February 2018 - Andrea Bechtel
Name
Andrea Bechtel
What Do You Teach?
11-12th, Anatomy and Physiology, Food Science, PLTW Environmental Sustainability
Where Do you Teach?
Robert E. Lee High School
How Long Have You Been Teaching?
8 years
How Does Educational Technology Play a Role in Your Classroom?
We use technology constantly. Kids use it for notes, we use QR codes for quick assessments, or ways to push out information to the students (I've used it for hype when one of the athletic teams is on it for them to go vote), Google Classroom for assignments, Google Forms for tests, and this year implemented Google Calendar for students to determine due dates and where we are meeting. Each students received a QR code with the Google Calendar code on it and it's a public calendar, so anyone with the link or QR code has access to it.
How Do You Find Technology in the Classroom Helpful?
It's an easy way to get information out to students, they can look it up on their phone, iPad, etc instead of losing paper copies.
What Is Your Favorite Piece of Classroom Technology? Why?
Computer, iPad, and QR codes. The iPad is handy when I'm not near a computer, but I prefer the computers to work on when creating lesson plans and coming up with ideas for content. QR codes are easy for students to scan to take them to a website. We also use QR codes to sign in and out of the classroom for restroom, office, and other visits.
What Is On Your Technology Wish List For Your Classroom? Why?
A class set of iPads or netbooks for students, so students that don't have an iPad can still have access to all the technology related lessons we do.
What Do You Love Most About Teaching?
I love being able to reach the students and interact with them. They never know what I am going to come up with next to teach the information to them.
Nominated by:
Connie Knotts, Librarian at Robert E. Lee High School
"Ms. Bechtel uses our cloud lab often and travels with a cart. In lieu of a manual sign in log that tracks students coming and going, she has created a QR code that students scan and complete a form when leaving and returning to the classroom. She then combines the spreadsheets to determine how long students were away. This provides a quick way to monitor students and time spent away from the classroom."
Jonathan Richards, Teacher at Robert E. Lee High School
"Ms. Bechtel uses all sorts of technology in her classroom regularly. From QR codes in her lessons, to creating online calendars and keeping students updated on where to go and when through different apps. She is constantly taking students to computer labs to complete research and assignments. Without technology I believe she would melt."