The #INeLearn hashtag is used for both asynchronous sharing and synchronous conversations. Include #INeLearn in your tweets if you want to share resources or questions with Indiana educators and school leaders. Asynchronously, the #INeLearn hashtag provides educators across the state of Indiana a central space for sharing. On Thursday evenings beginning at 8 CST/9 EST when you use the #INeLearn hashtag, you are joining a live conversation--the #INeLearn Twitter Chat. For one hour, we interact in real time having a virtual discussion.
Hello #INeLearn. Tonight we welcome a Takeover team to the chat. Be sure to let us know you are joining by sharing where you are and your role in education.
Hello #INeLearn! Michelle checking in from Oregon! It's sweater weather out here! I'm excited about tonight's topic and our guest moderators. Please give them a Hoosier welcome!
Greetings #INeLearn#showtheevidence So far my record is complete: I've never heard of any of these s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g bee words, let alone know how to spell them. But, our Indiana student is still in!
I'm formerly a teacher and administrator, recently served as Deputy Director for the @OfficeofEdTech and am now the Director of Learning Science at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. #INelearn
Bart Epstein, CEO of the Jefferson Education Exchange @JEXUVA and Research Associate Professor at the University of Virginia Curry School of Education @UVaCurry#INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
Chris from Bloomington, IN. Teach world history for private online HS affiliated w/ Indiana Univ. Hoping to keep an eye on both #sstlap and #INeLearn tonight. :)
R1 It's a community effort! Teachers, students, building and district admin work together to prioritize the best tools for our goals that fit our budget. Ultimately, purchasing tests with me. #INeLearn
The questions we’re discussing tonight are three important ones that teachers should consider asking anytime #edtech products come up in conversation or are being pitched or considered.
#INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
These are questions to ask each other, administrators, vendors, and anyone else involved in the decision to buy and/or implement technology. #INeLearn ShowTheEvidence
I missed Martinsville today because I'm "saving" my injured foot to attend #CSforIN summit tomorrow, but I will be at Carmel-Clay and Anderson High School #INeLearn
R1 When I was with a district, I think we were still primarily getting bigger tools from district leadership choices and smaller tools were personal choice, but there has been a shift #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
Q2: We believe teachers should be involved in selecting the #edtech used in classrooms. How much input and voice do you have in your school or district? #INeLearn#showtheevidence
R2: Our Ts use the tools they see as appropriate for engaging students in learning activities. They are supported and empowered by our admins. #INeLearn
R2 Teachers definitely should be involved! I'm interested to hear how schools are collecting their input/what that might look like? #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
R2: I have more voice than I use because classroom teachers have so much more to gain or lose than I do. I'm not in the classroom anymore; I value their opinions much more than I need to hear my own voice. #INeLearn
R2: Often times, Ts don't offer their opinion bc they fear they don't know enough about the tech - it is more a conversation about what they want to be able to do #INeLearn
R2 Teachers in our district have a ton of autonomy. If it's free, works on Chromebooks, and is coppa compliant, it's all good. We get input and feedback from Ts at all grade levels/subject areas before choosing paid products #INeLearn
R1: If it involves money, then district's curriculum leads, admin tech leads, or the building principal. Free products, departments are autonomous & contribute to grade level app lists in the spring to hand out to parents in the fall for student iPads. #inelearn#showtheevidence
A2: Part of listening to teachers about tech is hearing what they are not saying. Sometimes teachers don't voice what they mean but they show it with actions. What are teachers using in the classroom? #INeLearn
We offer choices/ previews of several tools that serve the same purpose. Ask for feedback, pros/cons. Look at data interoperability, rostering, reporting. Unfortunately, cost is always a factor too. #inelearn
R2 Teachers definitely should be involved! I'm interested to hear how schools are collecting their input/what that might look like? #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
That's a really good point, @rhsteach! With privacy concerns, educators might be reluctant to "own" the decision. I know their top concern is the functionality #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
R2: Often times, Ts don't offer their opinion bc they fear they don't know enough about the tech - it is more a conversation about what they want to be able to do #INeLearn
And what would they like to be doing? Do they have ideas or need guidance for taking learning experiences to a higher/deeper level for Ss. If tech can help with that, is there someone there to guide them to helpful tool(s)? #INeLearn
A2: Part of listening to teachers about tech is hearing what they are not saying. Sometimes teachers don't voice what they mean but they show it with actions. What are teachers using in the classroom? #INeLearn
@KatrinaStevens1 Ts take their tech wishes to their admins. The admin usually asks the opinion of our 2 district coaches, then the purchase usually happens. All driven by Ts #INeLearn
R3: If they didn't choose the tool, they feel like the tool is being forced on them. Then we have reluctance, and the tool may or may not be used effectively or at all. #INeLearn
Let’s begin looking at the second BIG question: How will you know if the product is doing what it claims? Watch for Q4 in just a minute. #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
Denise -- high school teacher - R3: just as important as letting teachers have input into the decision is the training after -- needs to be offered in multiple ways, times, settings. #IneLearn#ShowTheEvidence
R3 Ownership! Ts will actually use a tool they choose. They will return to it, invest in it, rather than let it be forgotten because it was forced on them #INeLearn
R2 I recommend tools I love to teachers in my building, but I show them ones that have a decent free option. So they can use it without fretting funding. A tech committee I was on got to decide how my building spent a tech grant we had this year. #inelearn#showtheevidence
Q4: How much insight do you have now into whether edtech in your classroom is doing what it claims to do for your learners? What help/information do you need to know? #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
R3 If teachers have a voice in what was chosen, there's instant buy in. They'll be more excited to use this tool and therefore be more motivated to use and learn it. Just like when we give students a voice, and they buy in. #inelearn#showtheevidence
We usually use Google Forms for feedback. We have a district tech leadership cohort, but we solicit feedback from all. We even do this for hardware...take 2 Chromebook choices for all Ts/Ss to touch and try #inelearn
I love Q4 but to be honest, I think too often we haven't truly definied why a tool is being introduced other than in broad sweeps such as 21st C readiness or engagment #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
A4: I guess the embedded question here is "What do you think the tech is doing?" You have to know what you want it to do before you can ask yourself if it is working. #INeLearn
Q4: I always tend to focus on how the edtech is being used. If an LMS claims to be able to help Ts with DI, but Ts are using the LMS as a website, does that mean the edtech isn't doing what it claims? #INeLearn
Great point, Denise. In other industries (medicine, aviation, construction) we'd never consider buying an employee a complicated powerful system without proper training and support. I wonder why it's different in so much of education? #INeLearn
Yes! So important to know what we hope a tool will do. Sometimes we are attracted to the next "shiny" thing w/o really askign this question. #INeLearn#showtheevidence
A4: I guess the embedded question here is "What do you think the tech is doing?" You have to know what you want it to do before you can ask yourself if it is working. #INeLearn
R4 Part A The main thing is to look back at your goal. What did you want that edtech tool to specifically accomplish? Did it do that? How do you know? Sometimes we lose sight of why we chose that tool, or maybe there wasn't a clear reason to begin with. #inelearn#showtheevidence
R4 Working on this! We have changed tools when T/S feedback says it's not being used or not meeting our needs. I would love to implement BrightBytes, but it's on the line for when the budget will allow! #inelearn
Actually, this year our building CTLs discussed data collections with their admins. The Curriculum and Technology Leaders took the lead then presented to the staff #INeLearn
R4 Part B Informally you can look at engagement, overheard conversations, quality of work, etc. Statistically you can look at participation percentages, grades compared to how it was done before, student growth numbers, how much more or less time it's taking, etc. #inelearn
A nice thing about the #ShowTheEvidence movement is that it is simple, non-threatening, and powerful. If every teacher simply asks questions about evidence, it can change the culture in important ways. #INeLearn
We hear this a lot and survey research backs this up. Educators trust educators. (I did too!) We're working to provide more evidence, including what works in what context, to help educators make better decisions. #INeLearn#showtheevidence
R5: I find this very overwhelming actually. I try to keep a light toolbox with very flexible tools. Truth. I have to hear about something for awhile before I check it out. #INeLearn
R5 @EdSurge has been my go-to for a number of years. I really tried to get #INeLearn districts to take advantage of Concierge. Of course being a #GoogleEI connects me to an amazing PLN of edtech adventurers #ShowTheEvidence
A6: I evaluate whether it did what I hoped it would do. Do I want my students to collaborate? Did it help them collaborate? How/why did it help? #INeLearn
That's completely understandable. Our research shows that schools are overwhelmed by the incredible number and complexity of edtech products. When I was a kid we had fewer than ten of them. Now there are more than 5,000! #INeLearn#showtheevidence
R6 Have goals and classroom applications in mind. Don't get distracted by the shiny, the flashy, the sales pitch. Try out a product WITH students. Does it deliver? #INeLearn
We hear this a lot and survey research backs this up. (I did this too!) Educators trust educators. We're working to provide more evidence, including what works in what context, to help educators make better decisions. #INeLearn#showtheevidence
R6: A great app or edtech tool will promote critical thinking and creativity in students. They will be able to do, create, design, draw, build, make, or construct. That kind of tool also lasts! #INeLearn
Our final BIG question that we should all be asking is: What evidence is there that the product produced results at other schools just like yours? Let’s break it down...Q7 coming up. #INeLearn#showtheevidence
Q7: There are many reasons why an edtech product implementation can go well or be a disaster. What do you think are important reasons? #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
R6 Does it serve your goal? Does it meet an unfulfilled tech need or do you already have a tool that does this that you and your students are familiar with? Does it do it better or easier than that tool? Ease of use and cost. #inelearn#inelearn
By the way, this question is at the heart of our work at @JEXUVA -- we are trying to discover and define what are the top reasons that the same EdTech performs differently in different places. What factors come to mind for you? #INeLearn#showtheevidence
R6 Does it serve your goal? Does it meet an unfulfilled tech need or do you already have a tool that does this that you and your students are familiar with? Does it do it better or easier than that tool? Ease of use and cost. #inelearn#showtheevidence
Family Feud style question: 100 teachers surveyed - top 5 answers on the board -- name an important reason that an edtech implementation fails or succeeds in your classroom?
#INeLearn#showtheevidence
R7 Much of it rests with the leadership...does it fit the vision and goals of the school/district? Buy in/ownership? How much change management is happening? Can infrastructure support it? All important before we begin examining the specific tools! #INeLearn
Right now, I'm earning my Master's in Learning Design and Technology from Purdue and I have had to critically evaluate my choice for the tech that I use. I don't have anything written out but probably could make something. :) #INeLearn
In what ways do environments vary from each other? Would love for you to give some specific examples as we need to collectively develop a shared language to explain those differences. #INeLearn#showtheevidence
A7: I think disasters happen when Ts feel like they don't know why tech is being implemented. Transparency is important so Ts understand why they are putting in the hard work. #INeLearn
The observation piece is really interesting! I imagine you could learn a lot about WHY an implementation has + outcomes or not #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
R8: These discussions tend to stay in the coaching circle. We do have Ts & Ps share research with us, but it generally focuses on correlations between edtech and test scores. #INeLearn
And if we want Ts to trust us, they need to know how this will help them and Ss. We want to give them tools that they want to use because it helps them in some way. Examples-Saves times. Reaching Ss in new ways. Increase Ss engagement. #INeLearn
R7 A teacher wanting that tool & being comfortable with it. If student's know what the goal of the tool is, that helps. Knowing if it's a tool students need a how to on and having one prepared if so. Having a resource to go to if/when you get stuck. #inelearn#showtheevidence
Q9: Do you have visibility into how often school leaders in your district discuss research that is focused on edtech in the classroom? Do they think they are responsible for ensuring efficacy? #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
R8 I think we share new tool all the time-to the point where there are almost too many options, but I there lacks a balance in terms of research/validity/privacy issues #INeLearn
R8 Action research is taking place daily. Admin team and tech leadership (T) cohort are always examining our tools...is it effective? Are we using it? What training do we still need? What gaps does the tool have? Outside research, monthly in NEISSC tech study council. #INeLearn
A8: This isn't about research but I think it is important for Ts to share with other Ts about tech that worked and tech that didn't so that they see others getting out of their comfort zones. #INeLearn
Unfortunately, that shifts the nature of the conversation to compliance instead of focusing on using #edtech when it best meets the learning needs. #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
I have had some concerns this year about the number of accounts individual Ts ask Ss to create. Ss are leaving high school with quite the digital footprint. #INeLearn
Imagine a world in which every new principal and superintendent is asked the three questions we are discussing tonight - by mulitple stakeholders. That would send a strong message that evidence matters. #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
R9 Our leadership team feels a huge responsibility for the efficacy of edtech in our district. I guarantee there are daily discussions. But they are often focused on opinions and observations within our district rather than outside research. #INeLearn
I'm glad to see Action Research brought into this discussion! It would be very cool to see this extend to our coaching networks #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
R8 Action research is taking place daily. Admin team and tech leadership (T) cohort are always examining our tools...is it effective? Are we using it? What training do we still need? What gaps does the tool have? Outside research, monthly in NEISSC tech study council. #INeLearn
Both need to be a part of the conversation. My district adopted Canvas. They provided PD, talked about the why, but also gave teachers expectations to meet at minimum, so they would start using it but wouldn't stress out about learning it all year one. #inelearn#showtheevidence
In reply to
@KatrinaStevens1, @techbrarianDSC, @angelasbien
Is that more because the research is hard to find/doesn't exist/hard to translate? or because it's not part of the culture and practice? #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
I wasn't referring to how many time Ts have to do things but rather Ts knowing how this tech fits into the everyday classroom. Is the question "How often do we have to use the devices?" being asked because Ts don't know what do to with them? #INeLearn
It's great to hear your team feels that responsibility. It would be interesting to know where they turn for independent research. Sadly there isn't enough of it ... yet. #INeLearn#showtheevidence
Yes! The problem becomes, it can be difficult to be objective about our own districts. We all have that 1 T (or Ts) who are edtech artists. But where are the majority of out Ts? What do our Ss experience regularly? Tough questions! #INeLearn
WU: Given what you've heard tonight, what is one thing you might change about your edtech adoption and implementation practices? #INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
Yes! When I taught ELA, I started actively looking for tools that would accomplish what I wanted without my 7th graders having to make yet another account and login to keep track of. Thank goodness for the ones that don't require student accounts! #inelearn#showtheevidence
Eliminate as much fear as possible. Ts feel like they are being evaluated always. They want to know if they "fail" it is ok. They want to know the "rules". #INeLearn
In reply to
@MrsBoudreau, @KatrinaStevens1, @techbrarianDSC
Both! I think we often get ads disguised as research...that can skew opinion, especially from corps with lots of money and big name endorsements! #inelearn
For our webinar, we pulled together a list of useful resources from orgs designed to help educators identify, evaluate and implement #edtech tools more effectively. You can download from here: https://t.co/4c3EYF8xP7#INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
Love that idea and would also like to see them surveyed sooner. How do they feel about it after 1 month? Any evidence of impact after 3 months?
#INeLearn#ShowTheEvidence
I wasn't referring to how many time Ts have to do things but rather Ts knowing how this tech fits into the everyday classroom. Is the question "How often do we have to use the devices?" being asked because Ts don't know what do to with them? #INeLearn
