#EdTechTeacherChallenge August 2020: Bitmoji Classroom, Day 4

Welcome to Day 4 of the #EdTechTeacherChallenge for August 2020. Yesterday, you made a list of things that you actually, physically have in your classroom. Now that you have a clear picture of your room, you can start thinking about your Bitmoji Classroom. 

Your Bitmoji Classroom is a virtual space that you design however you want. There is no limit as to what you can have and do with your virtual classroom. Whatever your imagination can come up with, you can have in your classroom. So, what do you want in your virtual classroom?

This question is not about curriculum. We will get to curriculum later. But much like your physical classroom, the design and features of your virtual classroom are very important. They need to be appealing without being overwhelming. They need to engage students without being a distraction.

So, what will your virtual classroom look like? How many sections will you highlight? What features will they contain?

For me, I am planning for several distinct areas which include the following:

1) Interactive Whiteboard - This will be the main area of my classroom. This will be the first place students see when they enter my virtual classroom. it will have an Interactive Whiteboard, of course. If will also have some type of seating, a carpet, and rules and expectations posters. Maybe a plant or two. The Interactive Whiteboard will have a morning message, or something similar.

2) Content Bulletin Board - This will be a bulletin board background used for content links of what we are currently doing in class. It will have a beanbag, maybe, plants, bulletin board border, wall hanging about the board, and carpet. A couple of main features of this area will be current standards being covered, help videos, online practice links, etc.

3) Student Bulletin Board - This will be another bulletin board background but used to showcase student word and highlight student individuality and achievement. It will mimic the Content Bulletin Board in its features. A couple of the main features of this area will be a birthday celebration and student biographies.

4) Library - I teach math, but I think that reading is just as important. It encourages imagination. It exposes students to ideas, places and people that they would otherwise never meet or experience. It allows them to dream. So, I will have a section of my virtual classroom dedicated to books of all types with links to library access or free online versions for students to read.

5) Resources and Recreation - Every classroom has necessities it needs to function, as well as things that make it fun. This area will have games, fun learning videos and resources that students may find interesting but are not within the scope of the curriculum. 

Five parts of a classroom seem intimidating. But think about how much time you put into your actual classroom. A virtual classroom gives students another way to access you and the content. I also think that it gives students a glimpse into your personality that physical classrooms can lack due to space and resources. 

Write down some ideas you have for your virtual classroom. You can base them on the list you made yesterday of things you have in your actual classroom or you can get crazy and create the classroom of your dreams. Share your ideas with me @mrsmathmagician on social media and be sure to use the hashtag #EdTechTeacherChallenge.

Peace, Love and Happiness Always!