#TCEA8Chat Archive
#TCEA8Chat brings together members from TCEA Area 8. Join us twice a month as we share innovative ideas for technology use in classrooms. Led by the TCEA Area 8 Director and members, we also welcome anyone else to join the conversations.
Thursday May 5, 2016
Its 7:00 Lets kick off our Student centered learning talk, led by with some introductions!
Hi! Bonnye Nance, SSISD ELAR 7
Hooks is in the house!!! 😜😜
Howdy! Matt Kitchens from Ennis ISD. I teach 6th grade reading/ELA.
John From Sulphur Springs ISD. Ready for a break from a crazy day! Excited to connect https://t.co/nIfez7TKQo
Its 7:00 Lets kick off our Student centered learning talk, led by with some introductions!
HELLO! Brooke, ITS from Sulphur Springs ISD.
Nice to have another ELAR representative here.
Lets all welcome who developed our Q's for tonight. He is a wealth of knowledge and glad to have him lead us!
glad you are joining tonight!
If there are lurkers tonight, say hi before you go!
Nice to be hear. I love interacting with colleague across the state. Thanks for having me. https://t.co/Ip13ECv1qq
Lets all welcome who developed our Q's for tonight. He is a wealth of knowledge and glad to have him lead us!
do I correct it in public, do you see it? :) https://t.co/tXEzvihOvH
Nice to be hear. I love interacting with colleague across the state. Thanks for having me. https://t.co/Ip13ECv1qq
Lets all welcome who developed our Q's for tonight. He is a wealth of knowledge and glad to have him lead us!
Q1: How do you define the term "student-centered learning" or "student-centered classroom"?
A1: Student centered learning means surrendering total control to facilitate the learning. Involves: interaction & collaboration.
Lets get started with our 1st question! https://t.co/SohzjkHYEW
Q1: How do you define the term "student-centered learning" or "student-centered classroom"?
Howdy! Heather, District ITS from ! This is my first ! Thanks for the invite!
I see it. "Here" instead of "hear". My apologies. ;-)
A1: SC Learning/classroom: S's are asking the ?'s and we answer them together. T is silent or mostly silent.
GLAD YOU ARE HERE! we welcome your expertise as we share!
A1- taking a backseat! Student voice, choice which leads to student creation!
A1: Becoming the facilitator. It is incredible what happens when you let students take control of their learning!!
I just got through mowing the lawn after a long day at school and chasing a one year old. I understand.
A1 Student centered learning shifts from Teachers "teaching" all content, to allowing S's to interact w/content in meaninful ways
I'm late... again. Beth from Sulphur Springs!
you are welcome late or not!
A1: "Student Centered" means that the teacher is the facilitator and the students are the learners, leaders, and creators.
A1: Putting responsibility for the learning path in the hands of students.
I think student-centered learning means giving students a choice how they demonstrate their learning.
A1: Students have a choice in HOW they learn.
A1 Student Center Learning gives the students choice. The choice of how they prove they learned the material.
Q2: How do you make lessons relevant for students - besides saying "Because I said so," or "This is on the test"?
A1 T's keep control, but push the right buttons to fuel excitement about learning. T is still the expert in how S's best learn
Thanks! Glad to be here... and watching the cubs... and getting some choir fundraising hammered out :)
High Five! https://t.co/eJx2mntioF
A1 Student centered learning shifts from Teachers "teaching" all content, to allowing S's to interact w/content in meaninful ways
Choice is so imp! There is no such thing as one size fits all. We make choices EVERYDAY. This should not be diff in the classroom
no cubs watching for me tonight, too much going on. Big series, hope no let down after Pirates sweep
Teachers hate the one size fits all, why do it to S's. Leaders need to model this as well https://t.co/Ed4VXbJ9Qo
Choice is so imp! There is no such thing as one size fits all. We make choices EVERYDAY. This should not be diff in the classroom
Love this! Ss guide class discussion and help each other.
Exactly. We guide. We question. We allow students to follow the trails where the evidence leads them. https://t.co/zDzkiwOSUW
A1: "Student Centered" means that the teacher is the facilitator and the students are the learners, leaders, and creators.
I look at it as a team effort. I want my Ss to see things I don't to improve. To share, grow, and have fun with their learning.
A2: Project based learning. Learn and use their interest.
A2- again i preach choice! :) opportunities to collaborate and produce meaningful products.
Great point. It is ok for a Teacher to learn new things. Information is more available now, stay current
A2 Ts need to pull in Ss interests. Project Based Learning is a great way to involve real world activities.
Glad you are with us again tonight Chrissie!
A2: I've had students roll play as business owners answering complaints. It drives home the idea of being cool headed on the net.
We are all in the business of learning! https://t.co/VZDdrBhDZ8
Great point. It is ok for a Teacher to learn new things. Information is more available now, stay current
A2: Connect it to their life with information pertinent to them! In research-let them chose their topic and run with it
Kathy Jumping in a little late from Houston
Second to this! How can you make your content interdisciplinary/inter-LIFE-plinary? https://t.co/Hkb5nU0tku
A2: Connect it to their life with information pertinent to them! In research-let them chose their topic and run with it
Just ask , I love a good scenario! 😂 https://t.co/PAHDMyPdHi
A2: I've had students roll play as business owners answering complaints. It drives home the idea of being cool headed on the net.
I took at workshop on PBL last summer. I'm trying to get my 6th grade team to move in that direction. https://t.co/jsDKjBBAnm
A2: Project based learning. Learn and use their interest.
A2 nobody mentioned the cross curricular component, can be so powerful for this. Make learning real, electives can really help
Q3: Do your students know how to take control of their learning? If not, how do you train them to do so?
A2: Listen to S's and bring their world into your classroom- ex: sports, video games, band, social media
A2 make a connection to their lives. Culturally relevant instruction is key to engagement. Set a purpose in the beginning
Yes. Alignment with other sub matter. That is how adult life will be!
A3: Ss take responsibility through accountable talk lessons, seed questions, solving real problems. https://t.co/LY0dovPrEH
A3: I think this is a common struggle. It's hard to let go of control even with the most flexible/adaptable Ts
I agree. I'm just a talking head until I let students connect learning to their own lives. https://t.co/8o2ACU3E3w
A2: Connect it to their life with information pertinent to them! In research-let them chose their topic and run with it
Great to have you back Kathy! And great answer
When we learn letter formats, we write to their favorite authors. THEY choose. We often hear back. It gets the kids excited!
A3 Persistence, determination and a lot of hard work. I admit, this is NOT my strength. Look forward to responses
A3: This is where I think most Ts struggle. Teach Like a Pirate by is a wonderful book for student-centered learning!
We have an amazing 8th grade team & we talk constantly & bring in other subjects on a daily basis https://t.co/ekLBmFO8rx
Yes. Alignment with other sub matter. That is how adult life will be!
A3- that's where we come in with direction and questioning that points them in the right direction
A3 cont., one of the first steps is to create an learning environment with no judgment and FAILURE as an option
I pick apart her emails all the time for fun. Since youre an English teacher I had to rib you
I think PBL has the potential to really draw the cross-curricular component out, as well. https://t.co/xXWQrKGwEM
A2 nobody mentioned the cross curricular component, can be so powerful for this. Make learning real, electives can really help
A3: Answer ?'s w/ ?'s. Really bugs S's until they just know it's coming, then they think! https://t.co/5vgHnI4BjX
Q3: Do your students know how to take control of their learning? If not, how do you train them to do so?
A3 You do it in small chucks. Guided activities, benchmarks, and group work with guidelines.
I'm cool with it. I'm normally the word nerd in the crowd. BTW - You missed an apostrophe. ;-) https://t.co/iTfbA1TLce
I pick apart her emails all the time for fun. Since youre an English teacher I had to rib you
It's like everything in our field, we must gently guide and support our Ss as the grow and develop but not comandeer the ship.
A3-Sometimes it is hard to let go of the reigns. T has to be a facilitator and give Ss opportunities to run. PBL is a great way
A3: When giving writing feedback, I ask students how they can learn to improve on their own. We discuss Youtube vids to search.
I like the way you think. The failure part is true, but the reaction to the failure is the real KEY go beyond failure
A3 5th graders track progress via data binders. They set goals and reflect on their learning. Ts made individual learning path
Yes! Mistakes are life. Why punish kids for being human?
Q4: What techniques do you use to help Ss choose how learning will be demonstrated? Don't know any? Research & post here.
dont let them off the hook, without having to think!
There is always a fine line, and it is easy for it to get blurred, but when done right it is crazy powerful
A4: Expose Ss to lots of learning options, presentation apps, research sites, experts, real world application.
Considered reading that. Currently reading Mobile Learning Mindset: The Principals' Guide by https://t.co/xqwvO61ikH
A3: This is where I think most Ts struggle. Teach Like a Pirate by is a wonderful book for student-centered learning!
Those of you in this group are awesome, be sure to share passion, submit proposals for conference https://t.co/gNdQNiHwmE
Those of you in this group are awesome, be sure to share passion, submit proposals for conference https://t.co/Uoult9olTr
He shares his classroom and how he transferred learning responsibilities from Ts to Ss. It's a great guide!
A4 Ss get a list of activities and their teams choose what ea. Person feels will help them best learn the material.
Learn like a Pirate is , Teach is , but both are awesome, just clarifying https://t.co/VO98TeCDu8
Considered reading that. Currently reading Mobile Learning Mindset: The Principals' Guide by https://t.co/xqwvO61ikH
A3: This is where I think most Ts struggle. Teach Like a Pirate by is a wonderful book for student-centered learning!
A4 I give students choices. You can write about. You can Google Draw it. You can give me a PowerPoint. Etc.
important to change things up often of course. Your idea is still great!
A4: S's use paper, whiteboards, Smartboard, group sit on the floor (S's & T's) & have conversations https://t.co/EEJ7KbU7ZD
Q4: What techniques do you use to help Ss choose how learning will be demonstrated? Don't know any? Research & post here.
A4- choice boards, freedom to make decisions,checkpoints, reflection
let creativity be expressed. important for many to be able to tap into that.
Q5: Describe your classroom experience from the student POV. What would we see if we walked into your classroom?
A4: With tech, there are endless ways! Any route where a student can create and not regurgitate is key!
A5: Students on tech! Collaboration, critical thinking, meaningful conversations! Kids all over, floor, tables, everywhere! :)
A4- some of the best lessons I have seen don't limit student choice in terms of how they demonstrate their learning.
AGREED!!! “Spoon feeding, in the long run teaches us nothing but the shape of the spoon.” ~~ E.M. Forster.
Agreed, beauty of tech is it provides many avenues 2 allow S's choice! Enhance and extend, not replace https://t.co/YQmJTHt0o1
A4: With tech, there are endless ways! Any route where a student can create and not regurgitate is key!
A1 student centered with teacher as the facilitator . Amazing things can happen.
Desks are arranged in 5-person tables. We do a lot of think-pair-share, partner work, and debate.
Glad you are here tonight
Thanks for stopping by tonight!!!! We are glad to have you share!
Q5: I cannot wait to go back to the clsrm one day to apply all that I've learned as an admin! It would look diff than 3 yrs ago!
A5: A very relaxed environment-S's talking together & with me about the ?'s they've come across https://t.co/7N0bg2oM28
Q5: Describe your classroom experience from the student POV. What would we see if we walked into your classroom?
Sounds like my room, as well as https://t.co/q6zDnPDzg7
A5: Students on tech! Collaboration, critical thinking, meaningful conversations! Kids all over, floor, tables, everywhere! :)
I am sure you keep it mixed up!
Glad you could join us, sir. . Interesting point. https://t.co/Ul0rcqv6Ap
A4- some of the best lessons I have seen don't limit student choice in terms of how they demonstrate their learning.
A5: Frequent group discussion, Ss modeling for Ss, lots of mistakes
A5- classroom and training sessions... Organized chaos!?
A5-An inviting class that they want to come to. Who doesn't want to make a spiderweb in the class while matching figurative lang?
We should all have to teach a class. Would be interesting to do!
A5: Stations that provide choices, movement, small groups, hands-on, independent practice (oh, I said it ), and reflection.
Yes! I would love all central office and campus admins to sub for a day! It's the only way to stay relevant!
A5: Oh, and or ....... just because I like making that plug any chance I can.
I loved seeing 2nd grade's google hangout today on Twitter!
What an excellent idea! I love it! https://t.co/wCyApVWLc1
Yes! I would love all central office and campus admins to sub for a day! It's the only way to stay relevant!
Until you see the students and the struggles, it's hard to make district decisions from a place of understanding!
A5 tech everywhere, Critical thinking, collaboration, small groups, engagement, learning made fun.
and the REAL struggles of our T's! The T's job is NOT easy. They are amazing!
I think I'm going to ask my students Q5 tomorrow...
I want to hear their answers!
Q6: How do you give students chances to practice, improve, and demonstrate skills or knowledge?
A6: Give Ss plenty of time on tasks to become skilled. Provide modeling, scaffolding, reteaching until they get it!
No, it has to be the most difficult job. Luckily, it can also be the most rewarding with the right perspective! :)
Organized chaos...when your principal decides to come don your evaluation and your class looks like this https://t.co/wxXzh3B9Qq
Its important for us to remember that not all learning can be as we describe, certain things dont need Innovating, BALANCE is Imp
A4 We have choices and my S track their choices using a menu of things they have to do.
organized is your key there, learning is obvious when it is taking place, in that environment!!!
A6: I'm a big fan of centers and small group learning. Altos got some valuable T time while other Ss led sectional practice
YEP! And there IS a difference between organized chaos and just chaos...fine line ;) (sometimes I surf it)
A6: I have students build website portfolios. They write for me and each other. They get my notes, plus peer suggestions.
very true. The seeds that are planted when planted right reap the greatest fruits!
A2 making connections and finding what interest your s. Relationships.
Periodically, emails/texts to community members, other T's & have them find my S's and ask a specific ? https://t.co/Xee2QHaRyy
Q6: How do you give students chances to practice, improve, and demonstrate skills or knowledge?
peer to peer is SO important!
Yes! Most of the time it's a better assessment than a traditional test!
Is this where a well designed rubric comes into play - to account for the different products that could be received?
Had the choice to hammer in an old STAAR test, or start a novel study the week before STAAR. Went for the novel study.
Google Docs also allow that peer collaboration, commenting, and editing. Love your ideas! https://t.co/Tev1tg133F
A6: I have students build website portfolios. They write for me and each other. They get my notes, plus peer suggestions.
Did this in Lewisville ISD with GoogleSites. Great idea!
Q7: How do you monitor & adjust your instruction - besides assessing data? Do you read? Blog? Research?
A6-Real life opportunities. Write to fav authors, teachers, principals, and their future selves!
they'll catch them at ballgames, etc-S's sometimes will come find me to ask then go back to the one who asked
BRAVO! Taking the brain away from the drill and kill will probably reap huge rewards for everyone!
A7: I read a ton, stay connected to my PLN, always looking for the newest strategies, own my failures (lots of them) and improve!
Connect 2 large audience! When producing 4 world Ss go 4 good,When producing 4 us they go 4 good enough https://t.co/unXtZ35csY
Periodically, emails/texts to community members, other T's & have them find my S's and ask a specific ? https://t.co/Xee2QHaRyy
Q6: How do you give students chances to practice, improve, and demonstrate skills or knowledge?
A7 - talk to present & former colleagues, RESEARCH, lots of reflection!
Teach it in context! Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli. They LOOOOVVVE it!
It helps being married to an educator. We bounce ideas off of each other all the time
Thanks. I've been using Google tools this year, including Google sites and Google Draw. https://t.co/ZARXMjPXgA
Google Docs also allow that peer collaboration, commenting, and editing. Love your ideas! https://t.co/Tev1tg133F
A6: I have students build website portfolios. They write for me and each other. They get my notes, plus peer suggestions.
A7: Never stop learning. I am always looking for new ways to assess and to improve my classroom.
bummer...my husband works cattle and chickens...hmmmm ;)
Google Sites is what I'm currently using. My students love it. https://t.co/9hNGrPgWkf
Did this in Lewisville ISD with GoogleSites. Great idea!
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER stop learning! https://t.co/0EEHQet2IL
A7: Never stop learning. I am always looking for new ways to assess and to improve my classroom.
My mom was a curriculum writer in admin at Lewisville ISD. She and I bounce ideas all the time!
A7 Reflect often, and always be open to improving things. Im still a fan of the rubrics and ideas here https://t.co/fN51kOXYr8
A7 Reflect often, and always be open to improving things. Im still a fan of the rubrics and ideas here https://t.co/uCDg09yFQH
A7: I've seen districts encourage their Ts to sit in other Ts classes. I love that! It's a great way to learn.
A7: I do a lot of reading, including books and blogs. After my son goes to bed, I go to work - learning.
is doing a version of that with the Cat Walks, great for T's to see and learn together https://t.co/VRgVlkuRPY
A7: I've seen districts encourage their Ts to sit in other Ts classes. I love that! It's a great way to learn.
TCEA8Chatters, thanks 4 joining tonight. Your dedication to improvement is a true benefit to your S's. See you in 2 weeks!
I always see something I can use when we do our "Cat Walks" at Sulphur Springs MS.
I bet there's some crossover between chicken & cattle keeping and teaching
A7 life long learner. Collaborating with colleagues. Research, blogging, reading.
Agreed! I reflect on what I've learned by doing book reviews and posting them on . https://t.co/vnDBgxmn5c
A7 Reflect often, and always be open to improving things. Im still a fan of the rubrics and ideas here https://t.co/uCDg09yFQH
Closing in on 8 time flies. Remember has resources, transcripts of chats! Thanks 4 tonights Q's
