DCSD Tech Tidbits 01.29.16
January 29, 2016
Principal Spotlight: Nicole Jones, Spaulding Middle School
She does an awesome digital newsletter and together with her coordinating teacher, Ms. Taylor, they have flipped many PLC and faculty meetings this year. Mrs. Jones also makes sure to showcase excellent student work and school activities through the school Facebook page!
Want to submit your principal for the "Digital Principal Spotlight" Section? Shoot an email to Carla.Jefferson@darlington.k12.sc.us or complete the form here.
Awesome JOB!
Mrs. Hilary Faircloth (PES) had her kindergarten students complete a Chatterpix Kids writing project. She had her students write and illustrate a sentence. Then her students made that picture read the sentence. It was a great way for her to incorporate her reading and writing with technology.
Way to go!
Want to submit a teacher you know for "Teacher Spotlight"? Shoot an email to Carla.Jefferson@darlington.k12.sc.us or complete the form here.
#dcsdtransforms Slow Chat - Every Friday!
Let's Go From "Techphobic" to Tech Ninja"!
Do you want to master technology in your classroom? Go from "techphobic" to "Tech Ninja" in just one day.
Saturday, February 13th, 2016
Free Training: Become a "Tech Ninja" Teacher
In just one day, you will discover...
- One secret tool teachers use to differentiate instruction
- 3+ free web tools that make formative assessment easy for 100s of teachers
- How to turn your "standard projects" into super cool tech projects
- Must-know survival tips for teaching with technology
- The best way to create engaging student projects with EASY tech ideas
Common Sense Media Tips
Website of the Week: Schoology
App of The Week: Baiboard
BaiBoard - Collaborative Whiteboard is a free virtual whiteboard app that allows students to make multi-page whiteboards while collaborating with others in-person or remotely. It can also be used to write on and share PDF files. Students simply create a board (using a passcode, if desired, for added security) and add content, guided by the easy-to understand icons at the top of the board. They then can send invites to others who can view and/or make changes to the board or PDF document. Boards can also be exported and viewed in many ways -- including email, Dropbox, Evernote, and Facebook -- as well as opened in ArtStudio and other apps. Multiple users can work on a board at the same time, communicating with one another via an in-app instant message feature. The whiteboard can include a a blank background or a background grid, making it handy for shared math work.
Digital Learning Day - February 17th
Digital Learning Day was started in 2012 as a way to actively spread innovative practices and ensure that all youth have access to high-quality digital learning opportunities no matter where they live.
What can you do for Digital Learning Day? Here are some ideas from 2014:
- Learn how to use 3D printers
- Share student work with mobile QR Codes
- Engage in a research project
- Have students use YakIt Kids, ChatterPix, Tellagami, iMovie to create a mini project
- Participate in a Mystery Skype or Google Hangout!
- Participate in a Kahoot Challenge with another classroom
- Have students blog about an experience
....and so much more!
If you're interested in participating visit Digital Learning Day for more information.
Looking for a class to connect with? Complete this Google Form and we'll work on finding a class for you!
Click here to access other teachers' responses for connection ideas.
Apple Foundations Trainings
The Apple Foundations Courses are designed to allow educators to participate in extended professional development. Each 3 hour course is designed to assist you in learning more about your devices and the applications that are an integral part of Apple products.
February 4th - Darlington
Creating Compelling Presentations with Keynote
4:00 - 7:00
In this PD session, participants will identify the unique strengths of Keynote for learning and teaching, create visually engaging, clearly organized, and personally expressive presentations, develop strategies to share, collaborate, and personalize learning.
February 10th - Darlington
MacBook Pro - OS X Yosemite - Becoming a Power User for Learning and Teaching
8:30 - 11:30
This PD session will help you get the most out of using your MacBook Pro as a powerful instructional tool. Identify and explore the fundamentals and powerful features of your Mac. Learn how to personalize Mac settings and use built-in apps for learning and teaching.
MacBook Pro - OS X Yosemite - Enhancing Personal Productivity and Collaboration
12:30 - 3:30
Discover how using your device’s powerful built-in apps can increase your productivity through time management, even documentation, and collaborative communication.
February 10th - Darlington
MacBook Pro - OS X Yosemite - Becoming a Power User for Learning and Teaching
4:00 - 7:00
This PD session will help you get the most out of using your MacBook Pro as a powerful instructional tool. Identify and explore the fundamentals and powerful features of your Mac. Learn how to personalize Mac settings and use built-in apps for learning and teaching.
February 17th - Hartsville
iPad - iOS 8 - Becoming a Power User for Learning and Teaching
4:00 - 7:00
In this PD course, participants will identify and explore the fundamentals and features of your iPad and learn how to personalize iPad settings and use built-in apps for learning and teaching.
February 23rd - Darlington
Amplifying Learning with GarageBand
8:30 - 11:30
In this course, participants will identify the unique strengths of GarageBand for learning and teaching, create, edit, and share audio and music recordings, and develop strategies to share, collaborate, and personalize learning
Making Data Meaningful with Numbers
12:30 - 3:30
In this course, participants will identify the unique strengths of Numbers for learning and teaching, create visually engaging, clearly organized, and data rich spreadsheets and develop strategies to share, collaborate, and personalize learning
SC Midlands Summit
Upstate Technology Conference (UTC)
#DCSDtransforms Weekly Podcast - 01.21.16
We're a GAFE district!
We've Gone Google!
DCSD is a Google Apps for Education (GAFE) district. All staff and students have Google accounts in the DCSD Google domain to facilitate communication, collaboration and publishing work.
Although Google Drive and other Google tools are accessible, teachers will continue to use MS Outlook for their email.
If you've never accessed it before, your Google login is firstname.lastname@darlington.k12.sc.us. Your temporary password is Password1 and then you will be prompted to change your password.
If you're having trouble logging into your Google account, please see your school wizard or a member of the DCSD Digital Transformation Academy.
Darlington County School District - Technology Department
Diane Sigmon, Director of Technology
Carla Jefferson, Instructional Technology Coordinator
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/darlington.k12.sc.us/dcsddti/home
Location: 120 E Smith Ave, Darlington, SC, United States
Phone: 843-398-2298
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/129354490748962/
Twitter: @dcsdtransforms