EdTech@NSCDS
All the Tech & Innovation News You Can Use • Issue #19
EdTech@NSCDS News
Here's the 19th issue of EdTech@NSCDS, an occasional newsletter for the faculty at North Shore Country Day! Back issues can be found here.
News
- Don't forget to sign up for Lunch and Learns! Here's all the information about these informal PD opportunities. This week, we will be discussing options for recording and creating music on iPads and Macs. All faculty and staff are welcome to join!
- Adobe accounts! Did you know that you and your students can get a free Adobe account through the IT office that will allow you to use cloud and IOS apps such as Photoshop and Illustrator? Stop by their office or send an email to tech@nscds.org for further info.
- Do you need support with using our laser cutter? Fill out this form and the IT department will work with you.
- Congratulations to our new Apple Teachers: Lee B., Austin G., Ann G., Alejandra M., Dana S., David K., Ty S., Caitlin M. and Stephanie W.! We have our first lower school teacher and our first Penn Scholar represented!
- Send me a copy of your Apple Teacher certificate when you've completed either the iOS track or Mac track. All North Shore teachers are required to finish one track by August 2019.
Reminders
- Check out the new Tech@NSCDS website! Find help and resources on this site.
- The NSCDS dashboard is THE place to find important links for staff and faculty. Chris J. recently refreshed this page. Bookmark it (Command + D) for easy access!
- We're now on Twitter! Follow us at https://twitter.com/TechAtNSCDS.
- Apple Teacher is a self-directed, professional learning program that focuses on the use of iPads and Mac computers. Apple tools such as Garageband, Pages, Keynote, etc. are featured. Teachers at North Shore should participate complete the 8 modules for either the Mac or iPad track by the end of August 2019.
- Department heads and grade levels, please invite me to any upcoming department meetings. I'd also like to observe in any classrooms. invite me in!
Definition of Project-Based Learning
According to PBLWorks, "Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge."
See PBL in Action This Week
The Global Online Academy is hosting an online student conference starting this Thursday. Over 400 student-designed projects focusing on community change will be on display April 26-29. You and your students are encouraged to vote for projects and to leave feedback. Check out this virtual event here.
Examples
https://youtu.be/ubMSrUBW94I
https://youtu.be/S7HbvLb6gNg
Community Photojournalist
This project is intended for students in grades 4-6, but could be adapted for other grade levels. Make sure to download the associated files with this project.
What Happens When a Statistics Class is Taught with PBL
Podcast with Vicki Davis and the Utah State Teacher of the Year
K-12 Projects from High Tech High
This site contains PBL examples for all grade levels.
PRODUCTIVITY- Tools That Support PBL
Interested in digging deeper with PBL?
Let Lucy know if you are interested in piloting Project Pals or Project Foundry next year in your classroom.
Project Pals
Project Pals is a platform for organizing and managing your projects. For an overview of this tool, listen to this podcast from Vicki Davis.
Project Foundry
Project Foundry is another management tool for project-based learning. Plan, work, assess, and showcase student work all in this platform.
PBLWorks
PBLWorks is the new name for the organization formerly known as the Buck Institute for Education. This is the premier group in the US focused on PBL and they have made available a project planner, project examples, rubrics and other resources. Register for a free account for full access.
GLOBAL COLLABORATION
Upcoming Opportunity: No. More. Plastic.
This educator, Koen Timmers, runs amazing global projects and has a new one launching in April. Register here for more information about the student-centered No. More. Plastic project.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
How School Counselors Can Facilitate Students’ Collaborative Skills for PBL
Here's an article from the PBLWorks blog on how school counselors can support the skills needed for project-based learning. Click here.
Moving from Recipes to Projects
How can you deepen the learning process within project-based learning? Read some thoughts from John Spencer on the benefits of students becoming more involved in the planning and execution of projects using design thinking.
How to Do Project-Based Learning That Connects to Standards and Curriculum
A.J Juliani describes his project-based learning experiences as a teacher and how he worked with students to create actionable outcomes as a result of their PBL work. He gives practical advice for involving students, fitting PBL into your curriculum and for ensuring rigor in projects.