Welcome everyone to #XPLAP chat. This is a wonderful and supportive group. Tonight we will need that support. We are talking fears. Please introduce yourself and share a fear you had as a child.
Hi everyone, Jay from NE, MS Science teacher. Had a fear of public speaking (pretty much ok with that now), also fear of heights (still going strong) #xplap
Hello everyone!
I am Michael Matera
Author of #XPLAP and 6th grade teacher, and speaker.
My fear as a kid was definatly the basement and before that it was monster under the bed. Wasn't scared once in bed, but had to jump to get in as to not get grabbed.
Welcome everyone to #XPLAP chat. This is a wonderful and supportive group. Tonight we will need that support. We are talking fears. Please introduce yourself and share a fear you had as a child.
Jimmy Thomas from Sioux Falls, SD. Teach 6th grade math. I had a huge fear of failure as a student myself. Trying to show that to my Ss. Also, roller coasters #XPLAP
Good evening! I am Nebraska (rebecca) from IN. I am a seventh grade ELA teacher. I have had a phobia of needles for as long as I can remember (and I actually got over it with some exposure therapy this summer!) So now it's only a regular sized fear. Oh... and spiderman. #xplap
✨Hey, #XPLAP Crew! I'm Kimberly, and I teach 7th grade ELA. I've always been a little fearful of heights. I like testing my limits though, so when in Chicago for ISTE I went to The Signature Room at the 95th and rode the ferris wheel at Navy Pier!✨#XPLAP
Kirk here from the Chicago Northshore. Teacher of 6-8th grade double accelerated math in a flipped classroom. My biggest fear was and still is aliens. #XPLAP
Jaime - 6th grade teacher from South Jersey. I always suffered a fear of not being in control which in turn caused me to have a fear of failure. I still fall into a perfectionist category. #XPLAP
Welcome everyone to #XPLAP chat. This is a wonderful and supportive group. Tonight we will need that support. We are talking fears. Please introduce yourself and share a fear you had as a child.
Good point Jimmy... We should show our students that we took along time to become the talented humans that they see before them. Hehe... Thanks for coming to #XPLAP
Welcome everyone to #XPLAP chat. This is a wonderful and supportive group. Tonight we will need that support. We are talking fears. Please introduce yourself and share a fear you had as a child.
Shelley & I’m currently in the process of a new assignment at a new school. I will be teaching Writing, Media Literacy and Coding/Tech to several SERR, ESL and Arabic Transition classes.
One fear I had as a child was of getting separated/lost in a crowd at a public venue. #XPLAP
My biggest fear is that there is a good amount of kids that can't handle the game or the activities that I have planned for them. I want to have fun with them, but some of them want to only focus on the fun instead of learning as well. Then the fun starts going away. #xplap
A1 I also fear becoming the teacher they tell THOSE stories about -how I crushed their spirit and ruined their dreams. That would be a TOTAL bummer. #xplap
A1 I go through the first few weeks terrified of sayingbthe wrong names! Outside of that I'm always a bit afraid of maintaining a working relationship with students
#XPLAP
A1: Starting over in a new district, in a brand-new building. Been feeling like I’m barely treading water even though I’ve been teaching this content for a decade now. Kind of overwhelmed with new protocols, procedures, etc. #xplap
A1: I always fear that what I do will not be enough. I worry that my impact won't be as strong as I want it to be or last as long as I hope it will. #XPLAP
A1: I fear that all that I've created/done will fall flat, that it will not transform the kids attitude towards school or that I will miss the cues from "that" when he/she needs me the most. #XPLAP
A1: I added another section of Language Arts this year, so that adds 30 more kids, and 6 new guilds to the mix. I'm worried about trying to keep up with it all. #xplap
A1: Always a fear about time! When teachers have time to plan and time to collaborate and time to express their Teacher Voice they can create magic for students and schools! #xplap#teachervoice
A1- my biggest fear this year is making sure all of my game elements work together and that I can sustain the effort...There is so much I want to add to make my game awesome but I also don’t want to add too much and burn my students out #xplap
Honestly I think my fears can be summed up with two statements. One; that the students don't learn anything (or anything worthwhile to them). Two; That they either don't feel safe or that I don't care about them. #xplap
a1) I am also quite worried that this is the biggest class I have and I won't be able to adapt the game to that many students or keep up with them all. #xplap
A1: Ts are my new Ss this year, and I think I fear, well, their fears. Fears of trying something new or asking for help because we educators don’t always support other educators reaching out. But it still comes down to building relationships. #xplap
A1: I am always fearful of not being able to and give my students their best education I can, not being able to connect with them and bring out their very best selves. #XPLAP
Hi I'm Priscilla from NJ! I teach Tech, STEM, & GiftedEd grades 1-4. I was afraid of vampires when I was little because I watched Salem's Lot when I wasn't supposed to! #XPLAP
A1: I am wary of parent feedback when they find out I want to make class like I game. I'm not sure why - it hasn't been negative yet. I fear they won't get it. #xplap
Fears revolve around keeping up with my brain, dreams and visions. I have had such a vibrant summer filled with learning and have so many NEW ideas I want to implement. In a NEW school and NEW assignment. It’s a lot of NEW. Giving myself permission to SLOW DOWN and focus! #XPLAP
#xplap A1: The fear for this year is not being able to keep up with all of the changes that keep coming. Another fear is not doing enough to support my students. Add that to the fear of the mounds of paperwork that await me!
A1: Taking the easy way for me as a teacher, rather than the better way for my students. It is so easy to build systems that work for teachers and admin and then think about the kiddos. #StudentFirsts#xplap
A1: I am attempting to gamify my whole classroom this year, I'm afraid that I won't follow through with the great things I have planned once I get bogged down with data and other minutia #XPLAP
A1: Not being able to effectively juggle the wide variety of student needs in my classroom well enough to ensure growth/learning opportunities for ALL. #XPLAP
McLoughlin Middle School Ss knocked it outta the park on their first day back to school today as they took a leap of faith w/ me, accepted the challenge, & created one of their favorite things out of PlayDoh. 4c's coming up on day 2. #MLmagical#tlap#xplap#oredchat@MSD549C
A1: Hi folks! Whew almost missed this chat tonight! THAT was scary! ;) This year, I'm worried that the change in government we're facing here in Ontario will lead to a "crack down" on creative, inspirational, and innovative teaching environments like a gamified class. #XPLAP
A1: I fear not being able to make the impact I want to in my new role as our district's Tech Integration Specialist! Have some big dreams, and I want to make them a reality! #xplap
A1: Tomorrow is day one of plunging into the deep end of a full year of gamification. No idea how it will work out and honestly terrified of the reception. #XPLAP
A1
BORING! BORING! BORING!
😱😨😱😨😱😨😱😨😱
I'm hoping I can keep students
engaged in my game for the
whole year! I'm trying to soak-up
all ideas to keep it alive and fun!
#XPLAP
Remember that the beauty is that you can change the game as you need to in order to make it what you and your Ss need. Can’t wait to see how your journey goes this year. #xplap
#XPLAP A1 Last year was extremely tough.....but #tlap has gotten me recentered and back to my genuine self. I am nervous about some new initiatives but in a good way.... hoping my “game” plays out how I hope and helps Ss get more engaged
A1: My fear for the year is if I was told to stop gamification because it's wasting instructional minutes. Also ss buy in. I think I'm so far so good with that! #Xplap
A2 Technology allows students to communicate with me in safer ways - without everyone watching. Love when they tell me that they are nervous about their abilities in surveys #xplap
A2: #edtech allows us to keep those lines of communication open all the time. My kiddos know that I (and each other) are just an e-mail/post away. Post at 11 p.m. that you need help with something, and get a reply! #havenoboundaries#XPLAP
A2: I think being sure there are multiple avenues of communication is key. Being proactive too. One thing I learned from @mrronclark_’s Essential 55 was to be the first contact is a positive one. #xplap
A2: I think sometimes Ss (and Ps) are afraid that they’ll have a ? at home and won’t be able to get help. A T I work with uses the remind app and allows Ss to contact her in the evening to ask a ? or get clarification. Knowing someone is there helps alleviate fear. #xplap
Amazing how we find ourselves in this position. I’ve found taking a moment at the end of the day to celebrate all I did accomplish leaves me feeling much more positive than when I do the ‘deficit’ review of my day! #DownWithTheIDidntDos#XPLAP
I used to have it on the board during the day. That let me add points throughout the day. Then I would transfer it to a sheet after school. But now I have 34 guilds and I'm not sure how I'm going to keep track of it all. #xplap
A2: stealing this from @MrsLedford6Eng I'm going to use technology to give audio feedback to students as I read their papers BEFORE they turn in the final draft. I want to make it feedback oriented and formative and give them the feeling that success is in their grasp! #xplap
A2 technology also allows some students who struggle with writing to draw or create as an expression of understanding. I had a kid today who hasn't really performed make a BEAUTIFUL animation in google slides with 68 slides! #xplap
A2- great question! I am trying to use Classcraft’s messaging system to send positive notes to students and encourage them...I have always done this verbally but I hope that the note will stay there and students can constantly look at it when they need it #xplap@classcraftgame
a2) google classroom lets them contact me privately so that not everyone can see it. Going to have a weekly update (maybe students will be writing it) #XPLAP
A2: I thought it could be could to use Amazon Smart Brief or Google home to create 1-3 minute audio casts they could subscribe to as familys... Just reminders of what is to come this week. #XPLAP
A2 its not flashy but students email me quite often with questions or if they were absent (11th grade). Helps calm them,a bit when I can answer quickly right from my phone. #xplap
A2: this year I plan to connect even more with parents through Twitter, FB, Remind and Google Classroom. I like when the parents and the Ss know I am available and open to communication. We are a team. We should have the same goals #XPLAP
A2: Most teachers will need to contact a parent at some point... I try to make it a point to email all parents in the 1st month about something positive. That way the 1st time they are hearing from me isn’t negative #XPLAP
A2 Using a tech inventory survey we can easily use methods that are effective to sharing our information like upcoming assignments, projects, assessments and sharing other success stories #xplap
A2: Tech is a great tool to communicate effectively to many at once but it's important to meet both kids and parents where they are at. Facebook for some...Twitter for others! @googledocs for some...paper newsletter for others. #xplap#parentvoice
Try to remember that things will fall flat at times, but this is the best way to make the game even better, and if your Ss get involved in those updates, it can make them even more invested. #xplap
DUDES! I was just thinking -- what if we had the time and energy to have our staff FLIP the Flipgrid and send positive messages to our students #xplap . They could watch them when forget who they are
Honestly I think my fears can be summed up with two statements. One; that the students don't learn anything (or anything worthwhile to them). Two; That they either don't feel safe or that I don't care about them. #xplap
A2: I’ve always been a little afraid of parent responses when I contact them. More often than not, they are on my side and want to help. Starts with positive notes home! #XPLAP
A2: I try to email home for good stuff. Emails from the teacher don't have to be scary. Forming that relationship also makes it easier when you have to talk about the hard stuff. #xplap
#xplap A2: Technology speeds up the pace that parents can be contacted. It also allows for a variety of ways for the shyer students to communicate with their classmates and teachers.
They do... And fun is good... But easy fun van get mistaken for the hard and serious types were learning occurs... Then fruatration sets in and fractures the T/S bond... #xplap
A2: I think as ts we need to show ps how this technology can be a helpful tool for everyone. Just like teaching ss how to be citizens in the real world, it's more important to point out to ps tht if no one teaches their child to use it, no one will. #XPLAP
A2: Love the new features on Google Classroom for connecting with parents. Also, love posting on Twitter using class hashtag. Hoping to start using a district hashtag this year for all teachers to tag as they share. #xplap
That is what the #XPLAP community is good for... Lots of ideas and lots of sharing... Oh and lots of implementing of those ideas... now you have homework!
All of us have our story. All or parts of our games have all failed. The learning and iteration is part of the process. No apps or games come out designed perfect #XPLAP
Using @Seesaw this year has helped ease the fears of my kinder Ss and parents:sent a video of 1st day info/reading bedtime story before 1st day, send parents frequent pics/class info, Ss send parents videos/work portfolios daily, etc. I’m getting GREAT parent feedback! #XPLAP
A2
USE WHAT THEY'RE USING!
📱💻📱💻📱💻📱💻📱
The technology platforms utilized
are always changing. No one wants
one extra thing, so use what they're
using! #XPLAP
A1: I fear that my HS Ss won’t be receptive to my class game. On the flip side, I’m worried the game could overshadow the content for some students #XPLAP
A3: Currently I sent paper notices home, but I also use Classcraft to send messages via online to parents. Unfortunately not all of my parents are signed up. #XPLAP
A3 I built a website for students/parents so they can access what is happening in our room. https://t.co/ya91dkFVBW and I write a daily teaching blog about what is happening in my room - which is more for Ts. https://t.co/Fs8MXDcTHf#xplap
Q2 I think that, on top of “traditional” phone/email, using Remind, classroom website, and a class twitter is a way to connect with parents a Ss #XPLAP
A3: Each week my core team & I pick 2-3 students and hand write a positive note to them that they receive in the mail. My plan is still to contact every parent before the end of September with a positive phone call about their child. #xplap
I know of his on TPT but I am still learning some of my own mechanics with items and such so I’m not to @mrmatera caliber I have been binge watching his #xplap well played episodes though and have started binge watching yours also idea flood
In reply to
@HeckAwesome, @teachlikeaninja, @mrmatera, @mrmatera
A3: I used to keep a spreadsheet of when I contact parents, for what topic, any follow up, etc. It was cumbersome but ultra helpful to help keep track of who I hadn't connected with in a while. #xplap
A3: Already have weekly blog, everything on shared Gcalendars, LMS, Gclassroom, school FB and Twitter accounts. Everything is posted in all places. Plus parent info nights every two months. #XPLAP
A3: looking forward to these answers. (Joining late tonight) I am warming up my blog, and considering other options as well…New role, trying to figure it out. #XPLAP
A3: I send an email to the entire upper school team every Sunday night with information and reminders about the upcoming week so we are all on the same page... especially helpful for new teachers and gives an opportunity for us to work out issues that might come up #XPLAP
A3 Communication can be challenging when students come from poverty. Homeless populations don't always have access to wifi or devices. Lack of internet or WORKING devices creates a HUGE learning gap. #xplap
A2: VIDEO!! Whether I'm creating videos explaining instructions to my students, recording tweet up videos, announcements, sharing classroom highlights with parents or explaining new tech tools to staff, nothing conveys what I want to say better than video. #xplap
Q3: This is actually something I am worried about. I got rid of my weekly emails detailing what was going on in my class because parents never responded or gave any indication that they read them. Other than that I don't communicate much with parents and Ss beyond class. #xplap
#xplap A3: My students receive a weekly progress sheet that all content area teachers have input on. I also have been using Twitter more to share what is going on in my classroom.
Hmm consistency... As more and more options have been introduced, I have become less consistent. I love using Twitter, but this year will more actively engage in the use of our Board LMS - Edsby, with Ss and Ps. Additionally, I love end of day yard and phone conversations. #XPLAP
Trying to find a good way to communicate to my ESL parents, many if them do not have access to internet, and can only be communicated with via our school translator by phone. It's not easy to keep them in the loop always!#XPLAP
A3: the public leaderboard is one of the biggest forms of communication in the gamified classroom to show how the game is progressing. I also like using a YouTube channel for Ss, to communicate when I’m gone, etc, and handwritten notes home are valued by Ss and Ps. #xplap
A3 Heard a great idea today to use Voxer like a post it note. Record the positive message and send it to the families by text or e-mail to build the kids up. #xplap
A3: We use a tech blog, an instructional support blog, a biweekly 3-minute Thriller video (PD in under 3 minutes).
Not personalized in our electronic communication......YET! Our visits to our rural schools keep it personal each month! Personalized for us is the person! #xplap
A3 I have weekly to unit email blasts about upcoming class topics (not personal) but I also call home to specific Ss that are noticeably struggling or succeeding I try and contact at least ten parents a week #xplap
A3: I’m using @Seesaw for the first time this year, and even though we’re only a week in, I can tell it’s going to be a great tool for feedback and communication with my students. #XPLAP
Q4: Joining the #XPLAP FireSide Video chat? If so here is your info...
Use Zoom software and go to https://t.co/l7fMKO85tJ
Make sure you have Zoom meeting software... It is free and we will use it again throughout the year from time to time.
A3- for parents and colleagues I tend to stick with email because it’s a simple format and I have always felt that it’s effective for quick responses. I will admit that the personal touches in my communication could use some work so I will be scanning for ideas in chat #xplap
A3: I teach 150 kids... so each quarter, I print off all my rosters and try to reach out to each child/ parent with a positive story or note and check them off. Sometimes it can be easy to forget the middle of the road students who don’t get in trouble and are independent #XPLAP
My fam is waiting on me to eat dinner and chat about everyone's first day of school so will unfortunately miss the video chat tonight. Wonderful chatting with you all! Love my #xplap fam!
Thanks @mrmatera for a wonderful convo!
Thank you to the #XPLAP community for the chat tonight. @mrmatera great questions. Feeling alive and vibrant. It is awesome to be vulnerable with the comfort of knowing your peers share your deep-seated fears and concerns around a profession we are so passionate about!
A2: I love to share what Ss are doing in class w/ Ps through #Seesaw. They can see the enjoyment the child is having in what they’re learning & in return can leave messages for their kiddos; which the kids LOVE! I believe in positive emails to Ps praising their child. #XPLAP
Hi! I’m Rebecca Bradley, an English 7 teacher in Virginia. I too was scared of people hiding under my bed and snakes (recurring nightmares of both). I have worked really hard to try and overcome both of those fears.#XPLAP
A3: I’d like to create a monthly ESL Newsletter this year to give to my Ps. For more personalized communication, I will continue w/ phone calls and positive notes home w/ Ss. #XPLAP
I am worried that my game is underdeveloped and students will not become excited. I worry that I’m trying to jump in to fast since my first exposure atwo weeks ago on #HiveSummit#xplap
