Instructional Technology K-4
Amber Whitley
Tennessee Educational Technology Association (TETA) Summer Institute 2016
Get Data While Engaging Students
Kahoot - Many of you have started using this fun tool with your students. It is similar to a restaurant trivia game where points are awarded for answering correctly. The faster you answer, the more points you get. This game must be projected for questions to be seen by students, and students must all have devices to participate.
Quizizz - This resource is similar to Kahoot. However, it does not have to be projected for questions to be seen by players and can be assigned for "homework". Most classes won't be able to play this as a whole group, so my suggestion for using this resource in the classroom is to go ahead and assign as homework, but have students complete it during your small group rotations.
Plickers - Plickers is a great resource for those classrooms that only have a few devices. Because my previous classroom only had a few devices, I utilized Plickers for quick multiple choice formative assessments. When you set up a class in Plickers, each student will be assigned a QR code. You will print these out and give them to students. Students will then respond to your questions by turning their cards a certain way. You then scan the room with a device, and it grades their responses for you. It's super easy!
Google Forms - Want to set up a survey for your class as a pre-assessment to see what they already know? Google Forms is a great way to do this. You can also set up a differentiated assessment where students get tailored questions depending on how they respond to the previous question.
Twitter Challenge
How Twitter Can Be Used as a Powerful Educational Tool
PLEASE NOTE: If you use Twitter to share photos or information from your classroom, or to engage parents, you are required to have an FSSD Digital Publishing Guidelines form on file with your principal. If you would like to start a classroom twitter account, contact me at whitleyamb@fssd.org, and I will get this simple process started with you. The FSSD will issue an official account with the proper settings. It's a fun way to share your classroom stories! Those who are using approved personal accounts in the classroom are also urged to switch to an "FSSD verified" account.
Open Response Websites
Polleverywhere is another free resource where students can respond to open ended questions and remain anonymous. You can create polls for students to respond to, which could lead to some great discussions in class. This data can also inform you when an idea needs to be revisited to clear up any misunderstandings.
If you'd like help getting started with any of the resources provided in this quarter's newsletter, please email me to set up a time for us to walk through the process. I'll be more than happy to help you out!
About Amber Whitley
I was married in May of 2015 and enjoy spending time with my new husband. We have two tea-cup yorkies: Paisley and Scout. I love to travel. Some of my favorite spots have been New Zealand and Greece. Please email me if you'd like me to assist you with incorporating technology in your lessons or work with your students!
Email: whitleyamb@fssd.org
Website: http://fssd.org/teacher-information/instructional-technology/
Location: 1406 Cannon Street, Franklin, TN, United States
Twitter: @fssdIntrTech