It's too much! Advice to Teachers after ISTE (or any other conference you attended this summer)

Can I get an Amen! About what you say? Oh. I didn't explain.

Sometimes as teachers were pulled this way and that. We're told, you need to be doing this...you need to integrate this...no don't do that...please change that!  Ever felt that way? 

And as teachers - who are also parents, spouses, children - we sometimes feel overloaded - it's too much!  So when summer hits, we are more than ready to get a break from school.  

Then we go to conferences over the summer to learn more about integrating technology into our lesson plans...for school...which we just left...go figure. But while we're there,  we pick up all these wonderful tips and tricks that we can apply in the classroom, not to mention all the cool free resources that are out there, we may forget about those overloaded moments for a while, and we get excited about teaching again. I know that's how I felt every year when I went to ISTE (except this year - I am so kicking myself for not going, but sometimes life gets in the way.

Then we go home...we open all the bags of swag and free stuff...we settle back into our lives ....and think, "How in the world am i going to integrate all this stuff into my classroom?!?"

But don't feel overwhelmed, because while all the information overload may be getting to you, there's a way to handle it. Here are a few tips as you gather yourself up and prepare to go back for August.

1. Don't try to do everything all at once - start small.

Many people will try to take all the new resources they picked up and try to implement them all at once at the beginning of the year. That can be overwhelming, and if you haven't mastered it all, it might end in failure. Start small and pick one or two things. By introducing new tools or concepts slowly, it gives you a chance to master it, and allows you to learn from the process as much as the students do.

2. Be ok with failure.

If you try something new, don't be afraid to fail. Make your failures a teachable moment and work through failure to seek a solution. Involve your students in seeking solutions. And don't table your new idea or tool just because it didn't work. It may have just been the wrong time. Return to it at a later date after you've had a chance to reflect on the process.

3. It's not about the tool - it's about the process.

When testing out new tools, don't be tempted to try something new just for the novelty of trying out the tool. Remember to make your lesson about the standard or process you are teaching. If your new tool facilitates that process more effectively, then so be it. But centering a lesson around a tool usually ends in poor results.

4.  Don't forget to share

Remember your colleagues who were unable to attend the conference with you, and share your new insights with them. They'll appreciate the advice, and will be excited to learn what's new out there.

And finally, for those out there who were stuck at home this summer as I was, here's a short list of places you can go to take advantage of what you missed.

eSchoolNews ISTE 2016 Recap

Summarizing ISTE 2016 In Tweets

ISTE 2016 on Google Plus

ISTE 2016 Conference News

So take all the information you received - or gathered from the links above- and figure out one or two things you'd like to integrate this year. Make a plan and ask a colleague to be your guinea pig. Test out your new tool or process on your guinea pig before trying it with your kids. Good luck and get supercharged and excited about the new school year.

Flipping in Time

Coming home from the ISTE national conference in San Diego, I found on our doorstep, a copy of Time Magazine for the week of July 9th. As I flipped through the latest I found the following article (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2118298,00.html) on Sal Khan called "Reboot the School". It seems that in reading the article, the idea of the flipped classroom has reached Time Magazine. However, as I read further, I found the usual story of how Salman Khan went from Hedge fund manager to online tutor/teacher. As I read further, I discovered what the magazine describes as the flipped classroom, but refers to it as Khan's Way.

Now I am a big fan of Khan, and while I am happy to see the idea of the flipped classroom reach such a wide audience, I was disappointed to see that other names such as Bergmann and Sams were left out of the discussion; or to also see that no mention was made of the success that is occurring in schools across the country where teachers have made their own videos through their own efforts.




While Khan Academy is a great solution for students who need additional help, and it provides a solution for teachers who are starting out on their own in a flipped model, nothing replaces the familiarity of a student being able to see and hear their own teacher in a video lesson as homework, and being able to relate the information back the next day in a hands on activity.

I would encourage anyone who reads this article and is interested in flipping the classroom to do the research. There are many examples of how flipping can be successful. I would also recommend that for teachers who are just starting out, Khan is a great starting point, but nothing can replace the teacher students are familiar with. So when you get the nerve and get over seeing or hearing yourself on video, start with a few simple tools such as Camtasia, Explain Everything, or Educreations, and make your own videos to begin flipping the classroom.

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ISTE 2012: Pirates of the Class-I-Wanna-Be-In ~ The Journey to Paper's End

I loved this presentation! From the start, it was very entertaining. The presenter, Captain IO, was clad in pirate costume and brought on the full effect with an authentic pirate accent! Aargh!
The focus of this workshop was on the paperless classroom and use of mobile devices. He poses the idea that a trained "tech pirate" can find most anything:

Pull media
Pick out images
Snag shared fair-use resources
Collaborate with others
Acquire inspiration and creativity

If going paperless, Cap'n IO mentions that you have to get yer stuff from somewhere! Creating a site to put things out on the web was necessary. His choice was dreamweaver, weebly, and wix. Weebly and Wix provided a user friendly drag and drop interface for teachers who didn't feel savvy enough for dreamweaver.

He says you also need a means of assessment, content absorption, and expression. In other words, testin', learnin', and creatin'! The key is to go around the HMS Admin. that thar was a boat to avoid! Rough waters ahead he says (ya feelin' how cheeky this presentation was?).




His setup meant that he totally threw out all paper. And aside from his website, he had a teacher workstation, student owned devices, a projector, and a few other peripherals.

Keeping the attention of the kids was a problem, but he says it can be easy. What with all the activities, parent meetings, sports events,and tutoring sessions ( sound familiar), he had to keep their attention. But he needed machines. He had enough machines (rebuilt, borrowed, hijacked) to create a 2:1 ratio. Even though it wasn't 1:1 it wasn't bad. He even had a kid that brought in a PS3 because it had wifi and could get on the net. Anything to get them wired. And the techs didn't quite love it.
They complained about the hodge-podge of machines and the nightmare created by the mix. But no matter how old it was, once he reached the satisfaction of making it work, the key was it worked.





Turning in work came down to emailing assignments. Gmail was what he used. He had now entered Googledom. He had one gmail address, one site, per class.


For grading and assessment, he used Quia.com. He never had to grade homework, but he could track mastery and understanding of content.

"Thar still be big problems"

The desire would be to have a 1:1 environment, but sometimes that doesn't happen. And kids get lost and sucked in by the "Fracken" (Facebook) or other distractions. And when not all kids are working on the same device and same format, you get assignments turned in in so many formats (.doc, PDF, works, ppt, etc...) that it can be frustrating. Also, where do they take notes? How do you know the work is authentic? So rather than have them do all the work outside, it was done in class, by hand on paper; their own, not the schools. But by flipping it in this way, their understanding transformed.


But this wasn't paperless! He still depended on the kids to buy theme books for writing. Argh! There be no papers end!

"But thar be a place!"

A place called Tabletonia! They headed in to Tabletonia and found Everything he had created could be ported through one device with a battery that would last all day. But flash became a problem, as when he created his videos with Camtasia, they couldn't be viewed on iPads. But he found if when creating links, he linked to the video instead of the site, they indeed could be viewed on iPads!

As well, the iPad allowed students/teachers to record, edit, use special effects, create, and export items on one device. And rather than spend tons of dollars on graphing calculators, he used the $0.99 calculator on the app store.

Apps provided a way so that notes could be handwritten, PDF could be converted to word and back, comments could be written, and it was paperless! Try Notability. Notes can be created by hand and emailed from within the app. And in PDF format. Everything could be converted and handed in via the PDF format. You can also record. Great value.

If you want more about this great speaker go to http://templeeduneering.com/ISTE/x.html
Print out a poster of his material for your classroom.

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ISTE 2012: Classroom Flipping - How We Did It

http://youwillflip.pbworks.com
This morning I am attending a workshop on flipping the classroom at ISTE 2012. Never hurts to get all the additional info you can. This morning's presenters are Rebecca Evans and Kate Kanach.
If you haven't heard of flipping the classroom, it's not actually a new concept, but it has taken on a life of its own in the past two years. I have posted several articles on it in the past. If you want to check them out, check the tags at the left.




Flipping the classroom entails changing your traditional lectures to a video format and posting them online as homework. Then face to face classroom time can be used to focus on hands on activities, practice, and guided instruction through inquiry. Think Salman Khan (Khan Academy) for homework, and homework as classwork. That's an extremely simplified view, but hopefully you get the picture.

Back to our presenters, one of the things they stressed in their presentation is that some statistics show that student test scores go up in the flipped model of instruction. They also point out that flipping encourages teamwork and 21st century skills, as students work in teams more frequently, and utilize more technology skills. The caveat to this, they say is that some teachers are Leary of this modl because they are no longer the center of attention. It does take you off center stage. But remember: it's not about you, it's about the kids.




If you check out their website, they have provided a wealth of articles and resources. They provide examples of how they have setup their classroom, and provide a sample unit so teachers can see and understand the flow of a flipped lesson. Something they have done, and what needs to be pointed out here is that the "homework" doesn't always have to be a video, it can be a Prezi, a PowerPoint, or other interactive content. They use Edmodo to post their lessons and questions.

When doing class in this manner, you have to realize that student projects will build interpersonal skills and will allow students more variety in the ways they produce work. As they do work, they will be there with you and they will have the benefit of your help. Likewise, you will benefit by being able to observe them at work.

The presenters also pointed out something I feel is important. It is not always necessary or proper to flip every lesson. But it will work with most things. Also, check out "Flip Your Classroom" from ISTE. This book provides a great deal of insight from flipping pioneers Bergmann & Sams.

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#ISTE12 Technology Tools and Differentiation

How do you use graphics, photos, etc...to draw interest and bring together an idea? This morning I attended a presentation on Dynamic Differentiation & Digital Age Learning by Annette Lamb in which she answered that question. Using technology, we can address the differences in our students. Technology can help us focus on the needs of groups in our classrooms. Technology can help achieve readiness, develop interests, and provide choice. Technology can do this by adding visuals, auditory components, and writing.

For instance, if a child has problems in an area such as writing or typing, an iPad can help a child as it provides a way to record and transcribe thoughts. But as well, technology can help students relay ideas or understand content through rich visual content which can attract student interest.
Create a bridge between media by connecting a reader to video or online content related to a book they are reading.

The example Annette uses is that Graeme Base, author of The Jewel Fish of Karnak has recorded youtube video commentary on his book. The online content creates an extension which can't drive student interest. Weaving these experiences and extensions together can become important.


But not all media are this rich in related content. As a result, we as educators need to work together to share resources or seek out those who have connections to content online. If something isn't available, build it yourself!
One way to turn kids on to reading is to use google as a starting point. Have a child search for a book, and read a synopsis or first few pages of a book before going to the library to check it out.

To generate interest in global topics, use the web to do a search on videos, visuals, etc... For example, on a discussion of Egypt, have them refer to sites suggested by Google to help them understand that Egypt is a real place and find out what it looks like.


Use fun tools to help them conduct their search:

-Student made tools, maps, books, artwork can be overplayed over existing content to draw a comparison. Have kids make their own map of Egypt and compare it to the real thing on google maps.

-iPad apps can help immerse students in new content. D a search for apps related to your subject.

- do a search for student work created by others and have student's critique their work for accuracy and understanding.

-put together resources using keynote or PowerPoint, Glogster, or some other web based tool.

With almost anything, you can generate student interest just by searching out supplemental videos, websites, and tools on the web. With the results you get, you can create an extension activity that enriches student understanding and interest.

As she discussed these topics, I was reminded how Apple has led us down this very path by generating iBooks textbooks that create visuals that jump off the page or provide interactive activities that go deeper into topics that normally would just lay on the page in print media. Today, she says, we have reached "a different way of thinking" and learning.
But in relating these thoughts she stresses that it is important that kids learn to generate their own content. After all, we do learn best by doing! There are a wealth of tools available to us now, especially for free, that can be utilized to generate our own content. Organizers, cameras, video tools, aggregators - all sorts of web 2.0 tools and tools on handheld devices - have given us the ability to create! Many kids have iPods of their own, or phones that carry these tools. We need to make use of these tools.

As she continues, Annette also stresses that we need to give students choice. I have been saying this for years. We need to let them choose how they analyze content, how they create content. Students don't always want to use the methods prescribed by us. They have strengths of their own; they have interests that can be used to create authentic works.

Every year, we as educators spend an inordinate amount of time learning and discussing new apps and tools that we can use. We need to apply those tools to projects in the classroom. This leads to the discussion of producing 1:1 tools such as tablets and computers. Student learning can be greatly amplified by integrating technology and allowing students to use these tools. Why do we continue to use technology behind the desk as a teacher, but expect kids to do the same old dry activities and projects? It's time to bring those tools to the other side of the desk.

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There's an App For That #ISTE12

Attended a forum for the ISTE Special Interest Group on Mobile Learning (SIGML). Presenters promoted use of the following website, which provides a resource list of apps for most any mobile platform (blackberry, iOS, android) and any age level (pre-k to PhD).
http://www.tbrmobile.org
Many apps were presented, but discussion shifted very early on to the fact that we as teachers need to speak up and tell the publishers what content, interactive, video, etc, we would like to see in the educational apps we use. Results will happen if you ask.
A few of the super cool apps presented:
Frog Dissection by Emantras
Al Gore: Our Choice
Splashtop Presenter
Verbally - provides words and phrases and speaks them aloud for special needs kids.
News in Slow Spanish -actually a podcast - provides news commentary in Spanish -can be played at slower rate for Spanish learners. Available on iTunes.
Art Rage - painting tool for the iPad. Use a stylus!
Dropbox - cant stress enough how great this file storage app is! I use it myself. Access files anywhere.
Kobo - free books
Wattpad - free original stories
Skitch - Annotate over anything.
Puppet Pals - make your own Puppet play using characters and backdrops provided. Play back on iPad. Great for building creativity.
Check them out. The level of interactive content and productivity is wonderful.
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Location:ISTE 2012 San Diego, CA

ISTE Exhibit Hall

Walking through the ISTE exhibit hall, you never know what you will find. I happened to visit the Promethean booth and ran across this:
There are literally enough exhibitors to cover a city block and they are proof positive that technology is moving forward at a fast pace (like you didn't know that already).




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Location:ISTE 2012 Conference, San Diego, CA

Apps with Aptitude

Cathie Loesing, Program Coordinator with the eMints National Center, presented a session this morning on the use of iPads in the K-2 classroom. She stresses that when using iPads and selecting apps for lessons that teachers should focus on the following:
Apps should promote higher level thinking
Lessons should prompt community based learning
Stress inquiry based learning
She discussed many of her favorite apps, but rather than have me pick and choose, I though I would post a link to her site so you could see the apps for yourself. She lists many paid and free apps. Enjoy!
http://appswithaptitude.weebly.com/
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Location:ISTE 2012

ISTE 2012

The ISTE 2012 Conference is coming up on June 24-27th. This year's conference is in San Diego, CA. A few of us from our district will be attending. It is my hope and my goal to submit a few posts on this blog about what we see there. This year, there is a great deal of discussion regarding iPads, BYOD, Flipping, and Virtual Learning. I know there will be a lot to see and experience, so I'll try to share as much as possible.

The past few years have been interesting as technology has taken a greater presence in education. Where in years past, the ability to use technology in the classroom greatly hinged on budgets, there are now more free options and WiFi in schools has given teachers the ability to serve students more as they bring their own devices to the classroom. This year's ISTE workshops and topics will help to answer many of the questions I have about this and other issues regarding technology and education.

If you are interested in seeing what all the buzz is about, here is a link to the ISTE website.