#EdTechToolbox
This toolbox includes Mrs. Haire's most commonly used online/ technology tools. There is a description of how Mrs. Haire uses each of the tools, as well as other features Mrs. Haire thought were beneficial about the tools.
Click the image for a tool that you wish to know more about. A new web page will open for you to get additional information about the tools!
CommonLit
Mrs. Haire uses the non-fiction/ informational texts in CommonLit to pair with novels and short stories that she uses in her classroom. The related texts help the students to see that most fictional literature is based on real life experiences or historical events. The assessment questions include rigorous and standards based questions, as well as open ended questions where students can use the RACER method for constructed responses they have been taught in class.
The assignments are embedded with the following features for students: an annotation tool for students to take notes as they read, guiding questions for students to check their own understanding as they read the text, assessment questions for summative assessment, and a discussion prompt for student discussion related to the topic.
Teachers have access to several features for use in each assignment: paired texts (other CommonLit texts to pair with the assignment), related media (Youtube videos or other media resources to help with understanding the topic of the text assigned), an answer key to the assessment questions, and a parent guide (with ways that parents can support their children in learning).
In the virtual mode of learning, assignments would be used for students to practice with annotation, to practice working with the standards covered independently, and for daily grades.
Kahoot!
Mrs. Haire uses Kahoot! for review of texts, concepts, units, and standards. The review games keep students engaged and active in participation. This helps prepare students for summative assessments, in a fun way.
Mrs. Haire has created her own review games, inserting her own questions and images to make the review fun and interactive, but there is also a library of teacher created review games that can be used as well.
Mrs. Haire uses the data from these review games for formative assessment data, and she also takes some of the scores for a daily grade.
In virtual learning, students can access the review games and play them independently for review.
USATestPrep
Mrs. Haire uses USATestPrep for formative and summative assessments. She also uses it for bell ringer assignments to cover grammar standards that students should already have basic knowledge about from previous English courses.
The videos in USATestPrep are amazing tools for reviewing skills, concepts, and standards because they are very short which keeps students' attention but also very informative and helpful.
Other effective features provided by USATestPrep:
-a practice tool for students that is individualized based on what they do poorly on in assignments previously completed by them
-data that can be used by teachers to drive instruction and help teachers to plan lessons that are designed specifically for the needs shown by the data
-the capability for teachers to create their own assessments, entering their own questions and answer choices, or pre-developed assignments/assessments that can be automatically generated
-various options in question type and assignment type including games, performance tasks, multiple choice questions, and open ended questions
In virtual learning mode, students will use USATestPrep for instructional purposes (videos), daily practice (questions/performance tasks), and daily grades as well as quiz grades.
Google Docs
Mrs. Haire uses Google Docs to assign digital copies of worksheets/ assignments when students are absent or virtually learning from home. This helps when a student is unexpectedly absent but wants to try to stay caught up on the work they would have normally had to wait until returning to school to obtain. This helps teachers stay on pace with curriculum.
Mrs. Haire also uses Google Docs for students to type their writing assignments. Then, Mrs. Haire uses Doc extensions such as Google Keep to provide feedback and the Originality Report to check for plagiarism. Mrs. Haire can give instant feedback as the students type and students can see the feedback in real time and make changes based on that feedback in their editing/revising stages of writing.
Another great use of Google Docs is for the recording of meeting minutes held in Mrs. Haire's Gifted PLC. Mrs. Haire keeps a running record of weekly meetings held. Mrs. Haire shares resources that are beneficial to teachers who teach Gifted students on this Google Doc (including embedded links to online resources), and any members of the Gifted PLC are able to go back and view those resources any time.
In the virtual mode of learning, students will be able to add to Google Doc templates that Mrs. Haire has created and will be assigning on the Classwork tab in Google Classroom. When Mrs. Haire would normally provide a handout or graphic organizer in class, those same resources will be available in a Google Doc when students are learning virtually from home.
Google Slides
Mrs. Haire uses Google Slides for students to work with a partner or in groups on extension/ enrichment projects. The cool thing about partner/group assignments in Google Slides is that the students don't have to be sitting right next to each other or even be in the same location to be working on the assignment together. Because the slides updates live as students work, all editors can see the changes occurring to the presentation in real time.
Mrs. Haire also uses Google Slides for cumulative review projects where students create a technology based presentation to show their mastery of content. This aids Mrs. Haire in covering the production/ distribution standards in the Georgia Standards of Excellence.
When having to teach in the virtual setting, partner/group assignments are made easy through the "real-time" editing feature for all students who have access to the Slides they are working on.
Google Forms
Mrs. Haire uses Google Forms for both formative and summative assessments, as well as for student surveys, electronic sign-up forms, etc.
With Google Forms, tests are a breeze! There are so many options for quizzes including: an option for locking the screen while students are testing to prevent cheating, an option for types of questions (multiple choice, drop down menu, short answer, etc.), and the ability to assign point values to the test items so that the assessment provides the teacher with instant data/scores.
Another great thing about testing in Google Forms, is the fact that teachers can fix the settings for a quiz in Google Forms to meet the diverse needs of students. When modifying tests for students who have testing accommodations per an IEP, Mrs. Haire can simply make a copy of a test she has already created, and then change the settings whatever way necessary to meet those needs. While students were virtually learning from home, Mrs. Haire recorded herself on a Google Meets recording reading the questions and answer choices aloud, and embedded a link to the recording into the Google Form. This provided the read-aloud accommodation that some students with disabilities have in their IEP's for testing.
With virtual learning, when using Google Forms as an assessment tool, teachers can give tests with integrity and confidence that students are most likely not going to cheat. This helps to provide the teacher with accurate data.