Tech Topics
Ideas to help implement technology - just try ONE thing!
CPS Teacher Focus
Margaret Lytle - Shroder Paideia High School
My name is Ms. Lytle and I have been teaching ninth grade ELA at Shroder Paideia High School for three and a half years. My favorite books are all of the Harry Potters (minus number 5); my favorite movies are all of the Star Wars (yes, all). I spend my free time reading, writing, and watching my plants grow.
One of my biggest complaints as an English teacher is the amount of paper I go through. From printing out texts and student essays, I am sure English teachers are responsible for a lot of dead trees. Cue feelings of guilt as I imagine entire forests packaged into reams of paper sent to schools around the world. To combat this, I have started using two tools that have been game changers: Turnitin and Pear Deck.
Through Schoology, I can assign an essay using the external tool, Feedback Studio (Turnitin). When my students submit their essays, they can review mechanics and check for citation issues. The comment feature is much easier than commenting on a Google doc or on a regular Schoology assignment, and I am all about making things easier. For a tutorial on how to use it within Schoology, click here. There are additional user guides found here.
I learned about Pear Deck from the amazing Valecia Kelly. While this tool is amazing for lectures, (hooray for formative assessments!) It's really incredible for reading and annotating texts. Last quarter, my students read a graphic novel and not everyone could purchase a copy of the book. I uploaded the pdf version to Pear Deck, and my students were able to highlight, draw, and comment directly on each page of the book.
While technology can seem like a burden, it can actually make your teacher life much easier! A quick start to Pear Deck can be found here.
What's Happening Around Cincinnati Public Schools
The Digital Learning Day 2018 Map is Live!
Share your plans for Digital Learning Day for a chance to win a tech prize for your classrooms!
Calling all CPS teachers to join in on trying ONE NEW THING for Digital Learning Day, 2018. We would LOVE for you to share your plans with teachers across the district.
Description:
This year, we will host a CPS Schoology Digital Learning Day Plan competition!
- All CPS teachers who post their Digital Learning Day plans for February 22, 2018 on or before February 14th, 2018 will be entered for a prize drawing!
- Share a brief description of what you plan to do, link to or attach any resources, or even share a video message about your plans.
If you miss out on on the above opportunity, you can also share on Digital Learning Day, February 22nd.
- Create a post in CPS Tech Talk Schoology Course sharing what activities you did to celebrate this day. Check back on CPS Tech Talk for more details about this.
Details:
Deadline: February 14th, 2018
Post an update to the CPS Tech Talk Course on Schoology sharing your #DLDay plans
Not in our CPS Tech Talk Course? Join today!
Course Join Code: FMRVG-3JR7D
A winner will be drawn from participant posts on February 15th
ANOTHER opportunity to SHARE and WIN will be on February 22nd, for all teachers who post about the events in their classroom during Digital Learning Day, on this day only. Check back on CPS Tech Talk for more details about this.
You may be wondering, why Digital Learning Day?
“With so many new types of digital devices, educational software and mobile apps continuously developed, it’s hard to keep up with the latest and greatest advancements in educational technology… Digital Learning Day was started as a way to actively spread innovative practices and ensure that all youth have access to high-quality digital learning opportunities no matter where they live.
Started in 2012, Digital Learning Day has provided a powerful venue for education leaders to highlight great teaching practice and showcase innovative teachers, leaders, and instructional technology programs that are improving student outcomes.” http://www.digitallearningday.org/about-dlday/
Help show our CPS teachers how you are planning to participate in Digital Learning Day, be inspired by the ideas others share, and be entered to win a prize in a drawing that will be held on February 14th, 2018. Other ways you can promote your participation is by using #DLDay #CPSandMe and @IamCPS on Twitter, Instagram, and FaceBook. You can also register your event or participation at http://digitallearningday.org/register-your-event/. Do you have more ideas about how to promote your participation? Share them on our Schoology CPS Tech Talk Course Updates when you share your plans. And don’t forget to encourage your teaching teams, building principals, and staff members to get in on the conversation by liking and commenting on plans that teachers post to the CPS Tech Talk Course.
Tools to Help in the Classroom
Levels of Technology Integration into the Curriculum
Schoology Tip
Embed a Website within Schoology
Springboard
Learning.com
Desmos
Padlet
Kahoot
Class DoJo
Google Docs, Slides, Sheets
Information is taken from the following blog post.
Interested in presenting at the 2018 CPS Summer Conference, May 30 and 31?
Registration through Mayerson will be coming soon!
We start planning this summer event now! If you are interested in sharing your instructional technology methods that increase student engagement, please fill out this presenter application by March 1, 2018. Due to schedule constraints, not all those that apply to present will be accepted.
Get Contact Hours by visiting the Tech Truck!
New this year on the truck...you can receive contact hours for visiting the truck. To do this:
- Visit the truck on the planned visit to your school
- Complete digital sign-in sheet on the truck
- Sign up for the CPS Tech Truck Onsite PD course at Mayerson (#12158)
- Submit the Implementation Feedback survey
To find out when the truck is visiting your school, check out the tech truck schedule.
Need Help with Implementing Technology?
User Guides
Ever wonder where to go for various user guides on CPS applications?
The ITM Help Desk also provides user guides on their updated Google website. And, the Tech Talk course within Schoology is constantly getting updated with user guides. Join the Tech Talk Course using the FMRVG-3JR7D.