Gaming to teach vocabulary, technological grit, and digital citizenship

Hi, all! Today I'm writing about gaming in the classroom to teaching World Language vocabulary. Granted, this may seem a bit of a tight niche, but it is something I have found to be extremely helpful to get buy-in from my students. I teach 7th grade Spanish and it is a pretty consistent struggle to get the students to speak in Spanish. I understand. When I was 12, sometimes there were tasks that seemed insurmountable and I took the easier path. I think some kids feel they can't, so they don't. However, I've found with gaming and using different technology to deliver that gaming experience, that this task has become easier.

I use Kahoot (though I know that Quizlet now has a gaming outlet and that there are others). When I begin a game, I always set up three major rules...

1. A game is fun, but it also for us to practice what we learned. 

2. Celebration is great if it is short, gracious, and in Spanish. 

3. Spanish, and only Spanish. 

Now, I've never seen a room fall more silent during such a jubilant time as a game in the classroom when you require Spanish, but over the past few months I have seen an amazing uptick in conversation and in Spanish! Be still my beating heart, controlled chaos and competitive edge has returned, in Spanish! 

Before the game I ask the kids, what types of vocabulary they may need to cheer, describe standings, and utilize during the game, I am a constructivist at heart. I then write that on the board. Usually words like "My turn", "I'm in first/second/third place", and "I got it right/wrong!" are pretty typical. I sometimes add little phrases and sometimes some come up during the game. One of my favorites is "I'm coming for you!"  "Vengo para ti!" (though I know this type of phrase isn't used like this in Spanish. 

On top of the game teaching vocabulary and reviewing targeted concepts, it teaches a form of community and citizenship. Students know not to make up fake names, not jeer each other, and they know how to problem solve when technology isn't working (oh the inevitable, "MY SCREEN IS FROZEN"). Really, gaming has tons of benefits that, as I write this blog entry, are being teased out. I think it really behooves us as teachers to embrace (at appropriate times, of course) fun and games and fold in vocabulary, values of community, and technology integration/digital citizenship. Much like hiding broccoli into cheesy pasta for the picky eater (a group of which I was the king member as a child), I've seen more kids buy-in and not even realize how much benefit they were getting! I leave you with this question that I hope to spark conversation: How do you/how can you utilize gamification to fold in the values of academic vocabulary, technological grit, and digital citizenship!

Until next time!

-S 

Podcasting in technology

Today I attended one of the best professional development sessions in a long time. Edcampswct was stunning. The model was amazing, the networking was rich, and the ideas were game changing. Having attended this professional development day, I have many new ideas, but one of the ideas with which I have been toying for many years was podcasting.

Firstly, thank you to Jeff at +Jeffrey Bradbury, truly an admirable mind with revolutionary ideas who showed me that it can be done with creativity and elbow-grease. I attended two of his sessions, and the way his mind worked expanded my thinking and showed true dedication in educators. To the question: "Why don't you get into the privatization game for pay" (I paraphrase the question), his response was, "Our job is to make better people, and that is what I'm trying to do through what I do" (I paraphrase the answer). This men was all the best part of teachers and technology integration. I digress. The one HUGE take-away I carry with me is podcasting. For years, I have been hoping to break into the Vlog and Podcast ecosphere. After attending Jeff's session, I think I am finally ready.

So, here goes! I will periodically post updates to this as I get settled, work through the challenges, and celebrate the successes! +Amy Korn, can't stop, won't stop!

-Scott

Coaching Models in Wilton: The start of a new journey

As a new technology integrator at Middlebrook School, since the smoke has now cleared, I have begun to think about how I want to help the staff to learn and integrate Google in their daily practice, using the SAMR and TPACK model. I have begun working in concert with my colleague Amy Korn (the great, Amy Korn) to compose a coaching plan that would work with our new Google integration plan. We are really adopting a hybrid of the three models presented by Google:

1. We have coaches whose charge it is to help teachers integrate technology and other pedagogical best practices within the classroom, working in tandem with the teachers to make effective, mindful changes in their practices to effect student learning.

2. Trainers who train is the core of our model. We are training teachers to reach new levels of competency in their understanding of Google functionality and integrative practices, using the SAMR and TPACK models. These new trainers then work with their colleagues to train them in these practices, creating a de jure professional learning network.


3. Early adopters seems to be a component of any technology integration plan in any school or business. We have developed an excitement around technology so that teachers in our building are opting to explore and early adopt technology. We then incorporate them into our group of trainers for dedicated professional development days.

There are several, very important steps to rolling out a training program, once you decide the style, which again is a hybrid of the three presented by Google. More to come as the plan development evolves! We are very excited.