Technoflash

Bellevue Public Schools, Bellevue, NE

Technology and Pedagogy are a Powerful Combination

Last week BPS new teachers attended their final technology training of the school year. The days were filled with a powerful combination of strong pedagogy and technology that allows teachers to transform learning in their classrooms. Both secondary and elementary teachers were provided the opportunity to grow their professional learning networks by connecting on Twitter and learning how to take advantage of hashtags, lists, and organizing it all in Tweetdeck. Teachers started the day with a training session on differentiation. During the training, led by Megan Kinen, Bellevue Public Schools District HAL Facilitator, the teachers used a variety of Google Apps. New teachers used Google Spreadsheets, Slides, Drive, and Docs throughout the session. The afternoons were full of engaging activities that introduced teachers to tech tools and strategies. While secondary teachers took on Google Apps for Ed (GAFE) challenges, elementary teachers learned about ways to create a global classroom and how to infuse coding into their computer lab time. Teachers now have a few more tools in their technology toolboxes to finish out the year.

NETA Contest Winners from Bellevue Public Schools

Bellevue Public Schools had one individual winner and one team winner in this year’s NETA Contest. Fourth grader Amy earned 2nd place in the Learning with Tech category. She created a Figurative Language presentation using Thinglink.

Kenzie and Derek won first place in the Learning with Tech - grades 3-5 Category. They created a iMovie trailer on Mystery Hangouts - Making Global Connections. All three students are in Mrs. Evon's class at Bellevue Elementary. Here is a list of all of the winners and links to Amy, Kenzie and Derek’s projects.

BPS Foundation Funds Impacting Bellevue Classrooms

The Bellevue Public Schools Foundation is having a big impact on a number of classrooms throughout the district as a result of the Foundation Classroom Grants Program. The BPS Foundation recently awarded nearly $24,000 in classroom grants, involving 43 teachers collaborating and submitting 24 grant proposals of differing amounts.The grants provided teachers an opportunity to infuse more technology into their classroom. Some of the technology includes: Little Bits, Spheros, 3Doodler Pens, iPad minis, and Lego Mindstorms sets. All of these additions will create amazing learning experiences for our students in Bellevue Public Schools! If you want more information and to see the winners, click HERE. The next grant cycle is planned to be in early fall of the 2016-2017 school year and all grade level and other teaching teams are encouraged to collaborate on their submittals.
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In the News

Fort Crook's all girls robotics team was one of only two all-girls robotics teams to compete in last month’s First Lego League qualifying tournament. The Lightning Ladies qualified for the Robotics State Championship Feb. 20 at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Congratulations girls! Read this article from the Bellevue Leader to learn more about the team and the competition.


A big shoutout to Phillip Loomis, 7th grade English Teacher at Logan Fontenelle, and Garrett Sims, 4th grade teacher at Fairview, who presented at the Nebraska Association Gifted Conference in February. They did an awesome job representing Bellevue Public Schools!

Learning Opportunities

  1. Sign up for EdCampOmaha Conference March 19th at UNO.
  2. Attend the annual NETA Conference April 21st and 22nd at the Century Link.
  3. Join a Twitter chat! You can just lurk or join conversation. Regardless of your level of participation, you will learn some new ideas and be inspired.
  • #nebedchat Wednesday at 8:00 PM
  • Click HERE for a calendar of all the chats.

Appy Time and Website Tools - Schoology Spotlight

Schoology has become a powerful tool that our district, administrators, teachers, and students are starting to really take advantage of when it comes to sharing, collaborating, and learning. As we dig deeper and deeper into Schoology we continue to find new ways to utilize all of its tools and capabilities. Here are a few of the great features that some of our teachers have started to use with their students.


Discussion - Student Created Projects

Creating a Discussion Board in Schoology is a great way to get teachers and students interacting on a topic. It also provides a great place for students to efficiently share and explore one another’s projects. One of the benefits of sharing student work this way is that students can efficiently see each other's work and comment on it. Follow these steps to create a discussion board for students to share information, ideas, and/or projects.

  1. Go to Add Materials

  2. Click Add Discussion

  3. Create a title and provide instructions for students in the Description.

  4. Note: Under Advanced options you have the option of making it so that students are unable to see other student posts until they have made their own submission.

  5. Click Create.

  6. Students go to Schoology and access the Discussion Board you created.

  7. Students can then add comments. In the comment they can post information, links, files, and/or anything they have placed in their Resources!


Embedding a YouTube Video

One of the most common materials that administrators and teachers are adding to their courses is YouTube videos. Although this can be done by simply adding a link that will go directly to YouTube, there is another way. The only issue with adding the link is that teachers and students are exposed to other videos and advertisements that may be a distraction. Therefore, embedding the video in a Page may be the best way to share YouTube videos in Schoology. Here are the steps to add a YouTube video:


  1. Go to Add Materials

  2. Click Add Page

  3. Insert Content

  4. Click Image/Media

  5. Click From Web

  6. Click Media (will turn black once you click)

  7. Paste the YouTube Link & Click Insert Media (Note: the video will appear as a yellow box)

  8. Save Changes


If you are interested in trying one of these tips out and need some assistance ,please don't hesitate to contact one of the tech specialists to help you.

Tweet Time--Tweets From Those You Know

Use Twitter to be connected! If you are a tweeter, remember to tag your tweets with #bpsne and #tt4t so more teachers can see what is happening in your classroom. Sharing is the name of the game! Remember there are lots of great chats to explore to connect with others in your content area. Just pull up the hashtag and enjoy the conversation.
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Meet the #tt4t Technology Team

District Technology Trainers

Jeanette Carlson

jeanette.carlson@bpsne.net

Twitter: @mrsjcarlson


Ann Feldmann

ann.feldmann@bpsne.net

Twitter: @annfeldmann1


Jeffrey Bernadt

jeffrey.bernadt@bpsne.net

Twitter: @jeffreybernadt


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