Ed Tech in Our Classrooms

  "Flipping your classroom" is a topic that intrigues me because of my personal experiences with technology/blended learning and the new information I have been learning about technology in the classroom. After watching the video about blended learning, I can see myself flipping my 4th-grade classroom in a similar way. Specifically, I imagine technology being used as a reinforcement of the information being discussed and taught in class. This could look like digital assignments, explanation videos, and educational "games". Additionally, if I gave access to these digital resources to parents, students could continue to use blended learning at home for homework assignments, and missing work, or to simply help parents understand how we are doing math/writing/reading, etc. 

 Our College of Education contact at the Halle Library, Kate Pittsley, let me know that she now had access to an ISTE book that is a good fit for our class. The price is right (free) and the content is excellent and full of practical examples from classrooms around the world. Edtech for the K-12 Classroom  will slowly be rolled out . . . one short chapter at a time.  If you want a preview, check out Article 5 "Avoid These Four Edtech Mistakes in Your Classroom." 

  I think  Using Games for Assessment  is an interactive and creative way to collect formative assessment data. I always loved creating board games when I was in elementary school. There are so many ways to incorporate games into assessment -- evaluating students' choices to see what they learned, having students design their own game based on new content, having students write a strategy guide based on the game, etc. I never thought about the fact that games provide  immediate  feedback for students. They also provide immediate feedback for teachers about what the students know and how well they can apply it (through the gameplay). https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2022/06/06/quick-games-to-play-in-the-classroom/

 This is one of my favorite starter projects for my online classes - a virtual group photo. By removing the background of our favorite selfie (remove.bg) and setting up a blank Google Drawing, students in my classes can add their faces to the group shot. 

 I am pleased to announce that last night I was elected President of the Saline Area Schools Board of Education . After a full career in education, this is the most challenging and enjoyable role I have yet had.