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Now that we've taken the time to examine some of the components involved with integrating technology into the classroom, we're going to dive into some of Google's amazing tools. We'll also take a look at some other fantastic technology tools (mostly ones that will integrate with Google.)

As you move through the final weeks of the semester with me, explore this Site, using the information as guidelines to begin your Google Journey, or to enhance what you have in place in your classroom already. On this site, you'll find a walkthrough of Google Drive and Google Classroom, and also a short guide to using Padlet.

It's impossible for me to try to cover everything, but my goal was to give you enough of a backbone in technology for you to be able to try more things and take risks. I hope that the information present on Google Tools will help guide you. I think the more you use G Suite, the better you'll become at it. I also believe that once you have mastered one Google Tool, you'll find yourself better able to explore the many other tools that Google has to offer.

Remember, you can always use this blog to post your questions, concerns, tips, or ideas and you can always contact me if you need help anywhere else. I'll do my best to guide and support you in your tech journey!

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Assessment and data collection are two necessary evils that we teachers face. It can be a daunting task: taking running record notes, planning assignments and projects, creating tests, grading the massive stack of papers on your desk,  logging grades, and the list goes on. Assessments are not all evil, through. They are an invaluable tool to help you understand each of your students, where they are academically, and how much of the lesson you taught they have retained. I say evil, however, because keeping up with the many kinds of assessments and tracking all of that data is time consuming

Luckily, there are many digital tools that we can use to manage these tasks. There are ways to create assessments online, to showcase student ability, and even to record data. Take a look at the Assessment/Evaluation Page for tools and resources.

In the comments below, share your favorite digital assessment or data hack!

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We've seen how technology can impact our students and can change the ways in which we teach, but technology can have even more of a profound impact on our diverse learners. Now, when you think about "diverse learners," what comes to mind? Do you think of students with special needs? Students that are reading below grade level, or falling behind in math? Sure, we all have these unique learners, but what about the student who shines musically, or the student who is gifted in math, already two grade levels above.? All of these students are diverse.

I challenge you to change the way you think. Instead of looking at the term "diverse learners" as one type of student, look at each student as diverse.

Our students are coming to us with many skills, talents, strengths, and weaknesses. They're coming from different cultures and backgrounds. Their learning styles and preferences differ and their likes and dislikes vary. Teaching doesn't have a specific, cookie cutter format to follow. Our students are all different, so our teaching and assessment styles and strategies need to differ as well. Embrace your students' skills, talents, strengths, and weaknesses, don't ignore them.

With technology, you can help each student to learn how they do best and to encourage them to shine creatively. Sure, not every student will be your best writer, but they may be able to create art like no other. With technology, you can give your diverse learners new tools and strategies to teach them and to help them grow.

On my Teaching Diverse Learners page, you'll find tools, strategies, and resources to help all of your learners, who are all diverse in some way. In the comments below, share how technology has impacted one of your students in a positive way.

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How do we prepare our students to be Digital Citizens?

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How do we prepare our students to be Digital Citizens?

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One of the many "hats" we put on as a teacher is to prepare our students to be contributing members of a global society. I'm sure you've heard this in some way, shape, or form. We are working to shape young, future citizens. But, what exactly does it mean to be a citizen? A member of society? In short, we are preparing our future mothers, fathers, doctors, leaders, mechanics, astronauts, friends, neighbors, and so on. We want to equip our learners with the skills to be problem solvers, creative thinkers, collaborators, and communicators. We want our students to grow to be able to live in, work in, and share their skills with the world.

As 21st Century Educators we are also shaping our digital natives to be digital citizens. Phew, another hat.

Digital Citizenship is a broad topic that describes guidelines for internet safety. More than that, however, Digital Citizenship gives students the tools to make independent, wise, healthy choices as they navigate the digital world. Digital citizenship covers many things, including: safety and security, privacy, digital footprint, copyright/fair use, cyberbullying, and communicating digitally, to name a few.  While Digital Citizenship is its own topic, it's not much different from citizenship in general.

Why is this important to my students? Well, you wouldn't hand a student a textbook or assignment and expect them to know how to take notes, so you shouldn't be expected to hand them a phone, tablet, or computer and for them to know exactly what to do. Digital Citizenship is really important., especially in our increasingly digital world. As we spoke about ethics in my last post, you should have taken the opportunity to examine your own online presence. Is everything you've posted something you'd want your colleagues to see or hear? I'm willing to bet that not every single thing you've ever posted or shared was the most thought out. If we, as adults, make mistakes and take risks online, our students are bound to.

It's not that our kids want to do the wrong thing, or hurt others online, it just happens. Think about it: the Internet is a HUGE place. Few people can comprehend its vastness. For many, it seems easier to say or do things online than in person, and it seems unlikely (if not impossible) that what you post or share could ever come back to haunt you. The Internet, social media, and electronic devices seem private to student. In reality these are real, public means of communicating and sharing, and missteps have real consequences.

So put on your hats, its time to teach our students how to behave online. We need to set expectations and give them tools to be successful. Just as you create guidelines and boundaries for the beginning of the school year, you should do so for technology use as well. Digital Citizenship can be taught completely on its own, but it can also be weaved into Language Arts or Social Studies. Digital Citizenship isn't a subject in itself, but rather a set of tools and skills to solve problems, communicate, collaborate, and express creativity. See, not too different from what we're already doing.

Start slowly. Educate yourself and build expectations. Think about strategies and skills to pass on to your students. Most importantly, be a model yourself.  Shaping digital citizens is an ongoing process, but it's never too early to set the foundational skills. On my Digital Citizenship Page, you'll find resources and tools for grades K (and PK) to 8. Consult with other teachers and work together to build your lessons and activities. Also, feel free to utilize your technology/computer teachers and/or librarians. They may be able to provide tips, or time to fit in these critical skills.

Our students are 21st Century Learners, and it's our job to facilitate their transition into a 21st Century World.

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Ethics.

What does it mean to be an ethical teacher? An ethical professional? An ethical student? An ethical individual? When you think about ethics, what does your mind jump to?

Personally, when I think about ethics, there isn't much of a huge connection that jumps out at me. I don’t think about a certain presentation I viewed, or professional development I attended, or college course that I took. I simply think about being an ethical individual by being honest, trustworthy, fair to my students and colleagues, and remaining professional in both my work life and personal life. In reality there's so much more to ethics, especially for teachers. I'd like to say that I am an ethical person because of how I was raised. My mother taught me to be respectful and modeled respect. My teachers treated us fairly and with kindness, and emulated the type of professional my young self hoped to be. We’ll come back to this in a bit.

So, why all of this talk on ethics? Well, there's a standard code of conduct that we educators follow, the PA Code of Conduct. However, when we place technology and digital education into the mix, it’s necessary to make additions or adjustments to accommodate the new territory. Let’s begin with thinking about social media. Many of us are on social media and post our thoughts, pictures, and videos, along with share articles and posts daily, without much thought. But, I encourage you to take some time to think before you post. Is what you’re posting or sharing something you’d say aloud? Something you’d want a parent, administrator, or colleague to see or hear? If not, don’t post it. We are held to the same standards electronically that we are physically. The same goes for digital communication. Double, triple, quadruple check those emails! If it’s not something you’d say aloud, or send home in a folder, don’t send it. Under no circumstance should you communicate with families of your students or your students through your personal phone number or email account. It is not appropriate and will not protect you if a message is misconstrued. Always, always use your school email account or a communication app approved by your admin (like Remind, ClassTag, or Bloomz, for example).

Now, let’s go back to my point about ethics not making a lasting impression on me. Think about your students. Do they know how to be ethical individuals? Do they understand ethics both in person and digitally? Do they realize that their private social media accounts aren’t exactly private in the grand scheme of things? Probably not. It is our job as educators to effectively communicate ethics to our students in a way that they will understand, remember, and apply. We cannot simply focus one day on ethics in Social Studies class and move forward, expecting students to be able to act as ethical individuals. This goes for both in person and digital experiences.

Once more, return back to your students. Do you think each one that passes through your classroom was "raised right?" That their parents teach and model right from wrong? Many of our students come from challenges that we simply cannot even imagine. We can't expect these students to know how to behave online and professional, as future members of society, without instruction, practice, and models of good examples. So, be that model. Plan that lesson they’ll remember. Help to foster an ethical classroom community of learners, in class and online, as you work to contribute toward an ethical community of working individuals and members of society.

On our Site, you’ll find more about ethics in our technological world and how to incorporate ethics into your classroom in the “Ethics in Technology” section.

Let’s reflect together on the following questions, taken from the PA Professional Standards and Practice Commission Toolkit training. Share your thoughts and comments below!

What are the professional expectations of teachers with regard to their “electronic” interactions with students?

Why and how should teachers control their public “brand” or persona?

How do teachers’ use of emerging technologies such as social networking, cell phones, etc., present challenges to maintaining appropriate student-teacher boundaries?

What are some of the potential consequences for inappropriate use of technology?

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FEBRUARY 6, 2019

It is no secret that our students are living in a digital world. In fact, some of our learners were born into a digital world! Think about it: Who do you ask when the computer isn't working? When your video won't play? When your tablet isn't charging? I am willing to bet that you often rely on your students to help you navigate the tech world. After all they are the experts, so it seems.

The thing is, most of our learners today genuinely enjoy using technology. They're good at it, it's fun, and for many it gives them a means of expression, or even escape. I realize that children are playing outside less than we did, relying more on texting and instant messaging than face to face conversation, and spending more time sitting in front of their electronics than a good book. While I'm not justifying these negative shifts, it's just simply our reality. Technology is what our kids want, what they need, and what they enjoy, both at home, and more importantly at school. We are teaching 21st Century Learners, therefore, I'd argue, that we must become 21st Century Educators.

So, let's make the shift. Technology absolutely shouldn't take over teaching. It can't replace our history, our schooling, our world, but, it can transform. Technology can provide access to new and exciting knowledge for us and our students. Digital tools offer our students challenges, tools, and resources to become successful in school and out. Technology enhances our curriculum, teaching, and learning.

Check out my Why Go Digital? page to learn more about current research and theory that support digital teaching and learning. Feel free to share your thoughts, successes, and challenges regarding technology in the comment section!

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Welcome! Comment here with a quick introduction

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Welcome! Comment here with a quick introduction

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Tell us a bit about yourself, what grade you teach, and how you have (or want to) incorporate technology into your classroom