"Welcome to EdTechAfterDark! Our community was born out of discussions for a rich EdChat type gathering for those of us who are thinking about the digital edu-landscape long after the sun has gone down. For us night owls, when the clock strikes 10PM EST, you’ll find us on Twitter over at #edtechafterdark. All are welcome! Our discussions range from our philosophies about EdTech, digital best practices, and simply sharing our stories." --www.edtechafterdark.com
Hey guys and gals! Alex from Central FL where I serve teachers and students as an AP! What am I lookin’ forward to? Returningto the ‘burgh for Christmas!!! #EdTechAfterDark
Andrew, personalized learning coordinator in Omaha and I’m spending some fan time over break and will be editing some new podcast content. #EdTechAfterDark
Pete, #techdir from NJ. I'm looking forward to having a bit of uninterrupted time to finish some projects (like getting a new VR classroom set prepped and deployed!) #edtechafterdark
Thanks for hosting #edtechafterdark, @jessxbo! Dan here, tech coach in FL. Winter break is looking pretty warm here. Enjoying some down time w our little family.
Hey #edtechafterdark- I'm Jess, 6th grade math teacher in St. Pete, FL and I'm most looking forward to my mom coming to visit! We haven't spent Christmas together in yeaaaaars
Thanks for hosting #edtechafterdark, @jessxbo! Dan here, tech coach in FL. Winter break is looking pretty warm here. Enjoying some down time w our little family.
A1: I work with my staff to try something new with no pressure. Our students see our staff failing and know that it is ok to try something new and keep working out at until we have achieved some success. #EdTechAfterDark
A1 We need to create a culture that supports inquiry and the failure process, and celebrate that as students continue to improve and work toward greatness. Fail up! #edtechafterdark
A1: I work with my staff to try something new with no pressure. Our students see our staff failing and know that it is ok to try something new and keep working out at until we have achieved some success. #EdTechAfterDark
A1 I try to model that perfection is the enemy of done. You’re gonna mess up. It’s ok to try something & have it not work. The world won’t come for your head. #EdTechAfterDark
A1: As head of discipline at my school, I often see students in the midst of their biggest lapses in judgment. I always find it important to expose a path to rising above the mistake. Making students feel trapped is dehumanizing and unethical. #edtechafterdark
A1b also important to point out that although we generally see the narrative constructed as “famous failures” (Michael Jordan, etc) the only reason we hear about them is that they were eventually successful. They didn’t give up. #EdTechAfterDark
I appreciate that our district makes summative grades substantially weightier than formative, that my former E9H team used a consistent writing rubric across essays, and that the personalized structure promoted Ss reflecting & refining their learning process #EdTechAfterDark
Have to start with the teachers. :) Admins need to model, create that culture where staff can feel safe taking risks and failing and being celebrated for the attempt. #edtechafterdark
A1: As head of discipline at my school, I often see students in the midst of their biggest lapses in judgment. I always find it important to expose a path to rising above the mistake. Making students feel trapped is dehumanizing and unethical. #edtechafterdark
Hi Everyone! Elementary InstructionalTech Coach from MN. Late to the chat... #PitchPerfect2 was on. 😊 Looking forward to some down time during break! #edtechafterdark
A2: The first #EdTechAfterDark resulted in @MrLeonard8@danvkoch and I posting questions to zero responses in 20 minutes. It was by all measures a “fail”; but getting that embarrassment out of the way allowed us to move forward without taking ourselves too seriously 😂👍
Caitlin, we are all here to help. What’s been the problem this year? You have some incredible educators that would do anything to help you. All you need to do is ask! :-)#EdTechAfterDark
Definitely! I think that those pre-IB are so accustomed to things being easy, that sometimes they freak out when a mistake happens. Even though that's where the best learning occurs! #edtechafterdark
A2: I am not sure often we truly fail. I believe that we work hard and every time we don’t get our desired results, we are one step closer to solving our issue. We will not stop until our teachers issues have been fixed. #EdTechAfterDark
A2 I completely forgot to dress appropriately when I was asked to sit in on interviews for a position st my school. It was a Friday and I was wearing jeans. #EdTechAfterDark
A2: I've been too hard on my kids this year... getting frustrated at the little things and losing sight of them being young with not fully developed brains, trying their hardest. I'm relearning patience and love. #EdTechAfterDark
A1: Growth and development is maximized if our hearts and minds are open to learning from the lessons associated with each of our failures. #EdTechAfterDark
A2 my first attempts at drastic classroom redesign were a major fail. I learned to focus on purpose, intentionality, and not trying to do all the things at once. #EdTechAfterDark
Thats definitely a key for sure Jessie, We are pushing them so hard, so young that we need to take a step back and realize they may not be ready. #EdTechAfterDark
A2: I've been too hard on my kids this year... getting frustrated at the little things and losing sight of them being young with not fully developed brains, trying their hardest. I'm relearning patience and love. #EdTechAfterDark
A2 Well 1st-I believe that the ability to consistently learn from the smaller, often-overlooked/discarded subtle failures is key. That said, to A the Q😂, I once thought cutting lectures out was desirable. I learned some Ss really appreciate direct instruction #EdTechAfterDark
I’ve been weighing the desire to encourage “grit” with the ability to be calculated and reflective about knowin when to call it quits and move on. Both are necessary skill sets. #EdTechAfterDark
A2: Lat year I started teaching using the #FlipClass model AND with #minecraftedu. The change was major for the Ss and they couldn't get used to it. Total disaster. Lesson learned: introduce new teaching methodologies and #edtech once at a time :-( #edtechafterdark
I know it! I want to have a "WHAT HAPPENED" round table discussion where we all are reminded of why we got into this in the first place. ((But I haven't tried for fear of being met with groaning 😂)) #edtechafterdark
Claudio, instructional tech coordinator @DvilleTech Looking forward to spending time w/ family, riding bike, getting some photography projects done #edtechafterdark
A2 When I first started teaching technology I had been in over the summer prepping the room, getting keys and creds for carts and computers etc. First day was 45 minutes into the 50 minute morning commute & realized had left the keys at home. #edtechafterdark
A2: I tried to be liked instead of respected. I learned that being respected is far more important because that creates a solid learning environment and being respected does not mean being hated, I have even better relationships with Ss now! #EdTechAfterDark
Well I know that it takes time to hone your craft and develop flexibility. We can't be afraid to mess up a few times while we solidify our philosophy... #EdTechAfterDark
I feel like the witch from The Wizard of Oz, "All in good time, all in good time." :) I am not an RJ expert, but a simple start can get the ball rolling, trying something small. #EdTechAfterDark
A1 We teach that failure means learning. What they're doing is hard, and even as a pro in the field, I fail all the time! I do it wrong and learn too! #EdTechAfterDark
A1: It's been a while since I've taught, but I was always willing to share when I made mistakes or when I was wrong. It was my way of modeling failure. #edtechafterdark
A3 this year has been a struggle - scoring exams this week felt like a failure until I owned it & saw where the data led me ... new plan starting January 😊 #EdTechAfterDark
A2: Assuming that I was being consulted for problem solving instead of being a listening ear. I learned to ask more questions for clarification instead of just assuming. #edtechafterdark
I like the idea of agency > grit if agency means learners develop skills & a metacognitive-reflection process to alter their learning approach & conditions when necessary to optimize learning. That said, I would still be torn pairing it w knowing when to move on #EdTechAfterDark
A3: I try to challenge my students to go just beyond their comfort zones at points to allow them to be more innovative and stretch their brain. It is tough for them, but I think the create some pretty cool stuff! #EdTechAfterDark
A2a Last week I got a compliment on @Twitter from @TechieTcher. I sent her a thank you GIF only to see 5 hours later that the GIF had a totally inappropriate ending. #EdTechAfterDark
A3: If your students are filling in the blank. If they’re regurgitating information without actually applying it to concepts. They’re learning for the test but not really taking any real value out of it. #edtechafterdark
A3 No pain, no gain. It’s a tough pill to swallow for kids to get on board with “eventual” success. Learning is messy, a process, it’s long, sometimes painful, and the goal is never to reach the end. Teaching kids that is hard. #EdTechAfterDark
A3) Good evening all, going to chime in for just a few...It is when we struggle or fail that we begin to learn. Struggle is a constraint and constrait can force new ideas and @creativity#edtechafterdark
And the infant alarm is going off... hopping off quick maybe he'll go back down, if I don't make it back happy holiday & see you next year! #edtechafterdark
A2) I sorta failed my way through teaching CS one semester. Lesson learned - adjust to the students as much as needed! https://t.co/UHz6Nnf1cb#EdTechAfterDark
Sometimes I feel teaching math is an uphill battle, but I try to remind Ss that struggle is what makes learning beautiful. I try to show them the parallels to life. When we struggle, the other side is always amazing. #EdTechAfterDark
A3: We must introduce some problem-based learning and inquiry. I love empowerment. Open the door and let them get messy (Channeling my inner Ms. Frizzle). LOL #EdTechAfterDark
A3: This is why I believe when Ts provide choice options for demonstrated mastery, there needs to be some teacher imposed conditions after the first few iterations to push learners. Ss play it safe too often. Gotta go out on that limb, it’s where the fruit is #EdTechAfterDark
Definitely tough, but got to keep on fighting the good fight. I continually have students say "can't you just tell us what to do, write, put, etc?" Takes time and purpose but they will grow! #edtechafterdark
We have to change the mindset of, “I’m not good at math.” Why do Ss and adults make this seem normal!? They don’t say, “I’m not good at reading” with pride, so math should be no different. #edtechafterdark
A3: Engage our students with challenging material that is relevant and important to them. The payoff will be woth the struggle for all involved! #edtechafterdark
We have to change the mindset of, “I’m not good at math.” Why do Ss and adults make this seem normal!? They don’t say, “I’m not good at reading” with pride, so math should be no different. #edtechafterdark
A3: Douglass was not a stranger to hardship; however, it’s also important to remember that the majority of his hardships were out of his control. Failure isn’t always a misdeed on our part; it’s often circumstance we must find a way to persevere through #EdTechAfterDark
Every subject area needs phenomena based standards like #NGSS. Are they scary at first, yes. However, the thinking of the students is so much deeper. #edtechafterdark
A3: We must introduce some problem-based learning and inquiry. I love empowerment. Open the door and let them get messy (Channeling my inner Ms. Frizzle). LOL #EdTechAfterDark
Typically yes. I do also think that there are some scenarios, like identifying literary devices or author’s purpose where filling in a blank reflects a skill beyond knowledge and comprehension. #EdTechAfterDark
YES! It hurts my heart how many times I have to ask parents to stop saying that in front of their kids... they're making it ok to give up. # #edtechafterdark
A3 Part of this is certainly us too! We're constantly learning how to teach, which means we'll fail sometimes. Need to learn to embrace what we can learn from that (I'm still working on it) #edtechafterdark
My awesome coworker, @MrsMJ1218, once suggested to me that every time we (are forced) look at data, we should also look at a picture of the student we are talking about. They aren’t numbers. They’re people. #edtechafterdark
A3: Douglass was not a stranger to hardship; however, it’s also important to remember that the majority of his hardships were out of his control. Failure isn’t always a misdeed on our part; it’s often circumstance we must find a way to persevere through #EdTechAfterDark
A2: I was so proud of myself when I built this shelf/box for my desk. Only to realize I had glued & nail gunned it completely wrong. I knew better to check it before nailing, but I wanted to finish it. Lesson learned: Slow down, don't rush! #edtechafterdark
#edtechafterdark#failingforward@jessxbo supposed to give my students a big surprise tomorrow and only 1/7 packages showed up. 😭😭😭 guess hot cocoa it is! DM if you want to know surprise—hoping no kids follow me but 🤫
I agree Sylvia… but as a parent, sometimes it’s hard to break that. We all want what is best for our kids. We all have to work together to have our kids become more self reliant. #EdTechAfterDark
God I want tcan see that GIF 😂👍 My wife calls those situations “Cooler Everyday Moments”! Her friends celebrate them by texting their “coolest” moments each week via text and laughing it off! #EdTechAfterDark
for sure. I was pulled aside last year, shown my horrific data and told that maybe personalized learning was a bad idea... and then 2 months later was asked why my data skyrocketed... turns out some things (like mastery) take time! #edtechafterdark
It needs to be done! Standards just simply graze the surface right now, but when #NGSS style thinking was applied, you get more. Love how in depth they are. #EdtechAfterDark
A4: If I reflect, I get better. I will analyze the mess out of myself (good or bad) but the end result is I cannot stay the same. Something changes. #EdTechAfterDark
#edtechafterdark I have students fill out a brutal survey. I get great feedback and change to fit student needs. I need to do more personal reflection though. Trying to find the best outlet for that. Maybe a blog? I’m not sure.
We have to set a tone with the students that math is not for the “intelligent”. Math is for everyone! Find a way to connect with them and make it engaging. Worksheets. Chalk/Talk/Chalk/Individual work time.. BORING and LAME. It’s time for a change. #edtechafterdark
In reply to
@EastsideAP, @jessxbo, @johnmorrisred, @ed_larose
A3: Great quote! In tech everything is tinkering and iterative thinking! When I taught in H.S. it was a better learning environment if we collaboratively shared 1.) what worked today 2.) what didn't work today & 3.) what classroom scholar we learned from #edtechafterdark
That's the biggest reason I started blogging. Hardly anyone reads most of it; I use it to force myself to reflect and lock in my learning #edtechafterdark
A4: I'm constantly reflecting - trying to better myself. Better me equals a better classroom equals more learning and students willing to take risks! #EdTechAfterDark
Yes ... and I’ve fought many a battle as parent (4 children ages 22, 20, 18, & 😮 10) and teacher (20 yrs) ... I keep plastic spoons on my chalk rail 😊 #EdTechAfterDark
They definitely can be if you always live in them! I need to remind some of my students if they didn’t reach outside their eating comfort zones they never would have discovered bacon! #EdTechAfterDark
A4) So important, so hard to get students to take time to really reflect & as educators sometimes I feel we rush through that part. Building good habits such as blogging, sharing, discussing what students share can build that. An area which I need to work on #edtechafterdark
A4 constantly learning from your mistakes and letting experience drive the change you wish to see in your learning environment. If I didn’t have a PLN who challenged me, I wouldn’t grow professionally nearly as exponentially. #EdTechAfterDark
A3: As learners, we sometimes just want the answer w/out working through the challenge. But when we work through the struggle, it's meaningful! #edtechafterdark
blogging has definitely helped me to be more intentional about reflection - and then holds me accountable on a different level if/when people read it! #edtechafterdark
I used it too! However, now and when students are older, money might become kind of unreliable thanks to debit cards, bit coin, etc.
Students have to know how to balance and how to spend money appropriately. It’s a math/lifeskill. #edtechafterdark
In reply to
@acooktweet, @EastsideAP, @jessxbo, @johnmorrisred, @ed_larose
A4: I often find myself incapable of comprising a thought better than my favorite philosopher, Søren Kierkegaard... These are his simple but powerful words on reflection #edtechafterdark
I also had to change my outlook - my oldest did not go to college & while he is working 2 jobs (& I’d like him to get his degree) he is successful chef & awarded employee with BassPro- success looks different for him. 😊 #EdTechAfterDark
@robertjmarzano Marzano, R. J., Frontier, T., & Livingston, D. (2011). Effective supervision: Supporting the art and science of teaching. Ascd. #edtechafterdark
A4: If you have a destination and never check the map or destination you may be going the entirely opposite direction. Taking time to pause and reflect helps make sure we are doing what is best for students. #edtechafterdark@KGT_Educator@ERobbPrincipal@misskoplin
Ok everyone… I am off to bed tonight! Thank you to everyone for letting me jump back in. Talk to my Florida peeps throughout the week? #EdTechAfterDark
Q5: We often think we have to be perfect in our field. What are the benefits of sharing your reflections (good or bad) with others? #edtechafterdark#failingforward
One of the only theists of the Existentialist movement. Big, yet controversial, in Protestant circles. He coined the phrase “leap of faith” as he saw faith as a necessary step for all humans beyond the limitations on reason. #EdTechAfterDark
A5: Seeing things differently. Sometimes I think I'm being crystal clear, but once I share with a few people prior to [publishing, presenting, teaching, etc], I may get a new perspective. #edtechafterdark
A5: If you are sharing these reflections with your students, it lets them see that everyone is human. Sometimes, we make mistakes, sometimes we don’t know all of the answers. THEN you pull out the Googles and teach them a life skill! #JustAskGoogle#EdTechAfterDark
A5) Writing it makes me think about it more. Others will often chime in saying "I did that too", so I feel better. And most of all, I hear how others overcame it. #edtechafterdark
A4: Reflecting on practice s-l-o-w-s down my thinking so that I can absorb concepts, check for my own understanding and Ss and Ts and helps me be a better, more active listener (i.e. "Did I hear what you said, or did I just hear what I was already thinking") #edtechafterdark
I often have my Ss show me "thumbs" when learning a new concept. 👍🏻 is "I know this & can explain it. Thumb sideways is "getting there, but still unsure, and 👎🏻 is "I need help"
Totally agree! I want history standards that are open-ended & skills-based, not simply analyzing & evaluating what someone else thinks is important to know. #HowToThinkNotWhatToThink
#edtechafterdark I find sharing helps me refine my lessons. I have a few great peers who ask hard questions and make me a better teacher. They are invaluable.
Q5: We often think we have to be perfect in our field. What are the benefits of sharing your reflections (good or bad) with others? #edtechafterdark#failingforward
It was beautiful. Many types of seating, types of spaces. It wasn’t the spaces that didn’t work, it was my teaching. I didn’t understand how to use the spaces. The existed without purpose. #EdTechAfterDark
A5: same lesson for adults as with kids- if you are succeeding you aren’t learning. Failure inherently teaches you- without it you don’t have to problem solve, adjust, rethink. We apply the #EngineeringDesignProcess to most things- constant cycle of improvement #EdTechAfterDark
A5: Sharing as you reflect allows others to learn from your mistakes and your success. Don’t be greedy, Chances are there are people on the same path as you that could use some guidance #EdTechAfterDark
A5: Because we don’t know what we don’t know. Only through others do we outshine our ignorance. When we think in a bubble, we become prisoners to the claustrophobic confines of our egos. #EdTechAfterDark
A5: Teaching cannot succeed in isolation anymore. We need each other. I love twitter and my podcast because it has helped me reflect more and collaborate with some awesome educators to really help me grow as a teacher. Still have a long way to go I want 2b great! #EdTechAfterDark
A5b: Sometimes sharing helps me to realize that those "giant failures" that I think occurred... were actually not so giant. We're our harshest critic. #EdTechAfterDark
ROCK STAR!!! Love Love Love this idea! You should check out my latest on my blog: https://t.co/V2e47G9rxw
There’s something in there I think could help! #edtechafterdark
A5: high expectations & #personalizedlearning. My goal as an educator is to serve student needs the way a barista serves the needs of @Starbucks customers. Personalized & precisely what they need at that moment. By modeling this- conversions begin #EdTechAfterDark
#hcpsteach and I have begun a place where we can reflect and learn from one another. The importance of our PLN and sharing with one another is HUGE #EdTechAfterDark
As we all record our #FailingForward videos on #flipgrid, I’d be a fool not to thank @jessxbo for leading a lively #EdTechAfterDark tonight! If you don’t follow this incredible educator, you’re missing out!
Hey @jessxbo Word on the street is that you're awesome. I told them I already knew that though. HA! Thanks for encouraging us to see the value in our failure and guiding our S's to do the same. #EdTechAfterDark
A6: Maybe my recent failure is that I haven’t tried flipgrid yet so I can’t answer the question in that format yet. Definitely interested in working with this tool in the future! #EdTechAfterDark@ERobbPrincipal
Thanks for letting me drop in! I've been a way too long...slowly getting back in the swing! Keep #EdTech -ing everyone! Keep rocking @acooktweet#edtechafterdark
A6: Maybe my recent failure is that I haven’t tried flipgrid yet so I can’t answer the question in that format yet. Definitely interested in working with this tool in the future! #EdTechAfterDark@ERobbPrincipal
Very user friendly and you'll love it. Once you start recording #failingforward videos, I guarantee you'll want to use it in your classroom! #edtechafterdark
Heck yes!! I showed my staff how to use @Flipgrid this pre school. Many were apprehensive. Now walking through the halls I’m always seeeing Ss making videos!! #edtechafterdark#FlipgridFever
In reply to
@MrPStrunk, @dene_gainey, @Flipgrid, @Flipgrid
