How Is This Better Than Paper?
Using digital tools is a shift in mindset. Technology allows for interactions that were difficult or impossible before.
Ask the Question
How is this digital task BETTER than using paper?
If you don’t ask “how can I make this better” then it won’t be better.
Things To Add
[tweet]Being paperless does not increase student engagement or improve learning. [/tweet]
Immediate Feedback
If the computer can grade it, it should.
Instead of a digital worksheet try a digital tool that gives the student immediate feedback on their answers. Try this “Football scrimmage” on Quia to practice rational numbers. Notice the student is told after each question whether or not they were correct. This is very motivating and students do not practice wrong. Google Forms allows you to turn in self-grading quizzes in the settings. However, I prefer something that provides feedback question by question rather than a summary at the end.
Collaboration
How can students collaborate on the document? Google Apps in G Suite are designed around collaboration but many other products facilitate collaboration also. Check out Explain Everything for iPad collaboration.
Creativity
How are students able to display creative thinking in the activity? One tip is to allow students to choose the medium. They choose the app. Check out how Matthew Farber let his students choose the Bitmoji app to demonstrate their learning.
Audience
Are students turning in work only to the teacher or do they have an authentic audience? Will there be peer evaluation? How can they share and receive feedback from others on what they have done?
Feedback
How does the technology allow for higher quality feedback than just a grade or notes left in the margin of a document? As much as is possible, providing students feedback while they are working on something increases the learning potential and motivation. After the due date, students learn less from feedback than if it was given before the due date. One advantage of Google Classroom and Google Docs is the ability to move away from comments to conversations.
Interactivity
How are students actively engaging with the technology beyond just writing down answers? Look for opportunities for students to explore ideas. Using web tools such as Desmos or Geogebra students can explore ideas rather than simply memorize them.
Collect Data
Tech that collects and summarizes data helps you to better target student needs and to adjust lessons more quickly.
Choice
What choices do students have? Giving students choices aids in differentiation and gives students a sense of a locus of control. Technology makes it easier than ever to provide students choice.
Edutopia
Edutopia is an excellent resource for learning new things about teaching. Check out their list of articles for teachers who are new to tech.
Google Apps Training
https://www.google.com/edu/teacher/ is a great resource for finding training materials on how to teach with Google Apps in G Suite.
