“The students are so engaged.”
This phrase drives me nuts. Anytime you do something new, the students will be “more engaged.” But is what we are doing “make learning better?” Does this last long term?
The first time students get to do their math problems on a device they may be “so engaged” but ultimately we are asking them to do the exact same task as they were doing on paper. Students taking the same problems from the book and writing out the steps onto a digital drawing surface does not improve the learning. Does this justify the cost of devices, the maintenance, the hassle of tech not working, the new classroom management techniques you have to learn, the PD time?
Check out Ronessa’s Desmos activity that allows students to explore trig functions not just graph them.
@alicekeeler Solving Trig Equation s in general form. Feedback welcome! https://t.co/lV1zIfVcX1
— Ronessa Acquesta (@RonessaA) May 16, 2016
How Does This Make Learning Better?
Let’s ask the question. “How does this make learning better?” It is 2016, technology brings a lot of new possibilities that we want to embrace. It is also an opportunity to let some things go. What has technology made obsolete or practically obsolete? Technology is not going to be the savior of education if we are just using it to do the same things we were doing 20 years ago.
I did a lesson where students used Doodle Buddy app on the iPad to graph parabolas. We used the pile of poo sticker (it comes with sound effects) for plotting points. Were my students “so engaged?” You bet’cha. Did they understand parabolas better? No. How many times can you graph with a pile of poo before that gets old?
Let’s not let our student engagement be driven by never ending gimmicks. The novelty of a new program is a not a good enough reason to use tech.
Start with the 4 C’s
A good place to start when using tech is to think about the 4 C’s.
- Clearly communicate ideas.
- Critical thinking
- Creative thinking
- Collaborate
How does the tech allow for students to better engage in the 4 C’s?
More Questions to Ask
How can students make choices?
Worked myself out of a job! Teachers teaching each other at blended learning choice stations. #cuerockstar math pic.twitter.com/VXcANe7aol
— Lindsey Blass (@LindseyBlass1) May 15, 2016
How can I better differentiate for student interest and needs?
How can I be more flexible to allow the individuals I have in my class the time they need to understand and learn?
How can I use current and relevant events and data?
How can I connect my students to the world?
How can we collaborate outside of these 4 walls?
How can we do a project that integrates the learning objectives that makes the community a better place?
How do students have a voice in their learning?
Bad Reasons to Use Tech
- Because it is faster than getting out paper.
- It is more colorful.
- It’s nifty.
- It’s fun to use technology.
- I do not have to use the copy machine.
- Copy and paste.
.@alicekeeler a bad reason to use technology “to help with classroom management.”
— Barry Stone (@boilerupstone) May 16, 2016
“Well, we have to spend this money SOMEHOW…” https://t.co/o7xqSQytal
— Aaron Smith (@theartguy) May 16, 2016
@alicekeeler Cos I want an app to teach the kids a skill that I would normally teach
— Michael Vivian (@vivstar33) May 16, 2016
@alicekeeler Just to be “keeping up with the Jones’s” and not what’s best for Ss
— Robert Glenn (@rjg_1978) May 16, 2016
“If I don’t use this tech I never have a reason to use in my class they will take this tech from my classroom.” https://t.co/o7xqSQytal
— Aaron Smith (@theartguy) May 16, 2016
@alicekeeler “Research and make a ppt”…
— Sarah Bedwell (@FlyMyGeekFlag) May 16, 2016
@alicekeeler Cos my 3 year old niece is amazing with an iPad
— Michael Vivian (@vivstar33) May 16, 2016
@alicekeeler Cos the kids are ‘digital natives’
— Michael Vivian (@vivstar33) May 16, 2016
@alicekeeler to replace teaching
— Mrs. Emily Walsh (@Mrs_Walsh_) May 16, 2016
“We’re told this is the best way to increase scores.” https://t.co/o7xqSQytal
— Aaron Smith (@theartguy) May 16, 2016
.@alicekeeler To get ready for SBAC – CAASPP testing and no other reason
— Adam Welcome (@awelcome) May 16, 2016
@alicekeeler Work assigned is SAME as without tech–multiple choice, content test via Google Forms or Google docs essay instead of written.
— Jennifer Casa-Todd (@JCasaTodd) May 16, 2016
@alicekeeler to have a reason to attempt to use the word “innovation”
— Flor Isabel Serna (@flor_serna) May 16, 2016
.@alicekeeler going paperless will save the environment.
— Ms Butterfly (@butterfly_class) May 16, 2016
.@alicekeeler because it will save the teacher’s time.
— Ms Butterfly (@butterfly_class) May 16, 2016
