Welcome to #3rdchat. On behalf of our fellow moderators, I would like to welcome you. Tonight's discussion will be led by @MrsBarnett_Tchr and @KristinOropeza . We are looking forward to a great discussion.
Hello #3rdChat - @KristinOropeza and I from CA are excited to help moderate tonight!
Please introduce yourself with where you are from and what roles you have in education.
Hi, y'all! I'm Kristin - former K-3 SPED teacher from SoCal. I started a new position this year as a K-5 Technology TOSA. I'm also mom to a 2YO and 13YO! #3rdchat
Erin Joseph checking in! I’m a 3rd grade teacher in fostoria, Ohio! Just got into my classroom for the first time today and we start school on Tuesday! 😩 #3rdchat
A1: I think a diverse learner is any child who has a UNIQUE learning need - whether it's the GenEd S who requires extra time to answer, the S in the SPED class who needs a visual schedule, or my newcomer ELL. Basically every child in today's classroom. #3rdchat
A1: I believe Diverse Learners want to feel like they are part of a community who cares for them and in turn they can contribute back. They also want to be respected and valued for who they are. #3rdchat
A1: To me diverse leaners describe each and every student. All of the kiddos have different backgrounds and needs that have developed from those experiences. #3rdchat
A1: Diverse learners come from different socioeconomic, cultural, and racial backgrounds. These students typically need more background knowledge and opportunities to develop a connection with what they are learning, which is all actuality is all learners. #3rdchat
All students are diverse learners. Somethings work for some students and not others. As teachers our job is to make sure we are creating activities and assignments that meet the needs of different kinds of learning styles. #3rdchat
A1: some of my diverse learners include English Language Learners, students who have an IEP for speech and/or RSP
plus those who learn better in various ways: visually, auditory, hands-on... #3rdchat
A1: diverse learners are a growing population today. With the current laws in place, the gap is growing larger and larger, so it is increasingly important to differentiate our teaching to reach all students, from LD to gifted, and all in between. #3rdchat
A1 I believe all learners are diverse. They each have different backgrounds. Strengths and needs that arise from those backgrounds, experiences and the learning opportunities they have had. Kids want to be seen and appreciated for who they are. #3rdchat
Hi, parent here of two very different learners.
We perceive reality differently. Just as color is perception, we learn about the world from our own prism. #3rdChat A1
Hi #3rdchat! I’m in the middle of booking various kits from my board’s instructional media centre. They just opened for bookings today and I’m pumped to get myself set up for this year. Look forward to reading everyone’s ideas on this week’s topic!!
A2: I'm a big fan of providing visuals. Every student uses a visual schedule, whether individual or our class one. Consistent routines. High expectations. @ClassDojo was a staple in my SPED classroom. Gave extra time. Used multiple means of showing comprehension. #3rdchat
A2: I use cooperative learning, so all students have a way to contribute to each other's learning and can be valued for their ideas and their strengths. #3rdchat
They do want to be seen and appreciated! The ones who need us the most are often times our most challenging students. We have to remember that! #3rdchat
A1: I think every one of our students is a diverse learner. They need us to differentiate with visuals, hands-on, kinesthetic, and auditory strategies. They want our love, care, and time. #3rdchat
A2: As an ELA teacher, I very rarely teach whole group. I do a read aloud, then a mini lesson, then small reading groups. It allows groups of similar reading levels to get together and feel challenged, but not frustrated. #3rdchat
I used peer tutors in my classroom as well. It worked well because I had a multi-age, multi-ability classroom. I had kinders tutoring some of my 2nd graders! #3rdchat
A2: I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in a GLAD training/workshop when I first began teaching (I had entire class composed of ELLs) #3rdchat
My classroom library has a variety of books from picture books to Harry Potter. I try to have a variety of topics to meet all students' interests and reading needs. #3rdchat
A2: My classroom library has a variety of books from picture books to Harry Potter. I try to have a variety of topics to meet all students' interests and reading needs. #3rdchat
A2: I look for possible instruction embedded in everyday life that may expand their experiences. I.E. I start off the year saying "Have a good lunch." Then start weaving in synonyms, idioms and antonyms later. The kids love it and use the new words themselves. #3rdchat
at our site the classrooms are usually comprised of 50% English Only speakers and English Language Learners - I try to pair them up so that when we are pair sharing or working in small groups it is mixed #3rdchat
A2: Provide students with experiences that they can connect with, flexibility to build more background knowledge with hands on, tactical learning. #3rdchat
A2: I use small group instruction and centers, lots of visuals and manipulatives, and cooperative learning structures. Each child benefits from a combination of these strategies. #3rdchat
A3: Keep the learner at the center when transitioning from traditional strategies to tech integration. Tech should enhance the learning experience. Keep the end user in mind. Some students may not have access. Others may not have a lot of experience with tech. #3rdchat
A3: Start small - one tool or activity at a time. Get really good at one digital tool. I started with substituting traditional paper/pencil activities for digital ones. I added collaboration & PBL components which helped to augment my activities. Think long term. #3rdchat
Multiple means of assessment! Also a regular practice in my SPED classroom. Not everyone "outputs" their knowledge/learning the same way. I know that I was never a very good test taker! #3rdchat
I think that you would like @Flipgrid's #GridPals. Great way to connect with students from other places. We used it this year and connected with a PE teacher (and all of her classes!) from Texas! #3rdchat
A3 my daughter's math teacher provided a qr code link to himself reviewing the math concept on every math homework paper. Also, kids who aren't comfortable sharing their writing in class often come alive when given the opportunity to create a video to show learning #3rdchat
A3) The technology itself can be the means to the accommodation, presenting info in such a way, under the student's control, to facilitate their understanding. #3rdChat
A4: I love the Read and Write app. @PearDeck add-on for Google Slides is AMAZING for creating interactive lessons that allows for comprehension checks. Again, @ClassDojo for classroom management. I also LOVE @padlet for collaborative work. #3rdchat
A3: There are so many tools available to assist students with visual connection. I love to use https://t.co/pebZvgKA2w to have students explore different topics. I am also excited to introduce epic books. I love the features on their website. #3rdchat
A4: I have used @Flipgrid to connect my students with students from other communities. My students wanted to know what makes them the same and what makes them different. So many discoveries made with @MrsBarnett_Tchr 's class last year. Differences were valued.#3rdchat
A3: There are so many great technology tools to use. Start transitioning small: online games and assessments can replace paper-pencil methods. Then go bigger and soon you'll forget why you ever chose those traditional ways. #3rdchat
Love this! The QR code is liking having the teacher right there with you. And I've thought often what a shy kid like me might've done with today's tech. #3rdChat
A4: I love the Read and Write app. @PearDeck add-on for Google Slides is AMAZING for creating interactive lessons that allows for comprehension checks. Again, @ClassDojo for classroom management. I also LOVE @padlet for collaborative work. #3rdchat
A4: Google Translate is awesome for my students from China who speak very little English! I use @Flipgrid and @Seesaw for my diverse learners to showcase what they know. #3rdchat
A4: My current tool of choice is @Seesaw an app that allows a variety of tools for all learners to use to show their knowledge from drawing, typing, video, photo to recording. You can also create assignments and Ss can use the template to do the activity. #3rdchat
A5: My own assumptions can get in the way of serving diverse learners. Just because most students may have access to tech tools, doesn't mean everyone does. I need to plan accordingly. #3rdchat
A5: Too many to count! Time for training staff. Time to learn the tools. Money to buy subscriptions for premium apps. Buy-in from admins. Buy-in from parents. Buy-in from non-SPED teachers. Apps not being compatible with the Chromebooks. The list goes on! #3rdchat
I was a BIG fan of Book Creator when we had iPads in my classroom. It was an easier app for my kiddos to learn and they loved recording their stories! I hope you've seen the new updates they're giving it! You will be able to add Google Maps and "app-smash" with it! #3rdchat
A4: Honestly, my experience is very minimal in this area, but I have been excited about the translation options available through google. I am excited to hear what tools you all recommend. #3rdchat
Speaking from outside a school, it seems like mindsets are all over the place. Schools don't all have a universal well-articulated philosophy on the role of tech in serving their students. #3rdChat A5
A5: In a previous district, we were 1:1 but in my current district we aren't. I would love for all my Ss to have access to these tools all the time. #3rdchat
A5: My biggest struggle is I use so many different tools that it is a lot of usernames and passwords for the students to keep up with. I try to only use tools that have a Google sign in option. #3rdchat
You'd think it would be a priority for districts, seeing as it is that 21st century skills tie in with CCSS? It's sad that some districts don't see that. #3rdchat
A5: We have a lot of technology available to our students, but some of our devices are older and don't run as well as they used to. I find that it takes my Ss longer to learn how to use the technology than I anticipate, making it hard to do as much as I'd like. #3rdchat
As a tech lead last year, I saw the "learning time" as a deterrent to many teachers who wanted to use the technology but claimed they didn't have time to spend learning it. They had to know it was an investment and think long term. #3rdchat
#3rdchat although tech talk is my fave after books, I'm exhausted and 5am comes too quickly during the first full week. I'll catch up with final chat later. You all rock! Happy New school year!
A6: How can we best engage and empower families who may not speak English? What strategies and people resources can we assemble to best meet their need in our community? #3rdchat
A5: My own assumptions can get in the way of serving diverse learners. Just because most students may have access to tech tools, doesn't mean everyone does. I need to plan accordingly. #3rdchat
Out of date devices can slow a lesson down and suck the energy out of it. This is why teaching is an art form. We find a way work around it because the show must go on. #3rdchat
My former district had a PTA liaison - that none of the teachers knew about. Information like that needs to be disseminated so that Ts can get those kind of resources to help Ps like you mentioned. #3rdchat
A5: Not having enough technology available for all students to use. However, our district has recently gone 1:1 and this greatly excited me. That being said, knowing what extensions are needed or what tools will or will not work on a particular device is a challenge. #3rdchat
I'd think they need access wherever they are! Including access on devices that already exist in their orbit. So they need adults to guide their learning when using tech. #3rdChat A6
yes...it's been difficult to search for tools that would benefit my diverse learners - sometimes I just type "EdTech tools for diverse learners" in the google search bar #3rdchat
I really like the Read and Write extension - it has some pretty amazing premium features. @PearDeck premium also has some great features - I love the vocabulary cards for my ELLs and students w/ special needs...they are great for the visual learner. #3rdchat
At this point I need TIME and access to experts/peeps that have used the tech IN A CLASSROOM before. Sometimes I feel like presenters forget that the learners are diverse and it can never be a one step meets everybody. #3rdchat
I found it a matter of trial and error when we first went 1:1. I'd hear of an app and then see if it worked - and worked well - on our particular devices. If it did, it made the cut. #3rdchat
Q7: What are some accommodations or designated supports that students would need to be successful on tests that are required by your district or state? #3rdchat
luv that! @KristinOropeza and I provided a parent tech workshop last year for our classes - not many showed up but it was helpful for those who did #3rdchat
A7: My Ss in SPED were able to use the text to speech function (when applicable), highlighting, note-taking, simplified directions, & extra time for testing. But many of these skills had to be taught prior to testing - and that always takes time they don't give us. #3rdchat
There are (paid) services available to districts to cut down on logins...but I always saw it as a catch-22. You don't want students to get lazy and not learn their sign-ins, but you also didn't want to spend the time all the time logging in! #3rdchat
My former district had a PTA liaison - that none of the teachers knew about. Information like that needs to be disseminated so that Ts can get those kind of resources to help Ps like you mentioned. #3rdchat
A7: In CA we can suggest supports and/or accommodations - last year I made sure that I did this for some of my general ed kids and I spoke to our speech and RSP Ts #3rdchat
A7: Teaching testing strategies and the proper way to use a highlighter to find evidence when taking a reading test, because we all know they want to highlight every word in the ENTIRE passage :) #3rdchat
A6: With my growing number of ELL, I would like more resources to use with these students. I have several apps but there must be something better that I'm missing. #3rdchat
A6: EdTech resources. I have so little knowledge in this area for diverse learners. What are some EdTech tools that are designed specifically for these students? #3rdchat
Q8 is an Exit Ticket:
Share any resources that you may have to help others find ways to support diverse learners with technology (e.g. blogs, articles, etc.) #3rdChat
My families connected via @Flipgrid too! They loved seeing their child come out of their shell on camera! I learned so much about my quietest students by watching their Flipgrid responses! #3rdchat
In reply to
@Ron_Martiello, @JeremyDBond, @KSchiffert, @Flipgrid, @Flipgrid
A7: We have a lot of universal tools and accommodations available to our students. We definitely practice using them before testing so that students are comfortable with them. #3rdchat
A5: Not having enough technology available for all students to use. However, our district has recently gone 1:1 and this greatly excited me. That being said, knowing what extensions are needed or what tools will or will not work on a particular device is a challenge. #3rdchat
Here are some my kiddos loved: Teach Me (app), @TodoMath (I LOVE this one!), Popplet (iPad), @padlet, @Flipgrid, Schoolkit Math (iPad), Thinking Blocks (iPad), Spelling City (subscription), Raz-Kids (subscription), Epic! (free for teachers!), Teach Your Monster to Read. #3rdchat
In reply to
@azurehenwood, @TodoMath, @padlet, @Flipgrid
Thank you so much for joining this #3rdchat! Thank you #3rdchat team for allowing us this opportunity!! We loved hearing from our regular community members. We also loved making new friends. We hope you will join #3rdchat again next Wednesday!
