As we come to the end of another school year, assessments are often the first thing that come to an educator’s mind. We are familiar with the concept of our students testing for hours at a time for multiple days, but what if there was a more engaging way to…
Hi everyone! I’m Alicia Southworth, Edvergent Learning’s new Technology Integration Specialist! I am joining #TeamEdvergent with 4 years of teaching experience and a love for helping educators implement the best #EdTech tools into their instruction. In addition to introducing myself, I’d also like to introduce you to a couple of…
Technology is a vital tool in education today. It has the power to redefine instruction and revamp student engagement. But, just like all good things, we often run into challenges along the way. Technology is always changing. Just when we think we’ve mastered a tool, new updates roll out and…
Kahoot has been a buzz in the #edTech world for several years now, but only recently has Quizizz come to the formative assessment scene. If your students enjoy game-based quizzing on Kahoot, why switch? I only recommend replacing an old favorite if there’s added value with a new one. As…
Engaging instruction, student centered learning, and a classroom foundation built upon creation is the goal of every educator. But, often the question is HOW do I accomplish this? How do I “change” my classroom, and design an atmosphere that is more beneficial for the many different ways students learn today?…
I was asked to go head to head with a well-known Google Certified Trainer, Donnie Piercey (@MrPiercey) at a training yesterday. Our topic? Chromebook vs iPad.
Although we’ve talked smack the past few months, when it comes down to it, my personal opinion is that both have the power to transform the teaching and learning in a classroom. Also, one is a mobile device for creation and the other is a laptop with the power of Google; therefore, it’s really like comparing apples to oranges. Both have positives and negatives. Make no mistake, I was asked to represent the iPad, so I did my best to highlight the attractive features of the iPad (and show Donnie up). Donnie and I go back five years, so the competition was fierce, but playful.
Too Often a Tale of a Digital Teacher:
Your digital transition all started when your administration handed you some iPads.
You felt comfortable with the websites your students used on the computers in the back of your room, so you added the links to the home screen of the iPad.
Next, you searched your content in the app store to find apps for your students. Although overwhelmed by the number, you selected a few (hundred).
In the end, you used the iPads for stations, content-specific game-based learning apps, and rewards. Maybe even added in a little whiteboard app for some excitement.
Am I right?
You survived a few months with mobile devices, and no one got hurt (not even a cracked screen), but the learning in your classroom wasn’t transformed quite like you had imagined.
So, now what?
Here are four elements to consider before presenting your next lesson.
Element One: Consume
Goal: Differentiate instruction, perform frequent formative assessment checks, provide 24/7 access to content, vary content delivery methods