Digital Learning News
by the Digital Learning Team 12.8.2015
AMAZING SPOTLIGHTS THIS WEEK!
HIGH SCHOOL
Josh Reed's English 1 class synthesizes new learning by creating Memes
SHANNON HIGH SCHOOL:
Mary Huston, librarian, facilitates the school's Makerspace where students research, create, and learn
RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL:
Librarian Angi Magana organizes #HourOfCode for 2000+ students (more info below)
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Lindsay Cato is integrating SIOP strategies and flipped learning
The faculty at N. Richland Middle uses Padlet to collaboratively reflect on their use of Tier 1 priorities and best practices
Mary Terry, academic coach, supports her teachers via a new blog that makes great teaching visible
NORTH OAKS MIDDLE:
Pam Starnes and her ELAR students use Kagan Cooperative structures to learn and interact with words and their roots
SMITHFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Christine Gaston supports American Sign Language students' vocabulary learning with Padlet and videos
WATAUGA MIDDLE SCHOOL:
Colleen Zitzman and Angel Cox make reading and writing relevant for students by using a social media simulation, Fakebook
ELEMENTARY
Elizabeth Shier and her music students are making the most of BISD Bond technology
NORTH RIDGE ELEMENTARY:
Stephanie Jackson's 4th graders are active blended learners with authentic work using Google Classroom
Koree Conley's 4th grade students love using Plickers to show what they know for a test review
WEST BIRDVILLE ELEMENTARY:
Anai Ortiz and her students rock informational text analysis and show their learning with Cube Creator
Hour of Code
Richland HS librarian Angi Magana has organized campus-wide Hour of Code opportunities for 2000+ students to explore the week of December 7th.
"Because our whole school is participating in this event, RHS has been entered into a drawing for technology worth $10,000. One school from each state will win this prize."
Click here to see the interview with Rashel Larson, Digital Learning Specialist, computer science guru.
Click here for some other Hour of Code resources for educators:
· Use this template lesson plan to organize your Hour of Code.
· Check out best practices from past Hour of Code teachers.
· Attend our Educator's Guide to the Hour of Code webinar.
· Visit the Hour of Code Teacher Forum to get advice, insight and support from other educators.
- Review the Hour of Code FAQ.
- Learn here from Khan Academy
Art Teacher Watching the RHS Coding Magic
Students Coding in the Lab
"Look what I did!"
The BISD 15-Day Twitter Chat: Giving One Another the Gift of Learning
Today is Day 7. You have plenty of time to join in on the learning from your BISD colleagues.
Here's how it works: Before 8 AM each weekday, November 30-December 18, a new question is posted by @Birdville_DL along with the hashtag #bisddlp. For 24-hours, we invite you to tweet your responses, review and retweet the responses of others, or reply when you read something that you like or want to know more about.
New to Twitter...?
Just email any friendly Digital Learning team member and we will be glad to help you!
Want To See the BISD 15-Day Twitter Chat Questions?
Review of Day 5
Teaching and Learning Tips
Student Tech Tool of the Week: WordFoto!
Teacher Tech Tool of the Week: JibJab!
App of the Week: Toontastic
Click here to see it in the App Store.
Digital Learning Team
Kelli Montgomery @KelliM11, Director of Digital Learning
Cheryl McKnight @cherylmck, Coordinator of Digital Learning
Karen Teeters @karenteeters222, Online Learning Specialist
Jennifer Miller @steamlearnlab, Learning Resources Specialist
Elementary Team Members
Birdville~WT Francisco~Binion, Mullendore, Snow Heights, Porter, Spicer
Toni Dowdy @technologytoni toni.dowdy@birdvilleschools.net
Smithfield, Cheney, Stowe, Watauga, Foster Village, North Ridge, Walker Creek
Jeff Samuelson @jeff_samuelson jeff.samuelson@birdvilleschools.net
David E Smith, Richland, West Birdville, Holiday Heights, Hardeman, ACFT, Green Valley
Secondary Team Members
Michael Hanson @Hansonits michael.hanson@birdvilleschools.net
Haltom HS, Haltom MS, Richland MS, North Ridge MS
Rashel Larson @rashellarson rashel.larson@birdvilleschools.net
Birdville HS, BCTAL, Smithfield MS, North Richland MS
Tosh McGaughy @ToshMcGaughy tosh.mcgaughy@birdvilleschools.net
Richland HS, Shannon HS, North Oaks MS, Watauga MS
HOW ARE WE DOING?
That's Right! Project Innovate - New Classes Now Available!
Begin by registering for a face-to-face training at which time you will receive an iPad. A week before your training you will receive an email with online learning that must be completed prior to training further instructions to guide you in preparing for training.
Training dates and times for January and February are as follows:
Wednesday, January 13 - 4:30-6:00 PM
Tuesday, January 19 - 4:00-5:30 PM
Thursday, January 28 - 4:30-6:00 PM
Wednesday, February 10 - 4:00-5:30 PM
Tuesday, February 16 - 4:30-6:00 PM
Thursday, February 25 - 4:30-6:00 PM
Please check Eduphoria Workshop to signup for a session date and time that fits your schedule. Please be mindful of the varied start times, designed to accommodate staggered dismissal times across the district. Attendees must arrive before class begins and stay for the entire 1.5 hour session in order to receive an iPad.
The Digital Learning website offers more detail about the Project Innovate initiative.
Save the Date! TxASCD Ignite16 Conference
Visit the TxASCD Ignite16 Conference website for more information and registration.