to Use the Internet

Use the devices to reinforce more than just how to search and find something on the Internet.   It is our responsibility of as teachers, to prepare the students for the 1-to-1 environment. Students must learn to adapt to the demands of the world that they will be entering in the future.    

Here are some suggestions:

1. Reinforce keyboarding skills:  which keys are shortcuts, learn better typing skills, editing skills  

2. Teach good digital citizenship:  no inappropriate comments, citation of work, no cyber-bullying 

3. Teacher literacy and writing:  develop expression and creativity, correct verb usage, spelling

4. Cultivate an environment that thrives on collaboration and productive student engagement.

5. Encourage Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking.

12.  Practice What You Preach

This is a big one.  Teachers have to use the devices and tools themselves.  We have to model what we are asking students to do.  Here are some ways to do just that:

1. Invite your district Technology coaches into your room to model lesson and tools, or help

        support a lesson you are doing.

2. Always be on the search for better ways to integrate technology in your classroom.

3. Ask for Professional Development in technology related issues where you are not confident.

4. Don’t be afraid to try.  Short of uninstalling a program, you can generally fix any mistake you 

        might make.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

6. Share with colleagues when you discover something that might help them.

7. Students need to see you using your Chromebooks, iPads, Laptops in productive ways.

8. Teach students the “tech language.” Teach the difference between logging off and shutting 

        down.

9. Teach the difference between a screen name and a username, etc. 

10. Read blogs, “Subscribe” to a blog or YouTube channel that provides good instructional tips.

11. Join a Professional Learning Network.  Twitter has some excellent information to share.

12. Have fun exploring.