CLX Digital Lead Teacher Newsletter
February 2018
#TCEA aka the most amazing educational tech conference experience.
I know what you're thinking, "Who has time to read your blog?!" True story. BUT there are a lot of links you might want to check out and if one strikes your fancy, let's touch base.
Here's the Spark notes on the posts themselves:
Blog post #1: AdaFruit circuit board with MakeCode, translation tools to support ELL students and families and Skype in the Classroom.
Blog post #2: So many tech tools and presentation links, including Google add-ons you didn't know you needed, tools for our youngest learners, SeeSaw and Google Drive
Explored circuit boards for coding + making
Inspired by a session on creating meaningful 3D printed art
Shared out some Skype love with others
EdcampAVL is coming to Claxton!
We are excitedly gearing up for Edcamp AVL. We have awesome sponsors jumping in, especially delicious food coming from Poppy, Strada Italiano, Del Vechhios, and High Five Coffee. Lots of prizes are being donated as well! We want to share the excitement with a BIG group of educators this year!
Over the next few weeks, we are making a push to "sell out" of our Edcamp tickets! If you have friends or colleagues that you think would benefit from the spirit of Edcamp AVL, please encourage them to attend.
You can share any of the following links with them:
We will also launch a drawing for people sharing tweets about Edcamp AVL. Tweet using the #edcampAVL hashtag, tag a friend, and you'll be entered to win a doorprize -- before you even get to Edcamp!
We are so looking forward to the day. We LOVED last year's event, and we're looking forward to it getting bigger and better this year!
--The Edcamp AVL Team
Kimberly, Darcy, Kenneth, and Katherine
Skype + Google Hangouts + You!
Recently I learned of another resource that uses Google Hangouts called Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants. The website isn't as in depth as the Microsoft platform, but still another great option for making connections. Ms. Briggs's science class tried it out for the first time and they spoke with an underwater archelogist! Check out their current events featuring women in science and look under 'Full Day Events' for more cool adventures.
Want to learn more about how to use Skype? Here's a link to a presentation that can walk you through the steps.
Also, they are thrilled to announce that they teamed up with Penguin Young Readers for a free broadcast event and a live twitter chat with the authors of the Hank Zipzer book series. Henry and Lin will discuss their books and inspire your students! Register your class now and submit your students' questions in advance on Twitter with #Skype2Learn.
Are You Using Pear Deck yet?
Upcoming Digital Learning Competencies Sessions
This year, DLTs are delivering PD through the NC Digital Learning Competencies. So far, we've discussed classroom management, digital citizenship, formative assessments and analyzing data. Here are the next sessions you can expect:
- Thursday, February 22: Using Rubrics
- Thursday, March 22: Using Inquiry Strategies
- Thursday, April 12: Innovative Strategies, Part 1
- Thursday, May 17: Innovative Strategies, Part 2 *if testing allows*
*Give Molly and I some feedback on the most recent session! It's super helpful and helps guide our work*
Congratulations to Ms. Lotter and Ms. Watts for Leveling Up!
Here's a link to the previous sessions:
Broken tech? Contact your Tech Ninja: Shelly Powell!
We are excited to have Ms. Powell as our tech contact and media assistant full time! She has been undergoing training since September and can help address your media needs.
Something not working? Please put in a tech ticket: https://helpme.asheville.k12.nc.us/ The link can also be found under 'Staff' on the Claxton website. Type in your first.lastname and your ACS password (same as logging into your email OR network computer). Select 'Have a Problem?' and select 'Claxton help desk'. Once your tech is submitted, it gets emailed to me and Ms. Powell, which is the quickest way for us to manage our tech support.
Hashtags for Claxton:
#clxleaders #clxsocialjustice #theACSway
Hashtags for Educators:
#nced #5thchat #4thchat #2ndchat #3rdchat #1stchat #kinderchat #skype2learn #mysteryskype #edtech #TLIM