Often times communication is something we take for granted, or only address in terms of appropriate or not. This text helps delve into meaningful skill building to help our students survive and thrive in their post-secondary efforts as well career paths. -- Leah Pagano, Social Studies Teacher
With levity, humor, and plenty of personal anecdotes, Lisa Johnson explains in the most captivating and encouraging way not only why
educators can better foster their students' communication skills with digital means but also how
to do so incrementally. The book is packed with inspiring and useful tools, examples, and activities. This is the most accessible guide to incorporating technology into instruction that I have ever encountered. I would recommend it to teachers, administrators, and students, too. -- Melinda Darrow, Advanced Placement Teacher, English and Art History
This book is an excellent, quick read that is immediately useful and applicable for both educators and students alike. The ideas are creative, cross-curricular, and also face-palm worthy in the sense of, 'Yes! Why didn't I think of that before?' -- Natalie Cannon, Latin, Mythology, & Credit Recovery Teacher
The digital world is growing, our students live in it, and teaching them to navigate this world in a meaningful way is vital to their success. This book offers a toolkit for teachers to guide their students in the digital world. -- Mandy White, 8th Grade Science Teacher
These days, young people seamlessly shift between modes of communication and sharing with emerging technologies, applying a deftness that those who remember a time before ubiquitous computing and networking will never fully comprehend. However, this does not necessarily mean that these students natively know how to apply their embedded habits in meaningful, context-driven, and generative ways. In this book, Lisa Johnson provides memorable anecdotes mixed with actionable steps. It is full of engaging imagery, clever templates, and thoughtful quotations which are sure to leave a lasting impression on today's teachers who are meeting students where they are and leading them where they want to be. -- Reshan Richards, Adjunct Assistant Professor
In my opinion, Lisa Johnson's book is a must-have publication for both learning about the skills needed by students, as well as utilizing all the great examples and ideas in each chapter in the classroom. A combination of a practical guide and a research review, I can see the content and activities in Johnson's book being used with students as early as middle school, as the basis for a study group or PLC by educators at all levels, and as a grad school textbook at the university level. The set-up of each chapter- including research and resources, planning and preparation, challenges for educators, and a student self-assessment checklist- makes it easy to digest all the new skills both our students and we need to acquire. I learned so many new things while reading this book that will make my practice of training teachers better! -- Kathy Shrock, Educational Technologist, Adjunct Instructor
Lisa truly recognizes the need for communication and authentic learning in education. Through reading this book, I discovered practical lesson ideas, my interest was peaked, and a call to action ignited by Lisa's observations and suggestions. I highly recommend this book for any educator. -- Don Goble, Multimedia Instructor
We communicate 24/7 these days. But do we really use the right tools for communicating our message? Clear communication is a key skill. This book asks the right questions and helps students to really use technology to enhance their learning. Teachers from all over the world get practical examples on how to work on core skills. After reading this you will be able to give your students a voice to clearly communicate their stories.
-- Kurt Klynen, Content Coach
This book has an unbelievable amount of tips, ideas and great advice for communicating in the 21st century. It's not only helpful for teaching students to be better communicators but adults as well! Some of these tips are so exciting and thoughtful, I want a tip-a-day calendar version of this book! -- Jennie Magiera, Chief Technology Officer
All teachers will find insight, ideas, and inspiration in this book. Lisa provides an enthusiastic, thoughtful approach to needed skills in the digital age. She highlights the value of different approaches and tools and shows us how to best use them. The provided Communication Catchers are a real bonus! -- Julie Willcott, Educator
This is my new favorite professional read! The TechChef has cooked up a delicious meal I will want to enjoy again and again. There are so many great ideas for supporting digital communication, digital citizenship, and digital footprint in the classroom. The ready-to-go activities and templates make it easy for teachers to start implementing tomorrow! I want this book for all of the teachers I support! -- Terra Graves, Program Specialist, 21st Century Learning
As someone who grew up in the '80s, this is the resource I need to help me prepare my students to be 'future ready.' Great information and practical, use immediately ideas for the classroom! -- Jerri Michaelsen, Teacher
The world would be a better place if everyone who sends and receives email reads Lisa Johnson's email etiquette in Chapter 1. Furthermore, Lisa follows her own advice in Cultivating Communication-much of the information in this book is presented in bulleted lists and visuals!
-- Tony Vincent, Teaching and Technology Specialist
This book is the most practical guide I have seen to truly help secondary students be 'future ready.' The advice and tips that Lisa shares should become a standard digital literacy read for all middle school and high school students.
-- Kyle Pace, Instructional Technology Coach
Full of convincing rationales, practical tips, and classroom solutions, this book will leave your head spinning with easily-implemented ideas that will energize and enrich your instruction. Johnson has compiled and created a vast array of resources that will improve both the teacher and student experience in lasting and meaningful ways. -- Melissa Dupre, Teacher
My career has taken me from ESOL to tech specialist. My colleagues use to question why certain students were in the ESOL program because they spoke so well. They talked conversationally-not academically. It was my job to move them into academic language. Now as a tech integration specialist, the same type of conundrum is occurring. Students use technology but do not incorporate it. Many tech curriculums include how to type, how to insert a picture, spacing, but not when, why, nor discussions. Lisa's book effortlessly builds the bridge between the basic knowledge or 'how-to' of technology into synthesizing technology applications. Seventeen years into the 21st Century, technology is exponentially assimilating in our careers, lives, even our refrigerators. Lisa's book makes the skills needed to navigate the vastness and sometimes caverness pool of technology tangible. Technology is simply a tool-but a tool that makes education, jobs, & lives more efficient & engaging. This book would give knowledge to the educators in order to empower their students to garnish the power of these 'gadgets.' -- Tana Ruder, Instructional Technolgy Specialist
Stop talking about technology, and focus on communication! Loaded with practical tools and useful pedagogical approaches honed through experiences in the classroom, Lisa's book seeks to define and support the literacies our students need now, and for a lifetime of learning. -- Cathy Hunt, Visual Art Educator
Lisa Johnson has written a book that finally puts into words what our students and teachers need to know to incorporate and mirror true, 21st Century teaching and learning! This book needs to not only be in the hands of our current educators, but our future educators studying to teach our future leaders!
-- Anne Beck, Instructional Technology Specialist
With her book, Lisa has her fingers on the 'pulse' of educators when it comes to cultivating communication with today's students. Her diverse experiences, and expertise as an Educational Technologist gives her insight into the fears that educators and administrators face, and her experiences can equip those same educators with the tools to overcome then.
-- Lucas Loughmiller, Director of Library & Instructional Media Services
Lisa Johnson is a longtime leader of technology integration and this book distills the complicated mess of technology use in secondary schools down to a clean, lean, and easy to follow book. While all the concepts are based on sound pedagogy and the 'why' is certainly addressed, Lisa doesn't waste any time getting down to the classroom level to make it clear to all of us how best to support our students. As Danah Boyd points out in her book, It's Complicated, most teens aren't addicted to social media; if anything, they're addicted to each other and Lisa's book is here to help encourage the communication through the use of technology. Lisa puts the needs of students first, pedagogy second, and places the technology in it's proper place as a tool and not an obsession. This is the book we've been waiting for that rises above button-pushing and gets to the heart of what we need and want for our students.
-- Michelle Cordy, Teacher, Applied Researcher
