Navigating Social Media as a Parent

E-parenting is not an easy task. In March of 2017 android users had the opportunity to choose from

2.8 million apps,  with the Apple app store coming in at a close second by offering  2.2 million apps to users (https://www.statista.com/statistics/.../number-of-apps-available-in-leading-app-stores/). 

How on earth can a parent manage what is out there and what is safe for their children? Recently 
I became aware of an article that warns parents of dangers associated with the apps Musical.ly and 

Amino. The concepts of each of these apps seem like a fun way to connect but with all things, 

deviant behavior can happen on these type of sites/apps. Spend a few minutes digging into these apps 

and you can find a plethora of things you wouldn't want your child to see or take part of...and for that

matter- yourself. We live in a world where the access to technology is virtually ubiquitous. This means 

that access to information, images, and relationships that can be both uplifting and demoralizing is 

at our fingertips as well. 

For adults, our frontal lobs are developed. There is an overriding belief that we have the ability to use 

self-control to make wise choices in where we navigate to consume information, personalities we 

choose to interact with, and images we choose to see. I believe we see proof in this world that it isn't 

as easy to balance as some think. For our children, curiosity is their strong-suit, not self-control and we, 

as adults, need to help them find their balance and develop their self-control. 

Recently I attended an e-parenting workshop at a local school here in Chattanooga and the speaker 

shared a great social media rating guide:

This can be found at www.safesmartsocial.com . I found the ranking of green, yellow, and red apps 

very helpful. The green apps are made by companies that are working to look at for underage users. 

If, heaven forbid, you had an issue on an app with your child that caused alarm these companies 

are willing to work with parents to get to the issue resolved. The yellow apps may or may not be 

willing to do the same thing. And the red apps will not be helpful and serve as potential safety 

concerns for your children. 

As you can see, the Amino Apps aren't even listed on here because that is the nature of the beast-ever 

changing and ever popular. If you still are only watching your child's Facebook usage, you are being

duped into thinking you are a vigilant parent! Did you know that many of today's young users have an

Instagram account AND a Finsta account? It might be using the app Finsta or it might be another 

Instagram account that they think isn't easily traced back to them. The truth of the matter is, teens 

want a virtual place they can be themselves but they know about the long reaching impact of their

digital footprint. A Finsta account or fake Insta gives them this sense of anonymity to share their "real

side" with the world. Want to know if your child has one? See who they are following on their 

Instagram account or look at the bio in their Instagram and see if it says something about where 

you can find their Finsta (or connect via snapchat, etc). 

So what do you do as a parent? Are you hands on to the point that your child isn't allowed any access 

to the chosen mode of communication in their world? Are you hands off and you have no idea what

they are doing and frankly don't care? Or are you trying to walk the line between enough and too 

much?

Here are a few resources that might help you in this navigation:

-Either be in control of what apps your child downloads on their devices or get notifications 

when your child your child downloads a new app. Use websites like www.safesmartsocial.com or www.commonsensemedia.org to make app decisions on what you think is best for your own

family.

-Follow your kids on social media. Look at their history. Have conversations that are meaningful

about positive and negative internet presence.

- Know that even the most innocent of concepts can be corrupted. Don't assume your child is

looking at sick skateboarding tricks all day long on Youtube. If you don't let them have free

reign on HBO, then set safeguards for Youtube. http://www.covenanteyes.com/2010/11/16/issue-2-6-ways-to-protect-your-kids-on-youtube/

- Consider something like Disney Circle (https://meetcircle.com/) or Our Pact (https://ourpact.com/)

- Be the parent. Don't be afraid to say no. Your child does not have to have access to ALL the social

media apps. And remember that frontal lobe thing I was talking about, many apps say a person has

to be 13 years old. Follow that, but also consider that 13 might be too young as well.

-Use the stepping stone method. When learning to drive, you have to be a certain age, you have to prove yourself worthy of being a lone driver, and if you fail miserably your license can be revoked.

Make a family plan for what that looks like regarding internet usage with your family. A family

contract isn't a bad idea.

-Research. Many apps of choice for teens are based out of foreign countries. Your rights as an

American citizen are null and void when you hit that "yes I agree with these rules" button. Keep that

in mind.

Lastly, don't allow the scariness of the internet to win. The awesomeness that today's world has in

connecting globally has never been available before. Empower your children to be good digital

citizens like you empower them to be good citizens. Show them examples of the power of social media for good and bad. Create opportunities for your children to showcase the positive. Model

the good and trend the positive!

Elementary Technology Favorites by Grade Level

Recently one of our fifth grade teachers, Alice Sikkema, was chosen to present in the poster sessions at Georgia Education Technology Conference (GaETC).  She rocked it! One of the things shared was the list of "tried and true" technology usage by grade level at our elementary school. Below is the compiled list brought to you by teachers that implement daily. New semesters are a great time to try new things. Especially second semester when students have already found their "new year" rhythm. I hope this list is helpful for you. You will immediately see that our teachers have access to iPads and many of their choices are iOS apps but often there are web versions and android apps for these as well. Good luck as you start your new year and happy integrating!

Kindergarten technology use:

Wet-Dry-Try iOS App- $4.99  http://wetdrytry.com/

 An app for teaching handwriting based on the popular Handwriting Without Tears® Slate Chalkboard activity. Students trace a letter on the iPad but the app won't allow them to trace it incorrectly. They must learn which line comes first in order to progress to the next letter.

Sight Word Ninja iOS App- $1.99 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sight-words-ninja-endless/id821374885?mt=8

 An app that allows children to quickly learn common vocabulary.

Number Match App (free) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/number-match-free/id424445851?mt=8

Number Match is a fun matching game for kids to practice numbers and counting. 

SlateMath for kids App (free) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/slatemath-for-kids-kindergarten/id589371294?mt=8

SlateMath is an iPad app that develops mathematical intuition and skills through playful interaction.

Matific (cost but free trial) works on multiple platforms https://www.matific.com/us/en-us/

Matific develops mathematical excellence and problem solving skills through playful interaction. 

First Grade technology use:

SeeSaw App (free version) works on multiple platforms-  http://web.seesaw.me/ use for children to have an electronic portfolio of their work in the classroom while also allowing their parents and myself to see and comment on their work. It helps with accountability, cutting down paper used in the classroom, and allows students to explain their thinking in multiple ways (video, audio, photo, drawings, blog, etc). Works on any device.

iPods - Tons of audio books downloaded on them. Students use these as their listening to reading center.

Matific app (cost but free trial) works on multiple platforms https://www.matific.com/us/en-us/ - individualized math games that are centered around the curriculum we are learning that gives me feedback on what students have mastered as well as what they need to be retaught.

Epic app (free) works on multiple platforms- https://www.getepic.com/ students have individualized e-book libraries based on their interests. It is very engaging and the kids who typically loath reading enjoy it because it is what they like.

Second Grade technology use:

Keynote app (cost) iOS and apple computers - http://www.apple.com/keynote/ We use the keynote app for student presentations. The students are introduced to the research process. They are assigned a topic and divided into specific groups (as known as typical collaborative learning groups.)   Students gather information using the web and are taught to reference and give credit to their resources. 

See Saw (free version) works on multiple platforms http://web.seesaw.me/ - We have recently started the implementation of the Seesaw app. This is a student-driven digital portfolio. We are working on students taking responsibility for their learning. This empowers students at a young age to document what they are learning at school and share it with their teacher, parents and classmates.  Because this is fairly new to our grade level, we provide assistance to the students; however, it is our goal to make this tool a center that students can document their efforts and eventually be utilized to enable and provide independence for their work.

Math Master iOS app (free)- https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/math-masters-free/id514919162?mt=8 Math factorization and recall is important for our students. The Math Master and Blaster apps provide students an opportunity to become a math maniac with Mr. Number using their math skills. They can exercise their brains by remembering their math drills and solve the mental math problems to test their skills. There are 7 challenging games in 1 single app that targets their age group and higher. They can play basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division or the ones that are quite a challenge for them.  They can complete an equation with the correct signs or answer the random questions if they want to accept the challenge. They can solve the long complicated equations or pop a balloon with every right question answered. Or challenge a classmate to get on top of the global leader board by answering a difficult question in a minimum amount of time. We especially appreciate this app and use it regularly at a math center.  Others include Math Blaster, Math Ninja and Sushi Math.

Epic app (free) works on multiple platforms- https://www.getepic.com/ We recently started using the Epic app. It is a huge arsenal and an all-you-can-read eBook library for kids 12 and under with unlimited access to over 10,000 high-quality kids’ books. We use it during our literacy block as a reading center. We especially enjoy using this as a partnership with our parents. It’s unlimited and as long as there is technology our kids can take reading anywhere, therefore, students can meet their nightly objective in a myriad of places. 

Green Screen iOS app ($2.99)-  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/green-screen-by-do-ink/id730091131?mt=8 This app was amazing. Students made commercials highlighting the finding from the resource of the local landmarks in Chattanooga. This was the objective from their first PBL (Project Based Learning). Students actively explored their assigned local landmarks within their collaborative learning groups. They made commercials highlighting the information gathered from their resources.  This app allowed some students to illustrate or use pictures from the internet as a backdrop. We especially liked this app because it was fun and allowed students to constructively critique their oral presentation and group collaboration skills. It was eye opening and very beneficial.  

Third Grade technology use:

Mr. Math Blog (free) web based http://www.mrmathblog.com/

Online math class!!!  There you will find links to videos that have been created to help your class become successful in math.

Viewpure (free) web based www.Viewpure.com

ViewPure removes all comments and related videos, allowing videos to be watched without distractions, or more likely, without "inappropriate content" from Youtube.  Think of it like YouTube without the bloat.

Kahoot! (free) works on multiple platforms https://getkahoot.com/

Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn – any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages!  Great for reviewing concepts.

KidBlog (free +)  works on multiple platforms http://kidblog.org/home/

Kidblog provides teachers with the tools to help students publish writing safely online. Students exercise digital citizenship within a secure classroom blogging space. Teachers can monitor all activity within their blogging community.

Fourth Grade technology use:

MobyMax (free) web based http://www.mobymax.com/

MobyMax  finds and fixes missing math skills that are essential for math comprehension. Moby Math is a comprehensive math curriculum for kindergarten to 8th grade. MobyMax finds missing math skills with a quick, efficient placement test.

Brain Pop  (free+) works on multiple platforms https://www.brainpop.com/

Animated Educational Site for Kids - Science, Social Studies, English, Math, Arts & Music, Health, and Technology.  The clips short but full of great information then tests the students knowledge with an interactive quiz.

Khan Academy (free)  works on multiple platforms https://www.khanacademy.org/

Does a great job supporting the math curriculum.

Doceri (free) works on multiple platforms https://doceri.com/

Doceri iPad app is a remote desktop app that allows you to control the desktop of your computer remotely, from you iPad. Doceri also has an interactive whiteboard that allows you to mark up the screen to illustrate important points.

Fifth grade technology use:

Show Me iOS app (free) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/showme-interactive-whiteboard/id445066279?mt=8

Great as a “whiteboard” while working on math problems with the teacher.  Great for brainstorming!  Tons of other applications!

Notability iOS app ($6.99) http://gingerlabs.com/

An annotation app. Great for math!  Students complete their work on this and submit it to the teacher.

Green Screen by DoInk iOS app
 ($2.99) https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/green-screen-by-do-ink/id730091131?mt=8

Fun app for students to tell a story and explain ideas.  There are all kinds of uses for student projects.  Students will have super fun using their imaginations.

Matific (free trial) works on multiple platforms https://www.matific.com/us/en-us/

The Matific approach was designed to provide optimal support for educators to convey math concepts in as effective and engaging manner as possible. Matific episodes enable a blended learning approach. Having selected the relevant episodes, teachers can seamlessly integrate hands-on math explorations into their own class learning format.

Quizlet (free) works on multiple platforms https://quizlet.com/

Makes simple learning tools that lets the student study anything.  Teacher creates flashcards for students to reinforce their learning and great for test reviews.  Lots of fun for students.  Free!

Newsela (free) works on multiple platforms https://newsela.com/

Gives students the ability to read nonfiction literacy and current events based on their reading level. Also a great way to quiz students on the readings afterwards.

See Saw (free version) works on multiple platforms http://web.seesaw.me/

Student-driven digital portfolio used in math to journal their math resources.

A place for students to turn in their work to the teacher and also a place for the teacher to share items with the students.

Ipad camera 

Students can use the camera to save information.  For example, they can take pictures of the homework board in the classroom. Other usage ideas: http://www.gettingsmart.com/2013/11/8-ipad-camera-integration-ideas-11-classrooms/

Typing.com (free) web based https://www.typing.com/

Comprehensive typing curriculum that teaches your students typing skills.  

Gmail (free) works on multiple platforms https://www.google.com/gmail/

Fifth grade students have a gmail account set up where they can only receive emails from our domain name and/or e-mails we give permissions to email our students.

Google Slides (free) works on multiple platforms https://www.google.com/slides/about/

Teacher shares Class presentations with students so they can follow along as teacher discusses concepts being taught.

Google Docs (free) works on multiple platforms https://www.google.com/docs/about/

Teacher shares spelling/vocabulary words with students.  Students never have to worry about losing this document since it is on their ipad. Students have the ability to share their learning and writing with their teachers and peers. Great for giving feedback to students via comments. This also teaches elementary students the skills of knowing how to write papers for future needs.

3 Ideas for Opening Your Classroom to Something Techtastic!

Every day I see teachers all over the EdTech spectrum- hesitant teachers and teachers "all in" regarding educational technology. As in many areas of life, we are all in different places in regards to our comfort levels, our "belief" in the abilities of technology, and our time available to devote to learning something new. With that in mind, here is a small list of suggestions to broaden/deepen/start technology in your classroom:

1. Pick one thing to try this year that is tech-based. Perhaps it's using the e-portfolio app, Seesaw to help your students keep a journal of their learning in your classroom this year. Perhaps it is allowing your students to create videos using Green Screen by DoInk to allow students to share their knowledge on a subject. Perhaps it's owning the collaborative value of using Google Docs/Drive and Notability for writing projects. The opportunities are endless, contact someone in your building that seems to be doing something interesting, or your friendly tech coach!
2. Immerse your professional side in Twitter for educational purposes. It's fairly simple- create a twitter account- follow some hashtags that would benefit you as a professional and get to learning. When you see someone posting things that interest you, follow them. It isn't like Facebook- it isn't weird to follow people you don't know. Educators use Twitter to broaden their view on education, so the more people you follow from a variety of places, the stronger your ability to see various ideas! Hashtags can be specific to what you teach or what your current interests are- for instance, I enjoy participating in a variety of hashtag chats #edchat #gwinchat #BYOTchat #1to1techchat #edtech #edtechbridge and my personal favorite #TnTechChat but I can glean lots of information just catching up on the hashtags occasionally using Tweetdeck without adding into the conversation myself (we call that Twitter lurking but it isn't a bad thing). Not quite sure how to start? Download the Tweechme app to develop your PLN (personal learning network) created by Susan Bearden.
3. Ask! Seems simple, right? Do you have a lesson plan that could use a little UMPH? Do you have students that struggle consistently in a certain area? If you have a curriculum coordinator, a tech coach, or a fellow teacher that seems to have a handle on tech in the classroom- ask them what they would suggest! I enjoy being asked into classrooms to just observe. Often, because of what I do, I can think of ways that technology might enhance a certain lesson plan or even aid a certain student. Perhaps, start with a lesson plan that feels like it's a bit lackluster and grow it with the support of technology. Technology doesn't always fit but ask around to see what might help.

Simply stated- start simple. Find support. Take a chance. Knock down the walls of your classroom. Engage. CONNECT. CONSUME. CREATE. CURATE. 

Bringing Tidbits Home From #ISTE2015

As I look through all the things I learned about at ISTE 2015, here is my top list of "MUST USE ASAP" options. Some of these are "where have you been all my life" type things, others are "Wow, that answers issues I've had for a while," still others are "now that is filling a need I see on a regular basis!"

www.photosforclass.com

HERE IT IS! A filtered safe place for teachers and students to go search for photos for presentations and the citing information appears at the bottom of the photo at download! No more

excuses-seems safe, effective, and the database seems sufficient. We spend time teaching our students how to cite work proficiently, this helps!  

Math Shake iOs App

Math Shake - Problem Solving Through Word Problems- aimed at 9-11 year olds, but great for any student that struggles with learning how to discern the needed versus extraneous facts in a problem in order to solve. There are six levels to meet 6-14 year olds needs!

1 Second Every Day iOs phone app

This app appeals to me as a teacher that wants to record the awesomeness of my school year and to share with my parents. You take one photo/video a day of your choice and at the end of the year you have a chronicle of your school year to share with others. What parent wouldn't enjoy seeing their child's "second grade journey"? I am definitely going to use this to chronicle my tech coaching opportunities throughout the school year. It will allow me a unique way to show the positive technology integration being done at my school for the stakeholders to see.

TOUCHCAST

Touchcast is a video studio and editor. A Touchcast video is web browsable and alive. It has green screen and teleprompter capabilities. I plan on using it this year to create some instructional "how to" and "look at this!" videos regarding educational technology.

RWT TimeLine App

RWT TimeLine app is a timeline app that "allows you to create a graphical representation of events or processes sequentially along a time line." What I like about this app is that it has a "drag and drop" function if something is added out of order and you can add images as well. I've been in search for a great timeline app for a while- I think this one may be the answer. Free in iTunes store.

www.educanon.com

www.eduCanon.com allows teachers to flip classrooms or share video instruction interactively! At any point, a video can be stopped and assessed for understanding. "Use video to differentiate and engage, promote self-paced learning with pause & rewind."

www.newsela.com

Common core means building reading comprehension with non-fiction reads. Newsela meets that way for your classroom and allows the easiest way to differentiate I have ever seen. Pick the students reading level for a daily news article and go! Current events just got intentional.

Meerkat & Periscope VERSUS "The Mom"

In a matter of two weeks from hearing about the live video streaming apps called Periscope and Meerkat, they have become part of my life. It was a gentle reminder of 2004 when Facebook hit the college scene and I chose to "check it out as an instructional technologist." Oy!

In what felt like a matter of days, educators seemed to "choose" Periscope for their live streaming app and experiments began. I was on vacation at the beach and decided to try it out for the first time, the room was dark because it was late at night and I labeled a public video "sleep." I was dumbfounded when immediately 3 people were viewing my dark room. So dumbfounded that I felt like my fingers were screaming "abort mission!" faster than I could close the app.

So then I started watching, lurking, seeing what my PLN was doing with Periscope. I started asking my teenage daughter if she had heard of it. She hadn't. I "went" on vacation with a few Twitter friends via Periscope. I saw some twin babies taking walks in the park on a regular basis. I got a blue bazillion notifications that "Mashable was live in New York," and I read and replied to some posts from other hesitant educators about Periscope.

I wasn't the only one reading those hesitant posts because Periscope jumped into the discussions too. They promised upgrades, changes, and to listen to what educators wanted. Every time I opened the app, I saw improvements but I also saw how it was catching on like WILDFIRE. I then used it at school to share our second graders singing in chapel. I've got to admit, it's an excellent way to let working parents be a part of their child's special events during the school day.

I then met a couple of other edtech friends at Chili's one night because my friend, @teachintechgal was moderating #BYOTchat and she wanted to do a Periscope discussion at the same time about the topic. I have to admit, it was exhilarating to have an audience and share more than just 140 characters regarding educational technology- even if comments were made about my southern accent! In that #BYOTchat live Periscope streaming, I immediately saw where one of my main complaints had been addressed. Comments didn't just stay lingering on the stream so that if some terrible digital citizen made an inappropriate comment we were all subject to it for the length of the broadcast. This was huge to me. I've never seen an app adjust so quickly to a community of concerns!

That being said, I'm scared. While comments aren't truly "anonymous" it's fairly easy to say whatever you want and ask whatever you want, without easily being traced. Like other anonymous apps (ask fm, whisper, yik yak, meerkat), there is a creepiness associated with it that teens just don't get. Just two days ago my high school daughter said "Hey mom, one of my friends posted that they were on Periscope." It's beginning...it hadn't trickled down into my community's world, but it's coming and it's coming fast. Last Sunday, after not being on Periscope for a week, I jumped on to play with it again and video my puppy. When I first started using Periscope, I would have 3-4 followers...Sunday I had 35 in a matter of 3 minutes. As the comments popped up, one nagging comment asked was "where I lived?" (LIGHTBULB MOMENT). At the end, I went back to look to see who was watching- I recognized ONE name. That's all. I teach and preach digital citizenship and not sharing too much about yourself to my children and students but I'm afraid Periscope is going to cause our students to cross a line with ease. A persuasively written description of your streaming "event" can bring in tons of viewers immediately. Viewers you know nothing about. Viewers that for whatever reason, want to view you. The creepy ramifications of that are humongous!

Do I see positive educational uses for Periscope and Meerkat? Definitely- School events (including sports and arts), public meetings, privately using them to connect with other schools, and the list goes on. I also fear the negative possibilities that this app might cause. We need to be warning and advising our students now in order for them and their parents to decide what this looks like in their lives.

As a mom, I worry. What IF it's a stalker out there discerning more about my child than just what her new Van sneakers look like? This is different from other social media apps, it's LIVE- meaning "at that moment," meaning "hey are you in my vicinity?," meaning potential 'DANGER WILL ROBINSON!' As a mom I see how I can follow my child and get notifications every time she publicly broadcasts. That's probably a really important choice for parents but it's also going to be very important to have that conversation again about what you should and shouldn't share, period.