PLE Zen Den
Your Guide Toward Becoming a PLE Master
December Zenspiration
December’s dose of Zenspiration is taking it back, way back to the days of typewriters.
KIDS REACT TO TYPEWRITERS
There are a few lessons we can learn from the quotes in the Kid’s React video when it comes to integrating the Amplify tablet into our curriculum. Remember:
- Basically like a computer: You know how to use a computer. Take the time to regroup and remember how to solve the problem on your desktop when issues occur.
- This is fun!: When you embrace the device, fun ensues.
- I think I just broke it: Don’t be afraid to try new things. You won’t break it and if you do, we’re here to help.
- Me: Let me show you how it works - You: I knew it all along: I’ve found that once I review a concept, you automatically remember how it works. If you’re unsure, you know where to find your PLEF or resources on the PLERC. We’re available for PD while on campus and after school. Let us know ahead of time and we’ll add any date on our calendar, even if we’re not on campus that day.
- That’s so awesome!: Most PLE and tech integration tools are. You just have to try it.
- This is scary: Eleanor Roosevelt said, “I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experience behind him.” #nuffsaid
- I do not want to use this thing: Ask yourself why you don’t want to use this thing. Talk to your PLEF about the reasons and seek help.
- I love it, I want to keep it: We all feel this way after we master new technologies. 1:1 and PLE is here to stay.
- Argggggggggggh!: This feeling is natural and expected.
- Why is it so complicated?: Use the Amplify support button and suggest an easier process. They listen to us.
- Too many steps, oh my gosh: See above
- I think it would be simpler to write: It’s simpler to do it the old way, but is the old way always effective?
- How long is that going to take?: This initiative allows students and teachers to work at their own PACE. It takes as long or short as you need to obtain mastery.
- It’s pretty hard to do, but it’s “funner”: Indeed
- Deal with it!: As long as you’re in GCS middle schools, this is an initiative you must embrace. If your benchmark scores aren't where you expected them to be then it’s time to try something different. Your PLEF has an arsenal of tools to help.
Consider where you are in the STAGE OF PERSONALIZED LEARNING and tablet integration. We will delve deeply into the SAMR model to help you toward mastering personalized learning. We will also discover fun things we can do with and without the tablet such as using PLE with augmented reality.
December Spotlight
This month we spotlight our CTCs. Shalisa Spence (Allen) and Kenneth Altman (Guilford) have been our saviors. As their time at our schools come to a close, we want to thank them for offering their assistance and knowledge during deployment and implementation. The CTCs have gone above and beyond their job duties by taking on PLEF-like responsibilities, troubleshooting tablets and beyond as well as being true friends. Thank you for teaching PLEFs, teachers and students. You are much appreciated.
Shalisa Spence
Kenneth Altman
School tech teams
Thank you Shalisa and Kenneth for training our school tech teams!
CamScanner to the Rescue!
You need to give an exam and the copy machine runs out of ink. You have 15 minutes until the first bell and you're panicking. What to do? Use CamScanner. This app allows you to take photo of anything and turn it into a PDF or JPG. You can then upload it to Playlist Builder, Edmodo, Moodle, etc and share it with your students. This free tool is available for download in the PlayStore. Do you still have an .edu email address from your college days? If so, use this link and get a free premium account: http://www.camscanner.net/apply/index?lang=en-us
CamScanner - Intelligent Document Management
Knowledge Nuggets
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you quickly troubleshoot tablet issues:
- School-wide messages: Do you have a message you'd like sent through the tablets? If so, send your PLEF or Media Spec a message and we'll share it with students.
- Do you have a new student? If so you no longer have to send us an e-mail. When QR codes are ready, your PLEF will be notified and the tablet will be registered.
- Schedule change? Tablets sync with PowerSchool. This means that once you see the change reflected in your PS account, the tablet should update the following day. Be sure to restart your tablet daily to see changes.
- 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.
- Are you apps not working smoothly? Ensure they are up to date. Users should open the Amplify Market and click the 'person' icon in the upper right corner. There they'll see all of the apps that need a manual update. Teachers need to update Play Store apps by selecting MY APPS and manually updating. Please ask your PLEF or CTC should you need assistance.
- Remember to have your student techie work the steps on the TROUBLESHOOTING POSTER before contacting your media spec, CTC or PLEF.
- Amplify has heard our requests and now everyone can customize their tablet home screen with most used apps! Just long hold on an app from your app tray and drag it down to the app bar on the home screen! Or, you can remove apps from the home screen bar by long hold, drag to app tray. Give it a try and let Amplify know how awesome this via the SUPPORT ap. If you don’t see the apps bar at first, give it about 5 minutes to update.
Flexing the Environment with Edmodo
Have you created your Edmodo account? If so, have you joined our PLE group? This year we're flipping PLE sessions by doing the easy stuff solo and the fun/informative stuff as a group. Please join your school-based group by December 15 as the codes below will expire on that date. Contact your PLEF or media specialist should you need guidance.
- Amplified Allen: 5pivjr- Allen School Code: fjq9fr (does not expire)
- Guilford Gurus: u35ads - Guilford School Code: 0p5dic (does not expire)
Is there a workshop you'd like me to repeat during your planning period? Just ask!
Here's a list of lessons you may have missed:
- Blendspace
- Edmodo Snapshot
- Flipping with PowerPoint
- Personalizing with Discovery Education
- Personalizing with EDpuzzle
- Personalizing with Lensoo
- Personalizing with OneDrive
- Reaching EC Students with Read Alouds
December Transforming Learning Sessions Wednesdays @ GMS
- December 10: Augmented Reality and PLE
- TBD: SAMR in grade level meetings
December Transforming Learning Sessions Thursdays @ AMS
- December 11: Augmented Reality and PLE
- TBD: SAMR in grade level meetings/PLCs
Tamika M. Davis, PLEF
I'm PLEFing the halls and spreading tablet cheer. Happy Holidays!
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