Bring Your Own Device

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) or Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) is beginning to become more popular in school districts today. Due to budget cuts, it is difficult for school districts to keep up with the ever changing technology world. However, most students already own the technology needed. So, why not let them use what they already have in order to enhance their learning. There are so many sites out there that can be used for BYOD/BYOT. A fun one to start with when students enter the door is Poll Everywhere. Put up a question on the board and have the students respond to it on their technology devices. A graph will appear and change as each student enters their response. This is a free resource that could take the place of classroom response systems. If students do not own a device, you can provide a district laptop or mini notebook to use in class.

I've been working on a list of BYOD resources for high school. After that, I will work on an elementary school list and intermediate/middle school list. You can view the list at Symbaloo or view the collection below. Once you follow the link, make sure you click on the button "Add this Webmix" or "Start Using this Webmix" in order to see the whole collection. I will continue adding resources to the list, so make sure you check back often.

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SAMR and Google ~ A Beautiful Combination

I've been really investigating the SAMR model lately. If you aren't familiar with the SAMR for integrating technology into the classroom, that's ok. I first learned about it last year at a conference. I went to a breakout session and came out more confused than when I went in. So, I took it upon myself to learn about it through researching it online. The SAMR model is this: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition The more I investigated, the more I realized that our district needs to really look at where we are on this model. Yes, we are a Google for Education district! Yes, all students and teachers have access to Google Drive! But, NO, we are not redefining education with technology. One day I was inspired by a fellow Google for Education trainer to really look at how we can use Google Drive to redefine our lessons. So, I created the graphic below with ideas on how to use Google Drive and other Google products through the SAMR model.

Contraction Mania!

This week our first grade team analyzed some Fountas and Pinnell level G books to figure out what needed to be taught in reading to help our students get to that level. We realized that many of the books contained contractions and words with inflected endings. Our first plan of action was to immerse students in a word study of contractions. So, this week I introduced the word "contractions" to my class. I first wrote the word on a piece of chart paper and had them turn and talk and try to tell their partners what the word was. It was funny listening to them talk to each other. After about a minute I had them turn back and tell me what they discussed. I called on one child who then said, "We decided that we don't know what a contraction is." Then, the rest of the class agreed with him. I just had to chuckle at that. It was so cute! Then, I introduced contractions to the kids slowly using paint sample cards that I had made in advance. ~ I got the idea

Web 2.0 tools

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