Using Tech Throughout the Day

Image created by Patsy Templeton using Free Handwriting Fonts (http://kevinandamanda.com/fonts/fontsforpeas) and Notebook

Quite a bit of my time is spent helping teachers figure out ways to use tech tools throughout the day. Since a portion of each day is typically dedicated to small group instruction, I suggest including  technology during that time. Whether you have a SMART Board, iPads, iPods, and/or a bank of student computers, consider using those very tools during your small group learning stations.

The SMART Board may be sitting idle for large chunks of time when students are working independently but this is actually an opportune time to allow kids to get back to the board as a pair or small group, taking advantage of the interactivity of the board. Not only will this help with opening another learning center, it will also help with the dreaded-but-very-real "I haven't had a turn yet" syndrome.

We may think of the SB as more of a distraction during this period but it's my prediction that the more we use it, the less of a distraction it will be.

Suzy Brooks, a 3rd grade teacher (from MA), has been exploring the idea of using the SMART Board as a cooperative learning center. In this particular video, her students are working on a math concept. This is an awesome idea with great potential. It's easy to implement and makes great use of the tools you have.

Here's a link to more ideas Ms. Brooks has shared about using the SMART Board in her class. Her goal is to have each student purposefully touch the board 8 - 10 times each week.
Ideas for SMART Board student use

Also...I'm happy to share that registration for the East Bay CUE conference is now open!

East Bay CUE Cool Tools for Learning is coming on Saturday, February 11 and this year, it will be held at Head Royce in Oakland. Click here for important details.
It's one of my favorite conferences of the year. Great tech sessions, great door prizes, great opportunities to learn with other colleagues.

I get to present again this year so I'll be there - hope you will too!