The Whiteboard

How much do you know about Universal Design for Learning, or UDL? Before joining the UDL with Technology cohort at Elkhart Community Schools, I thought I knew what Universal Design for Learning was—but this experience deepened my understanding in ways that directly impacted my English Language Learners. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to teaching and learning that gives all students equal opportunity to succeed. To understand what UDL is, it helps to understand what it’s not. The word universal may throw you off. It may sound like UDL is about finding one way to teach all students. But UDL...

Celebrate by exploring our choice boards for elementary teachers, secondary teachers, and principals. Each board has helpful links and activities to help you shine as a Digital Learning Superstar! ⭐️✨

🍎 Elkhart Teachers and Administrators: Complete any five activities and email your pictures to instructional-tech@elkhart.k12.in.us to enter our giveaway!

Many people leave emails in their inbox, sometimes totaling 15,000 or more! This creates clutter and makes it hard to find important messages. Using labels to organize emails and archiving those that aren’t needed immediately can transform your inbox into an organized, efficient workspace, making you a true Gmail pro!

We all know technology has its upsides and downsides, and AI is no exception. Whenever I use it, I often have to keep prompting, reword my questions, or most times, take pieces of what it gives me instead of merely copying and pasting. Let’s explore some AI tools and how to use them to help build quality assessments.

Keeping students engaged with technology can be tough, but the iPad’s Split Screen feature helps. It allows students to use two apps simultaneously, making multitasking easy. From researching and note-taking to project collaboration, Split Screen keeps students organized and productive. Use this feature to help your students succeed in and out of the classroom!

Every April is Financial Literacy Month, raising awareness of how important it is to achieve financial literacy and maintain smart money management habits. Learning this early can really ignite today’s generation into future financial savvy adults.

Finding the right balance between using technology in an early learner classroom has always been a challenge. Finding tools and strategies that give you the most bang for your buck is critical. Below, you’ll see three of my quickest, high-impact technology usage in the early learner classroom!

Calling all Elkhart Teachers….are you in need of PGPs to renew your certificate! We have many options for you to earn PGPs in our district so let’s look over the options. If you’re here for the Frameworks, scroll down and learn how to navigate the site to find them.

Have you heard a bit about Logitech crayons, but are not sure what they are, how they work, or how you might use them in the classroom? Below is a quick guide on how to use your Logitech crayon, and also how to bring it into your classroom for maximum impact. What is a Logitech Crayon? Logitech Crayon is a digital pencil designed to help students express their creativity and complete assignments in new ways. It has an easy-to-grip shape that keeps the pencil from rolling off the desk, a long-lasting battery that provides up to 8 hours of charge...

Have you heard the (pretty old but might be new to you) news? Google is waiving bye-bye to Jamboard, as of October 2024. So what do we do now? I want to introduce you to FigJam.  FigWhat? FigJam is a great alternative to Jamboard, and may actually be a superior platform. Allowing FigMa to introduce itself: “FigJam is an online whiteboard where possibilities turn into plans. Teachers can facilitate collaborative group learning while encouraging active participation from students. It’s best suited for classroom discussions, brainstorms, and group work.” FigJam Education Be sure to get verified for FigJam Education. This will help you...

If you are looking for how to utilize IXL in whole-group learning, a Group Jam is what you want! Picture the perfect blend of IXL and Kahoot. IXL Group Jam introduces an exhilarating approach for classrooms to collaborate on mastering an IXL skill! In a Group Jam session, every student encounters the same IXL question simultaneously, and you’ll have a chance to review the question together as a class. You can choose the difficulty, or level, of each question.  Throughout an IXL Group Jam, educators can promptly assess their entire class’s grasp of the subject matter, empowering them to make...

Let’s delve into a topic that lies at the heart of effective teaching: vocabulary instruction. We all understand its importance—it’s essential for comprehension, expression, and critical thinking. But how do we ensure our instruction isn’t just about exposure but truly facilitates understanding and retention? In this post, we’re taking a deep dive into the art and science of vocabulary teaching. We’ll explore evidence-based strategies, practical methodologies, and insights to enhance your instructional practices. Why Vocabulary Instruction? Teaching vocabulary is essential for fostering academic success and narrowing the pervasive vocabulary gap observed among students. Research indicates stark differences in vocabulary knowledge...

If you are connected anywhere to early literacy education right now, I am sure you are aware of the national conversation around aligning current practice to the science of reading. But what is the science of reading and how can it make our students better readers? I am by no means an expert, but have picked up some helpful resources along my learning journey to hopefully help you with the shift you are making in your classroom when you read aloud to students.  Reading for Understanding One main aspect behind the science of reading is the idea that reading comprehension...