Shannon Davenport has worked in the Clarksville Montgomery County School System since 1996. Currently, she serves as an instructional technology coach providing professional development opportunities and supporting educators in the development and implementation of rigorous and relevant technology experiences. Previously, she taught kindergarten and third grade, as well as K-5 in a computer lab setting. In addition to providing professional development throughout the calendar year, she is assigned to schools during the academic year providing focused training and support to meet each school’s individual needs. She enjoys working closely with the administration, teachers, and students as they learn how the integration of technology can dramatically impact the learning process. In addition to working in her school district, Shannon strengthens her professional learning community by working as a professional learning specialist for the Northwest Council for Computer Education. Since 2014, she has worked with NCCE leading educators in the Virgin Islands through the Technology Integration to Improve Teaching and Learning Grant. Shannon is presenting the following sessions at NCCE 2017:
Free Microsoft Office mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows devices
Thu, March 23 | 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM | Room: D136
And: Friday, March 24 | 10:30 AM – 11:20 AM | Room: D136
Description:
Create a dynamic BYOD learning environment using the Microsoft Office mobile apps for iOS, Android, and Windows devices. Empower learners by leveraging the devices they have in their pockets and using the tools we all love. Explore the Office you are familiar with plus the latest Office apps like Sway and Office Mix and see how they work seamlessly on any device in any classroom, even on the go!
Name: Shannon Davenport
Location: Clarksville, Tennessee
Current job(s): Technology Integration Coach
Current computer: Surface Pro 4 and Lenovo Think Pad Yoga 260
Current mobile device(s): Samsung Galaxy 7
One word that best describes how you teach or work: Enthusiastically
What apps/software/tools can you not live without?
First of all, I would have to say my Outlook calendar. So boring I know, but without the calendar I wouldn’t be able to keep track of my work load. The calendar is the very first thing I look at in the morning just to make sure I’m on my way to the correct school building. It also houses all of my appointments labeled by types of services, so they can easily be sorted for review. Another great benefit of Outlook calendar is the ability to send a calendar invite to teachers and administrators which serves as a reminder in regards to our appointment. Next, and a little more jazzy, I use SNIP, Screencastify Skype for business to increase productivity when creating directions for various tasks for teachers and students. These tools allow me to efficiently capture my thoughts in a convenient video format and send it right to the user in need. Teachers, students, and administrators love the quick personal attention they get when they receive an instructional video. I have even caught teachers playing their directions for the whole class. That works!
What is your favorite organizational tip, app or advice?
As a department, keep everything in a OneNote Staff Notebook. There are simply too many services to house all the account information, meeting notes, school demographics, instructions, and district updates. The notebook is completely searchable and allows users to quickly navigate information. Also, if pages are designed correctly they can be directly emailed out to teachers and administrators when they ask for help using the EMAIL PAGE feature. What a time saver that is!
What browser do you use regularly?
I go between Chrome and Edge. Edge is quickly becoming my favorite with students because of the clean reading view and web notes. If you use close reading as a strategy, check out Edge!
What is your workspace/classroom like?
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/879371067502624769
What is your best time-saving trick?
As a technology coach in a large school district you get asked the same question a lot. One of my best time saving tips is creating quick parts within Outlook 2016, this way information about commonly asked questions that can be quickly passed along.
What are your most valuable classroom/work routines?
As a coach with a focus of six buildings during the school year and a possible outreach to 40 buildings in the district being prepared is a must. I often prepare generic lesson prep directions, follow-up lesson, and individual instruction directions that can quickly be tweaked and sent in a timely manner to teachers and administrators before or following a face to face meeting. During the meeting we complete tasks together, but it is always nice to have a recap of everything we did or new sources for learning on the topic. In my materials, I try to add multiple modes of learning like written directions, video directions, screenshots, and important links that will help the user in the future.
This gives the learner a chance to practice on their own and share with others around them long after my visit.
What is your favorite avenue to connect with social media?
Twitter, follow me at @sdavenport931.
When you are not living the glamorous work life, what do you like to do in your spare time for fun?
I raise sheep with my wonderful husband and my very adventurous sons. We enjoy spending lots of time outside and especially enjoy swimming and boating with our friends and family.
As a tech-savvy teacher, what everyday thing do you feel you excel with/at versus other teachers/administrators/mentors?
Relationships, Relationships! Does anything else really even matter? Before I can help or coach any of my teachers or administrators I must establish a rapport with them that is real and genuine. As teachers, we knew this was key in the classroom and as a coach it is no different. People want to learn from someone who can empathize with them, but also challenge them to be innovative, and refine their instructional practices. Often we ask teachers to embrace a new technology tool and see the instructional benefit it will add to the learning process. Neither of these are easy tasks for a busy teacher or administrator. First, they must see the need and then it is essential for them to have a risk-free environment with a coach that will allow them to openly try, fail, and polish their use of the tool with students. This could take multiple lessons, questions, and discussions and they simply need a caring colleague to guide them through the process.
What are you currently reading?
Switch How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath
Who are your influences in the education community?
My fellow tech coaches, teachers, and administrators in my district are always there for me and challenge me to grow and learn each day. My fellow MIE Experts, NCCE trainers, and everyone involved in the Microsoft Education community also influence my professional practice. By participating in programs such as these there are so many opportunities to learn, grow, and collaborate with other great educators all over the world.
I can’t wait see everyone at NCCE 2017!
The post Meet a Tech Savvy Teacher: Shannon Davenport appeared first on NCCE's Tech Savvy Teacher Blog.
