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I did an in-person interview and also surveyed 29 ENG III students at my school, Lincoln Charter School for this study.

Lincoln Charter School is a K-12 college-prep charter school in Denver, NC. The high school has about 410 students. I teach English III, English III Honors, and AP English Literature at LCS.

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What did you learn that you believe is important to share with educators? 

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What did you learn that you believe is important to share with educators? 

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Even with tons of technology available for learning, students still like to do hands-on activities such as drawing / creating / making, performing skits, and working in groups.  They also need to understand the connection between what they are learning and their own lives.

"I learn best in school when it is related to modern day things. I get excited for learning anytime in English class because we always learn things that are valuable to our future."

"I learn best when the topics are related to something relevant in my life or the world around me. I was excited about learning when we do experiments or separate into groups and partners."

"I liked our service day bc we got to have hands on experiences with learning how to serve."

"More variety and more applications to real life. When there are examples that are relevant or uses that are relevant now or will be in the future, it makes it more interesting. I also like the variety of tools used."

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What I learned from this feedback from students overall: 

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What I learned from this feedback from students overall: 

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1. I still use "old school" methods of instruction in class such as allowing students to make a thematic poster with magazine images. Students definitely still like to make things like this.
2. Social media is obviously so important to them and is something I use in the classroom already (as much as I can because it's actually blocked at our school). I haven't figured out how to use SnapChat but do use Instagram in instruction.
3.  Variety is key. I understand this first hand because I get bored doing the same things all the time.
4. Passion is contagious. Even on my bad days (morning sickness lately), I need to come at my content with passion.
5. Students still appreciate guided discussion. Making sure I prepare for that so it's not just me doing all the talking, is so important. Prompting them in the right way to engage in discussion is key.

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Students sense whether teachers are passionate about their subject / content. They respond to that passion with engagement.

"I learn best by taking notes and during lectures. I was very excited to learn in Mr. McAlister's class; he was one of my favorite teachers and a very entertaining person! That class was very fun and exciting. We took interesting takes on strange stories."

"Having teachers be excited about what their teaching always makes the class more interesting."

"Mrs. Drake always tells us stories that go along with her lessons. It makes it easier to remember what we're learning."

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What "ahas" or "takeaways" did you discover? 

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What "ahas" or "takeaways" did you discover? 

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* Students use their laptops and phones the most as far as technology tools.
* Students especially use their laptops to complete assignments and do research.
* Outside of school, students use social media a lot - SnapChat and Instagram - as well as YouTube.

"Sometimes using technology for certain assignments can be repetitive but we have so much information at arms length."

"I use my phone for communication and social media (snapchat, instagram, etc) and my laptop to shop and watch TV."

"I use my phone out of school to check my school email about upcoming events or club meetings. I mostly use my computer in school for canvas or blackboard where I can see my assignments."

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What do digital learners want or need to be successful in school? More engaged? 

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What do digital learners want or need to be successful in school? More engaged? 

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Students seem to want options. They don't want to do the same things everyday. There needs to be variety.

Students need visuals in order to learn. They especially appreciate video and images related to what they are learning.

"I like when we have fun discussions about what we're learning like politics and history."

"I require a combination of visual, auditory, and hands-on learning, taking notes while listening to something be explained helps me a lot."

"I don't mind taking notes but sometimes this is all we do in certain classes and its boring."

"I think learning would be more interesting if they changed up the way we were taught. Some teachers do really well with good teaching ways, but a lot of teachers are similar and it doesn't help everyone learn."

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Yes or no to technology in the classroom? 

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Yes or no to technology in the classroom? 

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Students love the option of technology in the classroom, but they also have experienced less engagement from teachers when technology is used.

"I think technology makes school more interesting, because we have access to more things and activities and aren't forced to only take notes and do paper-pencil assignments."

"We are given the freedom and trust to do things on our own, not just strict paper pencil."

"Yes and no. It makes turning in work much easier but it also allows for the teachers to be more hands-off because everything is online."

"They are good to have and convenient but on the other hand the light hurts my eyes and its easy to get distracted."