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8 Social Media Strategies for Your Classroom - Getting Smart by Adam Renfro - PLN, soci... - 7 views

  • but social networking is here to stay.
    • mkm420fritz
       
      It's definitely here to stay so time to take 1 tool and make it work for you - help you connect to others, develop yourself professionally, etc.
    • nicolecartledge
       
      That is definitely true, we aren't going to regress only progress so we better get up to speed now of we will be left behind and out of touch with our students! Nicole Cartledge
    • Abigail Church
       
      I was watching Jeopardy, and one of the contestants was a teacher that did not even own a phone. I thought to myself, how is he going to be able to teach these students how to be smart with their social media experiences if he does not even use them. While I understand the concept, I think it is best if we all just get with the program and understand that it is not going anywhere anytime soon. We should prepare ourselves to help our students be smart with social media instead of simply turning our heads.
    • Lauren Neary
       
      Social media is here to stay!  It love the concept of how education is changing to incorporate more social media in the classroom.  Not only is it an advantage for students learning, but it also helps teachers stay connected with one another and allows collaboration 24/7. -Lauren Neary
    • Cecilia Zapiec
       
      I think that we have an opportunity here to use social media for good and to show naysayers how much of a positive impact social media can have when applied appropriately and thoughtfully. Even though it may feel overwhelming at times, we should try and incorporate social media when it is practical and beneficial. Ideally, schools would have all the necessary supplies so teachers can have ipads/computers at their disposal...one day
    • Daniel DiBona
       
      Personally social media will be the next wave of teaching innovation. Especially if the surface commerical goes true. I don't know if anyone else has seen the teacher commerical for microsoft, but it talks about a classroom environoment where each student will learn using a tablet and not just the blackboard. So if this scenario where to come true, we will need social media more than ever.-Dan DiBona
    • Trina Ferringo
       
      Social networking is not going anywear. We all, (children and adults) have grown comfortable with social media. I really do not see society drifting away from social media devices because of all the positive outcomes which come from utilizing it, especially in an educational setting.
    • Bernice De Jesus
       
      Yes, Social networking is here to stay and it getting more and more pleaced in the school system, so we as teachers have to make it a positive devices in the classroom. Great post.
  • Twitter
    • mkm420fritz
       
      I Twitter is the tool you'd like to "master", I suggest you look into the hashtags/chats I posted on our class website. You can attend these through Twitter and learn so much!
    • Bernice De Jesus
       
      Dr. Fritz, I did learn about twitter in this class, I would alway thing why do I want to tell others what I'm doing every min. of the day. After this class I see that you can learn alot of information on twitter, you can share places to research information pertaining to school, and class information. Again I'm so glad I was able to take this class to learn more about twitter, and I have been able to learn more about Linkedin as well. Great information. Bernice
  •  Flipping your classroom allows you to double your teaching capacity and extend the learning day for students.
    • emiblaser
       
      It is very interesting to see the concept of a flipped classroom here, as I just came across this article (http://www.edutopia.org/blog/biggest-hurdle-flipping-your-class-jon-bergmann) earlier this week. Filming lectures and creating videos allows students to access the information on their own later and gives you time and opportunity to work with students who need more help, as this quote states, and this is wonderful. The article I linked to argues that a truly flipped classroom takes this concept further and requires students to create the content for themselves and create their own learning. I think that including opportunities for both will be very helpful for both the students and for us. I wanted to find out more about what a "flipped" classroom really is, so I did some research and came across this article http://www.edutopia.org/blog/rethinking-the-flipped-classroom-idit-harel-caperton that I think gives a pretty good explanation of what it is and discusses the pros and cons of the "flipped model." This http://www.edutopia.org/blog/film-festival-flipped-classroom links to a playlist of videos in a sort of "film festival" of flipped classrooms. If you are interested in what all this is, check the links out, it helped explain it all for me! - Emi Blaser
    • nicolecartledge
       
      Thanks for the article. This is the first time I have heard of flipping the classroom but I absolutely see the benefit. I think the point you made about allowing the teacher time to give individual attention is a very big deal, especially in my field of special education. 'Doubling your teaching capacity' is an immeasurable help! Nicole Cartledge
    • Abigail Church
       
      Something to remember as well is that flipped can work at any age. It does not have to be full teacher powerpoint lessons given for homework. This idea can be even for kindergarten level to get a head start on the learning process so when they come to school, they are prepared to do the hands-on learning part. Nicole, I would suggest looking more into this, as I use it in my student teaching classroom and it is amazing! Coming from a special education background originally, I think it would be extra beneficial to your field of study. Your students learn in a much different way, and anything that can help enhance their learning in order to reach those IEP goals is a big deal. While not many special education teachers like to give homework to their kids, I would suggest using it because you may see a great improvement in you mild/ moderate and learning impaired students!
    • emiblaser
       
      Abigail, great point about using it in even the youngest classrooms! I can see how it would be very beneficial for kids who are struggling and need to see a lesson again. I'd love to hear more about how you used it in K- what kinds of lessons did you do it with, how did you structure the time in class? Thanks! -Emi Blaser
    • nicolecartledge
       
      Thanks for the suggestion. Since I haven't had hands on with teaching in a special education classroom yet it only seemed like it would be very beneficial so I am encouraged to hear that you have seen results with mild to moderate category students. I am definitely incorporating this once I am in the classsroom. It really provideshelpful support before a lesson to activate learning, during to provide multple perspectives and free the teacher to further engage or explain, and after as a review. Thanks again. Nicole Cartledge
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • Twitter will be your social media workhorse. Use it to push out calendar notices, classroom tips, celebrations, links, polls, and the occasional personal message to remind followers you’re a human and not a bot. Encourage parents to follow, too.
    • Danielle Malone
       
      I love this idea! Before this class I struggled with the idea of having a twitter account for the classroom, but I had never really thought about how important it could be for parents, as well as children. I know a lot of people my age or slightly older that have kids and still depend on social media, twitter included, for daily news on just the things that interest them. How great would it be for those kinds of parents to follow the classroom twitter feed and just see information occasionally but still feel like they're a part of the classroom? I think that anytime we can get information out to parents without them actively thinking about it, it's a win, and that's certainly one of the possibilities with Twitter!
    • nicolecartledge
       
      I too think this is a great tool that teacher can utlize in the classroom both to engage students and inform parents. You can reach parent who might not be involded through more traditional routes and it is easy, like you mentioned. It is not something else they have to do since chances are they are already checking tweets, etc. they don't have to go to the class website or only rely on the papers that come home with their student to be involved and informed. Nicole Cartledge
    • emiblaser
       
      I agree with you both, that twitter can be a great tool to connect with parents in a new way. I am in elementary (kinder-first), so sometimes I don't see how a tool can be useful to me and my kiddos, but I don't always think about how it can help with parents. Like you both said, many parents are too busy to participate in their child's classroom in traditional ways, but by getting the news and keeping in touch in a way that they are already using, they can feel connected. I have been dragging my feet about really using the account I signed up for so long ago, and I think I am about ready to take the leap! -Emi Blaser
    • Cecilia Zapiec
       
      Twitter could be one of the most useful social tools. I think if many parents are on twitter, it's a quick and easy way to keep parents up to date and make them feel more informed and involved. Something I will consider in the future...
  • Other teachers will follow and soon you will share video production duties. You can create those literary video lessons you love, and let the grammar nerd colleague down the hall create the “they’re-their-there” videos. You’ve tripled your capacity now!
    • nicolecartledge
       
      Okay, so this is the first I'd heard of 'flipping your classroom' but the concept seems both simple and practical. I like the idea of being prepared ahead of time and allowing for the chance to interject and respond to students during the presentation without loosing your train of thought. It can be viewed again by students who may need extra time to process it or who prefer to work outside of the classroom walls. The best part about this to me, if the library you can build by sharing. This does lighten the work load and allows teacher to really focus on their area of expertise. You still have the chance to add on and make it personal during presentation since you are facilitating it, what a great idea! I will be utilizing this.
    • nicolecartledge
       
      Sorry forgot to label it-Nicole Cartledge
    • emiblaser
       
      I think you made great points about the capacity of the videos to increase time and sharing between teachers. The school I am volunteering at right now has a server for teachers to access documents and ideas, and just today the teacher I am with grabbed a behavior plan template to tailor to two of her students. Sharing resources like this cuts down on prep time and keeps teachers from having to reinvent the wheel. I think it adding videos would be a wonderful addition! Also, if you had to be absent, you could prerecord lessons that the sub could use and supplement. - Emi Blaser
    • Rachael Herr
       
      Nicole your comment really made me think about the flipped classroom. The first time earlier this year when I had heard of it, I wasn't sure how I felt about the concept. I was worried about differentiation, and what kind of gaps there would be if students were solely required to watch the videos at home (and didn't). What you said about personalizing it during the presentation made me see how differentiation could still be possible, and the idea of having a library of lessons allows you to still give formative assessments and make changes where necessary. Thanks for your post! - Rachael Herr
  • Students who use Twitter to contribute to class discussion more than double their class contributions.
    • nicolecartledge
       
      That statistic in itself is staggering, it absolutely gives reason to utilize this type of input format. To increase participation and more importantly allow those who wouldn't have verbally spoken up to take part in the conversation is a wonderful and very desirable benefit. I think this should be incorporated whenever possible to allow different learning styles to comfortably express themselves. Nicole Cartledge
    • Rachael Herr
       
      Nicole I couldn't agree more. As teachers we have to find ways to engage and reach all of our students, to the best of our ability (and then some). Seeing how connected students are to media, and how many resources are out there to get educators started with using Twitter in the classroom, vibrant class discussions should now be something every class is experiencing. -- Rachael Herr
    • Abigail Church
       
      Nicole, you have brought a good point about how other students communicate. Not all students want to sit in class and raise their hands to participate with the discussion. Many are shy or nervous, whether because of ESL or simple personality feelings. Something like Twitter in the classroom does help to reach the vast population and allow for all of our students to be a part of the discussion. Twitter is something I do not stay with very much, but it may be something- should I eventually choose to work with upper grades- that I join and add to my class participation.
    • Trina Ferringo
       
      I agree it should be utilized in the classroom with students. Like you stated in can increase participation and the fact parents can follow what their children post allows the parent to be connected to what is happening inside the classroom.
    • Trina Ferringo
       
      Again forgot my name...Trina Ferringo
    • Danielle Malone
       
      I'm going to throw my hat in and agree with you and everyone else - Twitter could absolutely become a way for shy students to feel comfortable participating in class. I think it can also go a step beyond that as well, and provide a way for students to sort of archive their participation and go back and re-read it later to help them study. Everything that's posted on Twitter goes into the public record, so categorizing everything with a simple hashtag makes the class conversation a virtual study guide. I love the idea of using it in class, and I hope it's something my future school supports as well! (Danielle Malone)
  • Simple, if you have your lessons on your computer anyhow (worksheets Powerpoints, etc), create a 5-minute videos with Jing (see below) that reviews and explains the material and post to SchoolTube or YouTube. Students can watch from home, in the hallway, or on the bus. If you show the videos in your own classroom, you can then facilitate your own instruction.
    • Abigail Church
       
      I have worked on flipping a classroom with my CT and the results are amazing! We use brainpopjr.com to help enhance social studies and science learning in our 2nd grade classroom and the students come in already prepared to do the hands on learning part. The "lesson" part is finished when they watch the video or powerpoint. The class time can then be used to do hands on learning. For science, I am in a STEAM room, so we do investigations with our time. We have also used videos in the classroom from time to time. I did this for my second video lesson and I think it went really well as well. There is simply so much to say, and it is so easily said with some of these strategies!
    • William Masters
       
      I think sometimes people view the flipped classroom as something only for older students. These are great examples for flipping a classroom with younger grades. Thanks for sharing them. I have done the same with Brain Pop for my students. If you have a wiki or a blog you can also link to YouTube videos or other online content. It gives you a lot more time to work with the content if it can front loaded out of class. Clark Masters 
    • Daniel DiBona
       
      I think with the brainpop videos it is great that they are short and sweet. That holds the students attention at any grade level like Clark said, but especially with the younger students. Too short of a video and you are just wasting their time moving them back and forth. Too long a video and you could lose your students so glad you have had a good experience with it. - Dan DiBona
    • Trina Ferringo
       
      I have seen Brain Pop used in both Language Arts and a Math class. When the teacher said we are going to watch a Brain Pop video, the students became enthusiastic. What I also noticed, is when the video was playing, they actually payed attention. You could see, these short, but useful videos, assisted with students understanding the lesson more and they also found enjoyment in learning.
    • Jingyun He
       
      This way of teaching is very useful to those who have struggling in learning since they can watch vidoes at home to learn more. They can watch and listen to the same lesson that they did in school. Then doing so can help them learn.
  • If you’ve not already done so, create a Facebook Page to connect with students. This is a good place to celebrate students and their successes.
    • Trina Ferringo
       
      Even though Facebook should not be used on a personal level to connect with students it would be a great social media device to use with student on an educational level ,with focusing not necessarily on instruction all the time, but on caring. Students can support one another in a postive environment with an educator overseeing it. Also, teachers can support their students through encouraging comments and posts.
    • Trina Ferringo
       
      Forgot to place my name on comment....Trina Ferringo
    • nicolecartledge
       
      That is a big part of supporting students and I think Facebook can be a tool that can effectively do just that. It can be utilized to help the students with educational related concerns, as well as to dissiminate informaiton, and it shows the teacher is available for support as well as utilizing the support of classmates through these media tools. Nicole Cartledge
    • Daniel DiBona
       
      Facebook and other social media sites are a great way for those students who are absent to really still connect with the teacher and the other students. By building a group on one of those sites as a teacher you as the teacher can help the students set up at home study groups and build their online PLNs.-Dan DiBona
    • Bernice De Jesus
       
      Yes I do like facebook as a leaning tools, but we have to keep it just that way, a learning tools. Many teacher and students have to keep it very professional so all that use facebook are protected. Great post Bernice De Jesus
  • Do you need both Twitter and Facebook in your social media strategy? No, set the bar on what you can handle in terms of time and effort. Measure your Return on Investment (ROI) with each.
    • Daniel DiBona
       
      I wanted to comment on this statement because as a new teacher I still am a bit overwhelmed with all of the new options available to me. So I am glad that those who are setting up these sites are still suggesting to work to our own comfort level. Those questions are very helpful in figuring out what I need to do to make sure the students are using the programs correctly. I also liked the point after the highlight I made was that you don't have to use these sites because there are so many other options, but since most of our students will already be on these sites, the transitions in the class are a lot quicker and a lot simpler to set up.
    • Rachael Herr
       
      I think looking at social media in education in terms of your ROI is really smart. I agree with your comment, Dan, on working to your own comfort level, especially when there are so many available resources out there. I think for new teachers (as well as teachers new to using social media in their instruction) having this mindset is important to keep things in perspective. -- Rachael Herr
  • Engagement is another important reason to use social networking. We know that a student who is engaged with content will learn better.  The more we can make schools seem like the world that exists outside of the 8a.m.-to-3:30p.m. confines, the better.
    • Bernice De Jesus
       
      I can attest that students who are fully egaged in social media networking as part of their total learning experience, in many cases, learn better through this out-of-classroom experience. They are more eager to partake in constructive discussions with their peers by way of a method that they are accustomed to. Prior to taking this course, I was unaware of the all the ways that social media could be utilized within the classroom to enhance learning.
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You May Be a 21st Century Educator If... - Getting Smart by John Hardison - 21stedchat,... - 10 views

  • Participating in a Saturday #edcamp
    • mkm420fritz
       
      These are the hastag/chats through Twitter that I references in the other article and on our class wikispace. THey are so beneficial and really help you add other educators to your PLN.
  • You’re on an incessant search for tech tools (not tech toys) that will help students learn more efficiently, creatively, and collaboratively. Without a doubt, the learning objectives are the primary focus and educational technology is secondary.
  • You’re on an incessant search for tech tools (not tech toys) that will help students learn more efficiently, creatively, and collaboratively. Without a doubt, the learning objectives are the primary focus and educational technology is secondary.
    • William Masters
       
      This was one of my favorite descriptions because of all of the tools that we have learned about during the course. I think at one point I was feeling a little overwhelmed by being exposed to so many new platforms and tools for learning. However, as I have continued to learn more, I feel that I am able to look at social media tools more critically and better imagine the learning possibilities that they might lead to. I agree these tools can exist to help students work more effectively, creatively and collaboratively, but I also think they increase motivation and interest when students are allowed to try new things. The point does need to be on the learning though. The technology is only there to enhance and deepen the experience. Clark Masters
    • emiblaser
       
      Clark, I absolutely agree with you. There are SO many tools out there, and both in this class and EDUC 525 I felt very overwhelmed by all the new ones we were exposed to each week. This quote does a great job of breaking it down- technology is supposed to improve our ability to teach, and we only have to include the ones that work for us and our classes. There was a quote on the other article that talked about a similar idea: "No, set the bar on what you can handle in terms of time and effort. Measure your Return on Investment (ROI) with each." Social media tools can be considered toys sometimes, and if we don't know how to use them the right way, they never make the jump from toy to tool. For me, choosing those tools that I can use to be tools, and focusing on those, keeps me from getting too overwhelmed. - Emi Blaser
    • mkm420fritz
       
      I would love to do a follow up to this course (or make it 3 credits) so that we can really dig deeper with a few tools and create, use, enhance our PLN.
    • Rachael Herr
       
      Clark (and Emi) I completely agree with both of your comments. This quote for me goes back to the concept of backward design; you have to have a clear idea of your instructional objective and goal before you can effectively plan your lesson (and in this case, execute it using educational technology tools). I think learning how to sort and sift through the plethora of tools available is something that this class has taught us, and will be invaluable as we incorporate different aspects of technology and social media into our teaching. - Rachael Herr
    • emiblaser
       
      Good point about backwards design! I think that idea makes a really good parallel with this one. -Emi Blaser
    • typhany sellers
       
      Clark, thanks for your comment here!  I had trouble when reading several of these quotes because I wish I could use these techy tools in my low-income high population and anti-device school, that it was difficult to get insight. I'm excited to see and hear of all the updates happening here, and as someone said previously, this reminds me of the backward design approach -- that is, finding items and activities to enhance the lesson (and not making the lesson out of the tools/activities).   Thanks for sharing!
    • Meredith Tate
       
      (Meredith Tate) I think this comment brings up a great point. At times, I have seen teachers make a solid effort to use technology in their classrooms (which is great!) but not make a clear connection between the digital tools and the learning objectives. I'm sure I have been guilty of this at times as well! This post reminded me that I need to identify the learning objectives FIRST and then think about how to incorporate digital tools- not focus so much on technology that I allow the learning objectives to become an afterthought.
  • ...24 more annotations...
    • Lauren Neary
       
      Story of my teaching life!  This is a great article!  I can relate to a lot of these.  Last year I was able to count on my fingers how many times I ate lunch in the teachers lounge instead of at my desk.  Even though I go into school everyday super early to prepare for my day, I still don't have enough time to eat my lunch in "peace."  I am constantly on my computer, grading papers, emailing parents, preparing for my next lesson, preparing for a meeting, etc.  A lot of times, I look for filler activities on the internet to print out, so I can pull a small flex group, and can have something for the other students who can work independently.  This year has been the same way so far.  I wish I could be one of those teachers that enjoys eating their lunch while chatting with other teachers.  Instead, my lunch is always on the run, literally!
    • Lauren Neary
       
      -Lauren Neary
    • typhany sellers
       
      I'm only student teaching and this is my experience, too!  Our school claims the morning for professional development every day from 7:15-7:45, then students begin rolling in at 8am - and my school day ends up starting at 7AM and ending at 5 or 5:30 PM - and everyone of those ten hours are jam packed with planning, grading, searching online, printing, and organizing for the day's classes or the next few days.  It's exhausting!  I wonder what it's like to be the teacher who enjoys eating lunch in the lounge? (I don't even know where the teachers' lounge is in my school!)
  • 34. You traded in the red pen for more nontraditional, feedback gadgets.
    • Rachael Herr
       
      This is definitely something I am working toward with my students right now (using Google Docs and Teacherblogit.com). I think it makes so much sense to move away from the traditional pen-and-paper feedback as instructional practices are already evolving past that. The hyperlink provided some great feedback ideas as well; the author used Audacity to "voice grade" essays, and also explained how to give audio feedback in Google Docs. Just imagining how much more efficient and thoughtful feedback could be for the students using these methods is exciting to me. The only thing I would look for is a way to transcribe the audio feedback for students who also like to have something written in front of them.
    • William Masters
       
      I read over this point quickly when I first read this document, so I really appreciated your comment Rachel. This is such a great way to give students feedback. I think it would be so much easier to voice record ideas and comments. It is difficult to provide feedback clearly and concisely in a way students will understand on paper. I also think students are more likely to understand the comments if they hear them. I am looking forward to trying this out. Clark Masters 
    • Lauren Neary
       
      I think this is an amazing idea and I wish I could utilize it in my classroom.  However, I am a first grade teacher and my kids need to see corrections right in front of them, or it will not be as effective.  I would like to explore new methods that are available to engage the students more with making corrections and learning from their mistakes.   The idea of "voice grading" sounds really cool!  I think students would be more motivated to listen to their corrections and follow along through the computer.  Great post :)
    • Lauren Neary
       
      -Lauren Neary (sorry I keep forgetting to sign my name)
    • typhany sellers
       
      It's so exciting to see technology moving and aiding education, but I think it's devastating that it won't reach poorer areas and districts soon.  My host-school for my field placement has such a huge student body and is so outdated that some of my 12th graders don't even know how to save a word document. My students would love learning how to use technology, but we simply don't have the resources! This caught my attention, because I literally just picked up some new red pens on my way home from my weekend night job; my red pens are all out of ink!
    • Meredith Tate
       
      (Meredith Tate) I really like the idea of using digital tools to provide feedback- particularly verbal feedback! I think it enables teachers to connect with students on a more personal level and could potentially save a lot of time during the grading process! I just struggle to think how I could implement this in a math classroom. Often it is so important to visually see how a problem is organized and operations are completed. I think using an digital "whiteboard" tool such as ShowMe (where I could write a problem on a blank page and verbally record how I solved it) may be a good compromise!
  • Students are encouraged to take pictures of projected notes, classmates’ drawings, brainstorming ideas, or anything that will move their knowledge forward.
    • Cecilia Zapiec
       
      Nowadays we are creating opportunities in our lessons for collaboration, cooperation and student-directed learning. As opposed to the traditional instructional approach of teacher-led, students copy notes and memorize facts. Today we provide our students different contexts and media to address all types of learners. I love to see my students help/teach each other and they are only in 1st grade!-Cecilia Zapiec
    • William Masters
       
      This is a great point that you highlighted. I love the fact that I can take pictures of the whiteboard and print it for the students to put in their notebooks for reference later on. I think it is important for students to learn to take notes and tune in to important information, but for some this can be difficult. This is another way that teachers can support struggling learners and ensure everyone is getting the information they need. Clark Masters
    • Brenna Wyatt
       
      I have assigned projects several times that require students to draw, take pictures, or create collages. I think it provides a creative way for students to reinforce what they have learned in class. It promotes critical thinking and they have to use technological resources in order to research the material they will need to complete the exercise. Brenna Wyatt
  • 42. You consider yourself the “guide-on-the-side” or “facilitator-to-inspire-greater” instead of the “sage-on-the-stage.”
    • Jingyun He
       
      The best teacher, in my opinion, is not someone who talks a lot during the lesson and who thinks himself or herself as "sage-on-stage," but a human being who is willing to learn with his or her students. Since a teacher has more knowledge and experience than his or her students, his or her role becomes a safeguard of students' thinking. The teacher needs to be teach his or her students how to think sanely and sensibly by guiding them how to read articles and solve problems. Thus, a teacher is "guide-on-the-side" and 'facilitator-to-inspire-greater.' Written by Jing Yun He
    • Kyle Gordon
       
      Very profound Jingyun. I couldn't agree more.
    • typhany sellers
       
      Thanks for your comment Jingyun! I find myself constantly learning, especially with my 12th grade group of students studying brit lit - in some ways I'm learning it right alongside them and their input is extremely valuable.
    • Kimberly Kaseman
       
      Great points!! I get irritated when my children come home even with misinformation because the teachers refuses to admit they don't know something, which kind of goes along with your comment. I will admit to my students if I don't know an answer to something and then we can research it together or I encourage them to research it and let the class and me know what they find out. One of the key things I put into my introduction letter to the parents of the students I work with was that I looked forward to "learning along side" of their students, so I couldn't agree more with your sentiments. Thank you for sharing.
    • Brenna Wyatt
       
      I very much enjoyed your post. I was just telling my student teaching supervisor how as a student, some of my favorite classes were the ones where it was a group discussion. I was an active participant in the education process and retained more from these lessons than simply sitting back and listening to someone talk to me for an hour. I understand lecture is necessary at times but I feel strongly it shouldn't be the only teaching strategy.
  • You eat lunch over a laptop while perusing top educational sites for new ideas.
    • Jayme Crimmins
       
      This actually made me laugh when I read it because I have done this a few times with my cooperating teacher during my student teaching. I am always thinking of what to add to a lesson or what to change. I am ALWAYS online looking for different ideas for an upcoming lesson or just for ideas as to what to change in the future in my classroom. It still amazes me how much things are changing since I was in high school. The school I am students teaching at now has ipads for one classroom and next year is looking to have them for all of the classrooms. Our students love it and they never groan or roll their eyes when asked to use one for an assignment. I am always online looking for new ideas to keep students interested and wanting to learn.
    • Camille Rylak
       
      Wow, your school is extremely lucky to have ipad's for a classroom. I found out that apple does provide discounted pricing through Apple in Education. In addition, if a school has older Apple products that still have some value they can be turned in through Apple's recycling program with a credit given for the purchase of new hardware. http://grantsguys.com/grants-for-ipads-in-the-classroom/
  • of your most trusted and reliable colleagues is in another state or country and responds just as quickly via social media as the teacher next door.
    • Kimberly Kaseman
       
      I can totally relate to this. I have teaching friends in several states that I text and Facebook with on a regular basis about challenges, questions, or just to share how things are going for me in the classroom. They are definitely quicker to respond to me and often more available than my CTs are. Even when my student teaching is all said and done, I will be moving and will rely on Social Media to connect and communicate with my CTs and principal here in NC. It is the easiest way to keep in touch these days.
    • Jingyun He
       
      I am communicating a Chinese teacher who teaches English in China about how to teach English to Chinese students in China. He and I regularly do qq instant messaging so that I share good articles how to teach ESL with him all the time. It is very effective to communicate with other persons on social websites.
    • Brenna Wyatt
       
      I find I respond to friends and colleagues quicker via e-mail & social media rather than the phone most of the time. With everything going on in our daily lives, all the multi-tasking, it is often more convenient. Plus, I can look back at the conversation if I need to. I also have friends in various states that I am able to communicate with to get ideas and feedback. Brenna Wyatt
  • 31. You’ve ever said, “Students, take out your smartphones and record me as I discuss this assignment. Then you can play it back as often as necessary.”
    • Meredith Tate
       
      (Meredith Tate) This sentence caught my attention because I see it as very applicable and potentially helpful in a math class setting! I have seen students take pictures of assignments or step by step solutions of longer problems written on the board- but have not had students record an explanation of a particular topic. I think this could have been helpful when I was teaching a more challenging lesson on graphing/analyzing rational equations. Having students take a video of the instruction to play back as needed as they worked through problems of their own may have been an excellent resource. I really like this idea and think it is one that I will certainly be able to apply in the future!
    • Brenna Wyatt
       
      I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I can see how it would be helpful and have often allowed students to take pictures in class of the blackboard or whiteboard when assignments & directions are listed. However, I also have concerns about cell phones being abused in class. Because they are small hand held devices, it is easy enough for students to start doing other things on them. It is something I would be compelled to monitor closely. Brenna Wyatt
    • Meredith Tate
       
      (Meredith Tate) Hi Brenna, I definitely hear your concerns. When I first read the section, I initially thought about how helpful it would be to have students record the steps of a complex math problem. However, as you pointed out, there are some implications for classroom management. I guess if students get the "green light" to have phones out in class to record lessons, it would be very easy for this privilege to be abused. Another concern would be the possibility of students photographing and/or recording other students against their will (it sounds ridiculous, but it happened in my class!) Looking at this again, I think it might be a good idea to allow students to record within very specific parameters. For example, I could invite students to record one specific practice problem or record the lesson myself and post it for students to view in their own time. Thanks for bringing up some of these classroom management issues!
  • Your classroom rarely has the same seating or furniture arrangement two days in a row.
    • brittany wilson
       
      It didn't take me long to find out I'm a 21st century teacher, when I read number four on the list about switching around your desks and furniture every other day, that is defiantly me. The janitor at the school, who I am friends with, gives me a hard time about it, because I am always switching around the room, which messes with her cleaning, but she said she doesn't mind because she knows that it improves the learning of my students and how much I care about it. Even at teaching kindergarten, kids still can bored at seeing and hearing the same things day after day, so I want to change it up, not only in the daily routine of the learning process but in seating arrangement as well, Its like its the first of school ever day in my class. Students get excited, and improves the learning environment. Brittany Wilson 
    • Kyle Gordon
       
      I give you credit for your diligence in arranging your classroom. This is a concept that I have often struggled with because I can only think of a few ways to arrange a square room consisting of 20 desks. However, we have learned how to pull on an ample number of resources in this class that can help spur some ideas (K. Gordon).
    • Danielle Malone
       
      I love this! Even in my student teaching experience we've changed the seating arrangements at least three times in the past two months, and I can definitely see how it changes student participation and in some cases, their attitudes towards learning. By changing up the seating arrangements students were able to work in groups with people who had different strengths than their own, and they could see what collaboration was like outside of their normal comfort zone. Plus, we have so much learning material posted on the walls that the students get a different view of helpful tips or class work during the regular class period, adding a bit of extra subtle learning. I think it's a great way to keep the class on their toes and remind them that the classroom is a constantly changing space. (Danielle Malone)
    • typhany sellers
       
      I wanted to change my seating arrangement, but it's difficult with so many different courses and classes - and only four minutes between each.  My co-op teacher said even though it's a great thought and concept, it's so difficult to apply in our school.  I wonder how these great ideas can apply to schools that are further behind and have more limitations than others? Thanks for sharing your response!
  • Blogging serves as a continual venue for professional reflection and pedagogical sharing to help you improve your teaching strategies.
    • Brenna Wyatt
       
      Blogging like other social media is a valuable tool for educators to share ideas and offer feedback. On more than one occasion, I have reviewed various blogs for ideas on assignments and ways to engage a diversified student body. I have often left feedback for the blog owners on the outcome on the class and ways that I have modified the lessons. Brenna Wyatt
    • mkm420fritz
       
      What a great way to make connections!
    • Brenna Wyatt
       
      I have included a number of projects in my lesson plans that give students an opportunity to be creative through drawing, taking pictures, and making collages. It allows them to put a piece of themselves into the work while reinforcing what they have learned in the classroom. They have had to use technology in order to research the material in the projects as well. Brenna Wyatt
  • 41. You’ve ever “stunk it up” in class with a terrible lesson plan, expressed your frustration via a blog post from your phone, and sought feedback from your digital, professional learning network.
    • Kimberly Kaseman
       
      I felt this one this week. While I don't blog, I found myself texting, calling, and venting my frustrations on Facebook. I know it is a constant learning process for teachers too, but I felt so disappointed with my less than stellar lesson. It felt like a waste of time, even though I know that the students really still learned from it and so did I. After venting and freeing myself from my own negativity, I regrouped and re-planned so that I could teach the material in a better manner.
    • Jayme Crimmins
       
      I hate that feeling! I agree that being able to vent really helps change how we look at the lesson and what can be changed. I have also vented after a bad lesson plan by texting and going on facebook. I do like the idea of talking with other teachers through a blog post. I can see myself doing that in the future.
  • 3. Words like “flipped,” “blended,” “asynchronous,” “differentiated,” and “MOOC” are not words to describe how you feel after inhaling a chili hotdog just before riding a roller coaster called the “Vomit Van.” Instead, these words are part of your ever-increasing #edtech vocabulary.
    • typhany sellers
       
      I'm in a constant battle against many people in education when I try to explain that MOOCs are NOT a bad thing!! (And when I mention MOOCs in a crowd of people who are not involved in education, they just stare at me like I'm crazy).
    • William Masters
       
      I have had friends try some of the large, free online courses that are offered, but I had no idea what a MOOC was until you posted this. I appreciate your comment. It got me to actually find out what it was. Clark Masters 
    • typhany sellers
       
      Thanks!  It seems as though most of my old college profs perceive online education in general - but specifically MOOCs, as a threat to post-secondary education.  This thought really bugs me, because I think it's essential that education be available for not only the nontraditional student like myself - but for anyone who wants it - even if they are below the poverty line!
  • 31. You’ve ever said, “Students, take out your smartphones and record me as I discuss this assignment. Then you can play it back as often as necessary.”
  • 31. You’ve ever said, “Students, take out your smartphones and record me as I discuss this assignment. Then you can play it back as often as necessary.”
  • 31. You’ve ever said, “Students, take out your smartphones and record me as I discuss this assignment. Then you can play it back as often as necessary.”
  • 35. You ever had a teaching moment like this…and decided that it needed to be the very last.
    • typhany sellers
       
      This video is funny and reminds me of most of my math class experiences.  My students seem so used to this sort of experience that they're surprised I'm asking more of them all of the time.  ("MISS!  Why don't you just talk the whole time like other teachers?!")  I constantly have them writing, responding, working together, and moving around.  It's a huge labor for them, alright, but they're certainly not grumbling as much as they used to!  
    • Kimberly Kaseman
       
      That is hilarious and I have sat through many classes that I felt like that. I also have had moments teaching where I felt like my students were starting to get that way. In those moments we would take a break and do an energizer activity to get them back engaged and alert. I hate when I have those times where material just needs to be presented, but that is where you stop and ask questions, create discussions, etc. to break up the boredom.
  • 27. Students in your class maintain a blog to share with a larger audience.
    • typhany sellers
       
      I long to have my own classroom and have this sort of platform.  A great way to show parents what their children are up to - and for students to showcase and be proud of their thoughts and work!
    • William Masters
       
      They are great tools and kids love to use them. If you are teaching elementary or early middle school, KidBlog is great. Very easy to use. It makes kids want to do their homework. Clark Masters
    • Jingyun He
       
      I have a good Chinese teacher who teaches Chinese literature in a high school in China. He creates blogs for his students to demonstrate their understanding of Chinese literature and world literature. Students get beneifts by showing their writing on blog.
    • mkm420fritz
       
      I know I've shared this before but it's a great resource if you haven't seen it - budtheteacher.com he has done some amazing work with blogging!
  • 25. Interactive learning structures that integrate technology are constantly requested by students.
    • Camille Rylak
       
      In the 20th century technology is everywhere. We can't escape it and according to the On the Cutting Edge - Professional Development for Geoscience Faculty, individual interactive activities do the following: "engage visual, kinesthetic, and mathematical learners as they review animations, manipulate graphics, and solve both computational and non-computational problems; have the potential to promote topical discussions as students who work on an exercise run into problems and turn to their classmates for help or advice; and make the assessment of learning outcomes -- which are defined in terms of what students should be able to "do" -- easier because students actually demonstrate their understanding of a concept or technique by applying it." http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online/interactive.html
    • Cecilia Zapiec
       
      Technology is second nature for our students today. Some don't know of a time before the internet or cell phones. Incorporating social media as a form of class discussion or a way by which students can help each other is an appropriate way to use their "tech-savvy" to our advantage. We can either create opportunities for social media or at least recognize its potential application for our students today.
    • Meredith Tate
       
      (Meredith Tate) I could really relate to this comment as well. I have found that students really enjoy and actually seek out opportunities to use technology tools in class. I know some of the appeal may be the chance to glance at the internet but, despite these unavoidable temptations, I have found that students stay on task for the most part. I was working with an extremely challenging class where it was very hard to encourage participation. One day, I had the students use the Socrative apps on the class ipads to submit and share their answer. This tool enabled me to display the class answers anonymously, so I could gauge understanding without singling anyone out. The response from the class was very positive and it made a huge difference in class participation.
  • However, your monthly checks do not indicate an increase in pay that is equivalent to your acquired knowledge via the social media giant.
    • Kyle Gordon
       
      Although social media is so useful for connecting individuals within the educational sphere, I think the satire here raises a valid point that we could possibly be checking our social media too much. If every class we have utilizes an ongoing social media site for communication and discussion, that is a lot of posts for a teacher to check periodically and unfortunately, we don't get paid per post checked. I never really considered the workload that social media can cause for a teacher until this point here. (K. Gordon)
    • Kyle Gordon
       
      Does number 10, "collegial pessimism" refer to having an "anti-college" attitude? I'm not really sure what that means although it is a very entertaining simile.
  • Your students present you with the best form of educational feedback when the annoying bell rings and they collectively say, “Ahhhhhh, class is over already?”
    • Kyle Gordon
       
      Just did a lesson in a classroom for my methods course on the assassination of President Kennedy and got this reaction...Sorry, I had to gloat. Although, I suppose the topic typically triggers that reaction. (K. Gordon)
    • Camille Rylak
       
      Wow, that's awesome! What do you think you did to capture their attention? Did you use any technology to help you out?
    • Jayme Crimmins
       
      It is such a good feeling! I was fortunate enough to get that reaction from my classroom today. It was for a math activity/game that I created and the students loved it. It was such a great feeling to have the students make that noise and say that they wanted to keep playing.
    • typhany sellers
       
      Awesome job, ladies!  I had this reaction when reading Macbeth a few weeks ago, and we had to stop reading for the period right after Macbeth had his best pal Banquo murdered.  My kids were like, WAIT WHAT WHY? And I was able to hook them, saying, "well!  See you tomorrow!"
  • 21. Your answer to a colleague’s question “What research did you base your decisions on?” is simply, “My teacher’s heart and a gut feeling.”
  • poor classroom management.
    • Kyle Gordon
       
      The classroom that I am in for my methods course is a prime example of good classroom management. There has not been one issue in the whole time that I have been there, and the kids were on there best behavior for all the lessons that I conducted too. I almost felt guilty when my supervisor commented on how great the classroom climate was because I didn't feel like I deserved the credit for my mentoring teacher who had been grooming this behavior for the past 2 months. It takes a little more effort for the creativity aspect, but I have seen the nightmares that simply handing out worksheets everyday can cause. I don't want to be "that teacher."
    • typhany sellers
       
      This is a great comment!  I've been in a student teaching placement and am almost just finishing up -- my placement is a great experience because it is so challenging; I have three different courses I plan for and teach six out of eight periods!  Sometimes it is SO difficult to NOT hand out worksheets!  I always have to bear this in mind when I am creating non traditional assessments and various projects.  Thanks for sharing this post! 
  • One of your workout sessions to de-stress from a tough day’s work turns into an effortless jog while a barrage of creative ideas initiate a seemingly endless foot race in your mind
    • Danielle Malone
       
      I know this point is supposed to be comical, but this has actually happened to me quite a bit. When I do get a chance to run (before it gets too dark) I start thinking about my next lesson plan or the unit I'm working on, and all of a sudden I have a few great ideas and I'm not focusing on the actual run. When I created a unit for Jamestown and the Native Americans/Colonists from the novel "Blood on the River", most of the connection questions I came up with were created on the run. For me, sitting down at the computer and thinking about something directly might not yield the best results, but when I'm off doing something else I can think about the lesson organically, and that's where I can come up with plans or activities that are actually interesting and have some kind of connection to the students' lives. It's an odd situation, but it's been working for me! (Danielle Malone)
    • Camille Rylak
       
      Danielle, that happens to me too. I love getting a lesson plan started and just letting it simmer in my thoughts as I go about with my day. Before I know it I have the entire lesson plan figured out in my head with, in my opinion, a lot of great ideas that bring the lesson to the real world for students to connect with.
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