This chat is moderated by Grapevine-Colleyville ISD educators where we discuss current education trends and deepen our learning. 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 8:30 PM CST September to May @msbearce @SBarkerEDU
Bridget Visser, 6th grade ELA & 6th-8th Literacy Achievement & Language Acquisition teacher at CMS. So excited to talk instructional technology! #gcisdchat
A1: Overhead projectors! We borrowed one when I was little from our church to blow up an image and make a mural. Afterwards, my sis & I played "school". I still remember that because it was then that I first thought I wanted to become a teacher. #gcisdchat
A1: Aw, I remember using the overhead projector my first years as a teacher and staining my hands with the Vis a Vis markers! As a student, I disliked the microfiche readers we had to use in the library, so hard to use and not helpful at all! #gcisdchat
A1: Using a Univac, I think it was called, and having to schedule time to go up to school on the weekends since there was only one computer to use #gcisdchat
A1: My first few years of teaching we still had overhead projectors. I still remember coming home with the heel of my hand being stained by Vis-A-Vis marker. And then having to wash the entire reel of projector film #gcisdchat
#gcisdchat WOW...the overhead projector had a BIG impact on many of us. Who would think it was that important of a tool. And then to think how quickly it was abandoned when LCD projectors hit the scene.
A2: I love them all, but number 6 resonates with me the most right now! I’m a strong believer in not just replacing paper with technology, but using technology to extend and enhance! #gcisdchat
A2: Engaging in tasks that are "otherwise inconceivable". It's crazy to think about how technology has made so many things possible that we wouldn't have believed could happen! (virtual field trips, Online collaboration, Flipgrid, etc.) #gcisdchat
A2: I am passionate about all of them, but I feel like I spend every single day teaching #1! With social media & middle schoolers, a literacy teacher...the mom in me finds it sooo important to model and talk through this aspect of it. #gcisdchat
A2 Belief #3 that tech is continuously changing and we need to equip ourselves with PD and understandings. Our students come to us knowing all about tech. Being able to learn through tools while engaging students & them grasping concepts is vital. #gcisdchat
A2: Number 1 resonates most as an 8th grade T. Ss need to understand how to properly search for info on the web. Also, they are huge social media users- they need to know how to make "smart posts" & share online info. #gcisdchat
A2: #5 a. I read those skill sets and see “ideal candidate for any college/career” b. isn’t it amazing that our ss have the accessibility to reach an audience OUTISIDE of our classrooms?? #gcisdchat
A2- I think all are important but #5 gives students that voice and choice. I'm always amazed with my students and I love seeing their personalities come with #5 #GCISDCHAT
Q2: #3 is true for me as teacher. It's essential to keep learning new things and not think I've 'arrived' at knowing all the technology things since it's constantly evolving #gcisdchat
A2: #7 Computational Thinking. As a CS major & a CS teacher, I know first hand how the knowledge of computational thinking has impacted, for the better, my life. Being able to process things in defined logical steps allows me to break down anything & find solutions #gcisdchat
A2. For me it would be #5, I have encountered students that are laking background knowledge and/or experiences. Using this as a tool cans help them develop background knowledge and deeper understanding. #gcisdchat@canSTEM
A2: I really like how we discussed #6 at our In-Tech PLC this week & Jack mentioned that sometimes we are too hard on ourselves when we hear the word inconceivable. Our Ss are creating things we never could have dreamed. #gcisdchat
A3 Statement 2 resonates as a challenge in my field. Sometimes some students can’t handle tech appropriately or it gets thrown/damaged or used as just a device to play on. It’s a hard balance. #gcisdchat
Yes, we aren't using technology for the sake of technology. It's because we want to prepare students to be problem solvers, collaborative workers, etc.
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A3. I think one of the most challenging ones would be #7. It is so easy to use technology as a tool and as a means but being able to engage or inspire computational thinking is more difficult. #gcisdchat
A2a: #3. It's hard to keep up! But I always like to think about what Ss should be doing and find an app/whatever to line up with the thinking. #gcisdchat
A3: #4 I am constantly thinking “is this just replacing a worksheet? How can I use technology in a way that would enhance learning, paper couldn’t?” #gcisdchat
A3: #4 I am constantly thinking “is this just replacing a worksheet? How can I use technology in a way that would enhance learning, paper couldn’t?” #gcisdchat
A2: Num. 6 is the most important one to me,tho not the easiest to pull off all the time. Much easier for us to make a worksheet/old assignment digital-but that's not what the tech is for,nor is it its best usage #gcisdchat
A3: #3 is sometimes the hardest for us, the teachers. Especially with tech. It is way out of the comfort zone for many and it's sometimes hard to admit to the Ss that we are not the expert on everything. #gcisdchat
A3: Belief 3. Tech changes SO quickly. Sites/platforms rise & fall;features are added & abandoned;free sites become pay sites 😂 It sometimes difficult to keep up with what will work best! #gcisdchat
I think it’s important to dive into a new tech tool before introducing it to classes. Working through it yourself will help you decide if it’s user friendly and applicable to your content #gcisdchat
A4: Focus on what works best for your Ss. If it's better & engaging, go for it! If you have a fav that works better, keep it. It never hurts to try new things, but don't force it if it's not a good fit. #gcisdchat
Q4: I think we must ask questions like, "How is this requiring students to think? How is this enhancing the curriculum? How is it preparing students for the future?" #gcisdchat
A4 Ask yourself if you’re enhancing what your students are learning with the tool/app. Always be mindful of what you introduce to your students & the impact tech can have to their learning. #gcisdchat
A4: I try to go back to "What is this app/site actually causing my students to do mentally & produce?" If it's just a flashy reproduction of something on paper,there's really no point to the tech. #gcisdchat
A4: I always go back to best practices. First, I ask will it get me to where I need to be? Then, if the tech can enhance it I go for it. We try new things together and discuss if it worked for us or not. Student Voice! #gcisdchat
A4: I think the questions, “how does this make my lesson better?” is a good place to start! If the answer is that it doesn’t.. then you may have to redesign and rethink! #gcisdchat
A5. I have two favorites right now: @Seesaw, it helps me share activities and create menus for my students and Pages from @AppleEDU. I use pages to create books it has pushed my students to think differently. #gcisdchat
A5: Currently my favorite tool is the #MakeyMakey It's great for combining the physical world with the computer, to make some really neat and engaging student products. #gcisdchat
A4: This is a great time to plug #EdCampDallas - where I get SO many new ideas & strategies (that are tested and work) from other teachers! It is Oct. 6th in Plano! #gcisdchat
A5- I love @Seesaw as a teacher and parent. There are so many options. I love to listen to my students thinking! I love that their parents see a glimpse of what they are doing at school. I think it opens up communication at home about what is going on at school! 😍 #GCISDCHAT
A5: FLIPGRID! FLIPGRID for everything! This hits that inconceivable learning in so many ways! It is a MUST use. I use it for so many things. @Flipgrid#gcisdchat
YES! All Ss get to have their voice "heard" & my Ss can practicing speaking Spanish, which can be very intimidating for them in front of peers. #gcisdchat
A6. We have a conversation at the beginning of the year, and we have reminders throughout the school year. We talk about how it’s not a list of “can’t do” but the purpose is too keep us safe. #gcisdchat
A5: I love @Seesaw. It's kid friendly and can be used with other apps. T. and families can access it easily. Ss can create and share with each other and families. #gcisdchat
A7 From Kinder and up, you model and expect high standards with a tool. Giving students parameters and consistent expectations allow tech to be utilized effectively & approximately. #gcisdchat
A7: I have found that anytime I can take a situation they encounter & make it a teachable moment, we stop and do so. This is when it sinks in and means something to them. #gcisdchat
A6 and A7- You have to teach them! I feel like it so important to carve out that time in class. It is just like teaching them social skills. #gcisdchat
A7: You equip the students to be productive, respectful digital citizens EVERY CHANCE YOU GET! In class, in the hall, at the game, everywhere 😀 #gcisdchat
A7: Feel like mini lesson w inquiry twist would be a great warm up. Share a non-example and ask Ss to point out the flaw and have Ss make suggestions to the original author #gcisdchat
A7: Phones. If you force them all to put up their phones and they’re constantly thinking about the next Snapchat, tweet, like, follow... are they really going to be engaged in your lesson? Teach them management, it’s never going away. #gcisdchat
Since it is Thursday...#ThankYouThursday to our @GCISDInTech coaches for coming out to campuses and doing PLCs. Having these conversations help us gain new ideas, new perspectives & have support! #gcisdchat
Q2: #gcisdchat I think #1 is important. I'm thankful @SarahGanus is teaching my Michael how to become digitally literate. David and I are learning quite a bit from him - #BloxelsGameAreFUN!
A8. Even technology needs differentiated instruction. We have student that are proficient and those that struggle, it’s almost like a subject in itself. #gcisdchat
YES! This is a battle I fight every single day, both in real life and in my own head! I 100% believe this and do so! It is also hands down, 100%, an exhausting battle. But, I will continue to fight. :) We must model this and give them opportunities to practice it. #gcisdchat
A4: To impact teaching and learning through tech that is relevant & impactful, I turn to my fellow Tech Coaches @msbearce@JackLeonardEdu@amyleitner06 and pretty much follow their lead! #gcisdchat
Just like giving the student a pencil or sheet of paper when needed. It is a little harder to justify when you know their cell phone is fully charged... #gcisdchat
A8: Equity is as vital in this conversation as any. What are we assuming Ss already know based on our own experiences? Are we vigilant in ensuring all of our Ss come forward if they need internet access at home? #gcisdchat
A8: We can be 1:1, have all the newest technology in our classrooms, but are we giving assignments that are accessible to ALL ss at home? Shoutout to @GCISD for thinking about ALL kids and providing hotspot for internet access at home! #gcisdchat
A8: Are we patient with Ss when they forget things such as Skyward passwords? I know if I’d never used a password before, AbKBGM619472 would be hard to keep up with! #gcisdchat
A9: Keep learning, keep growing and keep modeling professional technology use. AND to look for an old overhead projector. I'll bring it to the next C&I meeting. 😂 #gcisdchat
Yes @RichRichEDU! Also enabling students to take their devices home each night and during school breaks to have the opportunity to continue their learning. #gcisdchat
A8: We can be 1:1, have all the newest technology in our classrooms, but are we giving assignments that are accessible to ALL ss at home? Shoutout to @GCISD for thinking about ALL kids and providing hotspot for internet access at home! #gcisdchat
A9: My biggest takeaway is that tools (like Twitter) are a wonderful technology tool that allow us to put our heads together in non-traditional ways to collaborate. What?!
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Thank you everyone for your participation! The next #gcisdchat is on 10/4. For more information about GCISD Twitter hashtags check out https://t.co/bQCuoVmc5r.
