In a classroom setting interaction among students is the norm. How do you replicate that informality, spontaneity, and focus online? This book provides you with a framework to think about the different kinds of engagement you want to foster -- whether participation, collaboration, or quick feedback -- and then introduce you to available online tools, some of which may be in your LMS -- offer practical tips, and guide you to how make the most of commonly available technologies to achieve your goals.Within the context and progression of a course -- from developing a welcome page, presenting yourself and the purpose of your course, to icebreakers, assignments, and alternative forms of assessment -- the authors introduce you to a range of easy-to-use online tools that they have introduced to the faculty and teachers in their classes, and that foster active learning and student engagement. In doing so they provide a checklist that you can also access and print from the Web, to help to you review additional tools from the wide and ever-growing range of tools that are available online and determine whether they are appropriate for what you want to accomplish.This book will help you connect with students, whether you're teaching synchronously or asynchronously, regardless of the devices students may be using; develop community; and introduce you to gamification to add enjoyment and variety to your students' experience of your class.Recognizing that using new tools with confidence requires practice, the authors offer ideas for implementing them in private online spaces. Each chapter concludes with reflection questions that can be addressed individually by the reader or within a learning community to encourage faculty to work together and support each other in virtual teaching and learning. This book addresses the challenge of embracing new models of course offerings to students in the evolving landscape of virtual learning.

Today's students need broad skills to help them think creatively, work collaboratively and implement innovations in our complex and global society. These skills must be taught early to ensure success. In Nurturing Young Innovators, PK-5 teachers will learn how to engage families and communities in activities that create environments where creativity, innovation and collaboration are fostered and valued, and where technology is used to redefine learning and promote responsible risk-taking.Written by two experts who are passionate about supporting early learners through effective uses of technology, this book is a singular source for learning how to encourage innovation and creativity in early learners so they can develop the skills they need to thrive. This book includes: Examples of how teachers can collaborate with students, parents and the community to support student success and innovation. Practical tools, including sample projects, reflection questions and exercises to drive student learning. An action plan to help you track the steps you're taking to facilitate creativity in students, and a Resources section to support the content in each chapter.

Of the 21st century skills vital for success in education and the workplace, "the 4Cs"-critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity-have been highlighted as crucial competencies. This book shows how teachers can more purposefully integrate technology into instruction to facilitate the practice and mastery of each of the 4Cs along with other learning objectives. It's packed with practical and engaging strategies that will transform the way students experience learning. Whether you want to try something new in your own classroom or discuss ideas as part of a professional learning community, you'll find lots to explore in Teaching the 4Cs with Technology: How do I use 21st century tools to teach 21st century skills?