A1: Rhonda from Lanier HS in Gwinnett County GA. Instructional Technology Coach but we’re called LSTC - Local School Technology Coordinator. #TECHtalkGA#gwinchat
A1: Carrie, Technology Training Integration Specialist from Cobb County. A myth about me is that I must like public speaking since I provide PD when in fact, I get nervous every single time! #TECHtalkGA
Hello and welcome back to #TECHtalkGA!
I'm Angela, your host for the next 30min!
I am the Dist ITS for MS/HS in Forsyth Co, plus I'm teaching French 1 to our online Ss.
A myth about me is that I'm an extrovert. I'm actually a total introvert, but I like friends. :D
A1. Robbie Barber, DeKalb, Teacher-Librarian.
A myth about me is that I am an extrovert b/c I enjoy doing presentations and meeting ppl. The introvert in me needs quiet, alone, down time to cope.
#TECHtalkGA
A1: Mike Afdahl, Director of Technology, Calhoun city schools. Myth that’s not true: I’m not a curriculum person (it’s really a big passion). #TECHtalkGA
A1: A reality about me is I’m a straight shooter. No need to guess where I stand. My roommate in college said I was brutally honest. #TECHtalkGA#gwinchat
A2: reality - they are natives, they know how to use the tools, BUT they don’t know how to use them effectively. That’s where teaching and coaching our students become important #TECHtalkGA
A2) Myth, but only because we are judging them by what we grew into as adults. Fact is that they are native to their generation of touch, app, & social media. #TECHtalkGA
A2: As the father of 6 year olds I do think that we teach digital natives. Do they know how to use the technology efficiently and effectively . . . That's another story. #TECHtalkGA
A2: I believe it’s reality that today’s students are SOCIAL digital natives. However, we have to teach them to appropriately and effectively use technology for ACADEMIC purposes. #TECHtalkGA
A2. Students as digital natives? MYTH!! Students can do amazing things w/in a limited group of apps. But they don't explore or know how to troubleshoot or where to put energy to solve issues. Ex. many of my HS students can't center a title w/o spaces.
#TECHtalkGA
#TECHtalkGA A2:
IMO, that's both. The vast majority of our Ss are "digital natives" but that doesn't mean that they know what to do with #edtech. They might be able get on the app, but they still struggle with using it.
It's up to us to teach them HOW to use it to learn.
A1: Hollie Sisk, Instructional Services Coordinator for College of Ed at Georgia Southern Univ. I have the coolest #GoogleEI mentor ever...@itsleegreen. #TECHtalkGA
A2: They are natives. My child is currently filming skits with her dolls using marco polo. She shares her skits with her cousin that is 800 miles away. She is in 3rd grade. #techtalkga
A2: Reality. They are digital natives but we shouldn’t equate that with being truly tech savvy. They can’t imagine going an hour without their cell phones but don’t really understand how a touchscreen works. #TECHtalkGA#gwinchat
#TECHtalkGA A2:
IMO, that's both. The vast majority of our Ss are "digital natives" but that doesn't mean that they know what to do with #edtech. They might be able get on the app, but they still struggle with using it.
It's up to us to teach them HOW to use it to learn.
A2. Students as digital natives? MYTH!! Students can do amazing things w/in a limited group of apps. But they don't explore or know how to troubleshoot or where to put energy to solve issues. Ex. many of my HS students can't center a title w/o spaces.
#TECHtalkGA
YES! That's the right question. We discuss and argue without defining. I define digital native as a person who understands how to use technology to improve their lives (be it writing, research, playing games, social interactions, etc.).
#TECHtalkGA
#TECHtalkGA A2:
This is something about which I am very passionate.
Just because someone is native does NOT mean they are LITERATE.
The key here is digital literacy. Can the students leverage their digital tools in a productive and informed manner? #edtechchat#GAED
A3 #TECHtalkGA
More tech does not equal success. Using tech, resources, and instruction effectively does. Tech is merely one tool in the teacher's toolbox.
A3: Myth: While exposure does help, teachers and students have to be shown the way. Teachers also have to have a mindset that encourages them to use technology to add value to the learning that the lesson is encouraging. #techtalkga
A3: Technology with a plan that helps and creates new learning opportunities makes schools more successful. Technology that takes the place of workbooks and does the same things does not help schools more successful. #Techtalkga#realtalk
Oh, I want to hear more about this, because it is NOT my reality. Can you explain what you see that makes you think this? My current MS/HS Ss don't demonstrate this at all.
#TECHtalkGA
A3: Definitely a myth. Putting a bunch of food in my kitchen isn’t going to make me a chef. I must be taught the correct way to use them. Same with tech. If Ts aren’t taught how to use the tech, it usually makes matters worse, not better. #TECHtalkGA
A3: more relationship building will always impact learning. Tech has the potential to exponentially enhance connection and acces to expertise and authentic audiences but in and of itself it is not a magic enhancer for all learning. #TECHtalkGA
#techtalkga A3: It's like helping a person lose weight by giving them a Kroger Card. The card can be used to buy the right foods to help them lose weight. Without direction the card could be used to buy the wrong foods. Tech needs direction.
A3. More technology has the potential to improve a classrm. And an equal chance that it does not. Nice to have a working variety of tools available. Better to have passionate teachers & small classes.
#TECHtalkGA
A3: Just like Q2, reality with limits. If the technology simply replaces a non tech method then we haven’t made things better, just different. Ts need training just like Ss on how to effectively use tech tools. #TECHtalkGA#gwinchat
A3: Myth. More technology doesn't make define school success. It's just a tool. How we use those tools or if we take another approach is up to us. Can we educate & engage students w/out tech? Sure we can! Do I think we can expose them to more w/ tech? Of course! #TECHtalkGA
#TECHtalkGA Q4:
Now let's move to talk about change.
"Instructional tech people should be the ones who drive the program."
Myth or reality? Why? (Thanks to @gabolhuis for the idea!)
I think the way the tech is used to enhance the learning is far more important than the quantity or type of tech. As long as learning wags the tech and not the other way around, there is enhanced potential in greater usage. #TECHtalkGA
A4)
AKA "How to kill an initiative."
Myth, please don't do this even if you are just being helpful. If no one outside your department can answer "Why are we doing this?" nothing good will come of it.
#TECHtalkGA
A4. IMO, Instructional Tech ppl serve the teachers and do not drive the change. But they may have info about changes & techn. that affect the classrm. In the end, it should be a collaboration.
#TECHtalkGA
A4: Instructional Tech should not drive the program but they can for sure help lead and support the program. #techtalkga. Teachers, Students, Standards drive the program.
A4: many I run into believe their area/department should drive the bus (especially the transportation dept). If Inst tech drives, then tech becomes the focal point. Curriculum drives. We support through tools of learning. #TECHtalkGA
Love the focus here on TOOLS!
#EdTech is just ONE tool, but there are so many more.
Are *WE* as #edtech leaders making that distinction clear to those we serve, not just to ourselves?
#TECHtalkGA
A4: A little of both. They should put ideas out there, but Ts and Ss should drive the program based on their tech needs and goals in the classroom. #TECHtalkGA
Yes! I think so, too. I ask myself over and over ... "What helps them serve students?" And "How can I serve to help them do it?". I didn't start out that way, though. This group has taught me much! #TECHtalkGA
A4: Are you kidding? Inquiry drives the program! It should start with student inquiry > teacher willingness to explore > then collaboration and support from Instructional Tech "people". #TECHtalkGA
I think these 2 pics speak to my thoughts. We must work with kids and parents to avoid digital dualism, learn to be vulnerable but not unsafe, learn to harness the learning and relational potential without disconnecting. The opportunity and responsibilities are great #TECHtalkGA
No. We don't have enough collaboration. Too often teachers feel that #edtech is pushed on them. I try to offer nibbles at a banquet. Sometimes my teachers come back for a bigger bite. Somethings they share w each other.
#TECHtalkGA
A4: #TECHtalkGA Even though I am qualified to be in the role of instructional tech, no way I would do it- teachers have to want to be taught or you are wasting your time. Teachers drive
Driving the program should be a shared responsibility. The more we can create diverse #pln, interests and skill sets in our commonnities the richer all stakeholders will be for it. #TECHtalkGA
A4: many I run into believe their area/department should drive the bus (especially the transportation dept). If Inst tech drives, then tech becomes the focal point. Curriculum drives. We support through tools of learning. #TECHtalkGA
A5} I feel like "tech over Curriculum" is the myth, but leadership in technology means showing how to fail forward. I think we may be able to sometimes better show that than the curriculum people ... and only half the time is that intentional! hahaha #TECHtalkGA
A5: Absolute myth! Curriculum should drive everything that happens in the classroom. If tech doesn’t assist Ts in teaching the curriculum standards, it should’t be used, doesn’t matter how cool it is. #TECHtalkGA
A5: Myth. Curriculum is how we choose the tools. Of course we have to balance the tech details, but I've seen far too many tech depts pick the easiest tool to deploy and not take into account the teachers using the tool. #TECHtalkGA
A5: I think that this dangerous. If it's buying new servers, or printers, or digital curriculum, new switches, new software, admin console training, whatevs. it shoud all tie back to learning outcomes and producing better students. #techtalkga
A5. The culture must support the team bringing there best to the table for learning to be enhanced. If this means IT people put forth tools in a way this is about matching desired learning outcomes with the tools they are cognizant of, I do not see this as an issue. #TECHtalkGA
A5. Everything in the school is about teaching students. Anyone outside the classrm is supporting the teachers teaching what the students need to know (curriculum). Everything else is support.
#TECHtalkGA
A5: I think that depends on the need of the system/school. If there is strong curriculum, focus on how the tech supports it. If it’s weak in curr. leadership, then the efforts needs to start there. #TECHtalkGA
Interesting. They are both constantly changing. Curriculum is always the focus of the lesson. The teach helps with the execution of the lesson. #techtalkga
A2: reality. They know nothing else. They were born in a digital age. My 5-year-old films videos on his iPad and sends them to grandma. Again, he’s FIVE. At five, I couldn’t reach the rotary phone on our kitchen wall. #techtalkga
Great chat tonight, #TECHtalkGA! Thanks to everyone who participated!
If you want you or your dist tagged for a reminder next week, fill out this form! https://t.co/GIYJGx1959
A5: MYTH!! As it has already been discussed, technology tools support the curriculum goals and objectives. What good would it do to have a virtual science lab if the Ss still don’t understand the concept being demonstrated? #TECHtalkGA#gwinchat
#techtalkga A5: Myth, S learning is the target. Tech initiates have to be focused on the target. Those who learn technology through those initiatives can still apply that knowledge to other aspects of life.
The tricky part is when the curriculum catches up, you have to know how to brake and give control over to that department when they are ready. That change is hard for many. #TECHtalkGA
A5. Myth No leader should *have* to change anything about how they lead, or he/she wouldn’t be classified as a leader in the first place. However, it is perfectly OK for a leader to *want* to change, if need be, in order to be better. #techtalkga
I feel like I am, but my title seems to put up some barriers sometimes. THe structure of any organization is sometimes a strength & a weakness I guess! We keep working! #TECHtalkGA
A5: Myth! Curriculum should definitely be the focus as edtech leaders are encouraging change. However, if we can 1st lead others to join us on the journey by making life a little more efficient (ex self grading quizzes Google Forms) then why not leverage the tech too? #TECHtalkGA
A4: myth. That’s like saying teachers should be the only people in a school to drive education. Nope. Students, parents, admins, all have a part. Same with tech leaders. #techtalkga
For REAL folks...
I've got a TON going on with district role, teaching 48 kiddos online, and grad school...I'd love to share the mod-role around!
#TECHtalkGA
Q3: myth. ELA teacher here. 🙋🏻♀️ Never use “always” in a prompt. “Always” puts the subject in a box. Technology, lecturing, centers, lit circles, whatever, are “when best for your students,” but never “always.” #techtalkga
