TL;DR:

• In March of 2020, we launched into a world of technology.
• Do you use technology to allow students to access their learning or to expand it?
• Discover tools to help you further integrate technology into your classroom such as Canva, Apple Learning Guides, Tinkercad, Google Suite Apps, and Flipgrid.

Ashley joined Rae on the Daily Drop In to talk about technology.

Click here to watch!

Online Learning

Never did I think on March 13, 2020, that that was the last time I would see my 2nd grade class in person. I was quickly thrown into a world of technology and virtual meetings. The lack of paper, pencils, or manipulatives was a far cry from the “typical” classroom experience my students normally had.

I found online tools and quickly adapted everything to run in a virtual world. Bitmoji classrooms were all the rage, but when it came down to the meat of the content, I was grasping at straws. I found whatever I could. Looking back, it wasn’t great. The materials were good and they got the job done, but children weren’t using technology to expand their learning, they were using technology to access their learning.

Now teachers are using devices more in the classroom than they ever have, but it’s still more on the access of their learning vs. expanding their learning. What’s the difference? Why should we change it? How can we?

When students are expanding their learning, they are creating things, having new experiences, and redefining their learning. Click To Tweet

Accessing vs. Expanding Learning Using Technology

When students are accessing their learning using technology, they are merely using the device to read and type answers. When students are expanding learning through technology, they are creating things, having new experiences, and redefining their learning.

Why Should We Change It?

We know from numerous education studies that when students create new learning, they are using higher depths of knowledge, and ultimately are able to apply the concepts better. The same goes for technology integration. The more fully tech is integrated, the more a student will be successful with a concept. Students can expand learning through technology.

Right now, as students are accessing their learning, they are simply using their device in place of a worksheet. Some “activities” are even uploaded worksheets *cringe*, but there’s a better and easier way.

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How Can We Expand Learning Through Technology?

There are a host of apps, programs, and sites that you can use. The best part? They are all FREE.

• Canva.com – Canva is just the cream of the crop when it comes to design and allowing students to create. Students can create a business card, video, logo and more! The best part of Canva is that as an educator, you can create a class and have your students join it. Your students can then store all of their work in one place.
• Apple Learning Guides – Apple Learning Guides are made for iPads but can be used for Macbooks or even adapted to non-tech. They are free and come with a teacher guide with already listed implementation ideas. Take and go!
• Tinkercad.com – While this is a program that can be used for 3D printing, students can also create and design in Tinkercad through shapes.
• Google Suite Apps – Slides, Docs, Drawings, and Sheets can be used to create and discover learning in new ways.
• Flipgrid.com – This is where your students can turn into movie stars. It can help students show their voice without being in front of a lot of people.

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About Ashley Haynes

Ashley is an instructional technology facilitator at W. R. Odell Elementary which serves 850+ students in 3rd-5th grade in Concord, NC. She runs their social media, mentors teachers, teaches students, and coaches the VEX robotics team. Ashley is also an Apple Learning Coach, Etsy Seller, and a mom to a kindergartener. She graduated from UNC-Charlotte in 2015 with her bachelor’s in Elementary Education and in 2019 with her graduate certificate in Instructional Technology. She is an avid technology enthusiast, lover of all things Apple, and forever committed to learning new things. Follow her journey and connect at @TallTechy on all social media.