Our mission for our 21st century chat is to create a positive 21st century learning environment for our students by sharing resources and ideas that has worked in our classrooms. Join us every Sunday from 8:00-9:00 PM (EST) on Twitter using the hashtag #21stedchat. All are welcome!
Welcome to #21stedchat with @Edu_Thompson and me. Tonight we are talking Back To School & Mid Year Changes and Adjustments. Please Introduce Yourselves.
Welcome everyone. Lots of new faces tonight. Don't forget to add the #21stedchat tag with your responses. We will use the Q & A method to drive the conversation tonight
A1. Mine is to be intentional in my work. I find myself saying yes to anything and my goal is be more intentional in only saying yes to things that I am passionate about. #21stedchat
A1 - I'm going to focus more on concreteness fading...that's strategically moving from concrete examples to abstract examples to increase transfer of information. I wrote about it here:
https://t.co/u0NdoeN4dA#21stedchat
A1: I would like to integrate more self-guided instruction opportunities for my students to help them develop problem solving skills. I'm going to be trying to have students do some web design on a new unit that I think will help me meet this goal. #21stedchat
A1: I am still in school but I would love to learn more about classroom management, technology and out of the box teaching to apply in my future classroom #21stedchat
A1 This is one of those big small things: I’d like to use my classroom space as a more effective learning tool. Every time I get suggestions, I feel overwhelmed and paralyzed. Maybe this will be the year! #21stedchat
A1: I would like to continue learning C++ instead of C#, I feel that it could be better to focus on C++ but I do see the professional benefit of having a background in C# as well. So much to learn! So little time... #21stedchat
A1 I am trying to re-write all my Civics curriculum to PBL. I want one topic to flow to the next without choppy breaks. Ss learning should be fluid #21stedchat
A2: This year my school's emphasis is on student choice and differentiation, so I think I would say that is where my focus is as well. I want students to have options to express their knowledge. #21stedchat@ERobbPrincipal@KGT_Educator@ToddRisser
A2: I want to focus on 4 making sure I am using technology with a purpose going beyond the S of the #SAMR model. Tech needs to empower Ss to create something they couldn't of done before. #21stedchat
A2: #5- always rethinking assessment & feedback, especially since we are adopting a new math curriculum & intentionally thinking about the intersectionality/relationship between those. #21stedchat
A2: I teach ELA and I already do a lot of the other five, so I would like to focus on creating and making. I feel like there is a lot of potential to always do more of that in an ELA classroom. #21stedchat
A2 - Other...preparing my students with more efficient/effective study skills...retrieval practice, spaced practice, concrete examples, elaboration, dual coding, etc.
#21stedchat
A1. Looking to continue giving feedback and improving efficiency of the process. Feedback has really improved overall student quality of work! #21stedchat
a2 I hate being non-compliant but I'm working at help Ss understand how their brains learn. Can someone include that in the list (maybe just a small corner) #21stedchat
A2 those are all such good suggestions, but the one that I am working on the most is giving Ss more of a say. It is so hard for teachers because we feel Ss will not learn if we don't tell them. Wrong! #21stedchat
A2: Give up ownership to students and allowing them to take control of their own classroom life. I believe this prepares them for the next level and life as well. It helps teach them to succeed and take control of their own life. #21stedchat
A2: (5) Rethinking assessment & feedback -- since we will be having access to @Seesaw & #googleclassroom, I need to find effective ways (using these tools) so I can give timely & useful assessment/feedback to my Ss. #21stedchat
A2 Let Ss create and make - In my case staff - I want to setup a shell and a Raspberry Pi and create an open arcade machine platform to tinker with! #21stedchat
A2 These ideas are interconnected. If students have choices, they need guidance on “the why” – how their choices match their values. If they’re creating/making, they need ownership of that process and a learning space that’s conducive to it. #21stedchat
Hmmm. I always let my student choose their seating. I tell them they can earn a seating chart but being 11-12 graders they need to start self managing. #21stedchat
Wow. THis is tough. I think I'm constantly thinking about 2-5, and I alluded to feedback in my first answer tonight. Perhaps I need to be more aware of my classroom! #21stedchat
I tried to have them earn it, and they did, and then their behavior just went off the rails. They couldn't handle the responsibility, so I am not doing that again. #21stedchat
A2: I’m trying to allow for more creation and add PBL into most lessons, but giving the option of choice and voice to develop the project with the same desired outcomes. #21stedchat
Yeah maybe arduino haven't decided, have some RPi3s handy already. Would have to raid STEM academy for the arduinos. Up to the staff really... #21stedchat
Q3: We are approaching standardized testing season soon (at least in MI). How are you going to help your students not overly stress or be defined by the whole process? #21stedchat
A3: I think aside from reminding them that a single day and a single test doesn't define them I am also making it my goal to make sure my students are very prepared for the tests so that when test time comes they will feel at ease. #21stedchat@ERobbPrincipal@KGT_Educator
A3: By incorporating blogs and activities throughout the year that Ss DO feel successful in, such as designing a food truck and it's prices, becoming #minigooglemaster and much more, they will know their value doesn't lie in standardized test. #21stedchat
Q3: We are approaching standardized testing season soon (at least in MI). How are you going to help your students not overly stress or be defined by the whole process? #21stedchat
A3: My goal is to have students focus on growth. My philosophy is as long as your are progressing and producing your best work each day, then you are doing fine. The test doesn't define who they are.
#21stedchat
Our issue is that the SAT is given to every 11th grade Ss. And the Work Keys and a state assessment that has no value to the Ss. (Views expressed are my own and not my district. #21stedchat
A3: We don't have a statewide standardized test, but I do remind the kids from time to time that SBAC is coming up and that what we do in class will make them more confident about taking it. #21stedchat
I haven’t had personal classroom experience with standardized testing. Looking forward to reading and saving some words of wisdom from you all! 🧐 #21stedchat
A3: My goal is to have students focus on growth. My philosophy is as long as your are progressing and producing your best work each day, then you are doing fine. The test doesn't define who they are.
#21stedchat
Q3: We are approaching standardized testing season soon (at least in MI). How are you going to help your students not overly stress or be defined by the whole process? #21stedchat
A3 I share in their frustration and teach them about growth. I just can't fathom the fact that hundreds of thousands of Ts country wide hate standardized tests, yet we don't get listened to. #21stedchat
A4: Being active on Twitter and participating in Twitter chats. Also setting aside time to read. Currently reading #puregenius and just finished #theinnovatorsmindset#21stedchat
That seems par for the course on Sunday nights. Switch to Twitter and do a #21stedchat search and choose latest tweets. That is what I have to do sometimes.
A4: I have expanded from podcasting to also blogging now. My hope is to use it and my Twitter PLN to engage with other educators to continue to find new and innovative practices to bring to my classroom. #21stedchat@ERobbPrincipal@_on11@gcouros@Samuel_Wallace2
A4: Well, I already participate in chats and am in a Voxer group. I guess go to some conferences. Also there is an Edcamp in February I plan to go to at an art museum. #21stedchat
A4 I have committed to growing my PLN on Twitter and engaging in chats to grow. I also joined our districts Professional Education Committee to push new PD ideas. Would love to see @clearfieldbison do an EdCamp! #21stedchat
Save the date! Tuesday January 9th at 8:30 PM EST #pln365 has got Stella Pollard on board to talk assessments. Be sure to bring your best as her questions will put you to the test. #21stedchat
A4. Starting off the new year as a part of the #4OCF Voxer Book Study! Excited for all the wisdom and ideas from the group already! Starts tomorrow. Looking to continue to learn from great educators on Twitter and Voxer. See what comes as a result! #Bettertogether#21stedchat
A3 We have an exercise called “On Your Plate” that helps students imagine their stresses and struggles as foods in a plate (and draw on paper plates). We talk about what it means/how it would feel to savor the food, leave some on the plate, add condiments, etc. #21stedchat
A4: I love speaking to teachers who have broken traditions in the classroom and who have constantly pushed the “normal” bar back. As well as being a life long learner yourself. That is vital. Even if it’s stretches you or your students passed their comfort zone #21stedchat
Q5: Well, my intern should be doing more teaching this semester so that should help with the load some. Also by saying no more and trying to delegate. Although it can be hard to let go and delegate. #21stedchat
A5 Well I'm on Twitter instead of watching TV with my wife... JK I set specific boundaries like no tech dinners w/ family to keep things distinct. #21stedchat
A5: As a second year T, this is still in progress. There are nights I don't leave the school until dark. I get better each day, but it will be a continual work in progress for a while. #21stedchat
A4: As I am more intent to being a teacher/tech integrator (or a lead, if & when possible), my goals are to get certified in #google L1 & become a #seesawambassador for 2018/19. #21stedchat
A5: Fall was tough with my wife finishing up her masters essentially having to be a teacher and get an extra 310 hours for her masters practicum. I'm hoping for more date nights in the Spring to help us separate work from home. #21stedchat
A5 If the key to life is balance, I’m dead. If I’m doing something meaningful, it’s a good day. I always feel like I’m neglecting someone or something, but that just means there’s a lot that fulfills me. It’s a good problem to have. #21stedchat
A5: Self-Care isn’t just spa days and luxuries. It’s simply taking care of yourself. Pour into yourself, because you can’t pour into your students if your glass is empty. #21stedchat 🥛
A5: My wife just said we need to go to Taco Tuesday at the movies. $6 insteade of $12. We are also making an effort to not work past 5 or take work home. #21stedchat
A5: I'm trying to work on this. My goal is to not do any school work on Saturdays and spend time doing something just for me, but unfortunately, I don't always meet that goal.
#21stedchat
A5. How to Be Healthier, Happier and More Productive: It’s All in the Timinghttps://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-be-healthier-happier-and-more-productive-its-all-in-the-timing-1514560647 #21stedchat
A5: As a student juggling a part time job (Research Assistant for my profs) and school will likely be difficult next semester but I plan on working during the weekend and creating a schedule. #21stedchat
This will probably be me as well! I love teaching and learning how to be a better teacher too much. I just need to be intentional with sabbath time and intentionally putting aside time to disconnect from WORK. #21stedchat
Hey #21stedchat, y’all are doing some important work! I hope you’re taking as good care of yourselves as of your work and students. https://t.co/mhAaZdzAxp
On top of @ClassTechTips’ small monthly goals, @spencerideas suggests to focus on the #process goals as well. Smash these 2 fantastic ideas together, & we (hopefully) get a productive year!
Another takeaway from his post: SCHEDULING!
A6: The realization that self-care is an area of struggle for more people than I realized. We need to remind each other to take care of ourselves because clearly we are struggling with that balance. #21stedchat
Thanks everyone for another great #21stedchat@Edu_Thompson & I can't do it without you. Join us next week for Teaching with Technology Sun 8 PMM ET US.
