Tech Advice

[Ben Davis]

I would love to hear your tech advice. If you have a rule you live by when using tech in your classroom (or at home), please leave it below.

Kevin suggested that I share this Google presentation featuring a few of mine:
http://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dc5hmxp4_131wpw26nhf&int...

[Mary in Missouri]

Ben,
I think your number one is vital. The one about having students help is great. I learned more from my students than anyone else. Number 10 is also very important. The only other one I would add is when teaching teachers or students never take control of the mouse. I usually tell them "I will help you, but they have to be in the drivers seat". Sometimes I have to put my hands in my pockets to keep this rule.

[Ben Davis]

I bow my head with guilt. I am a mouse control freak! I am going to add that one, though. I will live by it as well.

[Jane L. Connealy]

Thank you for identifying this, Mary! It is so demeaning when someone comes in and usurps my mouse, and I wouldn't be able to articulate that thought if you hadn't pointed it out! I'll be sure to remember that advice when working with my students.

[Kevin H.]

I might add:

Believe in the Power of Playfulness and Exploration.

The more fun a project is, the more engaged the students.

Kevin

[Ben Davis]

Good point. You are now represented in this slide show as tip #12.

[Felicia]

Ben,

I love these rules. I will share them with the NYC tcs. I'm particularly grateful for Mary's addition. It's one of my pet peeves when someone is trying to show me something on the computer. Once I lose control of the mouse, I'm just a disinterested bystander.

Felicia

[Teralyn Cohn]

Final products can be visual. Writing assignments don't always have to end up in a typed essay. They can be a film, a podcast, a collage, etc.

Powerpoints are today's wide ruled paper.

[Ben Davis]

Always a good point to make (I added your idea as well).

[Jane L. Connealy]

Only half in jest: clean the keyboard and mouse often! [We just survived an H1N1 epidemic at our school.]

[Ben Davis]

I added this one too.