In the ever-evolving landscape of education, technology has become a powerful ally for teachers seeking to engage and inspire their students. With the rapid advancements in digital tools and resources, educators have a wealth of opportunities to harness the benefits of technology in the classroom. Let’s explore various ways you can use technology to engage students.
Setting a solid foundation in your classroom is the cornerstone of creating a learning environment in which your students can thrive. Make sure you have your routines and procedures in place before introducing a technology rich environment. When students know what the expectations are, you can focus on engaging your students to transform their learning experiences.
Learn how to Cultivate Calm and set up routines for a focused classroom. Achieving a functional, calm classroom is attainable if you’re willing to put in the work. Be willing to devote your mindset and class time to model and teach your students to create calm within your class. The work you put in to establish routines in the classroom will pay dividends throughout the year. Download a free mini-guide to getting started with creating a calm and focused learning environment.
Beginning and End of the Day Routines
Morning Meeting
Time Gaps and Flexible Time
Handling Tattling and All Those Questions
Teaching Grit and Perseverance
Technology for Teachers: Empowering Educators
Teachers can use technology to enhance their teaching methods and streamline administrative tasks. From interactive whiteboards to online grading systems, technology allows educators to focus more on their students’ needs. There are plenty of websites like Khan Academy, TED-Ed, and Coursera that offer professional development courses, ensuring that teachers stay up-to-date with the latest educational trends and methodologies. You can also look into your local colleges and universities to see what courses and programs may be available to educators. Always make sure that if you are seeking professional development for salary advancement that the company or organization you choose follows your district’s guidelines for professional development.
You may have to pursue professional development opportunities on your own. In that case, you have more power and control over the content you choose. How do you want your classroom to run? What opportunities do you want to provide for your students? Each class is going to be different from year to year, so how do you want to invest in your classroom in a way that will serve your students? How will you use technology to engage students?
Technology Goals for Teachers: Striving for Excellence
Establishing clear technology goals is crucial for educators aiming to make the most of digital resources. Whether it’s mastering a new software application, incorporating multimedia elements into lessons, or encouraging collaboration through online platforms, setting specific technology goals can guide teachers in their professional development journey.
Goals
Set up a classroom website so I can communicate better with my students and families.
Teach students how to become more independent when using technology.
Implement the use of interactive learning tools that will engage my students and give my students the best learning experience.
Engage students in real-world problems by collaborating with others
Optimize data collection and analysis of student progress
These are just a few examples of goals you could work toward. Choose what is relevant for you and your abilities at this time. Ask yourself how much time you are willing to invest your time into learning technology tools. What are your students capable of right now? Then, make your goals based on those questions. Start small with one thing at a time so you don’t overwhelm yourself.
Teacher Website and Blogs: Building a Digital Presence
Creating a website or blog is an excellent way for teachers to communicate with their students and families. Newsletters are a great way to let parents know what is happening in the classroom, but sometimes a digital version is easier and faster to communicate. Last minute changes are always happening and a website can be the best way to get information to your families. If you are interested in learning more about how to create a Google site for teachers, check out this blog post about how to set up a functional site to share your classroom with your students and families.
Creating a website dedicated to technology in education is another way that teachers can build a digital presence and share their experiences and insights. This digital presence can serve as a valuable resource for other educators seeking inspiration, tips, and lesson plans that incorporate technology effectively. We can learn a lot from each other if we are willing to share.
Engaging Technology in the Classroom: A Pedagogical Revolution
Integrating engaging technology in the classroom transforms traditional teaching methods and captivates students’ attention. Gamification, virtual reality experiences, and interactive simulations are just a few examples of how you can use technology to engage students and make learning more exciting and meaningful for students.
Check out these websites and learning tools that might engage your students!
Using Technology in the Classroom Benefits: A Win-Win for Teachers and Students
The benefits of using technology in the classroom are numerous. Teachers can
differentiate lessons to serve diverse learning styles
personalize learning experiences
increase student engagement
improve accessibility
ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive
Technology in the Classroom for Special Education: Addressing Diverse Needs
Technology plays a crucial role in catering to the diverse needs of students, including those with special education requirements. There are many assistive technologies, interactive learning apps, and adaptive software that can empower teachers to create inclusive learning environments that support every student on their educational journey.
Collaborative Technology in the Classroom: Fostering Teamwork and Communication
Collaborative technology tools enable students to work together, promoting teamwork and communication skills. My 4th grade team uses our Google Workspace platform to work together on curriculum and other planning. We keep all of our documents on a shared drive that we all have access to. We are mostly a Google Drive team and are able to streamline our planning and instruction through this platform. It didn’t happen overnight. It has taken us 4 years to get to where we are now and we are still tweaking each year.
Google Classroom is an option in your Google Workspace for Education platform. This allows you to create classes. You can post assignments, track grades, and feedback throughout the year. Students have access to course materials on demand and will become more independent when they have the tools they need.
Microsoft 365 is another platform for real-time collaboration on projects, encouraging students to share ideas and build on each other’s strengths. However, this is a subscription based platform and your district may not have purchased this as an option.
Technology Strategies in the Classroom: Systems for Teachers to Get Organized
Effective technology integration requires thoughtful planning and strategic implementation. Teachers should develop comprehensive strategies that align with their educational goals, ensuring that technology enhances, rather than hinders, the learning experience.
Don’t abandon your digital files at the end of the year! Name or rename those files and put them into the folders they belong to! Short on time? Create a TO SORT folder and put them in there temporarily. Remember to go back to that folder before school starts again.
Make it Personal and Serve Your Students
Embracing technology in the classroom is no longer an option but a necessity for educators striving to prepare students for the challenges of the modern world. By staying informed, setting clear goals, and utilizing the vast array of available resources, teachers can harness the power of technology to create engaging and enriching learning environments. The benefits extend beyond the classroom, preparing students for a future where digital literacy is a key component of success.
You know your students best and what they need at this moment that you have them. How can you serve them best? What tools and strategies can you learn to provide them with engaging learning experiences that will propel them into success?
Start with building the foundations of your classroom. Cultivate calm routines for a focused classroom that will allow your students to become independent learners. Let them use technology to enrich their learning experiences.
I hope these ideas help you on your journey as an educator. Our jobs are hard and I’ve learned that if you take steps to streamline certain parts of your career, you can be more effective and productive.
Rejuvenating Your Passion for Teaching and Learning How to Balance
AN HONEST REVIEW OF MY EIGHTH YEAR
Christmas Break could not have gotten any slower this year. It was a grind to get to 2:00 on Friday, December 17th.
As my fellow teachers and I would pass each other in the hallway, we would say things like “I can’t believe it’s almost here!” and “Today is going SO SLOW!”
Each day was a struggle to get up. A struggle to get out the door on time. A struggle to get prepared for the day ahead as I rushed around in a slight panic. Usually…doing something I should have done the day before.
Now that I am a few days into break…I can say “I did what I could.”
That has to be enough. Angela Watson and countless other wise educators echo the same sentiment. Sometimes it just has to be enough. Not perfect. Maybe not even done. Just. . . enough.
That is not quite how I wanted my 8th year of teaching to be during break. I’ve considered branching out into different areas of education. Either in conjunction with teaching full time or following a different path altogether.
I’ve realized that this year is HARD. Not just for me. For all of us. I just keep going and checking things off the list. I feel like I’m in robot mode and I am ready for a change. I’m not sure what. Just a change.
WHAT CAN I IMPROVE ON IN 2022?
GOAL #1
Since I’m ready for a change and I am lucky to work in a district that allows some autonomy, I will be working with a Literacy Coach during 3rd Quarter to improve my intervention instruction.
My group this year does well in identifying the basic reading elements and applying those skills in a new context. However, I feel like they would benefit from a deep dive of the material we consider “heart standards” in our district.
“Heart Standards” are the ones our 4th grade team chose to add to our standards-based report card as skills they need to know by heart by the end of the school year. We can introduce them during any quarter and choose to assess them any quarter. We have flexibility in choosing how to structure that.
I would like to get better at taking the data I have and learning how to differentiate better during our RTI (Response to Intervention) time. Hopefully, I can learn from our coach how to make this time more meaningful for my students.
GOAL #2
Grading.
Tackle it. Even when I don’t want to.
It’s the worst thing. . . besides report card time. I just can’t keep up most of the time. When I am caught up, I fall behind quickly. I’ve learned how to prioritize some of the papers that should be checked vs. the ones that don’t have a need to be checked.
I am a part of Angela Watson’s 40-Hour Teacher Workweek, but I tend to get bogged down in the details a lot. I need to just set aside a day to do it or a time. I always just squeeze it in when I can. Usually last minute. Then, I end up with a stiff neck and I’m mad at myself that I’m stuck doing it on a Sunday.
GOAL #3
Back to the basics. Keep it simple and functional.
I have too much. . . clutter, books, pens and pencils, trays, bins, etc. I want to go through my collection of odds and ends that I have curated over the course of the past decade. Some things and systems I can get rid of.
There are a few things that have worked for me over the years. Some of the systems I use are:
Student Mailboxes
Teacher’s “Mailbox” – I use a blue basket to keep items in
Teacher Toolbox – for supplies
Monday – Friday Drawers
Reading, Writing, Math Drawers
Tubs for ELA and Holidays/Seasonal
Math Tubs – for organizing materials
Morning Meeting & Schedule
Morning Work / Problem of the Day
“The Lantern” from Laura Santos from Core Inspiration
Group Drop Boxes from Laura Santos
Standards & Focus Boards
Student Display – iReady Challenge Cards
Rainbow Drawers – *need to reevaluate use
It’s still hard to figure out how to use some resources. Our classrooms are not quite back to normal. We can’t have our usual room layout with student desks, so it limits space in the room. It feels old-fashioned being in straight, forward-facing rows.
I hope that by clearing up unused items and rearranging certain materials might make the room feel more accessible and organized.
CHALLENGE
My challenge for myself this year is to actually finish my goals. I can plan and come up with all kinds of lists. Follow through – not so much.
I need to be honest with myself about what I can actually accomplish. I need to stop putting so much on my own plate. I love to start projects, but rarely finish them.
This year, I need to realize the amount of knowledge and research that I have put into my career can finally start to pay off now. I can continue to learn while really nailing down what has worked for me throughout the years.
I can do this. So can you.
I hope you have a very Happy New Year and look forward to great things ahead!
Do you struggle to keep all the forms, assignments, and resources in an easily accessible place? Learning how to create a class website using Google Sites is a great way to create a one-stop command center for your students.
It is also a great tool for keeping in touch with parents. If you are somewhat knowledgeable about technology, take some time to prepare for back to school by setting up your Google Site.
Add different sections to make it easy to navigate your class website.
The Parent Portal is a great way to store forms, information about your class, policies and expectations. You can add forms and interactive links to collect information digitally.
Communicate with parents on how they can connect with you throughout the school year. I use ClassDojo. I do not use the class management system, just the messaging and class story tools. That’s what works for me. I know there are a lot of teachers out there who use the behavior management tool. . . go for it!
In the Student Portal, you can post assignments, share documents, add your virtual classrooms, and more!
I like to share a message to my class and give them links to click on for morning workorfree choice activities. If your students have access to a computer, this works great when you have to get a substitute. You can update and share information through your website and embedded Google Slides from home.
Changing your schedule is a breeze. When you embed a Google Slide in your Google Site, any changes you make to the slides are automatically updated on the website! No having to go back and update your website, too.
Here is an example of the remote learning schedule that I used last year. While we did not stay remote, this was helpful to have to guide students in their online learning. I frequently made changes to meeting times and the schedule, so this was a lifesaver for me.
I also have a section for weekly assignments and the weekly checklist of skills that I want my 4th graders to work on. You can customize your site and add topics that fit what you teach.
The weekly assignments box usually has a Google Slides embedded that shows that week’s assignment sheet. I will also print out this sheet and my students put it in their homework folder.
TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR OWN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
There’s a lot of great resources out there. Take advantage of some free PD in the form of YouTube videos. I have learned a lot of educational technology by watching videos from amazing teachers. Check out the following videos that show you how to build your own Google Site.
Designing a class website can make you feel better about beginning a new year. Start with getting organized and finalizing your plans for communicatingwith your students and families.
In addition to creating a classroom website, this guide gives you practical ideas on how you can achieve a functional, calm classroom. It is attainable if you’re willing to put in the work. Be willing to devote your mindset and class time to model and teach your students to create calm within your class.
Beginning and End of the Day Routines and Rituals
Morning Meeting
Time Gaps and Flexible Time
Handling Tattling and All Those Questions
Teaching Grit and Perseverance
This ebook gives you a variety of options with templates, a choice board example, a mind map and a few free resources to help you give your students choice. Also included are morning meeting slides. You can find those on the Resources page.
This guide is designed to give you ideas, guidance, and actionable steps to discover what works best for your personality and teaching style. Create your own action plan to start creating calm this week. As with all other teaching strategies you learn and attempt to implement, you get out of it what you put in. Are you ready to make a change to calm?
Have fun creating and have a great 2021 – 2022 school year!
How to Efficiently Digitize Your Classroom to Streamline Productivity with Google Drive
TIRED OF HAVING YOUR GO-TO ITEMS IN RANDOM PLACES?
Are you guilty, like me, of saving your files in a LOT of different places and devices? Do you arrive earlier just to find and open all of your slides, templates, and materials you will need for the day?
I used to spend a lot of frantic mornings trying to get prepared for the day. I’d spend even more time after school. . . just trying to get ahead! I finally made the switch to mostly digital about 2 years ago. Now I’m constantly tweaking my forms and slides to be even more productive. Now I’m able to spend more time at home.
Yes, we all had to make the transition to some form of online/hybrid learning. Call it what you will, it forced us to go digital and figure out a way to utilize technology to reach our students.
Learning technology has also benefited me as a teacher by allowing me to instantly access and edit my materials.
The days of searching through random USB drives, PowerPoint, and outdated Word documents are over! Now I can focus on creating a streamlined classroom in which students are engaged and independent.
MY TOP 3 TECHNOLOGY HACKS FOR A FOCUSED CLASSROOM
My 3 educational technology tips are a great way to help you organize your classroom management system. I use these three technology tricks to be prepared quickly once I arrive at school. They are daily features that I use. Try them out and let me know how they work for you. Also enjoy a FREE download of the morning meeting slides!
Teaching Slides (Subject Matter & Flow of the Day – with timers)
Starred Section
What do you talk about in the morning meeting? Use slide templates to take the guesswork out of setting up your meetings each day. You can easily edit, add, and/or delete slides to fit your classroom needs and teaching style. Some morning meeting activities are:
Greeting
Daily or Weekly Schedule
Teacher’s Message
Sharing a Good Thing
Sharing an Emoji (how they are feeling)
Game and/or Community Building Activity
Number of the Day
Word of the Day
You can customize your morning flow by using slides to keep you on track. Even better. . . add timers to your slides! You can easily add links to YouTube timer videos. Yes, there’s a YouTube video for how to do that, too.
Wondering how to effectively use teaching slides in the classroom? Google Slides is an amazing educational technology resource because it automatically saves and you can track your revision history easily. This allows you to save time and the frustration of losing information or forgetting to save!
When you use Google Slides templates for teaching your subjects, you can focus on instruction and providing your students with a familiar routine of discovering information.
You may be wondering what teaching slides are. I learned of this idea from Michelle Emerson of Pocketful of Primary. Check out her video to learn more about how she streamlines her teaching. I used her video to create my own slides that match my curriculum. I had fun with Bitmoji’s and add those into the design of the slides.
Currently, I don’t have a template available, but I might be willing to create one if you give me some feedback. Would you want pre-made templates for teaching? Email me here or leave a comment below.
Here is a peek at what I created for an ELA lesson on making predictions.
It’s a bookmark for your favorites! I learned this simple trick a few years ago, but can’t remember where. It has saved me time and frustration with trying to find what I need.
This simple idea can help you stay on top of your workload. To star an item means it will show up in your “Starred” section in your Google Drive home area.
To star a document/slide/form, etc. that you are working on, click the star until it becomes highlighted in yellow. This means it has been starred or saved and can be found in the “Starred” section.
HOW CAN THIS HELP YOU?
Stay on top of your workload and increase productivity
Streamline your teaching and focus on instruction
Save time to spend more time with your family
I hope these ideas give you a bit of inspiration as you begin this new school year. Over the years, I have learned mostly what not to do! After trying out different teachers versions of organizing and managing. . . I finally sorted out the MANY options into the few that make the most impact on my teaching.
If you would like more ideas on how to incorporate different aspects of technology into your teaching, check out my ebook on creating a calm and focused classroom.
I hope you have a great beginning to this upcoming school year!
Students used to always ask me what they can do next. I would write down their choices on the board – sometimes more than once in a day. Every time we transitioned to a new subject, I would have to rewrite what I wanted my students to do.
It was almost always the same choices. I finally decided to create a poster/anchor chart I could post and refer students to when I got that question. Over time, I have adapted this idea to fit different grade levels and students.
I always teach these options to my students at the beginning of the school year. I show them what the expectations are and how to get started independently on their choice.
You can choose 5-6 options of choices that your students can work on. You could rotate between 2-3 favorites. Each of your classroom’s are unique and your teaching style reflects your values so go with what you feel your students need.
For those Type A people reading this. I get it. I’m with you. Giving students choice can be scary at first, but I am telling you that letting this small change happen and embracing it will lead to a more calm and focused classroom.
I’ll also share some more ideas with you that you can easily incorporate into your classroom routines. Giving students choice allows them to build problem-solving skills and keeps them engaged throughout the day. Keep reading to the end to find the FREE resource at the end of this post. My hope is that you find something that works for your classroom to give your students choice.
5 Ways to Give Your Students Choice
Anchor Chart or Digital Display
Create a list of activities that your students can work on when they finish another task before you transition. For some students who finish more quickly than others, teach and model how to choose an option and begin working independently. These options should always be low to no prep and can be print or digital activities.
Work on classwork or homework
Catch up on make-up work
Digital curriculum supplement
Websites/Learning Games
Virtual field trips
Explore virtual classrooms
What creative ideas can you come up with?
Virtual Experiences (Classrooms & Field Trips)
Put the world at their fingertips by letting them choose their next adventure. Let your students choose their experience or assign them a place to visit by allowing them to choose off a list you provide. Link it to your curriculum and embed opportunities for feedback, collaboration, and reflection. You can search for virtual field trips and find many lists and resources available. If you enjoy the virtual classroom opportunity, find templates you like that are premade or create some on your own. You can add all kinds of content using virtual classrooms to enhance learning experiences.
Flipgrid
Set up grids and topics and teach your students how to record videos and comment on others to engage with your content. The website is fairly simple to navigate, but can sometimes be confusing when using multiple grids and topics. There are many ways that students can use Flipgrid to use time productively during class.
Read alouds (teacher & students)
Fluency practice and assessments
Responding to a Prompt
Sharing their favorite part of the day
Recording a book review and/or summary
Presenting an argument on a topic
Book Reviews
Students usually have a lot to talk about! Give them a reason to talk using a method of presentation of their choice. Students can review a book they have read. Then, using Wakelet, Slides, posters, Flipgrid, etc., have students practice their speaking and communication skills.
Give your students an opportunity to use their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will have to apply, analyze, and evaluate what they have read to connect it together.
Free Writing & Shared Journals
We should remember to add in some time for reflection and decompressing from what life brings us and our students. Let students write what’s on their mind. They can free write, you can give them a prompt, or you can do shared journals in your classroom. Shared journals are when you or one students starts writing. Then, other students add to the writing to continue the story. At the end of the notebook, students can read and share the book together as a collaborative effort.
Incorporating drawing and coloring with writing can motivate reluctant writers who may not be confident in their abilities yet.
YOUR NEXT STEPS
Imagine what you want your classroom to look like this fall? While summer is on our minds now, we are all guilty of visualizing how we will create our new learning space. With a renewed sense of more normalcy in the classroom, we can start to think about the things in our classroom that worked well and we should keep. We also learned what didn’t work. There is no reason to hold onto those practices. We can give ourselves permission to let our students explore in new ways.
Your next steps are to determine which choices you want your students to have. Pick ones that you know you can teach and model and students can do independently after guided practice. Then, work them into your back-to-school routines plans. The last thing I will leave you with is to remember to be flexible. Some of the options you choose may not work for your students or that particular group of students. You are free to add, delete, or change each semester what choices students have available. You should never feel locked into these choices and students should understand that flexibility may be needed. Click here or on the picture below to receive your FREE Choice Board template. It is a Google Drive PDF document and will ask you to make a copy. This is not an editable document.
