#SquirrelsChat meets once a month at 8:00 p.m. EST to discuss education technology and tools, professional development and technology integration. This chat is moderated by Squirrels LLC, creators of classroom screen-mirroring solutions Reflector 2, ClassHub, AirParrot 2 and Ditto.
A1: We are able to foster this trust with our morning meeting time at the elementary and Daily Dish time at the Middle School. We are able to build relationships with our learners. #SquirrelsChat
Adam Rogers, CTE Technology Coordinator, I was able to take a few days and spend with the family and I was also able to make it to #ISTE18 this year. #SquirrelsChat
A1: We must think first about the soft skills. We use the 16 Habits of Mind and spend the first 10 days really focused on building that with our learners. #SquirrelsChat
A1: It is also about building learning spaces in your room that support your learners. Have them help you design the room layout that will empower them. #SquirrelsChat
I believe to truly empower our learners they first need to learn how they learn best and the WHY behind importance of them driving their learning. #SquirrelsChat
Hey #SquirrelsChat! It's Emily from @Squirrels -- I hope you're enjoying your week. We have BEAUTIFUL weather in northeast Ohio tonight. The highlights of my summer have been traveling to #ISTE18 and visiting my brother, sister-in-law and nephew in Portland! What about you?
Hey educators -- this is so important! I love that Travis encourages teachers to take time to build relationships and connections with their students. They create a positive environment for learning and it will pay off in the long run. #squirrelschat
A1: We must think first about the soft skills. We use the 16 Habits of Mind and spend the first 10 days really focused on building that with our learners. #SquirrelsChat
A1-I try and give a variety of assignments that allows different styles of learners to have a chance to show their strengths. I’m often amazed by the work that students produce-from those you least expect! #SquirrelsChat
A1 When I was teaching college freshmen, I would allow them to pick topics + activities for certain weeks in the syllabus. Students were empowered, connected to the work, and I could focus on topics they were passionate about. They had voice and choice.
@Squirrels#squirrelschat
A2b: Learners are more engaged and create authentic projects. I saw that learners this year drive their learning in math. They created artifacts that showed how they knew the different math standards. #SquirrelsChat
You took my word! 😜 But really, I think Ts can see a direct correlation between student voice and student growth. So important! #squirrelschat@travislape@Squirrels
In reply to
@MrRogersTech, @travislape, @Squirrels
A2-PRIDE! When students can show learning in a way the choose, they work harder! I love the beaming faces when they show you what they’ve done! I don’t know who’s prouder-me or them!#SquirrelsChat
Well said, Janis! Giving options makes the assignment feel more approachable and personal for students. I'm sure you have seen some amazing work from your students! #squirrelschat
A3: One way we do this is for every standard in our #PersonalizedLearning journey our learners get a voice and choice. This allows them to create something to show their learning. #SquirrelsChat
A3: Using @Flipgrid is a great way to bring voice to your learners. Another way is letting them create artifacts to prove their learning rather then us deciding what they can or can not do. #SquirrelsChat
We love having you here, Adam! Thank you always for your input and expertise. Truly one of my favorite nights of the month. It's even better now that I'm eating ice cream 🍦 #squirrelschat
I love when educators have #FlipgridFever! An awesome tool, a wonderful company, and one of the best ways to infuse student voice into the classroom #squirrelschat@Squirrels
A3: When using technology you need to make sure that the S's know and see failure. This shows them that you have to keep moving forward. #SquirrelsChat
Is anyone else loving the awesome videos that @travislape is sharing with #squirrelschat tonight?! Not only does he have engaging questions, but he's got the experience to back it up! #onfire 👏🏼
If you are looking for ways to enhance classroom lessons that have access to iPads check out https://t.co/zZLun34x53@Joyofpl They have some incredible resources to help with thinking differently. #SquirrelsChat
A3-some subjects are easier to let students choose what they learn. Autobiographies-students can pick who they want to read about or biomes in SS, let them have their choice. #SquirrelsChat
Becky has some terrific blogs + websites from former students that took on passionate projects in her class. A great way for students to have voice and choice in the classroom #squirrelschat@Squirrels
Sometimes it is not what they learn, but more on the lines of how can they be creative to show what they have learned. Give them choice in that and their voice is heard. #SquirrelsChat
Here is an example of a 10 day plan that we have used to build the 16 Habits of Mind into our learning. This is how you can build trust, and the idea of failure is an opportunity to move forward. https://t.co/wK7OTChADa#SquirrelsChat
We used to use Blogger because it connected nicely with Google accounts. I know people who have used KidBlog too as a tool with more privacy & teacher control options. #squirrelschat
I love the idea of podcasts for Ss! I hope I'm right with this tag, but I believe @kmichellehowell integrated podcasts into her work in elementary schools. I hope I'm remembering correctly from #ST4T in 2017 -- my memory may be a bit fuzzy after a year! #squirrelschat
I was just going to bring @Flipgrid ! With littles, being able to say ideas out loud helps, if they have to write it can limit replies. And they can go back and listen to themselves. #SquirrelsChat
In reply to
@emilycarle, @travislape, @Flipgrid, @Squirrels, @Flipgrid
That’s a great perspective that often goes overlooked! Adults can’t always know everything and do everything perfectly. Learning from failure is beneficial at every age. #squirrelschat
Bookmarking this resource for sure! Even thought I'm not in the classroom anymore, this framework is applicable anywhere. Scaffold these habits to create a powerful learning environment for any age. Thank you for sharing Travis! #squirrelschat
Here is an example of a 10 day plan that we have used to build the 16 Habits of Mind into our learning. This is how you can build trust, and the idea of failure is an opportunity to move forward. https://t.co/wK7OTChADa#SquirrelsChat
A4-Twitter has been an amazing resource and sourced inspiration for me. I’ve found so many great educators who have helped me take my teaching to the next level! #SquirrelsChat
Here is an entire folder with our 10day plan, Book lists that tie the habits to for all levels elementary, middle, and high. These 16 can change your classroom. https://t.co/Dah6izqTCg#SquirrelsChat
I agree! Twitter did not change my life, but the people I have met on twitter truly have impacted my life and made me better. #bettertogether#SquirrelsChat
My problem is I've only read books for fun this summer and it's consuming my brain. 🙃😂 May need to slow down on all of my YA dystopian novels! Anyone else read YA for fun!? #squirrelschat
And that, Janis, is the whole reason we do #squirrelschat – the more we can connect with others in education and share their resources and knowledge, the better off we all are.
So right, Janis! Anytime I'm looking for anything -- news, resources, encouragement -- I know I can turn to Twitter. Thank you for being part of my #PLN! #squirrelschat
🙌🏼👏🏼🙌🏼
Many of the #alphasquirrels I only know from Twitter/email and I concur that my #PLN on Twitter has absolutely pushed me to be better in many facets of my life. #squirrelschat
A5-This will be my 2nd year as ITC. My learners now include teachers!! Last year many just dipped their toes into technology. This year I hope to get each one to pick one piece of Tech and integrate it regularly into lessons🤞#SquirrelsChat
A5: With my classroom being for T's. I want to bring new and innovative technology to them. I also want to show them new new things that I have learned about and new thing other T's have learned about. #SquirrelsChat
It has not been easy, but it has truly been amazing to see! Our learners are doing some incredible work. Grade levels should not be something that holds learners back. #SquirrelsChat
A5: As someone who provides teacher PD, I would like to see more schools taking steps to empower teachers by providing them voice and choice in their own learning! #squirrelschat
A1: Everything I do from classroom design to lesson planning is intentional to foster a collaborative learning environment. Voice and choice is important but also creating a culture that supports risk taking. #squirrelschat
While @beckyshy and I aren't in the classroom anymore, I hope that we can continue to share how to bring innovative startup culture to schools. Tech startups encourage their employees to push boundaries and we want to encourage teachers to do the same. #pizzawheel#squirrelschat
That’s one reason I love conferences! You can choose what PD will work for you and your learners. Nothing more mind numbing that 200 teachers sitting at tables for 6 hours😳🤪#SquirrelsChat
Absolutely! Not only can you choose the topics you want to learn about, but the method in which it is delivered. Poster sessions, makerspaces, there are so many options. I'd love to see this same mentality brought to disctrict/school PD #squirrelschat
In my school we actually ran our own #edcamp style PD that really gave teachers a voice and recognized expertise and innovation happening in our own building! #squirrelschat
That’s one reason I love conferences! You can choose what PD will work for you and your learners. Nothing more mind numbing that 200 teachers sitting at tables for 6 hours😳🤪#SquirrelsChat
When you meet students where they’re at (like relevant social media in the appropriate context) it really encourages them to invest and participate in their learning! #squirrelschat
And that's a wrap on this month's #SquirrelsChat! Many thanks again to @travislape for hosting our great conversation. Follow him for more great discussion on modern learning in the classroom. Thank you, Travis!
HUGE thank you to @travislape for hosting #squirrelschat tonight! I appreciate your questions, resources, and the occasional Bitmoji 😜 Like I said before, it's one of my favorite nights of the month because I get to connect with some of the best educators around.
