Tech For Your Class

My goal is to always apply tech tools for practical classroom use to enhance learning.  I enjoy trying out tech tools but am really working to make sure I apply this knowledge.  In my posts comparing parent/teacher collaboration tools, trying out a new presentation tool, and highlighting online sound recording tools, I have given examples of how the tech tools can be used to enhance learning.  All of the work was very helpful in my position as an instructional technology resource teacher.  I often do this type of investigating on my own or when working with a teacher.  It is definitely the fun part of my job.  I also was reminded about the work that needs to be done in reading about Evidence Based Practice.  This should be by project or overall work for the year in which my own research is combined with research studies to really show the importance of instructional technology support.  Sometimes we let this fall to administration, but in fact ...

I researched Evidence Based Practice which brought together a lot of work that is currently happening with our Instructional Technology department.  The articles were on using Evidenced Based Practice to promote and advocate for your library.  It isn’t enough to show research from the field about the importance of libraries.  Often this research is dismissed as it was conducted in another state or because the district has a different student population.  Coupling your own Evidence Based Research with current research can be very powerful. This easily applies to Instructional Technology as well. This makes sense. We want to see research with our students and this can be the same research or highlights that can be used to promote or advocate for your program.  A take away from the readings was the importance to publicize and promote the learning that is happening in the library.  This holds true for Instructional Technology.  We know that technolo...

ClassDojo -Remind-Seesaw: Which one is best?  What will meet my needs as a teacher?  Which will meet our school needs? These school home connections can be powerful, effective tools that make your life easier. Each has it's specific niche.  After spending time working with teacher, trying the tools out, and speaking with users, this breakdown might assist. School communication:    Class Dojo and Remind both connect you with your school for free.   It is easy to add other teachers to your class.  In Class Dojo, administrators and teachers can post to the whole school to send out updates, announcements, links to newsletters, and event pictures.   This is shown in the School Story.  Remind for Schools is a paid service that allows for school level statistics and reports as well as the ability to send communication to the school.  Seesaw has a cost for the Pro account which allows for the reports and communicat...

The book of the month is read by the principal or an administrator at James PB Duffy School No. 12.  Each book highlights the character trait of the month.  As classes listen to the book of the month, and engage with the activities. I work with the school to create the book of the month video and now created a page in Adobe Spark that has the video along with links to websites, guiding questions and images.  It is a sample to try it out. Below is a link to the page and the page embedded. It looks professional and makes the presentation flow since everything is linked together. https://spark.adobe.com/page/wLNOx6WfxzXrJ/ I would also like to try to use the page in Adobe Spark for a newsletter. I have had schools ask about different formats. I definitely recommend it.  I am also going to show to teachers as a presentation tool for upcoming student projects.