This year, I changed my teaching position. With that change, I was determined to “go digital”, to utilize Google Classroom and to add some new technology!
I am extremely fortunate because my new “teaching partner” had a head start on some of the same goals I wanted to achieve.
First, I want to recommend going digital (if possible) and try to utilize the Google Classroom, if at all possible. Our “textbook” this year is completely digital (I’m RARELY at the copy machine!), so I’m able to use our set of classroom Chromebooks to access all student readings and assignments. (I do mix things up and do assignments offline as well.) Student engagement has increased dramatically – even though there is a learning curve with the use of computers and classroom management (that’s another blog).
Next, I was fortunate to find a “remote” (thanks, teaching partner!) that allows me to walk around my classroom and still move through the slideshow and digital textbook with ease – while teaching! Students have presented using it as well. There is a laser feature to point at your presentation as well. (You can find the DinoFire wireless presenter here: https://amzn.to/2Ejgi3P)
Finally, I found this awesome karaoke microphone that also acts like a speaker. Our classroom (at times) is easily near 90 degrees, and with all of the fans going, the students couldn’t hear me. Not only was I exhausted from the heat but from trying to use a yelling-voice over the sound of fans. After I bought the microphone, I could speak at a normal volume but project my voice – a game changer! Recently, I recorded myself reading to my students, and when I had trouble uploading the reading to the PC, I simply played the reading through the microphone (from my iPhone) for each class. (You can find my rose gold microphone here: https://amzn.to/2Pubslg)
The best part about these new adventures – the students witness my ability to try teaching in new ways – most of the time, things go well, but when the technology fails (it’s never the user) I am able to have honest conversations about how I’m still learning, too. Or let’s be realistic – they fix the technology for me!
Let me know if you purchase the DinoFire or Bonaok! I’d love to hear your reviews or the ways you are using them in the classroom.
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Michigan Mama 