It's a new year and we're back to share more stories of amazing educators who continue to impact students and their school communities. To kick off 2022, we're hearing from Allison Miller, an assistant principal in the Jackson R2 School District in Jackson, MO. Allison has seen students benefit from technology-based learning experiences in a number of ways. Whether it's with enhancing authenticity in classroom projects, witnessing how tech tools help bring the 4 Cs to life, or other benefits, she's helped create an awesome culture for students to learn and grow. Learn more about her commitment and efforts in our latest Eduporium Featured Educator post and Happy New Year!
Allison Miller
Assistant Principal, Jackson R2 School District, Jackson, MO
Q&A:
Please share any innovative technology project(s) you've completed with your students or plan to complete.
One project that comes to mind is when our students were learning about force and motion. In order to enhance how they were learning about this concept, students built machines using LEGO WeDo kits and then programmed their robots to move using an iPad. They tested various items to see what their machine could pull, which sparked great conversations about the force they need to move an object. Additionally, it was a great way to incorporate coding into the content that I was already teaching. This project provided students with a more authentic way to engage with that specific content. Beyond that, it was perfect for promoting the importance of using the 4 Cs: critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication. Check out the full video of what students did!
What is a challenge you have faced or are facing with your technology use?
What STEM resources have you used in your instruction or are in need of?
At times, EdTech can be overwhelming because there are just so many platforms, ideas, apps, and other tools. Even though I want to try them all, I try to focus on one new idea at a time until I feel confident enough in using that platform before taking on a new challenge. This helps me keep my EdTech journey more intentional and practical.
What are some of the real-world or STEM skills you've seen your students develop through regular technology use?
How can students apply them in the future?
Collaboration and critical thinking are the two most prominent skills I've seen students become more proficient in when using technology. Critical thinking also comes along with having to troubleshoot issues they may encounter with technology. EdTech tools provide a variety of options to promote collaboration among students as they learn and work towards their goals.
What interests you most about Eduporium's offerings?
I certainly love that the Eduporium team is able to provide EdTech resources to educators at a great cost! Additionally, the grants they offer to teachers help ensure that all students have a chance to receive access to tech tools that enhance their learning. Another great resource provided by the Eduporium team is their consultation, which is a fabulous opportunity for teachers to learn about new tech tools without committing to anything!
We thank Allison for sharing her thoughts, experiences, and insights with us and our community. As always, we hope these features continue to inspire other educators with similar classroom goals and curiosities to try some new things when it comes to introducing instructional technology. If you would like to apply to be our next Eduporium Featured Educator, we're always accepting applications. It takes just a few minutes to fill it out and you'll be in consideration. Feel free to share the application link with any other deserving educator you know as well. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more!