Illuminate by Bethany Petty is a new addition to the EdTechTeam Press collection and we were excited to read and learn from this edtech guru! Check out our thoughts below…. then make sure you go out and get this book!
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Steph:
Bethany Petty is one of my favorite bloggers for multiple reasons - we teach the same course, in the same state and we both love edtech! So, when I found out she was releasing a book through EdTechTeam Press, I knew we had to get our hands on it! I am so glad we did! Petty’s book, Illuminate, released in May, is a great addition to any teacher’s library - every content, grade level and edtech experience level.
Our school’s PD committee is considering creating an ‘edtech cart’ for teachers and I cannot wait to add this book to that cart!
As an edtech enthusiast, I approached this book from the point of view of a coach (#goals) - could this book serve as an effective read for teachers already using tech, uncomfortable with edtech, etc.?
Bethany does a great job breaking down the tools she uses in her classroom - how she uses them, how a teacher can access them and how to sign up - every detail is there! She makes teachers still in that ‘uncomfortable’ portion feel more confident and willing to try something new in their classroom. She truly illuminates the positives of using edtech in today’s classroom. If I were a tech coach or instructional coach, I would highly recommend this book to teachers interested in stepping up their edtech game!
There are a few highlights I wanted to share - some things that I took from this book that I’m excited to share with you!
First, Bethany’s encouragement! She certainly writes in a way that makes me comfortable with just ‘going for it’ when it comes to some of my ideas for next school year. I have been researching the ‘in class flip’ for a few months and trying to decide HOW to make it happen. Lucky for me, Bethany discusses this exact strategy, in detail, to help readers understand that it can work in their room!
Second, hidden gems (or, edtech tips) I was excited to find! Although several of the tools Bethany discusses in her book are tools I am familiar with, have experimented with, or use daily - I still learned so much from little hidden gems throughout the book. For example:
Last, I love the end of each chapter! Sounds weird - but hear me out. At the end of each chapter, Bethany challenges readers to try something tomorrow! These are great, quick ideas to get readers actively using strategies they are learning throughout the book. I think they would be great in a collection on my wall - a compilation of ideas when I need a little inspiration!
Oh! I also love the Tech Tool Index found at the end of the book - a definitive list for quick reference! Genius!
Jess:
Bethany Petty’s book is ah-mazing! Yet, that was already stated. This book is jam packed with ed tech tools that you can implement into your classroom immediately and she gives step by step directions on how to make this happen - how cool, right?
“Technology helps give all students a voice and a chance to interact in class discussions” (page 8). Is there a more beautiful statement? There is so much ed tech out there to give students their own voice, which is a huge push in the educational world right now. Personally, a favorite of mine, is Flipgrid to use to help give students a voice in their learning, yet Bethany gives a wide array of ideas to help a teacher let students have a voice in their learning and education.
“Students immediately become more engaged in the content as they experience it visually rather than through the words from a dusty textbook” (page 9). Yaaaas! I am a #ditchthattextbook girl so this quote is everything. Usually in schools textbooks are ancient, and I’ll be honest, mine are collecting dust on a shelf. I would rather give my students real world experiences and have them experience the content visually rather than sitting there reading a textbook and then answering the questions at the end (like I was taught, way back in the day).
“I want them (my students) to realize that they can create amazing products, and that I am in their corner, cheering them on” (page 97). As a third grade teacher, third grade is the first year our students in our district get a chromebook with their name on it, all to their self. This is an exciting time for an 8 year old. I use the chromebook for the majority of my lessons in my classroom. I want to show my students how to create things and be creative and know that whatever they create is GOLDEN in my eyes (and I may do a cheer or two or three for them).
Finally, I will leave you with this from Bethany’s book. “Think of Twitter as a stairway to an amazing water slide that will lead you to a pool of knowledge, strategies, people and tools that you can use to make your classroom awesome” (page 111). If you do not have Twitter, I am going to need you to go sign up now, no seriously. Twitter has connected to me to such amazing educators who are overflowing with even more amazing ideas. My PLN is huge thanks to Twitter. I encourage you to be a part of twitter chats (summer is a GREAT time to try them out) and if you see something you like from someone comment and connect with them.
Bethany’s book is obviously a must read. The book is full of amazing technology tools you can use in your classroom this Fall. I highly recommend this book. Read the book this summer, play with some of the tools, implement the tools in the Fall, and watch how your students engagement goes up!
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We can’t give everything away- but we promise this is a great addition to your professional library! Don’t forget to also follow Bethany on Twitter and join the conversation with the hashtag #IlluminateED!
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