Adina’s presentation had me from the start with her description of earning a teaching credential and then teaching as a process relatable to jumping through hoops. Then right when you can get through those hoops the powers that be raise them up a little higher and this continues until you manage to jump through the hoops at any height. At this point the hoops are lit on fire…
I think we have all felt this way at some point with everything that is being cascaded down on us. Sometimes I feel like I am jumping through a very high burning hoop with a weight belt on for no purpose other than to get to the other side of this hoop inferno. I am thinking TPAs here, among other things. I mentioned how well she captured my attention right with this analogy right from the beginning of her presentation and from that I learned something which I partially already knew. That is, spending a few minutes relating to your class and showing empathy that might not be entirely, or even partially, related to the subject at hand will, nonetheless, have the benefit of keeping them engaged for a large chunk of time after the initial transgression. I like this method and try to practice it in my classroom as much as possible.
Moving on from her captivating introduction, Adina got into discussions of technology and the benefit of integrating the classroom with technology. Her presentation itself was done on Nearpod.com which allowed anyone with a computer connected to the internet to remotely access her slideshow. Furthermore, it had a feature built in that asked us to answer questions, the results of which were sent instantaneously to Adina as the creator of the presentation. I had seen this done before and I still have that little iClicker that many of my professors required me to use for a similar purpose in lectures; although I was always under the impression that was primarily a method for make sure we all showed up to class. Nearpod could accomplish this with a student just pulling out their own device rather than spending 40 dollars on an iClicker that they will never use again except maybe as a doorstop, like my own iClicker.
As I think about technology such as Nearpod, I tend to question the ability to integrate technology through initiatives like “bring your own device” and at the same time maintain equity in the classroom. One student might have a laptop, a tablet and a smartphone to call his own while another student does not have access to a phone period, let alone a computer or tablet. I have heard schools say that they have enough devices on campus to provide to such students. However, from the perspective of a student, everyone will know who is using the school technology and who is using their own. I think this creates an unfair stigma and puts some students in an uncomfortable spot. In a perfect world this technology would be available to every students and I have heard this is a reality some school sites. I am sure that given time technology will make its way into every school but until then I think using technology is all about maintaining balance. It cannot be ignored because it can be an excellent tool for learning but it should not be used just for the sake of it.
Adina developed this idea in her presentation of S.A.M.R. describing the uses for technology in the classroom. Simple substitution, for example typing an essay rather than writing could have benefits but not necessarily enough to justify putting a computer in the hand of every student. When you get into an area where technology is augmenting the teaching and then eventually modifying and redefining the education it becomes invaluable.
On a broader note Adina had some helpful tips for simple classroom management and building rapport with students. This included treating all behavioral issues the same way no matter the student and whether that student has their phone playing a game our or is day dreaming looking out the window. I tend to favor treating the behavioral issue at least partially based on the past actions and demeanor of the student. That may not be fair but being treated favorably or with fewer leniencies as a result of your past behaviors is an absolute and unyielding reality of life. While my thoughts differed from Adina’s slightly in this regard I was completely onboard with her advice to be more of a facilitator than an instructor and handing the class over to the students gradually. These goals can be aligned with bringing technology into the classroom.
I think we have all felt this way at some point with everything that is being cascaded down on us. Sometimes I feel like I am jumping through a very high burning hoop with a weight belt on for no purpose other than to get to the other side of this hoop inferno. I am thinking TPAs here, among other things. I mentioned how well she captured my attention right with this analogy right from the beginning of her presentation and from that I learned something which I partially already knew. That is, spending a few minutes relating to your class and showing empathy that might not be entirely, or even partially, related to the subject at hand will, nonetheless, have the benefit of keeping them engaged for a large chunk of time after the initial transgression. I like this method and try to practice it in my classroom as much as possible.
Moving on from her captivating introduction, Adina got into discussions of technology and the benefit of integrating the classroom with technology. Her presentation itself was done on Nearpod.com which allowed anyone with a computer connected to the internet to remotely access her slideshow. Furthermore, it had a feature built in that asked us to answer questions, the results of which were sent instantaneously to Adina as the creator of the presentation. I had seen this done before and I still have that little iClicker that many of my professors required me to use for a similar purpose in lectures; although I was always under the impression that was primarily a method for make sure we all showed up to class. Nearpod could accomplish this with a student just pulling out their own device rather than spending 40 dollars on an iClicker that they will never use again except maybe as a doorstop, like my own iClicker.
As I think about technology such as Nearpod, I tend to question the ability to integrate technology through initiatives like “bring your own device” and at the same time maintain equity in the classroom. One student might have a laptop, a tablet and a smartphone to call his own while another student does not have access to a phone period, let alone a computer or tablet. I have heard schools say that they have enough devices on campus to provide to such students. However, from the perspective of a student, everyone will know who is using the school technology and who is using their own. I think this creates an unfair stigma and puts some students in an uncomfortable spot. In a perfect world this technology would be available to every students and I have heard this is a reality some school sites. I am sure that given time technology will make its way into every school but until then I think using technology is all about maintaining balance. It cannot be ignored because it can be an excellent tool for learning but it should not be used just for the sake of it.
Adina developed this idea in her presentation of S.A.M.R. describing the uses for technology in the classroom. Simple substitution, for example typing an essay rather than writing could have benefits but not necessarily enough to justify putting a computer in the hand of every student. When you get into an area where technology is augmenting the teaching and then eventually modifying and redefining the education it becomes invaluable.
On a broader note Adina had some helpful tips for simple classroom management and building rapport with students. This included treating all behavioral issues the same way no matter the student and whether that student has their phone playing a game our or is day dreaming looking out the window. I tend to favor treating the behavioral issue at least partially based on the past actions and demeanor of the student. That may not be fair but being treated favorably or with fewer leniencies as a result of your past behaviors is an absolute and unyielding reality of life. While my thoughts differed from Adina’s slightly in this regard I was completely onboard with her advice to be more of a facilitator than an instructor and handing the class over to the students gradually. These goals can be aligned with bringing technology into the classroom.