Ditch Summit Day 1: Student Relationships and Wakelet

Welcome to Ditch Summit! 

This totally free online conference for educators officially opens now and lasts until January 5.

New videos will be released each weekday this week and next week.

Then, you'll have until the summit ends to watch whatever you'd like ... as many times as you'd like.

Everything is on-demand (like Netflix). 

Pajamas, sofa, and beverage of choice optional.

Let's get started!

PS: Don’t forget to share what you’re learning on social media using the #DitchSummit hashtag!

New session: Keeping It Real with Student Relationships with CJ Reynolds

What’s the key to making connections with students?

You don’t need to like the stuff that students like, CJ Reynolds tells us. But if you know about it, you can make connections to what students need to learn.

CJ lived by this while teaching in west Philadelphia. He showed up to student events. Went to their churches, the barber shop, community events.

Why? He learned a lot about his students — and built relationships. It translated to success in the classroom — and impacted lives.

CJ has a ton of ideas to share — as well as a link to his “Life Odyssey” project so you can try it in your own classroom.

Watch: Keeping It Real with Student Relationships with CJ Reynolds

Spotlight sponsor session: Showcasing Student Learning with Wakelet Digital Portfolios

Students work so hard on their classwork throughout the year. What happens to that work after it’s graded?

It ends up at the bottom of their locker or their backpack, never to be seen again.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

Wakelet (wakelet.com) empowers students to collect their work in digital portfolios. It’s a great way for students to reflect back on their growth.

Better yet, students can use their Wakelet portfolios to make their case to college admissions officers and potential employers.

With the EDU version of Wakelet, students can take their portfolios with them after they graduate.

Learn all about Wakelet and how you can create student portfolios in today’s spotlight sponsor session with Wakelet.

Watch: Showcasing Student Learning with Wakelet Digital Portfolios

PS: Get a great deal on a schoolwide or district-wide Wakelet plan! Run a portfolio pilot for just $2 per student. Contact [email protected] for details.

Watch any Ditch Summit session from previous years on the Ditch Summit Video Library page any time.

Win Microsoft Flip prizes by sharing Ditch Summit video reflections!

On each presentation page, you’ll find a “View/Record Flip Videos” button. It’s where you can record a quick video sharing what you’ve learned in a Ditch Summit session — and see what others are sharing, too.

Record a video and you might win a prize!

Each time you record a video, you’re entered to win one of four Microsoft Flip prize pack that includes a stainless steel water bottle, socks, tote bag, and stickers.

Enjoy today’s sessions — and any of our previous Ditch Summit sessions. I’ll see you in your inbox tomorrow with two more great new sessions!