Tech with Heart: Leveraging Technology to Empower Student Voice, Ease Anxiety, & Create Compassionate Classrooms

by Stacey Roshan, Alan November (Foreword)

Bring a Higher Level of Compassion to Your Teaching

Academic-related anxiety is common in high-achieving and struggling classrooms alike. So how can teachers calm students’ fears and empower them as learners?
Educator Stacey Roshan found the answer with technology. In Tech with Heart, Stacey shares that the fight to be first, the pressure to be right, and the stress surrounding test scores were just a few of the many reasons she chose to flip her class.

Creating interactive video lessons for students to watch at home and shifting in-class time to focus on student needs, discussion, and collaborative practice allows you to . . .

Create more time for one-on-one interaction with students. Quickly see where students are struggling. Give all students (even introverts and those who need more time to process) the opportunity to share their voice and show their learning.

Using technology in the classroom isn’t just about automation! Tech with Heart shows you how to use edtech tools to humanize modern learning and help all learners to thrive.

“In a society that focuses on speed to the detriment of deep learning, Stacey offers proof that slowing down can help us create meaningful connections and draw out the best in our learners.” —Thomas C. Murray, director of innovation, Future Ready Schools

"As an organization pushing schools and districts to further refine their vision for personalization, we are excited to have a book focused on humanizing the way teachers and students use technology in classrooms." —Shawn Rubin, chief education officer, Highlander Institute

“Stacey’s book amazed me. It’s chock-full of innovative ideas for amplifying and engaging ALL our learners!” —Joey Taralson, director of community, Microsoft

Genres: Teaching, Education

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[John Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! Stacey Roshan shares her journey on flipping her math classroom. You’ll learn about the tools and strategies she uses, see student work, and read student testimonials.

But don’t let my description so far fool you into thinking this is a how to book. Stacey shares her own journey as a learner and demonstrates incredible vulnerability in telling her story which she uses as a means to explain the why behind the choices she makes in her classroom.

In the pages of this book, you will discover an empathetic and compassionate educator who is on a quest to create a learning environment where every student can thrive, have a voice, and know their teacher is their champion. Thanks for telling your story Stacey Roshan.

[Josie Stewart]

While the examples were from author's experience of teaching math and teaching to older students the reflection questions and her why for flipping her teaching were helpful. I read with the mindset of thinking for primary children in a completely remote or hybrid model in any content area.

[Heather Stringham · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am editing my review because the author has been so kind to me. This gave me many ideas to consider as I think about blended learning in my classroom next year. It is very informative as to how to approach flipped/blended learning.
I liked what the author had to say, but I was disappointed because it was so focused on Math. The summary on Amazon and the back of the book never talked about math, so as an English teacher who wants to blend the learning in her classroom, this was really frustrating,

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple read where author shares not only her HOW to use technology in the classroom but also her WHY.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely more than a tech book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a high school English teacher for 23 years, and I enjoy integrating edtech when and where appropriate, and Stacey Roshan nails what is necessary in education. Before any piece of tech is installed, a teacher must consider basics like goals, reflection, empathy, and compassion. Though "Tech" is the first word of her title, it is moreso the "Heart" that comes through in every chapter of this book.

Roshan delivers a detailed account of how she has successfully integrated technology into her classroom, but what is clear is that all the technology in the world would not help her students if she did not take the pains to get to know each one of them to the best of her ability.

In an education world full of standardized exams, Roshan speaks the truth that student learning is anything but standard, and that teachers and schools must go deeper than that in order to help students learn. This spark of learning comes more from personal relationships and personalized learning than rote memorization.

If you're looking for an inspirational tale full of risk, failures, and successes, Tech With Heart is a must-read.

[Cristen Cagle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I get that this method of a flipped classroom can work in some districts, but it felt too pigeon-holed for a certain clientele that I do not work within. I will say, I read the first half pretty thoroughly and then skimmed the rest because I didn't connect with this author and what she had to share. I understand this may be an excellent read for many teachers, but it did not assist me.

[Christie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was good, I just thought the title was misleading. It should have said something about a flipped classroom at the high school level. It wasn't applicable to me at all.

[Neha Thakkar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and felt reassured and validated that I was working toward the correct steps and tools to flip my classroom and leverage tech into my lessons.

Small issue: the last 20% of the eBook are ads for the other “Teach Like a Pirate” books, I found this a little frustrating as I thought I had more content to read!

[Laura McDonell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book! It's perfect for giving teachers a few things to try out. The author is amazing and has been super helpful connecting with me and answering my questions. It's worth the read.

[Alejandra Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read for any teacher very insightful and easy to read. Really interesting to see how the author chooses to address students' anxiety, and I especially love reading what the students had to say after the changes were made in their classroom. I recommend this book to any teacher that is looking for a way to spend less classroom time lecturing at students and spend more time getting to know students' needs.

[Mitzi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if technology could end the stress and inequality of raising hands to answer questions? What if it were harnessed for problem-solving and reflection in ways that freed up the teacher to engage more authentically?

This easy-to-read gem of a book explains how one (math) teacher transformed her classroom using readily available tools.

[Jamie Johnson Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by Stacey and her desire reach ALL students ALL the time! 😊