Educational Technology
June 8th Update Our Last Issue
Your Triumphs
Last week we asked you to share some of your greatest triumphs, successes, and the moments you are most proud of. We have done a lot of work and learning these last several months, we should take some time to acknowledge and celebrate our accomplishments.
Here are some highlights …..
“Watching these kindergarten students adapt to this new technology and ways of learning and they do such an amazing job! “
“My greatest success during this time of remote learning has been building out student centered projects that involve a significant degree of student choice. This has helped with student engagement, and have involved document analysis, scaffolded writing assignments, and lots of opportunities for artistic expression and analysis.”
“...the greatest triumph of this remote teaching and learning experience has been to witness the voices given to a handful of my students who were uncomfortable with face-to-face, classroom interactions. It's been both satisfying and heart-warming to watch students learning to use their voices, gain confidence and blossom despite the abrupt end to the school year and our time together.”
“I wanted to make my remote learning assignments as much like my classes as possible and as easy for the kids to do the assignments so I have learned how to:
Create a set of directions for reading assignments that:
1. Embed an activator video into a doc
2. Do a Screencastify with a 7 step vocabulary lesson and embed that into the same doc.
3. Do a Screencastify to read the doc as an audio for my ELLs and special ed kids and embed that into the doc.”
Remote Learning Tools
During the closure many companies offered the pro version of their tools and services for free. This will be coming to an end at the end of June. These services will no longer be free. We recognize that some of these tools are essential for continued remote learning for the summer programs and may be needed in the fall. The District is working on purchasing some of these tools for the summer and next year. We know you want to plan and knowing what tools are available will be helpful.
What we know:
You will have access to:
All district provided tools you used BEFORE school closure
Google Meet
Screencastify (though there may be a lag between the end of free trial and new purchased account), for sure!
Other decisions are being made over the next month as to what tools were most effective; look for an email or posting on the web for the final list of technology tools that will make next year's teaching more engaging, no matter what the model!
Closing Out the School Year
This is the last issue of the Ed Tech Update.
Email Support
The edtechhelp@mybps.us email address will no longer be monitored after June 30.
Summer and Extended Learning:
Bethann, Alexis, and Beth would like to express our deepest gratitude to those who joined our team to offer support during the closure: Leo Bunyea, Michele Dinn, Jenn Mullin, Jenn Fredo, Melissa Stampfl, Maura Bussiere, and Laura Rosenfield.
During the summer if you need support please contact Bethann Orr. Alexis and Beth are off for the summer. If there are changes to summer support opportunities we will let you know.
Appointments
The last day we will be available for appointments will be June 17th.
IMPORTANT: You must schedule by 3 pm the day before your selected appointment. Appointments made after 3 pm the day before will not necessarily be honored. Your host will send you a Google Meet invite prior to your appointment, or a meeting nickname will be provided when selecting the appointment.
Bethann Orr
Google Classroom, Google G Suite, Google Slides, Interactive Slides and Templates, Screencastify, YouTube, Online Tools for Differentiation, Remote Learning Strategies, and other district-provided services.
Bethann’s Appointment Calendar: https://calendly.com/orr_bethann
Beth Knittle
Schoology, Classroom, Google Slides, Screencastify, YouTube, Zoom, Google Meet, Creating Instructional Content, Remote Learning Strategies, and other district-provided services.
Beth's Appointment calendar https://calendly.com/knittle_beth
Alexis Schmid
Schoology, Classroom, Google Apps (Slides, Docs, Drive, Jamboard etc.), Kami, Screencastify, Kahoot!, YouTube, Google Meet, Zoom, Creating Instructional Content, and Remote Learning Strategies.
Alexis’ Appointment calendar https://calendly.com/schmid_alexis
Jenn Fredo
Google Classroom, Google Slides, Screencastify, YouTube, Pear Deck, Nearpod, Kahoot! and Quizlet.
Jenn F’s Appointment calendar https://calendly.com/fredo_jennifer
Jenn Mullin
Google Classroom, Google Slides, Nearpod, Pear Deck, Screencastify, Kahoot!, and Quizlet
Jenn M’s Appointment Calendar: https://calendly.com/mullin_jennifer
Michele Dinn
Google Classroom, Google Apps (Slides, Docs, Sheets, Drive), Google Meet, Screencastify, Zoom, Pear Deck.
Michele’s Appointment calendar: https://calendly.com/dinn_michele/support
Leo Bunyea
Google Classroom, Google Apps (Slides, Docs, Drive, Jamboard etc.), Google Meet, Zoom, Screencastify, YouTube, Chromebooks.
Leo’s Appointment calendar: https://calendly.com/bunyea_leo
Melissa Stampfl
Google Classroom, Google Apps, Screencastify. Google Meet, Zoom, Pear Deck, Kahoot!, Quizlet.
Melissa’s Appointment calendar: https://calendly.com/stampfl_melissa
Maura Bussiere
Blackboard Web Community Manager (BPS Web Pages)
Maura’s Email: bussiere_maura@mybps.us