Experiencing IT
The Savvy_Educator's Tech Integration Newsletter -April 2016
Alabama Technology in Motion
Jornea A. Erwin, Alabama Technology in Motion
AAMU/UAH Regional Inservice Center & Region 3 Team
Digitally Yours
April is here! I've enjoyed meeting so many teachers and working with students across the region. There is something special about Region 3 - amazing educators! You are committed to your schools, students, and to growth. I've witnessed amazing school and business partnerships, heard the U.S. Secretary of Education speak about the future of STEM learning, facilitated and participated in professional learning - flipped classrooms, schools going Google, deepening knowledge using technology, makerspaces, and student engagement over the past month.
Can you believe students only have 40 days of school or less left of the 2015-2016 school year? Instead of counting down to that big day, I want to present a challenge I hope you are willing to accept. Each week, from now until the end of your school year, try out a new tech resource/ tool to implement within your schools or with your students. By the end of the school year, you will have at least "7 Savvy tools" you are more familiar with to finish out the year strong and to begin learning experiences for the next school year. I have compiled a CHALLENGE TASK LIST to help you on this journey, but please try other resources too. Claim your Badges for Completed Tasks and share what you've earned on Social Media using the hashtags #7savvytools and #aamuTiM.
As you implement share what you are doing with others in your school or with the world via social media. I will make sure to retweet and promote how you are learning new tools and integrating technology in your classrooms in North Alabama. Include the hashtags #7savvytools and #aamuTiM so others can follow your learning and learn from you.
Remember I am here to serve you, and your instructional technology endeavors. Please contact me if you would like to partner to make your dreams become your reality.
Remember to share media showcasing instructional technology in action in your schools by accessing this folder April district IT happenings folder. Highlights from the information shared and submitted prior to the last Monday of this month will be featured in the May edition of "Experiencing IT" newsletter under the subtitle "CAPTURE IT Highlights".
Please feel free to contact me at any time. Let's continue to learn, grow and experience IT together!
Partnering to provide professional learning for your instructional technology endeavors.
Digitally yours,
The Savvy_Educator
Capture IT highlights - March
Autism Awareness Month
Apps that are beneficial for students with Autism
Behavior; Communication; Social Skills; Need for Routine; Sensory Sensivity; Difficulty with Traditional Learning Methods
5 ways technology can assist students with Autism
Puzzle Piece Project & Lessons
Celebrate National Poetry Month
Websites to help teach Poetry
Achieve the Core
Also contains Poetry Collections by grade level.
The Poetry Foundation
Have you heard of SWIVL?
Attend the SWIVL Webinar - April 26th and get 3 months of the full version of Capture!
If you, your school or district is interested in using this device please join us for a Region 3 Webinar with SWIVL, Tuesday, April 26th 3:00-4:00 using this link join.me/rinskyswivl
We would like to get an idea of who will participate so please fill out the RSVP form below.
You may even win something special!
ALL participants in the webinar will receive an extended trial (3 months) of SWIVL capture.
I have one device available if you are interested in using it before the webinar. Please fill out this REQUEST FORM.
Three for Free - Thinking about going 1 to 1
NearPod
Nearpod is an application that allows you to broadcast your presentation on multiple devices at the same time. Nearpod will work on multiple devices: netbooks, Macs, iPod/iPads and even some smartphones. NearPod works with all grades, all subjects and all platforms!
Top features include the ability to add quiz tools, videos, photo slideshows, drawing tools, a PDF viewer and even a live Twitter stream.
Try NearPod today!
Start using ThingLink today!
Get the ThingLink App for iPads/ iOS devices
Get the ThingLink App for Android/ Chrome Store
ClassFlow
Students can interact with it via mobile app or the web!
Check out the video overview of ClassFlow!
Try ClassFlow today!
MoveNote
Try MoveNote today!
Professional Learning Opportunities
UPCOMING EDCAMPS
The EdCamp Foundation
EdCamp Birmingham - Saturday, April 23rd
EdCamp Mountain Brook - Saturday, July 21st
Technology in Motion Webinars
1st Friday Series - Would you Rather? - A Comparison of Effective Tech Tools
April 1st 1:00
Register to attend: STIPD #: LIBMED-2016-04
Go to: WebEx Link
View recorded webinar at (http://alex.state.al.us/libmedia/) or (http://atim.us/webinars.html)
ATiM TechKnowlogy Webinar - "Pinterest" with Roland "Buddy" Weldon- Thursday, April 7th
Best practices and applications this popular social-networking program to search, collect, organize, and create digital resources.
Register for this webinar here.
View recorded webinar at
ATIM TechKnowlogy Webinar - "Google Classroom" with Janet Taylor - May
Let's learn how to use Google Classroom! If your school system has moved or will be moving to Google Apps for Education, then this is for you. Classroom will enable teachers to simplify a 1:1 classroom and make sharing documents a breeze. Come and join us!
Registration link will be added when made available.
View recorded webinar at
SUMMER LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
EdTech Team Summit featuring Google for Education June 2-3
*Note - June 1st offering a technical option for district leaders who manage Google Apps Admin Console.
AETC (Alabama Educational Technology Conference) June 7-8
Held at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Birmingham, AL
Registration - $105 / $115 after May 16th
Click here to access the Registration form
Check out the Preliminary Program
Access more information about the conference and registration here.
NATC (North Alabama Technology Conference) June 21-22
Registration will open April 15th
Mid-South Reading & Writing Conference
When: Thursday, June 16 & Friday, June 17
Where: George Washington Carver High School - Birmingham, AL
Cost:
Early Bird (before May 1st): $125
Standard (after May 1st): $150
Gulf Coast Conference on the Teaching of Writing
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Florida
For more information visit their link:
The Northeast Alabama Early Childhood Conference
Thursday, July 27, 2016
Hosted by: Big Spring Lake Kindergarten School257 Country Club Road
Albertville, AL 35951
Visit http://neaecc.weebly.com/ for more information and to register for this conference.
Jornea A. Erwin, Instructional Technology Specialist ~ Alabama Technology in Motion
Email: jornea.erwin@aamu.edu
Website: aamutim.weebly.com
Location: 4900 Meridian Street North, Huntsville, AL, United States
Phone: 256-372-4426
Twitter: @savvy_educator