Each tool was to serve a different purpose; Communication, Engagement, Workflow, Collaboration. Whew! It can be overwhelming.
I just keep remembering what the authors said in our earlier readings. It will take 3-5 years to make the transition with technology and you should just concentrate on one thing for the first year.
I have been carpooling to class this week with Amy and today on the way home we had a great conversation about how she could incorporate these techniques into her classroom in the Fall. Our school is a BYOD school and it is often difficult to implement a lesson using technology. There are many reasons, but one that we have both been frustrated with is that a smartphone is not always the best device to use to do what you need to do in that particular lesson.
There are times when your smartphone will work just fine, like using QR codes--mostly, but it really is difficult to create a document or a prezi or do good research when you don't have a device with a keyboard. (Plus smartphones are so tiny!)
We had a mini EdCamp today! I love EdCamps! My favorite take away was PearDeck. This is a student response presentation and is great for discussion, formative assessments, and so much more. I may have to present this one at a staff meeting.
Susan, I have been pondering your FANTASTIC suggestion to me on how to 'frontload'/give background info utilizing 1:1 technology for a book I want to read with my 8th graders but feared it would have too many unfamiliar scenarios. Your suggestion tied in PearDeck too. It has been a most exciting idea and I can't wait to get started on that 1:1 assignment. You have also inspired me to consider presenting Peardeck at a staff meeting too!
ReplyDeleteI have very similar feelings about all of the technology tools we have been learning about. There are so many awesome resources, but choosing the ones that will be most valuable to students' learning is a big task! In the elementary book, Amplify, the authors, Muhtaris & Ziemke, discuss the importance of "starting small." Hopefully by just choosing 1 or 2 new ideas to implement at first that are easy to use and meaningful, the overwhelming feelings will disappear for us!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely present PearDeck at a staff meeting. It looks like it is a game changer in the classroom!
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