URockEdu Updates
November 2020
A publication of the Education Service Center Region 11
We Lead. We Serve.
Email: mcollins@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/diglearn
Location: Education Service Center Region 11, South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX, USA
Phone: 817-740-7562
Facebook: facebook.com/Urockeu
Twitter: @URockEdu
We are Thankful for You!
We know that October and November can be long and challenging months — even more so during a pandemic — but we want you to remember ...
You have the most exciting, fulfilling, exhausting, overwhelming, incredible job that exists today.
That’s a bold statement, yes. But you do! Classroom teachers, you put everything going on in your own life on hold to be present so that you can nurture the minds and hearts that are depending on you. Technology specialists and coaches, you have stepped up in a time when teachers need you more than ever, and we have been blown away by the support and comfort you have provided during this crazy time in education.
Some days you’re filled with joyful triumph. Other days you struggle to push through. But you love what you do and you keep on going because education is your gift and passion — and those connections you make, those lessons you impart, and that get-up-and-go attitude is what reminds our world of what’s good, what’s honest, and what’s important. This work is what is needed in our world.
So, thank you! Thank you for your dedication, heart, expertise, and stability. You do one of the hardest and most important jobs in the world, directly impacting and inspiring thousands of lives over the course of your career. Thank you for caring about each and every student and teacher and for being a role model whom anyone — no matter what age — can admire.
From our URockEdu family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
We're Hiring!
Tool Talk
Tricider
Daresay
Daresay, a digital design agency, shares its "random check-in" with others. Use it as an ice breaker, a team builder, as brain breaks, or as a way to start meetings in a creative and fun way. Check it out! Click on "filters" and select from three options (practical, creative, and reflective) to start generating conversation prompts.
Book Nook
This valuable book will give educators solution-based methods and research-based resources to improve classroom culture as well as enable schools to elevate students’ engagement and academic achievement. In addition, activities will be provided that will help teachers improve their own lives and their students’ lives. Grounded in scientific research, this book will delve into numerous integral aspects of gratitude as it relates to education.
Aubrey Bright in Stories That Connect Us is a heart-warming tale of intergenerational connection focusing on how relationships are strengthened through storytelling and the power that technology has to connect us. Aubrey, a young precocious girl, has a strong relationship with her Gramma, which is anchored in a love of storytelling. When her Gramma gets sick, Aubrey shows her that technology can be a powerful tool for modern storytelling and connection.
Discovery Education Exposé
It's not too late to sign up for Discovery Education's Fall VirtCon, taking place November 16 - November 19. As an educator with access to Discovery Education, you are automatically part of the DEN, Discovery Educator Network. Join fellow DEN members for instructional inspiration at Discovery's reimagined annual DEN Fall VirtCon, and access on-demand and live professional learning experiences designed to allow you maximum flexibility and choice. Learn practical, creative, and effective ways to ignite curiosity and support teaching and learning in any environment. Register here.
Canvas Corner
New Rich Content Editor (RCE) in Canvas
The Canvas Rich Content Editor (RCE) has been updated with a more intuitive design. Some districts have set the New RCE as a default across their Canvas instance while others have allowed users to enable the new RCE in their courses to try out. If you are part of the latter group, it is important to inform users of the upcoming change and give them time to explore the new features. You may consider providing resources for users to explore:
If you would like additional information about the New Rich Content Editor, these are the Release Notes from 1-18-2020. Additionally, the RCE Updates - Summer 2020 address some New RCE features the developers continue to improve. Note that the feature option enforcement date of June 2020 was moved, and the new enforcement date is December 19, 2020.
For questions on Canvas, contact Ann Marie Helou, at ahelou@esc11.net.
BrightBytes Bits
Is it time to plan your BrightBytes T&L/MLS collection?
Are you making data-driven decisions to plan actionable next steps in these challenging times?
BrightBytes Technology & Learning and Modern Learning module is a fast solution to measure and drive the factors that impact school technology usage. Where do you want to be? What do you most need to work on? Are there gaps that you might not be aware of? How do you know that? Use your collection data and your Clarity web-based dashboard to highlight strengths and weaknesses and plan where your technology integration is headed, what you want it to look like, and what barriers exist in getting there.
Are you ready to get started? Our BrightBytes Thought Partner, Stormy Cullum, can walk you through every step of the way. Contact Maria Collins at mcollins@esc11.net to get started today!
Seesaw Scoop
CLICK HERE to access the New Ideas with Seesaw Choice Board.
Contact Nicole Adkins at nadkins@esc11.net for any Seesaw support.
Connect2Texas
Instructional Solutions and Support Contract
Don't miss out!
Does your district or school have the Instructional Solutions and Support Contract with ESC Region 11? If so, the following digital resources are available to you:- Canvas
- BrightBytes
- TexQuest
- Discovery Ed
- Connect2Texas
- VoiceThread
- Ensemble
Whether you need to get started or need to get reacquainted with any of these tools, contact Maria Collins at mcollins@esc11.net for support.
To request free professional development for any of these resources, complete the form below:
Upcoming Professional Learning
Engage by Design Digital Tools Series
Canvas 101 Lite (Online Course)
Seesaw 101 (Online Course)
If you are just getting started with Seesaw or want to learn a few new tips and tricks, this course is for you! You will leave knowing the basics of Seesaw, how to search and create activities, and how to effectively communicate with parents and students. We hope that you leave this course feeling like a Seesaw expert! Register here to attend.
Seesaw PLN
Join us for Seesaw Educators PLN! The hour will provide time to collaborate with other teachers in the region who are using Seesaw with learners. We will share celebrations, challenges, activities, and questions about using Seesaw.
December 2
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Register here to attend.
Google Classroom PLN
Join us for Google Classroom Educators PLN! The hour will provide time to collaborate with other teachers in the region who are using Google Classroom with learners. We will share celebrations, challenges, activities, and questions about using Google Classroom. All sessions will be held from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. on the following dates:
Google Classroom Educators PLN - December 1
Register here to attend.
More Updates and Information
Districts that have purchased the Instructional Solutions and Support (ISS) contract have access to Canvas.
It is available to districts through the ISS contract. What are you waiting for?