As of this moment, I am off on family leave and missing my students terribly! So when I can (and I do often!) I check in with my students through classroom technology.
One of my favorite ways is with SMART amp. SMART amp is an Internet-based, interactive program for people to work and learn together. Think of it as a BIG room where we can play. SMART gives so many tools within SMART amp that students (children or adults) don’t have to leave the space. It’s all within the space, including a chat feature, YouTube, links, assessment, graphics, and so much more.
But I think the best part is the collaboration SMART amp automatically lends itself to. Within it you have to collaborate. There is no way around it. Students must work together to complete their task. Plus, with the sharing feature, workspaces are even easier to share between students in your class and beyond.
With SMART amp I am able to check in and chat with students from home, something my students do – and LOVE, too. Plus, the first time I check in with my students, it freaks them out! Even though I tell them I can see everything, they forget I can. Because I’m part of their amp team and can collaborate with them, it helps remind them to stay on task. Double win!
In addition to “checking in” with my students, the use of SMART amp makes the world smaller and more accessible. Students in small town Oakdale are not always able to travel to far off lands. Sure, we have the Internet and Google to check things out. But those cannot replace conversations and interactions with the people who live in those far off places.
This year teaching eighth grade, I was finally able to teach Anne Frank. I have always loved WWII history, and Anne Frank is no exception. And through the magic that is the SMART Exemplary Educator Program and the SEE Summit, I just happened to have a friend who lives in the Netherlands, Boris Berlijn! With his and his students’ help, our students were able to collaborate through SMART amp and learn about each other’s culture, the diversity within each culture, and how diversity in 1943 effects life now.
And now, my students are helping Boris’s students with culture in Oakdale and the US! Truly, learning at its finest when collaboration happens! Even better when worlds collide and we feel connected. It’s learning at its most powerful!
In the end, being connected to other people truly brings us together. Brings us closer to each other, and to our learning. My students learned so much more because there are classroom technology tools out there to bridge the gap and connect people. We are better together and SMART amp has done just that. Brought us together to be better learners, more understanding, more compassionate, and excited about connecting.
Want to give SMART amp, part of SMART Learning Suite, a try? Get your free trial now.
- Classroom Technology that Brings the World Closer - May 19, 2016
- Starting Off on the Right Foot: Success in the Classroom - August 20, 2015
Hi,
Great classroom technology, it’s a better way to teach students and it will also help to develop the interest of students into studies. As the students can see the live examples to understand the process or method it directly connects to their mind and this method can help them to learn it easily and for a longer time period. Thanks for sharing this amazing technology and the post and I will share it with my friends and students.
Great Article!! I agree, we are moving into an age where the traditional classroom will not have four walls! Pretty exciting!
So nice of you to share this! Love it. amp is the best tool and would love to do this way more often with you! Kids are excited too!
This is awesome!
You are an amazing person and teacher Danesa! I love seeing what you are doing with your students. Thanks for sharing.