Embedded Files
12. Collaborate with another educator.
13. Co-learn with students about a new digital tool
14. Facilitate students' virtual meetings with experts or students.
15. Demonstrate effective communication with all students' supporters.
12. Collaborate with another educator
12. Collaborate with another educator
AI Developments
AI Developments
Panel Discussion with other educators to share ideas about AI and its impact in education. We had guiding questions but engaged in an open conversation about concerns and welcomed questions from viewers.
ChatGPT Saturday Lesson
ChatGPT Saturday Lesson
Collaborated with Holly Clark to create a 30 minute Saturday free session about 3 ideas for ChatGPT that teachers can use tomorrow. It was a great first event to learn together and to give other educators some ideas to try to build their AI skills.
For GDIT 714
For GDIT 714
I led a panel discussion about teacher preparation as part of the GDIT 704 course. Five educators with varying experiences and perspectives.
I learned so much from this conversation and I am thankful for the investment in building my network and global learning community.
AI Presentation on Quizizz
AI Presentation on Quizizz
I collaborated with Kyle Neimis, an educator, to talk about the new AI features in Quizizz, how I use it in my classroom, and the benefits for educators and students. A fantastic learning opportunity to share my experiences and interact with educators from around the world.
Language Learning Chat
Language Learning Chat
In collaboration with Carl Hooker, educator, author, consultant, & Rex Academy, we recorded a podcast about student voice and language learning. It can be scary sometimes to talk about complex topics for fear of not being an expert, but we are all learning, and conversations are key.
ThriveinEDU Show
ThriveinEDU Show
We have had a show for a few years and have guests who are educators or work with edtech to share insights, have fun, and be a space to connect.
Each episode focused on a topic or concern in education and our goal was to openly discuss and also provide a supportive educator space.
Podcasting in EDU
Podcasting in EDU
Melody (front right) and I presented a two-hour workshop to educators at the ISTE conference.
We had done our podcast for years, but this was the first time presenting a workshop on it, and we had not rehearsed. It went well, but we realized that we could have planned a few more interactive components for the workshop.
FETC Discovery Theater
FETC Discovery Theater
Co-presenting in the expo hall at the discovery theater on Augmented and Virtual Reality with Jaime Donally, educator and consultant from Texas.
Being able to share my learning curve with other educators who are just starting with some emerging tools is my passion.
Edtech Show
Edtech Show
Collaborating with other educators to present sessions to educators from Pittsburgh in the Spring of 2023. Speaking as a leader to administrators is something that I have been working on and this was a great experience because of the new connections I made and ideas I learned.
Podcast Series
Podcast Series
I had the opportunity to be the podcast host for BAM Radio Network to interview guests about PBL, Genius Hour, STEM, Equity/Accessibility, and more. Not only did I have the chance to collaborate with some friends, but I made new connections and learned a lot of ideas that I could bring to my own teaching practice.
These episodes and this opportunity helped me to reflect on my PBL methods in my own classroom and to learn more about how to enhance the opportunities that I was creating for students and to also connect them with more real-world learning experiences.
These are just a few of the types of ways that I have been collaborating with other educators locally and globally. We create podcasts, and presentations, co-write blogs, stream a live show, plan an event, or hold morning coffee EDU meetups to discuss what is happening in education.
During my summer Statistics courses through Phoenix, I collaborated with other students to create a case study and taught them how to use presentation tools.
In my GDIT course in Fall 2023, I collaborated with Dr. Kush and another student to research AI and ChatGPT and write an article together. We proofed each other's content and provided feedback.
Collaboration on a podcast about AI
Collaboration on a podcast about AI
An impromptu discussion about edtech, AI, and education in general that happened while I attended and presented at a conference in Houston called TCCA in October 2023. Speaking with Gabriel, the host, was a great way to learn about his work as well and also help with my podcasting skills, seeing his setup and how he leveraged the different tools.
The Lifelong Learning Podcast below was a great opportunity to collaborate with Jorge Valenzuela to share our messages about learning, the impact of family, and ways to connect with other educators. Jorge has written about and spoken about SEL and many other topics, especially focusing on reflection and why it is important for educators. Being a guest on podcasts is helpful for personal reflection, building speaking skills, sharing ideas and making new connections. I started my own podcast several years ago as a way to reflect on what I was doing in my classroom.
13. Co-learn with students about a new digital tool
13. Co-learn with students about a new digital tool
14. Facilitate students’ virtual meetings with experts or students.
14. Facilitate students’ virtual meetings with experts or students.
Inviting Josh Feinsilber, creator and CEO of Gimkit, to speak virtually to my 8th graders about Coding and entrepreneurial skills. I first met Josh in 2017 after creating my own Gimkit account and learned of his story. He taught himself to code in 10th grade, attended a PBL school, and decided to create a game that improved upon Kahoot!, so he developed Gimkit. We met in person at ISTE in 2019 and have stayed connected since then. He runs it full-time, and I invited him to share his story and answer students' questions.
We found a time to meet and exchanged emails and messages via Slack, and he joined our class for the day. Other students were also invited to come in and hear from Josh.
Josh from Gimkit
Josh from Gimkit
We had to troubleshoot some tech challenges with an older computer without a webcam or a microphone, but we made it work. Setting this up required some quick thinking to troubleshoot and be mindful of time so students could ask questions and that Josh and the students could see and hear each other.
In reflecting on this, even though I contacted IT and the tech support had logged the Zoom into the Board and I tested it days in advance, it was a reminder to always have backup plans.
Q&A Time
Q&A Time
Students were able to ask questions and interact with Josh. I asked questions related to our class and also to skills essential for future preparedness. It was impactful on the students to hear Josh's story, especially since they were learning about coding with me and did not realize all of the possibilities that can come from building those skills.
15. Demonstrate effective communication with all students’ supporters.
15. Demonstrate effective communication with all students’ supporters.
I start each year by sending an email introducing myself to my students and their families. I provide an overview of what to expect, how to contact me and the types of activities we will do, and the resources we will be using.
In addition to the initial email, I have been sending emails consistently to all families that share upcoming events and reminders. I also regularly communicate with individual families as needed throughout the year.
In order to best support my students, I collaborate with their other grade level or content area teachers to see how to best support them or for ideas for cross-curricular collaboration.
To provide resources, I seek opportunities for grants or learning events that will provide students with greater learning experiences that will be more authentic and that foster real-world connections.
I email administrators and teachers to share upcoming events or inform them about new technologies or resources that I have explored that can benefit others.
Below is a Buncee presentation I made for Open House for families that could attend and to send to families that could not attend. It provided information about the class, a video overview/introduction, links to, and a list of commonly used resources.
Buncee Open House Communication to Families
Buncee Open House Communication to Families
Emails to Families
Emails to Families
I regularly send group emails as well as individual emails to families and students. I also share the information with the school community and our School Board when relevant. I have become more intentional about regular communication throughout the year, especially when starting new units or we have projects or exams coming up, also when we are using new technology.
Emails to STEAM class
Emails to STEAM class
I send these updates so families know about the types of technology we are learning about and also often ask if families would like to see student work or schedule time to meet and share.
I also wrote a blog post with some ideas to help other educators as well as myself, think about and reflect on how we can best communicate with and engage families more in learning.
The more writing and sharing I do helps me to continue to reflect on my practice as well as build my network and learn from other educators.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse