The Power of Play

In my new role as a 'technology instructional coach,' I've been given the opportunity to play.  Seriously play with technology tools and ideas, curriculum and classroom instruction.  Some days I feel like I'm in a virtual sandbox where the mentality is, "Let's try it out and see what we come up with."  While I play a very different role than my former position as a teacher librarian, I've seen first hand the potential that our young people have to create when given the opportunity.  It is invigorating  to watch  students' eyes light up when being told they have a voice.  And, this year we want to help them safely share their voices to positively impact the world.

 It's been empowering to watch students teach me how to change an Adobe Post creation they've made, or have students interact with each other to teach and share information.  Currently, we have a group of third grade Google Trainers who are teaching other third grade students how to create an Adobe Post poster at the end of each week to personally synthesize the week's learning.  Over the next few weeks, they will be continuing to teach their classmates how to participate in Google Classroom.  Across the district, we have 6th grade Digital Leaders who are able to help out, support, train,  and create with students throughout their elementary building.

 Power of Play.  Giving students time to experiment with a purpose.  Giving students the opportunity to learn from each other.  Giving students clear guidance regarding possible outcomes and ideas.  Then...let them go.