"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
Hello all! My name's Joe Welsko, and I'm currently an education student at Moravian College in Pennsylvania, USA. I am studying to be a secondary English teacher. My favorite sequel of all time is Empire Strikes Back #edtechafterdark
Hello all! My name's Joe Welsko, and I'm currently an education student at Moravian College in Pennsylvania, USA. I am studying to be a secondary English teacher. My favorite sequel of all time is Empire Strikes Back #edtechafterdark
In reply to
@danvkoch, @MrLeonard8, @alexstubenbort
Good evening! Hopefully I can make it through the chat without finding my ZZZ’s 😉 Sylvia, Writing Coach / Reading Teacher @BrandonHSEagles .. fav sequel? Matrix Reloaded #EdTechAfterDark
A1: Something that needs reinventing in the educational space is how we use textbooks--especially how often we replace them and update them. #edtechafterdark
A1 Grading ... traditional grading scales are inherently unfair requiring participation points and completion grades to give sts a fighting chance ... reinvent it so that fewer, more accurate grades are needed #EdTechAfterDark
I think professional development/ after school meetings need some modernizing. Most of the time it’s just sitting there listening. That’s something we know isn’t the most effective for our students. It’s not for teachers either. #edtechafterdark
A1: Evaluation. It has turned into such a dirty word & rightfully so for the way it’s eclipsed the child at its core. When evaluation is done right, it informs instruction & increases student discovery.When done wrong, it crushes spirits & kills love of learning #edtechafterdark
I think professional development/ after school meetings need some modernizing. Most of the time it’s just sitting there listening. That’s something we know isn’t the most effective for our students. It’s not for teachers either. #edtechafterdark
My daughter is in 2nd grade. When asked if she was excited for 3rd grade her face fell: “No. because then I have to start taking the tests.” #edtechafterdark
A2: To determine what educational methods are classics, I think we need to consult teachers who've been in the business for meany years and who have intimate knowledge of the "olden days," as they were. #edtechafterdark
A2 Ask yourself ... do I have any true evidence that it works? Qualitative and quantitative... would changing this practice positively impact my students’ learning? If yes to the first then keep; it yes to 2nd, then change #EdTechAfterDark
We need to determine effective teaching methods by results. Can we show a certain method has repeatedly met our criteria for success in most situations? #edtechafterdark
I would agree as long as the veteran teachers are reflectors and honestly evaluate the practice based on its impact on student learning (not feeling good or fun only) ... IMO #EdTechAfterDark
A2: I don’t think teaching “classics” should be a thing. Teaching is a science. As such, a practice holds weight only as long as it is the best way to reach the children we serve. Once a paradigm shift occurs, it is our duty to shift with it. #edtechafterdark
A2. There are some methods that can survive all sorts of changes to the world. Such as hands on manipulatives are highly effective. If something is a true “classic” changes in time and technology will not matter. Look at Mario Brothers. #edtechafterdark@SVVSDdts#SVVSDTechBingo
Sadly, I’ve met some 30’year veteran tchrs who did not shift with the times - tchg content instead of students - it’s like teaching vocabulary by assigning 20 words on Monday - quiz on Friday ... never works but some classic tchrs still use it when unchecked #EdTechAfterDark
Good morning from Israel guys! I'm Noa, I work for the Technological Innovation Unit, in the Ministry of Education. A squeal that I love: #edtechafterdark
Exactly. Genuinely a “classic” in the sense that it was an excellent stepping stone towards getting students to communicate in a classroom, but there are better options. Explore them! It’s your duty to say goodbye. #EdTechAfterDark
A3: The possibilities seem endless. I think a firm grasp on history and all its nuances--especially nowadays as proper facts come under constant fire--is as essential as the so-called "classic" skills. #edtechafterdark
Backtracking A1: I would reinvent the way use tech. It often gets used as a crutch, when it should be something that amplifies possibility #edtechafterdark
A1: There isn't a reason to reinvent anything IMHO. Some people think that making up new buzzwords and becoming EduStars is a worthy goal. Digging deep reveals there's nothing new under the sun: Greek philosophy- 6th century BC, Dewey- 1910's, Vygotsky- 1920's. #edtechafterdark
A4: SAMR has really enabled me to see how tech can be both a blessing and a curse in the classroom. We need to look at tech and evaluate whether or not it is transforming our students' learning, their own production of knowledge, and their own creations. #edtechafterdark
A4. Stop and think what your goal is. Are students learning? Are they enjoying learning?is time being used efficiently? Are there better ways of doing this same thing? #edtechafterdark
A4: I had a conversation with @JohnAntonetti on my podcast about this, and he said to use backwards design. Get the thinking first, then see if the tech does anything to improve the learning. #edtechafterdark
A4: I agree. My litmus test is, “if I can teach it better or deliver it better, then I am not putting the Chromebook in front of them to do the job instead of me. #edtechafterdark
A4 Purposeful Planning ... be sure the tool of paper/pencil in less effective than the iPad / tablet ... ask yourself if the plan will be enhanced or accelerated by the tech #EdTechAfterDark
A4: The way we can make sure #edtech supports good teaching is by knowing our success criteria for the lesson. We need to know our desired learning outcomes, then think about how tech can support it. Not the other way around. #edtechafterdark
A4: Instead of dressing up windows, tear down the wall. In order to make room for what’s new in education, at some point we have to leave what’s being replaced in the dust. #edtechafterdark
You can never know all the tech, what I want my students to know is when they don't know and then how to go out and learn it. #edtechafterdark (https://t.co/ofHmiQgcMp)
A4. Just with anything, align instruction and assessment to the learning standard... tech is a motivator, but it needs to be purposeful #edtechafterdark
Tech is more than a motivator, tech is how we read write and participate. This is no technology issue, it is a literacy issue. We need to recognize it isn't a binary choice of tech or no tech. It simply is. #edtechafterdark (https://t.co/S9POKW1jtZ)
A5: Yes--the archaic idea of teacher as all-powerful knowledge-giver needs to go. We need to jump in with our students and learn right alongside them! #edtechafterdark
If someone on a screenreader is participating in #edtechafterdark could they read these questions? Please make sure question text listed in the Twitter tools. Kudos if they are already. (https://t.co/R5tdPCtciv)
A5 Use fewer nouns, adjectives and adverbs, and use more active verbs. Learn how visual learning can help learners (who have grown up with the internet/mobile devices) see things differently. #edtechafterdark
A2: Simple: They work best! If it truly helps Ss learn better, it should be considered "classic". However, people define education and learning in different ways - so there's no consensus on what improves learning. IMO, Constructionism-Papert, is a good example. #edtechafterdark
Standardized testing. It discourages teachers from thinking outside the box and truly get their hands dirty with learning. Imagine how many iPads, spheros, and smart boards we could have with the money states pay for tests.#edtechafterdark
A3: I think digital literacy (including digital citizenship) is a MUST! Without it, Ss won't have the best chance for future success and well-being. #edtechafterdark
Standardized testing was meant to keep tabs on teachers because admin were never in the classroom to do it themselves. Now the trend has shifted and admin are more present in the classroom...so can we say goodbye to the tests now? #edtechafterdark
A6: help them find their purpose. Purpose for being and learning and growing and trying. It’ll stick to them and get them to stick with school. #edtechafterdark
A6: This one's tough. I think we need to teach, to take feedback, and to reform our teaching in light of our students' needs and desires. Talk to your students; let them help you help them. #edtechafterdark
A6: I think that a lot of those kids probably don't have an adult to be their mentor, and help them see a new narrative. Relationships are key, and knowing the kids so that we aren't imposing an alien or restrictive narrative upon them. #edtechafterdark
A6. I recently read the book Teach Like a Pirate. It had lots of excellent suggestions for increasing student engagement in out of the box ways. But a big part of it is you being 100% there and excited. Share the passion. #edtechafterdark
This is the right answer. Courses throughout school on philosophy would tackle all of the other skills other folks have mentioned (ex. critical/creative thinking, empathy, history, etc.) #edtechafterdark
