EdTech Coaching Tips for the week of January 25, 2016

Every two weeks I meet with teachers in small groups at my two schools. Before we meet, I encourage the teachers to check out the resources in videos (like the one below) to get them excited for what we will cover. Additionally, if teachers spend a few minutes trying out a tool, we can use the human interaction time to discuss and fine tune any potential problems.

Since I have been doing these sessions, I have developed a simple formula to make the sessions useful, reflective, and efficient for my staff. Each session involves a quick reflection where staff talk about how they currently using technology either with their students or to make administrative procedures more efficient. Next, I introduce a Google extension or app from the Chrome Store. We are GAfE school and our teachers use the gambit of Google Drive applications. Therefore, I introduce a tool to help them and their students get more out of these applications. Finally, I introduce a resource for the staff. In some weeks, it is a document with many resources, however, it is usually a great website to help their students.

For each session, I use a Google Form like this one to gather staff feedback and to showcase resources and my video showcasing these tools and tips.

This week I encouraged teachers to try the freemium Google extension tool of Read&Write and the free GoFormative platform. Information about each of these great tools can be found in the Google Presentation and the screencast video located below.

EdSurge's Top Ten S’Cool Tools of 2015

EdSurge is one of my favorite resources when it comes to learning about new tech tools. If you don't already subscribe to their weekly emails providing news and tools, then you are doing yourself a disservice.

I am catching up on my work email before returning back to school tomorrow and I came across their Top Ten S'Cool Tools for 2015 list. I encourage you as a teacher and/or parent to check out the tools provided. The list is heavy on Math and ELA resources, but you will likely find something fun to try out in the coming year.

I am really excited to try Quizalize as another way to assess students in a fun setting. Students love Kahoot, but having other options is always good to sustain student interest.

Mathgames looks awesome too. I like how it is aligned with Common Core and can be shared with Google Classroom seamlessly.