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