Digital tools, such as learning management systems and blogs, can help frame online learning experiences for students. What tools are you finding effective for this work? Please share!
Although I am not in the classroom, I am helping my wife use Thinglink (www.thinglink.com) for one of her students with special needs. We post videos and images within days on an image of the month's calendar. The links are represented by an icon that anyone can click on to watch and see. This student is learning days of the week, so we are posting relevant content he likes to reinforce this knowledge.
Right now, I'm keeping my sights on Zoom as my sole digital tool. When I first began teaching digital sessions four weeks ago, other presenters were sharing so many different tools. While those were interesting and intriguing as tools go, the magnitude of options felt a bit overwhelming but more importantly, it felt like using them would ignore my WHY and demean the value of the message I wanted to impart. I tell teachers that we have to be crystal clear about our purpose and not veer from that purpose so I felt confident that this was the direction I wanted to take. Although initially I felt inadequate for questioning the use of those tools, I realized that I needed to be true to myself and to my WHY. Other than the use of breakout rooms which is am feeling more and more comfortable using, I felt like simplicity was key. This was a reminder that having digital tools is far less important than identifying how those tools can amplify our purpose. I am confident that I made the right choice.
Although I am not in the classroom, I am helping my wife use Thinglink (www.thinglink.com) for one of her students with special needs. We post videos and images within days on an image of the month's calendar. The links are represented by an icon that anyone can click on to watch and see. This student is learning days of the week, so we are posting relevant content he likes to reinforce this knowledge.
That sounds so interesting Matt. I'll have to check that out.
Right now, I'm keeping my sights on Zoom as my sole digital tool. When I first began teaching digital sessions four weeks ago, other presenters were sharing so many different tools. While those were interesting and intriguing as tools go, the magnitude of options felt a bit overwhelming but more importantly, it felt like using them would ignore my WHY and demean the value of the message I wanted to impart. I tell teachers that we have to be crystal clear about our purpose and not veer from that purpose so I felt confident that this was the direction I wanted to take. Although initially I felt inadequate for questioning the use of those tools, I realized that I needed to be true to myself and to my WHY. Other than the use of breakout rooms which is am feeling more and more comfortable using, I felt like simplicity was key. This was a reminder that having digital tools is far less important than identifying how those tools can amplify our purpose. I am confident that I made the right choice.
It sounds like the technology served your purpose and the needs of your colleagues, Mary.