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Creating a Successful Learning Environment-Putting it All Together

1/26/2016

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Tizoc Garcia, 4th grade teacher at Forest Trail has created a learning environment that promotes student success by encouraging students to discover their most effective learning modes, and by using a variety of tools, some digital, some not.

What follows are the responses to an email interview with Mr. Garcia, in which I asked him to share his beliefs, practices, and tips about creating a positive, successful learning environment.


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I integrate technology into my classroom with some student choice and through programs we find a use for.  I give students the opportunity to come to me with app they think might be helpful to the learning process. I usually let them pilot the app and decide for themselves if it is useful to the classroom and will benefit other students.  Most of the time the students come back and say "Hey Mr. Garcia, this app isn't a learning app."



 I also like to integrate technology in ways I find helpful.  Right now I am trying out a portfolio app, Seesaw, that could be helpful to everyone in the district because it combines so many things we like about some apps all into one.  It also saves the students work with images and lets them explain it with audio or video.  We are still just trying it out...
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I think the way I integrate technology works because of the freedom, the exploration, and the discussion.  
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The kids love using the Macbooks, but they don't work for everyone.  Some kids love the ipads and others enjoy the computer lab. 
 
The kids have talked and come up with their own conclusions about what works best for them and to me, I think that collaboration is exactly what the job setting is all about.  


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​At times, I decide for the students what we will using in terms of technology equipment.  The students decide for themselves what app will work best or what process will work best.  
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Each student has their own Weebly website and they choose where they prefer to do their weekly posts from.  Most enjoy the ease of the macbooks because they can sign into their novell and gain access to their personal settings and saved ideas.  Others actually prefer the Ipad because they are used to it.  ALL of the students help each other though, which I think is the best benefit of all.  

For our current writing piece, the kids want to type the paper they are working on.  So first we will use paper and pencil and work through our writing in a more traditional way, then we will type in a way the kids enjoy. 
              
We have  used google docs to type up things.  Students work on AR letters on google docs so they can share to me to print. We also used google docs to keep a character timeline instead of paper because we wanted to keep updating it and also have it easily accessible. 


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​My tips are to be flexible as usual.  I mean really we are teachers and constantly need to be flexible so just keep with it.  In a time when we are trying to squeeze in so much information, it's ok to just explore some apps together and talk about what works and doesn't.  

Patience is the other piece of advice I would give.  Don't get overwhelmed with an app.  Let a student try it out for you and get back to you on  it's value for the rest of the students.  Have freedom of choice and the kids will surprise you with what they choose and the product that comes out of that choice. 

Stick with it...
And..
HAVE FUN with it!
I promise that it gets easier the more you stick through it.  
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May Kahoot, Thinglink, and The Force Be With You

1/5/2016

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Forest Trail fifth-graders who saw the Star Wars movie over the holidays had a deeper understanding of the soundtrack than most other children.
This is because they have studied composer John Williams in depth as part of the American Composer Studies that Forest Trail music teachers Angela Woodbridge and  Lindsay Creel have been doing with them.


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The study of Composer John Williams captured their interest because he composed the music for many well known movies including Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones, in addition to the Star Wars collection.



As an engaging way to learn about John  Williams, Mrs. Creel created a ThingLink with various links to information and interactive websites about him for students to explore. There was a Google doc for assessment on one of the links for them for them to fill out after exploring.




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Mrs. Woodbridge created a Kahoot game for a fun way to review student learning about composer John Williams.

Not only did students enjoyed playing this game, but they matched their wits against me and visitors to the district for our ILeap Academy.

Needless to say, we were NOT smarter than a 5th grader!

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    @mbrowneisd
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    Check out my VVE
    Ed Tech Blog, too!

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    Hi, I'm Margie Brown, an Educational Technologist at Forest Trail Elementary School in Eanes ISD. I love working with students and teachers and discovering new digital tips and tricks everyday!

    As the  Educational Technologist on this campus, I am responsible for facilitating the integration of technology into the instructional program by supporting teachers, librarians, and Instructional Partners. Our district believes that this position is essential in establishing a digital age learning culture by supporting, training, coaching and mentoring staff. In addition, I am also involved in program planning and implementation of all district initiatives that pertain to technology integration. 
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