Creating a Connected Classroom

Working in K-5 classrooms, not only do I support teachers with tools for their students, but I also see some of the awesome ways they are already promoting confidence, independence and ownership in their classrooms, even with regards to tech integration.  There is nothing I love more at work than walking into a classroom where technology is being infused all across the board, rather than something just taken out when needed.  I can tell immediately just by looking around the room at what is hanging on the walls and by what the students are doing that it is truly a connected classroom.  

Whether you are 1:1 or have shared devices, there are many ways to incorporate technology naturally throughout the day to support students in all aspects of their learning process.  Here are a few possibilities if you are looking for some ideas:

Create a student tech support team.  This can rotate each week, allowing three or four students to be the technology helpers in the classroom.  This builds confidence and the students love to show what they know and support their peers.  I've seen this done as young as 1st grade with excellent results!

Help students monitor their own progress using an interactive status chart.  Designate an iPad or other device for them to mark their status during projects or activities.  It will help them stay focused and be more independent.  It will also help you as the teacher to keep better track of everyone's progress.  This example was created in Smart Notebook.  Students can drag the star to their box or draw a checkmark in their box on the Smartboard.  It also works in the free Smart Notebook app. No board needed!

Use Seesaw!  Seesaw is an excellent tool for students to show what they know and keep a record of their growth and accomplishments.  It can be used in any subject area and parents can join to get a peek into their child's day.  Teach students how to identify pieces that have meaning to them and use the recording or captioning tool to reflect on them.  They can add their work anytime throughout the day.

 Use QR Codes.  Forgot your homework? Scan the QR code and fill out the Google Form to let me know what happened.  Want to borrow a book from the classroom library? Add a suggestion to the class suggestion box? Create a Google Form and hang the QR code somewhere in the room for easy access.  A great way to collect information into a handy spreadsheet.  Using Google Classroom?  Just add the links to your Forms in the classwork tab to use whenever needed!

Learning about animals? nonfiction topics? a specific time period in social studies?  Make devices an option for research.  Some students will use them and others may not.  That's ok!  Student choice is a wonderful thing.  Add some resource links to Google Classroom if you like, or let students explore on their own to find what they need in addition to using print books and other resources.

These are just a few ways to incorporate technology naturally.  Check out your colleagues classrooms or ask your admin to let your next meeting be a share of ideas.  The best teacher learning comes from seeing each other in action.

If you would like to try the status chart, it's free!  Just click the link in that section.  It is in Google format.  To use it, just add it to your drive.  Using laptops? Download it first and then upload to Smart Notebook.  Using an iPad? Import into the Smart Notebook app directly from your Drive!