PLE Zen Den
Your Guide Toward Becoming a PLE Master
March Zenspiration
I am a closeted Trekkie. As I reflect on life, I'm sure the tell-tell signs of being a geek were evident. I enjoyed watching all of the various Star Trek franchises but no other character touched me more than Mr. Spock. I'd like to think that it was his intelligence, undeniable acceptance of others and loyalty to friends, but I'm sure It was the ears. I mean, I even owned a pair.
As I sat down to write this month's zenspiration, the news of the death of Leonard Nimoy, the man who first portrayed Spock was trending online. I thought about the way a character, such as Spock, would have been taught in school. It dawned on me that Spock probably received a personalized education:
- using a 1:1 device with real-time feedback and instructions
- collaborating with friends in a virtual world
- using simulations to solve real-world problems
- exploring on said device to delve deeper into a subject at a pace most beneficial for him
Star Trek first aired in 1966. Many of the imaginings the creators dreamt up are now our reality, such as the first cell phone. Click here for more Star Trek coolness. I suppose envisioning the way students learn is a natural progression.
I often get annoyed looks when I share that we're still trying to figure out what personalization looks like. It may take until the end of the PACE grant or another decade before all educational institutions embrace a PLE. Either way, Guilford County has started marching towards the unknown and there is no turning back. Unfortunately, the journey looks less like the Star Trek Enterprise flying across galaxies at warp speed, and more like the Pilgrims battling their way across the Atlantic Ocean in a leaky Mayflower. But like Spock, it is necessary that we "Live Long and Prosper" to reach our destination.
Tracking Tamika?*
- Guilford: Mondays & Wednesdays
- Allen: Tuesdays & Thursdays
*unless otherwise communicated
March Educator Spotlight
This month we spotlight the leaders of our schools - your administrators. This initiative fails when administration does not embrace Personalized Learning and 1:1 technology. Thank you, ladies for your insight and innovation.
Carla Flores-Ballesteros/Guilford AP
Christina Hall/Allen AP
Strategy Spotlight - Choice Boards
Simply put, a choice board is an organizer that contains different activities based on student interests and abilities. From the teacher perspective, you will see the level of excitement and willingness to learn increase in your classroom.
Choice boards can be employed a variety of ways - from a printed document, a display board to online access, find a method that works best for you and your students. You'll find many examples on the Dare to Differentiate wiki. Also ask your PLEF for guidance in creating a choice board to cater to the various learning styles in your classroom.
Below are digital resources that make it easy to share Choice Boards with students:
1. Blendspace
4. Discovery Education Board Builder
5. Smore
6. QR Codes
Amplify Market Spotlight - SyncSpace
Knowledge Nuggets
- Changes to Student Avatars
- Teachers can now see their students avatars on the Select Student screen
- Student Avatars are now visible in the Discussion tool
- For helpful guides and information, visit our Knowledge Base and our online community for helpful information and to engage with fellow teachers around the country
Become a DEN Ambassador: If you are interested in being a part of this innovative program please click here: Search for DiscoveryEd and continue as you would with any other professional development.
Visit and bookmark this Amplify Troubleshooting link. The folks in New York update this site frequently and should be your first resort when things go wrong with the tablet.
Is there a workshop you'd like me to repeat? Just ask!
Here's a list of lessons you may have missed:
- Augmented Reality in a PLE
- Blendspace
- Digital Tools to Advance Formative Assessment
- Edmodo Snapshot
- Flipping with PowerPoint
- Infographics as Creative Assessment
- Personalizing with Discovery Education
- Personalizing with EDpuzzle
- Personalizing with Lensoo
- Personalizing with OneDrive
- Reaching EC Students with Read Alouds
- Task Rotations in your Content Area
March Transforming Learning Sessions
I often here from teachers that you'd like our Transforming Learning Sessions to be held during the day. This month, we will try something new and hopefully more schedule-friendly. I will offer sessions during planning but you must use the Sign-Up Genius link associated with the course. Please talk to your grade level colleagues and gather a group so to train together during a designated time slot.
Teachers - be careful to select YOUR school.
Tamika M. Davis, PLEF
Email: davist@gcsnc.com
Website: http://ple.gcsnc.com
Location: Serving Allen MS & Guilford MS
Phone: (336) 370-3287
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pace.plefs
Twitter: @zenPLEF