#DITCHbook was created by Ditch That Textbook author Matt Miller. The chat focuses on innovative teaching ideas and disrupting standard textbook education.
Hey everyone! Evan Mosier, Tech Integrationist Lead Teacher from Davenport, Iowa suuuuper excited to co-mod with @mccartney2grade as she moderates her first #ditchbook chat! It's going to be amazing!
Welcome everyone! Elizabeth McCartney here! 2nd grade and tech model teacher in Davenport Iowa! So excited to co-mod with @emosier3 tonight! #ditchbook
Hi! I'm Becca. I am a preservice teacher studying middle level math/history at Grove City College. I live in Allentown PA. So excited to join in on this chat! #pstpln#gccedu#ditchbook
Hey #DitchBook friends! Matt here, Ditch That Textbook author, blogger and speaker.
Excited to have @emosier3 and @mccartney2grade running the show ... AND with a great topic!
A1. I think it means constantly reinventing yourself as a teacher and learner, trying new things and taking risks to meet the current Ss. We always did it this way is a line that needs to go. #ditchbook
Hey #DitchBook friends! Show some love to @baileyhenson_ed, @becca_reed_ed and any other friends from Grove City College tonight ...
Preservice teachers getting on this Twitter thing right away!
Throw them some follows and say hello!
A1: This, to me, is allowing students to get uncomfortable with their learning and open new horizons for them, using a variety of different tools, tech or otherwise! #ditchbook
Innovative teaching and out of the box thinking mean that, as teachers, we must plan lessons so that all students will learn. We must invest our time into planning interactive lessons that are as unique as our individual students. #gccedu#pstpln#ditchbook
A1 - It means constantly learning...constantly reading and conversing about all things education. Applying new strategies that work in the classroom. #ditchbook
A1: Innovative & out of the box teaching is a way to engage Ss in learning in new and exciting ways. Allowing for so much more creativity and excitement😍 #DitchBook
And what, pray tell, does this math chair look like? Does it have fancy fabric with mathematical symbols on it? Does it talk, giving a random number every time you sit down? Curious ... 😂😂😂 #DitchBook
A1: Getting students to do things that they have never done before! Getting out of their seats and using technology in ways that get them thinking in different ways! #ditchbook
A1 Innovative teaching means finding new methods, strategies and tools to engage students. There is so much power in letting students create a product and have a choice in the process. #ditchbook
A1: Trying things that aren't the norm, something that is more active and engaging in nature, not the same ol same ol sit-n-get style of teaching/learning #ditchbook
A1: innovative teaching to me is looking for ways to get better. Not always doing things because that’s the way they’ve been done. Don’t be like blockbuster. Innovate or become obsolete #DitchBook
A1 I think it means as a teacher to always be learning new ways to teach or introduce a new idea. I tried a Virtual field trip for the first time, and wow! out of my comfort zone. The best part was that the kids loved trying something new! #ditchbook
But at the same time, don't be like Netflix with their weird algorithms either, personalize student learning to them, not a one size fit all innovative approach! #ditchbook
In reply to
@craigklement, @mccartney2grade, @emosier3
A1: Innovative teaching = teaching that's DIFFERENT and BETTER (to quote @gcouros).
"Out of the box" is a different take on what I've called "ditching the textbook." Throwing out traditions that just don't get the results anymore. #DitchBook
A1: Innovative thinking means being willing to take risks even if it fails and if it fails being willing to take another risk right after that. #ditchbook
This is something that I am seeing at my school this year too! Ts and Ss are seeing technology as more than games, but actually creating their own! #ditchbook
A1: It means trying to manipulate learning tasks to live in that M & R end of the SAMR pool. What can we do now with available tech, that we couldn't do before? But before that, does this tech get my students closer to their learning goals? (jumping in late) #ditchbook
A1: Innovative Teaching & out of the box thinking means that the same old methods aren't the standard, problems are solved by thinking in non traditional methods, and nobody is entirely comfortable. :) #DitchBook
A2. I model my own uncomfortable and risk taking and show them it is a process. What we are doing with sketchnotes this year is a prime example #ditchbook
"Take risks even if it fails."
"Take another risk right after that."
YES! And ... being willing to analyze why a risk failed OR why it succeeded to fuel future successes. #DitchBOok
A1: Innovative thinking means being willing to take risks even if it fails and if it fails being willing to take another risk right after that. #ditchbook
A2: I know this term is somewhat overused, but allowing students to "fail forward." As long as the relationships have been built and students know it is OK to step out of their comfort zone, we can truly be innovative! #ditchbook
A2 freedom to fail and learn from failure instead of being penalized for not being right the first time. Give students freedom to take risks #ditchbook
Absolutely, but today's tools open up new possibilities... look how the printing press changed the way we see the world, the same can be said for the internet... #ditchbook
In reply to
@craigklement, @AndersonEdTech, @mccartney2grade, @emosier3
A2: i used to have a sign in my math classroom that said “the best angle to approach any problem is the try-angle”. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, take risks and learn from the experience. #Ditchbook
A2: Start it from day one!!! Encourage creativity and out of the box thinking. We have a “Creativity Award” right now in math that a S gets if they have the most creative way to come up with a sum or difference! #DitchBook
A1. As hard as it is to say, this year it has looked like heartache when buyin is lacking. Also, didn't help that I worked hard the first two months at it but then sucked the well dry. #DitchBook
As a preservice teacher, I believe that a good way to get students to be innovative is to build their enthusiasm in regards to what they are learning. When they are excited to learn, they will be super comfortable with the process. #gccedu#pstpln#ditchbook
A2 I find a lot of students are comfortable with being innovative; it’s more so teachers who sometimes need a nudge to try something different. And The more we innovate and change it up, the more students will become comfortable with the uncomfortable! #ditchbook
A1: It means meeting Ss where they are, sticking out a hand, and saying "come with me..." It means taking learning outside, expanding options, maximizing S voice/choice... #DitchBook
A2 Model model model! If the teacher shows no fear in doing something the students will be even more comfortable and excited to be innovative. The goal is for them to come up with their own ideas and create something awesome! #ditchbook
A2: it's a non-techy answer, but it's creating a culture of caring and trust in the classroom. Having Ss feel comfortable enough to share ideas and thoughts knowing they won't be shut down #ditchbook
A2: Start with clearly defined objectives. If you're not ready for leaving learning products wide-open, start with giving student choice between 2 or 3. You and your Ss need to scaffold into the process. #ditchbook
A1 (thinking more) Using a specific tool DOES NOT necessarily make what you're doing innovative. There needs to be a purpose behind what you're doing. #DitchBook
A1: Innovative Teaching - when you have S’s ingaged and wanting to be in your class. Out of the Box Thinking - when T’s make the best use of what they have. #ditchbook
A2 Start from the first day and just go with it. You have to be enthusiastic with it so the students will see that and feed off of your enthusiasm. Once the students get used to all of your new and different techniques, they will be willing to come in with an open mind #ditchbook
A2 In order to get students to be innovative and comfortable with it they need to see their teachers doing the same thing. Taking risks and willing to fail in order to succeed. #Ditchbook
A2: Ss will get creative and innovative when they are in low-risk envronment and feel they can take chances. Let them know you respect the process and let them have voice and choice in their final product. #ditchbook
A2: As a special education teacher, this can be very hard at times. Some of my students aren't motivated to work at all, some want everything to be given to them in more traditional methods and don't want to try new, innovative things #ditchbook
Hey, #DitchBook friends ...
Want to check out a post I wrote today that has gotten a CRAZY amount of buzz???
The SECRET MENU for Google Slides, Docs, Drawings and more
https://t.co/R2S4bFIP5X#googleedu#gttribe
It is great to model and show students that we as Ts even have to be comfortable with trying new things and that it is not always going to work the first time! #ditchbook
A2 Let the kids be! I've been saying this a lot lately: The only limits that students have are the limitations WE as teachers put on them. Let's not assume what students can/can't do. #DitchBook
A2 I tell them when I'm trying something new like a different way to document thinking or protocol for student let discussion and ask for their help in giving feedback to make better. Shows I'm making myself vulnerable #DitchBook
A2: I love how @DonWettrick helps students with innovation ...
He breaks them down and then builds them back up.
It takes SERIOUS effort to break habits that have been built up from years and years of school. #DitchBook
These are the thoughts going through my head lately too! WE need to stop putting limits on things and let them use their creativity to do something out of the box! #ditchbook
I always say it is okay to mess up or it is okay if things do not quite work out, but it is not okay to give up! teachers and students can do this! #DitchBook
A2: I tell Ss from the start that in my class, they will get "comfortable" with being uncomfortable. If there aren't moments where we're uncomfortable, then we aren't innovating. We're static. #DitchBook
A2: We must create an environment that makes it safe to fail, but more importantly one that forces them to keep generating ideas. Begin by asking them to come up with as many ideas as they can and then, once they think they're done, tell them to double the number. #ditchbook
In reply to
@mccartney2grade, @jmattmiller, @emosier3
A3: SO. MANY. TOOLS!!! @Flipgrid is HUGE for getting students to be innovative, uncomfortable and think out of the box! Even non-tech tools are beneficial when being innovative. Take @mrdearybury's #destroythebox challenge! I love those!! #ditchbook
A3: I like to think of the #SAMR model where you can elevate traditional activities into something completely different, such as a standard written exit ticket becoming a reflection using @Flipgrid or a blog post #ditchbook
A2: You have to make your classroom a safe place for them to F.A.I.L. Show them that it is part of the learning process. That will help them try new things. #ditchbook
A3 You have to start by playing with it. Innovative ideas and new thinking aren't always obvious at first glance. Find time to experiment, just play! #ditchbook
A3: as admin, I often use tech to increase efficiency in communication and collaboration. My favorite thing right now is using prefilled links with Google Forms. My Ts love it, I make paperwork so much easier for them #ditchbook
A3 don’t just digitize the classroom- have kids create and connect! Mystery Skype, author chats, podcasts, video production, websites... give your Ss global audience is innovative and empowering #DitchBook
A3 Being a connected educator makes it possible for me to collaborate with others and create innovative lessons that I wouldn't be able to otherwise. #ditchbook
A3: I love using tools within G-Suite and manipulating how we use them. Have presented and remixed ways to turn Google Slides into a learner-centered, not teacher-centered tool. Love seeing what others are doing out there. Twitter has it all. #ditchbook
I learned it from the best (@DonWettrick), and it has yet to fail me! Plus, once kids see how much more they can stretch their brains, they begin to do it without prompting. #ditchbook
In reply to
@mccartney2grade, @jmattmiller, @emosier3, @DonWettrick
Agreed. Read somewhere about a question strategy where you give them a word/concept and they write as many questions as possible given a time limit. We had the word "truth" and Ss came up with tons of essential questions #ditchbook
In reply to
@Jennifer_Manly, @mccartney2grade, @jmattmiller, @emosier3
R3) Find something does something new that you wanted to try or something you're already doing but better and then try to get the most out it. Don't over extend. #ditchbook
A3 oh goodness where do I start... no more worksheets! use padlet, seesaw, hyperdocs, google expeditions, google draw! (the list could go on) students can use all of these to create something new together or independently #ditchbook
Technology can be used to innovate education and think outside the box by allowing students to collaborate and learn through others' experiences in ways that are not possible in a classroom setting without technology. #gccedu#pstpln#ditchbook
A3: Ways tech can help innovate EDU:
*flatten classroom walls & take Ss to places they've never been, meet people they couldn't meet otherwise
*allow Ss to create, produce, & market now, not when they "grow up."
#DitchBook
A3: There are so many fun apps and different types of technology that open so many doors to innovation and creative ideas. Using things like @DoInkTweets and all the google apps to get Ss thinking. #DitchBook
I worry that this makes it sound too easy. There is a LOT of front loading that needs to happen before they can soar. I let my kids loose on @Flipgrid w/out a good foundation and had to take a step back to explain what the purpose of the tool was. #DitchBook
I constantly remind students that I have failed too in life in many ways and that WE will learn and grow and no matter what I will be there to help pick them back up #ditchbook
A3: Tech opens many doors to allow S creation and collaboration. Both of these can be quite innovative in comparison to the type of learning they may have experience (given worksheets/books and told how to regurgitate) #ditchbook
A3: I like to use the toolbox analogy for #edtech ...
Take tools out of a carpenter's hands and it SEVERELY limits what he/she can create.
A carpenter doesn't ask, "What can I build with THIS tool?"
He/she uses the best tools to create what he/she has envisioned.
#DitchBook
A3: Technology is wonderful for many reasons -- it makes it much easier to differentiate content and process, and helps us connect kids with the outside world. Technology allows kids to do meaningful work NOW unlike ever before. #DitchBook
A3- So many possibilities! Tech gives students options to create and collaborate to own their learning. We have used @flipgrid for voice, podcasting to explain their thoughts, green screen ...and so much more. Ss will remember the learning when they can innovate! #ditchbook
A3 I'm with @KarlyMoura on this one- connected to the MANY inspiring educators on Twitter helps me tremendously! Getting ideas here that can be immediately implemented or tweaked to work fo rmy students make teaching so much more fun for ME. #DitchBook
In reply to
@mccartney2grade, @emosier3, @KarlyMoura
A3: Technology just opens the doors to creativity and gives options through providing tools and connections...we as teachers need encourage Ss to walk through. #ditchbook
I have had this happen, too. Like you said, if the vision and expectations aren't there, it can be disaster ... abuse, inappropriateness, time wasted, etc. #DitchBook
In reply to
@teachlikeaninja, @teach1inspire1, @Flipgrid
A3b Innovation means looking for opportunities...teach your students to be innovative in the way they share their learning. Create a rubric and get out of the way! #DitchBook
I don't know if it's the same one, but I recently learned about the Question Formation Technique from @STEMelementary -- it's amazing to watch kids come up with questions with so little prompting! #ditchbook
In reply to
@msgunter, @mccartney2grade, @jmattmiller, @emosier3, @STEMelementary
Yep, I created a Google Form for our classroom walkthroughs. And use add ons such as form publisher and autocrat to provide instant feedback to Ts #ditchbook
In reply to
@AndersonEdTech, @mccartney2grade, @emosier3
A2: I offer Ss tools, listen to them when they speak, ask Qs, demo slightly, but more encourage them to try, to step out of their comfort zones. And reassure them when they do. #DitchBook
A3: You can use technology to have your students communicate with you and with each other. It can encourage creativity and help they the students learn in the best way for them. #ditchbook
A4: So not to overwhelm my co-teacher, a self-proclaimed tech newbie, I have implemented various activities slowly. Today, I showed him progress on a #hyperdoc I'm creating for our next unit on the Industrial Revolution, he was blown away/excited! #ditchbook
We did another run with @flipgrid today and there were some GREAT responses, but still a couple that I need to sit down with and have a direct lesson on appropriate use. They'll get it eventually, it just takes constant adjustment, reteaching, and consistent standards #DitchBook
In reply to
@jmattmiller, @teach1inspire1, @Flipgrid, @Flipgrid
Right! AND, if the school culture isn't one of using tech as a learning tool, it makes it hard for you to create that culture in your class too. (Not saying that's the case at your school ... just have noticed that.) #DitchBook
In reply to
@teachlikeaninja, @teach1inspire1, @Flipgrid
I feel like a lot of it (at least in my school) has to do with pressure from standards/testing. I'm lucky to teach an untested (still academic) subject. I get to spend quality time building relationships + can always find space for work that kids are passionate about. #ditchbook
That's a good one! I did individual sheets for each teacher, shared view only on their teaching standards observations, and I gave editing access for their pro. standards, as some of the pro. stuff is hard to see in the classroom. They provided what they were doing #ditchbook
In reply to
@craigklement, @mccartney2grade, @emosier3
A4: Just shared the "BookaKucha" idea (based on Pekakucha) from #Eduprotocols with the teachers I serve. Love this straightforward approach to building a culture of reading. #ditchbook
A4: So not to overwhelm my co-teacher, a self-proclaimed tech newbie, I have implemented various activities slowly. Today, I showed him progress on a #hyperdoc I'm creating for our next unit on the Industrial Revolution, he was blown away/excited! #ditchbook
A4 in Art, students have put themselves in their artwork using green screen and have explained their process. Great for reflection. In math, we used iMovie trailers to solve a problem and then students made a “directors cut” version of it to explain it in more detail! #ditchbook
A4: As a preservice teacher, I have not taught any lessons so far this year. However, some of the lessons I have been taught this year have had some innovative and out of the box twists. @DrJMChapman used @BreakoutEDU and I thought that was a great tool #ditchbook#gccedu
A4: Well I have not taught anything this year, however my professors use technology in new ways all the time. One thing @DrJMChapman does is flipped lectures which I really enjoy. He give us a video to watch before class and the has a fun activity in class. #ditchbook
Yeah, I wouldn't want to do individual sheets for each teacher. We have almost 200 teachers!
We do have a section where we provide Ts with 3 reflective Qs. They choose which one they want to talk about with admin during a coaching conversation #ditchbook
In reply to
@AndersonEdTech, @mccartney2grade, @emosier3
A4- Upcoming lesson once my Google Expedition Kit comes in....hoping to open up the world to my kids and show them there is a big world outside of our small rural town in Illinois! #ditchbook
WHOA!!! These ideas are out of control!!!! I love it!!! Keep sharing! I'm going to need to slooooooow things way down to revisit all of this goodness once the chat ends!!! #ditchbook
A4: I had several T's come to a PD session where they thought it was on a certain topic. However, it was all up to them on what they wanted to learn. We were all uncertain about how it was going to work. It did and that is how they like PD now. #ditchbook
Thank you for joining us for our regular scheduled chat tonight!
Don’t forget to continue building your PLN by following other ditchers!
See you next week! #ditchbook@emosier3
