#UrbanEdChat Archive
#UrbanEd chat is a twitter chat for educators. Topics relevant to the subject of urban education will be discussed, but all educators are encouraged to join the conversation. The chats will be moderated by Ben and Neil, founders of Engaging Educators and elementary school teachers in Detroit, MI.
Thursday August 4, 2016
Monica, Special Education teacher, Texas
Please introduce yourself, what grade you teach or position, and your location!
Hello, Michelle from Houston, TX 5th grade math
Hi, I'm Jane. I work at an urban literacy nonprofit in Chicago
Hi Bradford from Houston TX iTech
Thanks!!! It's been a while
Hi Jane glad to see you again loved your chat last week!
Beth from central Ohio, K-8 librarian
I'm sure you have been busy.
Thank you so much! Missed ! :)
Hello! Excited to read about today's topic from the community!
did an awesome PD with SPED using Tech
She can teach me a thing or 2
Let's welcome the moderators of the UrbanEdChat &
follows a Q & A Format. Q1/A1 Q2/A2
Hello everyone tonight@EdTechTinker will co-moderate the chat tonight! Thank you all for chatting with us!
First Question coming up in 1 min
We are so excited that you guys can attend tonight. Ready for some great discussions
A1 tech should not be the focal point of the instruction it should blend and enhance your learning
A1.Cannot imagine teaching w/out tech at times. Using GoogleEarth, working with Ss writing in front of the class on a doc cam...
A2 the goal is you should not really see it in the classroom it's part of the classroom culture
Tech so imp for increasing engagement, providing range of learners with ways to access but *instruction* still needs *teachers*
A1 tech should make learning more accessible and engaging for all students
That was A1 continued lol
A1: I think that tech should supplement instruction not supplant teaching
A1: It is vital because our students don't know a life w/o tech. No tech = limited engagement.
A1. BUT, it's not always needed. Interactive read-alouds are a vital part of learning in the classrm and do not require tech.
yes learning beyond the 4 walls of your classroom district and home.
A1: tech should enhance and transform instruction not just be another "thing"
A1: Yes, it's a tool to add to instruction + technology can help with accommodations for students who are at-risk (SpEd, ELL).
A1 Knowing when to turn off tech may be even more important! https://t.co/06H23SRFCu
A1. BUT, it's not always needed. Interactive read-alouds are a vital part of learning in the classrm and do not require tech.
A1: I think it some Ts think because Ss use tech it will make them master a concept
A1 cont.: It can extend the learning or can help to review concepts in instruction.
A2: Access to equip and online sources so varied even across schools in same district. Often requires saavy principal, grants
A2 infrastructure challenges due to older blogs. Ltd. capacity during initial roll out.
A2. After 15 yrs in suburbia, I'm new to urban ed, so I'm hoping to have similar tech resources. Kids deserve the same opps.
Yes, our district is the largest in the state and some schools have nothing!
Yes...that. https://t.co/BySm2YRScd
A2 infrastructure challenges due to older blogs. Ltd. capacity during initial roll out.
A2 teaching digital citizenship to Ts and SS
A2: creative scheduling & a committed staff helped us overcome many issues with limited devices/throughput
So important, esp helping Ss see their digital footprints
A2: Solutions = grant writing, some good free digital library options, business partnerships/sponsors
yes, I wish that more schools would reach out to the community for support
A3. Old smartphones. They still have wifi capability (if avail in school).
A3: Cell phone. I find a video that talks about the same thing to help my students who I serve (e.g Crash Course Kids).
A3: books, small group discussion - promoting engagement by getting Ss more involved as partners in their learning
A2: Yes. Limited Wi-fi in room. I was able to find a way around it by reevaluating the situation + getting people to help out!
A3: My Smartboard is need of much prayer..lol!
A3 think about the "old" devices that your campuses do not get rid off how can those be interactive
A4: ELMO projection carts; overhead
I'm going to pull out my overhead projector this year!
Really? I saw some transparencies on clearance at School Aids wondering who still uses them!
A4. Projector on whiteboard or wall? If you connect a laptop to projector & download writing tools, it should feel similar.
Agree. Teacher smart phone often provides access to info in inquiry if student computers absent (or not working)
Q5 How do you differentiate instruction with limited technology tools in the classroom?
Excellent idea!!!! https://t.co/zNqrLHwNyY
A4. Projector on whiteboard or wall? If you connect a laptop to projector & download writing tools, it should feel similar.
Excellent idea!!!! https://t.co/kH32uljn5O
A4. Projector on whiteboard or wall? If you connect a laptop to projector & download writing tools, it should feel similar.
LOL! I just need to remember the
Question 5 https://t.co/nIxczvvdH4
Q5 How do you differentiate instruction with limited technology tools in the classroom?
A4: Before I got a Elmo or projector, I actually had to blow up materials poster-size (it was a Resource class).
Yep. I like your thinking! https://t.co/8fwTKaEQvZ
Agree. Teacher smart phone often provides access to info in inquiry if student computers absent (or not working)
Q5: I find the higher performing students get bored on the computers so I give them manipulatives.
Q5: The lower performing students do great on the computer. Webquests are great!
Q6 How do you handle tech not working in your lessons? Does it discourage you from integrating technology in the classroom?
I like this idea with students on doing the same task but different level of rigor.
Question 6 https://t.co/UbviAHYXgp
Q6 How do you handle tech not working in your lessons? Does it discourage you from integrating technology in the classroom?
A6. Tech not working can be frustrating, but have a back-up plan in place & see it as an opp for a few Ss to prob solve.
Sometimes frustrating, but usually get students to help!
a mix of engagement options is a great idea! A5
Q6: I move forward with the lesson. You don't want to allow room for class to be disrupted any more.
Q7 Most Urban Ss don't have access to devices at home. How do you blend/ flip your room w/ SS who have limited devices @ home?
Question 7 https://t.co/3AJi1Beorv
Q7 Most Urban Ss don't have access to devices at home. How do you blend/ flip your room w/ SS who have limited devices @ home?
A5: I used ixlmath and project it on the board. I then had the students teach each other using the site.
Nice! https://t.co/3MvrQP1ZMU
A5: I used ixlmath and project it on the board. I then had the students teach each other using the site.
A7: (lurking and learning)
A6: Never discouraged. What I did is go to Plan B, C, D, and sometimes Z. I found tools and then I shared it with my campus.
A6: Ss love assisting when there are tech problems!
I'm interested in ideas for this, too!
A7: I want to try menus for homework that uses our new Twitter page but dont knowhow its going to work out!
Late to the but Hi everyone! I'm Valerie from Texas.
Q8 If you have limited tech tools in the room, what do you think is the best tool to integrate & blend your lessons & why?
A7 sometimes we need to think that they can only access devices from 8 to 3. if we think like this instruction will be better
Well I've searched the Internet and it's not much so I guess I'm the pioneer!
A7 con't however don't just limit that time slot expand as much as you can. You never know until you try
Hi Valerie jump right in!
A8: online videos and audio books to give struggling readers access to high level content
Question 8 https://t.co/650hglccRf
Q8 If you have limited tech tools in the room, what do you think is the best tool to integrate & blend your lessons & why?
A8. Used my phone daily for our classrm Twitter acct to have Ss share their ideas/thoughts. They loved seeing responses/likes.
A8: It's all about stations! They are great things! Also, it's important for students 2 learn 2 collaborate-a great opportunity.
Celebrating Grandson's b-day see you next time!
Differentiation menus by Laurie Westphal are great to use.
I just created our 5th grde Twitter page. .
A8 The best app is on almost every device:camera roll. Let Ss tell their story & share their learning. A record to reflect on.
A8. Imp for Ss to know their voices can be shared w/others outside the classrm so I'm a big believer in SM.
A8: Stations. One GenEd teachers partnered with me + I provided iPads for one tech station + others worked something else.
Thank you for joining us for ! A very special thanks to and for moderating.
Wait until they see that "impressions" count for a comment they share! :)
Special thanks to for allowing us to use her quote as a topic of discussion tonight.
Thanks again for another great chat FAMILY
A7) A ton of kids have smart phones and there are a million apps to keep kids engaged from Twitter, to remind apps, etc.
Know anyone interested in hosting ? Have them go to the website & send us an email. Go to https://t.co/DyKX0loIy5 or tweet us!
Do you follow . He uses the 5E model along with stations. Check him out.
Do you know an amazing T who is doing amazing things w/ our Urban Ss? Contact us on our website w/ a name & brief description.
Thanks! Looking forward to the next one!
