Summer is an ideal time to relax and read a good book. This past summer the Office of Technology and Learning facilitated the
Shake Up Learning book study. The author, Kasey Bell is a Google Certified Innovator and Trainer, Co-host of the
Google Teacher Tribe Podcast and an award winning blogger and social media influencer.
This book provided direction in lesson planning, creation of activities, dynamic learning, student choice, and integration of Google Applications for Education in the 1:1 learning environment. Twenty-four teachers in our district participated in the
Shake Up Learning book study that took place online through Schoology, our learning management system. Participants were responsible for reading the book, answering questions, posting comments, and completing projects to use in their teaching practice.
Listening to
Shake Up Learning podcasts was an optional activity. New episodes of the podcasts are released every Tuesday, they are archived so you can pick and choose topics and learn by listening to her channel. If you didn't participate in our book study, I recommend these podcasts to expand your knowledge and find new ideas for teaching with Google Apps and Chromebooks. Another podcast that I like is
The Ditch That Textbook Podcast hosted by Matt Miller. There are 107 episodes on various topics about teaching with technology.
Choice Boards and Learning Menus are part of the dynamic learning experiences that teachers can facilitate using Google Applications. These strategies also help to differentiate activities for our students to meet their individual needs. Check out
The Teacher's Guide to Digital Choice Boards by Shake Up Learning to find ideas for providing student choice activities to your students.
If you don't know how to do something chances are one of your students has the knowledge you need. Selecting students to be tech experts in your class can build their self esteem, provide for peer sharing and connecting, and help you and your students learn together. Some responsibilities for student tech experts that were discussed include
- help other students log on to Chromebooks
- troubleshoot an issue
- guide a group to navigate to a website
- assist with technical issues (volume, settings, charging)
- create review games for the class
Our culminating activity for the book study was the creation of a Dynamic Learning Experience. Participants used the
DLE template to create an experience they could implement in their classrooms. The Dynamic Learning Experiences had to include at least one of the 5 C's and integrate at least one of the ISTE Standards for students. The final experiences were shared in Schoology.
Teaching with technology requires teachers and students to learn new skills and understand risk taking in the classroom. As teachers we want our day to be valuable to our students. It is OK to step outside of our comfort zone and try something new. The shift from teacher driven to student driven instruction was emphasized. Strategies for changing classrooms to make it less of a one-size-fits-all experience were discussed.
Our book study was fun and challenging. I have a few copies of Kasey Bell's
Shake Up Learning book. If you would like to read it, contact me.