This year, I tried something new for our Social Studies in-house PLC’s. There was a lot of interest from teachers in our districts on the use of instructional technology in the content areas. In order to bring meaningful professional learning on a variety of instructional technology platforms to both social studies and science teachers, I had to do a good amount of research and preparation. While I knew how to use it myself, teaching technology to others and applying it to a variety of subject areas in social studies and science K-12 was definitely a challenge. In order to prepare I used several books that I think would be valuable to any teacher, school, or district trying to increase technology use in the content areas in meaningful ways. Today, I would like to discuss one of them that so many of our PLC teachers have asked about and link you up to some information that can help you begin incorporating more Google Tools (and other edtech tools) into your classroom this year!
The book that I found most helpful and that I would like to recommend is The Google Infused Classroom: A Guidebook to Making Thinking Visible and Amplifying Student Voice. This book not only teaches how to use a variety of Google tools in the classroom but why each tool is valuable for formative assessment, collaboration, and hearing each student’s unique perspective. The authors, Holly Clark and Tanya Avrith, help teachers understand how to use 20 Google tools individually and in tandem and helps them design an instructional technology plan that will lead to meaningful student work in their classrooms. The authors give a variety of student samples for reference when discussing how to use the tools in class. They discuss the value of student collaboration and instant teacher feedback that moves students forward. I think that teachers who read this book will be able to evaluate what technology they are using in class and, more importantly, why they are using it. This book is much more than a “how-to” guide for different tools, it can open teachers up to more innovative and dynamic instruction that enhances learning.
In addition to the book, Holly Clark and Tanya Avrith are on Twitter and have a website that teachers can use to ask questions and get ideas from. I used both of these heavily as I searched for good examples of technology use in the content areas, questioned how each tool would be most effective, and planned my presentations. These authors even give resources for teacher leaders who may need to deliver PL on a specific topic. As an added bonus, they also have information on other tools outside of Google including Microsoft (a book called The Microsoft Infused Classroom), Adobe, Chrome, and Sketchnoting.
As you look to using more instructional technology in your social studies classes, make sure you are using it with the purpose of enhancing student voice, improving student learning, and engaging student minds in the study of history! Let me know if I can help you with incorporating any of this into your social studies class or helping your social studies department become more tech savvy!
Crystal Parten
Links and Credits:
Holly Clark on Twitter: @HollyClarkEDU
Tanya Avrith on Twitter: @TanyaAvrith / @edtechschools