Digital Learning News Brief
September 1, 2015
WE'VE GONE GOOGLE!
Teachers and Staff
Students
Note: students in grade 3-8 will be in the walled-garden, meaning that they will only be able to share and email within our Google domain and with their teachers who send and receive email through Outlook. This is best practice for under-age students.
Google Online, Self-paced Training
Google Drive
Google Docs
Google Forms
Below are some ways Google is being used in BISD
"The facilitators were considering how best to collect PLC minutes throughout the 2015-16 school year. It made sense to use technology, and Google Forms was ideal because it would allow customization to meet each PLC team's needs. We were able to easily incorporate their most common PLC activities, as well as attendance information. Best of all, the Google Sheets database will maintain information that campus administration may utilize as they assess how Watauga's PLCs operate and the links to student achievement." ~Christine Thompson, Watauga Middle School
"Google is providing the platform for my blended classroom. On the days that I don't see my students it keeps us connected. In just the first few days, I see their excitement in a new independence with a sprinkling of interdependence as well." ~Karen Bland, North Oaks Middle School
"Google Drive helped one of my students who could not write at all. He was able to go in and type his stories and responses and keep his work organized." ~Teresa Nickell, Snow Heights Elementary
"We create, edit, and revise documents, presentations, and spreadsheets in our Google Drive. We don't email documents back and forth or have to worry if we have the latest revision." ~The Digital Learning Team
12 Ways to Use Google Classroom's Newest Features
10 Back-to-School Tips for Google
20 Google Apps Activities for Classroom Innovation
Developing a Culture of Life-Long Learning
Please take just five minutes to view the following video to be encouraged by other educators as they share what it means to be in a mindset of continuous learning and growth.
Remember, "You're a work in progress; you're never done." ~Rebecca Mieliwocki, 2012 National Teacher of the Year
Click the link below:
Elementary Digital Learning Team News
Check out the Updated BISD Online Resources Page
Twitter Chats Coming Soon!
If you need help getting started, visit the Digital Learning's Twitter resources page.
Who Should I Follow on Twitter?
First the Digital Learning team, of course! Just search for Birdville_DL and click the Follow button. Also search the hashtag #bisddlp and read everything tweeted by our team and other BISD Twitter friends when discussing teaching and learning with technology.
Here are some more awesome K-12 educators and administrators to follow: The Top 15 Educators to Follow by Education Week
Project Innovate
- participate in personalized professional learning, anytime, anywhere,
- access resources for increased productivity, communication, collaboration, and creativity, and
- model the use of technology as a tool for learning.
Training dates and times for the Fall semester will be published in a future Digital Learning News Brief as soon as additional iPads are ordered and arrive in the district.