In this episode, Kasey chats with Stacey Roshan about how she transformed her classroom using the power of technology.

Technology doesn’t have to be impersonal.

In fact, it can help you personalize learning for all students, empower student voice, and level the playing field!

Stacey is the author of Tech With Heart, a book that shows educators how she flipped her classroom to allow for more one-on-one time with her students, teach to their needs, and give all students the opportunity to share their learning. I

n this interview with Kasey, Stacey elaborates on how the pandemic has forced this same shift for many educators. 

Listen to this article.

 

How Technology Can Help Build Relationships, Ease Anxiety, and Empower Learners!

While that shift may have been forced, going into this year there is more experience and knowledge about technology and how educators can leverage it moving forward. Stacey reminds educators that implementing any technology should always begin with the why. Finding a tech tool to facilitate these outcomes can also provide students with multiple platforms for sharing. 

Stacey shares how the right tech tool can allow for students to share their learning through written response, video response, or choosing to share in the classroom. Over the years, Stacey has discovered how tech tools like FlipGrid, Nearpod, Pear Deck, and many others allow those students who might be labeled the “quiet” kid may not be as quiet as they are in the classroom. 

Students who would not normally share in a class discussion might find more comfort in their home and open up a little more when recording their answers. It might also be that they had more time to construct their response or write out a script to follow. The option to edit responses can also be freeing for students. 

Flipping Your Classroom

Stacey advises that teachers use 3-4 tech tools with their students. Too many tools can be overwhelming for teachers and students. Keeping it simple with a few tech tools also allows teachers to use them as part of their daily classroom routines. 

Choosing to flip your classroom can benefit educators and their students, however, it should fit with your personality and goals for the course. Making this shift will take time. In fact, it’s taken Stacey eight years to create her system. 

She advises that teachers start with the production of lesson videos. Often these can take less time than actually lecturing to students. There is no need to pause for student understanding as they have the option to choose when to pause your words in the video. 

After compiling lesson videos, Stacey moved on to designing how students will spend their time in the classroom. Without the need for lectures, students are free to work through concepts together or one-on-one with the teacher.  These interactive opportunities open up more time for students to learn from their peers and collaborate. 

Another great opportunity with a flipped classroom is the option to embed questions. Stacey explains how this type of data can help teachers quickly address the most pressing issues for students. It can ensure that all students are learning and being heard. 

One other side effect of a flipped classroom is that teachers may learn more about their students than they might reveal in person. Stacey shares how a student would write quirky answers showing off more of her personality than what she shared in the classroom. It’s also possible to include more personal questions when assigning these lessons. Asking students to share their greatest win or failure for the week reveals just as much about their academics as it might their everyday life. 

Benefits of the Flipped Classroom

Getting to know your students is part of creating a culture of learning and trust in your classroom. When students feel heard they talk more. When students know you’re listening they feel safe to share. A culture of trust also opens students up to academic risks which will lead to growth. 

That kind of growth can also help students to access more success in your subject. They grow into their learning and take ownership over their learning. Every teacher, at every level, strives to see this kind of academic maturity in their students. 

If a flipped classroom fits your personality, your classroom needs, and the tech access is available, then Stacey’s YouTube tutorials are the perfect place to start. She knows that you won’t be able to change it all at one time, so start small and build. 

About Stacey Roshan

Twitter: @buddyxo

Website: https://techiemusings.com/ 

Bio: Stacey Roshan is Director of Innovation & Educational Technology at Bullis School and author of Tech with Heart: Leveraging Technology to Empower Student Voice, Ease Anxiety, & Create Compassionate Classrooms. She is passionate about bringing innovative tools into the classroom to create a safe learning environment for all students to find their voice and build confidence. Her work has been featured in USA Today, The Washington Post, CNN, and PBS Newshour. She has also been named Teacher of the Future by NAIS. In addition to teaching high school students to love and understand math, Stacey works closely with faculty to design tech-infused lessons aimed at providing the optimal learning environment for all students. 

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