modernclassrooms.org

Implementing MCP with Lower-tech and Offline Options

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February 28, 2022

2:10-3:10 p.m.

Welcome! In the chat, please share your name and role!

Agenda:

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1. Introductions & Welcome
2. The Role of Technology in the MCP Model

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• Screen Time Concerns + Tech Misconceptions

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• Lower-tech and Offline MCP implementation
• Questions

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The Role of Technology in the Modern Classrooms Model

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modernclassrooms.org

Mission & Purpose

• leverage technology to foster human connection, authentic learning, and social-emotional growth

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History

• Low-tech from the founding
• carts and desktop stations
• 5% technology & 95% paper-based assignments

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The Role of Technology in the Modern Classrooms Model

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modernclassrooms.org

“Technology is a tool not a solution. When used poorly, it leads to students that are disengaged learning in silos. When used effectively, it unleashes teacher capacity to spend more time 1-2- and small group discussions. That’s when true differentiation comes to life.”

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• Kareem Farah, CEO and co-founder,

the Modern Classrooms Project

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Screen Time Concerns

Consider the type, length, and purpose of screen time

1 Richtel (2021). Children’s screen time has soared in the pandemic, alarming parents and researchers. 5 Hirsh-Pasek et al. (2015). Putting education in “educational” apps: Lessons from the science of learning.

2 Common Sense Media (2020). The Common Sense census: Media use by kids age zero to eight, 2020. 6 Guo et al. (2014). How video production affects student engagement: An empirical study of MOOC videos.

3 Bogartz & Ball (1971). The Second Year of Sesame Street: a Continuing Evaluation: A Report to the Children's Television Workshop.

4 Calvert et al. (2007). Interaction and participation for young Hispanic and Caucasian children’s learning of media content.

Defining Screen Time

Screen time includes any time spent on a virtual device such as a computer, tv, phone, or gaming console.

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Studies suggest that children’s screen time nearly doubled during the pandemic. Researchers have found associations between increased screen time and health outcomes, including anxiety and depression.1

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Educational Screen Time

Unlike screen time spent playing video

games or on phone apps like TikTok,

using screen time for educational

purposes can have a positive impact

on student learning and development

by:

• Fostering executive functioning

skills.2

• Supporting vocabulary and

counting skills.3

• Increasing understanding.4
• Encouraging collaboration and

social connection.5

Screen Time Best Practices

When it comes to screen time, the

medium and length of time matter.

• The American Heart

Association (AHA) recommends limiting child screen time to 2 hours per day; 1 hour for children 5 and under.

• The Mayo Clinic suggests that children can benefit from screen time that incorporates music, movement, and stories.
• Studies show that short videos

are best; student engagement

drops after 6 minutes. 6

Technology Misconceptions

modernclassrooms.org

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Reality

1-1 access to technology

is necessary to run an effective Modern Classroom.

At least one device is all you need for students to be able to access instructional videos.

Students are on a device for the entire Modern Classroom class block.

Technology prohibits

or discourages collaboration.

Reality

Teachers design the class flow to control on and off screen activities.

Reality

In a Modern Classroom, technology fosters connection.

Certain technology apps are

required to be able to create

a Modern Classroom.

Reality

Basic video recording is the essential tool in launching a Modern Classroom.

Our Instructional Model

Through our personalized training programs, we empower educators to implement our research-backed instructional model:

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modernclassrooms.org

Lower-tech Blended Instruction

modernclassrooms.org

Normalize collaborative viewing

• sharing devices
• projector viewing in groups
• headphone splitters

Leverage a station rotation model

• "online station" - students take turns watching instructional videos
• “discussion station” - small group instruction and deeper thinking discussions
• “offline station” - mastery check completion and EXIT tickets

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Lower-tech Blended Instruction

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modernclassrooms.org

Lower and No-tech Self-paced Structures

modernclassrooms.org

Lesson Classification & Materials

• Paper practice activities
• Manipulatives
• Making thinking visible, chalk talks

Progress Tracking

• Paper unit pathways
• Non-digital classroom tracker

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Lower and No-tech Self-paced Structures

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Lower and No-tech Self-paced Structures

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modernclassrooms.org

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Lower and No-tech Self-paced Structures

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modernclassrooms.org

Collaboration

• Teacher-planned
• Group projects
• Labs
• Daily routines
• Class discussions
• Student-led
• organic peer support
• organic groups

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Motivation

• Relationship & incentive-based
• one-on-ones
• goal-setting
• ATD lessons
• “lesson experts”

Lower and No-tech Mastery-based Grading

modernclassrooms.org

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• Mastery Check Station or Zone
• Leverage Paper!
• Demonstration mastery checks
• Conferring mastery checks

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Lower and No-tech Mastery-based Grading

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modernclassrooms.org

Students sign up when ready for taking

Mastery Checks

Multiple mastery checks across lessons at one table denominated by colorful paper

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A Look at Some Lower and No-Tech Modern Classrooms

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Melanie Ramey’s 4th grade math class

A Look at Some Lower and No-Tech Modern Classrooms

modernclassrooms.org

“I teach each of our Tier II category of MTSS/RTI groups for roughly 6 weeks and then start with a new group. Due to the short time (I also only see them for 30 minutes per day and also not everyday with everything else going on!) and the time to prep, I went with a no tech option!”

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• Sarah Moon, intervention specialist and MCP mentor

A Look at Some Lower and No-Tech Modern Classrooms

modernclassrooms.org

Math Instruction

• created “workbooks” student work through a variety of district adopted curriculum and other resources
• organized by standard
• “workbooks” align with progress tracker and also allow kiddos to work through at their own pace
• when kiddos start a new standard, Sarah teaches a quick 5 minute 1:1 mini lesson with them, and then we do a problem together on each page as they go.
• each standard ends with a mastery check that is within that workbook

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Self-pacing

• lessons based on DOK
• student move “up” after mastery checks

A Look at Some Lower and No-Tech Modern Classrooms

modernclassrooms.org

Growth Wall

• smaller +# demonstrates their growth from our beginning of year to mid year (January) diagnostic
• every 3 weeks students complete a growth check - the bigger circled numbers are those results
• the actual scores and dates are written on the back of the card along with their goals
• growth is reflected on the front.

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A look at some Low and No Tech Modern Classrooms in Action

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Teacher gives a mini-lesson at the board. (This is MCP co-founder Robert Barnett.)

Students work together to complete practice problems.

Students work independently on mastery checks (in Canvas).

Students watch instructional videos at the “video station”.

Your questions

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Final Thoughts

We are always on a journey to learn and grow!

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Remember:

• You have a professional learning community to continue to learn with and from!
• You are reflecting and sharing bravely to help your students succeed.
• Critical feedback (especially from students) is a tool for growth.
• ID Feedback Form
• We are here to support you!

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Additional

Resources

modernclassrooms.org

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• Our Free Online Course:

http://learn.modernclassrooms.org

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• Modern Classrooms Edutopia Videos:

Secondary + Elementary

Using Blended Learning to Teach Cursive

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• Animated short:

What is a Modern Classroom?

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• Our Impact:

www.modernclassrooms.org/impact

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• Our Partnerships:

www.modernclassrooms.org/partnerships

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• Facebook Group:

www.facebook.com/groups/modernclassrooms

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• The Modern Classrooms Podcast:

https://modernclassroomspodcast.fireside.fm/

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Screen Time Concerns

modernclassrooms.org

Legislation: Minnesota HF 570 bill

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• Limits screen time for students in pre-k and k grades
• provides parent education on the effects of screen use on children

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How the MCP Model Aligns with Screen Time Best Practices

modernclassrooms.org

Short, condensed screen time

• Students watch videos that are less than 8 minutes, followed by engaging,

collaborative, and interactive activities for learning.

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Leveraging Technology to Free up Teacher Time

• Teachers can step away from whole-class instruction and

provide individual and small-group supports in the classroom.

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Engaging students in active learning

• Students take notes while watching videos and answer check-for-

understanding questions to promote critical thinking, metacognition, and reflection.

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How the MCP Model Aligns with Screen Time Best Practices

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modernclassrooms.org

Increasing accessibility and equity

• Students can move through videos at their own pace or rewind/pause

videos to meet their individual learning needs.

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Supporting long-term learning

• Students can re-watch videos after an absence or in preparation for an exam, allowing for access to learning inside and outside of the classroom.

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