#FLedchat is a virtual meeting place using Twitter. Educators across the state of Florida come together on Wednesdays at 8pm EST to discuss the topics of the week.
Good evening #FLedChat, Doug K from Martin County here... Coordinator of Digital Learning, graphic design enthusiast, father of three, husband to one #FLedchat
A1: students tracking their own data is crucial to allowing them the discovery of how far they’ve come. Even if the topics aren’t seemingly connected (eg. Math) #fledchat
A1. To see growth in Ss, they need to experience success- it's vital that you create a classroom environment where Ss have opportunities to succeed #FLedchat
A1. I thought about gamifying learning, like what happens with @classcraftgame. But if a T isn't comfortable with that, knowing your students & designing learning in order to challenge & provide opportunities for success would work. #FLedchat
A1 At the very least we should give students time to connect content to real-world application. If time allows we should let them search for it if not we can gently guide them. #FLedChat
Yes! We had a teacher at my school, sadly for us she retired, who was a master at getting her 1st graders to look at their own data & make solid plans for growth! It was amazing to see! #FLedChat
A2: because people always revert to teaching how they were taught... and while it may not have been movies and ice cream parties, we were always rewarded EXTRINSICALLY ... #FLEdChat
A2: hmm... behaviorally my class is struggling this year. Just an odd mixture of personalities that endless efforts have not rectified (and those that know me know this is something I pride in my classroom and I’m persistent) however students needed a quantifiable.... #fledchat
A2.2: quantifiable measurement of their behavior. I have never had to do this before so students found a solution where they want to spell the word KAHOOT and play as a reward. It may not prevent issues, but it’s a motivator. #fledchat
A2/1. I have used clips, treats, etc., to motivate students. What I saw was the Ss who struggle w/behavior and/or academics rarely earn the rewards & becoming more frustrated, which led to worse performance in one or both areas. #FLedchat
A2. this speaks to why the entire paradigm we have of classrooms and schools has to change - it should be an environment that motivates by design & b/c of opportunity #FLedchat
A2/2. A large part of that was my failure to build in areas for them to be successful consistently. They would earn the rewards occasionally, but never often enough. I no longer offer tangibles, but explain my expectations & make it so most succeed. Most of the time. #FLedchat
A2: I like Daniel Pink's take on it in the book "Drive". These types of rewards can be used for mundane tasks, but we should strive for intrinsic motivation for academic performance tasks. #FLedChat
A2. this speaks to why the entire paradigm we have of classrooms and schools has to change - it should be an environment that motivates by design & b/c of opportunity #FLedchat
A2: I will forever remember Steven! When I let him become in charge of his own learning and acknowledged his struggle became a different young man #FLedChat
I also found it hard as a teacher of high school students and of other teachers to start working on intrinsic motivators... but that could just be an excuse! #FLEdChat
Absolutely! I literally had a heart to heart and said I’ve never had such behaviors, what can we do to make this work. They offer goals that we have been working on, then I asked about motivators to stay on track and ding ding ding! I was so proud! #fledchat#4thgraders
I'm going to have to go back to my man Lev Vygotsky again, sorry to sound like a broken record... you've got to KNOW you're students before you can know where they stand... you've got to know where they stand to know where you can take them... #FLEdChat
A3. I realize this goes back also to Q1, but I work w/Ss who really struggle with motivation. I and their Ts would really appreciate any suggestions you may have! #FLedchat
A3: My first inclination is the continually connect what they’ve learned to what they’re learning. Even as adults we don’t realize what we know until we are talking with someone who doesn’t. (Hope that doesn’t sound rude) Allow student’s teach each other! #fledchat
A3. I go back to environment and relationships - what are we doing that makes Ss want to come to our classroom? The answer to this is the greatest motivator you have #FLedchat
A3) I had the same struggles with middle school students, pride only seemed to go so far when there was not a motivator like a grade or a reward or even a competition #FLedChat
harder to reach and more set in their ways... you almost have to start with growth mindset work before you can get to even discussing intrinsic motivation... #FLEdChat
That's not rude at all! I learn new things on a daily basis & love to tell the person I learned from how glad I am to have learned it from them. It's really cool to be able to say that to a kid! #FLedChat
Seriously, as I told Kristin, I was just reading more about him in my course this week! I’m glad to realistic connections to my course work! Wait... that is intrinsically motivating to me! Haha we are the teachers but also forever students #lifelonglearning#fledchat
so true... you've got to make the learning meaningful, which starts with those connections but requires much more... pedagogy, content knowledge, relationships, learning environment, tech and tools #FLEdChat
A4: Ss solving school and community problems. At one of our schools (Rymfire Elementary), students are programming drones to bring supplies to those in need following a disaster. #FLedChat
A4: I’ve always taught 4-5th, they LOVE working with younger kids (reading to them, helping them with technology, etc), we also have school STEAM clubs and 3-5th mix in many of them so they can help younger, or work with older peers. #fledchat
when students recount their most impactful things in school, very rarely does it have anything to do with content - it's relationships and what you do to allow them to thrive in what interests them #FLedchat
Q4 - Although you can't blanket the same techniques / pedagogy across different grades, there is a base formula that can be applied to most. Then, you tweak and customize. Connect the grades and let the S's discuss. We'll listen. #FLedChat
Best moment was with technology. Was telling a 1st grade T about @PowerMyLearning. She came in with her class while my 5th were working on a playlist and they modeled for the 1st graders and let them “help” with their tasks. NOT ONE ISSUE/OFFTASK Ss! ❤️ #fledchat
A4) I can imagine based on my 4th grader at home that making a highlight video to post on school website or YouTube page (maybe even on their @SAFARIMontage wink wink) would be popular idea #FLedChat
Funny you say that- so true! A colleague and I were just talking about how we never really remembered most Ts being “mean” or “mad” any days (not that they weren’t) but we remembered the meaningful events and exciting learning tasks! #fledchat
Ha - I'm always watching my kids at home... the way they do their homewrk, sit, get tired in same spot... kids make perfect observational pets lol #FLedChat
A5. the first thing I thought about was #GeniusHour or something similar. There are, however, Ts who aren't comfortable with a concept like this. So maybe encouraging Ss to dig deeper into something from curriculum that interests them? #FLedchat
I've never had a Ss say "that chemistry lesson changed my life". It's always how they were treated and inspired, and the opportunities provided them #Fledchat
A5: I'm actually thinking about the first time I watched the @sirkenrobinson first @TEDtalk... it really sparked that idea of the importance of creativity, divergent thinking, and curiosity in the classroom... #FLEdChat
Many of my kids will remember me, but I really need them to understand how to be a good citizen ... I am Social Studies ... I need them to actually care #fledchat
agreed.. but I don't think that always comes from content - I think it comes from the environment you create daily and how you are innovative with opportunity #Fledchat
A5. Ss voice and choice are so important - We have a #studentedcamp day once a month where Ss generate topics that interest them and learn about them - they often lead as well #Fledchat
A5. Ss voice and choice are so important - We have a #studentedcamp day once a month where Ss generate topics that interest them and learn about them - they often lead as well #Fledchat
I wanted to wait to end of the chat but while we are on the topic of shameless plugs, come and check out the @SAFARIMontage booth @fetc and/or one of our presentations get some #swag and come say hello while there #FLedChat
A6. I have FINALLY realized that self care is as important as caring for the young ones I teach! That keeps me motivated--chiropractor visits & time in nature. #FLedchat
