I have been in a constant game of "tech catch up" since I was a kid. We never had internet at our house like my classmates did. They would watch YouTube after school, talk about what they saw the next day, and I would have no way to contribute to conversations when they turned to tech. Thankfully in my classroom this hasn't been the case. While I am still considered a new teacher I have always tried to use technology in my classroom, especially since getting a class set of chromebooks last year. Technology makes the 4Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity) second nature in my classroom. Students are able to help one another, discuss similar issues they've come across, and create different products through a variety of websites where they are not just limited to a paper with pencil. It's just the beginning of the school year and we are working up to these things and discovering students' tech strengths. But the possibilities are truly endless when it comes to incorporating tech into the classroom.
Unfortunately tech intimidates a lot of teachers (myself included), however as we as a school site are becoming more tech savvy the teachers who were reluctant to use it in their classrooms do not want to see their students left behind and are beginning to reach out for more support. There is much still to do and try in the classroom. Recently I was trying to create new student accounts on EduTyping by having all students use the class code generated on the site. It back fired miserably when students couldn't remember their passwords from last year, but we paused, took a deep breath, I thanked everyone for trying, and we moved on with our day. Even though it's scary and we could totally lose classroom control if a tech issue comes up it's still important to try.
8 Comments
Caitlin Mitchell
9/22/2018 04:42:15 pm
I can totally relate to how a tech backfire feels. I started using a new app in my class last week and they needed so much support that I ended up feeling SUPER overwhelmed. It made me feel hesitant to go back and try again the next day. I am glad that I did though because the growth that they made from day 1 to day 2 was huge!! think that sometimes we feel so comfortable with how we have always done things in our classroom that.its hard to step out of that comfort zone especially when it doesn't always go smoothly at first. Keep it up!
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Catalina J Goldstein
9/24/2018 08:40:33 pm
Hey Caitlin! What app did you try? I'm so glad the kiddos were able to use it!
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9/22/2018 06:31:42 pm
I can relate. I set up a classroom on Storybird. I created user names and passwords for all my kids. I also dreamed up a fascinating assignment for them to do. Ha ha ha! The kids did not use the user names I created, created their own passwords, had no idea what the assignment was. Then, forgot their self-made user names and passwords. What should have been a great into lesson turned into a nightmare of deleting accounts and re-creating everything. Breathe.
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Catalina J Goldstein
9/24/2018 08:39:13 pm
Hey Tess! I created a storybird in the past. Do you like it?
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9/22/2018 10:14:42 pm
I too can totally relate - I really try to use tech in my classroom on a daily basis and have become comfortable with a couple of apps now, but I am a little afraid to step outside of my comfort zone and try a new one. It's just that feeling of if it all goes horribly wrong, what should you do next...
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Catalina J Goldstein
9/24/2018 08:42:15 pm
Thanks for your Comment Natasha! I went to a training this Summer and the speaker said once she experienced tech issues during a class and had to stop to breathe for 5 mins. The kids thought she was crazy :)
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Jennifer Perkins
9/23/2018 04:49:59 pm
Hi there, Catie! I agree that technology aides in bringing the 4 Cs into the classroom in a seamless way. I like what you wrote about students collaborating with one another throughout the use of tech, as well as creating different products. I agree with you about it being important to keep implementing innovative technology even if it isn’t always successful the first time we try something new. Great post, Catie!
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Catalina J Goldstein
9/24/2018 08:44:18 pm
The first time is always the scariest! Thankfully our kiddos are flexible.
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