#symchat Archive
#symchat conversations focus on classroom integration of SymbalooEDU, the educational version of Symbaloo developed for students, educators and schools.
Wednesday March 9, 2016
Welcome to | Please state your name and where you are from. As always please don't forget to use the hashtag
Welcome to | Please state your name and where you are from. As always please don't forget to use the hashtag
Beth Cole, Sulphur Springs TX
I'm Keith George, your guest moderator for the evening! I am an Instructional Technology Specialist with the Alabama Dept of Ed
Mark Coleman, District Technology Instructor, Montgomery Public School, Alabama
Hey , good to "see" you again!
Question #1 is peeking around the corner, just 1 minute away!
A1: motivators, informers, and innovators
A1 brainstorming, facilitating, helping teachers realize or find their vision for tech implementation in their classrooms
A1 Any person (title or not) who helps another understand or implement tech is a tech coach
. True, all teachers can and should be leaders
Any educator who makes sure that others understand how to use technology and the value of technology.
we can all lead at something
Even the titles given help identify the job- Coach, facilitator
Question #2 coming up in 1 minute!
A1 Modeling & highlighting best practice use of tech for learning -- not just as an activity "to do"
Welcome ! https://t.co/RnhrCXtEob
A1 Modeling & highlighting best practice use of tech for learning -- not just as an activity "to do"
A2: We're rolling out a district wide initiative! It's an exciting time to be in SSISD
. Will they be school-based?
A2 Myself and one other coach have 53 schools between us. We would like to have another 4 of us but $
We have an Instructional Technology Department, so they are mainly district level.
. Unfortunately, dollars often dictate the model used. The effectiveness of the model can get lost.
District level coaches are spread so thin they rarely have time to coach very many teachers in a meaningful way.
This is my first Twitter Chat...I hope I am doing it right.
Our dept tries to get more, but....
Question 3 just 60 seconds away!
A2 Our district has Instructional Partners at school level and district support, but we wear more hats than tech with each school
Like EasyBib? Then you'll <3 Scholar. This tool can help your students become active readers & writers https://t.co/4BKNkYCFDx
This is a common and effective way of getting coaches to the teachers! https://t.co/ErzuDuKaWc
A2 Our district has Instructional Partners at school level and district support, but we wear more hats than tech with each school
. Trust me, we know how lucky we are! Small turnover throughout <3
A technology coach helps educators understand how technology can aid them and how technology can be implemented in the curriculum!
I teach my Ed Tech students tonight, must say goodbye to
A3)Role *should* be helping Ts & Ss use tech to go further, do more. Often is how to start, fix, repair https://t.co/NKsiaXMvcV
yes. we also have groups in secondary & elementary whose task is to spread the vision of the district
Yes, this is a transition time. Many "coaches" were really front line support technicians. https://t.co/8wDndVxPsx
A3)Role *should* be helping Ts & Ss use tech to go further, do more. Often is how to start, fix, repair https://t.co/NKsiaXMvcV
Question 4 rolling at you in just a minute!
That last graphic from George Couros' book Innovator's Mindset, it is the current book club selection.
. My struggle is the opposite. Recent classroom T turned ETC w/no technician training, Google is my friend. 😂
Just in time learning is often the best! https://t.co/dJ7fCwS1Or
. My struggle is the opposite. Recent classroom T turned ETC w/no technician training, Google is my friend. 😂
We help schools when it is requested and we just created a system of going to the schools and seeing what is needed so we can help!
We do train the trainer , not a very good program for edtech
Coaches should support Ts when a quick fix can get them back up, but Admins should work to prevent this from being the norm.
A4 Just became a GAFE district & just in Y3 of new LMS, so most "coaching" focuses on the new tools. (1/2) https://t.co/gZ4iopB5jf
A4 We have one tech coach who is spread very thin.
It is a multi-step approach that requires time. This is why District level coaches often struggle.
A4 Other coaching is at T request...so hit-or-miss w/adv prep or passing discussion of ideas (2/2) https://t.co/gZ4iopB5jf
BTW, Indiana born and raised!
. No admin requirement = typically better relationships, but less coaching
A4: District drives focused walkthroughs then Ps lead focus in each building. Partner with collaborative groups/individual ts
Coaches must have time to build those relationships, but that takes time. https://t.co/Z8a9MNHuQU
. No admin requirement = typically better relationships, but less coaching
FUD- Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt also are common. . . and of course money!
A5 Time + mindset. Too many Ts still say "I'm not good at tech & don't have time to learn" while on iPhone https://t.co/Z0wCo0ZNFz
A5: Pardon the random jumping in ! 1 of the biggest obstacles to effective tech coaching = getting teacher buy-in
Welcome , great to have you
Thanks! This is a great topic!
Teacher buy-in goes back to building the relationship between coach and teacher.
Question 6 on stage in 1 minute!
. So true! My biggest challenge but greatest joy is getting a teacher to try new tech, then hearing "This is amazing!"
. I literally heard that response in a discussion about HW at recently. Still hope it was secretly a joke!
A6: Admins+Tech Coaches should collaborate on an annual PL plan and on any just-in-time needs https://t.co/RhOkgdm3Zm
Do you as a coach (or your coaches) have regularly scheduled meetings with Admins?
. I view it as a domino effect. If I can make sustainable change happen with 1 person, he/she can help another and so on
A major challenge for many coaches is making sure Admins do try to use them "against" the Ts, this can destroy the C/T relationship
*Do NOT https://t.co/lNWEr0WK2U
A major challenge for many coaches is making sure Admins do try to use them "against" the Ts, this can destroy the C/T relationship
. Haha! True! It's getting Ts into the dating scene in the 1st place that can be tough. It's scary!
Effective peer pressure! https://t.co/gs0vs8ZyvU
. I view it as a domino effect. If I can make sustainable change happen with 1 person, he/she can help another and so on
Question 7, our final question, comes up in 60 seconds!
. Sometimes it's also a "see it (many times) to believe it scenario!
A little off topic...how do you respond and the tweet you are responding to in your responses (as a little box)?
A6 Admin + TCs should collab on yearly PL plan, as well as as-needed updates, rollouts, initiatives https://t.co/WCyNrhI0GD
Use the Retweet/Quote feature. You can also check out the Chats feature at https://t.co/GkA1bLWDTN , https://t.co/mBgejUYRSN
A little off topic...how do you respond and the tweet you are responding to in your responses (as a little box)?
. Unfortunately, no, though some schools have ad hoc meetings. Nothing regularly planned!
A6: YES! There needs to be an open dialogue to share concerns and praises
. Reg scheduled, no. But reg & open two-way communication and open invite to come to admin meetings
. My friend, we share the same mind!
Give more time to actually being able to connect with teachers and show them the awesome uses of technology https://t.co/Pqu3ALg1xu
A7: So many changes! But start w/ school-based & district-based support for blended and F2F PL plans https://t.co/jjakzW7zEE
More like Edcamp format - not done to but with and for Ts
Absolutely! Begin with the content, add the tech when appropriate and effective! https://t.co/J7MgIDlVIT
Give more time to actually being able to connect with teachers and show them the awesome uses of technology https://t.co/Pqu3ALg1xu
Yes! Shameless plug, join me at in Montgomery, AL April 2, 2016 ;-) https://t.co/PVt7nu3Rwh
More like Edcamp format - not done to but with and for Ts
Yes, ! Teacher-led and teacher-designed learning is powerful and personalized! https://t.co/30svxTlVFZ
More like Edcamp format - not done to but with and for Ts
Yes! Much easier to create buy-in when Ts choose what and how to learn! https://t.co/lUisdKX2yo
More like Edcamp format - not done to but with and for Ts
. No worries - you're forgiven. Missing out, but forgiven! 😂
. Really?! I know I can't make it that day, but I'll be there in the backchannel!
I just realized where you are from!
. Careful now. If you give a teacher a Timeturner, imagine all the things they would change!
I completely agree. I haven't been to an EdCamp yet, but I plan to go to one soon (or host one)! https://t.co/8ysipcd1OB
Yes! Much easier to create buy-in when Ts choose what and how to learn! https://t.co/lUisdKX2yo
More like Edcamp format - not done to but with and for Ts
Thanks everyone! Small in number but powerful convo! Keep it going! Thx for the opportunity, let's do it again!
He must be one of those uber-realist Ravenclaws. ;)
Umm, have I been insulted? I am not a muggle! https://t.co/zhmXrJ4Tps
He must be one of those uber-realist Ravenclaws. ;)
Thanks for allowing my mid-chat drop-in. Great topic and AMAZING people. Always so good to connect and ideate together.
