#FLedchat is a virtual meeting place using Twitter. Educators across the state of Florida come together on Wednesdays at 8pm EST to discuss the topics of the week.
Tonight we will be following the Q1 - A1 format for questions and answers and PLEASE make sure to tag every single post with #FLEdChat so we can all bask in the glow of your awesomeness!
Welcome to #FLEdChat rookies and veterans alike... start out by introducing yourself... Name, School District, Position, and any edtech certifications you care to mention... don't forget to tag your tweet with #FLEdChat
Hey hey - Joey from Flagler Schools, FL. Coordinator of Innovation. Here to figure out how to get a fraction of the certifications @dkonopelko has... 🍻 #fledchat
I'm Tammy from Suwannee County. I teach CS at Suwannee Middle School. I have Google Level 1, Level 2, and Trainer certifications. I also have the Microsoft Office Specialist (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) certifications. #FLedChat
Doug Konopelko - Martin - Coord of Digital Learning - G Suite Level 1 and 2, Google Trainer, G Suite Admin, Microsoft Innovative Educator and Trainer, Apple Teacher.... and Adobe Campus Leader! #badgeparade#FLEdChat
A1: For most of them, I did it so that I would know what my teachers would go through if they decided to get certified- I wanted to be able to speak from experience rather than guessing - lead by example and all that fun stuff #FLEdChat
Q1: edtech certs show you are someone others can come@to for help, questions, ideas, and collaboration. They also show the work you’ve put in to learning something. #FLEdChat
A1: Because there wasn't a Google Trainer in my district and I thought we deserved one. The MOS is because that's what I teach so I have to have it according to state rules. #FLedChat
A1 Don't have any, but am definitely interested in the street cred that comes with them. Also think I would probably learn things along the way that could be very useful
#FLEdChat
A1 I don't currently have any. Looking into microsoft certs. Why
1) Bc we are a microsoft district
2) I'm always learning esp with tech, something I love to do. #fledchat
It is like my dad says, “If you have to place master or certified in front of you title, then you don really know much because you have to use a fancy title to cover up you lack of skills.” #fledchat
A1 Don't have any, but am definitely interested in the street cred that comes with them. Also think I would probably learn things along the way that could be very useful
#FLEdChat
Then you should start with Level 1. There's a Facebook group for Educators Using Google Suite. There are many Trainers there willing to help. https://t.co/r4TyNzLsc6#FLedChat
I once thought I needed all the certs/ambassadorships for all the apps I used in my classroom. I got over that. Decided most of those benefited the company more than my students. #FLedChat
That would be great. I seem to run into more Ts on twitter with google certs than microsoft. I know Kristin & sure there are more. I guess most that I interact with are Google districts. #fledchat
Q3: What do you think edtech certifications would/could look like for students? Benefits/drawbacks? Do you currently do any work towards certifying students? #FLEdChat
A3 - I honestly don't know, and am interested in hearing what more experienced ppl have to say. I am not working toward certifying Ss. How much does age range play a role in this? #FLEdChat
A3: #FLedChat I love that we offer a Digital Tools Certificate in Elem but I wish it was Google and not Microsoft since the kids use G in their classrooms mostly. Still can’t complain because I love that we have something!
great question Farles Barkley... it really depends on the certifications, we've done IC3 Spark in the past with K-5, but that's not really an edtech cert #FLEdChat
The problem with certifications is that it almost locks you into a specific software ... I may not be an expert but I can move from FCPX to Premiere to WeVideo to IMovie to any video editor ... can do similar with photo/audio editing ... no certification #FLedChat
Very true... a lot of times, the skills that you learn translate to other products and the certification just serves as one benchmark of the knowledge #FLEdChat
I like to let kids use what works for them not what I think will be the industry standard in a few years ... flexibility more important than a certification #FLedChat
A3: Since @EducationFL has added certain Certifications to the school grade acceleration category, many are pushing certs just for the points. #FLedChat
The problem with certifications is that it almost locks you into a specific software ... I may not be an expert but I can move from FCPX to Premiere to WeVideo to IMovie to any video editor ... can do similar with photo/audio editing ... no certification #FLedChat
A3 I see possibility of supporting students in continuous skill building while also providing an opportunity to allow them to use the skills they learn applying their content knowledge as well. #Fledchat
so I like to let the conversation dictate the direction we go... let's shift ever so slightly away from certs since I see that shift happening...next question coming... #FLEdChat
Q4: Since we've determined that it's not about the CERTZ but about the SKILLZ (yes the Z is necessary), what are some of the most important edtech #skillz to teach our students and HOW can we embed those in curriculum? #FLEdChat
A4: I want my students to be able to think LOGICALLY to choose the best tool for the job at hand. It may be paper and pencil or it may be an in-depth "smash" of a variety of tools. #FLedChat
Let's be honest ... the big push for kids to be "certified" in these software titles have less to do with student careers and more to do with bonus points added to school grades .... #fledchat ...
A4: How to share and collaborate on documents, how to interpret different user interfaces, how to submit and review work. This gets embedded through reoccurring and organic use of tech in the room, freedom to create, and small teachable moments around troubleshooting. #FLEdChat
A4: I want my students to be able to think LOGICALLY to choose the best tool for the job at hand. It may be paper and pencil or it may be an in-depth "smash" of a variety of tools. #FLedChat
I am having to get my Windows hat back on ... my Fabrication Lab computers are Windows ... class of 26 kids half using MacBookAir other half using Windows ... some video editing ... some using vCarve ... gets crazy #FLEdchat
A4: where to start, we can't jump to collaboration until they can add a text box or shape lol (my primary brain is always on) Start with projects to learn to USE the program/APP then move on, YES they can K-2 #fledchat
I've learned so much from going through these, it's been amazing! And the team @GoogleForEdu is constantly expanding the offerings. Great opportunities for students and adults! #FLEdChat
Q5 - last question for the night - what types of certifications would you like to see offered/supported/etc moving forward for students OR teachers? #FLEdChat
A5 - I'd like to see more certifications aimed at the primary grades just because it gives them a measurable goal for the SKILLZ. Not that I think the CERTZ are the important part, but gamification/badging/etc has shown us that the extrinsic still has a place #FLEdChat
A5: Since we're shifting toward #skillz in this convo - I'd like to see more skill-based certs like Coding (through whatever medium it may be), for both Ts and Ss #FLEdChat
A5: I would love to see certz that would show how the skillz are truly used. Many certz just show mastery of software, not truly understanding skills. #FLedChat
we should talk to @meganbherman and the team @GoogleForEdu about working towards something aimed towards the littles for developing basic skills #FLEdChat
In reply to
@caseyswift87, @meganbherman, @GoogleForEdu
I would love to see a range of Google certs that students could earn throughout their school career so Ts would know what skills their students truly have each year. #FLedChat
Remember not every district is at the same level. What may be considered appropriate for littles may also work perfectly for a district just going 1-1. #FLedchat
In reply to
@dkonopelko, @caseyswift87, @meganbherman, @GoogleForEdu
I would also love to see it provide more than "fun" coding activities. As Students move to "programming" many are turned away because its not game based any more. #FLedChat
Well, #FLEdChat, it's been real. Big thanks to everyone for coming out tonight - make sure you follow those that inspired you or just made you think tonight. Take some time to scroll back through the conversation and reflect on the glorious little nuggets of wisdom!
