Tablets in the classroom: From just one to 1:1

It is summer - golfing season still in "swing."  And it was my birthday.  :-)  BUT #IDedchat on August 6 still went on without me.  Thanks so much to Dave Guymon and Simon Miller for making that happen!!

This chat focused on using tablets in the classroom.  Many educators/school districts in Idaho are purchasing iPads, Google Nexus Tablets, HP tablets, etc for teachers to utilize in their instruction.  There is a VAST range as to the number of devices that teachers and students have access to.

The August 6th #IDedchat focused on what to do with tablets - whether you have one or multiple.

Here is a link to the archive:  August 6 Archive #IDedchat

Because it is summer, and I am now in the throes of beginning my new position. There will only be two chats during the month of August.  The next #IDedchat will occur on Tuesday, August 20 at 7:30 MST

Using Technology to Engage Students - #IDedchat July 30

We spent our second #IDedchat discussing using technology in the classroom to engage students.  I was attending the Idaho Association of School Administrators state conference, so I had some new tweeps tweeting live with me while I moderated.

We began the chat discussing WHY using technology is important in today's classroom.  The conversation ranged from: technology is part of student lives, so we need to meet them where they are; technology is integral to all jobs today, so we need to prepare students.

The theme throughout - it is not about the technology - it is STILL about instruction and what the teacher does with the technology.  Curt Rees shared a humorous photo - if pedagogy with tech isn't different, it is like slapping a car frame to a horse and buggy.  Thanks for the giggle Curt!

Participants in the chat shared tech resources they use and HOW they use them with students to raise the level of engagement. We also shared technology we could no longer live without - I asked for just one, but most had multiple tech tools!  :-)

We ended the chat with an app "smackdown."

Here is a link to an archive of this chat.  #IDedchat July 30

Idaho EdChat July 24

The inaugural Idaho EdChat went great!  We had educators from across the state join us.  In addition, we had educators from Iowa, China, and New York join us!  Just goes to show that anyone can join the conversation.

We spent much of the chat discussing the benefits of joining a Twitter Chat, and some of the best ways to manage being part of the chat.  Thanks to Nancy Blair for helping moderate the first Idaho Ed Chat!

Here is a link to the Storify story of that first chat.

Archive - Inaugural #IDedchat

Inaugural Idaho Education Chat

My name is Janet Avery (@averyteach on Twitter), and I am currently the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Jerome School District.  I have been using Twitter for my personal professional development for about four years now, and am very passionate about the potential for collaboration amongst educators across the state.

With all social media, there are many "frivolous" activities that happen on Twitter; however, by knowing who and what to follow, Twitter is a vast resource of best practices.  Twitter allows you connect with positive, energetic, dynamic, and effective educators from around the world - in any subject area, and every level.  Not only can you connect with practicing educators, you are also able to connect with world renowned researchers and authors.

Our FIRST Idaho Education Chat (#IDedchat on Twitter) will occur on Wednesday, July 24 at 7:30 MST. 

We will have two guest moderators:  Nancy Blair (@blairteach on Twitter) who introduced me to Twitter, and Dr. Darrin Jolly (@drjolly on Twitter) who  have met and collaborated with through Twitter.  Nancy is well known for her work with the Idaho Institute of Best Practices, and her consultant work with some Idaho Schools through HSTW/MMGW.  Dr. Darrin Jolly is a MS principal from Texas, and is the moderator of #sbgchat (Standards-Based Grading Chat) and #satchatwc (Saturday Chat West-Coast). Dr. Jolly will be presenting the Power of ICU at all three Idaho Institutes of Next Practices.

This chat will focus on connecting educators to collaborate on curriculum, instruction, technology, management, etc.  There is NOT a political agenda - just an agenda of promoting positive collaboration. and connecting educators from across our great state!

I will be doing a presentation at the Wendell Institute (July 24 and 25) entitled "Don't Get Twitterpated by Social Media/Twitter 101."  For those of you who can't attend the Wendell conference, I have e-mailed copies of my handouts to Katie Cutler, and she will most probably post them on the conference website.  If you need some Twitter assistance before Wednesday, please do not hesitate to contact me (through Twitter or e-mail)

After this week's chat, the weekly time will be Tuesday at 7:30 MST.  

If you have not yet expressed interest in being part of this Twitter chat, please sign up here:#IDedchat

OR - just plan to join us on Wednesday!

Happy Tweeting!

Calling All Idaho Educators!

Idaho Educators!  Are you interested in being connected with other educators around the state?  We are starting an Idaho Education Chat on Twitter during the "Idaho Institute of Next Practices" being held in Wendell.  If you already have a Twitter account - that is great!  If you don't have - we can be of assistance.  Never used Twitter for professional development - that's OK -  I am doing a presentation on that subject AT the Wendell conference!

Twitter is a great platform in which to learn from other educators about topics in which you are interested!  #IDedchat will be a great introduction to Twitter for new users, and a great chat addition for experienced users.

Not an Idaho educator?  That is OK - we want input from all willing to share best practices!  :-)

This chat will focus on connecting educators to collaborate on curriculum, instruction, technology, management, etc.  There is NOT a political agenda - just an agenda of promoting positive collaboration. and connecting educators from across our great state!

If you are interested, please fill out this Google Form.

Idaho Ed Chat Interest - Google Form - Click Here

Stay tuned for the exact date and time of the inaugural Idaho Ed Chat!