The Teacher Tech Blog

Parent...I mean Student Led Conferences

As teachers we're all familiar with the hustle and bustle of conference time. That time once per year where you meet with every parent to discuss the progress of their child. My question is, if the conference is about the student why should I be the only one discussing their progress? It's time to turn the tables and let students take control of where they are in their learning progression! I've done student led conferences for three years now and I can honestly say it has been the best in instilling agency among my students! If you would like to read more about why I choose to do student led conferences in my classroom, read my most recent co-authored piece from Getting Smart, Empowering Students Through Sharing.

...but how do student led conferences relate to technology? Each year when my students do student led conferences they compile their work for the year using Google Sites in order to create a digital portfolio, or a digital folder. Google Sites is a tool through the Google G Suite to "collaboratively create engaging, high-quality sites for your team, project or event. The sites look great on every screen, from desktop to smartphone. All without learning design or programming" (G Suite by Google Cloud). I love that through the creation of a digital portfolio my students are learning skills that they will use far into life. These skills include website design, presentation skills, and how to incorporate different aspects of the G Suite to their work.

Reporting Live!

Whenever I would get home from school my dad would have the news on, and as a 5th grader it was like watching paint dry! I never really knew the importance of the news until later on, especially as a teacher and director of the broadcast program at my school. Who would have thought! Having students creating a weekly or monthly broadcast for their school community is a great way to connect everyone to the events happening on campus as well as the world. The star of our broadcast is most definitely the iPad app, Green Screen by Do Ink! Green Screen by Do Ink is an amazing app which can transform an ordinary video recording and turn it into an EXTRAORDINARY one! With just the click of a button you can take a green background and transport to the Caribbean in a split second! I have used Green Screen by Do Ink in a variety of ways with age ranges from 1st-5th grade. Use Green Screen by Do Ink to ramp up an ordinary PSA, make a music video with homemade instruments, have your students record the weekly bulletin for parents, or my personal favorite, start a broadcast team at your school!

*IMPORTANT: you need a green wall to use the green screen feature. You can use green butcher paper, a green towel, or even a green sheet. Click the link below to see what I purchased in order to use Green Screen by Do Ink in my classroom.

Cowboy Studio Seamless 10 X 12ft Chroma Key Green Muslin Backdrop

Check out how I have used Green Screen by Do Ink by clicking the links below!

The Dolphin Broadcast

1st Grade: The Sound of Happiness

3rd Grade: When Disaster Strikes

5th Grade PSA: Human Impact

PSA of the 21st Century

A Public Service Announcement (PSA) is a great way for students to not only share what they've learned, but to educate their audience to make a change! I love watching the creativity, collaboration, and passion ignited in my students throughout the process of creating a PSA. PSA's are often found in the form of a poster, why not rethink that and infuse technology? One of my favorite apps to use in creating a digital PSA is ChatterPix. ChatterPix is a free and easy tool found in the iTunes App Store. ChatterPix gives students the opportunity to take a picture or upload an existing one, draw a line where you want the picture to talk, and record for 30 seconds. BAM! You now have a 21st century PSA to share with your audience!

I have used ChatterPix with both Kindergarten and 5th graders who created PSA's as final deliverables in a PBL unit! Check out the project examples by clicking the links below!

Kindergarten: Waste Watchers

5th Grade: Living off the Grid

Don't forget that each project example has a step-by-step video tutorial on how to navigate and use the technological platform!

Technology, dun, dun, duh....

Whenever someone mentions technology in the classroom, there are always two different reactions. You either get a teacher who is on board and ready to tackle the challenge, or you have a teacher who has no idea where to start! Why is this the reality?

Living in the digital age, technology is everywhere and in everything we do. Why, however, is technology in the classroom such a touchy subject for a lot of teachers? Many school districts are switching to one-to-one technology for students and are simply leaving these devices in classrooms without any direction, then speeding out the door. Just like everything in education, in order for teachers to be proficient and confident in their teaching they need training!

Enter, Teacher Tech Tools. I'm happy you're here, let's squash the intimidation of technology in the classroom while tackling how to leverage its presence in the classroom to display students' evaluation and creation of learning!