I appreciate what Mishra said in the SITE conference video: “This is expecting too much if we think that people can keep up with this rapid change [in tech tools]. So ... instead of focusing on keeping up with every piece of technology or software we argue for something different. We argue for developing a thoughtfully playful attitude towards understanding the landscape being created by these new technologies. What can be called a “new media ecology.”
Teachers and Tech I feel that many teachers who do not use much technology in the classroom feel that they don't know enough about the technology tools available to them, or don't feel confident enough in using the tools themselves to even think about trying them with students. The playful attitude that Mishra mentioned here is important, because we have to remember that as technology is always developing and changing, we are never going to be the masters of it- especially when we are teaching young students in our classrooms. Our students have grown up with far more advanced technologies than we had as students, and it is important for us to work together with them in technology. They can help us learn just as much as we can help them, and when trying out a new tool- we can discover great things together. Students Teaching Teachers This year in my classroom we are mainly using Seesaw learning, because I feel it offers a variety of tools, and an appropriate audience for the age level I teach. Last year I used this tool with 1st and 2nd graders and they mainly took videos of themselves reading or showing off their work with the iPad. This year Seesaw did some updates to include many more tools, and we are using chromebooks in my 2nd/3rd grade classroom. I had students writing blog posts on there a couple weeks ago, and one of my students discovered the voice recording tool that Seesaw has that I didn't know aout it. She showed me, and I told the class what she had learned, giving credit where it was due! I find it is way more fun this way, to learn alongside the students and discover together than always being the one who is supposed to know everything A Shift in Teaching Building on that idea, I think that teaching in general is shifting away from teachers being the people with all of the answers and students with the questions. I think it is important that teachers have questions, misconceptions and misunderstandings and make mistakes with their students. It allows kids to see that we are just human like them, that we are lifelong learners, and that it is perfectly okay to not know the answer. It also allows us to show our students the tools we actually use when we are confused or get something wrong. I often google words I don't know the meaning of, or things I have forgotten about in front of my class- because I think it's good for them to see what tools I use to help me out, and I'm able to model that for them in an appropriate way. I even tried asking Siri on my phone the other day, but unfortunately she doesn't always understand me correctly. (Which is also an important thing for kids to know!) Here is what I already do in my classroom that incorporates technology: Seesaw Learning- students can take pictures of their work, take video of themselves, draw a digital picture, type a blog, and record voice over any of these. There are a few other options that I haven't explored yet, but hope to this year. Parents connect to their student's learning journals, and so become part of the audience for the student's learning along with their classmates and myself. Google Classroom- Just this week I tried out Google Classroom with my students. I'm not sure how much I will use it with this age group, only because there are other platforms they are already using that are so similar, or are part of our curriculum. I had students fill out a goal setting page on Google Classroom and turn in it to me, but one obstacle with that is students will need to be independently capable of and responsible for using this technology and tracking their data because we are not 1:1 with technology in our district, and we can't always have the Chromebooks at the time they are needed. Plus the set up and take down time at this grade level can exceed the time it takes for us to do the activity. Overall, I'm happy I tried it out (while being observed by my principal, who I'm happy to say supports teachers trying out new things and hadn't seen google classroom in action before) and will look for more uses for it throughout the year. Closing Thoughts I think it's really important to remember TPAC, and the fact that using technology does not automatically make something a 21st century learning experience. There are many ways to use 21st century learning skills that do not involve technology, and there are many ways to use technology that are not related to 21st century learning skills. Ideally, I think the two can be combined to create fun and innovative projects for the students. I feel that I have a good attitude toward 21st century learning and toward using and trying out technology in the classroom. I definitely have room for improvement, and I am going to work on how I can make sure the technology I am using in the classroom is extending learning instead of just giving students a different way to do the same thing they'd do otherwise. I also feel that the AVID strategies I was trained in using over the summer are an important way of teaching 21st century skills that often don't incorporate technology. They are, however, very focused on all of the 4 C's! I would like to incorporate more AVID into my teaching this year. I think taking a mixture and trying out new things is the key- then you can really find the strategies that work for you and your students. Just remember not to get too comfortable- because things will probably change before next year!
6 Comments
Lisa Gottfried
10/8/2017 06:56:17 pm
I'm curious, what does adopting a playful attitude toward technology look like for you? Does that differ from how a 2nd grader might view something as playful? I love your pinterest boards BTW!
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Kayla Bryant
10/15/2017 07:35:58 pm
Good question! For me, a playful attitude related to technology is trying new things out and using them in class without feeling the need to perfect it. Allowing the kids and myself to explore together and learn how the technology can support our learning by playing around with it. Students naturally play with the technology by clicking buttons and exploring menus. This scares a lot of teachers, but I prefer it. I always tell them "Just try something, you can't break the internet!" rather than having them ask me every time an option pops up- "Do I click exit? What do I do now? How do I get to...?" In my classroom this year students learned how to change their themes on google chrome on their own by "playing" with tech. after that discovery of course, we had to create some rules about how often you're allowed to change your theme!
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Diana Olguin
10/13/2017 11:40:54 pm
I plan to have my students involved as much as possible when I implement google classroom as part of my action research. Hopefully they can teach me, or we can learn together how to maneuver through google classroom. I do not feel as confident as other teachers to introduce a new web tool or application, however, many of my students will appreciate learning math through a different hands-on learning platform. I wonder if you have any tips on using google classroom with high school students.
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Kayla Bryant
10/15/2017 07:37:47 pm
I think you'll like it- I still don't understand it fully, but it's okay to give yourself grace and tell the students you've never used it before and you're trying something new. They will like it and will probably be able to help you understand it better just by using it. I know my class did!
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Lisa Gottfried
10/17/2017 05:12:18 pm
I'm really interested in hearing more about Seesaw and have toyed with using it in the High School setting. Has it helped in communicating with the parents? Do you see a marked difference in engagement for the kids or the parents?
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Jeff Albertazzi
10/17/2017 11:30:51 pm
I think that is awesome you are doing blogs with 2nd and 3rd graders. I started with my 7th graders this year and love it. I am also always having the kids show me new things and it is so empowering to them. I want to check out Seesaw Learning, maybe let the kids check it out and learn from them.
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AuthorKayla Bryant is an elementary school teacher in Napa, CA. This year she teaches a 2/3 combo class. She keeps a journal with funny quotes from her students, and enjoys learning and laughing alongside them. Some of her main educational interests are related to goal setting, growth mindset, and creativity. Archives
July 2018
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