Ed Tech Tips with E. Mosier
Make your classroom more Efficient!
Technology Strategies for Culturally Relevant Teaching
Overview
Recently, our district has been immersing teachers in Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning, ensuring that our instruction varies enough that all learners feel respected and appreciated. One method of transferring that message is through Dr. Sharroky Hollie, and his ideas behind Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning. Within the binder, there are several strategies to inspire discussion among all of our students to create a more inclusive classroom. However, along with the classic paper and pencil way of accomplishing these, there are ways technology can enhance these lessons as well. Below are even more strategies on how technology can be integrated into CLR Lessons, building on a previous newsletter where similar strategies were examined.
Strategy: Graffiti Talk
Technology Connections: Of course, the teacher could simply replace the poster board with devices, and let students type their responses at different stations. But, a teacher could also carry out this exercise much quicker and send a Google Form to the students. Or, keeping with the same "chart paper" theme, start a Wakelet collection, and allow students to contribute that way to share their thoughts. Movement is the key to this strategy, but incorporating technology allows for quicker responses, and maybe even contributions from students you may not be used to hearing from.
Strategy: I Got This
Description: Students are grouped in about 4-6 people, then asked a question, and each individually responds on a portable whiteboard. After a given amount of time, the group leader shouts, "I Got This!" and they all reveal their responses to the rest of the group, leading a discussion based on what everyone wrote down.
Technology Connection: If whiteboards are not an option, teachers can turn to a digital possibility. They can create a template in Google Slides, or Google Drawings, and then share that out with the students. The students could then use their devices to respond, even having the option to draw using the mousepad, just as they would if they were using a whiteboard.
Strategy: Numbered Heads Together
Technology Connections: Instead of utilizing a die, the teacher could use a random name picker. Or, there are several "digital dice" websites that could be utilized for selecting the groups. If the teacher wanted to really keep noise and chaos at a minimum, they could ask for answers typed on a Google Slides presentation.
Strategy: Pick a Stick
Description: A teacher writes his or her students' names on popsicle sticks and places them in a cup. So, instead of relying on the same students to consistently provide an answer, the teacher grabs a stick from the cup, and whoever they selected provides the answer to the question.
Technology Connections: Sites like classtools.net, or classroomscreen.com have random name pickers built in to their platforms. What's great about the picker on Class Tools, it can be set to repeat selections, or to take them off after being selected. This increases the autonomy of providing answers, and varies the popsicle stick selection process.
Strategy: Three Step Interview
Technology Connection: Once students interview each other, it might be really cool to use a site like Flipgrid and have the students introduce each other for the third part of the assignment. This would allow shy students the ability to share their voice with their Chromebooks instead of the daunting whole-class talk. This video would then be available throughout the year for students to refer to, and see how far they've grown in their speaking, or to simply reminisce with their friends.
Google Aha! Tip of the Week
Contact Mr. Mosier!
Email: mosiere@davenportschools.org
Website: www.davenportschools.org/sudlow
Location: Sudlow Intermediate School, East Locust Street, Davenport, IA, United States
Phone: 563-445-5150
Twitter: @emosier3