Educational Technology
Update May 18, 2020
What we do
At the start of the school closure the Ed Tech Team handled many, many requests from staff, students, and families We are supporting 400+ staff members across the district and hundreds of families across Barnstable who are using over 3,000 district devices on a daily basis. Initially, it was just Bethann and Beth; several weeks into the mix, Leo came onboard, then Alexis returned from maternity leave. We have been honored to have others step in to help provide PD; Jenn Fredo, Jenn Mullin, Michele Dinn; and Maura Bussiere with frequent webpage updates; and other technology supports by Laura Rosenfield and Melisa Stampfl.
Over the last several weeks, we have noticed the Ed Tech needs have changed dramatically. Early on, there were many requests for basic support:
- How do I connect to the internet?
- How do I log in to ...?
- How do I make a Google/Schoology class?
- How do I take a screenshot?
- How do I Zoom?
- How do I get free wifi?
- What’s my student's username and password?
Questions then shifted to:
How do I assign work in Classroom/Schoology
What do I use to collect student feedback?
How do I give student feedback?
What should I use to make a video?
How can I make an interactive slide deck?
How do I share my videos?
We have also noticed questions that some staff members think will go unanswered and are not supported such as:
If only someone can help me teach online?
Teaching online is so very different from being in a classroom, I don't really know what to do?
How can I differentiate for the various students’ needs in front of me?
Teachers have reached out for group sessions to create student-driven content/projects using technology tools. Teachers are recognizing that the “read this/watch this, ” and the student then completes a question and answer sheet is not working. Perhaps this is where the segway to teaching online shifts. Many teachers did this in class, but some are just now realizing this shift to ‘remote learning’. We are all learning together.
Our job titles might be Technology Integration Specialists, but the teaching license is Instructional Technology. The keyword is instruction, our skill set and expertise is in providing instruction through and with technology and to support and differentiate learning, among other things.
For example; all three of the core Ed Tech team have taught fully online courses at the undergrad and graduate level: these courses include how to teach in a hybrid environment and were 100% online.
Among the three of us, we have 35 years classroom teaching experience, 28 years as a tech integration specialist, and experience at all grade levels: Elementary, Middle School, and High School. Extend that to the team members of technology teachers who have joined us in weekly meetings to discuss ‘remote learning’ in general and the questions and issues that have arisen in recent weeks; and we are a very strong team.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us; we are here to help. We look forward to continuing to work with you over the next few weeks of what remains of the school year. We are beginning to think about next year and what else is needed for successful remote teaching and learning, by our teachers and for our students.
Update Staff and Family Resources
A Little Fun
Here are a few that were shared with our team over the last few weeks.
5th Grader "Hallelujah" Let me log in
Upcoming PD
This week keep an eye on your email for this week's schedule of sessions.
Ongoing Support
If you are experiencing difficulties using web resources visit the staff resource page, and join us for PD/Support web meetings or our virtual office hours.
For Ed Tech help please send your email to EdTechHelp@mybps.us to help us better share the work load. Please do not send requests to individual team members. This will help ensure your request will be handled in a timely manner.
If you are having a problem with your device please send these support requests to infrastructure@mybps.us.