magazinedoc

Digital Citizenship

By: Naomi Williams

There are many ways to promote and model digital citizenship and creativity in a
classroom setting. Nowadays, technology is a part of every day living. It is involved in and
around everything we do. So here are a few ways to make sure that, as teachers, we are not
just being good examples but are also encouraging our students to be responsible with the
different types of technology that can be incorporated in our classroom settings.

One of the most common forms of technology is classrooms is computers. With
computers, the access to more than a thousand different websites is at the tips of our students’
fingers. It is our job to find some websites for them that can have an educational purpose and
still have them involved with the class. For example, certain websites like ‘Edmodo’ or
‘Schoology’ give them the opportunity to participate in class discussion boards, educational
conversations, and other networking possibilities. This gives them a school-run, safe, and age-
appropriate duration of time to learn how to find educational and positive experiences on the
internet.

Another way to be a good example of digital citizenship is to set age-appropriate limits
and expectations. Most social media, has an age requirement. For example, you must be 13
years old or older to sign up for Facebook. So therefore, teachers should be aware of these
certain rules and make classroom rules based on them. If your students are under the age of
13, you should not have a class project that is on Facebook. By allowing them to do so and

break the age limits, then we are allowing them to form habits of disrespect and the lack of
accountability. This all plays a roll in promoting digital citizenship.

To continue promoting and modeling digital citizenship and creativity in a classroom
setting, there is a need to create a balance between using technology and allowing personal
interaction between teachers and their students. Oftentimes, it is either or. Teachers either
have too much technology and not enough group work or they are completely opposed to
technology. For example, when I was in high school, my school was one of the first schools to
incorporate iPads into school work. Although I believe this to be an amazing advancement in
schools, there were many teachers who overused them. In some of my classes, I was forced to
rely on my iPad instead of the words of my teacher and with that came me self-learning most of
the information.

When I asked one teacher what the benefits of iPads in the classroom were, she stated,
“There are many benefits that can be included with iPads. You have access to all the
information for any specific subject you could ever need.” When asked about the
disadvantages, she continued to say that, “There are just as many benefits as there are
disadvantages when it comes to iPads. With responsibility, there always comes temptations.
They really have to learn self-control because it is so easy to get sidetracked instead of focusing
on the project, whatever it may be.” So together, we came to conclusion that in order to be
successful with technology, we need to create student awareness. We can do so by teaching
them about plagiarism and the consequences that come with making that decision. Teachers
should never just assume that students know the risks that come with the internet. Before
allowing them to use iPads or whatever form of technology that may be used in your specific

classroom, you should first always show them the advantages and disadvantages of using the
internet and how to be a responsible student and demonstrate digital citizenship. Although it is
important to verbalize your rules with your students, you should also be a good example of
doing so as well.

Also, it is essential that with technology, you should always address the topic of cyber
bullying, the importance of reporting it if someone sees it happening, and the consequences
that can follow. In our society today Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and other forms of social
media are used on a daily basis and the students react with each other often on these
platforms. When you are behind a screen, it is easier to say almost anything and easier than it
has ever been for information to get around which includes information that can be hurtful to
another student. In an article called ‘Promoting Responsible and Ethical Digital Citizens’ by
Education World, it talks about how teachers should set certain guidelines to prevent and
handle cyberbullying that may be occurring. It lists three steps which state, “First, discuss
cyberbullying and how it is unacceptable. Second, provide examples of cyberbullying to help
students understand the importance of addressing this growing concern. Third, students should
report inappropriate online interactions to their parents, teachers, counselors, and
administrators immediately, whether they are a victim or bystander.” It is essential that
students know the consequences that come with cyberbullying and by addressing it, it can help
prevent such inappropriate behavior online. Although there is a plethora of ways to promote
and model digital citizenship and creativity in a classroom setting, it is very important that
guidelines are set for which websites can be used, there needs to be a balance between

technology and personal interaction, and that cyberbullying is addressed, discussed, and
reported.

Works Cited
5 Ways You Should Integrate Digital Citizenship Into Your Classes. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21,
2018, from http://www.teachhub.com/teaching-digital-citizenship
Promoting Digital Citizenship and Academic Integrity. (2015, February 10). Retrieved March 21,
2018, from https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-with-technology-
articles/promoting-digital-citizenship-academic-integrity-technology-classrooms/
Promoting Responsible and Ethical Digital Citizens. (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2018, from
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/responsible-student-technology-use.shtml
Williams, Heidi. Personal Interview. 9 March. 2018.

- Nearly 43% of kids have been bullied online. 1 in 4 has

had it happen more than once.

- 70% of students report seeing frequent bullying online.
- Over 80% of teens use a cell phone regularly, making

it the most common medium for cyber bullying.

- 68% of teens agree that cyber bullying is a serious

problem.

- Bullying victims are 2 to 9 times more likely to

consider committing suicide.

Stop Cyberbullying

Say Something

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255

Dosomething.org



Hear it from the professionals: Tricia Galer 

By Magan Burt

I had the opportunity to sit down and visit Q: What are the benefits of using the
with Tricia Galer, a second grade teacher at technology?
Kennedy elementary, and learn more about A: “You don’t have to use paper so it saves
her views and ideas that she uses in her a lot of time for teachers and parents. You
classroom. can use technology to generate different
forms of data and you can compare them to
Q: What kind of technology do you use in one another, you can compare the students
your classroom? with their previous scores. You can do a lot
A: “We have iPads and then we have without having to do a lot of work. There are
desktops. I have 4 [iPads] for my whole tons and tons and thousands of titles of high
class. I wish I had more so that when I want interest really engaging books and it has a
to do an activity I wouldn’t have to go read to me options so they can listen to
scavenge more. I think Chromebooks would books that are above their grade level.”
be really nice.”
(Mrs. Galer has an app called Blooms where Q: What are the disadvantages of the
the parents opt in and it is a way to technology?
communicate with parents about how A: “Sometimes it’s a little hard if you have
students are doing, reminders for things in immature kids with poor behavior,
class, when volunteers are needed, etc.) sometimes when I’m teaching the class they
will just go over to the computer and log on
and sometimes they will be watching
Youtube videos. I think that one of the
disadvantages to technology, potentially, is
using it only to do kill and drill activities

instead of using it for more innovative like to be on the same story on their iPad
ways.” and be reading at the same time and talking
about it. Or you could use it in a
Q: What is something you could do to fix presentation format”
the disadvantages?
A: “Use it in more innovative ways. You Q: What are some teaching trends that you
have to create variety because students get implement in your classroom?
bored.” A: “I use flexible seating which is a pretty
big buzzword in education right now and I
Q: How does your technology allow really like it. Another thing is project based
students to work at a level more specific to learning which I have done a lot of this year.
their personal progress? Creating high-interest, open-ended,
A:“With the program we have adopted, long-term activities that integrate the
Istation, we take a look at how are students curriculum through a project.”
are doing and we can look at the data and
see where they are in their comprension. I Q: What is the difference between learning
can look at the individual assignments and and education?
see what students need more work and A: “Education is a means to learning. But I
where they need more work and give them think education is inspiring your students to
assignments that are tailored more to their be curious and capable so they can continue
needs.” that on their own throughout their lives.
They are learning how to do something
Q: How does it encourage broader without you telling them how to do it.”
community participation? Scott Galer, another respected person
A: “I think to a certain extent, depending on stakeholder added that “education can
how we use technology, you can kind of succeed or it can fail and if it succeeds, then
create like a conversation that takes place it is learning.”
between two students. They can earn and
display badges. My students love who all

Q: How do you teach your students Q: What is the most valuable lesson you
something you don’t know? have learned from your students?
A: “Learn as much as you can about it A: “The idea of growth mindset and the idea
before and then you are really transparent that we haven’t ever totally arrived and the
with your students. You just have to be idea that we are always learning and
honest because that is part of the process of evolving. And I see that a lot when I have
teaching them how to learn. It’s about expectation for my students that are
growth mindset. Growth mindset tells you unrealistic, I think that I’ve learned that
that that is an opportunity to learn and you those kids are going to grow in spite of what
model that by showing your students. we do or don’t do but success as a teacher
Instead of the teacher being the center of isn’t necessarily about the improvement of
everything, we bring to you what we know, scores. They are just little people and growth
but we are also willing to being to the table is so incremental. I want them to achieve all
what the students know. ” these things, but they are just people.”

BLENDED LEARNING

By Hannah Barlow

Our world is always changing and and replacing other stuff. One current
improving and finding new and better ways teaching trend that I have found pretty
to be teaching our students. It’s crazy to interesting and relatable to our learning now
think back to a time where students of all is called blended learning. Blended learning
ages and learning levels were in one small is a teaching style that combines online
classroom together learning who knows digital medial with the more basic classroom
what really and probably on no real methods that we are used to. A teacher is
schedule. Times have changed drastically still there but there are still some elements of
since then and it all has to do with new students having some control over the
teaching trends coming in to play with learning with the assistance of technology.
teachers. Teaching trends are just when a
new ay of teaching or a different style is When I first started researching this
introduced and being used widely across the current teaching trend it became more
country for a period of time. The definition obvious to me how much I have already
of trend in reality means that it will seen this happening in some of the classes I
eventually die off probably but it doesn’t have already been in. Most specifically I
mean the trend is any less effective, it just took a Math 108 class my first semester at
means that new things are coming in to play college and they called it a “Hybrid Class”.
This was just a fancy way of saying blended

learning. We were expected to meet in the new stuff on my own but I still did it and
classroom with our teacher twice a week to tried my best.
have some aspect of lecture learning and
then the rest of the week we were It is important to know and
responsible for doing the homework online understand that blended learning is defiantly
and learning for ourselves. If we had not for everyone. Some students need that
questions we could of course ask our teacher one on one attention at all times and need
but a large part of the class was student that presence of a teacher to give them that
learning focused and we were expected to push. A lot of students with mental
handicaps will struggle with motivating
learn a lot on our own. At first, I was a little themselves so blended learning would not
frustrated by this. I wanted my teachers to really be a good option for them. But for
care and teach me everything I needed to other students, it’s almost better. I know for
know. But it established a lot of my younger brother who is 17 has always
self-motivation that I didn’t know I needed struggled with being one step ahead of his
to have as much of in college. I never
imagined that I would be having to learn

class. He was always bright enough to learn at their own pace and in their own way
understand things quicker than others and and sometimes trying to accommodate all of
found it frustrating when he would have to those things in one classroom with one
sit and listen to a lecture about a topic he teacher can be exhausting. Blended learning
already understood. This is a situation allows for students to have an element of
where blended learning would be ideal. control over where, when and how they
work on their assignments or homework. I
Blended learning cannot be know for me, I have taken several online
accomplished without the help of classes and loved them. I am surprised
technology. So, it is really important to when people tell me they have an opposite
know and understand your students limits view on online classes because I have
and their resources available to them. Don’t always seen them as a positive thing for me
try blended learning in your classroom if because I am finally able to work at my own
there are students who are less fortunate and pace and be able to get things done how I
don’t have computers available to them at like to. I don’t have to be in an
uncomfortable classroom with a ton of
home. With this in mind, the benefits of people. I can be in my bed on a Thursday
blended learning are amazing. Students all night listening to music and wearing my
sweats. There’s nothing better than that for
learning for me. I feel comfortable and
ready to learn and blended learning allows
for this. With learning about special needs

kids more in my classroom I have really https://www.schooloutfitters.com/learning-e
come to understand more how hard it can be nvironment/21st-century-learning-strategies/
for some kids with handicaps in the 21st-century-blended-learning?kw_cid=blen
classroom. Even just some classmate ded%20learning&sc_cid=blended%20learni
tapping their pencil or the air conditioning ng|PPCsearch|e|190939752686|SOGLONG1
can set them off and distract them for the 007097|21stCentury|(Blended)Learning|Goo
lesson being taught, so with the help of gle|
blended learning we can see it as a positive
because these students who are struggling https://blended.online.ucf.edu/about/what-is-
can go to their own quiet space and blended-learning/
accomplish all that they need to at their own
pace and in a comfortable way for them. https://www.blendedlearning.org/what-blend
ed-learning-is-and-isnt/
Blended learning has many benefits
for classrooms but still some setbacks as a
current teaching trend. As a teacher it is all
about knowing your students limits and
strengths as learners. Blended learning can
be so beneficial with allowing students to
work and learn how they are comfortable
and there’s really nothing better than that.

STEM in Elementary Schools
By: Angie Pyron

STEM is an educational program that is used to prepare students in the fields of Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It doesn’t just prepare students for specific fields of
work, it develops a set of thinking, reasoning, teamwork, investigative, and creative skills that
they can use in all areas of their lives. It focuses on creating a student-centered learning
environment by getting students involved in hands-on activities that help them develop
questioning, problem solving, and collaboration skills. These skills aim to help students become
critical thinkers and excellent communicators.

Educators break STEM down into seven different skill sets that include: learning and
applying content, integrating content, interpreting and communicating information, engaging in
inquiry, engaging in logical reasoning, collaborating as a team, and applying technology
appropriately.

The importance of STEM and Technology education in elementary schools has been
increasing. It’s important for children to practice STEM education early because it can shape
their whole educational experience. Students who experience STEM early through hands-on
experiences can better develop STEM skills and concepts at an older age. Research shows that
about 1/3 of students have lost interest in the sciences by fourth grade, and by eighth grade more
than half of students have lost interest. An emphasis on STEM early in elementary school years
can help cultivate a long-lasting love for these subjects.

STEM education pushes students to figure things out for themselves, with the teacher as a
facilitator to guide them. Teachers need to be trained appropriately to teach STEM well.
Teachers can adopt STEM practices by simply changing the kinds of questions they ask their
students. They can ask more questions that require the students to use critical thinking. Allowing
students to design or create something also helps them exercise and develop STEM skills.
Schools can also reach out to STEM businesses or university’s STEM departments for support.
Teachers can incorporate STEM lessons in their curriculum by reading books about STEM
topics, doing hands-on activities, and even elementary physics lessons. Teachers can create
lessons that require their students to create and design with their classmates. Teachers can then
observe and ask questions to guide them.

Recently, the Idaho STEM Action Center awarded about $150,000 in grants to give
drones to 22 schools in Idaho. Teton Elementary, a small elementary school outside of Rexburg,
Idaho, received drones. The students were involved in a 5-week course where they learned to
build drones, code, and fly the drones. Allowing these young students to work with drones will
help them develop STEM skills that will get them excited about their future.

Using technology is also very important, as long as it’s guided learning. Teachers can use
competition to encourage students to succeed in STEM activities. Technology must be used
properly in schools to benefit the students. It can be used to allow students to create and design.
Elementary school technology education has helped with the students’ development of
vocabulary, language use, creative communication, and improved technological knowledge and
capabilities. It has also helped the students improve their perceptual and motor skills, as well as
their social and life skills.

STEM promotes motivation, engagement, independent learning, and collaboration at a
young age. These skills will set the foundation for the students’ futures, as they will use them
throughout their educational career and carry them into their lives and career after high school.

Even parents can give their children STEM projects and activities to develop their skills at a
young age. There are many different science projects kids can do using household items. Kids

can use technology at school or at home to learn coding, play strategy games, explore NASA
pictures, and design and create buildings and layouts. Kids can experiment with engineering as

they build with Legos, design bridges out of straws, and race designed cars. There are many fun
games for young children to practice math with and without technology. Teachers and parents

can easily find an abundance of STEM lessons and activities online, but it is also easy to come
up with their own. Teachers can look at their course objective, then come up with a real-world

lesson to write their lesson.
In STEM lessons, students can learn how to deal with real social, economic, and

environmental problems and their solutions. The STEM learning environment allows students
the opportunity to find multiple right answers and approaches as they use critical thinking to

create and solve problems. The lessons also call for reframe failure, where the students can just
try again if they’re solution does not work. This teaches the students to learn from what went

wrong and try again. It’s important for kids to learn that failure can be positive and lead them
towards discovering a better design or solution. Teachers can easily adapt STEM lessons as

necessary for students of different learning abilities. Even if the students are working in teams,
various learning abilities can work and learn together.

The number one reason for teachers to use STEM learning is that it develops a lifelong
love for learning in children. Teachers have been finding it difficult to teach children because of

their constantly decreasing desire and motivation to learn at school. Strict curriculums and
constant assessments have been taking the fun out of learning and making school feel like work

for students. STEM lessons can pull these students back in and help them develop a love and
desire for education. STEM engages students in lessons that help them acquire knowledge in

ways that are used in the real world. If they come out of the school system without a desire or
love for learning, they will struggle in the real world. These STEM lessons can prepare students

for the real world by getting them excited and experience.
STEM is also student-centered which motivates children to get engaged as they have

more control. It gives the students the opportunity to be creative and use critical thinking as they
work in teams or independently. It allows the students to take ownership and pride in their work.



References:

Anderhag, P. (2016, June 30). Why Do Secondary School Students Lose Their Interest in
Science? Or Does it Never Emerge? A Possible and Overlooked Explanation. Retrieved
from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/doi/10.1002/sce.21231/full

Barrington. K. (2017, June 20). What Are the Top 5 Trends in Elementary Schoool Education?
Retrieved from https://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/what-are-the-top-5-trends-in-
elementary-school-education

Hollowell, M. (2016, Oct. 28). 40 STEM Activities for Kids. Retrieved from
https://www.playdoughtoplato.com/stem-activities-for-kids/

Holter, C. (2017). The Role of STEM Education/TE Education in Elementary Schools. Retrieved
from http://web.b.ebscohost.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/

Janne, N. (2017, June 26). Idaho STEM Action Center Awards Drones to Schools. Retrieved
from https://www.byui.edu/radio/idaho-stem-action-center-awards-drones-to-schools

Jolly, A. (2014, June 17). Six Characteristics of a Great STEM Lesson. Retrieved from
https://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/06/17/ctq_jolly_stem.html

Kroeger, J. (2016 Aug. 1). Importance of STEM Education in Elementary School. Retrieved from
https://education.fsu.edu/importance-stem-education-elementary-school

Rouse, M. (2013, April). STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Retrieved
from http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/STEM-science-technology-engineering-and-
mathematics

We Are Teachers Staff. (2013, May 20). Expert Tips and Tricks for Elementary STEM
Education. Retrieved from https://www.weareteachers.com/stem-its-elementary/

The learning style that
excites and prepares
students for the future of

our world

Interview with Janice Olson, 3rd grade teacher at Central Elementary School
Q: What kind of technology do you use in your classroom?
A: We use computers, interactive white boards, document cameras, and iPads.
Q: What are the benefits of using that specific technology?
A: This technology helps keep kids get interested and involved.
Q: What are the disadvantages of using that specific technology?
A: A disadvantage of technology is when the server is down, and you can’t access anything, but
you had it all planned.
Q: What are some ways you would fix the disadvantages?
A: Pray.
Q: Does your technology allow more students to participate at a level that is suitable for them?
A: Yes.
Q: Does it encourage broader community participation?
A: Yes, kind of…it could.
Q: What are new things you’ve used in your classroom?
A: Document camera.
Q: What’s the difference between learning and education?
A: Learning is actively involved, and education is a process of learning or what you’ve learned.
Q: What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your students?
A: Remember to have fun! They are only in 1st grade once, make it memorable. Be the teacher
you wish you had.
Q: How do you teach students something you don’t know?
A: I study and learn about it so I can teach it.

The Digital Age: A Whole New
Learning Experience

By Magan Burt

According to Global Focus, the digital age is So how is this digital age learning being
“a period in human history characterised by implemented in the classroom today? We
a shift from industrial production to have walked away from chalkboards and we
information and computerisation, changing have even stepped away from whiteboards.
significantly how people interact with There are smart boards and other
businesses and each other.” interactive ways to teach and involve
students. More common now, you will see
We live in a time when everyone no matter students with their own school laptops and
how young or old you are has access to some even have tablets to use in the
technology of some sort. Times are classroom. Paper homework assignments,
changing and they are changing fast. quizzes and exams are being fitted and
Technology is becoming more available and formatted to be done online. Students can
is constantly changing the way we live. A now open their tablet and take their spelling
large part of the way that we live that it is test online and submit it to the teacher just
changing is the way that we teach and the like that. They can use game applications,
way we learn. Technology has been such as math centered games, to further
changing the way that classrooms are being their knowledge and to enhance their
run. I personally have experienced
technology in the classroom today and the
way that it has changed since I have been
in public schools. It amazes me to see the
advantages that technology in the
classroom has and the difference it makes. I
would have never imagined as a 4th grader
to have my own iPad at my desk at all
times.

learning. The possibilities are endless and real world and the technology that they will
continuously growing. be required to use in the future. Technology
can also help students to be able to learn at
Just like every situation there are pros and a pace that is best for them. For example,
cons to be pointed out. First let’s talk pros. when you download an app, most of the
The first advantage of developing digital age time it allows you to choose the level that
learning experiences and assessments is you want to be at and it will personalize it for
that obviously, technology is going to be you at that level. This is unique to students
more fun for students to use in the because instead of all having the same
classroom. There is something about being book with the same worksheets, you are
able to handle devices that just grabs a kid’s able to help each student progress and
attention. That’s all they seem to do for fun learn what they need to keep moving
these days so being able to also use them forward at a healthy rate. That way, you
in the classroom will make learning more aren’t limiting students progress who are
enjoyable. Even though the only experience ahead of the class or putting everyone else
I ever had in my public school career with on pause to be able to help those who are
technology and digital age learning was with behind. Students who are also behind are
computers and laptops, when we did get the able to get the proper practice and help they
privilege to work with those things, it would need.
make me much more excited to participate
in learning. There’s something about a Yes, there are many pros to having those
screen that is a bit more appealing than a digital age learning experiences, but there
book or piece of paper. Another pro is that it are also cons that have to be taking into
prepares these students for the future. consideration and to be able to have
Everything we use is rapidly moving from moderation in a classroom with digital
physical books or paper copies, to online, technology. Having technology can be
electronic sources. Everything from the distracting. There definitely has to be rules
books we read, to recipes we cook with, job and guidelines laid out for using technology
applications, to presentations for school and and devices, because the possibilities are
work. It is all electronic. So by having literally endless with the internet always at
students use those digital technologies in hand. There are many things that they could
the classroom it teaches them how to do that are not appropriate to do during
handle it so they are better prepared for the class. Parental controls and locks would

have to be put into use. If students are generation, I have gone through schooling
spending too much time on devices and on with not as much technology. And it is
technology, they will not be socializing with amazing to walk into a classroom of 4th
their classmates and peers as much. That graders, each desk with an iPad propped up
seems to be a problem in the world now not on each individual desk and to be able to
only with the young age, but of all ages. see the way they put their tablets to use. It
Everyone is so tied up with their technology is amazing to see the possibilities. It is a
that they don’t get the face to face social total game changer for both students and
interactions they used to and that help teachers. I can’t even imagine how else it
create healthy relationships. And one more will continue to grow, but it surely will do so
con, is that having personal devices can and teachers and students all over the world
make it easier for students to cheat. will see great changes be made in the
However, this can be adjusted by the way classrooms to be able to enhance student
that you teach and by the kind of learning.
assignments you give your students. Give
them more reflective responses to write http://globalfocusmagazine.com/digital-age-learn
about. ing-2/
https://tophat.com/blog/6-pros-cons-technology-
classroom/
http://www.teachhub.com/benefits-technology-cl
assroom

As we can see, the digital world is growing
ever so rapidly. It’s only natural for schools
and education to also grow and keep up
with the change. From personal experience
I have seen how much things have changed
in the classroom with technology and I have
witness the benefits of it. From an earlier

 

 

Engage your students.  
 

Increase their learning. 

 

 
iPads starting at $200 

 
Teacher discount for full-size classes 

 
Go to apple.com or call 1-800-555-ipad 
 

INTERVIEW TIME!

Interviewed: Shannon Staley, 3​rd​ grade ESL Teacher in Beaverton, Oregon.

1. The technology that I have in my 7. I have used different learning and
classroom is some iPads and teaching styles. Also setting up my
computers. We sometimes use classroom differently and allowing
laptops for the kids when they are my students to have flexible seating
typing projects. are a few things that I have tried to
change things up a little bit.
2. I think the benefits of using these
tech items has been getting the kids 8. Learning is more what the students
comfortable with them and are understanding and what they
improving their typing skills. remember after a lesson I think. As
for education, that is more of the
3. The disadvantages have been the more official side of it where
increased distractions that seem to procedures and rules are being
come with the technology in the followed to meet a certain criterion.
classroom. It’s easy for them to get
off task with a screen in front of 9. The most valuable lesson I have
them. learned from my students is how
unique each of them are. I cannot
4. Some ways to fix these keep trying to put them into different
disadvantages would be having categories or try and make them all
prizes and punishments for if they learn at the same pace. Children are
are off task in the classroom with the so different and how they are raised
devices. Also putting up pop up and loved has a big part to do with
blockers on some games. that. I have learned from them how
to teach each one different.
5. I think this technology allows for
more students to participate at their 10. Teaching something you don’t know
level. Some of my students are a should never really happen in my
little too shy to be raising their hands opinion. We are these student’s
and speaking in front of the whole educators. We have to be ready to
classroom so with the iPad teach them what they need to know
assignments they can have a voice. and prepared for their questions. If
there is a question a student asks that
6. The iPad 100% encourage broader you might not know the answer to,
community participation because all don’t make something up, inform
the students are engaged and excited them that you will research it more
about doing the assignments on the for them and come back to it.
technology.

Teaching Trends: Game-Based Learning 

By Magan Burt

In classrooms all around the world, millions the learning experience.” By integrating
of students are learning new things each games into lessons, you are providing
day. Teachers are teaching new things each students with a way to interact with each
day. Each with different styles and other and with more real-life seeming
techniques. Every classroom has its own situations, and you are helping them
dynamic and teachers are changing become more involved and excited about
methods and adjusting lessons and learning. There are many different games
procedures to meet the needs of each that you can use in teaching. There are
student they teach. There are so many real-life games that you can play. For
different ways to teach in order to help example, you might use a stock market
students be able to learn and gain game in a high school class where students
knowledge in a way best suited for them. hypothetically invest in a stock and keep
Different teaching trends come and go and track of it, watching to see if it goes up or
are adopted in classrooms and ideas are down and buying and selling more. You
shared amongst teachers. I would like to have your puzzles games such as Sudoku
take a closer look at one of those specific that help students strategize and use
teaching trends and its pros and cons. exercise their brains. You have games
where students can create and practice
ASCD inservice describes game based their creativity. And you also have
learning as “the use of games to enhance educational games that are created for the
purpose to help students learn. There are
many of these games electronically and are
so easily accessed by everyone at all times.
All of these have many benefits to them and
are going to interest and engage students
much more than just giving them homework
assignments or projects they have to
complete.

In order for a teacher to decide whether or rest of the class. And compared to the
not game based learning is something he or different scores on the different games, they
she wants to adopt into the classroom, they can see where they need to improve and
must weigh the pros and the cons. One of where they are doing well.
the advantages of game based learning is
that it get students engaged. Students are Now that we have weighed the advantages,
more likely to participate in an activity if we can explore the disadvantages to game
there is some kind of reward provided for based learning. Game based learning can
participation. With any game you play, there lead to a low patience attitude. Gaming
is always some kind of reward or systems provide immediate results and
satisfaction given for completing or winning responses, which is not a reality for all
the game. So when students are given the things. Because they will have been so
opportunity to play a game, they will be used to having those instantly and
more interested and excited because it is constantly at hand, they could get frustrated
fun to do and there is some kind of reward when they don’t get all results immediately
at the end. Another pro is that students are as they desire. When you use games as a
excited to play a game. What makes games base in the classroom, you must make sure
exciting? The element of competition, the that you have all the resources that you will
reward at the end, the interactions you have need to ensure a successful experience.
while playing games, the challenge of it. The cost of games is also something to take
These are things that make a game exciting into consideration. Games should be
and by using them in teaching and learning, accessible to all the students both at home
it will help students to be excited about and at school and if there is going to be a
learning. Instead of sitting in a desk all day cost, it would make it hard for some
listening to lectures and filling out
worksheets, all the trying not to fall asleep
or fidget too much, the are moving around
and having fun and are able to apply the
things they learn. When you play games,
you can instantly receive your score or your
ranking at the end. This is good for students
and teachers to be able to see where they
are and how they are doing compared to the

students. And the cost of the devices can be let’s help students get enthusiastic about
high as well because there should be and involved in their learning. Let’s help
enough for each student. Another thing that them apply what they learn in a fun way.
will cost you time, is you as the teacher
needs to spend time getting to know each https://tophat.com/blog/gamified-learning/
game before you use them for your class. It http://inservice.ascd.org/the-difference-between-
will take hours to get to know the games gamification-and-game-based-learning/
and you need to know how they work and https://www.edsurge.com/news/2014-05-28-wha
what educational purpose they serve. t-game-based-learning-can-do-for-student-achie
vement
Game based learning is a teaching trend
that can help students to get more involved
and excited about learning. Each and every
day we are seeking to improve education
and the experiences that students have in
the classroom. There learning should be
exciting and meaningful. There are many
ways that we could make this happen,
games being one of those. From my
experience and many others, I can testify
that playing and applying games in
everyday learning and skills helps students
to learn what they are being taught on a
deeper level as they apply that knowledge
and it gives them something to look forward
to in their learning. Especially with the
modern technology that we have available
in classrooms today, it makes for situations
to use games. These situations can also
help students individually to help them know
how they are doing both personally and in
relation to their peers. It is up to the teacher
to decide how they run their classroom, but

TECHNOLOGY: Model
Digital Age Work and
Learning

By Hannah Barlow

We as teachers have an amazing teachers we need to be showing kids the
opportunity and incredible responsibility to proper way to run things over technology or
be teaching young people the ways of the the proper way to be doing learning with all
world, both the right and the wrong. Being these new digital materials we have on hand
those individuals that they can look up to in this generation.
and come to with certain issues or concerns
is a really big deal in our society. As It
teachers, we become the person that they see amazes me as
every day, the person they learn from, and a young student to think back to the teachers
for some children, an adult figure they might who really didn’t care too much about what
not have in their home. With this great they were specifically teaching me or how
opportunity comes great responsibility. That
is why it is so important to model digital age
work and learning. This means that as

they really got their points across. They sources so you can teach it correctly is so
were in the classroom to get us out of the essential. You don’t want to be the reason
classroom. They were going through the one of your past students received an F on a
motions each day and it felt like a waste of paper based on the fact that they couldn’t
my time and theirs. As a future educator I properly cite a digital source.
do not want to be like this at all. I want to
teach my students valuable lessons for life. Digital modeling doesn’t have to just
Along with those lessons come the ones be about citing sources properly. This can
about technology. Something valuable that I be as simple as showing your students how
will never forget learning and that I still use to interact with others online properly. I
today is how to properly cite a source in know for me, if a teacher ever had the
research document. It was all the way back overhead projector on, it was interesting to
in middle school that this idea was first see what was pulled up on their computer.
presented to me about citing sources and I IF they were unaware that the projector was
think all the way back in elementary school on and the digital grade book was being
where I learned about plagiarism. Imagine shown on the board, all my teachers were
if a teacher never took the time to discuss extremely apologetic to the class
this topic, coming in to college I would have immediately. This could potentially be
been in a lot of trouble for sure. But, I am humiliating for a student with a bad grade.
lucky that I had educators that cared enough. So as a teacher you have responsibility to be
As teachers this is an important topic to aware of situations like this and be careful!
discuss and knowing the proper ways to cite Technology can out smart you at times and
showing students the proper ways to prevent

this will help them later in life. A really big presentations and videos and pictures that
issue that might be a little bit of a side note you can show to the classroom to increase
but is still extremely important is the topic their learning even more. Imagine you are
on pornography. This is so prominent in our giving a lesson about space and the solar
digital world and we need to protect our system we live in. Simply talking about
students from this. Obviously talking about how it looks or maybe showing a drawing
pornography is very inappropriate for a on the board is not good enough. How cool
classroom but I believe is you set up a time would it be to pull up google earth on your
to teach about being responsible online and computer and turn out the lights in the
using technology for good and not bad then classroom and show the exact photos of the
this can assure you that the students will at night sky we live under. It would be
least have a more positive outlook on how to magnificent to show them the actual photos
use digital materials. taken from space, wouldn’t it? But you
cannot do this as a teacher if you are not
Using technology during your comfortable with digital materials. That’s
lessons can be really scary for some teachers what it all comes down to honestly.
who aren’t comfortable with digital
classroom materials. But, being confident
with everything can be so important to
making sure your lesson comes across as
fluent and easy to understand so the students
feel positive towards the use of tech in the
lesson. Think about all the powerpoints and

Digital modeling is so essential to our header on a MLA formatted essay, or just
students learning. I personally grew up in how to be safe on the web and how to use it
the age where technology was just starting for good, these are all immensely important
to be more prominent in classrooms. I never to our young students. They look up to us to
had iPads or laptops in my classes but as a be modeling how to act and interact with
student teacher I am seeing that more and others, and so they will also be looking up to
more with this new generation. As teachers us about how to deal with digital things as
we need to educate ourselves and know well. Being prepared is all we can be.
exactly what to inform our students about
with these digital advances. Never has our https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?ar
world been impacted by it so much than ticleid=109
now. If we are not showing them how to
properly use the tech that we are giving https://sites.google.com/a/vallivue.org/profe
them then we are just setting them up for ssional-technology-portfolio/standard3-1
failure for the future. Whether it’s knowing
how to cite a source properly, how to make a

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TECHNOLOGY CAN FACILITATE AND INSPIRE STUDENTS

By: Megan Belnap

Integrating technology in the classrooms can facilitate and inspire students learning and
creativity. What I have seen and pulled from articles that there are 5 standards and the first is
“Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity.” Teachers should use their knowledge of
subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance
student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face to face and virtual environments. For
teachers they should first, try to promote, support and model creative and innovative thinking
and inventiveness. Second, engage their students in exploring real-world issues and solving
authentic problems using digital tools and resources. Third, teachers should promote student
reflection using collaboration tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding
and thinking, planning and creative processes. Fourth, teachers should model collaborative
knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-
to-face and virtual environments.
To me, promoting, supporting and modeling creative and innovative thinking and
inventiveness means allowing students to demonstrate that they understand the concepts
being taught, and allowing them to express that knowledge in way that they feel is natural and
comfortable to them. Not only does it mean that you encourage your students to express
themselves creatively, but that you also demonstrate it in your classroom. That includes
creating interesting and exciting lesson plans, as well as engaging assignments.

In my 5th grade classroom I had the opportunity to interview with my mentor teacher
and she had some great responses about ways she has used technology in her classroom and
how it is benefiting her students. I first asked her what kind of technology we would find in her
classroom that their class uses on a daily basis. She said, “Our classroom uses a variety of
technology in the classroom but the ones that we use almost daily in our classroom would be,
document camera, projector, Chromebook lab, and BLOOMZ app”. I have only been in the
classroom for a couple of months now and I see that the students use the laptops as often as
they can and I can see that it helps them with their learning and to gather more information
about the subject we are working on. I have also seen that it can be a distraction if you do not
monitor the students and what they are doing. I remember when I taught a lesson in the
classroom and for part of the lesson they had to fill out this worksheet that I had given them
and to fill out the worksheet they had to use the laptops and as I walked around there were
some students that were on task and others that got distracted and were using the computers
for something that had nothing to do with the worksheet.
So I can see how technology can be a distraction to the students but there are also
benefits that come with technology and that was something that I asked my mentor teacher
next. I asked, are there benefits of using that specific technology in your classroom? She then
began to tell me all the benefits to each piece of technology they use on a daily basis. “With the
document camera, it allows me or the students to work on a paper while the whole class can
see what they are doing on a large screen on the board. Have the document camera, let’s the
whole class work and learn together. With the Chromebook lab, there is enough laptops for
each student to use at the same time. They have their own Gmail account, so we use can use

google docs and etc. I can send them videos/games to watch/play with content we are working
on. They can also with their Chromebooks practice their typing skills on keyboarding online.
They can also take AR tests for reading comprehension and SO much more. With the BLOOMZ
app I get to stay in contact with the student’s parents, I can text them, post pictures and post
updates on when big projects are due or when events are happening as well as PTC’s!” I can see
how there are some advantages to the technology that is used in the classroom, they are things
used that make the teacher and the student’s lives easier. I know I can see for myself the
disadvantages of having the technology in the school, so I asked my mentor teacher if she could
see any disadvantages of having and using specific technology and she said, “That the
technology used in my classroom is something that I try to not take advantage of I can see that
it helps my students learn and participate more. There is sometimes with the projector is not
light enough and I have to turn off all the lights to actually see what is being projected, but
other than that I try to see all the positives when it comes to technology because I can see that
it makes everyone’s lives easier when it is used.”
I can see in the classroom that when the students use the technology that they are
given they can participate more because they can use it in the way that is suitable for them.
Technology can also encourage the students to use broader community participation. I can see
in my 5th grade classroom that the students all work together and in partners but the
technology they use can help them communicate more. What they use to help them with their
communication is The BLOOMZ app and their google account helps them with their
communication as well. I can see in the classroom that technology is important and it makes
the lives of the students and the teachers much easier. I can also see that all the students learn

in different ways and if technology is a way that will help the students learn then let them use
it.

“Engaging Students in Learning.” Center for Teaching and Learning,
www.washington.edu/teaching/teaching-resources/engaging-students-in-learning/.

No Child Left Behind vs. Every Student Succeeds

By: Naomi Williams

Growing up, I remember hearing things about No Child Left Behind (NCLB) but never
fully understanding what it and its purpose was. In an article I read written by USA Today, it
defined it as, “a civil rights law that provided education funding to states and attempted to
ensure that every student had access to an education.” Also, in the same article, it discusses
Every Student Succeeds (ESS) and what its purpose is as well. It states that, “[It] tries to
preserve the spirit of No Child Left Behind, while fixing what were widely perceived as it’s one-
size-fits-all approach.” As a future teacher, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Every Student
Succeeds (ESS) acts are very important to know and understand. What better way to dissect
what actual teachers think of these certain acts than to interview them?

To start off, what are the actual responsibilities of teachers under the No Child Left
Behind and Every Student Succeeds acts? The responsibilities for NCLB include testing 3rd
through 8th graders and high schoolers in reading and math. The teachers must report the
grades received and strive to get their students to reach proficiency on these state tests. They
are responsible for keeping track of the progress being made in response to their goals. This is
called an adequate yearly progress, of AYP. If they do not make their AYP goal then they can
face serious consequences which can include state intervention. This law also means that
teachers have to have a certain degree in college which would be a bachelor’s degree in the
subject that they are teaching and also a state certificate. This act is also supposed to make sure

that the “highly qualified” teachers are evenly distributed through all different kinds of schools
whether they be more poverty-stricken or wealthier.

When it comes to Every Student Succeeds, it is more about equality between the low-
income and the high-income schools. This requires that all students be held to certain academic
standard that will prepare them for future success in college or life. ESS also ensures that
necessary information about the student is known to teachers, families, etc., is provided
through state tests that continue to show progression through certain subjects.

So, of course, with certain acts like this, there is always a certain level of controversy.
There are many pros and cons that can be associated with this. My first question that I
discussed with the teacher of my choice, Heidi Williams, was, “Which program, No Child Left
Behind or Every Student Succeeds, do you believe to be the best for the students in the school
system now and why?” Williams, a substitute teacher for public schools in Kansas, expressed that she
thought Every Student Succeeds is a more efficient program. She explained that, “No Child Left Behind
limited the growth process. In trying to make sure that every child was equal, it didn’t bring the best out
of the child.” In the article by USA Today, President Obama states that, “The goals of No Child Left
Behind, the predecessor of this law, were the right ones: High standards. Accountability. Closing the
achievement gap. But in practice, it often fell short. It didn't always consider the specific needs of each
community. It led to too much testing during classroom time. It often forced schools and school districts
into cookie-cutter reforms that didn't always produce the kinds of results that we wanted to see."

My second question that I discussed with Williams was, “What do you think the biggest
problem is with No Child Left Behind or Every Student Succeeds?” She explained that, “The
biggest problem with No Child Left Behind is that it is a one-sided program. You’re wanting the

students in intercity school systems to have the same education as a small-town Kansas
school.” She goes on to explain that by forcing the same education to everyone that, “You’re
limiting your teacher’s abilities to help and teach each individual kid because you’re worried
about the overall average.” As a substitute teacher, she has seen so many students restricted
by the information that was provided for them to teach. She expressed that, “The kids are
having to do well on these tests and so teachers are teaching for them to pass the tests and not
teaching for them to actually learn.”

After presenting the information that No Child Left Behind cost about, “$23 billion in 2015,”
and that Every Student Succeeds cost about, “$24.9 billion in 2016,” I asked the question, “Do you think
that the cost of these programs is worth it?” She hastily responded with, “Yes, I do. You will have the
ability to have more kids succeed at a higher level which, in the end, will make us better as a
country.” She really put emphasis on the fact that when we better ourselves individually, we
become stronger as a nation. Williams then turned her perspective toward the importance of
letting the children succeed regardless of the cost. “If you need to put more money into letting
a kid succeed, you have to do it.” She goes on to say, “It is the same situation of mother and
child. You will do whatever you must to help your children reach their full potential and become
when they are meant to be.”

It was decided that overall, Every Student Succeeds is a more efficient program that
focuses more on the children then their test scores. Our priority and goal as a nation should be
more of helping each other become the best we can be then just having good test scores.
Although No Child Left Behind has many promising things about it, Every Student Succeeds can
help us achieve this goal.

Works Cited

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). (n.d.). Retrieved March 21, 2018, from https://www.ed.gov/esea

Korte, G. (2015, December 11). The Every Student Succeeds Act vs. No Child Left Behind: What's
changed? Retrieved March 15, 2018, from
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/12/10/every-student-succeeds-act-vs-no-child-
left-behind-whats-changed/77088780/

Klein, A. (2017, April 10). No Child Left Behind Overview: Definitions, Requirements, Criticisms, and
More. Retrieved March 21, 2018, from https://www.edweek.org/ew/section/multimedia/no-child-left-
behind-overview-definition-summary.html

Williams, Heidi. Personal Interview. 9 March. 2018.

Technology: Engage in professional growth and leadership
By: Angie Pyron

The job and role of an educator is so important because there is so much behind it. It’s
clear that teachers don’t become for the money, but rather the role they will play in the lives of
their students. Although teachers spend time in meetings with faculty and work together on
lesson plans and activities, they spend most of their time with their students. This can be very
isolating for teachers, which can affect their professional growth. Even if teachers don’t want to
move up to another position in education, there is always room for professional growth. Just as
teachers encourage their students to use critical thinking and group work to develop new ideas,
strategies, and knowledge, teachers need more collaboration with other teachers, so they can
provide the best education for their students. Teachers can use technology to connect with other
teachers in face-to-face conferences. They can use these conferences to learn about new ways to
use technologies to improve student learning at the school, regional, national, or international
level. Teachers can use technology in their leadership by promoting and using an effective use of
technology’s tools and resources. Teachers can grow professionally by using technology as a tool
to help their students learn and grow in the classroom.

Teachers can better understand what they are teaching by participating in local activities
to gain knowledge related to technology. It’s important for teachers to first learn and understand
applications of technology and its tools, so they can use it to improve their students’ learning. It
would be hard for the teacher to teach using technology if were not experienced. It’s also
important that teachers use technology and help their students learn to use technology because of
its drastic increase of use and need in the world today. Many teachers today grew up in a time
where technology was not used as much or as necessary, so it is important they are prepared and
up-to-date to help their students.

Technology should be used to inspire creativity and exploration in different subjects. It’s
important for teachers to use technology to enhance student learning, not just use technology.
Technology can be used for so many different and great things, but it can also be a distraction
and time waster if used incorrectly and ineffectively. Teachers should keep a watchful eye on
their students to make sure they are using technology properly. Teachers can teach the students
to use technology to create, build, design, explore, and communicate. Since technology plays
such a big role in our lives today, giving students the opportunity to explore and use it early can
be a great skill and tool for their futures.

Teachers can reflect and review on different applications and tools of technology to help
other teachers find what works best for students. Giving feedback can really help the application
designers and other teachers that are putting together lesson plans. Teachers working together
can help so many students, as they compare lessons and ideas involving technology. Teachers
can talk to each other with online conferences, discussion boards and emails, and in local
meetings. Teacher collaborations can make good ideas great and improve the education system.

Education is wonderful and the key for opportunity and success, but the education
system is definitely not perfect. Technology could be the education reform that makes school
more effective and exciting. It will get students more excited to learn and go to school, which
will cultivate a long-lasting love for education. Incorporating technology in lessons will grab the
students’ attention and teach them new skills.

Growing up, my county issued every middle and high school student a laptop. Learning
to use the applications and tools on my laptop, as well as use the resources it accessed, gave me

the opportunity to develop many helpful skills that prepared me for college and life. Schools that
can afford to issue students, should do so. It gives students many individual and group

opportunities to learn through research, creation, and design. It allows students to work in class
and from home, giving them advantages in their education. The students can use technology to

work in clubs and other extra-curricular activities that excite the students. They use technology
to create projects and presentations for these clubs that they can enter in competitions and events.

Many of these clubs, with the use of technology, give students the opportunities to be leaders.
Many of the clubs have presidents, vice presidents, secretaries, and other leadership positions.

These leadership positions give students experience that can prepare them for college and their
careers. Technology opens the door for the potential growth and leadership of students.

After returning from a technology conference or after learning more about technology,
teachers could try setting up a research assignment. One example that would be great for

students, would be asking them to research a part of the world and learn about the culture there,
then compare it to their own lives. An assignment like this would allow students to practice using

technology for research, as well as learn about a culture they are unfamiliar with and interested
in and learn how to see the differences in their own lives. Teachers could then take these projects

and share them with other teachers, so they can see what worked and what didn’t.
Many teachers can’t afford the time and expense of missing work and traveling to teacher

conferences. Fortunately, there are many different platforms for online networking – LinkedIn,
Facebook, Twitter, etc. Teachers can follow teachers’ posts that are able to attend these

conferences, so they can also stay informed. Recently, Twitter has been the most effective,
because teachers unable to attend can follow hashtags for the event that allow them to ask

questions and participate in the discussion. Teachers at the conference were able to post links to
resources that helped those not able to attend. Technology allows teachers to reach and help

other teachers that are far away. Teachers that aren’t involved with technology conferences and
discussions are missing opportunities for professional growth and leadership, as well as missing

out on great opportunities for their students.

References:

Crompton, H. (2014, Oct. 1). Know the ISTE Standards for Teachers: Keep learning and
leading. Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=172

Cole, K. & Hall, T. (2018). Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership. Retrieved from
https://jarrardeduc601.wikispaces.com/Engage+in+Professional+Growth+and+Leadershi

p

HotChalk Education Network. (2018). ISTE NETS*T Part 5: Engage in Professional Growth
and Leadership. Retrieved from http://lessonplanspage.com/iste-netst-part-5-engage-in-
professional-growth-and-leadership/

WHOLE BRAIN TEACHING

By: Megan Belnap

“It was a week before school had started when they hired me to be a 5th grade teacher,
and I was completely terrified and I did not know what I was going to do and how I was going to
structure my classroom, then I found whole brain teaching and fell in love.” This is what my
mentor teacher told me when she was explaining her love for whole brain teaching and how
easy it is to grasp onto and how easy it is to teach and for the students to respond and grasp
onto what you are teaching them.
What I have learned so far from reading about whole brain teaching and watching it in
the classroom I am observing is that, whole brain teaching can, and is being used at every level
of instruction, kindergarten through college, with amazing positive results.
Whole brain teaching is indented to be flexible, adaptable by any teacher to their own teaching
methods. It is based on seven core components, referred to as The Big Seven. The speed with
which a teacher introduces these to a class depends on the comfort level of the teacher and the
students.
We will only pull a few from the big seven to talk about. The first element of the big
seven is the class-yes, and is intended to get the attention of your class with one word. There
are a lot of attention getters out there, from flashing the lights, to raising a hand and waiting for
the class to stop talking and listen. All of these are missing one important element to get the
students attention.

In most of these methods the teacher is the sole active participant, and the students
are completely passive. Students are taught that when the teacher says ‘class!’ they respond
‘yes!’ The hook is that the students have to say yes in the same way the teacher says class. For
example, if the teacher says ‘class class!’ then the students respond back with ‘yes yes!’. Doing
this keeps the technique interesting and unpredictable for the students.
The next element is the five rues. Rules are an important element in any effective
classroom. A new teacher in particular, needs to establish expectations for behavior. The
problem many teachers have is that they post their rules on a poster, go over them a time or
two near the beginning of the year, and then are surprised when the students do not know the
rules months later.
In whole brain teaching there are five simple rules, each has a gesture associated with it,
and each one is part of the classroom learning environment. When I went to my classroom for
the first time my 5th graders demonstrated how these rules go. For example, rule two is ‘raise
your hand for permission to speak.’ As you practice the rule you raise your hand and then bring
it down and make a hand-puppet like speaking motion with your hand. With this approach
instead the teacher addresses the class, calling them up with a class-yes, then the teacher says
‘Rule Two!’ and the whole class practices Rule Two.
Some other class rules that I have seen in my own classroom are number one, follow
directions quickly. Number two, raise your hand for permission to speak. Number three, raise
your hand for permission to leave your seat. Number four, make smart choices. Number five,
keep your dear teacher happy. With each of these rules the teacher will call the class and says,

‘Rule number 5?’ and they will repeat to her what rule number five. The teacher will do this
with any rule that she feels the students might need to be reminded of.
Another important part of whole brain teaching is the scoreboard, this will help the
students to remember what the rules are and to always be engaged in the class. With the
scoreboard, there is a scoreboard on the board with a smiley face (Mighty Oh yeah!) on one
side and a frownie face (Mighty Groan) on the other. The scoreboard will help with classroom
management. When class is going well, award a tally mark (Mighty Oh Yeah!). When rules are
not being followed or things are not going well, give a tally mark (Mighty Groan). Keep the
difference within 3 points to maintain a high interest level and student motivation. Remember
to use the scoreboard often throughout the day or the scoreboard will lose its effectiveness.
The scoreboard game will work for most students, but whole brain teaching does have other
disciplinary elements that are effective, even with the most difficult students.
A valuable approach for a teacher would obviously be an approach that provides the
information to the students using more than one sensory system. The Teach-Ok element of
whole brain teaching does just that. Using this method, a teacher talks about an important
concept or idea for a couple of minutes. Then the teacher has the class copy his/her gestures,
and teaches the main ideas contained in that short segment of lecture. Then the students turn
to face their partner, and teach their partners the same information that the teacher just
covered, and they can then take a note on the information if the teacher wants them to do so.
The students are now part of the teaching that is going on, and they are delivering content to
one another using all their senses. An additional benefit of this technique is that, unlike most
traditional instruments, the teacher can take a glance if every student is engaged in the lesson

or not. I have seen this done in the classroom that I observe. I can see that some students love
it because they love to teach and there are some others, that it is hard for them to talk to their
peers but once they know that they are getting more information about the lesson from their
peers is benefiting, then they start to enjoy it more.
So these are just a few of the elements of whole brain teaching that provide teachers
especially those new to the classroom, with a method that integrates both effective, fun, low
stress classroom management and exciting teaching methods that produce enhanced retention
and comprehension of content. If you would like to know more whole brain teaching has their
own website that has more information and goes into more depths about how to go about
whole brain teaching in your classroom.

“Classroom Rules – Whole Brain Teaching.” Whole Brain Teaching,
wholebrainteaching.com/intermediate/five-classroom-rules/.

WHOLE BRAIN
TEACHING

STEP 1: Follow directions quickly
STEP 2: Raise hand for permission to speak
STEP 3: Raise Hand for permission to leave seat
STEP 4: Make smart choices
STEP 5: Keep your dear teacher happy

Would you like to know more?

www.wholebrainteaching.com

Interview with 5th grade teacher Mrs. Evans

Technology
Q. What kind of technology do you use in your classroom?

A. Document camera, projector, Chromebook lab, the BLOOMZ app


Q. Benefits of using that specific technology?

A. Document camera: This allows me or the students to work on a paper while the whole class
can see what they are doing on a large screen on the board.
projector: To project videos or assignments on the board through the computer or document
camera
Chromebook lab: There is enough laptops for each student to use at the same time. They have
their own Gmail account so we use google docs etc. I can send them videos/games to
watch/play with content we are working on. They can practice their typing skills on keyboarding
online. Take AR tests for reading comprehension and SO much more!
the BLOOMZ app: To stay in contact with parents, we can text, post pictures, post updates on
when big projects are due or when events are happening as well as schedule PTC's!

Q. Disadvantages of using that specific technology?

A. Sometimes the projector is not light enough and I have to turn off all the lights to actually
see what is being projected...other than that everything else is great!


Q. What are some ways that you would fix the disadvantages

A. Have the school buy a new projector or light bulb to fix the problem.

Q. Does your technology allow more students to participate at a level that is suitable for them?

A. Yes!

Q. Does it encourage broader community participation?

A. the BLOOMZ app and their google account does!

Teaching Trends

Q. What are new things you have used in your classroom?

A. Whole Brain Teaching, daily 5, the BLOOMZ app, STAR reading, keyboarding online, walk to
Reading....I am sure there is more but that is what I can think of right now ;)


Q. What is the difference between learning and education to you?

A. Learning is fun and exciting; you get to see the light bulb turn on when students get it!
Learning is a process and happens all day every day! Education is the product of what the
student chooses to learn and the effort that that student puts forth in their learning process. It
can be measured daily, monthly, quarterly, and yearly.


Q. What is the most valuable lesson you've learned from your students?

A. They each have so much untapped potential and when they believe in themselves and know
that the classroom is a safe place to fail/be wrong then they will learn so much more!
Sometimes what they need more than curriculum is love and a listening ear! They want to feel
valued!

Q. How do you teach students something you don't know?

A. I will say something like, "Hmm...what do you think we should do?" or "That is a great
question, let me think about it and I will get back to you.".... ALWAYS get back to them!!! They
learn that I am not a hub of ALL information and that it is okay to use other resources and it is
okay to not know!