Tech Connect
Vol 5 Issue 3...GCSD Tech Coaches' Newsletter...Feb 2, 2018
The MISSION of the Georgetown County School District is to provide all students with world class knowledge and skills that prepare them for citizenship in a diverse society.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Feb. 2... Happy Groundhog Day
Feb. 5... Media Specialists Meeting - 2:00 pm
Feb. 7... Induction Meeting 4:00 pm
Feb. 9... All County Chorus Concert
Feb. 13.. Junior Academic Bowl 4:00 pm at Beck
Feb. 15.. Senior Academic Bowl 4:00 pm at Beck
Feb. 19.. President's Day
Feb. 21.. Interim Reports / End of First Quarter for 4 x 4
Feb. 26.. Sp. Ed. Team Meeting
Feb.28... Volunteer of the Year Luncheon - 12:00 pm
Mar. 8... School Counselors Meeting - 8:00 am
Mar. 28.. Tech Fair at WIS 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Apr. 2-6 ..Spring Break
Quizlet LIVE - A Teacher's Perspective
In the picture above, Mrs. Johanna Verner watches as her 5th graders at Waccamaw Intermediate participate in "Quizlet Live." Here's what Ms. Verner and her students had to say about it:
Quizlet Live is another amazing way to integrate technology into the classroom through an academically challenging, collaborative and engaging format. What a great way to encourage team building and to foster collaboration all through friendly competition. Having the ability to utilize content the students are currently studying makes this tool ideal for reinforcement and/or test preparation. My students were in awe at how much they enjoyed it and how well they did. The learning and excitement was unreal!
This interactive web-based program takes collaboration and teamwork to another level through communication and randomly selected groups. Students who are otherwise reluctant to participate come “ALIVE”!! The randomization of the group selection breaks down barriers among students who would not normally work together and scatters those who always seem to want to be together.
Here’s what my kiddos had to say…..”When can we do “GO LIVE” again?”; “I like that we get to work with different people every time!”; “We get to work as a team!” “This makes something educational or boring really fun!”; "This is a cool way to practice any vocabulary.” ; “Thank you for letting us do this!!”; “It’s like a test, but a fun test!”; "We are learning and having fun at the same time.”; “You can make friends and work with other people that you usually never get to do.”
ClassLink
ClassLink can now be your "ONE-STOP" Dashboard for everything you or your students need access to during the day. Safe and secure, this awesome tool not only gives you access to your files and Drives at school, but for teachers, access to your Google Drive, your G:Drive and H:Drive from home. Students can access their H:Drive from home as well.
Your Tech Coaches have already begun introducing ClassLink to teachers and students. It's a great time saver and makes accessing files and programs so easy...just 1-click...and you're there!
We currently have about 400 users, and counting, that are taking advantage of this powerful tool.
START YOUR DAY WITH CLASSLINK!
Ask your Tech Coach to introduce you to ClassLink as soon as possible.
Tech Fair
The 2018 Tech Fair will be held on March 28th, 2018 at Waccamaw Intermediate School. With the many new devices brought into the classroom this year, student and teacher showcases will be better than ever.
The Intent to Participate Form is now open! Teachers have from now until March 9th to get projects registered.
During the Intent Period:
· Teachers do not have to have finalized projects to register. Even if it’s just an idea, go ahead and register.
· The GCSD Tech Coaches will be readily available to assist with Projects.
· 2 Students per project, but teachers can and are encouraged to enter multiple projects.
How do I register?
Additional information regarding categories, rubrics, etc. can be found at:
GCSD How-Tube Channel
The Tech Coaches have added to the You Tube Channel for tutorial videos, since our last issue. There are now 26 videos on Google, Google Classroom, and using Chromebooks. There are also a few Web Tools sprinkled in, that were requests from teachers.
As we come across different things that we learn, or things that are requested by teachers, we'll try and create new "how-to" video on this channel for you.
Please take a minute to visit the site. You might find a solution or answer to a question you have on one of the tutorials. We try to keep the videos short and to the point...most are 3-6 minutes.
Once you visit, PLEASE click the button at the top-right side of the page to SUBSCRIBE to the Channel...that way, (you will have to be signed in to Google to do so), you will get notifications when we add something new. You'll be among the first in your building to get the updates!
So go now to: http://tinyurl.com/gcsdtechcoaches and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE.
ELEM. FEATURE
MIDDLE FEATURE
Mr. Robbie Wilson. This is his third year teaching Social Studies, and his first year at Carvers Bay Middle School. Robbie Wilson graduated with a degree in History education from Emmanuel College. He is a native of Georgetown and a graduate of the Georgetown County School District. He has stated that he is excited to begin teaching in the district where he grew up. Mr. Wilson has a great rapport with parents and staff members. His students really take to his fun, yet firm style of teaching.
Mr. Wilson regularly uses Podcast as a part of his Google Classroom to supplement his lessons and engage auditory learners. He recently had student create Power Points and had them do a “voice over” as a part of their presentation. He is continuously on the hunt for new and engaging technology to reach all of his learners. He just finished publishing Paper Slide Videos and is currently experimenting with Ed Puzzle to have students watch and answer questions about videos he posts in his Google Classroom. Keep up the good work at Carvers Bay Middle Mr. Wilson!
HIGH SCHOOL FEATURE
Through his knowedge of Literacy Design Collaborative, Core Tools, and Google Classroom, Coach Rowell has become an outstanding instructional leader. Walking into his classroom its clear to see well planned lessons that immerse and engage his students in social studies content. To this end you will find his students working with primary documents, analyzing current events, participating in carousel activities and working in google classroom to become well rounded learners. Mr. Rowell is an instructional risk taker that is willing to try new strategies for the benefit of his students. In addition, he is willing to share his instructional successes and challenges with colleagues, and in doing so works to make everyone around him better. Keep up the excellent work Coach Rowell!
Introducing DRAFTBACK
How Do I get in Touch with My Grade Level Tech Coach?
YOUR GCSD TECH COACHES CONTACT INFO:
ELEM........Marc Frechette.......... MFrechette@gcsd.k12.sc.us
MIDDLE....Keith Brown............ http://kbtech.youcanbook.me
HIGH.........Doug Henderson..... DHenderson@gcsd.k12.sc.us
Email: gcsdtechfair@gmail.com
Website: www.gcsdtechfair.weebly.com
Location: 2018 Church Street, Georgetown, SC, United States
Phone: 843-436-7224
Twitter: @KTech8