"Welcome to EdTechAfterDark! Our community was born out of discussions for a rich EdChat type gathering for those of us who are thinking about the digital edu-landscape long after the sun has gone down. For us night owls, when the clock strikes 10PM EST, you’ll find us on Twitter over at #edtechafterdark. All are welcome! Our discussions range from our philosophies about EdTech, digital best practices, and simply sharing our stories." --www.edtechafterdark.com
My name is Lindsey and I teaching middle school music. My favorite computer programs usually involve music notation software so I need definitely need to expand my repertoire! #ET630#EdTechAfterDark#LoyolaET
A1 Giving sts choice & keeping an open mind ... I 💜 asking why ... can help take our lessons to the next level ... flexibility & responsiveness will allow sts to own the lessons #EdTechAfterDark
A1. Letting students take ownership is key! Having them establish parameters (and discussing when and why it may be appropriate to break them) is helpful in allowing students to be in charge of their own learning/creativity. #EdTechAfterDark#ET630#LoyolaET
A1: Being flexible and offering a variety of final outcomes for a project, letting them help create the guidelines/rubrics of a task, etc. #edtechafterdark
A2 definitely a challenge for me in terms of HS English ... would love ideas ... thinking Writing Workshop with individual conferences? #EdTechAfterDark
Sorry I’m late! I’m caitlin, trying to get used to transitioning to 2nd grade next fall, and my favorite computer program is Oregon Trail, the original. #EdTechAfterDark
A1: I start out with EQ: thi nags that don’t have one answer to them. This allows them to figure out other ways to solve problem. Always asked if they can do something, or if they can try it a diff. Way. I say give it try see what happens. #edtechafterdark
A2: It requires a change in mindset as a teacher. We need to go from being the "sage on the stage" to the "guide from the side" in our classrooms. #edtechafterdark
A2 I have found that simply brainstorming with students r.e lesson construction is a great start. In my classroom, students are constantly asked how they might go about fixing or reteaching a given skill, something that can be applied to any subject. #ET630#EdTechAfterDark
A1: at @LagosElementary we use PBL to teach concepts which offer students the chance to test the limit of the concepts to create something new. I love watching lightbulbs go off around the room as everyone finds something that blows their mind. #EdTechAfterDark
A2: if I’m honest, I sometimes slip into agent smith mode in my room, and it always makes for a horrible day. Let students take ownership of their learning. Ask them how to find the answers. Push them to come up with new questions. Then watch them amaze you! #EdTechAfterDark
Exactly. But it is hard when they are given a prescribed prompt on a standardized test to respond to. But in finding their voice they develop the skills they need #edtechafterdark
I get it ... though the purpose of standardized writing is responding to a reading & a prompt ... do they have the skills to communicate effectively & efficiently in writing #EdTechAfterDark
Talk less. The hardest advice to follow as the teacher that wants to be seen as the wise know-it-all. I have to remember they know something too but I have to shut up to learn from them.
#EdTechAfterDark
Exactly. I have found when I give my Ss control (rubric/expectations) they are often harder on themselves than me and they are competitive as well. #edtechafterdark
Agreed ... I teach sts how to write ... and help teachers learn how to teach writing as opposed to assigning writing as a teaching method #EdTechAfterDark
both are important. But, I found setting up the scene, figuring out how to elicit conversation, asking the right questions is far more important. Oh, also giving ample think time. #edtechafterdark
Teach your students that the prompt is the spoon. Strong writers bend the spoon to fit their voice. Don’t set limits to a page of possibilities. #EdTechAfterDark
It's like in cooking...if I teach you some techniques to make a dish, you should be able to take those skills and apply them to similar dishes and add your own "spices" to it as well. #edtechafterdark
A3 because we should not “throw out the baby with the bath water” ... not all past methods are bad ... we have to know what works with each student first and foremost #EdTechAfterDark
A3. If we don't know why we're using a tool, or why we're not, we are apt to pick a tool just because we like it (or not) That isn't good enough. #edtechafterdark
A3: As a history teacher, we are always looking forward but seeking the past for guidance and HOW we got to the present. I'm always telling my students "Lessons are repeated until they are learned" (vs. history repeats itself) and they build on those connections #edtechafterdark
I think the purpose is tried and true ... my sts felt like they did a great job because they understood the structure of a good argument ... Writing in response to reading is a lifelong learning skill #EdTechAfterDark
A3: As a history teacher, we are always looking forward but seeking the past for guidance and HOW we got to the present. I'm always telling my students "Lessons are repeated until they are learned" (vs. history repeats itself) and they build on those connections #edtechafterdark
A3: understanding of the past, will lead into new ways to use that information. One of my Essential Questions I just asked Ss today was “How will you use traditional skill in a non-traditional way?” #Printmaking#oldskill#edtechafterdark
EXACTLY! Reflection is huge in helping students finding their voice and in the learning process in general. I just wished there was more time for it in class. #edtechafterdark
How can we make more time for it? I agree that it is very important... I often ran out of time ... thinking a daily alarm in my phone? #EdTechAfterDark
A5 PURPOSEFUL planning ... if we are planning to standards then our focus starts with concepts/skills .. tech can then be used to accelerate learning #EdTechAfterDark
I've been refining my single-point rubric. I like how as a T it focuses on meeting expectations rather than picking apart the assignment, deciding if a few missed commas are a 4 or 5, etc. #EdTechAfterDark
A4: I like the idea of “Tech-Free Tuesday” a day when students (and teacher) are challenged to meet the same expectations and learn the important concepts without something that requires a charger. #EdTechAfterDark
Yes. It takes time. Something may have to go until Ss get the routine down. 5 minutes before lunch, other transitions, end of projects / subject changes? #edtechafterdark
A4: Not everything we do in my class requires tech. Sometimes doing "old school" posters get the job down and the kids have *gasp* fun doing it. #edtechafterdark
It should be the last thing. Opening, closing are how we can do our assessments. What do they know, what did they learn, what do they think they learned? #edtechafterdark
Sharing our reflection is an organic way to reinforce concepts by repeating it to strugglers. 10 minutes of reflection is actually a chance to pass the mic to other teachers to explain the concept one more time from a new perspective. #EdTechAfterDark
He spoke about his positive traits “dedicated to his family and job”, “very funny”...then talked about what he learned not to be from his negative traits. #EdTechAfterDark
In reply to
@JeremyDBond, @jk_coffee, @SylviaEllison
True. Since going 1:1, I have learned to gauge where the students are with the tech. Got to meet them where they are in order to get them where they need to be. #edtechafterdark
A5: bring digital responsibility to a face to face scenario! Have students read a tweeted conversation (for example) out loud to each other in front of the room. Then reflect on what felt like positive communication and negative and why. #EdTechAfterDark
A5: We have to allow them to use the tech in an environment safe and with guidelines, along with showing them how to properly use it and being responsible users of the tech. #edtechafterdark
A5) students will emulate what they see others doing on the internet. Make sure you share stories of how the internet has helped people connect, made positive differences in people’s lives and made paradigm shifting moments in history. #edtechafterdark
A5: bring digital responsibility to a face to face scenario! Have students read a tweeted conversation (for example) out loud to each other in front of the room. Then reflect on what felt like positive communication and negative and why. #EdTechAfterDark
A6: I am going to say "no" we don't give Ss enough control. You have to change the mindset across the board with all stakeholders. It may involve baby steps and not big leaps. #edtechafterdark
A6 as said earlier, I think this is a mindset ... and many need to shift to the guide on the ride & we need to remember our focus ... student learning ... sts are “not necessary to cover curriculum” #EdTechAfterDark
A6: No. But I think we’re getting better. We are a generation of teachers desiring innovation but holding onto the methods of our mentors. We know there is so much more we can do if we let them lead, but we were taught how to force them to follow. #EdTechAfterDark
A6) The key is in the end here—recognize their strengths in navigating an online environment. Just as in all teaching, build on their strengths, not the negatives so often associated with kids online. Give them the keys but ride along with them. #DigCit#EdTechAfterDark
A6: I am going to say "no" we don't give Ss enough control. You have to change the mindset across the board with all stakeholders. It may involve baby steps and not big leaps. #edtechafterdark
Blocking social media and other digital spaces to prevent often nonexistent bad behavior just feels like abdicating the responsibility to teach. #DigitalCitizenship#EdTechAfterDark
I consider myself dark and twisty. But it makes me memorable. One of my students will write a great novel with a witch based on me. 😂😂😂
#EdTechAfterDark
A6: I know that my district is re-writing it’s art curriculum to allows deeper reflection more option and exploration. I teach my Ss that it is ok to not become an artist, but I want them to know how to create something in a different way. (it’s slowly shifting) #edtechafterdark
Yes! I am known as the tech guru of my campus. Truth is, I was just the teacher willing to say “show me!” When my students brought new technology to my classroom. #EdTechAfterDark
