Diary of a Digital Learning Coach

Every educator has a "toolbox" of activities and strategies to use in a pinch. I don't always highlight tools because  it is not about the tools,  however, I've been working with a couple lately that I can't resist sharing.  A few weeks ago, I got to work with some educators that were designing some spiraled review stations for our learners.  It gave me the opportunity to dive deeper into a couple of tools that can be customized to highlight content and skills in a fun and gamified way. Deck.Toys   Learner using Deck.Toys before a quick CFA Deck.Toys allows educators to create digital pathways to help learners check for understanding of a variety of concepts. With a variety of activity modes as well as features like locks, these pathways provide the support learners may need while also adding some creative fun. Think choose your own adventure, but with content! You can pull content in from Quizlet or create your own content from scrat...

One of the questions I often get asked from parents is about the amount of time our learners spend on screens during the school day.  With the influx of research on young brains and screens, it is logical for parents to have questions about our 1:1 iPads and how they are being used in classrooms.   I typically take those moments to help parents understand: the difference between using an iPad for learning vs. as a home device that being 1:1 doesn't mean our learners are 1:1 or on screens in all learning activities how iPads are simply a vehicle for learning, not a curriculum But as a parent myself, I can see the struggle in navigating this digital world both at school and at home.  It is so different than what we experienced, many of us parents can feel ill equipped to truly understand and promote best practices with our children. I'll be the first to tell you that no one tool does everything (iPads included) but there is a feature of our iPads that...

This week, let's take a deeper look at some Apple Classroom strategies that can h elp your end of the year classroom management.   For more information on managing Apple Classroom, check out this post from the archives or my team's Guide to Using Apple Classroom site . How have you used Apple Classroom successfully in your classroom?  Let me know in the comments!

It's testing week here in Texas and most of us educators are feeling a bit like: After all, the following is very true: image created at  https://imgflip.com That being said, since State testing has the tendency to "test our limits", I bring you a refreshing resource that can be used to help your learners vocalize and identify their social and emotional needs.  After all, if we feel this way, our learners must be drained also.  Whether your kids tested or not, our learners' world holds a lot more stressors than our world of the past. Click the link below to learn more about how to use a premade set of slides with Pear Deck to gather information from learners. Watch the quick clip to learn more about how to use Pear Deck OR come partner with me, your DLC to get a quick tutorial! https://app.peardeck.com/share/view/4dj7xr I'll be the one in the hallway, monitoring the bathrooms. Stay strong readers! How do you address the social and em...

It's exciting times here in Texas!  Our Technology Department has been working hard t o refresh our devices by providing educators with new Macbooks. We are beyond lucky to be in a district where digital learning is not just valued, but also supported.  Having reliable educator devices allows us to design and implement deeper learning experiences.  We can learn alongside our children and be more mobile throughout the classroom. Anytime there is change, even if it is a good change, there is a learning curve. I am such a creature of habit that I spent several days trying to get my new Mac to be set up the way my old one was. (#dontjudge) That is why I am so glad to share some curated resources my team gathered to help guide you as you get acquainted with your new MacBook.  Many of these are from the Technology ZenDesk, but all can help you become a Jedi Master of your Mac! Click here to visit the drawing above and access the links!   Each blu...

Check out some  awesome  learning opportunities from your  Digital Learning Coaches this month!  https://goo.gl/9HdFw7