Getting Started with Digital Activities

What's the purpose of this book?

Over the last few years I have come across many awesome educators who really want to use digital devices with their students, but they just don't know where to start.

They either don't have the skills or they don't have the confidence. Or sometimes it's that they just don't know what they don't know.

This got me thinking.

How might I provide a resource that could help these teachers take small steps on their journey and find some helpful tips and tricks, or strategies, that might just inspire and support them to integrate meaningful, authentic and relevant digital activities into their classroom program?

I consulted Twitter (such a fabulous PLN) and spoke to many educators.

The result is BREATHE.

When something is new, or you are struggling with life - we all need to do is just BREATHE.

(Where you see this symbol, click on the image to access the link.)

Contents page

Our learners need very specific instructions when they are learning with a Chromebook.
Be sure yourself of what the steps are that need to be followed and then be specific, giving them one step at a time.
If they are very new to Chromebooks it might be the first step is simply to log in.
You might need to teach them:
💡how to carry the Chromebook
💡how to open it carefully
💡where the full stop is on the keyboard
💡how to use two hands on the keyboard
💡how to tap the keys correctly

All learners benefit from routines, no matter what the subject.
Establish the routines you want for your clasroom, then be firm and consistent with them.

You might have routines such as:
💡one person at a time getting a chromebook out
💡the chromebook needs to always be on the table
💡learners are given one instruction to do it then they put their screens at 45 degrees
💡when screens are at 45, hands are always off the keyboard
💡always use two hands on the keyboard

Good habits are important for our learners, regardless of whether they are working digitally or not.
An important habit is to use two hands on a keyboard. Personally I don't think it matters which fingers they are using on which keys (You might have other ideas - and that's ok) but using both sides of the brain is the aim.
Encourage them to use their right hand on the right side keys and their left hand on the left side keys.
You could extend this idea by using some of the activities included to help develop typing skills.

All too often, when we are feeling overwhelmed and unsure about trying something new, we don't feel comfortable or confident enough to ask for help. However, this is exactly the time we need to reach out.
I love the quote, "Do the best you can until you know better, then do better."
If we ask for help we can do better than we did before.
Find that colleague you feel safe confiding in, reach out to your PLN - they are always there to help, and don't forget your learners. You can always ask them too!
We all started somewhere. The more we ask, they more we know. The more we know, the more we can do. 😁

Making sure whatever we plan to do with our digital devices is fit for purpose and adds value to the learning is super important.
We want our learners to become confident, critical creators of content - not consumers. While there is a place for activities that help our learners get to know their way around a chromebook, or learn their alphabet or times tables, we do really want to ensure the majority of what we plan is around thinking creatively, collaborating with others and being critical about what we produce.
Planning together with a colleague or a team is a great idea. Toss ideas around and debate the relevance of the digital integration you plan. This will help to keep you all on track.

How many times have you heard the saying, 'Two heads are better than one'?
There's a reason it's used so often, the more we help each other, the easier and more fun our jobs are.
Having a teaching buddy to support you with your digital journey definitely makes life better. Whether it be someone you lean on for advice and tips, or whether it be someone who you work together with and bounce ideas off - having a teaching buddy helps.
It doesn't have to be someone at your workplace. My digital buddy lives at the other end of the country from me, but we catch up regularly and are in constant touch with each other by text, phone, Meet and the occassional special in person visit.
The best thing about a teaching buddy... they provide that safe place for you to offload! 😁