To piggy back on my last post, I need to reiterate that investing in the tools that make instruction easier for teachers and more enjoyable for learners is something that makes a noticeable difference. Now, more than ever before, districts that have invested in tools - and training - are having a less difficult time with remote instruction. Notice I said less difficult...it is still difficult, but having access to digital learning tools helps.
My district is able to offer access to SMART Learning Suite Online as one more way for teachers do prepare and deliver lessons that are perfect for remote learning! While I usually do mini-lessons on using this, I offered some official professional learning on this tool at the schools I serve this month. One elementary school scheduled it for all staff during PLC meetings - THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING BREAK! Talk about a tough audience. Knowing that we were headed into the holidays and another school closure could be imminent due to COVID-19, it was vital to make sure they know how to use this tool to create engaging lessons for both face to face instruction and if they were forced back into all remote for a bit. (Our elementary schools had come back in Plan A in early October.) I totally scrapped the resources I had used previously - I knew I had to up my game for these sessions to be effective. In the time allotted, I had teachers join a SMART Learning Suite Online session that I had created so they could see it from the student perspective while I showed them the teacher view. Especially the ability to monitor work and collaboration of students in real time. I then gave them the remainder of our time together to give creating an activity or lesson a shot while I was there to support them and answer questions. We did all of this in thirty minutes. It was a success! The end result was THIS site. I broke the presentation into three distinct parts. and gave them a place to head back to as they worked on creations independently. My favorite part was the Menti they completed as their exit ticket of sorts. Each left an idea for how they could use this tool - check it out at bit.ly/BCS_SLSO.
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AuthorJeannie Timken Archives
March 2023
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