#FLedchat is a virtual meeting place using Twitter. Educators across the state of Florida come together on Wednesdays at 8pm EST to discuss the topics of the week.
Corey, former educator, curriculum specialist for innovations and now with @BrightBytes, based in St Pete #Florida but tweeting tonight at end of Northern Alabama visit in Nashville! #fledchat
Hi! Allison here, joining from Pennsylvania. I am a preservice teacher actually in a technology of education class right now! Excited about tonight's topic :) #FLedchat
Welcome Allison! We are so glad to have you with us today. We would love to hear more about the technology you are learning about in your class. #FLedChat
Hi! Allison here, joining from Pennsylvania. I am a preservice teacher actually in a technology of education class right now! Excited about tonight's topic :) #FLedchat
For tonight's chat, we will be discussing this article (quick read) and talking about ed tech resource usage statistics. https://t.co/snMKx5bkya#FLedChat
I just have to share! Check out this International Floss-off we did today via Hangouts with a school in Guernsey, UK.... it was soooo cool!!!! #FLEdChat
I just have to share! Check out this International Floss-off we did today via Hangouts with a school in Guernsey, UK.... it was soooo cool!!!! #FLEdChat
A1: No it isn't surprising. Even before apps, many textbook resources went unused as well. Sometimes it has to do with just not knowing what's available. #FLedChat
A1: No it isn't surprising. Even before apps, many textbook resources went unused as well. Sometimes it has to do with just not knowing what's available. #FLedChat
Not surprising at all. As the media and technology specialist at my school I am in charge of all purchasing and I often look at the stats of something being renewed and see it’s almost never used. Only by 1-2 teachers consistently. Not worth $5k to me. #FLEdChat
A1) I think anytime you look at resources being purchased by a school or district not being used it's surprising and disappointing if these are resources that could potentially help and impact student achievement #fledchat
A1: but also how much of that is me not reminding, promoting and training my teachers enough? I can ALWAYS do better and do more in terms of training!!! #FLedchat
I feel like Technology is underutilized, for the most part, because it’s not completely understood. And by the time it IS understood it’s evolved again!! Lol #FLedchat
Wouldn't it great to utilize a program that not only shows usage, but also shows these engagement and impact on student performance numbers, think it would be powerful for any school or district and this is currently a reality #fledchat
Not surprising at all. As the media and technology specialist at my school I am in charge of all purchasing and I often look at the stats of something being renewed and see it’s almost never used. Only by 1-2 teachers consistently. Not worth $5k to me. #FLEdChat
It must be really difficult to determine which apps impact student performance numbers. How do you determine if App A promoted the skill or App B if they both practice the same skills? #FLedChat
A1. Disappointing, but not surprising. Anybody else ever have whole class sets of books that were great for teaching one certain topic but otherwise sat on a shelf for the rest of the year? I imagine some of the unused apps/tools may fall into that category.
#fledchat
A2: I don't know that I've been at this school long enough to know that. I know I use the Google Suite, TXT (text editor on Chromebooks), Gmetrix (test prep) and our school uses iReady, but beyond that I'm not sure what others use. Oh, and Canvas LMS. #FLedChat
This is a great question Tammy, at @BrightBytes we pull data from various assessments provided by a district to measure % of students who saw gains that used the app vs students who saw similar gains who did not use the given app, does that help? #Fledchat
It must be really difficult to determine which apps impact student performance numbers. How do you determine if App A promoted the skill or App B if they both practice the same skills? #FLedChat
I haven't had too many classroom visits yet, but we have learned a TON of tech tools in my class. Some of my favorites are Nearpod, Canva, Breakout EDU (super cool!), Microsoft Sway and we even learned about QR Code scavenger hunts! #FLedchat
I haven't had too many classroom visits yet, but we have learned a TON of tech tools in my class. Some of my favorites are Nearpod, Canva, Breakout EDU (super cool!), Microsoft Sway and we even learned about QR Code scavenger hunts! #FLedchat@KristinCHarr
I feel this way about purchasing products with annual costs. Many are used for 1-2 projects a year, so it's not worth it. Other products, like Nearpod are used every day so teachers are happy to pay $100/year. #FLedChat
A1. Disappointing, but not surprising. Anybody else ever have whole class sets of books that were great for teaching one certain topic but otherwise sat on a shelf for the rest of the year? I imagine some of the unused apps/tools may fall into that category.
#fledchat
What do you guys think? Is it a fear(because it’s not understood)by teachers and/or Administration that creates barriers for the technology? Are people stuck in their ways? And figure “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it”?#FLedchat
Let's be honest the vast majority of ed resources sit on shelves until they are used ... novels ... textbooks ... thinking a specific tech software will be used everyday by every teacher shows a lack of understanding of how tech is used. #fledchat
It is important though to pull the covers off so as I heard it put from a district admin during a meeting a few months back, would you agree interested to hear your thoughts and input? #Fledchat
Honestly ... i question anything a district admin is pushing for classroom usage ... they are well intended but there absence from the actual classroom clouds their judgement and makes them susceptible to the sales pitch #fledchat
A3: I think everything purchased at the district and school levels are used by at least 60% of teachers (we'll test this when we get our BrightBytes data results), however not all the resources/feature within each program are used adequately. #FLedChat
A3: My school (elementary) is having a hard time transitioning away from ActivInspire FlipCharts and into ClassFlow... especially the non-1:1ers. #FLedChat
Looking to spark empathy in your K-5 classroom?
✨✨✨
Join us to learn all about The Empathy Project Fellowship! Register for the webinar here: https://t.co/BCF7tnqAcd
Honestly ... i question anything a district admin is pushing for classroom usage ... they are well intended but there absence from the actual classroom clouds their judgement and makes them susceptible to the sales pitch #fledchat
This will be great to see results, I know in my weekly visits and meetings with districts across #Florida and #Alabama I've heard various goals up to some for 90% usage, would love to hear more district input from the #Aledchat#fledchat
A3: I think everything purchased at the district and school levels are used by at least 60% of teachers (we'll test this when we get our BrightBytes data results), however not all the resources/feature within each program are used adequately. #FLedChat
SO how much does BrightBytes cost? ... interesting that we are talking wasted money on unused apps so we buy an app to check for unused apps ... #fledchat
Ha Ha...the app checking is only one of their features. Corey can probably explain better than I can. I'll admit I was skeptical at first, but their data is really helping in our district so far. #FLedChat
SO how much does BrightBytes cost? ... interesting that we are talking wasted money on unused apps so we buy an app to check for unused apps ... #fledchat
... sigh ... the issue is we have redundant apps/software that people think do different things, but they don't ... I have computers with Pages/Word and we use Google Docs ... #fledchat Our district email is Outlook ... but I have to use a different login to access Google
Good point Dennis, our #ROI piece is just one part of a larger suite that examines #21stcenturylearning but I would equate it to investing in hurricane impact glass in Florida which can lead to returns later, could've gone with the solar example too to keep FL related #fledchat
SO how much does BrightBytes cost? ... interesting that we are talking wasted money on unused apps so we buy an app to check for unused apps ... #fledchat
A4: Not sure I can answer this question. Just because our students have an app open, doesn't mean they are really engaged with learning through that app. #FLedChat
We have some of this too, but when we try to streamline and eliminate some, teachers get upset. Most that you mentioned are free though, so I think it's good to have options. #FLedChat
... sigh ... the issue is we have redundant apps/software that people think do different things, but they don't ... I have computers with Pages/Word and we use Google Docs ... #fledchat Our district email is Outlook ... but I have to use a different login to access Google
Many teachers truly believe that what they do is "heavy duty" computing when it isn't. They demand traditional software instead of cheaper alternatives on Chromebooks. #FLedChat
Love this point by Kristin, if you are not skeptical at first about anything that is "pitched" than that is a bigger problem, and that vantage point makes her opinion that much stronger in my opinion #Fledchat
Ha Ha...the app checking is only one of their features. Corey can probably explain better than I can. I'll admit I was skeptical at first, but their data is really helping in our district so far. #FLedChat
SO how much does BrightBytes cost? ... interesting that we are talking wasted money on unused apps so we buy an app to check for unused apps ... #fledchat
A4: Not sure I can answer this question. Just because our students have an app open, doesn't mean they are really engaged with learning through that app. #FLedChat
Would like to pose this not only to #FLedchat but #Aledchat and anyone on here who is involved with this the use of or purchasing or evaluating education apps as part of your daily routine!
A5: I think providing teachers with vouchers to purchase the apps/programs of their choice. We are working on a PD model where teachers earn subscriptions of their choice as they complete course work. #FLedChat
A5: 1st: Keep a list of what is available. 2nd: On that list, provide a detailed description of what the app does. 3rd: Provide space for teachers to leave reviews and offer advice on those apps. 4th: Require teachers to check list before requesting new app. #FLedChat
A5: 1st: Keep a list of what is available. 2nd: On that list, provide a detailed description of what the app does. 3rd: Provide space for teachers to leave reviews and offer advice on those apps. 4th: Require teachers to check list before requesting new app. #FLedChat
A5b: Provide teachers that review apps the opportunity and resources to add Apps to their toolbox. This would encourage teachers to share what works for them so they could get even more for their classes. #FLedChat
A6) I think we are eager to learn some of these strategies, or at least targeting opportunities to increase usage through targeted PD for example #Fledchat
A6: I think making sure to only launch new programs that are COMPLETELY ready. When teachers try things with repeated issues, they usually give up. Teachers don't have time to waste! #FLedChat
A6: I think making sure to only launch new programs that are COMPLETELY ready. When teachers try things with repeated issues, they usually give up. Teachers don't have time to waste! #FLedChat
