Instructional Technology Newsletter
December, 2016 - 5th Edition
This Month...
Our last newsletter of the year is huge! We are showcasing many of the students and teachers making technology integration happen!
Many of you have submitted suggestions for our newsletter and you will be happy to know, we have listened!
Along with our regular sections, we have now added,
1) a "Not So Tech Savvy" section
2) a "Step by Step" section.
Past Editions have been moved and can be found HERE or by using the link at the end of this newsletter.
In this month's edition, we spotlight:
- Innovative Educator
- Cohort Shout-Outs
- School/Teacher Shout-Outs
- Technology Resources
- Technology How-To's
- Step-by-Step Kahoots!
- 3 New Google Hangout Topics!!
- and much more!!
Megan Heberle - Islands High School
Innovative educators, among other things, see school as a place to provide students with relevant experiences that will give them a leg up in life. Everything about Megan Heberle’s Scientific Research classes prepare students for life after high school, from an ongoing three year field study, to lengthy peer reviewed research papers and posters presented biannually to the community. Megan came to Islands High school three years ago after teaching 2nd, 5th and 6th grades. Her experience teaching young students may be why she takes the time to make sure students understand process and procedure before she turns them loose to “show what they know.”
Megan started teaching her Scientific Research classes with a vision about what she wanted students to be able to do - namely be prepared to do college level research. Even though she had no student devices, she cobbled together the resources through Donors Choose, school laptops, and students’ smart phones. When you enter her class, it feels like a professional work space. Each student is deeply engaged in researching, preparing a presentation, or presenting to the class. In talking with students, they say they value the opportunity to become experts on a topic and get feedback from five or so peers on each paper. They use a rubric and Google Docs to track each other’s suggestions before rewriting and submitting their work. Students report this process is helping them to become better writers in all of their classes. But what really stands out beyond the quality of student work is the wealth of autonomy and intrinsic motivation. Our hats are off to Ms. Heberle for gathering the resources and arming students with all the skills they’ll need to go far in life!
Follow Islands High School Research Department on Twitter @IHSSciResearch
Ms. Pistorio and Students @ Largo-Tibet
Libby Pistorio, at Largo-Tibet, was looking for ways her younger students could create and communicate with a wider audience. She was introduced to Chatterpix, Seesaw, and Shadow Puppet (all creativity apps in iOS) and was immediately hooked. Her students had created some amazing products by the very next class period and were proud to show them off. She also shared a little social media love in an email a few days later, “Thanks for introducing it to me! I'm obsessed! #obsessed #sickofmeyet?
It was thrilling that she and her students took the time to be risk-takers and try something completely new. #SCCPSSITCsuccess
Mrs. Goldwire's Class @ Hodge Elementary
Mrs. Avendano's Students @ Marshpoint
Carla Frazier - Godley Station
You’ve heard the phrase, “Things happen for a reason.” Godley Station teacher, Carla Frazier, wrote a technology mini-grant so that students could bring real world meaning to their middle school math experience. Since the equipment arrived, Ms. Frazier’s students have Skyped with actual recycling centers to learn about the processes in place and action items necessary to launch a recycling center in their school. Students have built surveys in Google Forms and are in the process of analyzing their survey data. These activities alone change the level of engagement in the math classroom. But the story gets even better for one particular student who was struggling with the activities which were seemingly easy for others. Ms. Frazier soon realized that her young student was unable to see the information the same way as her other students. Once the color was removed from all websites on the Chromebook using the High Contrast Chrome Extension, the student was able to see the same information as her classmates, just in a different way. Adding technology to a classroom certainly has its benefits; we’re thrilled that it brought a new focus to math instruction and impacted the educational life of a previously struggling student. Thank you, Ms. Frazier for your persistence in making math meaningful!
Ms. Mahany's Class @ Marshpoint
The video clip and pictures below are documenting a project on New England Colonies. Students research different aspects of the colonies and continually add information to a Google Slides presentation, creating a digital journal of their learning.
Hour of Code - Computer Science Education Week
Upcoming Webinar - December 8th
Hour of Code
Get your students involved this year by using any of the links listed below. If you need assistance, reach out to your IT Coach.
ArtBabble
National Geographic
"Nat Geo Kids inspires young adventurers to explore the world through award-winning magazines, books, apps, games, toys, videos, events, and a website, and is the only kids brand with a world-class scientific organization at its core."
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/Annenberg Learner
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History is a nonprofit devoted to the improvement of history education. The website contains resources for teacher development as well as for student learning.
https://www.gilderlehrman.org/ISTE Standards for Students
Empower your students and with the ISTE Standards - download this FREE classroom poster.
Here is our Happy Dance for all finishers of Cohort activities in Quarter 1!!
Who are they? Check out our Wall of Fame below and consider joining them by participating and finishing quarterly activities. We have many Happy Dances saved up!
We will be recognizing those that complete an entire quarter of activities in each newsletter. Each time you complete all activities for any particular quarter, you will receive your digital badge, certificate, and your Wall of Fame will either be started or updated. Don't miss out!!
Creating More Authentic Lessons using G-Suite
Social Media Making an Impact
Twitter @ Derenne Middle School
Twitter @ Charles Ellis
Twitter @ Savannah Arts Academy
Facebook @ Gould
Twitter @ islands High School
Facebook @ Isle of Hope STEaM
Georgia Educational Technology Conference
Flippity
Poll Everywhere
Screencastify
Windows 10 - Now What?
Step-By-Step Kahoot!
Get started with Kahoot! Use this LINK to find step by step instructions for registering, finding and creating Kahoots!
From Kahoot : "A powerful way to teach new concepts, the "Blind Kahoot" is all about building knowledge brick by brick in a single game... but how do you even get started? IB Bio Teacher & Kahoot!'er Steph Castle shares her (totally GENIUS) tips and tricks on the art of Blind Kahoot!'ing."
3 Minute Videos for Becoming Tech Savvy
The link will take you to some of the best YouTube channels for learning a thing or two about using technology in the classroom and put yourself on the path to becoming a tech savvy educator! TECH SAVVY
Welcome to Lakeshia Bostick - District Media Support Assistant
I am elated to have joined the SCCPSS. I take pride in everything that I do. I currently reside in Rincon, GA, but originally from Estill, SC. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, as well as a Masters in Education (Library & Information Systems). Overall, I have a total of 20 years of experience in education .
I have one beautiful daughter named Miya and she is the light of my life. I have a passion for children and their education. My ultimate passion is baking. This is my therapy. Thanks for all of the well wishes on this new endeavor.
Movers and Shakers in Education - check out these amazing educators for inspiration and innovation!
- Edutopia - Hosted by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, Edutopia has plenty of well-indexed information on how technology can be used in classrooms.
- Cycles of Learning - Ramsay Musallam recognized how useful hacks could be in classrooms, so he set up Cycles of Learning to share practical education tech hacks to make teachers’ lives just a bit easier. Who doesn't like easier?!
- Participate Learning- Check out all that Participate Learning has to offer educators.
- ITC Blog - We aim to provide timely and usable information.
- Learning in Hand is an educator's resource for mobile and digital learning created by Tony Vincent.
- TeachThought - full of articles for education
- Ditch That Textbook - "I’m Matt Miller. It’s my passion to equip teachers to thrive in this new era of education and think differently about the craft of teaching."
- Alice Keeler a must read. Full of resources and ideas.
- Vicki Davis - Cool Cat Teacher
Google Hangouts - A Great Way to connect with Others!
December's Topics: Click HERE to sign up for one or all.
Vlogging Hangout
Facebook Live Hangout
Assessment Strategies Hangout!
Get Connected with Educators in SCCPSS and Beyond!
If you are a Twitter user (whether just getting started, or been Tweeting for years), click on the link below to join the SCCPSS Twitter Tribe to share resources, get a peek at their classrooms, and build your Personal Learning Network. Add your Twitter handle to the list so that others can follow you. Does the idea of using Twitter to connect with other educators sound interesting? Join the 20 day Twitter Experiment anytime, anywhere!
Want to Connect Using Facebook?
Interested in using public Facebook pages to connect with parents and the greater Savannah community? Join the Social Media in EDU Learning Cohort to begin your journey and receive guidelines and support along the way.
Are you Reading?
What is going to make our newsletter something you look forward to each month? We are asking for your input! Please use the link below to submit your ideas.
Know Your Instructional Technology Coach!
The Instructional Technology Department is responsible for coordinating, organizing, and facilitating the effective use and integration of technology within the schools in order to increase student performance.
Instructional Technology Coaches
Media Services
Carol Tarnowski - Library Media Technology Coach
Deborah Hargroves - Media and Broadcast Trainer (part-time)
Lakeshia Bostick - Media Support Assistant (912) 395-1124
Program Manager
Wendy Marshall - Program Manager