Bringing effective instructional technology practices to every teacher's desktop.

The Connected Educator highlights the ideas and practices of exceptional use of classroom technology through videos. While some of the technology you’ll see in these videos has changed or been updated since each video’s release, the creativity and forward thinking mindset of the educators profiled in these videos is the true focus. We hope these videos inspire you to try something new with your students. For more information contact executivedirector@remc.org.

A Collaborative Success Story - Working together, educators can make history relevant and meaningful for their students. See how librarian Gigi Lincoln, and history teacher Scott Durham, collaborated to create amazing learning experiences centered around the Holocaust. They made a lasting impact on students and the community. (21 minutes)

BYOD: Bring your own device - Mobile devices have become ubiquitous in our daily lives, so why not utilize them in the classroom? See how Gary Abud, Michigan Teacher of the Year 2013-14 created a classroom culture where students are able to use their own cell phones, tablets and laptops to connect and collaborate in ways they weren't able to before. (15 minutes)

Clearing the path with UDL - Universal Design for Learning provides a lens that educators can use to make content accessible for all students. See how Kit Hard uses technology to "clear the path" for all learners. (19 minutes.)

Digital storytelling: Explain it In your own "words"- Having students explain something in their "own words" has moved beyond just paper and pencil. See how Karen Bosch, an art teacher and an Apple Distinguished Educator allows her students to demonstrate what they understand using a wide variety of digital media sources. (15 minutes)

Knocking down walls:  Connecting students with blogging - Nick Provenzano explains how he and his students use blogs to make connections and build communities far beyond the walls of their classroom. (11 minutes)

QR codes - QR codes are popping up everywhere. All that is needed is a smart device and students are able to easily access text, pictures, videos or even websites. See how Amy Baldwin has her students create QR codes, along with other ideas you can use in your classroom. (12 minutes)

Skyping and Connecting - Kim Powell uses Skype to connect her students to classrooms around the country, have conversations with authors of books they are reading and learn from experts without even having to leave the classroom. Although Skype is the focus of this video, there are many other options for connecting through video chat including Google Hangouts, Facetime, and more. (11 minutes)

Student news teams: Letting students tell the stories - Who tells the stories about all the great things happening in your school? See how Michigan teachers Brad Wilson, Greg Vieau and Mary Phillips organize news teams in their schools to allow students to connect with their classmates and communities through news stories. (15 minutes)

Video assessment - There are times when watching a short, student-produced video will tell a teacher more about what students really understand than an hour of grading papers ever could. See how Laura Bell has her students create their own videos in class to demonstrate understanding.
The prevalence of mobile devices makes this idea even easier to implement today. (13 minutes)

Video story problems - Bored by those dull story problems in your math or science books? Students complaining they'll never use what they are learning outside of school? See how Ben Rimes creates video story problems to tie the real world into the classroom. (14 minutes)