#RuralEdChat is a chat that focuses on the needs of the rural educator. This chat has been revised by Tammy Neil (@MathNeil), John Martin (@edventures) and Natalee Stotz (@nataleestotz).
Tonight on #RuralEdChat we will be discussing Choosing Tools & Practices: Sifting through the abundance of edu-options. We will also be using Q# and A# to track questions and answers.
I live in Wolfe County across the road from an entrance to the Red River Gorge. I work in Hazard for Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative #ruraledchat
Hey all! I'm Matt, based in seattle but volunteering remotely with a rural school in WA. And, @robinhosemann, is the ad picture a large metal hand sifter? Looks just like what I use to mix my dry ingredients for baking :) #RuralEdChat
A1 I honestly ask myself how much of a learning curve it will take to make the use of the tool meaningful. Sometimes we tend to overcomplicate things in education! #RuralEdChat
Have experienced some of those directives before as well. I've experienced that some top-down directives have both merits and drawbacks in terms of teacher autonomy. How's it been going for you all? #ruraledchat
That's an awesome result of a directive for sure. Collaborative approaches to shared learning and growth. I feel a sense of community in reading that, Beth! #ruraledchat
#RuralEdChat Q3: How do we decide when outside influence is too “noisy” in our decision-making on a tool or practice? How do we balance push from corporate sponsors with the best interest of our students?
#RuralEdChat Q3: How do we decide when outside influence is too “noisy” in our decision-making on a tool or practice? How do we balance push from corporate sponsors with the best interest of our students?
A3c: Over the years, I've learned that I don't have to do it all. I try to focus on what truly fits my students, my curriculum, etc. Somethings just work better with adults (like Voxer). #RuralEdChat
A3) if I hear the details and don't pretty quickly start thinking, "wow, that's absolutely a problem I have, they've solved that?", then it's time to reevaluate #RuralEdChat
Not showing age, it is a relatively recent phenomenon. I think there are still many educators that don't connect with vendors and just use what is provided for them by their schools/districts. #RuralEdChat
A4: If I haven't cleared a new tool with IT, or at least didn't check to see if students could access, then I get the chorus of "it's blocked for us". Not a sound I like to hear. #RuralEdChat
A4c: Updates!!! The notifications can ruin a lesson. I just experienced this. Didn't realize software had to be updated. It completely threw my plans for a loop. #RuralEdChat
I miss my chalkboards. I know that puts me in the minority, but there just wasn't anything like the feel of chalk on my fingers and a well placed equation on my board. #RuralEdChat
