December 3-5 Newsletter
Parent Resources & Screen Recording Highlight
Instructional Technology Parent Nights
The district will host three Instructional Technology Parent Nights in January/February to help families to better understand the role technology is playing in their child's educational experience. We will provide parents with more information regarding the platforms we are using (Seesaw and Schoology) as well as how we are equipping students with future-ready skills as a result of purposeful technology integration.
Dates:
- January 15 (FMS)
- January 31 (PMS)
- February 6 (SMS)
Each date will have a K-2 session (6:00-7:00pm) and a 3-5 session (7:15-8:15pm) to tailor the session to the different grade level bands.
How will this be communicated with families?
- Dr. Florio will share the flyer with families
- Principals will continue to share the flyer in their weekly communication
- Jen Neill (Communications) will post on district Facebook page
- WE NEED YOU! Please share the attached flyer in your family communication to continue to spread the word!
Instructional Technology Parent Night Flyer
Please click here to view the PDF and share with families!
Tech Tip of the Month: Screen Recording
Have you heard of Explain Everything or ShowMe? Skip the subscription and app costs and utilize the Screen Recording feature on your iPad instead!
Integration Ideas for Students:
- Have students record their written work as they narrate their explanation of math word problems using the Numbers app (use the "Drawing" tool in Numbers to draw directly on the page). Students can upload their video to a Schoology assignment or discussion post from their iPad.
- Provide students the opportunity to record tutorials for their classmates to refer to as needed throughout a unit. Create a discussion post on Schoology for the unit and have students post their videos to help their peers.
Integration Ideas for Teachers:
- Flip your Classroom...or just a lesson! Record yourself completing a sample problem or task and have students watch the video before beginning your mini-lesson. Then, provide students with a problem of their own to gauge their understanding after watching you model the first example--you may be surprised that they catch on faster than you think!
- Send parents a quick video tutorial of how you'd like them to navigate their child's Schoology courses. Do you have a folder for parent resources in your Homeroom Course? If so, model accessing that folder and what you intend to keep in there for parent access throughout the year.
How to Use Screen Recording:
- Add Screen Recording to your Control Center--Go to Settings, Control Center, tap the plus sign next to Screen Recording.
- Check that your audio is turned on so your voice is captured--swipe up from the very bottom of the screen, then tap and hold the record icon and turn audio ON. *If your iPad is updated to iOS 12, you will swipe down from the upper right corner of the screen to access your Control Center.
- When you're ready to record, tap the record icon in your control center. This will begin your screen recording. You can move from app to app while recording.
- When you're finished recording, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access your control center and tap the record icon to finish the recording. Your recording will automatically save to your camera roll.
- Share your video with students or families by posting it on Schoology!
Watch the screen recording below to see how to turn on Screen Recording!
Teacher iPad Expectations
By winter break, all 4th-5th grade teachers will have staff iPads. The purpose of these devices is to support the transformation of instruction.
APPLE TEACHER PROGRAM:
- EL, Gifted, LS, and Reading Specialists: Apple Teacher Program is expected to be completed March 6 (end of the 2nd trimester).
- 4th and 5th Grade General Education Teachers: Apple Teacher Program is expected to be completed by the August In-Service.
- The WHY: The Apple Teacher Program provides teachers with professional development in navigating and using the device instructionally. Teachers may submit their hours for flex time.
When you complete the program:
- Fill out this District Apple Teacher Form to show your completion
- Complete the district flex time form if you complete the program outside of contract hours.
Want to complete the program with your peers? Consider attending a drop-in session at Spellman's Training Room between 3:45-5:00pm on the following dates:
- December 12
- January 10
- January 22
WCASD Teacher iPad Expectations
Please click here for more information regarding the district expectations.
60 Minutes Episode: Groundbreaking study examines effects of screen time on kids
Click the link below to read about a new study that aims to investigate the impact of screens on child development. The article summarizes the 60 Minutes episode that aired on December 9, 2018. When discussing the use of technology, Jean Twenge, one of the lead researchers, writes, "But you have to use it for what it's good for and then put it down. I mean, it should be a tool that you use. Not a tool that uses you."
2018-2019 Schoology Expectations
West Chester Area School District
Instructional Technology
Email: jsouthmayd@wcasd.net
Website: https://www.wcasd.net/Page/10071
Phone: 484-266-1097
Twitter: @JenniSouthmayd