#txeduchat Archive

An informal learning community for educators worldwide. Our passion for learning and connected learning experiences help us to improve our teaching practices. #txeduchat features guest moderators every week.

Tuesday October 16, 2018
9:00 PM EDT

  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:00 PM EDT
    #TXEDuchat Welcome! Please introduce yourself.
  • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:01 PM EDT
    Chris Ramstedt, 4th Grade Math/Science, Round Rock, Texas #txeduchat
  • DrHarrisonMcCoy Oct 16 @ 9:01 PM EDT
    Hello all. I'm Harrison from Fort Worth! Glad to be here for just a bit! #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:02 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Hello, all! Hope you are somewhere warm, dry, and flood-free. Tosh, ESC11 Instructional Coach, from Grapevine here!
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:02 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Hello, Chris! How’s the weather down south?
  • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:03 PM EDT
    cold and rainy! How about there? #txeduchat
    In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • TaylorHWilliams Oct 16 @ 9:04 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Hello! Taylor, Digital Learning Specialist, Birdville ISD
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:04 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Same! 🌧
    In reply to @mrramstedt
  • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:04 PM EDT
    Come chat with me and other Texas educators on #tweetchat https://t.co/uBXo4bFe3S #txeduchat
  • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:05 PM EDT
    A1: Many districts in Region 11 use TEKS-RS digital materials for planning. TexGuides are coming out that will also link resources for activities within the LPs of TEKS-RS! #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:05 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Welcome, Taylor!!! Go Broncos!
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:05 PM EDT
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:05 PM EDT
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:05 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Hey, Caty!
    In reply to @catydear
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:07 PM EDT
    #txeduchat A1: I see many districts with digital textbooks (especially for AP courses) and more sophisticated LMSs that link to other resources.
  • DrHarrisonMcCoy Oct 16 @ 9:07 PM EDT
    Hi Caty! Glad to see you here! #txeduchat
  • TaylorHWilliams Oct 16 @ 9:07 PM EDT
    #txeduchat A1: Teachers are curating more videos, utilizing online textbooks, #canvas and #googleclassroom
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:09 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Do you see more online textbooks in middle or high?
  • TaylorHWilliams Oct 16 @ 9:10 PM EDT
    #txeduchat It is depending on the subject (availability) as well as the comfort of the teacher to integrate the digital option...
    In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:12 PM EDT
    A1: We have digital textbooks, Discovery Education, and StemScopes available to us. We curate our own videos to supplement. #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:13 PM EDT
    #txeduchat I’ve seen districts give families a choice of digital or hardcover. Based on internet and home access, they choose what their kid will use better. But, I appreciate your insight about “comfort” zone of teachers, too.
    • TaylorHWilliams Oct 16 @ 9:10 PM EDT
      #txeduchat It is depending on the subject (availability) as well as the comfort of the teacher to integrate the digital option...
      In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:14 PM EDT
    #txeduchat How do your students use the textbooks mostly?
    • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:12 PM EDT
      A1: We have digital textbooks, Discovery Education, and StemScopes available to us. We curate our own videos to supplement. #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:15 PM EDT
  • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:16 PM EDT
    A2: My former district calibrated all instructional materials, so anything we used outside of curriculum took a long time to be vetted. I often used T-created resources 4 planning classroom activities and discussions. I love https://t.co/5XrBGHyzOL by @susangbarber! #txeduchat
  • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:16 PM EDT
    When we have a choice, we typically go hardcover. The time difference between getting a laptop, powering it up, logging in, signing into the book vs. walking 10 ft. to a shelf and opening the hardcover is significant. #TXEduChat
    In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:17 PM EDT
    Just realized I didn’t introduce myself. Caty from Keller here!!! #txeduchat
  • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:17 PM EDT
    Hello Caty! #txeduchat
    In reply to @catydear
  • TaylorHWilliams Oct 16 @ 9:18 PM EDT
    #txeduchat A2: In my experience, outside of suggestions and ideas from admin, teachers will search and use what they can find related to their TEKS
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:20 PM EDT
    #TXEduchat Question 3!
  • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:20 PM EDT
    My biggest struggle when I was in the classroom was taking the time to vet quality. Sometimes you’re so desperate for the resource you go with what’s in the top few on TPT! #TXEduchat
    In reply to @TaylorHWilliams
  • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:21 PM EDT
    A2: We use TPT a good amount, but we'll typically put our own spin on the activities (Make them part of a larger activity such as an escape room, etc.) or use to review concepts #TXEduChat
    In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:21 PM EDT
    #txeduchat TEKS!! So often, the “good stuff” out there is Common Core. Some teachers download lessons by subject and not TEK.
    • TaylorHWilliams Oct 16 @ 9:18 PM EDT
      #txeduchat A2: In my experience, outside of suggestions and ideas from admin, teachers will search and use what they can find related to their TEKS
  • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:22 PM EDT
    A3: I heard from a colleague that technology should make your work/instruction easier. Digital IMs like graphic organizers, interactive activities that pair w/ multiple modes of learning, etc. help scaffold and support struggling students. #txeduchat
  • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:22 PM EDT
    Does your campus require any kind of calibrating? That was always my struggle with TPT...mostly aligned to Common Core #txeduchat
    In reply to @mrramstedt, @ToshMcGaughy
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:22 PM EDT
    #txeduchat I love this! What a great way to capitalize on creativity of other teachers, within an inquiry-based task you have designed for your students.
    • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:21 PM EDT
      A2: We use TPT a good amount, but we'll typically put our own spin on the activities (Make them part of a larger activity such as an escape room, etc.) or use to review concepts #TXEduChat
      In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:23 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Absolutely! If things are tougher with the tech, something’s not right.
    • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:22 PM EDT
      A3: I heard from a colleague that technology should make your work/instruction easier. Digital IMs like graphic organizers, interactive activities that pair w/ multiple modes of learning, etc. help scaffold and support struggling students. #txeduchat
  • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:24 PM EDT
    I’m going to apologize in advance for prescheduling my answers. I thought I was being smart so I could focus on interacting with others...but my timing is WAY OFF #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:25 PM EDT
    #txeduchat I’ve seen resource-vetting happening in schools with strong PLC culture.
    • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:22 PM EDT
      Does your campus require any kind of calibrating? That was always my struggle with TPT...mostly aligned to Common Core #txeduchat
      In reply to @mrramstedt, @ToshMcGaughy
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:26 PM EDT
    #txeduchat No worries.
    • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:24 PM EDT
      I’m going to apologize in advance for prescheduling my answers. I thought I was being smart so I could focus on interacting with others...but my timing is WAY OFF #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:28 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Kitten helping with the chat tonight. He’s enamored with the updating feed...
  • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:30 PM EDT
    A4: I think the biggest struggle is alignment. With so many digital materials calibrated to Common Core, it's so important to vet and analyze IMs to ensure alignment with the TEKS. But this takes time, which most of us do not have! #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:30 PM EDT
    #TXEduchat Question 4!
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:31 PM EDT
    #txeduchat A3: Newsela articles are popular. Kelly Gallagher AOTW are popular.
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:33 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Yes. The time component makes downloading resources and lessons so enticing for teachers. I’ve also had friends who created a ton and sold a bunch because they had such content knowledge.
    • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:30 PM EDT
      A4: I think the biggest struggle is alignment. With so many digital materials calibrated to Common Core, it's so important to vet and analyze IMs to ensure alignment with the TEKS. But this takes time, which most of us do not have! #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:34 PM EDT
    #txeduchat A4: I think we’ve all talked about the alignment issues and vetting processes. Cost would be another, as well as the tech side that Chris mentioned. Access to tech and WiFi impacts this.
  • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:40 PM EDT
    A5: In my former district, it was usually a campus by campus decision. Teachers would show the resource to their administration and request approval. #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:40 PM EDT
    #TXEduchat Question 5!
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:42 PM EDT
    #txeduchat This is probably common. Though, I think some teachers use what they find online without a formal process at their campus.
    • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:40 PM EDT
      A5: In my former district, it was usually a campus by campus decision. Teachers would show the resource to their administration and request approval. #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:44 PM EDT
    #txeduchat A5: In my former district, our academic coach was great about getting things approved (and paid for).
  • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:46 PM EDT
    A5: It will go to our campus IT person then to the District for review. Costs go through Admin after District approval. It's a thorough process, but we have a well-documented list of approvals that work district-wide. #TXEduchat
    In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • PBISRewards Oct 16 @ 9:47 PM EDT
    Join us on October 18th at the 2018 @ESCRegion11 Behavior Conference for exclusive access to try the @PBISRewards Staff App. #txeduchat #pbischat https://t.co/YkgfRNntqG
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:48 PM EDT
    #txeduchat Having that “approved” list streamlined the process for other teachers! I ❤️ efficiency.
    • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:46 PM EDT
      A5: It will go to our campus IT person then to the District for review. Costs go through Admin after District approval. It's a thorough process, but we have a well-documented list of approvals that work district-wide. #TXEduchat
      In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:49 PM EDT
    Yes! The district also tells us what parent permissions we need and what types of logins we can create (identifiable vs. non-identifiable) which makes it even easier. #TXEduchat
    In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • catydear Oct 16 @ 9:50 PM EDT
    A6: TexGuides are created by teachers who can give feedback when IMs work well for them. At the regional level, I can see that many great IMs have been added to the TexGuides. As a teacher, I always want to know that a resource being promoted has been teacher approved. #txeduchat
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:50 PM EDT
    #TXEduchat Question 6!
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:51 PM EDT
    #txeduchat That’s huge! Those login logistics can be dicey, and it’s a great support to know what is appropriate for each resource.
    • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:49 PM EDT
      Yes! The district also tells us what parent permissions we need and what types of logins we can create (identifiable vs. non-identifiable) which makes it even easier. #TXEduchat
      In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:54 PM EDT
    #txeduchat A6: With “multimodal texts” being included in the new K-12 ELAR TEKS, I can see more focus on integrating digital instructional materials in curriculum. From a district perspective, I’d like all teachers to have access to high-quality, aligned, digital materials.
  • ToshMcGaughy Oct 16 @ 9:55 PM EDT
  • mrramstedt Oct 16 @ 9:55 PM EDT
    Thanks for hosting! #TXEduchat
    In reply to @ToshMcGaughy
  • DrHarrisonMcCoy Oct 16 @ 9:55 PM EDT
    A5: I don't think I've ever worked on a campus where this was questioned or supervised. At least. It wasn't questioned in my classroom. #txeduchat
    In reply to @catydear
  • DrHarrisonMcCoy Oct 16 @ 9:59 PM EDT
    Great chat! I can't wait to get back to the feed and make some notes. I missed a lot while I was cooking dinner! #txeduchat