#akedchat A1: I'm Tammy Morris, 21st Century Learning Specialist, and I LOVE @edmodo. I also use G Classroom and other methods when I provide PD ... depends on needs of the participants. If I still had my own classroom, I'd use Edmodo all the time!
Oh yeah ... I've used Blackboard and Moodle, too ... Never did get to all the great features Moodle has to offer. Took me a while to like Blackboard, but I do :) Again, what I use depends on needs of class participants #akedchat
I did try out @classcraftgame last year with my 3rd graders to try out a gamified class. It was fun to create quests and they loved “leveling up” #akedchat#xplap
Ss def prefer to do their math work in a pen-and-paper medium, but I can grade and view work digitally and seamlessly. The notebooks are also completely reusable and erasable, so we save tons of paper. #akedchat
I don't necessarily think all teachers need a digital classroom. In elementary especially, there are limits. A good digital classroom is one in which all participants are involved in a positive and engaging way. #akedchat
A2. A digital classroom without teachers who create experiences for students will result in a bunch of zombies-- use the tech, be digital, but look for ways to unlock creativity and problem solving #akedchat
Have you found any good digital bookshelf’s? Facebook used to have a feature where you could create a shelf of books that you read. #akedchat Has anyone tried @EpicKidsBooks, that’s a fun class library
In reply to
@LibraryGlow, @ASDEdTech, @EpicKidsBooks
I love it has enabled me to individualize subjects like math and reading. It also helps students who may have never left a small town experience wonders of the world through virtual field trips. It offers an authentic audience when linked into parents. #akedchat
A2b. The benefits for me are streamlined feedback for students and an outlet for students to create portfolios. Their portfolios consist of activities, projects, and content created that show their learning. It's accessible by parents and travels with them. #akedchat
A2: A good digital classroom enhances the learning experience. Ts should use it based on comfort. If a T is uncomfortable with the platform, chances are kids will be, too. Learning together is good, though! #akedchat
A2 I don't think it's essential for every teacher, but it sure helps sometimes. I can't imagine my distance delivery class without it. Ts need the right personality to effectively use tech, and it has to be worth the time spent setting up and teaching how to use it. #akedchat
A2: I think it is a digital extension of the class that helps break down place and time constraints. It can help with the administrative tasks of a teacher and help communicate to parents and students. I do think all teachers should have something, it is 2017! :) #akedchat
#akedchat A2: A good digital classroom should have excellent communication among teachers, students, parents, admin - Everyone should be on board and have the same understandings.
A2: organization is key! Consistent, efficient method of submission and resource management. I've seen Ss really struggle with odd T habits in Google Classroom. @alicekeeler has some great ideas for this on her blog, like assignment numbering. #akedchat
I teach a class that meets on it daily for students in our district living in the villages. It works for face-to-face, also for sharing screens, taking over their computers, and walking them through things. #akedchat
Q3. When I taught high school, I loved Google Classroom for grading essays especially. I could make comments, send them back to the students, and have them revise. It was easy to keep track of their work and grade from home. #akedchat
Carlyn Nichols teach MS science with a complete digital parallel in #Canvas. Parents are struggling to adopt it & it. Partly due to no parent log in! #akedchat
@Newsela is a fantastic resource if you haven’t checked it out... leveled readers for current events #akedchat can assign articles and had little comprehension quizzes
I used padlet today, in fact, in each of my classes! Opening question on first day of trimester (computer apps course): How do you use computers in school? Follow up: how do you think you will use computers in college/workplace? #akedchat
In reply to
@spiralEDU, @Kate_Muelling, @AnyaToole, @padlet
@answergarden is one I use quite frequently. @edpuzzle is extremely useful. G suite. Ummm .... digital tools is a lot of what I do, so I could probably go on all night :) #akedchat A3
A4: I've learned that learning alongside my Ss can be the best way to encourage them to learn - when I make mistakes (esp. in tech.), I can reinforce that mistakes are a powerful learning tool! #akedchat
A4. you have to provide outlets for creativity, problem-solving, and creating content. If not, students see the tech as another form of paper and pencil. #akedchat
Q4. I have a hard time using tech in the elementary library. I only have 6 desktop computers. Plus, I only have the kids for 15 - 20 minutes a week due to check out. I've been trying to use more tech for instruction though. #akedchat
A4 Keep a log of usernames and passwords. Students tend to forget passwords. This year I've just been setting up students accounts for them and I haven't had anyone get locked out since. Totally worth the extra work. #akedchat
#akedchat A3: For most of the digital tools I know about, I somehow discover them (could be shared with me or simply searching) and then I teach myself. I'm pretty thorough when I teach myself a new tool, because I need to be able to teach it :)
Sometimes I feel like I'm told to use technology for technology's sake. Having a purpose makes me actually consider going outside of my comfort zone! #akedchat
I tend to share only free digital tools or those with a low cost that is totally worth the money. Most teachers don't want (and shouldn't have) to pay for digital tools for their classroom. And most schools/districts don't pay for every tool a T might want to use. #akedchat
A5: people are doing great things with Minecraft Education Edition around the state! We used @PlayCraftLearn in us history to recreate colonial regions. Others recreate book settings, or download existing worlds to explore and make the setting of an original story. #akedchat
And for most of them, the free version is usually plenty useful for a classroom teacher. It's only when a Teacher wants to start using a tool in more depth that the features that cost are really appealing. #akedchat
It lets me log in to their account to make sure that they are seeing exactly what I intend for them to see, and I can share my screen to show them how to do something actually as them. However, there's no private information shared in our SmartMusic accounts. #akedchat
A friend and colleague once reminded me “the first crepe is always the messiest.” I have learned to not abandon good ideas just work on refinement. #akedchat@AnyaToole
Professional development on social media? I forgot how much I love Twitter. Chatting with educators across the state with #akedchat if anyone is interested.
A5 SmartMusic lets Ss record live takes against an accompaniment and can send them to me. The program determines a percentage grade, but I can override it. I've seen music teachers do video grades, but it seems like Ss all get shy and hate it. #akedchat
I loved @GetKahoot in the high school classroom and also used it for Battle of the Books this year. If I had access to more tech, I'd love to use it to review library concepts with students. #akedchat
A6: It should NOT be required. Ts who are forced to accept tech they aren't ready for or comfortable with will not use it to its advantage. Taught, supported, and encouraged, but not required. #akedchat
#akedchat A6: Forcing a T to create a digital classroom is a bad idea, but as @chlupa said earlier, this is 2018 and Ts should have some form of digital classroom.
Q6. I don't think it should be required unless something else is taken away. Teachers are overloaded already. Last year, I did ten minute tech talks with teachers but they stopped coming and showing interest when I started discussing tech tools for students. #akedchat
#akedchat A6: BUT teachers should share with other teachers their successes with their own digital classroom. Just one idea; one success. Then support that teacher as they try it out.
#akedchat A6: Best way to get a T thinking about their digital classroom is to find a need they have and suggest a digital way to fill that need or make them more efficient. Ts LOVE productivity tools! One of the categories of digital tools most requested.
I used @nearpod for awhile, and was not happy with it. The kids didn't like it, and I hated the way data was managed post-lesson. Paid for a subscription and ended up not using it. #akedchat
We're getting peers excited rn with this awesome #akedchat! Agreed @InspiredImpact I'm learning some new tricks to inspire students and fellow colleagues!
We did that this year at DCSD! We had a menu of options for inservice week, and I led one on Google Classroom Basics and Best Practices. Ts could attend if interested, or choose a different session. Worked well for us! #akedchat
#akedchat I’ve started exploring @SlackHQ as a course organization system because it’s focused on interaction. See a lot of higher ed use. Anyone using this in K-12?
A7: Since I started using Canvas, I actually have Ss do HW even if they aren't at school due to illness or sports travel! They can easily find and complete assignments on time. #akedchat
#akedchat A7: Changes in student performance will come about if digital tools are used correctly in the classroom because the students will be engaged. Engagement increases learning.
A7 It makes it much easier to differentiate. Students can all be working on different things at the same time while I bounce back and forth. There's less time when a student sits around wondering what to do and more time with them accomplishing tasks. #akedchat
#akedchat A7: Ts find it hard to show changes in student performance due to use of digital tools. Ts don't really have time to intentionally collect that data. Much of the reports are anecdotal.
Q7. I'm seeing many teachers use more tech for interventions. Even kindergarteners are using iPads at stations to help with phonics and sight words. #akedchat
He has his own character to customize and gets to "battle" others by getting correct math answers. He loves comparing his level to classmates. He gets extra time playing before and after school in the library while I'm working. #akedchat
Yes! Many teachers at my school are using it during intervention time or allow students to play when they complete their work early. The third graders especially are loving it! #akedchat
Looking for an #akedchat host for the next two weeks! Anyone interested? https://t.co/CcXv9fOdAY I am super happy to help plan if it’s your first time!
A7: much easier to push out assignments/directions for when I am gone! Also when Ss travel, they can see what we did. No student can say they didn't know what they were supposed to do, if Ts keep consistent and accurate digital classrooms! #akedchat
