Techtastic Teaching
Volume 02 Issue 02 October 2016
Welcome to Techtastic Teaching!
Techtastic Teaching is the Instructional Technology newsletter for Randolph Field ISD. The Techtastic Teaching newsletter will include updates from the Instructional Technology department, tips on integrating technology into your curriculum, and ways that teachers are currently using technology in Randolph Field ISD.
Updates from Instructional Technology
- Digital Badges: To recognize the ways that our teachers and staff utilize technology every day, the digital badges program is our way of saying "thank you" for everything that you do to ensure our students are 21st Century learners. Feel free to look through this website to see the available badges and when you find one you feel you deserve, click on "Request the Badge." You will be given a digital badges "placemat" and a sticker to display on your "placemat." The digital badges webpage can be found at: https://sites.google.com/a/rfisd.net/digital-badges/
- Training Opportunities: The month of October brings training opportunities on Google Apps, Google Classroom, and Notability. Look for an email from Cameron Bain or check Eduphoria for more information about these trainings.
- Training Resources: Missed a training and/or need to view the resources provided? There is a Google Drive folder on the Instructional Technology webpage, located on the Quicklinks section of the district webpage. From there go to Teacher Resources and select training resources.
SMART Notebook App
The district has purchased the SMART Notebook iPad app for any teacher who has an interactive whiteboard, whether it be a Promethean or SMART board. This app was sent to the iPads of these teachers in August.
This app allows users to use a streamlined version of the SMART Notebook software from their iPad without the need to use AirPlay/AirServer.
Notability
Notability is the exclusive note-taking app that is supported in the district. We have purchased licenses for all iPads and we have it configured to be automatically installed on all iPads in the district.
Notability allows users to create handwritten notes, annotate PDF documents, create text notes, in addition to many more features. Notability is an extremely powerful yet easy to use tool.
Canva
Canva.com is a website and iPad app that allows users to easily create modern and professional graphics. Users can create posters, flyers, business cards, social media posts, etc.
Around the District...
Randolph Elementary School
Math Matching
Mrs. Trevino's 5th grade students used the app Educreations to match word problems to the correct equation on notecards. Educreations was used as a tool to gather evidence of their learning.
Perfect Place Value
Mrs. Haag's 2nd grade class has been using the app Number Pieces to practice place value. Students rolled a set of dice to get a random number and demonstrated their understanding of place value by placing the correct number pieces in the app.
Perfect Place Value
Miss Platt's 2nd grade class has been demonstrating their understanding of place value by determining the value of base-ten blocks on paper and self-checking their answers by scanning a QR code located directly underneath the base-ten blocks.
Randolph Middle School
Setting Goals with Google Docs
Miss Frost's 7th grade ELA students have been using Google Docs to work on setting goals. Miss Frost created a Google Doc as a template and then assigned it to students in Google Classroom. Students were then able to get an individual copy of the assignment to complete and turn back into Google Classroom.
Dividing Decimals with Padlet
Mrs. Garza's 6th grade math classes practiced dividing decimals on a worksheet and then submitted their answers to a Padlet board for their group. Mrs. Garza was then able to provide instant feedback within Padlet.
Dividing Atoms with SMART Notebook
Miss Kalkwarf's 8th grade science students used an interactive atom building lesson in SMART Notebook to review for their Atom’s Test. They diagrammed and labeled different elements to help prepare for their test.
Randolph High School
World of Geometry
Mrs. Mines' class used the Skitch and Padlet apps to find geometric terms in their "world of geometry." Students were assigned to groups and had to find at least 12 geometric terms in RHS from a list provided. Students then used the Skitch app to annotate the term and used Padlet to post their photo and definition of the term.
Defining Democracy with Nearpod
Mrs. Magnon-Nolting's Government classes were presented with the questions about what the term democracy meant to her students. Students were asked to respond to the question "What does democracy mean to you?" using Nearpod. Students were then asked to draw a picture of what democracy looked like to them using the Nearpod app.
Spanish Conversations in Notability
Sra. Shields' classes have been using the Notability iPad app to complete partner speaking assignments. Students are given a note that Sra. Shields created in Notability and are then assigned partners. Each student practices Spanish conversations and writing using Notability.
Is there something you'd like to see in the Techtastic Teaching newsletter?
Email it to Cameron Bain at bain@rfisd.net!
Just for Fun...
Cameron Bain
Instructional Technology Facilitator
Email: bain@rfisd.net
Website: tinyurl.com/rfisdinstructionaltechnology
Location: Randolph AFB, TX, United States
Phone: 210.357.2385