"Welcome to EdTechAfterDark! Our community was born out of discussions for a rich EdChat type gathering for those of us who are thinking about the digital edu-landscape long after the sun has gone down. For us night owls, when the clock strikes 10PM EST, you’ll find us on Twitter over at #edtechafterdark. All are welcome! Our discussions range from our philosophies about EdTech, digital best practices, and simply sharing our stories." --www.edtechafterdark.com
Welcome to #edtechafterdark! I’m Dan, technology coach from FL—& I’ll be your host tonight! We’ll be chatting all about the role of automation in the educational space. Introduce yourself, role in edu, and favorite robot from TV or film!
Would help if I chose the correct hashtag :P ... It’s been too long! #EdTechAfterDark
Sylvia, Writing Coach & PT RDG Tchr @BrandonHSEagles ... see a need, fill a need. Hope can I stay awake to the end.
A2 For yrs, we’ve been discussing “teaching to your strengths” — why can’t we switch teachers for different units? If I love poetry and you love research, why couldn’t I teach poetry twice and you teach research twice - once each to each groups of students. :) #EdTechAfterDark
A2: I so often wonder why I teach, when I know so many teachers better than I...and yet in the moment, when sporadic questions or tangents arise, I am thankful for the chance to be there and teach what needs teaching right then and there. #edtechafterdark
A2: I so often wonder why I teach, when I know so many teachers better than I...and yet in the moment, when sporadic questions or tangents arise, I am thankful for the chance to be there and teach what needs teaching right then and there. #edtechafterdark
A2: I believe we would lose creativity and problem solving that teachers help students through. There is no right lesson plan that is going to fully help all students to understand a certain topic #edtechafterdark
Side note: my 2nd graders use an attendance magnet board throughout the day. Each magnet has a number, and they know which number is theirs. It is the first thing they do when they walk into class and before they leave. #edtechafterdark
I love this! I have an Attendance Taker job - student takes paper attendance, then I enter it into the computer. :) The magnet might be my next step! #EdTechAfterDark
Side note: my 2nd graders use an attendance magnet board throughout the day. Each magnet has a number, and they know which number is theirs. It is the first thing they do when they walk into class and before they leave. #edtechafterdark
A3: I chose to write a play because a teacher once wrote me an email that said simply, “Write. Write. Write.” Her encouragement inspired me, and my school produced my play. Can I pass a computer program? Yes. But is passing enough? #edtechafterdark
A3 I think some still need a human touch ... While automation makes learning convenient, it also makes it lonesome and sometimes intimidating ... traditional schooling does train more executive function as well as skills and content. #EdTechAfterDark
A3: Automation takes away from the social aspect of school. Without traditional schooling students would not have the same opportunities to build social skills. #edtechafterdark
A4: I have alarms on my phone to let me and my students know when to transition to the next task or activity, classroom restroom breaks to prevent kids leaving during lessons, my attendance magnet board, class jobs, take home folder cubbies...what else? 🤔 #edtechafterdark
A4 Confession ... I am not sure I have anything automated ... I am slow moving when it comes to giving up control ... although I think of it often, I need more trust. :) (and more equipment) :). #EdTechAfterDark
Ok .. I use alarms for things like Twitter Chats ... I could use them more in my classroom - I do have a Time Keeper job to ensure I have time at the end of class to wrap up the learning for that day. :) #EdTechAfterDark
A4: I have alarms on my phone to let me and my students know when to transition to the next task or activity, classroom restroom breaks to prevent kids leaving during lessons, my attendance magnet board, class jobs, take home folder cubbies...what else? 🤔 #edtechafterdark
A5: hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...
No.
We’ve automated standardized tests so we barely have to grade them anymore. Free thought, collaborative inquiry, research and design...it doesn’t happen enough though desperately needed. #edtechafterdark
A5 While I think our eval rubrics are asking for this, even encouraging this, I’d like to see more teachers relinquish control and allow for more verbal processing - more discussion - more tangential topics that can be brought back or extended to greater ideas! #EdTechAfterDark
A6 I want my students to be able to communicate efficiently and effectively, in speech and in writing! If they can communicate then they can articulate their thinking be in critical, curious, or creative. #EdTechAfterDark
A6: teach them flexibility, persistence, research skills, collaboration, social emotional skills, resilience...
It’s not about memorization but about determination. We don’t need to know the facts, we need to have ideas of what to do with them! #edtechafterdark
