Now, let's give these teachers a break, at least they were using various forms of technology and teaching strategies within the classroom. I am sure back then that would have received a check on a walk through form for student engagement.
As a classroom teacher of 10 years, I can describe the many changes in classroom technology. I can also explain how technology has changed my daily instruction and the level of student engagement. I now have 1-1 Chromebooks for my 4th grade students in my classroom. With technology in the hands of most children at an early age, students come to class ready to complete assignments online and they are capable of troubleshooting technology issues. I hope that when my students are using the Chromebooks and iPads, they get the same excited feeling we did when we saw that tv cart.
Teachers are evaluated on classroom practices and student engagement. Simply placing a computer in front of a child is not truly engaging students with technology. Our division is providing professional development with Dr. John Antonetti, the author of 17,000 Classroom Visits Can't Be Wrong. We have learned from Dr. Antonetti there are eight engaging qualities to plan for within each lesson. For a lesson to be truly engaging for students, the lesson needs to include three of the eight qualities. The eight engaging qualities are: personal response, clear modeled/expectations, emotional/intellectual safety, learning with others, sense of audience, choice, novelty & variety and authenticity. There are numerous applications to use during instruction and for assignments that will help truly engage students. Here are some of my favorites:
- Pear Deck - this is an interactive slides presentation. Present information and then ask students questions to gather instant feedback. This holds all students accountable for demonstrating understanding. Peardeck
- Quizlet Live - review and practice information. This is played as teams with a minimum of six people total on the site. Teams work collaboratively to answer questions. Teachers can create their own or select from quizlets already created. Friendly competition all students are held accountable. Quizlet Live
- EdPuzzle - 📺 This app will take the place of the tv cart! This app allows teachers to assign students video clips to watch and answer questions or discussion prompts. Students are allowed to re-watch sections of the video if they need information repeated. It can run within Google Classroom. Teachers can add their own video and questions, add questions to a video from Youtube, or assign already created videos. This requires no paper and teachers can grade the responses. EdPuzzle
- Quizziz - Similar to kahoot (another fun site) allows students to work at their own pace to practice and review information. Teachers can create their own or select from already created reviews. Quizziz
- SeeSaw - an online digital portfolio for students. SeeSaw
I hope any of these applications will bring about the same emotions we had growing up when the tv cart was in the room. Except now we are able to ENGAGE and hold ALL students accountable for learning.
Megan, Thanks for the exciting information. I am always in awe of classroom teachers ability to manage and incorporate a variety of technology into day to day lessons. To the outsider outside of education, they truly have no idea about the prep work it takes to make this happen. The use of this new technology helps engage ALL students at a variety of academic levels. I know there are more ways to incorporate technology in my physical education classes, but it is something I have struggled with. I an ans should do a better job. By the way, I remember the TV cart vividly. It made me smile and bring back a lot of memories when reading your blog. Thanks for sharing. Bradley Lang
ReplyDeleteLike Bradley, I loved seeing the TV cart. It does bring back memories of school. I do think of engagement and what was considered engaging "back then" and what is engaging now. I love the resources that you shared and I think there are a few that I can use for responses with my students in Reading! I'm excited to give it a try! :) Michelle
ReplyDeleteMegan, thank you for the visit down memory lane. Usually, we could hear the cart being rolled down the hallway when it was movie time...or it meant we had a sub. The professional development your district is providing sounds really great! Thank you for sharing great resources that are working for you. Quizlet is always a great resource, but I like how you are making it fun and competitive.
ReplyDeleteHey Megan,
ReplyDeleteFirst off, nice blog. I'm digging the setup and layout.
Second, I too appreciated (as did most 80's-90's kids) the appearance of that oversized TV on the cart when it magically arrived in the classroom. You're right that the ol' VCR would have probably met the criteria on engaging technology. I mean...it was either that or the overhead projector right? (yuck)
Lastly, on the topic of your resources. I recently stumbled across the fact that Quizlet had added the 'Live' game feature...which I now utilize and my kids actually LOVE 'playing/learning' as a form of reviewing vocabulary. I enjoy the collaborative element it adds. Also, thanks for the inclusion of the EdPuzzle piece. That is a new site to me and after looking at it, I DEFINITELY plan on using it very soon.
Have a great day! 'See' you in class soon!
Josh
Megan-
ReplyDeleteYou know we still have a couple of those massive carts/TV's still floating around at CHS. I asked the librarian if they are still used and she said once in while there may be some technical with the projectors and teachers request a TV cart.
Looking over your list of resource I too have utilized Pear Deck and Quizlet. I really love Kahoot and the students get hyped whenever I use it to review prior to a test. One of my goals is to continue exploring the endless possibilities of increasing student engagement through the use of technology.
Thanks for sharing!