Instructional Technology Update
CCSD Spring 2018
Rocking the Promethean Panels at CCSD
We learned that we are all using our boards differently in our district!
Smart Notebook users prefer the Active Inspire software that our tech dept has installed on computers. It is also user-friendly with Think Central/Go Math and other websites.
Others prefer the web-based interactive Class Flow software.
All boards will be replaced with Prometheans at some point. You are encouraged to visit classrooms of current users to prepare for yours! If anyone needs a copy of any of the resources shared this year, please reach out!
Thank you to the PDP team, our administrators and our Tech Director, Roger Tripp, for making this training a priority on our recent professional development day!
Mrs. Skinner's SS6 Students are the 1st to Use Class Flow to Demonstrate Learning
Thank you to Penny Skinner for embracing our new technology, facilitating a high level of student engagement/learning. See some of the photos below!
Incredible lesson including a bell ringer and agenda!
Students interacting with their content and board!
This group sent out a matching activity as formative assessment!
CODING TAKES ROOT AT CCSD
Our PBL/Tech 8 students engaged in on-line coding unit of study recently. Activities included creating their own apps for mobile devices and utilizing Sphero Robotic devices (on loan from the Greater Capital Region Teacher Center) to learn how manipulate precise computer code into actions. Students engaged with Macros, Orbbasic and Opal programming languages. (See photos below!)
Our high school math department has a new coding elective course that utilizes http://www.codehs.com for instruction. This year's course focused on Java script. Next year, Python programming will be added to the curriculum.
Check out a great article (by Tynker) linked here on the top 10 benefits of teaching computer coding to students:
Students creating their own apps for their devices!
Coding commands to make the device move!
Precision coding to make the device accomplish specific tasks!
CHS PBL SS/ELA Students Dig Deep with Their Technology!
In a recent unit task, the students in Mrs. Lum's/Mrs. Pita's class researched and debated with their technology! Here is a sample lesson:
From Mrs. Lum:
Title of Project: Was Andrew Jackson an autocrat or democrat?
This was a self-directed, team oriented project in which groups of five students prepared for an academic debate and discussion based on the above claim. Students researched the policies of Andrew Jackson and then prepared their arguments. After collecting evidence and then applying this information to a concept web, students were then required to come to a conclusion about Andrew Jackson. The whole class then presented their arguments to each other and discussed their points of view on this topic. Students were required to use academic language as a part of this dialogue and practiced using evidence to support a claim which is skill for both the Common Core ELA Standards as well as Social Studies. (See photos below! Clearly, this was a learning activity enhanced with our access to technology!)
Student-Directed Learning with Technology as a Tool!
Collaboration and Communication!
Chromebooks Are Now an Everyday Tool at CCSD!
SPLASH MATH TAKES OUR ELEMENTARY BUILDING BY STORM!
The website even has free access for our parents to engage students at home!
Kudos to Margaret Watkins for getting everyone set up at Center Street!
Check out the link below for more information:
Mr. Paradis Engages Students with Podcasts to Demonstrate Learning!
In the links below, please find some sample student work! What a creative use of our technology with our students! (You will need to be signed into Google to access the samples below.)
Avary, Adrielle and James: https://goo.gl/16rZqm
Justin, Ashton and Cameron: https://goo.gl/3ShKGi
Isaiah, Rylee and Navaeh: https://goo.gl/x1oDJh
USE SCREENCASTIFY ON THE CHROMEBOOK FOR STUDENT (or TEACHER) VIDEOS!
Not only is this a free tool ideal for Chromebooks, but it AUTOMATICALLY saves the link in our Google Drive for easy sharing!
Check out 2 sample videos below of a French 8 speaking assessment. Students added the link in Google Classroom which allows me to assess and comment accordingly!
Below is also a refresher video on getting started. It is very user-friendly!
Teirnan and Gracie: https://goo.gl/R66CBQ
Jocelyn and Lorelai: https://goo.gl/iXZY7Z
QUICK VIDEO TUTORIAL OF SCREENCASTIFY FEATURES: https://goo.gl/ySqvQh
GOOGLE DRAWINGS IS GREAT TOOL TO CREATE/DEMONSTRATE LEARNING
Students in Mrs. Dunbar's/Mrs. Siano's grade 8 PBL/TECH classes recently proposed some new marketing ideas to Stewart's Shops as part of the Engineering: Package Design unit. After 2 guest speakers, independent research and much collaboration, students submitted a video, a document and a Google Drawing to pitch their ideas to the corporation.
Below, please find a few samples of their Google Drawings, an interactive poster design tool that is part of our Google GSuite. Students can design, import images, add their own artwork and much more!
Please reach out if you would like additional resources on this tool!
Corbin, Payge and Brock: https://goo.gl/mmAktL
Destinee, Tyrone and Aidan: https://goo.gl/tXr3xm
Deandra, Mackenzie and Jett: https://goo.gl/yTpZW1
Hana, Mackenzie and Jillian: https://goo.gl/4BtJER
Corinth Middle School is BREAKING OUT!!!
It is a series of tasks {puzzle clues) that are designed to promote critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving and student engagement. Students demonstrate their learning on any particular topic/discipline when they break out!
Our middle school was introduced to the teaching strategy at the NYS Middle School Conference. Three of of our colleagues, Tina Peck, Susan Hernandez and Penny Skinner, were inspired to get additional training and resources for our school.
Our February faculty meeting was a breakout demonstration/participation activity to further expose us to the concept.
CMS recently held a Family Escape Room/Breakout Night! Families competed in teams to solve the CORINTH BICENTENNIAL THEMED TASKS/PUZZLES created by our CMS Math Club members with guidance from adviser, Tina Peck!
The night was a great success. Many teachers in our middle school are using breakout materials to engage students! There are also free digital resources in all content areas to get started! Reach out to our resident experts for more information!
(See photos below of CMS breakout activities!)
Families Solving Bicentennial Puzzle Tasks to Breakout!
Math Club Members Served as hosts/hostesses!
Thanks to our CMS Shared-Decision Making Team for Making Parent Engagement a Priority!
KEYBOARDING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER!
The focus for keyboard instruction is K-6, but NYSED has recently put out a document with suggested skills at each grade level (linked here):
http://www.nysed.gov/edtech/guidance-keyboarding-instruction-0
In the era of texting and touchscreen tablets, strong keyboarding skills seem to be lacking. Please encourage students, whenever possible, to use proper finger/hand placement on the Chromebooks!
Here is one example of a typing tool:
TYPING CLUB GOOGLE EXTENSION (even has lesson plans):
The Google Chrome store has MANY different free typing apps. If you search and find one that you like better, send it to Roger and he can add it to our domain or to a specific grade level or building.
Just a reminder: Microsoft Office has not gone away! We have a full computer lab with desktop computers in HS room 101! It is important to expose our students to the skills needed to utilize a desktop computer and Office software that they will encounter in the workplace and after graduation!
A big thank you to Ms. Valerie Anatriello who makes ample use of the computers with her middle and high school health students!
Instructional Technology Support
I also respond to short questions for support with guidance/images, etc. by phone and via email.
There is also the monthly tech-drop in session the last Monday of each month (also on the district calendar) in my classroom!
If you are using a great tech tool in your classroom, please share so I can share with our colleagues! Photos and work samples are appreciated! Let's continue to build our CCSD Tech PLC!
Respectfully submitted,
Pat Siano
Instructional Technologist
Email: sianop@corinthcsd.org
Website: WWW.corinthcsd.org
Location: Ms 130
Phone: 5186549005 3130