It's NOT All About Tech

Stepping into the world of 1:1 iPads this year has stretched me as a teacher. My goal has been to energize and innovate my classroom without sacrificing curriculum and standards. I began the journey thinking, "What apps can students use to help them learn?" Very quickly I discovered it's not about the apps or technology...it's about the LEARNING and instruction. I can be a top notch techie but it doesn't really matter if my students aren't learning.

If it's not about iPad apps then where do you start? I started at the kitchen table. "What?" My favorite place to brainstorm and generate ideas is seated at my kitchen table. Before the school year started I gathered at my table with my laptop, iPad, highlighters, post it notes, district curriculum guide, standard reports, and resource books. Mission Learning had begun.

STEP 1

Question to Self:

What units and standards are taught during the quarter?

Action Plan:

1. Identify objectives and standards taught during each unit.
2. Review district summative assessments for the quarter.  

STEP 2

Question to Self:

What technology resources (if any) will help my students learn the material?

Action Plan:

1. Review the lesson activities
2. Review resource books, blogs, Pinterest
3. Create a list of possible apps, sites, video, images, or links that will help students learn concepts more effectively.

STEP 3

Question(s) to Self:

• What is the best way for me to know if my students understand what is being taught? 
• What formative assessments will I use?

Action Plan:

1. Identify resources that will best assess the skills.
2. Review summative assessment again.

Examples:

• Students use Today's Meet to ask questions about the text.
• Teachers use Google form checklist to document mastery while circulating classroom.
• Online quiz/test created by teacher using Google Forms, Nearpod, Edmodo, or Schoology.
• Twitter, Answer Garden, Padlet
• White boards (My students use the Kids Doodle app as a white board on their iPad and love it.)

STEP 4

Questions to Self:

• What activities are best to teach/assess the objectives and standards? 
• What technology or traditional resources will be best to use during instruction?

Action Plan:

1. Review brainstorming list. 
2. Finalize what resources and activities would best meet the needs of students and teach the objective/standard.

Step 5

Have fun instructing and watching students learn.