Crafting PLE
The Art of Creating Personalized Learning Environments
FMS Edition - October, 2016
School culture, social contracts, and relationships with students were emphasized at the beginning of the school year. Now we're hurtling towards the end of the first quarter, and are those things still being emphasized? Do social contracts need to be revisited to ensure that your classroom culture can support the technology?
Ben Smith, a physics and technology resource teacher in PA wrote in the most recent issue of 'entrsekt' magazine:
I really think I could put any tools in the room and students would be engaged in innovative and creative tasks. But the room and culture must come first. Even when we have that, we still aren't ready to bring in the tools. We need to ask ourselves what we want students to do. Only then are we ready to select the right tool for our space.
If you are unsure how to make sure your students (and YOU) are ready, I'm here to help. If you're unsure of which tool to use, I can show you tools. But be prepared to tell me what you want students to do, not with the tool, but at the end of their learning.
Important Info
PLEF Schedule
Monday - Penn-Griffin
Tuesday - Ferndale
Wednesday - Ferndale
Thursday - Penn-Griffin
Friday - WSA
This schedule is subject to change - I am often pulled away for meetings and trainings that I have no control over. However, I am always available through email. If you need to see me in person, you may want to email me first!
Laptop Forms
ALL FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO MS. McPHAIL.
Charging Carts
The AverCart company's niche is they allow cost-efficient charging and in doing so, they use less power at once. So, you will hear a clicking noise, which signals the power moving from one power strip to another. It will appear that they are not lit, but they are still charging. The link to a video that explains this further follows. Fast forward to 1:33 (one minute, 33 seconds) to get to the part about the charging. https://youtu.be/Dl2dUQ6I8FI (This is a different model, but same charging process so it will look different from ours.)
You are in good standing if:
*The power light on the outside of the cart is on/lit.
*All three power strips are turned on. "RESET" and "OFF" are engraved on the on/off switch.
The switch should be on the RESET side to be "on".
The strips will be lit occasionally, but on a cycle.
If you think that your cart is not working properly, please let she or me know ASAP so that we can get it fixed.
Tech Trainings with Teena
- ON TIME - we will start at 4 PM. If you have late bus duty and can't make that time, please let me know ahead of time.
- PREPARED - Make sure you can log in to NCEdCloud and Canvas well before the session. We will not have time to problem-solve issues with your account. Also make sure that you have any materials that you might want to put in your course
10/13 - Creating and Grading Assignments
10/19 - Creating and Using Modules
10/25 - Creating Pages to Make Your Course More User-Friendly
10/26 - Differentiating with Canvas
Why is Skype on my computer?
Skype is essentially an instant messenger. You look for the person you want to talk to, and you type a message. Or you can video chat. Or you can show them your computer. Or you can send them a file.
Here are some reasons you may want to do that:
- To quickly tell your teammate that thing you forgot to tell them five minutes ago.
- To show someone how to do something on your computer (or have them show you)
- To have a group call with your teammates
- To talk to another teacher in your subject area about how to do that great lesson they told you about
- To send a link to a colleague
- To see if Ms. Martin is in her office and can come to your room to show you how to do that thing
- To have a mystery skype with another classroom
Did that last one intrigue you? I hope so, because it's pretty freaking cool.
Want more details? Just hit me up on Skype! (Or email me if you're not sure how to use it, yet.)
Getting Help
That's not to say that if I know you have a problem, and I know how to fix it that I won't, but more often, I'll just have to refer you to the Media Specialist.
We'll soon have a help ticket just for laptop issues, for both students and teachers. For now, just email us!
Words of Wisdom
Teena Martin, PLEF
Email: martint6@gcsnc.com
Website: ple.gcsnc.com
Location: serving FMS & PG
Facebook: facebook.com/PLEFs
Twitter: @craftyPLEF