WDLC Educators & Program Support
Digital Networking Sessions 20-21
Networking, Support and Skill Development
Sharing knowledge and resources to successfully and equitably implement high-quality online and blended learning opportunities for learners are what these sessions are all about.
Facilitators for the session are educators who are partnering with the Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative and are working in the field of online and blended learning on a daily basis.
All sessions will be recorded for those with schedule conflicts and the archive and resources posted in the WDLC Educators & Program Support Network Google Currents community (you can request to join).
How to join
https://zoom.us/j/97487009087 Meeting ID: 974 8700 9087
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Meeting ID: 974 8700 9087
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Video Conferencing Norms for Educators
Test your device audio and video
Zoom getting started, frequently asked questions and technology support
Title, Date & Time, Description, Facilitator(s) and National Standards Connection for 20-21 Sessions
Using Bitmojis in the Virtual Classroom
Description: Do you have a Bitmoji? Would you like to use it in new ways? Maybe you would like to create a virtual classroom or animate a Bitmoji. Students of all ages love these additions to documents, emails, and other technological tools. In this "make and take" session you will learn new ways to use your Bitmoji and then you will have time to create your own virtual settings!
You will need a Bitmoji to do this. Here is a video that will help you to do this to be ready for our session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV6mIGxcyoM
Facilitator(s): Sue Dean, WVS Math Teacher & Kristyn Lohoff, K-5 Teacher Menominee School District
An Introduction to Personalized Learning in Buzz: Groups, Clipboard, Choice
Description: Get an overview on how to use three built-in Buzz tools to begin personalizing the student experience. You'll walk away knowing enough to be dangerous with these tools! Create Groups to manage differing Due Dates or assignments. Use Clipboard to easily share supplemental or intervention resources targeting individual student needs. Enable "Choice" activities to provide student voice on a project/assessment - a future WDLC Session will focus solely on Choice activities, if you want to learn more!
Facilitator(s): Meri Tunison, WVS Associate Director and Online Social Studies Teacher and guest colleagues to be announced.
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: B3, D1, D2, D5, F6, G7
Journaling Strategies in the Online Classroom
Description: The benefits of journaling across the curriculum have been well documented, from ELA classes to Math courses. Join us for a discussion on techniques and methods your online peers are using to engage students in reflective journaling using the Buzz platform.
Facilitator(s): Jennifer Jaworski, iForward English Teacher and Anna Westaby, iForward Music Teacher
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: B3, D4, G5, G8
Formative Feedback
Description: "Teaching is in the feedback," we often say as virtual educators. This is rediscovering positive ways we can motivate students through formative feedback.
Facilitator(s): Seth Clendenning, Wausau Area Virtual Education (WAVE) and WVS Social Studies teachers
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: B3, D4, D5, G5
Don't be a Bot Online: Engaging your learners by letting your personality shine
Description: While automation in the online learning environment is great to support teachers in ways the F2F classroom cannot, there are many aspects of F2F teaching that need some adjustment and thought in the online environment. We know that students are engaged in learning in many different ways and a teacher's personality, teaching style, and personal touches that they have in the F2F class definitely have an effect on student learning. This session will focus on strategies on how to let your personality shine through in the online environment.
Facilitator(s): Lynn Neitzel, WVS World Language Teacher and BTC Colleague Kyle Sky - Instructional Design Specialist
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A2, B1, B3, H1
How to use Google Forms to Create an Assignment and then Embed in Buzz
Description: Learn how to use Google Forms to create assignments to embed in Buzz where the responses submitted by students will then populate to a spreadsheet. Google Forms allows you to create assessments, course evaluations, event registrations, order forms, provide feedback, etc. There are numerous templates to choose from. I’ll share how I used Google Forms to create an extra credit assignment for an Honors Geometry section several years ago. It resulted in a video library of 20-30 supplementary videos for each of my 9 modules in my Geometry course. This past summer I created another assignment for Honors Geometry to gather additional videos for the advanced topics covered in the Honors section.
Facilitator(s): Sue Steiner, Kiel and WVS Math Instructor
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: C1, D6, F4, F6, H4
WDLC Elementary Support (Round 2)
Description: The goals for the Dec 9 event are 1) to highlight resources/strategies K-5 teachers are currently using to help set the stage for a successful end to Sem 1 and transition to Sem 2, and 2) to facilitate collaborative discussion among K-5 educators.
Facilitators: Meri Tunison (WVS), Sami Mantyla (WEN), Michele Nickels (WVS)
Previous Session Resources/Recording: WDLC Elementary Support Introduction/Round 1
Standards-Based Grading
Description: Join for a conversation with colleagues about various ideas and challenges regarding implementing standards-based grading using vendor curriculum and Genius/Buzz. We will explore tools in Buzz that can help support possible standards-based grading or competency-based learning strategies. We also invite sharing of different resources that may be helpful for scope/sequence and standards-based grading considerations for your local team (these will vary by vendor). All grade levels welcome, K-8 may find this most beneficial.
Facilitator(s): Meri Tunison, WVS Associate Director and Online Social Studies Teacher and guest colleagues to be announced.
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: B1, F3, G2, G4, G5, G6
Using Synchronous Video Conferencing Tools (Zoom, Meet, Ultra, Adobe Connect etc.) to Establish Rapport, Provide Support & Build your Online Community of Learners
Description: Whether you are actively using a videoconferencing software or considering it we would love to talk with you and share ideas and strategies. How are you using the tool with your community of learners to: (1) establish rapport, (2) provide support and (3) build your online community of learners? Regardless of the video platform the items we will discuss will apply. We will talk about what is of interest to those participating live which could include: (1) What other creative ways are you using video conferencing (guest speakers, outlets for clubs and other social networking, parent/teacher conferences etc.) (2) What are you finding that works or does not work in this type of space? (3) How are you keeping learners safe and what are some norms (protocols or etiquette) you are using with learners? (4) We would love to hear any tips for the use of breakout rooms and groups for collaborative projects, discussions and other activities. (5) How do you encourage active participation or are sessions required? (6) Other topics surface by participants.
Facilitator(s): Michele Nickels, WVS Director and online Science Teacher
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A3, B1, B3, C1, C3, D4, H1
Keeping Your Student's Attention: Some Ideas from Brain Science and Learning Theory
Description: Can you take advantage of the brain's natural functions to attract and hold your student's attention? Maybe, maybe not. But, certainly, the more you know about the subject, the less likely you are to lose their attention. Join this session to discuss a few learning models that may help both you and your students to understand the processes that impact their attention and memory.
Facilitator(s): Lily Stasik, English Kenosha Unified School District
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A3, A4, D2
Student Choice Activities: How to Create, Manage and Grade them
Description: Looking to offer your students an assignment where they have a choice of options? Choice Activities is your answer. Student choice activities enable students to review approved activities and choose to complete the ones that best align with their interests and goals. This session will show you how to create, manage and grade these types of assignments.
Facilitator(s): Sue Dean, WVS Math Teacher
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A2, B3, G1
Grade-Level Considerations: Support & Intervention Approaches
Description: Join for a conversation with colleagues focused on supports and interventions for students who are not at grade-level with their skills and content comprehension. What supports are built into Genius and Buzz that could help? How might curriculum or pacing be used responsively regarding identified student needs? How could blended learning formats support flexible options? Related topics may surface, including Special Education, RTI, Advanced Learners/TAG, and competency-based learning. All grade levels welcome, K-8 may find this most beneficial.
Facilitator(s): Meri Tunison, WVS Associate Director and Online Social Studies Teacher and guest colleagues to be announced.
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: F1, F2, F3, G5
Create & Manage Engaging Synchronous Online Discussions
Description: The use of "synchronous" time during an online course is where you want to truly engage your students and understand the purpose (and difference) of synchronous vs asynchronous discussion. How do we best prepare and use that time with our students? How can we better understand and address student needs in this type of environment so that we are not creating barriers nor allowing students to "not" engage due to circumstances beyond their control.
Facilitator(s): Lynn Neitzel, WVS World Language Teacher & Blackhawk Technical College & Linda Havas, WVS World Language Teacher
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A2, A3, B1, B3, C2, C3, C4 and D1
Customizing Buzz Courses: Creating a "Homeroom" Feel
Description: Learn how to customize a Buzz course to feel like a "homeroom" for your students. Your Course Editor is the main stage for customizing your online learning environment! We will explore Basics first, including editing landing pages, embedding videos, adding new pages of content. Then, we'll discuss some more Advanced options such as using a "Resource" course for practice and storage, exploring other interactives to embed, and discuss implications for SEL! All grade levels welcome, K-5 may find this most beneficial.
Facilitator(s): Meri Tunison, WVS Associate Director and Online Social Studies Teacher
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: C2, C5, D4
Creating Tests using Variables in Buzz
Description: Do you want to create a test or quiz with a variety of versions but don't want to create the different ones? Using variables may be your answer. The variables may represent numbers or words, so they can be used in every classroom. See examples and learn how to use these variables to create tests with potentially hundreds of versions - and yet a simple answer key.
Facilitator(s): Sue Dean, WVS Math Teacher and Annette Walaszek, WVS Associate Director and Science Teacher
Encouraging Student Reflection
Description: Looking for ways to encourage your students to stop and reflect on their learning and learning strategies? Student reflection helps students to recognize progress, understand methods that work for them, shed bad habits, develop self-awareness, and take control of their learning. Join us to discuss some tools to encourage students to think about the strategies they use in their learning and what you can learn from their reflections.
Facilitator(s): Lily Stasik, English Teacher and Sarah Eisenberg, Social Studies Teacher KUSD
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: D1,D2,G1,G5,G8
What would you like to see in Genius or Buzz that is not there or working the way you would like it to
Description: While working in Genius I often wish it would have a certain feature, such as saving my e-mail so I can come back to it later or receiving a notification when end dates are changed. While we can’t submit our ideas directly, I can compile them and forward them to the Wisconsin eSchool Network Emerging Technology committee. Do you know how to use the Agilix Help Center? Do you know that in Buzz you can provide suggestions to Agilix for them to consider? We’ll walk through how to set up an account and offer suggestions. One of my ideas has been sitting out there for some time – Moving from one gradebook to the gradebook in another section. Can we move it along?
Facilitator(s): Sue Steiner, Kiel and WVS Math Instructor
Supporting the Social and Emotional Needs of Parents and Students in Online Environments
Description: When social and emotional needs are present students cannot be engaged in learning. It is important for online teachers to communicate strategies that support the social and emotional needs of students and parents. Teachers will be provided with local and statewide resources to share with parents and students in need of social and emotional support. Discussion will be facilitated regarding maintaining professional boundaries while fostering relationships with parents and students.
Facilitator(s): Jennifer Jaworski, iForward English and Michelle Uetz, iForward Health Instructor and Certified Parent/Peer Specialist
National Standards for Quality Online Teaching: A4, D4, and D7
Great Teachers in Action: WVS WDLC Teacher of the year & Exemplar Practice Nominees Highlight Reel
Description: For the past 3 years the Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative (WDLC) has awarded a teacher of the year. Two years ago they also accepted nominations for educators for exemplar practice awards connected to the National Standards for Quality Online Teaching. Join us to hear from the 2020 WDLC Teacher of the year and 3 of the nominees for exemplar practices as they share highlight reels of their best practices in the digital space to engage learners and promote successful learning experiences.
Facilitator(s): Jenny Mueller-WVS Science Teacher, Ken Sajdak -WVS Social Studies Teacher, Seth Clendenning - WAVE and WVS Social Studies teacher and Eden Mitchell-WVS English Teacher
Join the WDLC Educators & Program Support Network Google Currents Community
Have you joined the WDLC Educators and Program Support Network Google Currents Community? We will use that space to connect, support each other and share best practices and resources between our live digital networking opportunities. In addition, this is where we will post archived recordings and resources connected to our "live" network sessions. If you have an activated Google Currents (formerly Google Plus) account you can click on this link and request to join the community. We look forward to the continued collaboration and support.
Wisconsin Digital Learning Collaborative
As a statewide collaborative effort, WDLC shares knowledge and resources with K-12 schools, districts, and agencies who want to start or improve their online and blended learning practice. WDLC offers quality planning strategies, connections to implementation solutions, and peer-led learning opportunities that empower schools and districts to meet a wide array of learner needs for choice, flexibility, and instructional support.
Stay up to date on upcoming events and resources by signing at the bottom of the WDLC home page.
Email: wiwdlc@gmail.com
Website: https://www.wiwdlc.org/
Phone: 715-453-1953
Twitter: @wiwdlc