How to Make Digital Learning Interactive

Grow with Angie and April: A Podcast for Teacherpreneurs

Digital learning is on everyone's minds these days. So, today we’re talking about what you can do to make digital learning interactive and tips for converting your existing resources. And, we’re continuing the conversation in our Mastermind group. Head over there to share what works for you and hear what others are saying: www.growwithusmastermind.com. Now that teachers everywhere are dabbling in digital learning, it doesn't look like this is something that's just going to go away once everyone is back in the classroom. So, digital products will be something we can continue to focus on more than just converting our existing print resources. It's something April and I have been wanting to talk about, but it just wasn't that popular. Obviously, things have changed. So, we are excited to have Erin Flanagan from Erintegration as our guest on the Grow With Us Podcast. Erin is an expert in interactive digital training. Most of her store has a technology focus and she's familiar with making resources that can be used on various platforms. It's the identity of her brand and blog. So, we hit her up with our interactive digital learning questions. What resources are selling well right now? Erin has found that fully contained resources seem to be selling the best right now. These are the resources that include all directions, don't need any other resources, and the students can complete the entire thing within the platform they're using. Right now, most teachers are focused on trying to do short lessons with the students and then assign them work they can do independently. So, any products geared towards that are most likely going to be more popular. For example, Erin has a multiplication fact practice activity that is self-checking, and students can do completely on Google Sheets. The teacher doesn't even need to be involved in giving directions. Things like this are getting a lot more attention right now. Teachers are looking for simple resources that don't need a lot of guidance. What can we expect next year from digital resources if the classrooms are open? I think the fact that most of Erin's store is geared entirely toward digital learning, it shows her answer to this question. Even before the pandemic hit, there has been a shift in general to teachers using more digital tools. Now, schools are realizing that it's important for them to have a game plan for distance learning in place whether it's for a pandemic or a snow day. Schools don't want to be left in the position of scrambling to figure it out after the fact in the future. Erin believes that as teachers transition back to the classroom they're going to want to keep some of the things that are great about digital learning. There are some things you can do on a device that you just can't do without it. She thinks teachers are finding those positives and will be considering them as they buy resources for the fall. I agree with her. Teachers that were afraid to try digital products in the past are building up confidence in using them right now. They may feel better using some of the more complex digital resources when they're back in the classroom. Right now parents are the ones having to troubleshoot the login process and getting their kids set up. When everyone's back in the classroom, teachers may be thankful to be able to handle these tech issues. What's the difference between clip art and moveable clip art? Erin shared that sometimes teachers are confused that both clip art and moveable pieces are both PNG image files. To Erin, the biggest difference is that moveable pieces are designed to only be used on a screen. They aren't m