The EdTech Connection
Weekly updates on what's happening in EdTech: 29 Jan 2018
Virtual FETC
While you might not have been at FETC, there are so many things that you can still learn! Check out their schedule - many have included their presentations! Hopefully, you'll find something that you can use next week! If you want just a snippet of what I learned, see below.
Using BookCreator as an Interactive Notebook or Reflection Journal
Holly Clark, author of The Google Infused Classroom, shared how BookCreator can be used even at the highest levels to encourage students to make their thinking visible. Rather than getting stuck on the idea that students must use it to write and publish their own stories, teachers can instead use it as one way of asking students to show their thought process or reflect on their learning.
Check out a blog post she wrote about it HERE.
Do It the Wrong Way
Alyse Consiglio, a principal at a private 6-12 school, is a former science teacher (11 years) and ITS (3 years). She shared an idea that she stole from Alice Keeler as a way to get students to approach learning in a non-linear fashion. Instead of getting students to explain an answer, each student gives a WRONG answer and then comments on three other student responses to explain either where the error is or how to correct the error.
See an example HERE.
All the Tools!
Tom Murray (@thomascmurray) shared a presentation on Friday called Tech Tools for Engagement. The first half of the session focused on WHY we should consider using tech tools in the classroom (HINT: not just because it's "fun") and the second half was time to explore some new tools. Many of these are old favorites, but some are new, and many are free.
See the list HERE.
Reminders for itslearning
Now that we're well into Spring Semester, here are a couple of reminders that you might need to have handy:
- How to view teacher planners: If you (or admin) need to view teacher planners in itslearning, you can do that without having to enroll in their classes. Instructions can be found by clicking HERE.
- Merging courses: As new semester courses are created (normally at the HS level) for students who enter with .5 credit, those courses will need to be merged with the year-long course. Instructions for that can be found by clicking HERE.
Angela Burgess
District ITS for Middle & High Schools
Forsyth County Schools, GA
Email: aburgess@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Website: www.mmeburgess.weebly.com
Location: 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, GA, United States
Phone: 770.887.246 203371
Twitter: @MmeBurgess