Tech at Orchard Hills
Behind the Scenes with the Digital Learning Coach
Quarter 1- Up and Running!
2015 is the third year of teaching and learning in a 1:1 iPad environment; both students and teachers were up and running iPads in hand by the end of September. Eight teachers have signed on as Digital Learning fellows and will meet weekly to plan, design and implement standards based lessons supported by technology. In addition, all teachers can book appointments for technology and instructional support with OH's new DLC Gina Dearborn.
Google Classroom
OH teachers are flying high using Google Classroom as a mission control for their classes. Google Classroom essentially manages the workflow between teacher and student in a digital environment. Teachers can create classes, distribute assignments, post discussion questions, send feedback, and seemanage everything in one place. Students use the Google Classroom app to manage all of their classes, assignments and calendar in one place.
Verso comes to TUSD
Orchard Hills has joined TUSD's pilot of Verso- a new web based platform designed to activate student learning and give each student a voice. Teachers create VERSO activities that involve video clips, infographics, poetry, art, virtually any content. Students access VERSO activities on their iPads and post questions, respond, reflect and interact with their classmates in a safe blogging environment. Teachers can measure student engagement and use VERSO data to adjust their lessons and deepen student understanding. Verso has been used in Art, Spanish, Core classes, Science, Math and 5th grade classes.
Haiku Learning Management System
Orchard Hills staff continue to utilize Haiku, TUSD's learning management system. Teachers have taken advantage of DLC one on one support and training to better utilize the advanced features of this platform. Students in Core 7 are taking digital quizzes receiving instant results, the physical education department post videos and discussion forums for all classes and art students are using the ePortfolio feature to archive and reflect on their work throughout the year.
Verso in action! Students supporting claims with evidence
Using Explain Everything to analyze Japan's government
OH News Broadcasts Tech Tips from Tech Genius Club
Quarter 2- Building Capacity
Teach Meets
Successful infusion of technology into teaching and learning is an ongoing journey. Every teacher and student is at a different spot in the road. One of the roles of a DLC is to build capacity by training teachers and supporting their journey to become tech leaders at their site. To continue to build capacity at Orchard Hills we have launched monthly "Teach Meets" during faculty meetings. Teachers present a lesson and highlight how technology either engaged their students, allowed for enrichment or a greater depth of thinking/learning or efficiency. Thank you to Mrs. Ronce and Mrs. Rifkin for sharing Google Classroom and Mrs. Fowler and Mrs. Carlos for sharing Verso.
Next Issue
- OH Tech Genius Club
- Mystery Skype & the Globally Connected Classroom
- Flipped Lessons
Gina Dearborn, Digital Learning Coach
Email: gdearborn@tustin.k12.ca.us
Website: http://www.tustin.k12.ca.us/orchardhills
Location: Orchard Hills, Irvine, CA, United States
Phone: 714-349-0470
Twitter: @gpdearborn