#DITCHbook was created by Ditch That Textbook author Matt Miller. The chat focuses on innovative teaching ideas and disrupting standard textbook education.
Whoa ... hey Blake! Love your blog. We must have been on the same wavelength yesterday ... I was writing about retrieval practice on the same day you were! #DitchBook
A1. My Ss motivate me. Every day is different so I need to be prepared for that day. Their interests are so vast. I also love to learn, read, and soak things in. And reflection! Cannot forget that #ditchbook
A1 As an Instruc Coach, I approach teaching in nearly 60 different ways (I work w/ 60 diff. staff members). I have to be aware of T's nuances & what they need to support their Ss #ditchbook
A1: Seeing every S as an individual motivates me to approach teaching differently. Flexible thinking embedded into the approach, design & delivery of our instruction is THE MODEL from start to finish of what we are encouraging/expecting of our Ss. #OneSizeFitsNone#DitchBook
A1: not everyone learns the same and therefore I must not teach the same. I also get bored easily and if I’m not entertained, the kids won’t be into their learning! #DitchBook
A1: My students are my motivation. I know I need to adjust my lessons to meet their needs and present content in a way that is meaningful and engaging to them. It’s not about what works for me or how I learned! #DitchBook
A1: I believe that this generation of learners have ideas that can change the world. It's just a matter of us getting out of their way and giving them opportunities to learn by doing. #ditchbook
A1: our district is fortunate enough to be goin 1:1 and our MS Ss have iPads...In my short experience with it, I have already seen it support innovation in the classroom. Students are so excited and engaged. Possibilities feel limitless!#ditchbook
Hi #ditchbook! A1 I turned to game inspired design after watching students that struggled to focus in class spend hour playing and collaborating on simple smartphone game.
A1: Understanding that in a "traditional" classroom, SE students have not experienced success. Therefore, I need to create an environment where all succeed. #ditchbook
A1: My motivation for teaching differently:
Bored looks. Droopy eyes.
Fun. Enjoyment of learning.
Getting kids ready for a rapidly changing future.
MY OWN ENJOYMENT of teaching!
#DitchBook
A2: OMG!!! #ditchbook is at the very top of my list!! The people, the resources, the encouragement. All wrapped ina tidy little 1-hour package once a week!!
A2: My favorite resource is my PLN which means in my district, on twitter, @masscue as well as attending ed camps and keeping up on the latest and most relevant books out there! @hoonuit is another great resource! #DitchBook
A2- Love podcasts! A little one called . . Google Teacher Tribe is pretty good! Though, I might be biased when I say that the #METCpodcast is pretty good too! :) #DitchBook
Love Podcasts. I've gotten away from them lately, but need to get back on track. I've read more Ed Books in the last 3 years than the previous 15 - including #ditchbook
A2: Attending conferences and tech Summits, participating in Twitter chats and connectingwith my PLN, reading books, especially those published by @burgessdave#DitchBook
A1: Student impact/experience drives the instruction. We’re in the business of creating experiences and opportunities. Be the guide on the side and let your students shine! #ditchbook
A2- Love podcasts! A little one called . . Google Teacher Tribe is pretty good! Though, I might be biased when I say that the #METCpodcast is pretty good too! :) #DitchBook
It has honestly saved headaches, long nights, hair pulling, anger temper tantrums over the last 3 years since I infested more time and energy into Twitter chats. #ditchbook
It’s made my French class a class without walls as we now are connected to our partner school in France and can have authentic conversations throughout the school day. #DitchBook
A2: Favorite resources for learning/growing my craft:
Blogs got me started as a new T.
Books.
Podcasts.
YT vids.
But most importantly, people. Great, caring, passionate educators.
#DItchBook
I love searching hashtags in twitter for ideas, like #edtech. I also made a symbaloo of my fav bloggers, like @gcouros and @cultofpedagogy to reference frequently for ideas. I have great tech coworkers who inspire me too! #ditchbook
A2 Blogs, Books, Podcast, YouTube (lots of YouTube), TedTalks, Conferences, f2f convos w/my PLN, GHOs and...
Living it! Learning by DOing.
Practicing what I preach as an admin.
#ditchbook
The @MicrosoftEDU Educator Community is an amazing resource! Of course, Twitter is my go to for everything. Oh and there’s this awesome thing called #DitchSummit coming up #DitchBook
A1: My role models motivate me. I always think of my favorite former teachers as a kid. They came to school with passion and excitement, always trying new things, which kept me engaged and eager to learn more. #DitchBook
A1: I want to be the best for my Ss and doing the same thing year after year isn't what's best. I learn from others and want to implement with my Ss. #ditchbook
A3: You definitely have to model the DITCH mindset. If teachers don't see others, especially those trying to "sell" them on it, they'll be more reluctant to jump on board and follow the DITCH method. #ditchbook
A2: Honestly Twitter is my favorite resource for learning right now. It gives me almost instantaneous feedback and provides real world suggestions I can use in class the next day. #DitchBook
A3: I model the DITCH philosophy and also talk about it to anyone who doesn't run from me :-). When others see your amazingness they want to know more about it. #ditchbook
A3: I invite others into my classroom so they can see what I’m doing. Sometimes others have to experience it before they will but into it. I also offer PD workshops for my colleagues to help with tech integration. #DitchBook
If I model it for them, hopefully they get the itch to ask questions, then I can provide effective PD for them so they can incorporate into their classes. #ditchbook
'Tis the night before #DitchSummit, and all thru the chat ...
All the ditchers ready to watch right off the bat.
9 great video presentations for FREE and it all starts TOMORROW!
Free ticket: https://t.co/MwjUJCSG8k#DitchBook
A2: This year was the first time that Twitter can be the best PLN. I used to be a Pinterest and TPT guy, but twitter is the ultimate resource to me. Your opportunities to connect with other educators to share resources is infinite. #ditchbook
A2 People are my first resource. I’m lucky to work in a school that people are willling to give input in any way possible. Conferences. Twitter. My personal PLN. @YouTube Any free webinars that give me more on tools I have access to #DitchBook
A3: Inviting teachers into my classroom to #Observeme and encouraging them to do the same. We pick up so much more by seeing teaching in action. #DitchBook
I started to annoy myself at first when hearing it come out :) But it is true that some tune out if the hear Twitter b/c of their notions about it... I was this way once upon a time #ditchbook
A3: In any lesson I’m involved with, I encourage Ts and Ss to create and share. They have to be hands on and ready for an audience-whether it’s to peers in class or to the world! iPads have been a great tool to support this approach. #ditchbook
When I find it, I like to share it through email for those not there yet. I'll send the whole Tweet so they are reminded where I find these resources. #ditchbook
A3: Hi all! I think leading by example and if possible find one teacher in each grade level or subject area that is willing to be open and mentor them, it spreads from there. #ditchbook
A2: This year was the first time that I saw that Twitter could be the ultimate PLN. I used to be a Pinterest and TPT guy, but twitter is the ultimate resource to me. Your opportunities to connect with other educators to share resources is infinite. #ditchbook
A3 As I mentioned in A2, my coworkers are open to new ideas whenever possible. I go into their classrooms & coteach a lesson in a way that’s different from what they’ve done #DitchBook
A4. Ts need to learn how to better support SEL of Ss. If they are not ready to learn they will not. We do not a lot of PD on this and the materials we have do not meet today's learner. #ditchbook
Thanks, Lance! I was nervous at first, but I realized my colleagues wanted to learn from me. As the 2017 Region 4 Teacher of the Year for VA and the 2017-2018 Foreign Language Teacher of the Year for VA, I feel the need to share what I’m doing with others. #DitchBook
A3: Follow the words of Ms. Frizzle, “Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy. “ Encourage Ts to step out of their comfort zone. If you’re doing it for the sake of kids, you have nothing to be nervous about. #ditchbook
A3 cont: offer to come in during prep to share digital tools. Love watching our amazing #discosmhs Tr @jasbau34 use @flipgrid today in Biology! #ditchbook
A4 A lot of the topics on #DitchSummit would be valuable. Would especially love others to learn more from @DonWettrick about challenging trad ed & taking advantage of opportunities for our Ss. #DitchBook#JR2Proud
A4: PD on bringing the world into classrms & vice versa. Extending local to global and to include both FTF & EdTech collab opps. WHY?- we gain more possibilities of purpose when our world extends beyond 4 walls- regardless of age, ability, current or past opportunity #DitchBook
A3: How do I encourage teachers to use"DITCH" strategies? The most success I've had is whenever I go the extra mile to help them in their classrooms. Teaming up on lessons and collaborating has always been a successful approach. #DitchBook
A4: I would love for everyone to understand the power of passion-driven learning and that teaching through a learner's passion changes everything! #geniushour#ditchbook
I agree. I feel that building relationships with my teachers is just as important as the relationships that I build with the students each year. As an ITRT it helps me get into their classrooms more #DitchBook
A3: Follow the words of Ms. Frizzle, “Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy. “ Encourage Ts to step out of their comfort zone. If you’re doing it for the sake of kids, you have nothing to be nervous about. #ditchbook
A4: I know growth mindset is overused but I would love my colleagues to truly understand what a growth mindset is and how we can create the opportunities for Ss. #ditchbook
A4 - Evidence-informed learning strategies to increase retention of material in the classroom...retrieval practice, spaced practice, elaboration, dual coding, etc.
Also, the limitations of working memory and how instruction should be structured due to this.
#DitchBook
A4: I’d love for my colleagues to learn more about promoting #studentvoice and how technology can be integrated into the curriculum as my school is about to go completely 1:1. #DitchBook
A3 I model DiTCH practices in every meeting, PLC, PD & conversation I DO/have. I plan my PDs with my expectations & implement them with those I serve.
It's all about influence; it's so much more meaningful than mandating. #ditchbook
A4 - Also, edumyths and fads of education that are not supported by evidence:
learning styles
the learning pyramid
brain gyms
left/right brain stuff
only use 10% of brain
#DitchBook
A4: Taught Magical Learning series in @MSD549C Sessions this Fall: #gamification, digital tools, Twitter. Next semester, Sketchnoting, Flipgrid, Padlet, Nearpod... #ditchbook
A3 Give them the help/tools they need and be understanding of their varying levels of tech knowledge. Make sure you’re a part of the solution, not the problem. #DitchBook#LeadLAP
A4: Blended learning! Show other teachers what is available and how it can help them and why it is good for kids now and in the future in the real world... which is what we should prep Ss for. #ditchbook
