TODAYSMEET
Website: http://todaysmeet.com
Grades: 1 - 8
What is TodaysMeet? TodaysMeet is basically an online chat area that you can quickly and easily set up for your students.
TodaysMeet was designed to allow a group to participate in a backchannel conversation. A backchannel conversation is a conversation that is going on 'behind the scenes' as something else is going on in the 'foreground'. Backchannelling is a great way to leverage the potential of mobile devices and wireless access to create opportunities for students to actively communicate during class about a lesson, video, guest, etc.
For example ... let's say your students were watching a very engaging video --- the kind that raises kids' level of curiosity, fills their minds with questions and comments that they just can't hold in. Well ... if you have set up a TodaysMeet chat area, the students could use the classroom computer(s), iPods, iPads, laptops, netbooks, (even cell phones with wifi capability!) to pose those questions, make their comments, share their excitement with others participating in the chat!! It creates a very stimulating environment for learning!
Before using TodaysMeet with your students ...
... it is very important to review key concepts of Digital Citizenship, e.g. comments made online are visible and permanent, we show respect for others and for ourselves in the things we say, we stay on topic and use the chat area in positive ways
How to set up a TodaysMeet 'Chat':
Setting up a Teacher Account in TodaysMeet:
Ideas for using TODAYSMEET:
I've used TodaysMeet with students in Grades 1 - 8 and loved it every single time. I hope you'll give it a try!
Grades: 1 - 8
What is TodaysMeet? TodaysMeet is basically an online chat area that you can quickly and easily set up for your students.
TodaysMeet was designed to allow a group to participate in a backchannel conversation. A backchannel conversation is a conversation that is going on 'behind the scenes' as something else is going on in the 'foreground'. Backchannelling is a great way to leverage the potential of mobile devices and wireless access to create opportunities for students to actively communicate during class about a lesson, video, guest, etc.
For example ... let's say your students were watching a very engaging video --- the kind that raises kids' level of curiosity, fills their minds with questions and comments that they just can't hold in. Well ... if you have set up a TodaysMeet chat area, the students could use the classroom computer(s), iPods, iPads, laptops, netbooks, (even cell phones with wifi capability!) to pose those questions, make their comments, share their excitement with others participating in the chat!! It creates a very stimulating environment for learning!
Before using TodaysMeet with your students ...
... it is very important to review key concepts of Digital Citizenship, e.g. comments made online are visible and permanent, we show respect for others and for ourselves in the things we say, we stay on topic and use the chat area in positive ways
How to set up a TodaysMeet 'Chat':
- go to todaysmeet.com
- give your room a name
- choose a length of time for the room to remain open
- click 'Create your Room' - this will take you to your room!!
- type your name under 'What's your name?' and click 'Join'
- under 'Message', type in your first comment and click 'Say' - your comment will pop over into the chat area to the left
- give your students the URL and ask them to join in and begin making comments!!
Setting up a Teacher Account in TodaysMeet:
- this is a feature that was added in the summer of 2014
- having an account gives you the opportunity to save all of your 'chats' in one place, monitor them, create links and QR codes and close them if necessary
- setting up the account is easy - all you need is an email and a created password
Ideas for using TODAYSMEET:
- use as a backchannel chat during a video, read aloud, guest speaker, lesson, meeting, discussion, etc.
- have a book chat
- predict endings or next steps
- discuss problem solving strategies
- respond to 'big idea' questions
- pose questions regarding an inquiry topic
- create a transcript of the chat when you are finished and keep this as a record of student participation and writing
- it is great if the teacher can participate in the chat - that's why a video is a perfect 'first time' suggestion for using this
- try this at a staff meeting!! (I know some schools who have done this and it's been wonderful!)
I've used TodaysMeet with students in Grades 1 - 8 and loved it every single time. I hope you'll give it a try!