Although most who have experience setting up a digital classroom are aware that it takes time, I seem to forget this with every new semester. It is a frustrating process, because the first week of school seems to focus on learning the technology and creating an effective digital classroom workflow. Today was our fourth day of school and at the end of class, I felt like there wasn’t much accomplished this week.
Focusing on the long-term gains
I really had to take a second to reflect and realize that the time spent this week was an investment to make the learning easier in the long-run. In a way, a teacher introducing 1:1 iPads in their classroom for the first time have an advantage. They are likely lacking a bit of confidence in how to best utilize these devices and would probably do much more hand-holding. Looking back at this past week, I feel that I may have thrown too much, too quickly at the students.
From Google Drive to Blogger – Too much, too fast?
Over the course of four classes and 300 minutes total, students were exposed to Google Drive shared folders and saving documents to their accounts, annotating PDF files in GoodNotes, Blogger accounts and the creation of their individual blogs and even Dan Meyer’s “Hot Coffee” real world math problem as well as other introductory tasks. Not too shabby, when I really sit back and think about it. However, my expectation to cover more content could not be met.
Note to self: take it slow
What I hope I have learned from this past week is that I need to take it slow. If I put myself in the shoes of the inexperienced iPad user, I quickly realize that tossing all of these new ideas is the same thing as trying to pack too many curriculum expectations into a single lesson. While some students may have an iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad or other mobile technology, they are likely not utilizing the tools I am introducing to them and some might be using an iPad for the first time.
While I am very proud of the leaps and bounds my students have made to begin creating quality work and sharing it with the world, I hope I haven’t discouraged anyone in the process by moving too quickly.
My goal for next week will be turning the focus to the math and when students feel ready, we will allow students to attempt their first posts on their individual math blogs. More to follow on this!
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About Kyle Pearce
I’m Kyle Pearce and I am a former high school math teacher. I’m now the K-12 Mathematics Consultant with the Greater Essex County District School Board, where I uncover creative ways to spark curiosity and fuel sense making in mathematics. Read more.
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Oh, I can relate. I spent the week helping my students get their blogs set up, and we still are not where I’d hoped we be. While they have cell phones, and they text and watch YouTube, they are not digitally savvy. I left each day frustrated but convicted: the time investment to get the digital tools set up will be worth it in the long run. It will. I know. I just forget how hard the first little bit is every single year.
Thanks for this post, and may I just say as an English teacher: So impressive that your students have MATH Blogs!
You’re right on the money when it comes to how much students know about technology. Many believe that students can just grab a device and go, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Students appear to be tech “savvy” because we can see how fast they text with their own device from under their desk – however, that is simply because they are using a device they have spent much time practicing with. Toss a new piece of tech or a new workflow idea such as annotating PDF files and saving to the cloud and we quickly realize students aren’t as savvy as we initially believe.
Glad to hear that there is another educator feeling the same way I am after week one. When you dedicate so much time to introducing innovative ideas in your classroom, I think it is natural to want to see results now. However, as you’ve stated, I am also confident that we will see these results after some time and practice.
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
I agree with your article – teaching students how to use technology effectively takes time and I find that in many cases, 1:1 instruction is needed. As a computer teacher working with students in elementary school, I spend a lot of time just teaching the basics. Some students catch on quickly and others need more help. Creating a digital classroom is a constant work in progress in my opinion.
You’re absolutely right. It definitely takes time and patience! My students are making progress and becoming more independent with the technology.
Excited to see them continue to grow.