Using Technology to Keep Communication Flowing

While I've always been the type to integrate technology into just about every aspect of my teaching, it wasn't until I was preparing to leave the classroom for maternity leave that I came across a few new ways to use technology to more easily communicate!

The first "tool" I used was the video camera on my iPad. Instead of typing up page after page of routines and expectations I decided to record my students showcasing the various routines I wanted my long-term sub to be aware of.  I recorded my students lining up, walking down the hallway, having a morning meeting, as well as many other aspects of the day. I was then able to reference these videos in the sub plans. My sub could then access these videos whenever she needed them and could even replay them for my students when they were in need a reminder! My students also LOVED feeling like the stars of their own movie so that was an added bonus :)

The next tool I've been able to continue utilizing is the app "Educreations." It's a digital white board that allows students to record their thinking (both verbally and in writing), save their created lesson and send this lesson to my email. Before leaving I set each student up with their own account and linked that account to my email. We spent a few different days practicing how to create and send a lesson. Since I've been out the room, I've had multiple students who have used their own iPad at home to create a lesson showing me something they've learned in the classroom lately. I LOVE getting these lessons from them and I can tell they're enjoying it as they usually spend the first few minutes saying hi and relaying a message to baby Grayson :)

Lastly, I haven't been able to set this up yet, but I'm hoping to begin using Facetime to communicate with a few students a week. I could see my sub using this as an incentive for students to work towards and it gives me a great opportunity to stay up-to-date on the happenings of my classroom!