Thank you so much for joining tonight's #rcstechchat! Please make sure you include the hastag #rcstechchat with every post tonight. Please look at each image that we tweet out for the questions. Let's get started!
Hey everybody! My name is Clarissa Miles. I am one of the hosts tonight and I am the Tech Coach at Roy Waldron and LaVergne Primary. I am very passionate about STEM & PBL and am excited to be leading tonight's chat! #rcstechchat
Thank you so much for joining tonight's #rcstechchat! Please make sure you include the hastag #rcstechchat with every post tonight. Please look at each image that we tweet out for the questions. Let's get started!
Thank you so much for joining tonight's #rcstechchat! Please make sure you include the hastag #rcstechchat with every post tonight. Please look at each image that we tweet out for the questions. Let's get started!
#RCStechchat and #dojochat that sounds awesome. What other magical things have I been missing in other districts? Are there other twitter group sessions?
Keep the introductions coming! We encourage you to respond to each other through out the chat tonight! We want to share and collaborate together as much as possible. First question coming up in 1 minute. Y #rcstechchat
A1- I get a lot of my resources and strategies from following @pbl_project on twitter and https://t.co/LM0DFw4mLa . This is a one stop shop for all things #PBL. If you haven't check this out please do! Each week a new project gets tweeted out for free! #rcstechchat
In our writing program, we don't actually integrate STEM as integrate ourselves into STEM. We focus as much as possible on teaching the skills needed to help students describe and discuss the things they are learning. #rcstechchat
A1: As a special education teacher incorporating STEM and PBL can be very difficult with the research based curriculum we have to use. I always try to find fun new ways to incorporate projects to make a relearning strategies fun for my students! #rcstechchat
A1- I'm not a teacher, but I help provide support for our students that are speech/language impaired by providing teachers with strategies such as visuals, pre-teaching vocabulary, etc.. #RCSTechChat
A1 I get projects from https://t.co/KwyvsoCTej and their weekly email. One project could be 1 hour or worked on for 2-3 months! Students love that they are real life! #rcstechchat
A1: I've done units with @makeymakey@scratch and @sway with several of our teachers. But it's not about the tools. ALWAYS about the learning targets and student's productive struggle. #RCSTechChat
A1 I probably am not using any specific strategies so I will be interested to learn what everyone else is doing. But I did begin a unit on Fracking today
A1: I integrate Stem by applying real life application to every math concepts (standard) that we learn in class. I also find a lot of resources on stem websites that help me integrate more technology along with each lesson.
#RCStechchat
A1: Honestly, I did not do much of either of those. I am super interested in this topic. As a math teacher, it would be super easy to bridge the connections. #rcstechchat
A1 #rcstechchat In the Sped resource class I am integrating STEM into our reading comprehension expanding on books and lessons we read to incorporate hands on STEM lessons to dig deeper in the lesson. I try to do this bi-weekly.
A1. I present a social yet analytical dilemma...such as, overcrowding in cities...I teach biology and phys sci... so, I approach the dilemma in terms ecological, financial and interpersonal...and have them discover the answers through the technique of thinking and ...#rcstechchat
A1 I get projects from https://t.co/KwyvsoCTej and their weekly email. One project could be 1 hour or worked on for 2-3 months! Students love that they are real life! #rcstechchat
A1: I do several computer lab activities that are self guided; some require students to learn how to use computer applications to solve problems and make predictions. #rcstechchat
A1 (continined) ...and transfering the thinking to unpacking the standard...lotsa of constructivist questioning...hardest part is not giving them the answers...#rcstechchat
A1 I am@probably not using any specific strategies in my classroom. So I will be interested to see what everyone else is doing. I did start a unit on Fracking and it’s effects today. #RCSTechChat
A2-You get to create your on standards without being limited in content. No testing or EOCs. You don't have the pressure of teaching certain concepts. #rcstechchat
A2: I've taught PBL in isolation with coding projects. Students can go SOO much deeper with a project that they are more personally invested in and often develop a passion that is difficult to replicate in the traditional classroom. #RCSTechChat
#RCSTechChat
A2 I think as a stand alone class is great because it opens up possibilities without worrying about testing and standards. Allows for more real world application. Skills that will translate well to future careers.
A2 I would imagine the best benefit is that it is done seamlessly with the classroom content rather than seen as a stand alone item or lesson. It would lend itself to more integration or better production from students. #RCSTechChat
A2- I feel like STEM is so important as its own class. I feel as though you have more freedom to get deeper into the content. I am a science teacher and do not have a lot of time to incorporate STEM. #RCSTechChat
A2: Teaching these in isolation has some of the same advantages as teaching writing skills in isolation--you can teach the process before you teach application. I suspect it also allows for more individualization without being tied to specific content standards #rcstechchat
A2 I think using a PBL in isolation is amazing! It teaches kids to think, collaborate, and solve a specific problem. It gives them a purpose. (Even though the skill is in isolation they are getting in debate skills, research skills, and writing!) #rcstechchat
I think Finland abolished curriculum. Yet their achievement and learning soared. STEM/PBL gives us great opportunity to think about alternative pedagogies. #rcstechchat
#rcstechchat A2: I think teaching STEM through PBL ultimately is too limiting...the concept of self discovery creates a certain fluency through disciplines
A2: Once again, not a teacher, but I think PBL strategies are great to help kids that might struggle with problem solving in social scenarios generalize and incorporate those strategies into their everyday social scenarios. #RCSTechChat
Some examples in Theater, Science: Special effects, smoke, dry ice, fire. Tech is everywhere in Theater, lighting, sound. Engineering: Design and building a set. Math: Comes in handy with timing cues, figuring lengths for construction. #rcstechchat
A2: Many students have forgotten how to think & problem solve in the classroom & in their own lives. It would be advantageous to have a class where we encourage students to have more than one right answer.
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A2: Many students have forgotten how to think & problem solve in the classroom & in their own lives. It would be advantageous to have a class where we encourage students to have more than one right answer.
#rcstechchat
A2: you can give it the time it deserves. I teach a tested subject and feel like I never have time to fully integrate project- and discovery-based activities. #rcstechchat
A2: It also gives our students their ability to problem solve again and think critically about things.
Something they don't always get to do when we are teaching standards, preparing for TEST!
#RCStechchat
I agree! It can be time consuming and deserves larger chunks of time to be done effectively. Time is often the one thing we are all short on and often the reason we avoid incorporating STEM and PBL. #rcstechchat
A2: It also gives our students their ability to problem solve again and think critically about things.
Something they don't always get to do when we are teaching standards, preparing for TEST!
#RCStechchat
A2: Our STEM class does a phenomenal job because it has students focused on the details of one big idea. Another benefit is that the teacher is not worried about ensuring all standards are integrated but more of a student centered project. #rcstechchat
A2: I think the advantage of teaching STEM or PBL without regards to standards or in isolation is that you have complete freedom with what you are teaching. You can teach your students life, social and emotional skills or other skills they will need without worry. #rcstechchat
A2: It also gives our students their ability to problem solve again and think critically about things.
Something they don't always get to do when we are teaching standards, preparing for TEST!
#RCStechchat
A3: I would say the same hurdles that always exist: time and money. Teachers don't have time to plan authentic lessons, nor do they have money to provide resources. #rcstechchat
I love that @RockyForkMS has a dedicated STEM class and that you guys hosted a school wide Stem Night! I am hoping this catches on throughout the county! #rcstechchat
In reply to
@mcclurein7th, @tcarey98, @RockyForkMS
A3: One hurdle for us is attempting to integrate our work with the science and social studies curriculum in order to help those teachers with their PBL or STEM-based lessons--without cutting our own curriculum short.#rcstechchat
A3: Same answer as for the last question—time. Computer availability is also an issue (though there are plenty of good activities that don’t require computers). #RCSTechChat
A3: #1 is Time. There are so many lessons that I know I could do a great PBL for or a STEM project but there is no Time or the standards doesn't allow for it.
#RCStechchat
A3 As I already pointed out, not being a tested subject we cover a broad subject area and do projects all the time. My biggest problems have to do with access to the theater during school and time during class to complete a project with quality. #rcstechchat
A2: I think it would be an advantage to let students connect back to the standards when teaching STEM and PBL in isolation as they connect their projects to other subjects and core content. #rcstechchat
A3: The biggest hurdle I face is the repetition of lessons that students get every year in SPED. Its difficult to continue to find new ways to teach the same skill where my students don't get bored quickly. #rcstechchat
A1 I try to add it to the end of lessons as enrichment we may work on it several days the last few minutes of class and the students have responded well to working hard to complete the lesson to have time to get to the STEM projects. #RCSTechChat
A3: one of the hurdles is definitely being able to guide students to manage their time...with PBL you want to give them time to create & think, but too much time sometimes can create distraction. Some students are ready to move on before others & vice versa.
#RCSTechChat
Yes!! I always try to incorporate those real life scenarios into lessons with my students. Those skills are initially what will get them hired for a career one day, why not start teaching them those skills early?! #rcstechchat
A3: STEM/PBL always seems to take a back seat to whole group Tier 1. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Students learn more from doing than listening. Mindsets need shifting. #RCSTechchat
Great point! I find that when I give them time but have a check list for them or a list of goals to accomplish in their working time it helps cut down on that. #rcstechchat
Time is the biggest obstacle! I only see my students 1 day a week, so projects need to be finished in 1 session or over multiple weeks. I don't want them to lose interest, but wish I had more time. #rcstechchat#Hamilton
A3: Especially since SPED is suppose to help close gaps, so intervention is the most intense and doesn't leave a ton of time for other things. #RCSTechChat
A3: The biggest hurdle I face is the repetition of lessons that students get every year in SPED. Its difficult to continue to find new ways to teach the same skill where my students don't get bored quickly. #rcstechchat
A3: one of the hurdles is definitely being able to guide students to manage their time...with PBL you want to give them time to create & think, but too much time sometimes can create distraction. Some students are ready to move on before others & vice versa.
#RCSTechChat
This is so true! It is tricky to keep everyone on track without letting them get behind on their time. I find that students who do finish quickly need as much guidance in expanding and developing their work, too. #RCSTechChat
A4: Failure and productive struggle is THE REASON to implement STEM/PBL. Design thinking and iteration are what build grit in students. It's probably the most essential skill of the 21st Century. Learn how to deal with failure. The sooner the better. #RCSTechChat
A3: STEM/PBL always seems to take a back seat to whole group Tier 1. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Students learn more from doing than listening. Mindsets need shifting. #RCSTechchat
A4- Here is a great resource on Failure with Stem! Finding Success in Failure: STEM Educators Say Student Risk-Taking Is Key to Real-World Learning @The74https://t.co/kN5Ur9Rn6y#rcstechchat
A4- I think this "failure" piece is so important. Often we don't want to see our students fail so we help them a little too much, when in actuality the failure is what they actually learn from and develop a skill set from. Just my thoughts..#rcstechchat
Absolutely! They need those skills but once they get to 7th and 8th grade they are bored of the same lessons. I am only in my 2nd year but I am definitely going to look more into PBL to try and spice things up for them! #RCSTechChat
A4: It's real life, especially in innovation. In order to create a great product, it takes many failures. IE: lightbulb Learn from your mistakes and move on. Sometimes, the biggest mistakes lead to the greatest ideas. A new way to do something.
#RCSTechChat
A4: The best strategy to teach your students to deal with failure is not to help them. This puts a lot of teacher way outside their comfort zone. #RCSTechChat
Agree. This is why curriculum maps and scope and sequence are so important. So many schools get caught in the trap of week to week planning and forget about the bigger picture/opportunities. #rcstechchat
A4 The scientific method teaches students to test a theory, often times our theories are proven wrong. If we help students to learn to keep trying until they find the correct solution, they will in turn learn to deal with failure.
#rcstechchat
A4- I feel as though failure is important. STEM and PBL offers students to investigate and keep trying if they fail. Great life lesson. They need those life skills. #RCSTechChat
#RCSTechChat
A4 Wow. Great question. You learn a lot from mistakes. Sometimes your mistake can lead to a better way to do something. Standardized testing suffocates creativity because there is only 1 right answer.
A4: They need to see we all approach problems differently and it doesn't mean anyone is wrong, but some work better than others. Sometimes you have to start over and try something else. #rcstechchat
A4: The best strategy to teach your students to deal with failure is not to help them. This puts a lot of teacher way outside their comfort zone. #RCSTechChat
A4 Failure is the greatest teacher. We deny that of our students too much. How can you know what to fix if you never see what is wrong. As a director I always learn much more and grow from my failures, mistakes, errors than my successes. Failure is not a bad thing, #rcstechchat
A3 this type of process will allow them to invest in an area. Apply their tea sources and knowledge and time. But with it being not as hands on directed they may fail which will allow them the opportunity to learn how to set assess and adjust. #RCSTechChat
A4: When providing students with PBL you are giving them scenarios with trial and error. It teaches them perseverance in the face of failure. They continue to try until they get it right which teaches them to continue when things get hard. #RCSTechChat
A4: My classroom is a room full of mistakes but my kids learn on day 1 they are: expected, respected, inspected, and corrected. With projects, our kids learn that problem solving is not instant. Our kids learn to struggle, pick up and trudge on. #rcstechchat
A4: My classroom is a room full of mistakes but my kids learn on day 1 they are: expected, respected, inspected, and corrected. With projects, our kids learn that problem solving is not instant. Our kids learn to struggle, pick up and trudge on. #rcstechchat
A4: Yes!! Our kids need to learn how to fail successfully.Unfortunately, we live in a society that makes it seems as if failure doesn't happen and we all know that not to be true.STEM and PBL can teach students how to fail successfully and how to overcome failure.#RCStechchat
#rcstechchat
A4: that's a great question...I wouldn't say "deal with failure" more so, learn the cost of failure...take responsibilities of outcomes...til they are pushed to identify what they dont know.
A3 #RCSTechChat The biggest hurdle is time and pressure from Gen Ed Teachers and administrators. I only get to see the students for 45 minutes and teach a scripted curriculum. Getting the lessons and ensuring students are showing understanding can get tedious.
A4: Teaching students about people who have "failed" before they succeeded is important. They need to be pulled from their instant gratification mindsets sometimes!#rcstechchat
Personally, I have a problem with spoon-feeding students too much when I see them struggling. So I like when I can give them problems/tasks where there isn’t one correct solution path and they have to keep trying until they find something that works. #rcstechchat
A4: My classroom is a room full of mistakes but my kids learn on day 1 they are: expected, respected, inspected, and corrected. With projects, our kids learn that problem solving is not instant. Our kids learn to struggle, pick up and trudge on. #rcstechchat
A4: I love using literature for PBL!
In my AP class I will pull a piece of literature from different time periods & ask them to solve a life problem using the perspective of the author. They can then see that people years ago have relatable experiences!
#RCSTechChat
Q4 #RCSTechChat We can teach students that it is ok to fail by modeling failure in the PBL and STEM process. That testing a hypothesis is supposed to have successes and failures otherwise there would be no reason for scientific inquiry.
A4There are so many reasons STEM and PBL's help with Failure! Students have to CREATE Solutions, work together, make multiple plans, experience resiliency, and explore empathy! #rcstechchat
A5 Our enrichment group at BCE went to the Nissan plant & OHS this year to learn about robotics. Great way to see the practical use of the projects the Ss were working on. #RCSTechChat
A5: Forming those relationships is key. Getting in touch with parents who might work in those industries is a great way to start that relationship and to foster parent involvement. #rcstechchat
A5: By creating job opportunities for our students with local industries. Job shadowing, internships, etc and even go back to having basic old Career Day.
#RCStechchat
A5 We could invite stakeholders into the building to see what our students are doing, host parent nights where businesses can present, and take our students on field trips to see what is happening with STEM in the real world.
#RCSTechChat
A5 the best way is to reach out and invite leaders into@our schools. Have them look at what we are doing and then ask them for ways that we can assist in training THEIR future work force. #RCSTechChat
A3 #RCSTechChat I agree one of my favorite english teachers allowed us a list of close to 20 ways to complete a book report, everything from a traditional book report to creating character costume studies, to dioramas of settings from the book, or acting out part of the story.
A5: Lavergne High School has a program called community connections where we invite the community in. This can be used to create those relationships! #RCSTechChat
A5 My first thought is to look at the places that would have common goals or needs that would translate from the business world to the school. TPAC is a great place to get resources for Drama. Lumber from Lowes, Home Depot etc, supplies are needed bu build sets. #rcstechchat
A5- I think the Nissan plant is a great STEM/PBL resource! I feel like we could invite workers into our schools and get students motivated and excited about it! #RCSTechChat
A5- I reached out to @bloxelsbuilder and they sent me some free materials for an after school program. I think reaching out and seeing what's out there is the best way to start. #rcstechchat
A5: I think there’s value in talking to people in the community who are engineers, coders, accountants, statisticians, etc. and getting a better idea of how they apply high school math activities to their work. #RCSTechChat
#RCSTechChat
A5 Finding more ways to incentive business partnerships. There are certainly people from the business world that want to help. But they are also very busy and time is precious. We need much more help and some incentives might help.
A5: We do need to involve people within local businesses and industries to talk with our middle school kids about the actual work they do, not just the products that result. They especially need to show how people collaborate in the real world.#rcstechchat
A5: I think we need to let our kiddos find interest in our communities. That may be through having conversations about what their folks do or cool places they’ve been. Then, we research and have interest in what our community does. #rcstechchat
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A5: I have some experience wit this while teaching in Chicago...the lessons went, the old steel mill on the south lakefront had been abandoned for 40 years...but, it was prime real estate...my team presented a letter stating it was from a big...
A5: Inviting others to see the work we are doing and businesses that encourage independence for SPED students that would allow them to come in and learn from them and SEE the real life application would be so beneficial for them and most likely stick with them. #RCSTechChat
We are almost done and you guys are doing great! I am learning so much from this chat. 1 more question remaining tonight. Remember not to log off until you complete the form at the end. Question 6 coming up in one minute. #rcstechchat
A5- I do want to remind you guys that Stephanie Finley is an excellent resource. She brought her STEM items to #edcampboro and everyone was in awe of them! They are available for check out for RCS teachers. @RCS_STEM is a great place to start! #rcstechchat
A5 #RCSTechChat We live in such a dense community of STEM industries Nissan and Dow Chemical and Bridgestone. Nashville is also the 4th fastest growing technology city in the nation.
#rcstechchat
A5: continued...real estate company asking for help in surveying the land and presenting a proposal for developing the land...taught them science, math, geography and politics...but, they had to LEARN...what they needed to learn
A5 Creating connections in the community is so important! If you don't ask for help, you won't get it. Planning ahead is the best way to get what you need. There are lots of people willing to help out, just ask! #INeedToRemindMyselfThisToo#ReachOut #rcstechchat
A5: Our school has a career fair for eighth-graders where they learn about possibilities for their future, but it would be great to be able to then take them out to visit these people in their job sites to see the info in action. #RCSTechChat
A5: As an English teacher I think partnering with organizations like Poetry Out Loud and allowing students to participate in programs encourages students to use writing as an outlet & to promote mental health & creative expression.
#RCSTechChat
Last question! Question 6- Make sure to put A6 with your response to this question. Make sure you wait for the form to be tweeted at the end before you log off if you are wanting to receive PD credit for tonight's chat! #rcstechchat
A5 #RCSTechChat We are having career day next week and have close to 30 community members and parents coming to share about their careers and relations to STEM to our 3-5 graders where the kids get to pick the speakers they want to visit.
A6- As a tech coach I just want to say that we would love to come in and help you get started with STEM and PBL! Use your Instructional Tech Coach to help you with the planning and implementation. We can be a 2nd set of hands! That's what we do! #rcstechchat
A6: As a tech coach, I can help find resources, provide support, co-teach, model lessons, and put you in touch with others who can do the same and more! #RCSTechChat
A6 I have lots of STEM & PBL resources that I would love to bring into a class! Reach out, teachers, we can help you bring STEM/PBL into your classrooms - especially if you don't know where to start. #RCSTechChat
A6 I think the best way would to come in and help do some Co lessons on particular topics. Leading teachers in these strategies within their content. #RCSTechChat
A6: Definitely by helping me implement STEM with the standards as best I can. And if that means and efficient "techy" way to do it, then I'm all in.
#RCSTechChat
A6- My tech coach @smithstrcs is always coming in classrooms and co-teaching with us! Finding online resources is always a big help! Just helping with all the tech stuff! #RCSTechChat
A6: For my program, the IT coach could help with ideas for projects, especially with links to programs and schools that have these projects already going. Our IT coach has helped teach students how to find their own reliable and useful websites for projects. #RCSTechChat
A6: My Tech Coach plans with us to prepare for PBL and STEM lessons. I think it would be helpful for the students if they could offer PD sessions for them on Microsoft and other software; like PD is provide for teachers.
#RCStechchat
I think there could easily be #PBL projects that had to deal with driving and travel that the students could do. Plan a road trip with a certain amount of money...etc. I will research for yoU! #rcstechchat
We are almost done and you guys are doing great! I am learning so much from this chat. 1 more question remaining tonight. Remember not to log off until you complete the form at the end. Question 6 coming up in one minute. #rcstechchat
A 6-#rcstechchat We have a great tech coach at WBMS. She will help with anything. She has tons of ideas. You just have to ask. They are willing to come up with plans, ideas, anything..
A6 #RCSTechChat Our IT Coach and Tech are both amazing at our school supporting us as valuable resources to instruction. We just have to work with them and ask when we need help.... early enough that it is not the day before or day of.
A6: As I tech coach, I love consulting with my teachers. Call us in during your planning. We'd love to talk to you about your ideas regarding STEM/PBL or anything instructional! #RCSTechChat
A6: Providing different resources in my classroom to bring in that STEM and PBL aspect, which she absolutely does! Its just me figuring out how to implement them into intensive curriculum! #RCSTechChat
A6: Tech coaches are also great about sharing what teachers in other content areas and other schools are doing, which is a great source of new ideas. #rcstechchat
Last question! Question 6- Make sure to put A6 with your response to this question. Make sure you wait for the form to be tweeted at the end before you log off if you are wanting to receive PD credit for tonight's chat! #rcstechchat
A6: maybe offering a PD on PBL & suggestions of tools to make it more manageable or give some ideas of how to incorporate it into the classroom.
#RCSTechChat
A6: I would love to see teachers in action. I would love for sit down with me and plan this out in my classroom. I’d love to see how other T’s manage & teach our standards w/ these strategies. I’d see how students struggle through tasks, yet end up reaching mastery. #rcstechchat
A6: I always love to learn about new online applications (Nearpod, Flipgrid, Seesaw, etc.). I’m also interested in ideas for incorporating technology even when a computer lab isn’t available and not every student has a device. #RCSTechChat
A6 I heart all of my tech coaches! I think just reminding us about resources we have, and even rereminding us. Also, modeling lessons for teachers would be awesome! When kids are excited, teachers are excited! #KindaForgetfulSometimes#rcstechchat
Thank you for being apart of our Twitter Chat.Please make sure to follow me and @tcarey98 on Twitter as well as each other. Let's continue to grow our #PLN Here is the link to the form you need to complete, https://t.co/mJSNIC7sds once your done you can log off: #rcstechchat
A6: Most of the inservice we've done at my school this year has centered around programs and applications that let kids collaborate and work on projects with wider boundaries than the usual "do a project" assignments from the past. #RCSTechChat
