Episode 18: Leveraging the Power of Technology - Innovation and Creativity
featuring Jared and Kari Wall

SHOW DATE: February 27, 2019

SUMMARY: In this episode, we pick up where we left off last episode. Having identified multiple key issues that lead to teacher burnout, how can we rethink teaching and learning in light of technology in our classrooms.

SHOW NOTES:
News and Notes:
Wall EdTech is proud to be a presenter at the LSU Department of Education's conference entitled Innovative Practices & Techniques: A Cross-Fertilization of the Immersion, ESL, and Second Language Classrooms. We will be offering a session to world language educators that highlights some technology tools that can be beneficial to learning and teaching new language learners.
Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd. Feel free to share with us some of your thoughts on this podcast and/or ideas for something you want us to discuss.

Technology Tools & Trends
Technology Tools:
Trends: If you are a professional educator and not on Twitter, create an account and get on now. The latest trend for Twitter in Education is the Twitter Chat. PLC’s around the nation and globe are grabbing a relevant hashtag, inviting you to follow and respond, and asking questions that allows discussion on topics relevant to you and your classroom.
Tools: Nearpod and PearDeck - Need a tool for guiding students through your notes, quick formative assessments, flipping your classroom? Check out these two tools.

Question:
In light of the issues we discussed last podcast that lead to teacher burnout, how can we re-envision school (teaching and learning or education) in a way that alleviates such issues as data madness, student standardization, and micromanagement and that embraces the idea that teachers and students are unique learners?
Embrace uniqueness. This week I am reading a book entitled The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America by Louis Menand. In ch. 8 he discusses the “Law of Errors”. This is the history of the development of statistical formulas that were imposed upon social issues. In other words, the use of data to create what would become the “average man”. Using this data allowed for predicting human behavior. It is in the image of the bell curve that we now see students in relation to the “average”. Much to be said here about the outliers. Those who do not follow the statistical model. It is my contention that human beings are diverse and unique. No bell curve, no data, no GPA, no test score can or should be a predictor of student success or determine their worth. By embracing the uniqueness of each learner, we open the possibilities of life, the future, and the classroom. Students see past the closed curriculum and are able to experiment and learn in ways and about things that they are passionate about.
Technologies possibility. By using technology to bring in voices, topics, and learning that might never have been possible in previous school eras, teachers must embrace the possibilities of opening up the curriculum using these tools for research, connectivity, collaboration, innovation, and creation.


Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: We will discuss tools for teaching when you are out of the classroom.

Episode 17: I Quit!: Teacher Burnout
featuring Jared and Kari Wall

SHOW DATE: January 25, 2019

SUMMARY: In this episode, we discuss an interesting article we came across that analyzes teacher resignation letters and share our thoughts on what is happening in the education system and our experiences.

This episode is unscripted, so we do not have a whole lot of show notes. We just wanted to have an honest conversation about how we feel and our thoughts.

SHOW NOTES:
News and Notes:
Welcome back to Wall Ed Tech. This is our first podcast of the year. We apologize for taking so long to get a new podcast out, but we’ve been a bit overwhelmed and busy.
Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd. Feel free to share with us some of your thoughts on this podcast and/or ideas for something you want us to discuss.

Technology Tools & Trends
Technology Tools:
Tools: CheckMark has updates (Jared), Grammarly has a Chrome extension, and Tab Resize for automatically splitting your Chrome screen.

Question:
We have been feeling teacher burnout! We are struggling with desire, stress, and motivation to get our jobs done. We want what is best for our students and still do the work, but the struggle has been real!
Jared ran across an article that really hit it’s mark with us both. The article is called “Teachers Go Public with Their Resignation Letters” by Brenda Iasevoli. Here is the link to the full article: https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2017/04/why_do_teachers_quit_their_res.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-LI
This article addresses issues as to why teachers are leaving the profession...and it has nothing to do with pay or student behaviors.
The article states, “Teachers are leaving largely because oppressive policies and practices are affecting their working conditions and beliefs about themselves and education.”
Teachers have had enough, causing walkouts. “Scripted lessons, an oppressive testing culture, and a punitive evaluation system are the main reasons teachers are heading for the exits.”
Evaluations:
Evaluations are enough for some teachers. They are very subjective (even with a rubric) and are not for every content area. These rubrics do not even take into account skills-based courses.
Evaluations do not account for how far a teacher has brought students and it’s only a snapshot for that particular class. Each class is different. Why should a teacher be held accountable and reflect a score based on whether or not a student asked a meaningful question? How should the teacher be expected to produce in students a desire to know more about the content?
Scripted Lessons or Curricular Mandates from Administration
Standardized Tests
Micromanagement
DATA DRIVEN MADNESS: Because technology makes tracking data easier, even more demand is being placed on the teacher and one more chore is added to their list.
Students are just numbers and represent a point value….this is NOT why I became a teacher.
A 40-year veteran cites many reasons for his exit, not the least of which is what he sees as an overreliance on "data-driven education" that "seeks only conformity, standardization, testing, and a zombie-like adherence to the shallow and generic Common Core


Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: We will discuss ….who knows?! We will decide based on how we feel.

Episode 16: Using Google Tools in the Classroom:
Google Drawings and Google Keep Edition
featuring Jared and Kari Wall

SHOW DATE: December 10, 2018

SUMMARY: Basic tips for choosing and using Google tools in the classroom for teaching and learning: focusing on how we use Google Drawings and Google Keep.

SHOW NOTES:
News and Notes:
We are working on our next episode and we have received some responses, but want more. We want this episode to be able to give teachers some resources that will help them and their students when you have to be away from class. We need comments or suggestions on tools you could use to teach your class when you have to be off campus. Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.
Remember our current contest is for a Christmas Goodie Box giveaway from Wall EdTech. To enter for a chance to win, you must visit our podcast page on Itunes, Spreaker, or Iheart Radio and leave a review of the podcast. Be honest. Tell us what you think. Just like our students, we need to know what is working and what needs to be tweaked in order to make this show as effective as it can be for you, our listeners.
Have you seen our website? Changes have been happening! Check out our website at www.walledtech.com where we have been updating information and resources so you can access things better. Under construction: a better organized and more useful section of video tutorials.

Technology Tools & Trends
Technology Tools:
Trend: Student Creation vs simply encountering technology in the classroom. While many are beginning to use technology in the classroom, for most, this simply means students are completing the same old activities using technology. Think past the worksheet by ensuring students are experiencing the power of technology to help them to create. Whether this be finding their own voice through apps like FlipGrid or creating posters, videos, or presentations using apps like adobe spark, canva, screencastify, or google slides, we must be sure that students are learning and showing what they have learned through creation.
Tools: Classroom Intercom is a social media app that allows admins and teachers to create a social media presence that the students can control. This teaches students digital citizenship as they help to promote their own school activities. Student posts are sent to the administrator dashboard for approval to ensure posts are appropriate.

Question:
What is Google Drawings?
Drawings is a blank canvas that allows users to collaborate and work together in real time.
Create flowcharts, organizational charts, concept maps, and other types of diagrams
Insert images
Drag and drop options
Change background to an image, solid color, or transparent
Can be embedded directly into a Google doc
How are we using Google Drawings in the classroom?
Maps (make the background as an image)
Used this in social studies to have students create their own maps (physical, political, and climate)
Drag and drop
Use Drawings to create or simulate technology enhanced questions in which students must drag and drop concepts in the appropriate place on the graphic.
Science (life cycle, cell parts, etc.)
Social studies (maps, timelines)
English (plot maps, chronological order, summary, venn diagrams, etc)
Story Maps
Use to have student fill in a plot map or the hero’s journey map.
Add images (even animated gifs) to add creativity
I have used this along with the transferrable skills students have acquired with other programs to reinforce the proper way to resize and crop images. Students create posters that are a representation of...

Episode 15: Using Google Tools in the Classroom:
Google Forms Edition
featuring Jared and Kari Wall

SHOW DATE: November 26, 2018

SUMMARY: Basic tips for choosing and using Google tools in the classroom for teaching and learning: focusing on how we use Google Forms.

SHOW NOTES:
News and Notes:
We are still looking for comments or suggestions on tools you could use to teach your class when you have to be off campus. Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.
Remember our current contest is for a Christmas Goodie Box giveaway from Wall EdTech. To enter for a chance to win, you must visit our podcast page on Itunes, Spreaker, or Iheart Radio and leave a review of the podcast. Be honest. Tell us what you think. Just like our students, we need to know what is working and what needs to be tweaked in order to make this show as effective as it can be for you, our listeners.
Recent Blog Post: Louisiana’s Ed Tech Gap.
Changes are happening! Check out our website at www.walledtech.com where we have been updating information and resources so you can access things better. Coming soon: a better organized and more useful section of video tutorials.
Google Form: request help, ask questions, or leave general feedback.

Technology Tools & Trends
Technology Tools:
Trend: Using Infographics to catch a student’s attention? Visuals are everywhere, give your students teaser graphics for an upcoming unit or lesson.
Teachers creating classroom newsletters for students.
We create them to go with our show notes as a quick snapshot of what the podcast is about. Viewers can see what the show is about and listen if they’re curious and want to learn more.
Tools: Google Drawing allows you to embed active drawing activities into student assignments. Let your students drag and drop, label, and more! Google Keep for planning, organizing, and teaching students to be organized and take notes. Listen to our next episode to learn more about how we are utilizing these tools in our classrooms.

Question:
What is Google Form?
Google Forms are question/survey type responses that can be collected from anyone. They include: multiple choice, linear scale, long answer, short answer, checkboxes for multiple responses.
Google Forms can be se to ask the next question based on a previous answer through sections.
Images can be placed in a Google Form as well.
Forms can be completed multiple times or just once.
Forms can collect email addresses or be completed anonymously.
Forms can be set to be viewed by only certain people (within your domain).
Forms are shared via link, embed code, or email.
You can create the form to have required responses so the person completing the form has to respond to the question.
Google Form responses can be viewed as charts and other visual representations OR they are connected with a Google Sheet.
How are we using Google Forms in the classroom?
Quizzes
Text and Vocabulary quizzes can be easily administered that grade automatically. Share student scores immediately or at a later time.
Add images, audio, or video.
Choose response destinations that allow students to learn from their incorrect answers.
Google Sheet connection collects responses for analyzing most missed items and which answers tripped students up the most. Helps with assessing the focus of upcoming lessons.
Student Accountability
I use a form as a quick reflection of student behavior and attentiveness for the day. I ask things such as:
Was the student on task?, Did they perform today’s skills correctly?, Did they help someone?, On a scale, how much effort did...

Episode 14: Interview with Nikki Lavergne (Technology From the Top)
featuring Jared and Kari Wall with special guest Nikki Lavergne, Technology Facilitator for Livingston Parish Public Schools

SHOW DATE: November 19, 2018

SUMMARY: Our interview will focus on educational technology from the district leadership perspective. What is your vision for technology in your school district? What are the biggest challenges to this goal? What victories have you seen? What plans have you put in place? What do you want educators to know from a district perspective?

SHOW NOTES:
News and Notes:
We are still looking for comments or suggestions on tools you could use to teach your class when you have to be off campus. Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.
Our next contest will be a Christmas Goodie Box giveaway from Wall EdTech. To enter for a chance to win, you must visit our podcast page on Itunes, Spreaker, or Iheart Radio and leave a review of the podcast. Be honest. Tell us what you think. Just like our students, we need to know what is working and what needs to be tweaked in order to make this show as effective as it can be for you, our listeners.

Interview with Nikki Lavergne on technology from a district perspective.
The interview starts at the 2:45 mark.
Follow Nikki on Twitter: @LavergneNikki
If you are wanting to support Nikki and Livingston Parish Public Schools with their Technology and STEAM Initiative (volunteer time, donate money) please message Nikki via Twitter!

Episode 13: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Google Sheets Edition
featuring Jared and Kari Wall

SHOW DATE: November 12, 2018

SUMMARY: Basic tips for choosing and using Google tools in the classroom for teaching and learning: focusing on how we use Google Sheets.

SHOW NOTES:
News and Notes:
Thank you to all who followed us on twitter the past three weeks and shared one of our podcast episodes via your twitter feed. The winner of our drawing the $25 Amazon Gift Card is (drumroll):
Heather White-@WhiteBoardTechy Heather is a Louisiana teacher and technology integrator. She is using all kinds of technology and we hope she can use the $25 Amazon gift card. Congratulations to Heather White
We are still looking for comments or suggestions on tools you could use to teach your class when you have to be off campus. Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.
Our next contest will be a Christmas Goodie Box giveaway from Wall EdTech. To enter for a chance to win, you must visit our podcast page on Itunes, Spreaker, or Iheart Radio and leave a review of the podcast. Be honest. Tell us what you think. Just like our students, we need to know what is working and what needs to be tweaked in order to make this show as effective as it can be for you, our listeners.

Technology Tools & Trends
Technology Tools:
JoeZoo add on for Google Docs and App.
Useful for teacher assessment of work in Google Docs
Provides a platform for leaving typed or spoken comments in student work.
Typed comments can be read by a text to speech function
Automated grammar and mechanics checker to save teacher time and help students identify common errors in their writing.
Rubrics for easy grading.
Works with Google Classroom to export grades and gives you charts and graphs of student progress in writing.
Screencastify
Mentioned before, but let’s talk about its ability to allow for visual and auditory feedback on student work. Don’t just leave written comments student won’t look at. Engage them with screencastify.
Voice Notes: Audio instructions for students-I’ve been going through our notes and objective for students who are not at school.

Question:
What is Google Sheets?
Google slides is a spreadsheet much like Excel, but for those of you who are in Google Education districts (have google accounts for teachers and students), it is so much more.
Data from Google forms can be collected in a Google Sheet. This is a game changer for teachers in so many ways! Let’s discuss how this can be used in the classroom.
How are we using Google Sheets in the classroom?
Pair with a Google Form to
Collect student answers to simple quiz questions to maximize the impact of gauging student performance for formative assessment.
Use as a rubric tool to collect student scores and quickly see your notes and evaluation of student performance and work.
Use as a walkaround tool to give students feedback on their performance in class.
Use as a behavior tracker that connects to student trackers providing the teacher with information and allowing the student to see their progress.
Use it for student accountability-useful when called to a parent/teacher conference to be able to show how that student has been conducting themselves in class.
Behavior, on tasks, performing skills, etc.
Weekly Business Report-students reflect on the week and set goals
Stand Alone
Use as a test corrections tracker for my students to see how they are performing on standards across multiple assessments.
Use as checklist for students to check items completed on a project.
Use it as a formative assessment with the checkbox feature to ensure that my...

Episode 12: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Google Slides Edition
featuring Jared and Kari Wall

SHOW DATE: October 29, 2018

SUMMARY: Basic tips for choosing and using Google tools in the classroom for teaching and learning: focusing on how we use Google Slides.

SHOW NOTES:
News and Notes:
Retweeting and Liking on Twitter and Facebook to be entered into the drawing for an Amazon gift card
Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.

Technology Tools & Trends
Always be prepared with backup lessons and/or activities. You never know when you will need an impromptu lesson. It is a good idea to have a couple of backup activities always prepared. These are not your emergency lesson plans. You may:
You, your children, or a family member may take suddenly ill
Internet failure
Etc.
Continue building relationships with your students. We’ve gotten to know our students’ behaviors and work ethics, but now we need to focus on really “knowing” them. Let them know you care and are there for them.
Technology Tools:
Edji.it
For collaborative reading and annotations
Fire Visualization allows you to see where students are annotating
Poster My Wall
Very similar to Canva, students can create an account using their Google login, tons of templates that are more appealing to students
Question:
What is Google Slides?
Google slides is a presentation much like Microsoft PowerPoint, but for those of you who are in Google Education districts (have google accounts for teachers and students), it is so much more.
How are we using Google Slides in the classroom?
Presenting
Displaying objectives and agendas
Embedded in a google site
Students are able to access activities if they are absent or behind in their work
Interactive abilities
Links can be added to student activities or resources
Embed videos or animated gifs
Formative assessments along with the Pear Deck add on
Student Notes, Impromptu Presentations, and Portfolios
Use templates for a unit or topic
Student work is collected here and students can present their thinking to the teacher, the classroom, or just to their table or partner.
Collaborative experiences
Share a template with a group and allow students to work together to create their own presentations to teach the rest of the class.


Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Sheets Edition. We will discuss how we are using Sheets in our classroom for collaboration, formative assessments, reflections, and much more.

Episode 11: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Google Docs Edition
featuring Jared and Kari Wall

SHOW DATE: October 22, 2018

SUMMARY: Basic tips for choosing and using Google tools in the classroom for teaching and learning: focusing on how we use Google Docs.

SHOW NOTES:
News and Notes:
Say something about Retweeting and Liking on for the Amazon gift card
Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.

Technology Tools & Trends
Classroom Management Reminder: Stay consistent with your procedures and expectations.
Technology Tools:
ChatterPix app for smartphones and iPads. This could easily be used by younger students. The app allows the student to take a pic of anything and make the image talk by drawing a line for the mouth across the image. It has a 30 second limit of recording, so the student would have to know exactly what they were going to say on the recording.
CheckMark: auto remarks in Google Docs for grading anything, but especially writing for ELA teachers! Save time, customize for types of activities!

Question:
What is Google Docs?
Google docs is a word processor much like Microsoft Word, but for those of you who are in Google Education districts (have google accounts for teachers and students), it is so much more.
How are we using Google Docs in the classroom?
Single user documents to replace worksheets or write essays.
This is a no brainer. Create and share your worksheets and activities with Google Docs to remove the paper from your classroom.
Integrated with Google Classroom, each student gets their own copy.
Teachers can now leave feedback directly to students either real time as they are working or after the fact. You can even have conversations with students in the document while they are working!
Collaborative experiences
Assign one document to pairs, groups, or a whole class!
Students can use this document to work together on an activity, give peer feedback, ask and answer questions as a sort of backchannel chat feature for your class.
Set the student expectations prior to opening the document. Give them procedures for what is expected of them. They must be respectful, do not delete anyone’s work, etc.
Hyperdocs
Create activities that allow for student choice! Place hyperlinks to the bookmarked sections of your document.
Create links to other sites or tools directly from your Google Document.

Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Slides Edition. We will discuss how we are using Slides in our classroom for collaboration, formative assessments, reflections, and much more.

Episode 10: Digital Citizenship:
Teaching Life Lessons Through Technology
featuring Jared and Kari Wall

SHOW DATE: October 15, 2018

SUMMARY: In this episode we discuss how to teach digital citizenship to students through life lessons while using technology.

SHOW NOTES:
News and Notes:
Last episode we discussed using Google Sites in the classroom...we hope you had an opportunity to try it out. We are available if you need suggestions or help setting that up...contact us.
Like us and share us on facebook and twitter. Leave us feedback on the itunes store! Send us an email with feedback.
We want to congratulate Nikki Lavergne on winning last week’s Flipgrid challenge. Nikki is the winner of a Wall Ed Tech prize box filled with some geeky goodies.
Nikki is an avid listener and a technology coach for Livingston Parish schools. (Tell about her STEAM bus?) Nikki shared some ideas for an upcoming episode. Here is what Nikki had to say (play clip). With that in mind, we would like to hear from you about the tech tools you use to teach your class when you are not there! We have a special flipgrid set up for this topic. Click the link in the show notes or you can email us at jared or kari @walledtech.com.
Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.

Technology Tools & Trends
Formative Assessments: This should be something teachers are using every class.
Pear Deck
Socrative
Nearpod
Kahoot
Quizziz

Question: How can we use technology to teach life lessons?
The age old question: to lock down or not to lock down (blocking all student access to content and social media)
Locking down the internet
Pros: Students cannot access material that has been “black listed” by the district. This keeps them from accessing materials they do not need to be seeing at school or on the device. It protects students from outside sources being able to reach them while at school.
Cons: When sites are blocked for students, that also means they are blocked from teachers as well. Just because a district says it shouldn’t be used, does not mean it is a website that should not be accessed or that contains inappropriate or offensive materials.
Modeling, modeling, modeling
This is the best thing we could do for our students.
At times, teachers are the only models students have...make it a good example.
This can provide us an opportunity for a teachable moment.
WallEdTech.com Digital Citizenship Resources

Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: Using Google Tools in the Classroom (docs, sheets, forms, slides, drawings, etc.) We will discuss how we are using these tools in our classroom for collaboration, formative assessments, reflections, and much more.

Episode 9: Envision Your Classroom with Sites:
Add Context, Content, and Clarity to Your LMS
featuring Jared and Kari Wall

SHOW DATE: October 8, 2018

SUMMARY: In this episode we discuss how to effectively use Google Sites in the classroom to keep students informed, provide content, praise, and accessibility to your LMS.

SHOW NOTES:
News and Notes:
Like us and share us on facebook and twitter. Leave us feedback on the itunes store! Send us an email with feedback.
The first person to respond to our flipgrid in the show notes with an idea for show discussion in the future or just a comment or a way you are using technology in the classroom will receive a free gift bag from Wall Edtech with some goodies! You must mention episode 9 in your comments! Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.
Google shortcuts is something we used ALOT this week!
. (shares)
qq (density of files on your screen)
n (renames a file)
s (stars a file)
a (drops down the menu)
Z (opens a window for convenient moving of files by selecting the new location rather than dragging and dropping around in your folders)
Louisiana Digital Citizenship Symposium being sponsored by WBR parish at PAHS today (Monday, October 8) from 8am -3pm
Check out the WBR website @ wbrschools.net for more information

Technology Tools & Trends
Transferable skills: When you have students using technology in your classroom, the skills they learn from that activity can be used in other areas as well
Google Tools (docs, slides, sheets): Microsoft (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Navigating tabs on the web browser
Pinning tabs on the web browser
Online research

Question: How can we use Google Sites in the classroom?
Why Google sites?
Easy to use
Easily add all google features, youtube videos, PDFs, buttons, images, etc.
Reformats automatically for tablets and phones
Security
Can only share with your students or people who are in your domain
Updates often
Customizable with your images, colors, themes, format, header/logo banner, etc.
Why have a classroom website?
You must think through the content you want the website to include: you need to have a clear vision for the purpose of your website.
Every LMS we have used (moodle, Google Classroom, Schoology) fails at ease of use and organization of materials. Students are constantly asking where the activity is!
What do you your students need access to on a regular basis?
This leads to things you and your students frequently use.
What do you need to include on your website?
Objectives
Agendas
Links to activities in the LMS
Class syllabus
Calendar with due dates
Page to display student success
Information relevant to your content
Leaderboards (if using gamification)
What we use on our sites
Google slides
Auto update
Use for classroom daily agendas and objectives
Allows for direct links to activities and resources in your LMS or the web
Keeps a running record of your agendas for absent students to refer to.
Google Sheets
Use to embed lists of groups, roles, historical list of activities with links, etc.
Google Drawings
Images of student accomplishments
Images with links to other sites we use
Google Forms
Embed directly in your site for student frequently used forms
Site Links
Sidebar of important resources for your class
Google Calendar
Update with activities, due dates, and events

Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: Lesson Learned: How to teach life lessons through technology