Tech Like a PIRATE: Using Classroom Technology to Create an Experience and Make Learning Memorable

by Matt Miller

Tech Like a PIRATE helps provide the tools, ideas, and inspiration for educators to use technology as a treasure map to amazing learning.  With a customizable set of principles for ensuring that technology is an asset, and not a barrier, Matt Miller’s guidance will help all teachers - from the tech-savvy to the tech-terrified--create impactful, transformative learning using low- or no-cost equipment.

 The rise of digital culture has left some teachers and their students distracted, divided, and overwhelmed. But Tech Like a PIRATE brings educators flexible strategies for creating classroom tech experiences that will electrify student engagement. You don’t have to be a tech genius--just willing to try!

 Tech Like a PIRATE offers an accessible, engaging, and empowering toolkit for educators looking to innovate and engage their classes through technology. It’s full of practical examples that are rooted in research, best practices, and solid pedagogy, and it’s accompanied by a treasure trove of additional resources at DitchThatTextbook.

Genres: Teaching, Education, Professional Development, Nonfiction, Technology

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2020

About the author

Matt Miller is the author of four books. He has spent more than a decade teaching technology-infused lessons in public schools. As an author, blogger and education speaker, he encourages teachers to free their teaching and revolutionize their classrooms with mindset, techniques and curriculum to serve today's learners. With thousands of subscribers and visitors from more than 100 countries, Matt's blog, DitchThatTextbook.com, is a well-respected source of ideas and insights about educational technology and creative teaching.

Reviews

[Diana Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for a class. A lot of ideas I had tried before or read about before regurgitated in a "new book".

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I will definitely be using this book for my Library lessons and activities in the future. Also, the website Ditch That Textbook has a plethora of ideas and resources that I can use for activities in the future! I have used Google Earth for personal use; I loved the idea of blackout poems, using comic strips for students to create short graphic stories, writing prompts using Jamboard and all of the different types of exploration from Chapter 7 (Geographical Exploration, The Informational Explorer and The Virtual Explorer). I absolutely recommend this title to any Educator that wants to try some new things with their classes and libraries. One of my colleagues that teaches Family and Consumer Science (FACS) in my building had seen this book on my desk and they personally purchased a copy, read it and fell IN LOVE with the ideas presented in the book. She has expressed that they will be utilizing this book for their classes starting next school year!

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a powerful collection of ideas to catalyze change in education as well as individual classroom instruction. There are plenty of links to templates, most of which are included on the Ditchbook website, all easy to use and easy to download.

Overall, this is a powerful, short read. I'd highly recommend it for everyone else out there who's trying to figure out this whole "virtual teaching" business- and who's eager to grab at some of the "silver linings" with which technology presents us.

As Angela Watson says in her blog, Cornerstone for Teachers , "Schools are closed. This is our chance to re-imagine them." This book is a great place to start that re-imagination process.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick and easy read about technology in the classroom (it took me less than 3 hours). There are some good practical suggestions in the text that are helpful for novices and experts alike. While I do understand the challenges of writing a tech text that stays up to date as long as possible and the purpose of using referring links, I wish there was less "Learn more about this at ..." and more of those details in the actual book itself. However, this book is a great "shot in the arm" read for anyone looking to improve or reinvigorate their tech game. It is good at sparking ideas and giving practical options.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the book Tech Like a Pirate is full of valuable ideas and resources, the acceleration of technology tools in recent years causes some parts of the writing to seem outdated. Having additional access to the website is helpful since it seems to be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the current changes in the classroom. Many of the ideas in this book are already be part of my existing classroom environment, but there are enough new options to make the reading valuable.

This book was quick and easy to read, fun, and it encouraged me to have the tenacity to increase the level of innovative lessons in my classroom.

[Angela Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a yet another great book by Matt Miller. It lends itself well to the novice teacher or someone new to Educational Technology. He shares several technology tools without it becoming too overwhelming and you’ll leave with the ability for immediate application. He does a great job acknowledging the fear of failure, but also builds up the courage and bravery to be prepared to try something new in your classroom. I highly recommend this book if you are new to EdTech and want to start using digital tools in the classroom.

[Lawrence M Wolpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for leaders and teachers alike!

This was the perfect book to read as I work to learn and experiment with technology to push my school's educators to join in the experimentation for the betterment of their of students. As a principal it's the perfect companion for remote and in person teaching. Engage and create personalized learning experiences for students. Tech Like a Pirate is easy to follow and full of concrete recommendations to bring tech into your classroom.

[S. Elise DeCarolis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tech Like a Pirate was a fun book to read. It was a nice balance of information, quirkiness, and motivational speaker. This book delves into the world of technology in a classroom setting and gives many examples of how each technology can be used. Miller covers a good deal of information in a small number of pages. If you are looking for a guide to get you started with using tech in your classroom or if you are looking to refresh your toolbox, this book will do the trick!

[Helfren · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Tech Like a PIRATE" by Matt Miller equips educators with tech tools to craft memorable classroom experiences, building on the PIRATE framework (Passion, Immersion, etc.). Pros: Practical, immediate-use ideas like apps for engagement boost student attention and creativity; inspiring for tech novices and pros alike. Cons: Assumes device access, potentially overwhelming in low-resource settings like Sabah schools; light on assessment integration. Dynamic 4.5/5 tech adventure

[Tyler George · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solid book overall, but most of the approaches that are recommended in this book should be in routine use in the classroom already. I recommend this text for those who aren’t using tech at all or are in a school that just became 1:1, otherwise you can just visit is website for ideas and save some money.

[Liz Corbett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tons of interesting ideas and tools (though not necessarily how to implement them). Read with a browser open and bookmark everything he gives that might be useful. There aren't necessarily ways to implement the ideas, but that's a good thing too, the ideas are flexible and bare so you can firm them to your subject area

[Sylvia Acero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book for a class over the summer. Easy to read and easy to implement into the classroom. Great ideas on a variety of tech tools. I appreciate the fact that many of the strategies have a linked resource that can easily be used the next day in class. The book also has many ideas on how to create great learning experiences for students. Overall, great read and easy to read!

[Catherine Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book for all educators right now. It is full of tips and tricks on how to get your students engaged through technology. What really was a great thing was that Matt incorporated the links to his Ditch That Textbook blog that holds all the resources he mentions in the book. It is a quick read full of nothing but gold. Highly recommend it.

[Mikaella Poirier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting back into the hang of teaching as the Christmas holidays are getting to an end. Good book with great online resources shared, even though I’m already integrating lots of them in my classes. Always a good reminder to try our best and bring the students to live experiences and take decisions on their own in the learning process. 👩🏼‍🏫

[Alyssa Rusk · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book was a good and easy read, look up the website and save yourself $22. The website has WAY more information than mentioned in the book for you to integrate new technology into your classroom.

[Ginny Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with good ideas. I have implemented some of these successfully in my classroom already (I get his blog emails). This is a much better book than his Ditch book - give it a chance, very quick and easy read.

[Kelly White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gem by Matt Miller. Worth a read by all educators.

[Larisa Hinojosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of great ideas and tools to create learning experiences, to change education!

[Heather Stringham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ideas to help a teacher add technology to the classroom and make lessons become experiences. Clear instructions and ideas help teacher think of new ideas and convince them to be better.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some excellent suggestions in this book for beginners as well as those of us with a bit more tech experience. Worth the read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and learned how to integrate technology in meaningful ways.

[Stacey Thomure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular and engaging

Love that the author gave so many applications that can be used in the classroom tomorrow! Very inspiring read and easy to adapt for any classroom teacher

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite Matt Miller, but always great tips.

[Lnsimon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and updated for teachers that wish to use technology in the class.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good tricks and ideas.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need help this school year with not only ready-to-use classroom ideas but also a morale boost, this is the book to read.

[Ashley Palombi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I love books like this because it gives me lots of new ideas to implement in my lessons. I can’t wait to put this to use in the gym/ classroom.

[STEPHANIE ROBERTS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resources

Millers provides an enormous amount of resources, tools and ideas for teachers to use on a daily basis. Highly recommended

[Ethan Mingerink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, inspirational book that's a quick read. I've followed this guy for a while and bought this book at conference and was fortunate enough to meet him and have him sign it, which was cool.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a beginning educator, this is an excellent resource! I came out with so many ideas to incorporate into my classroom. This is a great read for ANY educator, new or seasoned.