There are many technology devices in your classroom — from computers to tablets to VR headsets. No matter what hardware and software your students are using in the classroom, I feel the planning process is most important component of infusing technology meaningfully into teaching and learning. STEP 1: Sound pedagogy Take a look the pedagogical
July 2018: Creative classroom configurations
Take a look at any kindergarten or grade one classroom. There are areas for whole class assembly, quiet reading corners, tables for small groups of students to use for collaborative activities, and carrels for students who need a place to think, write, or record. I believe all classrooms should have these same components. Besides the
June 2018: Digital storytelling PD workshop
I have addressed digital storytelling in the past for Discovery Education and on this blog. In January of 2013, I wrote about the research which supports digital storytelling and the CCSS. And, in the same month, I moderated a digital storytelling session as part of the Discovery/Wilkes Masters program in Instructional Media as seen below. WHY
May 2018: One way to put the A in STEAM
The NGSS document is full of standards which begin with the phrase “students will create a model to illustrate”. We customarily think of a model as something three-dimensional, like a diorama, a 3-D printed object, or a SketchUp creation. However, the dictionary also states it can be a “system or thing used as an example to
April 2018: Find your ed tech passion
I feel technology should always support teaching and learning in a meaningful way. And I know you do, too. As educators, we try new ideas, hardware, and software as they become available. But how do you decide on your real passion in the area of educational technology? I challenge you to step back from your
March 2018: Citation formats for elementary students
My February 2018 Kathy’s Katch blog post covered the topics of finding and citing online images. The post received a lot of positive attention, and some educators asked me for suggestions about how younger students can learn to cite . I have recently re-worked a document outlining this process on my Guide to Everything Web
February 2018: Finding and citing online images
I am passionate about students using online tools and standalone apps to create. I truly believe creation allows students to showcase how they have turned the content into their own knowledge. Many of these tools require the use of images for creation of the product. These images can be photos taken by the student, drawings
January 2018: Multimodal creation with Discovery Education Streaming
MULTIMODAL CREATION Multimodality occurs when students use several modes to create a product and/or communicate a message. These modes can involve speaking, writing, listening, and visual resources. When we have a student create a multimedia project that involves music, narration, and images, the goal should be for these resources to be used to create meaning
December 2017: Twitter for educators
I am a big social media user. I have accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+. However, the social media account I use most is Twitter, the microblogging tool. In Twitter, I share my own discoveries and learn from others every day. It is a huge source of professional development for me. Twitter is
November 2017: Web-ulous tools, part 2
Back in March of 2014, my Kathy’s Katch blog post highlighted some of my favorite online tools– Google Docs Story Builder, Magisto, Pixiclip, Thinglink, and Narrable. Story Builder and Narrable are gone. Thinglink has expanded into the VR arena. Magisto is now a paid service. Pixiclip has stayed the same. Apps and online tools come