#4thchat is a hashtag for teachers or anyone to talk about educational issues relating to 4th grade. Using #4thchat will create a network of 4th grade teachers or teachers working with 9-10 year olds across the world. We welcome anyone who 1. teaches 4th grade 2 .Works with 4th grade students and or 4th grade teachers 3. Likes 4th grade teachers (Groupies are encouraged).
I work with @ErinRittle so her and I are on the same page with sending them home this week! The iPad is a great tool, but the students think it’s a game at home. #4thchat
Here's Q1: There’s lots of talk out there about kids & screen time. What are your thoughts about the amount of time kids are spending in front of a screen? #4thchat
Agree! Use Twitter to create a PLN (professional/personal learning network). I used to Google resources all of the time, now with PLN serendipity, resources are shared, much less need to Google for things. A lot of ideas, resources and connections on Twitter. #4thchat
A1: I do think kids spend a little too much time in front of the screen but I also think this is because it’s not properly monitored at home with parents. There needs to be guidelines set for students to follow #4thchat
Q1: This is a tough question! As a teacher and a mother i go back and forth about it. Some things on the students iPads are wonderful. If spent wisely it can be great! #4thchat
A1: I think kids are starting earlier & earlier being enraptured by the screen...have seen babies on phones, ipads, etc. I think it's more about the quality than the quantity.. #4thchat
#4thchat A1 Key part of the discussion is that not all screen time is equal.
Are Ss creating or consuming. Are they thinking and engaged or passively watching something. More: Screen Time Should Be About Quality, Not Quantity | eLearningInside News https://t.co/bm7ukpVG6D
Guidelines are a good place to start Erin. Sometimes (as a parent) it's hard to follow through (even though we want too). I remember my poor daughter was one of the last of her group to get a phone..Yikes. #4thchat
Yes - if spent wisely - is the key!!! I agree! #4thchat It's figuring out what that wisely is that's tricky...(Our wisely & their wisely don't always match up!)
A1 #4thchat Key for tech not just screen time: Maximize Learning with Digital Tools: Moving from Consumption to Creation | Professional Learning | KQED Education https://t.co/AygQvweQqA
#4thchat A1 Key part of the discussion is that not all screen time is equal.
Are Ss creating or consuming. Are they thinking and engaged or passively watching something. More: Screen Time Should Be About Quality, Not Quantity | eLearningInside News https://t.co/bm7ukpVG6D
A2: At home students may be given a freedom to choose what to do, they may spend time on noneducational sites. At school, teacher can 'assign' sites and activities that are educational. #4thchat
Q2: At school the students are monitored on the apps and websites they are going to. This isn’t always the case at home. I think at our school, the iPad at home isn’t enough of a tool because they use it to play games if they aren’t assigned anything #4thchat
I seriously worry about the whole Youtube at home. I get the draw to Youtube but I wish all the comments and suggestions weren't so available. #4thchat
A2: At home students may be given a freedom to choose what to do, they may spend time on noneducational sites. At school, teacher can 'assign' sites and activities that are educational. #4thchat
#4thchat A1 This is real however, Ss come to school sleep deprived, many Ss have to self manage amount of screen time on TVs and devices. School Principals Overwhelmingly Concerned About Children's Screen Time - Education Week https://t.co/vhLPOMToOM
A2: At school we are constantly walking around and monitoring, using google classroom etc... At home, sometimes kids are on their own and this gives them more freedom (and more screen time)! #4thchat
A2: Working at school on creating content rather than being passive learners. Will say that students are often more engaged in learning at school when technology is involved. (I know Engagement does not = achievement, but it helps!) #4thchat
Our students have YouTube blocked..great and not great! So many apps I use have YouTube as a base for learning videos. #4thchat Any good video platforms you recommend?
I have mixed feelings about this - I get why ppl want it blocked but at the same time it's a good learning opportunity on how one behaves on line. #4thchat
Our students have YouTube blocked..great and not great! So many apps I use have YouTube as a base for learning videos. #4thchat Any good video platforms you recommend?
Q3: During the day is varies how much time they spend in front of the screen. I would say an hour to hour and half on an average day. If projects are going on, then more. #4thchat
A3: We recently were asked to submit weekly estimates for screen times for kids. For my room, it's roughly 4-20 minutes station times throughout the day. #4thchat
Hey @ncarroll24 and @JennRegruth sorry to be missing #4thchat. Out of school tomorrow because of election day so went out to dinner with friends. Have a great chat.
YouTube is a tough one. I seem to side with not letting the kids have access. They have too much free time at the end of the day in the hallways where they are not monitored. For YouTube resources I just airplay my computer or iPad #4thchat
I'm willing to bet that while kids are working on those assignments they are having fun (until they get home & start playing their games - lol) #4thchat
I agree Nancy. Blocking YouTube at school doesn't stop kids from getting on at home we need to instead use the opportunity to teach kids about behaving online #4thchat
I agree - it's hard to say depending on what's going on. We have some programs, like Freckle that kids are on for 20 min/day...so I'mwilling to bet that some classes on longer than 1.5 #4thchat
A3: It varies depending on the day/lesson. But it is my goal this quarter to integrate more tech for creation to highlight learning/reflection on student portfolios #4thchat
I know I spent about 45 min in a classroom this am working on a project. Not sure the kids used it after that. I thinkI'll start keeping track. #4thchat
A4: The BEST is when they go home and continue what you taught them in class. I had one student show me today new Google Slide backgrounds she created this weekend! #4thchat
A4: I'm not sure I've ever asked a formal question about this - but I hear a lot of "I saw this on youtube....or when I'm playing such n such with my friend". Some kids say they create books online at home (but NOT the majority). #4thchat
A4: If you call their attention to it, students will usually admit they are spending too long on screens. And, given choice of discussions, art, interacting, etc. they do enjoy it! #4thchat
A4: Right now the students love when they get on the iPad at school. No matter what we are doing they love it. Very excited for them to start going home on Friday. #4thchat
I love how easily it integrates with the other Google suite tools! Makes sense of course, but I think 4th graders would be able to figure it out without much trouble! #4thchat
In reply to
@cterrillteach, @rader5thgrade, @JennRegruth
A5: Having students track time would really be eye opening. I think like most of us, they get drawn in to screens and forget how long they have been on. Also, showing them pleasure in NON screen activities would give them alternatives. #4thchat
Here is the template https://t.co/LB1OXbVWf7 a different picture on every page. We want the kids to follow suit. They make a copy of the template to ensure they have all the subjects and then make it their own #4thchat
#4thchat I think that teaching Ss digital citizenship skills is more important than trying to block content. Content changes so fast and is not black and white.
It IS the million dollar question....We def need to teach them...I like your idea of teaching them how to set their own limits & create boundaries. #4thchat
I'm thinking those Digital Citizenship lessons are becoming more and more important. Need to be embedded into daily lessons when tech is involved. #4thchat
#4thchat A sub topic on screen time is reading Paper Vs. Plasma: How the Digital Reading Shift is Impacting Your Brain | The Takeaway | WNYC https://t.co/Q3Dt1x8u0n
Yep! I’ve had to set limits for myself. Otherwise I can drown in social media and web browsing. Otherwise, I don’t tackle imp projects and tasks. It’s imp to share our own struggles w/our Ss so they know we can empathize w/their experience. #4thchat
A5: tracking time on their iPads would be one way to let them see how much time is spent on it!...sorry for delay, replying between running intervals! #4thchat
I read an article (not sure if it was this one) Says when Ss reading online they tend to skim and not dig deeper into the text. If they get bored they go on to something new. #4thchat
A5 #4thchat One key part I have noticed as a T and a P is that some Ss have a difficult time transitioning away from the screen. Finding balance is challenging when you can't switch activities.
The portfolio can carry grade to grade. Ts and Ss can choose which pieces of work they want to include in their portfolio: something they are proud of, specific assignments, etc. Classroom is just for the class it was made for and includes all assignments. #4thchat
In reply to
@MarkNechanicky, @rader5thgrade, @JennRegruth
Thank you, I will check this out. #4thchat Google Sites has changed a lot the past years and I haven't kept up since I don't actively use that part of G Suite.
In reply to
@cterrillteach, @JennRegruth, @rader5thgrade
Thank you. We launched it with specific classes at the Middle/High School but teachers in other classes are jumping on board to have their students create their own too.#4thchat
In reply to
@JennRegruth, @ncarroll24, @rader5thgrade
#4thchat The only issue again is that comsumptive tech and creative tech is lumped together. A S programming in @scratch is very different than a S playing a math game of a skill they have recently mastered. Such a puzzle.
That's awesome...they see the value and most likely the power. These kids will have a great portfolio to share with colleges & potential employers! #4thchat
In reply to
@cterrillteach, @JennRegruth, @rader5thgrade
#4thchat Am thinking, maybe as a start it's ok to have Ss track the time, even if creative and consumptive is lumped together since it is a large percentage of many Ss days. Will have to think about this. How to frame the data for Ss?
I have this problem w/my Ss too. They don’t know how to focus on what they’re supposed to be doing. But I can empathize ‘cause I have a similar problem. As I figure it out for myself, I talk 2 my Ss about it. We work on it together. #4thchat
I literally have to ask Ss to "close their lids" when I'm talking to them & there is a chromebook in front of them...even if the screen is blank - it's like they are revving their engines waiting to start! #4thchat
#4thchat I also think the age of the child matters for screen time. Doctors say much less for pre-K, but that isn't always what Ss coming into our schools have.
A8 #4thchat No worries about screentime from parents at school. Some concern from Ps about screen time being an issue at home. I think families are legit busy and screen time is one way to get things done at home as Ss are occupied.
