Tech this out!
#closure2020 edition ** volume 1 (March 23)
In this newsletter:
The goal is to NOT overwhelm with a ton of information or ideas. This is true with your students, also. Please avoid the possible temptation to send everything you see to them. Have a purpose and give them a focus, making sure you have thoroughly looked at every link you send (I'm looking at you, list of 500 free sites)
But first... report cards. Do you need any screenshot guides or blank report cards?
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Let's begin with using your work phone extension on a device at home
A few questions to ask yourself:
- Do I want to use my classroom extension to contact students and families?
- Have I recorded a personalized voicemail message?
- Do I want voicemails sent to my email?
Your principal has probably given you guidance about what is expected of you. The button below will take you to the instructions so you can address any of the questions above.
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Just in case you need to see the plan again...
What is the plan before spring break?
- The Brain Quest workbooks TK-6th grade students may have picked up from school (how much fun did it look like many of you had, helping to distribute those!)
- Activities on the Virtual Learning Gym website. That site was sent out last Monday, and will be updated today and next Monday to include new activities.
These activities are not required, they are for optional enrichment. In addition, many of you who have digital contact systems (GClassroom, Seesaw, Remind, Dojo etc.) already set up have been in touch with students. That's fantastic.
The focus right now is on social emotional connections with students. We have always known relationships with students have the strongest impact on student learning, and I think that is why so many have been keeping in touch with students this past week.
What is the plan after spring break?
Your plan might not be tech dependent. That's okay. Do what makes sense for you and your students. But these resources, and the Mission Control site, might be useful to you just the same.
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A couple options to help keep things in one place and deliver instruction and resources
Google Classroom
Google Classroom might be a good way to connect. Many of you already have this in place, and I bet you have been connecting with your students since we closed. If your students are used to using their Google Accounts, this is a great tool to manage distance learning.
There is a ton of content on the internet to guide you, even if you aren't already familiar with Google Classroom. Here is the page on the Mission Control site where I share some tips and how-tos. I also made quick videos that you can share with students to show them how to join a class, complete and assignment etc.
Seesaw
Seesaw is a journal type app where students can add products to show their learning, and this isn't limited to the academic! For example, they can create a video to talk to you, and you can record an audio comment back.
A word about home codes: students can't complete activities from the family app. Seesaw worked quickly and came up with a solution for us--- students just need to sign into the Seesaw Class app with a home code. And if you are sending a classroom device home, make sure they have their home code to use, rather than the class code. (NEVER send the class code or QR code home. This violates privacy rules)
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A couple options for you to connect with students using video
Google Meet
Students will need the Meet app if they use iPads. It is in self service. They will need to download it.
YouTube
If you want to use YouTube, please stay aware or copyright. Many people want to do read alouds for their students, and that is wonderful. Make sure the video is not posted as a public video and you should be great! There is a video on the page linked below to help you. It is really easy!
Screencastify
A couple ways you might want to use it---
- talk through a website to preview a lesson (maybe show features of a Newsela article, or show where some activities are on Brain Pop--- just like you might do if your students were sitting in front of you)
- Give a brief "lecture" using Google Slides (Remember, the attention span for video is short. Think about chunking a longer lesson if you need to)
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A couple options for student interaction online
Flipgird Video Bulletin Board
One advantage of something like Flipgrid vs Google Meet is that all students don't have to be available at the exact same time to participate. We don't know what the other home responsibilities look like for our students right now.
Want to try it? CLICK HERE to access a training flipgrid I made just for you to see how it works. You will sign in with your google account so we have some "non-public privacy". Don't just look--- chose a topic and leave a video. (Don't want to be on camera? Just give us something else to look at while you speak)
Padlet Bulletin Board
Try it out here: A padlet just for us to see how it works. You gotta post something, though, or the won't be anything to see. A comment, a picture, a meme--- click here and go for it!
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A few places to find online content
Discovery Education
A few highlights from the Virtual Learning Gym
A few interactive lesson/assessment options
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Can I say one more thing? And this is totally my opinion here...
First, are you still reading? Thank you for getting this far! I appreciate it, because my only goal right now is to give support to you. You have the hard work that will impact your students, I want to meet you where you are and get you what you need.
Now--- I want to encourage you, as has been mentioned by Dr. Walker, that this is a great time to take some risks. You know how we sometimes say "if there were no state testing and no report cards, I could just enjoy learning with my students"? That just might be the situation we find ourselves in. What projects have you wished you could have your students explore? What are ways you wish you could have given your students more choice? Maybe this is just the time when they don't all have to do the same thing. Send a Newsela collection and let them choose the article they want, then respond to it. Give them 4 or 5 options to how they want to show their thinking and let them do whichever one catches their eye.
There is no question that your Daily Learning Schedule will not reflect exactly what you would have done in your classroom. You are much more "instructionally efficient" when you can manage behavior and read their reactions in real time. This is a new experience for all of us. Creativity isn't limited by what might be manageable in the classroom right now, is it? Have fun! You have so many people cheering you on!
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Liz Hoppe, technology resource specialist
Email: lhoppe@hueneme.org
Website: www.hueneme.org
Location: The Hueneme Tech Lab
Phone: 805-488-3588 9832
Twitter: @hoppeteacher
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