Secondary TIC Members

Why do you use technology in your classroom?

I use technology in my classroom for organizational management and convenience. Technology has allowed me to organize my course materials and online resources into one user-friendly location for my students to be able to access from anywhere. Technology also makes learning more engaging and fun!

Assume you have sufficient wifi and access to devices for your students. What are the top three apps/sites/resources you consider to be "must haves" for your students and why?

The top three apps I like to use in my classroom on a regular basis are Google Sites, Google Classroom, and Nearpod (app). Google Sites and Google Classroom allow for management and communication with my students. Nearpod's concept is simple. A teacher can create presentations that can contain quizzes, polls, videos, images, drawing boards, web content and so on. The children can access a teacher’s presentation through a code. It is up to the teacher to then move the class through the presentation and let them interact with the media as they go.

What message would you like to share with teachers about technology integration?

Determine which online management tool you would like to use and build from there. My advice would be to start small and ask yourself WHY you are using the technology in order to better determine your technology needs.

Why do you use technology in your classroom?

Technology, when used purposefully, enriches learning. We can help our students expedite certain parts of learning activities in order to free up more time to dig into more substantive, real-world research opportunities.

Assume you have sufficient wifi and access to devices for your students. What are the top three apps/sites/resources you consider to be "must haves" for your students and why?

1. Google Apps = great suite of easily accessible productivity apps

2. School or Public Library Webpage = more resources at your fingertips (databases, online encyclopedias, e-Books, and our library catalog for print resources)

3. Also, in my completely biased opinion, a great classroom teacher/tech coach/teacher-librarian is another "must have"--all the apps and gizmos in the world are made more meaningful with the guidance of "lead learners" in the classroom!

What message would you like to share with teachers about technology integration?

Get comfortable with not knowing everything -- reach out for support from other teachers, teacher-librarians, TIC members, and some of your knowledgeable students!

Why do you use technology in your classroom?

Even if it were not part of my curriculum, I would use technology as much as possible. It is engaging to students and helps with organization and work management. Technology also helps prepare our students for future careers.

Assume you have sufficient wifi and access to devices for your students. What are the top three apps/sites/resources you consider to be "must haves" for your students and why?

Schoology is the site I use the most. It is a learning management system (LMS) that allows me to deliver and manage my classes. It has loads of options! I like it more than Google Classroom.

Google Sites are incredibly easy to use and a great way to deliver information. Students have access to Sites all of the time, so if they miss a class or want to refer back to something they can. Students can also create Sites easily for a class portfolio or an alternative way to do a presentation.

My final "must have" would simply be Google, not as a search tool, but for all of the apps and extensions it offers.

What message would you like to share with teachers about technology integration?

Technology Integration is possible in ALL classrooms. It does not always have to be a major part of a lesson. Start out small and build on it. Don't be intimidated by technology or how much you may or may not know. If you don't know how to do something or need help with ideas... ASK.

Why do you use technology in your classroom?

Technology offers opportunities for students to engage in activities that I could not otherwise make available in the classroom, and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways. It increases overall student engagement and allows more student collaboration as well as supporting more flexible student access to resources. It also saves me time and lets me work from multiple locations more easily.

Assume you have sufficient wifi and access to devices for your students. What are the top three apps/sites/resources you consider to be "must haves" for your students and why?

For regular activities, I depend heavily on Google Classroom and the associated Docs, Sheets, Forms etc. I also bring in video clips from YouTube regularly, and rely on Remind for home communication. Otherwise, the science games and demonstrations that I find are from a variety of sources. There are so many good summarizer activities out there or other ways students can show their learning that I have been trying to use a variety of these or offer students choice where I can.

What message would you like to share with teachers about technology integration?

I am by no means cutting edge in technology, but I have pretty much gained the confidence that I can figure out whatever I need to do. Also, when I add more technology in a thoughtful way, I see benefits in both engagement and understanding. I appreciate seeing how others are using technology as well!

Why do you use technology in your classroom?

First and foremost, I always look through the lens of "will this be more efficient AND effective???" If that involves using technology (which most times it does :-)) then I will use technology in the classroom. Secondly, research shows that students (and even us adults) have a 10-15 minute attention span, so using technology for some pieces of class time can keep/get them moving or engaging a different part of their brains. Third, IT'S FUN :-) for the students and for me. Fourth...the list goes on...

Assume you have sufficient wifi and access to devices for your students. What are the top three apps/sites/resources you consider to be "must haves" for your students and why?

Google Classroom, Desmos (it's a graphing calculator), Edpuzzle

What message would you like to share with teachers about technology integration?

Be open to listening, learning, AND more importantly, taking the risk. Don't compare yourself to others. I know this is a life lesson, but in terms of technology, it holds as well. Even if you use your overhead projector to save time writing ALLLL the notes on the board for the students to copy...that is a step in the right direction. :-)

Why do you use technology in your classroom?

I use technology in the classroom because as technology becomes more abundant in our students' lives they need to know how to navigate and troubleshoot whatever they are faced with. The various tools we use in the classroom allow students to practice real world skills on top of gaining a deeper understanding of content.

Assume you have sufficient wifi and access to devices for your students. What are the top three apps/sites/resources you consider to be "must haves" for your students and why?

The whole Google suite of apps. I think these are the most important for our students because of the organizational piece. In a world that is continuing to use more and more technology, our students need to know how to organize and create personal works. These apps are essential because of their continued use during the rest of their lives.

What message would you like to share with teachers about technology integration?

Take the risk, it is okay to fail. Failure is a part of learning and in many cases our students are right there to help us pick up the pieces.

Why do you use technology in your classroom?

I use technology in my classroom because it enriches our learning community. Technology allows me to make better use of my time evaluating and celebrating student growth through precise formative assessment measurements. Technology tools also help my students think, communicate, collaborate, and create "outside the box" as they learn why and how to become global citizens.

Assume you have sufficient wifi and access to devices for your students. What are the top three apps/sites/resources you consider to be "must haves" for your students and why?

You can't go wrong with the Google Suite for Education including Classroom, Drive, Docs, Forms, Sheets, Sites, Slides, and Hangouts. These tools allow students to collaborate. I've been hosting study sessions on Hangouts and modeling for students how to organize online study/work sessions. My second recommendation would be Skype. Any grade level and subject area can benefit from the real-world learning opportunities from global collaboration. Finally, I would recommend Twitter. This resource allows learning to be saved, discussed, and shared in a community, making learning contagious.

What message would you like to share with teachers about technology integration?

I love what Alice Keeler (Google Suite for Education advocate) mentioned this past summer: “Good teachers can't be replaced by technology. What tech does is allow teachers to spend more time focusing on their learners & building those relationships.” We also need to model proper use of technology and reinforce the importance of empathy and compassion.

Why do you use technology in your classroom?

The teachers in ELA use technology in their classroom daily via Google Classroom as well as many other platforms for blended elements, formative assessment, discussion, feedback, and more. Students use a wide variety of tools in order to create, communicate, and collaborate.

Assume you have sufficient wifi and access to devices for your students. What are the top three apps/sites/resources you consider to be "must haves" for your students and why?

Almost all communication goes through Google Classroom, so that is a must. Google Docs allows written collaboration, and that has been a game changer for us. Flipgrid is becoming a routine way to give voice and feedback to and among students. Finally, WeVideo is used frequently for the visual elements of rhetoric and illustrations of understanding when it comes to our learning goals.

What message would you like to share with teachers about technology integration?

Technology is not about computers; it is about access to people and ideas. It is about creativity and communication. It adds color and perspective to our students' educational experience.