Edtech Challenge #1

Summer break is officially over (at least for most of us). So it is time for the very first edtech challenge! During the first week of school we spend a lot of time establishing classroom rules, routines, and procedures. So the edtech challenge for the first week of school is to use some kind of video recording technology (an ipad, flip camera, your cell phone) to record your students practicing various classroom procedures and then post them online! We all know how important it is to reinforce classroom and school routines and procedures with our students (even the older ones). During the first week of school we practice how to line up quietly, how to walk in the hallways, how to sign up for lunch, etc... We remind the students of the playground rules, the cafeteria rules, the bus rules and more. Then in January, we often have to revisit these rules and procedures again. Wouldn't it be great to get our students really engaged in this necessary (but rather boring) process. Older students can work in groups to storyboard and create short video clips of different classroom procedures. For younger students, the classroom teacher can record the video as the students demonstrate the routine. These video clips can then be uploaded to a teacher youtube account and inked to your class website or the school website.

Here are some things to consider as you attempt this edtech challenge:

•  Make sure that students have parental permission to be recorded and posted online. If permission is not granted, then give the student a behind the scenes job like camera operator, video editor or director. 
• You will need to have a youtube account or use another video hosting site such as vimeo
• Foster student creativity by allowing them to script and storyboard the video clips and make decisions about camera angles and editing. 
• Promote student collaboration and communication by allowing students to work in groups.
• Model digital citizenship by following copyright and fair use guidelines.

I hope you have fun with the edtech challenge! Please leave comments to share your experience (and links to the videos) with others. Happy first week of school!

Who Wants to Take the Edtech Challenge?

Effective technology integration is not always an easy task. Lack of time, our comfort level with technology, and access to resources are just a few of the many challenges that we must overcome in order to provide a 21st century learning environment for our students. We cannot do it alone! So let's work together to improve our teaching practice and harness the power of technology in the classroom.

So, do you want to take the edtech challenge? Each week I will post a new "edtech challenge". This will be a specific task that you can do with your class that integrates technology, 21st century skills and effective teaching practices. As you complete each challenge, please leave a comment to share your experience with others. Were you successful in completing the challenge? How did your students respond to the technology? Would you do it again? What insights can you share about your experience? Share anything that will guide our learning. So let's have some fun and improve our teaching at the same time. I hope you can join me in taking the edtech challenge!