Beyond Integration

We know that providing feedback to students during their learning process is one of the most effective ways to help kids reach their learning goals ( John Hattie, 2011 ).  Figuring out how to provide each student with specific, actionable feedback within the constraints of a single class period is quite a challenge for teachers.  Technology tools can be used by the teacher to shorten the feedback loop so that students know more quickly where they are on the learning continuum and how to reach their goal.   This blog post will provide you with a few technology-based suggestions to help teachers give feedback more quickly.  The tech tools included are conditional formatting in Google Sheets and Orange Slice rubric add-on for docs. Google Sheets conditional formatting is great for giving students feedback regarding whether or not the answer is correct.  A teacher sets up a spreadsheet so that it contains questions in one column A and students place...

We recently wrote a blog discussing the importance of creating digital learning spaces with our students. These relevant and meaningful ways of communicating online assist our students in learning to be responsible and effective communicators no matter the tech tool used. We want students to understand that the internet provides opportunities for connecting with like-minded people and collaboratively learning with others. We always hope that our students and children use good judgment when they are online, however, there are times when comments are posted that are hurtful and meant to humiliate another person. What is cyberbullying?  As defined by Common Sense Media , the use of digital media tools to deliberately humiliate and harass others often and deliberately. Cyberbullying is similar to face to face bullying. It can be harassing someone, pretending to be someone, or spreading rumors. The use of online tools enhances the embarrassment because it becomes more pub...

Recently we blogged about some considerations for teachers who are considering implementing digital communication learning activities in their classrooms.  We talked about why providing a digital space for communication was important and how this could be achieved using various tools.  Google Slides Q&A Presentation Mode Presenters can start a live Q&A session with an audience during a presentation with Google Slides. You can present questions at any time, and people can ask questions from any device. FlipGrid video discussion platform. TriCider crowdsource and backchannel discussion VoiceThread allows students to use images, files, and video for collaboration and discussion. *Paid subscription, free to employees in our district. Lino is a digital corkboard where students can leave “sticky notes”, images, or video. Tozzl  is a digital easy-to-use pinboard that enables people to collaborate with others Google Classroom has a question feature in the class...

Each year, Richland Two provides a unique opportunity for students and district staff to share their story through video creation. We are excited to be in our 6th year and know it will be a bigger event this year. Our window of opportunity begins on September 10th, where   students can complete the interest form   and  turn in  permission slips . 

The beginning of the school year can be overwhelming. From learning new students’ names, establishing norms and classroom rules that students must follow in the classroom to then developing a classroom culture that is safe and conducive to learning, it's no wonder that teachers are unusually exhausted in those first few weeks.  As educators, it is the same “beginning of the year” lecture every time and it is the same presentation for the students every year. Teachers want to ensure students understand what is expected and what a good citizen does in class and school each day. Students practice being a good citizen each day and learn from the mistakes made. When an unacceptable action occurs in the classroom, at lunch or during recess teachers take that moment as a learning opportunity to correct it for the future in hopes it won’t happen again. So as I ask you, can we empower our students to learn to be responsible citizens in the digital space by giving them frequent opportuniti...