The Big Debate

     The use of technology or gadgets in the classroom has sparked a big debate amongst educators. In an article written by Ruth Reynard, she mentions, "Daniel Willingham...pointed out that teachers prefer easy to manage, direct instructional methods to the project-based approach suited to the use of Web 2.0" (Reynard, 2009). While this may be the case for some, surely it is not the case for all. 

     I personally believe that implementing technology into the classroom is something that educators should adjust themselves to. If that means that more training and workshops need to take place that will bring teachers up to par with using technology then that is what needs to happen. Education cannot simply be one-sided. Yes, teachers can certainly have a preference for how they approach teaching, but as I've stated before, we have to adjust to the times and the current society to prepare students to be successful in the world that they live in. 

     Alyssa Berger and Mary Moss provide examples of ways that educators can be innovative without the use of gadgets in "Five Ways to Bring Technology into the Classroom Without the Gadgets." Reading the article gave me a different perspective on technology in the classroom. Educators should not simple be using technology as a different way to teach and present information, but rather making real life connections with technology. 

   One idea in particular that I liked was the use of video-conferencing. Video-conferences are often used for holding meetings in the work place or conducting business if participants are in different areas or locations. They are also used in college settings to participate in class discussions. 

     Another idea that allows technology to be used, but not in the classroom is the flipped classroom model which I discussed in a previous post. Using the flipped model is an excellent way to be innovative without distracting gadgets (well, if you are one who believes them to be distracting). 

   So, there are ways to bring technology into the classroom without the use of gadgets. Either way, I think educators should be open to doing what is in the best interest of the students to ensure them a promising future. 

Week Four: To Flip or Not to Flip (The Classroom that Is)

     The idea behind the "flipped" classroom is that the traditional lecture that normally would take place in class now takes place outside of the classroom. The teacher prepares an interactive video lesson that students watch at home. The following day students come to class having watched the lecture prepared to engage in activities and workshops that coincide with the lesson that was taught. 

     So what do I think about the flipped classroom? I think it's a great idea. Once again it allows students to make use of technology in a nontraditional yet educational way.What I like in particular about this format is that it gives the students more time to ruminate over the lesson so that he or she fully understands the concept. With a video you can go back over what you need to until you have a better understanding of what's being taught. In a classroom generally, there isn't much time to do this. You have to keep the ball rolling so to speak. But watching the lecture at home gives students time to jot down notes, questions, and concerns that he or she can take to school the next day and discuss. In essence, students are more prepared because they have time to process the concept and think about it in depth. I personally am one who often needs time to go away and think before responding or reacting to new concepts so perhaps I am a little biased concerning the flipped classroom. I would have loved this model growing up because I wasn't exactly a "quick learner" when it came to learning certain concepts, especially in math. 



     While I do think the flipped classroom is a great idea I don't think that the classroom should be completely taken over with this model. What about students who do not have internet access at home? Or even access to a local library? Or a smart phone? With anything there are always downsides and negatives and these are just a few. But if none of these factors are an issue then I think the flipped classroom can be successful. I also think this shouldn't be an everyday thing just the same as BYOD because students can become accustomed to this format and it too can become boring and uninteresting. 

     I would certainly flip my classroom as I think it makes learning more interesting and productive. I recently found out about an application called Nearpod that would be perfect for the flipped classroom. Nearpod allows teachers to share slides, multimedia, and assessment tools with students in what is called a Live session. While typically Nearpod is used in the classroom, it can also be used at home as well or outside of the classroom. The only thing about using this application is that students would have to be in the session when the teacher wants to begin the lesson because it is controlled by that teacher. The students can access the session from any device or location by either adding the app or logging on to Nearpod.com/students and entering the pin that is given by the teacher. Once students have entered the Live session, the teacher can then proceed. The students will see the same screen that the teacher sees and as she moves to the next slide, the student's slides will show the same screen. 

     I'm definitely becoming more excited about being in the classroom as I learn about new teaching methods like the flipped classroom and BYOD. It shows that education is evolving and I'm excited to be a part of a generation that makes learning fun and creative. There is more than one way to learn and no longer does education have to be limited to the classroom lecture. 

"Are You Ready for BYOD?" Webinar Report

 

I recently had a chance to attend the "Are you Ready for BYOD?" webinar with Digital Learning Specialist, Rachelle Wooten. The webinar was quite informative and offered a lot of great advise for anyone wanting to know the benefits of bringing your own device to the classroom. Wooten begins by explaining why BYOD is becoming so popular in the classroom. Here are some of the reasons that were mentioned:

 

• 93% of teachers believe that BYOD helps students relate real-life learning experiences.
• BYOD is student-centered. By having their own device, students already know how to use. Therefore, all teachers need to do is provide them with learning tools that they can use with their own device.
• BYOD is both inexpensive and engaging.
• BYOD allows for mobility. In other words, students can access learning resources away from the classroom; it allows them to manage their own learning.
• BYOD is personalized. It allows students to adapt the projects to their own personal needs and use apps that they like.    

 

In addition, Wooten offers a R. E. A.D.I.E.E model that basically helps teachers and other faculty prepare or "get ready" for implementing BYOD in the classroom.

 

Researching information concerning BYOD such as webinars, podcasts and Youtube videos. One can even search and ask questions on various social media sites like Twitter.

 

Exploring different technology tools that you would like to use or find useful for learning in your classroom. She lists applications such as Nearpod, Edmodo, Takk, and Padlet to name a few.

 

Assessing or asking questions before you begin. Take surveys. Ask students how many already have devices. Ask parents what they think about implementing BYOD into the classroom. Ask administrators important questions about having wi-fi access into the classroom. These are all important things to "assess" before one proceeds with BYOD.

 

Developing lesson plans and classroom management. Devices can be used to research topics, note taking, quick activities, journal responses etc. Lesson plans can also be found via Graphite. Classroom means communicating what expectations will be concerning devices.

 

Informing means to think about how you will inform parents and teachers about BYOD. Will you inform them via email, on a website, video presentation? How will you inform teachers and students about BYOD?

 

Execute or put BYOD into action after you have done all of the above. Go ahead and get started!

 

Evaluate what you've learned and what still needs to be learned. What worked and what did not? What changes need to be made?





     So as you can see, Wooten offers some pretty good advice concerning BYOD. At the end of the meeting she asked all of the attendees to do a small reflection and to ask themselves three questions: What? (What did I learn?) So what? (Why is this important?) and What now? (What will I do now that I know this information). And so I'll answer those questions to let you know some of the most important things that I took away from the webinar.

     One of the most important things that I took away from the webinar is how easy it is to do research on the topic. It's a good way to find out what others are doing and how they are making use of technology and BYOD in the classroom. Wooten mentioned that Twitter has a BYOT (bring your own topic) chat on Tuesdays. That is just a simple way to stay in the loop about BYOD. I actually plan to open a Twitter account to stay abreast of some of the important topics and discussions concerning BYOD. Classroom management was also another great take away from the webinar. Wooten mentioned that her district follows the Stoplight model. The Stoplight model is pretty simple to follow. If there is a red sign displayed that means that students will not be using devices in the classroom that day. If there is a yellow sign displayed then there is a possibility for some learning opportunities involving devices. When the green sign is displayed that means that the class will absolutely be using devices in the classroom that day. I think its extremely important that students know what the expectations are. This example is a simple way to inform students of what kind of day it will be as far as there devices are concerned.


Overall, I thought the webinar was extremely informative and helpful. I plan to attend more webinars in the future and find out as much as I can about BYOD as I'm sure I'll be making use of it in my own classroom.

Week Three: Social Media and Digital Storytelling

    


     First, let's address the elephant in the room. That's right, you guessed it! Social media in the classroom. Perhaps you may be thinking why would I want to use Facebook or Twitter in the classroom? You may even be wondering how either of the two can serve as educational support. If this is so, then it may help to know how teachers are making use of social media platforms and to see how they're leering students in with the help of sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Kathy Cassidy, a primary school teacher in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan uses Twitter as a way of "inviting the world into the classroom" (Cassidy, 2013) and Phillips Academy High School's librarian, K.C. Boyd, maximizes her opportunities to connect with students on Twitter as well. Kim Garst, social media and brand strategist also provides some excellent reasons for why social media should be taught in our school systems and I, for one am in agreement with Garst that "social media is here to stay" (Garst, 2013).

     I can also see how Facebook can be used in the classroom. Facebook offers a medium for students to connect and create groups that will allow them to interact with their fellow classmates and discuss upcoming assignments or projects. They can easily link videos, images, and quotes if necessary and share them specifically with members in their groups. Teachers on the other hand can "follow" all of the groups and closely monitor what's being shared amongst students as well as see how students are collaborating with each other.


     But, what's even more exciting (at least to me anyway) than Facebook and Twitter is a new age concept of storytelling-- digital storytelling. Now that sounds fascinating. If you're anything like me then you'll love the idea of "[guiding] a new generation into becoming 21st Century Storykeepers" (Porter). 

     I had actually never heard of digital storytelling before until now. Bernajean Porter explains: 

         

 Designing and communicating information requires students 

          to deepen their understanding of content while increasing 

visual, sound, oral language, creativity, and thinking skills. 

Making meaning out of an experience deepens the 

communication for both the author and the viewers. The 

author’s narrative voice is the center of all the multimedia 

decisions. The story’s narrative is first made into a voiceover 

and then all images, sound, music, transitions, and special 

effects are organized around unfolding this story.

  I especially love the idea of digital storytelling as I will be teaching Language Arts to students. What's extremely neat about this new concept of storytelling is that it's not just limited to the Language Arts classroom. Digital storytelling can be used across the curriculum and students can create history, science, and even math stories (yes, even math stories). 

     Imagine what the classroom would be like for students if we made use of these tools for learning. Students would light up and be eager to enter the classroom-- they'd actually be excited about learning for a change. I work in a school and sadly what I see is some of the same old learning that took place when I was in school. Endless paper projects and assignments given to students and lessons that don't allow much room for creative learning. There's no wonder why many students do not enjoy school or find learning fun or interesting. If we want to change the way that students view learning, education, and school in general then we have to do so in a way that appeals to them and we can do that by making use of some of the technology that is out there.  We as educators have to roll up our sleeves. We have to search, dig, and find new ways to educate our students. I hope you'll be making use of some of the tools I mentioned today. I know I will. 

Week Two: What's the Buzz Over Technology in the Classroom?



Technology in the classroom 

   The use of technology in the classroom has been creating a lot of buzz...but why? "It seems, however, that people are either branding [technology] as a "fix-all" or as a nuisance and are not trying to actually find its best and most appropriate uses," and I agree (Wolfe, 2010). As great as technology is and as many purposes as it serves, it never has and never will be (at least in my opinion) a "fix-all" for learning and education. And for those believing technology in the classroom to be a "nuisance" I say, "You have to get with the times." As society changes, we must create an education system that reflects our current society and at this present moment, technology is what's happening in our society. While the form of technology may have changed (and continues to change), it certainly is not new. There has always been new and innovative technology created to "make our lives easier." Although, we don't want to use technology as a way of making things easier for our students necessarily, but rather as a way to aid in making learning creative, fun, and relevant.

     Our children are making use of the many social media platforms that are available such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. They are using cellular phones and tablets and some even an array of video games. Why not use some of these forms of technology to implement learning? Whether they are being used in the classroom or not they are still being used. I think it's smart to use technology as a way to appeal to our students. The key is finding a balance between what technology to use and how much of it to use to conduct learning in the classroom. 

     In addition to learning, technology can also be used as a way to monitor and control behavior in the classroom. We all know how important classroom management is. If we don't have classroom management, then we may as well kiss learning goodbye because there will not be any as long as the classroom is out of control.

     The school district that I work for makes use of a behavior tool called, Class Dojo. As a substitute teacher I must admit that students behave much better in the classrooms where the Dojos are being used as opposed to the classrooms that are not using them. The Class Dojo is displayed on the Smartboard in front of the classroom. Throughout the day students can be rewarded for positive behavior and making good choices as well as "dinged" for making poor choices. The Class Dojo encourages students to make good choices (especially when there is a guest teacher). You can simply add a point or take a point away. When students see other students making good choices, they learn from them and want to make good choices as well. I especially like that the Dojo has a personal profile for each student and allows the parents to see how their students are behaving throughout the day.

     Once again, technology in the classroom promotes learning and helps students to make use of the technology that they are already using in an educational way-- it can even be used to monitor behavior! It's a smart idea to get on board with using technology in the classroom. The key is finding and understanding how to make technology work for you and in your classroom.