Training tomorrows teachers. Hosted by USW digital champions & Mathew Pullen.
Q1 How do you view a trainee teacher when they come to your school? What do you expect from them?
A1 As I'm in a school with special needs students, a trainee teacher should be aware of that. I expect them to be curious about what our studens are capable of.
Other answers: We view them as one of the team and learn with them, listening to their ideas. We expect them to offer their voice, ideas and opinions same as everyone else. I See them as the future, brave individuals that i hope are like sponges. I expect them to listen, and ask questions, I want them to try things, be brave! I just want to get to know them, try to connect. I hope I can give them the convidence that they can be themselves and that we can learn from eachother. I guess for me it's all about attitude. When i see a trainee teacher passionate about their students with a teachable spirit and willingness to learn (try, fail, experiment, listen) I'm happy! Delighted to see trainee teachers coming in with new ideas and enthusiasm, I expect them to follow the school ethos, make memorable learning expierences for the students and creat positive relationships with students and staff. We treat them as part of the school, not a visitor. They'll learn, fail, celebrate and much more with us. We expect trainee teachers to some and need advice and support. In my class I expect them to be enthusiastic, inquisitive and brave, they are invaluable part of the school. As a mentor I would expect them to be keen and ready to absorb everything whilst being professionals. However I feel it's important to ease them in gently giving them room to adept to a brand new environment. I see trainee teachers as a rich source of new ideas and approaches. Expect them to be willing to take risks: try new things and if it doesn't work out, learn from it! The best attitude is that of a learner. Willing to take advice, to grow and to try new things. As a trainee you have the unique opportunity to try something different. Take the chance! We view them as part of the team, all working to help children and eachother. Some days you will try things and they just won't work. It doesn't mean you don't try it again, just think about what needs to be done differently.
Q2 How do you challenge a teacher who only uses technology as a reward.
A2 Using technology as a reward is not very sustainable, I would show him otherwise and will ask questions: In what way can technology be enhancing learning?
Other answers: Ask them for their rationale, it's always best to listen before a judgement, then ask questions about how they could integrate this more often. Leading by example, show what can be done, then give them support and encouragement to try something new. For those who are les confident, show them simple wins, that will help them in their teaching. Move the focus from being something that's just fun to use to a tool that's effective. Tech should go hand in hand with the school vision and have the pedagogy behind it. Introduce to them slowly the power it can have as a teaching tool. Do not overwhelm them with too much in one go. How do you challenge a teacher? This depends on the culture of the school. The teacher needs to understand how they are devaluing the role of technology in the school though in the same way a teacher who uses no tech. You need to lay out why we use technology in the classrooms. Once you have the why, mindsets change, eyes open & ideas generally start to develop: select the tool carefully to enhance and support learning. Practice what you preach. Take them with you on the journey. Give them convidence in using technology and work with them to use technology in their own lesson idea. Model how to use technology effectively share some good examples, offer to team to plan or teach a lesson which use #edtech to support teaching and learning as opposed to a reward. Lead by example, lot of peer observations use the pineapple method (?) open door, let them come in and try something new; small change, big inpact (?). Create opportunities to inpsire them with possibilities. Have them observe a lesson where it is being used well. Involve them more in a planning of lessons and activities engage them in professional development where they are the student and can expierence. Technology shouldnt' be seen as a reward. The pupils see it as a highly engaging and effective tool. Pupils are using the tech. Outside of school so should move forward in the classroom, not backwards. It's what the pupils deserve.
Q3 when using tech, what is the most important thing a new teacher needs to know?
A3 The starting point of your students. Does everybody in class know how it works? Is it available? Is it legal (privacy!) what is your goal by using technology? Is there another way?
Other answers: that somethings can go wrong, but it doesn't matter. Keep trying. Without doubt the most important thing ANY teacher needs to know is: DOES IT IMPROVE LEARNING? If not don't use tech. That it won't always work, it might flop totally, the tech might let you down it happens to us all. Its how you respond that's important. Be brave, stick to your beliefs, make tweaks, it happens up and down around the country so don't be disheartened. To know that tech doesn't necessarily change the objectives of a lesson as such. The focus should remain on the learning, not on the technology. It's just another way of getting there. What NEW value is the technology adding to this lesson/activity? If you cannot answer that then the aims/outcomes/use of tech have not been thought through enough. It's just one of the tools, if it suddenly stops working or wifi fails, it shouldn't stop the lesson and it's good to have a plan B in this case. Don't use tech for the sake of using it. Only use tech if it enhances teaching and learning, don't make technology the star, use it as a tool for creating amazing learning expierences! Keep the focus on tech mainly as a tool for student learning, not for teaching. There can be a lot of digital chalk and talk. I've seen lot's of new teachers spend their first year making endless powerpoints, rather then focussing on learning activities. That a small change, however slight, can have a big impact. Sharing via airdrop, mirroring using apple tv recording pupils discussion, all easy and relatively quick to do but the pupils love it. Even though the tech is evolving so quickly and we need to keep on the cutting edge, it's about choosing the best tool/app/device for that lesson that will have the biggest impact on learning, not just because it's a novelty to use. Effective use of technology is driven by learning and teaching goals rather then and a specific technology: technology is not an end in itself.
Q4 If you could give a trainee teacher one piece of advise going into a school that doesn't use tech, what would it be?
A4. Prepare yourself to be a pain in their assess, keep asking questions: why not? Why are you not using tech in your classroom? WHY NOT?
Other answers: Slowly slowly catchy monkey , you won't change the world in one day. Showcase something in a lesson, show something you use saves time, get other teachers curious. It's all about relationships with your students get to know them and grow as a teacher. If your confidence enough and student are allowed to have their smartphone in the lessons to be creative. Don't try to fix it all yourself listen to the school, hear their concerns, show how meaningful use can make a difference. A single device, an apple tv or adapter can make a huge difference, don't be afraid to challenge perception within reason. I wonder wether setting up a small lunchtime club could be useful? Perhaps coding or something like that, if the tech is there ofcourse. Tech makes life as a teacher SO much easier, invest in learning the basics and the rest will follow. Have a growth mindset into what tech can do for you and your class. Keep pushing forward , start small clubs, raise funds, most pupils have devices at home which can be used to access iTunesU. I would defenitely try and use any tech you have and maybe you could motivate and engage staff to do the same. Be yourself, share and collaborate! If I could told my first-year-student-self: Don't put to much in one lesson to show off. Focus on one objective and demonstrate how the tools being used are enhancing learning. Remember the school ethos but be brave and try/introduce things thsat have impact, it doesn't have to be tech necessarily, but remember you have a voice and ideas. Explain your why behind them, you can help change. Use it to your advantage, you can get some quick wins, create great enthusiasm with the children and share learning with the teacher you are working with. Don't go trying to change the world in one day. Adapt to the situation for the short term, but put forward suggestions, if the establishment is one that is open to change. Don't worry! Concentrate on the fundamentals irst - get to know your students, undertsand what makes them tick, make clear your expectations and stick to them. There will be plenty of opportunities to integrate tech but there is definitely no need to rush. Practical: do not expect the school to figure out the cables, software and devices you need - you need to bring this with you. Show them the simplicity, if you make it difficult you will put peoples backs up. Don't let the lack of tech put you off - keep the faith! Speak to the leadership team even though you can make a big difference in your subject area for whole school future development the main vision should come from the top to push forward together.
Q5 if you could take one digital skill back to your training days, what would it be?
A5 definitely the use of OneNote for keeping my notes with me on any device. I can keep track on every lesson and make notes during classes.
Other answers: The ability to collaborate in Gsuite, it has changed my life. As a PE teacher, the camera to capture practical learning would would have been my tool of choice. Certainly wish I knew about Assessment for Learning tools like socrative, makes assessment much easier and more immediate, allows teachers to identify and adress misconceptions easily. Tech in the hands of students is when it is at its most powerful dan digital learning is most effective. The camera is key. It can be used for many reasons so much insight, assessment and reflection. All you need is one iPad and you can have opened up so many doors. Defenitily the accessibility features. Definitily markup and pencil on iPad pro for grading. Teaching coding is something i would have loved to have been able to o when i was training. Show the potential across the curriculum, skills for life, learning and work. Google drive is litterally a life saver all those lost pen drives and corrupt files i must have literally wasted hours re-planning, collecting resources. I think it would be the realisation of how much freedom tech gives you in the classroom - new apps, camera/recording n class, sharing/communication workflow = no limits.
Q6 What strategies would you suggest for maintaining behaviour class management with tech?
A6 Since we use Apple Classroom I can see what are students do during my lessons. I can lock their iPads and chat with them about why they don't do the things I wnat them to do.
Other answers: Principals of classroom management are the same with or without tech, when tech is introduced it can bring excitement that can spill over, but just like in other scenario, expectations need to be set. AUA must be in place and pupils hould contribute. If you're resorting to tech to maintain class management then you might be in a spot of bother. Focus on relationships, routine and expectations. If students are engaged, focussed and enjoying learning then behaviour and classroom management issues are less of an issue. Classdojo in conjunction with meaningful rewards generated by learners. Apple classroom is a game changer for sharing work, locking devices, monitoring pupils activity etc. Pupils soon realise what can happen. Plus traditional behaviour management techniques don't go because you use tech. Use the school policy for behaviour as a grounding. Don't stand at the front. Use your iPad to teach from anywhere. Sit amongst the kids, stand at the back, take the screen and pencil with you. It's changed my teaching and my classroom dramatically. It's not about tech in class management, it's about building relationship with your students and show interest in their world. I've never been a fan of using apps/digital tools to control students behaviour. If your task is well-constructed, engaging, challenging and relevant learners shouldn't have trouble with focus, for me it's instructional design. The tech is nog there to help classroom management. It does increase engagement and Apple Classroom improves the flow of lessons but it's main purpose is for learning. Classroom management is down to the teacher, not the tech. As with all teaching, if the children are involved in devising systems, they are more likely to support them. Make the tech their responsibility and use their suggestions for effective use and behaviour, after all he're their rules not yours. Use the Classroom app to help students to be focussed. Talk to students about distraction and how to work with it. What do they need to work without a lot of distraction.
A1 As I'm in a school with special needs students, a trainee teacher should be aware of that. I expect them to be curious about what our studens are capable of.
Other answers: We view them as one of the team and learn with them, listening to their ideas. We expect them to offer their voice, ideas and opinions same as everyone else. I See them as the future, brave individuals that i hope are like sponges. I expect them to listen, and ask questions, I want them to try things, be brave! I just want to get to know them, try to connect. I hope I can give them the convidence that they can be themselves and that we can learn from eachother. I guess for me it's all about attitude. When i see a trainee teacher passionate about their students with a teachable spirit and willingness to learn (try, fail, experiment, listen) I'm happy! Delighted to see trainee teachers coming in with new ideas and enthusiasm, I expect them to follow the school ethos, make memorable learning expierences for the students and creat positive relationships with students and staff. We treat them as part of the school, not a visitor. They'll learn, fail, celebrate and much more with us. We expect trainee teachers to some and need advice and support. In my class I expect them to be enthusiastic, inquisitive and brave, they are invaluable part of the school. As a mentor I would expect them to be keen and ready to absorb everything whilst being professionals. However I feel it's important to ease them in gently giving them room to adept to a brand new environment. I see trainee teachers as a rich source of new ideas and approaches. Expect them to be willing to take risks: try new things and if it doesn't work out, learn from it! The best attitude is that of a learner. Willing to take advice, to grow and to try new things. As a trainee you have the unique opportunity to try something different. Take the chance! We view them as part of the team, all working to help children and eachother. Some days you will try things and they just won't work. It doesn't mean you don't try it again, just think about what needs to be done differently.
Q2 How do you challenge a teacher who only uses technology as a reward.
A2 Using technology as a reward is not very sustainable, I would show him otherwise and will ask questions: In what way can technology be enhancing learning?
Other answers: Ask them for their rationale, it's always best to listen before a judgement, then ask questions about how they could integrate this more often. Leading by example, show what can be done, then give them support and encouragement to try something new. For those who are les confident, show them simple wins, that will help them in their teaching. Move the focus from being something that's just fun to use to a tool that's effective. Tech should go hand in hand with the school vision and have the pedagogy behind it. Introduce to them slowly the power it can have as a teaching tool. Do not overwhelm them with too much in one go. How do you challenge a teacher? This depends on the culture of the school. The teacher needs to understand how they are devaluing the role of technology in the school though in the same way a teacher who uses no tech. You need to lay out why we use technology in the classrooms. Once you have the why, mindsets change, eyes open & ideas generally start to develop: select the tool carefully to enhance and support learning. Practice what you preach. Take them with you on the journey. Give them convidence in using technology and work with them to use technology in their own lesson idea. Model how to use technology effectively share some good examples, offer to team to plan or teach a lesson which use #edtech to support teaching and learning as opposed to a reward. Lead by example, lot of peer observations use the pineapple method (?) open door, let them come in and try something new; small change, big inpact (?). Create opportunities to inpsire them with possibilities. Have them observe a lesson where it is being used well. Involve them more in a planning of lessons and activities engage them in professional development where they are the student and can expierence. Technology shouldnt' be seen as a reward. The pupils see it as a highly engaging and effective tool. Pupils are using the tech. Outside of school so should move forward in the classroom, not backwards. It's what the pupils deserve.
Q3 when using tech, what is the most important thing a new teacher needs to know?
A3 The starting point of your students. Does everybody in class know how it works? Is it available? Is it legal (privacy!) what is your goal by using technology? Is there another way?
Other answers: that somethings can go wrong, but it doesn't matter. Keep trying. Without doubt the most important thing ANY teacher needs to know is: DOES IT IMPROVE LEARNING? If not don't use tech. That it won't always work, it might flop totally, the tech might let you down it happens to us all. Its how you respond that's important. Be brave, stick to your beliefs, make tweaks, it happens up and down around the country so don't be disheartened. To know that tech doesn't necessarily change the objectives of a lesson as such. The focus should remain on the learning, not on the technology. It's just another way of getting there. What NEW value is the technology adding to this lesson/activity? If you cannot answer that then the aims/outcomes/use of tech have not been thought through enough. It's just one of the tools, if it suddenly stops working or wifi fails, it shouldn't stop the lesson and it's good to have a plan B in this case. Don't use tech for the sake of using it. Only use tech if it enhances teaching and learning, don't make technology the star, use it as a tool for creating amazing learning expierences! Keep the focus on tech mainly as a tool for student learning, not for teaching. There can be a lot of digital chalk and talk. I've seen lot's of new teachers spend their first year making endless powerpoints, rather then focussing on learning activities. That a small change, however slight, can have a big impact. Sharing via airdrop, mirroring using apple tv recording pupils discussion, all easy and relatively quick to do but the pupils love it. Even though the tech is evolving so quickly and we need to keep on the cutting edge, it's about choosing the best tool/app/device for that lesson that will have the biggest impact on learning, not just because it's a novelty to use. Effective use of technology is driven by learning and teaching goals rather then and a specific technology: technology is not an end in itself.
Q4 If you could give a trainee teacher one piece of advise going into a school that doesn't use tech, what would it be?
A4. Prepare yourself to be a pain in their assess, keep asking questions: why not? Why are you not using tech in your classroom? WHY NOT?
Other answers: Slowly slowly catchy monkey , you won't change the world in one day. Showcase something in a lesson, show something you use saves time, get other teachers curious. It's all about relationships with your students get to know them and grow as a teacher. If your confidence enough and student are allowed to have their smartphone in the lessons to be creative. Don't try to fix it all yourself listen to the school, hear their concerns, show how meaningful use can make a difference. A single device, an apple tv or adapter can make a huge difference, don't be afraid to challenge perception within reason. I wonder wether setting up a small lunchtime club could be useful? Perhaps coding or something like that, if the tech is there ofcourse. Tech makes life as a teacher SO much easier, invest in learning the basics and the rest will follow. Have a growth mindset into what tech can do for you and your class. Keep pushing forward , start small clubs, raise funds, most pupils have devices at home which can be used to access iTunesU. I would defenitely try and use any tech you have and maybe you could motivate and engage staff to do the same. Be yourself, share and collaborate! If I could told my first-year-student-self: Don't put to much in one lesson to show off. Focus on one objective and demonstrate how the tools being used are enhancing learning. Remember the school ethos but be brave and try/introduce things thsat have impact, it doesn't have to be tech necessarily, but remember you have a voice and ideas. Explain your why behind them, you can help change. Use it to your advantage, you can get some quick wins, create great enthusiasm with the children and share learning with the teacher you are working with. Don't go trying to change the world in one day. Adapt to the situation for the short term, but put forward suggestions, if the establishment is one that is open to change. Don't worry! Concentrate on the fundamentals irst - get to know your students, undertsand what makes them tick, make clear your expectations and stick to them. There will be plenty of opportunities to integrate tech but there is definitely no need to rush. Practical: do not expect the school to figure out the cables, software and devices you need - you need to bring this with you. Show them the simplicity, if you make it difficult you will put peoples backs up. Don't let the lack of tech put you off - keep the faith! Speak to the leadership team even though you can make a big difference in your subject area for whole school future development the main vision should come from the top to push forward together.
Q5 if you could take one digital skill back to your training days, what would it be?
A5 definitely the use of OneNote for keeping my notes with me on any device. I can keep track on every lesson and make notes during classes.
Other answers: The ability to collaborate in Gsuite, it has changed my life. As a PE teacher, the camera to capture practical learning would would have been my tool of choice. Certainly wish I knew about Assessment for Learning tools like socrative, makes assessment much easier and more immediate, allows teachers to identify and adress misconceptions easily. Tech in the hands of students is when it is at its most powerful dan digital learning is most effective. The camera is key. It can be used for many reasons so much insight, assessment and reflection. All you need is one iPad and you can have opened up so many doors. Defenitily the accessibility features. Definitily markup and pencil on iPad pro for grading. Teaching coding is something i would have loved to have been able to o when i was training. Show the potential across the curriculum, skills for life, learning and work. Google drive is litterally a life saver all those lost pen drives and corrupt files i must have literally wasted hours re-planning, collecting resources. I think it would be the realisation of how much freedom tech gives you in the classroom - new apps, camera/recording n class, sharing/communication workflow = no limits.
Q6 What strategies would you suggest for maintaining behaviour class management with tech?
A6 Since we use Apple Classroom I can see what are students do during my lessons. I can lock their iPads and chat with them about why they don't do the things I wnat them to do.
Other answers: Principals of classroom management are the same with or without tech, when tech is introduced it can bring excitement that can spill over, but just like in other scenario, expectations need to be set. AUA must be in place and pupils hould contribute. If you're resorting to tech to maintain class management then you might be in a spot of bother. Focus on relationships, routine and expectations. If students are engaged, focussed and enjoying learning then behaviour and classroom management issues are less of an issue. Classdojo in conjunction with meaningful rewards generated by learners. Apple classroom is a game changer for sharing work, locking devices, monitoring pupils activity etc. Pupils soon realise what can happen. Plus traditional behaviour management techniques don't go because you use tech. Use the school policy for behaviour as a grounding. Don't stand at the front. Use your iPad to teach from anywhere. Sit amongst the kids, stand at the back, take the screen and pencil with you. It's changed my teaching and my classroom dramatically. It's not about tech in class management, it's about building relationship with your students and show interest in their world. I've never been a fan of using apps/digital tools to control students behaviour. If your task is well-constructed, engaging, challenging and relevant learners shouldn't have trouble with focus, for me it's instructional design. The tech is nog there to help classroom management. It does increase engagement and Apple Classroom improves the flow of lessons but it's main purpose is for learning. Classroom management is down to the teacher, not the tech. As with all teaching, if the children are involved in devising systems, they are more likely to support them. Make the tech their responsibility and use their suggestions for effective use and behaviour, after all he're their rules not yours. Use the Classroom app to help students to be focussed. Talk to students about distraction and how to work with it. What do they need to work without a lot of distraction.
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