Reflection: In Sync with Digital Learning 2016

I have always loved being a student. Even in college, without fail, I would choose a seat in the front row. I think that is what led me to become a teacher. That being said, when I go to a conference I approach it as if I am a student and the speaker is my teacher. I also tend to learn just as much from the other teachers that are in attendance.

One of my favorite things about being a teacher is giving and stealing ideas from one another. We can all relate to that moment when another teacher tells you a strategy and you think to yourself, “How did I not think of that?!” I had the opportunity to experience one of these types of days recently. I attended and presented with Mr. Rubey at a conference called In Sync with Digital Learning, sponsored by KCPT. Although I did not come away with one new, shiny, big idea, I left with a lot of really great smaller ideas with immediate application for the classroom. The first session that I went to that struck a chord was Creating a Culture of Collaboration and Creativity. This session was presented by two elementary teachers. They are both in one-to-one classrooms which made it very applicable to my classroom environment.  I made a list of easy things to implement as the presentation went. My list is as follows:

Have students stop at random times for a “Hands-up” check. Students will take their hands off of their device and the teacher will make a quick round to check screens. Make this a classroom norm so students know that at any time you will come around and check their screens to make sure it is on the correct task. Use Vocaroo to have students record their writing, then use a QR code to share the recording with parents. Try Little Bird Tales for digital story telling.

The next session was when I presented with Mr. Rubey. The topic was Enhancing Collaboration and Instruction with Google. In this session I spoke about how the 6th grade ELA team uses Google to collaborate daily. I told them about how we plan everything together using Google Docs and Google Slides. I told them that everything we do throughout the entire school year can be found within several (huge) Google Slideshows. We spoke about the use of our data trackers as a building. I also shared about how we use Google Forms for quick formative assessments and student surveys. The last thing I talked about was how much I use Google Classroom to aid in my teaching. I have become very attached to Google Classroom, and it would difficult for me to teach without it now!

I also gained several ideas from a session called Leading by example. This session was put on by an instructional coach from the Kansas City area. The session focused on leading by example with students. The key questions we discussed were:

What motivates my kids to learn? What are my kids currently learning? How do I want my kids to feel about their learning? Am I empowering them? What skills and behaviors do I want my students to exhibit during learning? What is MY role in all of this?

I truly believe if we ask ourselves these questions every day, it can only enhance our classrooms. Self-reflection is a key ingredient in growing, so I think if we based our teaching on these questions, we truly would be leading by example.

I’d have to say, I really enjoyed being the student during the KCPT In Sync with Digital Learning conference. I took away some awesome things that I applied to my classroom the very next day.