This past week, I presented at the two amazing virtual conferences: BCSSTEAM and ideaU. Both of these conferences are great examples of how districts and state organizations can offer virtual learning options to their members, I really enjoyed presenting at both of these conferences as I ended my summer presentation schedule. For the next couple of weeks, I will be in Back to School mode. Tomorrow, teachers return on contract for preservice week and I am very excited about the work we have planned for this upcoming year. Being my second year at my school and my sixth year as a tech coach, I can't wait to dig deeper into coaching cycles with my colleagues this upcoming year.
Reviewing what are the ABCs of Transforming Learning are-
Two weeks ago, I shared a blog post called X = eXplore the Connection Between UDL and Tech Tools. This is not the first time that I have mentioned UDL or Universal Design for Learning in this blog series. So why revisit it, you may ask. As educators, we can leverage tech tools to provide UDL for our students. This levels the playing field for our students and provides all of our students access to learning..
This week, we will focus on Y= Yield Better Digital Learning with these Tips. As we begin the school year, it can be easy to go directly into content (after all, we have so much of it to cover, right?) However, I believe that if we want our students to be better digital learners, we need to provide them first with a strong foundation using proper digital habits and also ensure that we, as educators, use tools to promote creation with them.
Y = Yield Better Digital Learning with These Tips
It's Back to School time and as every year starts, we begin the year by handing our students digital devices. After all, most districts are one to one now and these devices have become part of our classroom instruction. In my district, we also use them for assessment and as a tech coach, I help not only prepare these devices, but also to distribute them and go over basic guidelines for use. It is my job to help not only the educators I work with, but also the students, to use these devices in meaningful ways to promote and amplify student learning. Easier said than done sometimes- but it is an achievable task. Check out these 2 tips to get you started.
Consider Using Common Sense Media's Device Collection
This year, I am so excited to see Common Sense Media sharing an amazing resource that addresses many of these concerns. Created for Grades K-5, but adaptable to any grade, Common Sense Media has created four 20 min lessons that are perfect for Back to School. This collection of lessons are a great way to set up your digital learning environments for success.
They include:
1. Caring for Our Devices: What are some ways that we can take better care of our devices?
2. Why We Pause for People: How can we be better listeners when using our devices?
3. Managing Device Distractions: How can we better manage device distractions and stay focused?
4. Our Device Charter: How can we establish a positive classroom culture around tech?
Select Tech Tools That have the 3 Cs of Creation
When I share both my Empowering Our Youngest Scholars to Create session and my Empowering Creation with the 3 Cs session, I always make sure to emphasize my three 3 Cs of Creation. What do you mean by 3 Cs, you might be wondering. These are not the four Future Ready Cs, but a guide to help educators determine the best tools to use with their students to promote creation.
They include:
1. Choice: Does the tech tool provide our students choices in how they demonstrate their learning?
2. Collaborative: Does the tech tool offer our students opportunities to collaborate with each other.
3. Clickable: Is the tech tool user friendly and include icons that our students can easily understand and use?
Programs That Have The 3 Cs
There are several programs that have the 3 Cs but in this week's post, I plan to focus on my top 4 recommendations.
They include:
Wixie
Book Creator
Flip
Canva
Wixie and The 3 Cs
1. Choice:
Wixie provides students in Grades PK to 5 with so many choices. Students can choose to express themselves using text (including dictation), paint tools, audio, video, and images. It even has animated images that you can make talk now.
2. Collaborative:
Wixie allows students to work in teams. As the educator, you can choose to assign them teams or allow them to make their own. As part of the latest summer update, it now also includes the Project Inspector, which allows you to see who completed what parts in a collaborative project.
3. Clickable:
Wixie is icon based and extremely easy to navigate. Our students can use it, even our non-readers or emerging multilingual students can use this amazing tool.
Book Creator and The 3 Cs
1. Choice:
Book Creator provides our students with so many ways to share their thinking. Students can share their thinking using text (including speech to text), images, drawing tools, audio and/or video.
2. Collaborative:
Book Creator Premium offers our students opportunities to work in collaborative projects.
3. Clickable:
Book Creator is icon based and extremely user friendly. It is easy for all of our students to use regardless of grade, age or content area.
Flip and The 3 Cs
1. Choice:
Flip also allows our students so many ways to share their thinking. Students can choose from backdrops, filters, images, stickers, boards, video and audio options to create.
2. Collaborative:
Flip scaffolds collaboration opportunities. At the most basic levels, students can simply share their ideas with others. As students advance, they can respond using text, audio, or video. You can even moderate responses if needed.
3. Clickable:
Flip is also user friendly. We can teach our students its icons and they can easily use this program.
Canva and The 3 Cs
1. Choice:
Canva is a truly amazing tool. It gives our students so many options to share their thinking. It includes so many great templates and students can respond using elements, drawing, video, audio, text, and even upload their own creations.
2. Collaborative:
Canva is collaborative. Students can work on projects together and share the digital canvas using its tools.
3. Clickable:
Canva is user friendly. Some of its icons are a little different from the ones shared above, but we can easily connect them to other icons students have already learned.
Next Steps
Take some time to see how the tech tips can help you yield better results with digital learning.
Do you use any of the tools that I highlighted?
Or do you use other tools that should be considered?
I would love to hear about it in the comments.
