OS Educational Technology News
September 2016
This issue of the newsletter contains information about Constitution Day resources from Scholastic and PBS Learning; the link to register for a free, back-to-school webinar about Discovery Streaming; registration links for Cultures of Thinking Community Seminars with Dr. Ron Ritchhart; information about our evening workshop on digital tools for formative assessment; links to registration for our online courses to learn to use Plickers, Google Forms, Kahoot! and/or Socrative for formative assessment; a link to the 2016 Summer Digital Learning Conference presenters' resources and a "save-the-date" message for next year's conference; information about the Michigan eLibrary's redesigned Teacher page; Election 2016 resources from the NY Times; information about EdCampOU being held at Oakland University on Saturday, October 15th; and more!
~Laura
Constitution Day 2016!
PBS Learning media also has Constitution Day resources. Below is information about some of them.
Explore an interactive timeline of presidential elections from 1789-2016 with the PBS Electoral Decoder! - The PBS Electoral Decoder uses video resources and more to provide a historical overview of past presidential elections, including key events that may have affected election outcomes. As you explore the timeline, you'll see the rise and fall of political parties, westward expansion, the industrial age, and the many changes of the twentieth century. Click here to explore the Electoral Decoder.
Blogging, Civic Engagement and the DREAM Act Grades 9-12
This multi-part lesson plan asks students to look at the DREAM Act in the context of immigration reform and also to reflect on blogging as a form of civic engagement. Click here to view the Lesson Plan.
Teaching the Constitution Grades 9-12
This collection includes resources that support teaching the fundamentals of the United States Constitution. Students will understand the issues involved in the creation and ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the new government it established, and its continuing significance. Click here to view the Collection.
The U.S. Presidency Collection Grades PreK-12
Explore the rich history and institution of the U.S. Presidency from George Washington to Barack Obama. This collection will help your students understand the duties and powers of the president, gather important background information with presidential biographies, and engage with videos and primary sources. Click here to view the Collection.
Back to School with Discovery Education Streaming
Note: All Oakland County districts have Discovery Streaming subscriptions for all buildings except for Waterford where only some buildings have subscriptions. Some private schools also subscribe. If you are having trouble with your Discovery Streaming login, please contact me at: Laura.Cummings@oakland.k12.mi.us
Cultures of Thinking Community Seminars with Dr. Ron Ritchhart
COST: $20 per person
DATES: September 20, 2016 or November 21, 2016
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Buffet of Digital Tools for Formative Assessment
Time: 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: $20 in Oakland County / $40 out of Oakland County (Dinner will be provided.)
Instructor: Laura Cummings, Educational Technology Consultant
Prerequisite knowledge: All levels
Grade Level: K-12
Audience: Elementary, middle school, and high school teachers; media specialists; and other interested educators
SCECHs: N/A
Description: Come to this fun, fast-paced, evening event and enjoy a buffet dinner while you interact with a buffet of digital tools for formative assessment. The featured tools will include Plickers (only need one device the teacher’s!), Kahoot! (game-based fun), Socrative (quizzes, exit tickets, games & more), and Google Forms (multiple choice, short answer, & extended response options). You will experience each tool from the student’s point-of-view and then get a peek into the teacher’s view. You will leave with a set of Plickers cards and information on how to enroll in free, self-paced courses that will guide you step-by-step in getting started with any or all of these formative assessment tools.
Buffet of Digital Tools for Formative Assessment Flyer - Please share this flyer with others who might be interested in attending.
To register, click here.
FREE, Online Courses to Learn Digital Tools for Formative Assessment
Use the links below to learn more about each of the courses.
- Socrative (6 SCECHs)
- Plickers (4 SCECHs)
- Kahoot! (5 SCECHs)
- Google Forms for Formative Assessment (8 SCECHs)
Summer Digital Learning Conference
Mark your calendars and save the date for the third annual "Summer Digital Learning Conference" which will be held on August 22, 2017!
Michigan eLibrary Launches Redesigned Teacher Page!
Over the summer, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) staff redesigned the Teacher Page at MeL.org. It is now known as "THE Destination for Integrating MeL into Michigan Classrooms and Curriculum." The teacher portal, formerly the Michigan Online Resources for Educators - M.O.R.E., has been revamped and redesigned. This resource offers eight centers including Elementary Resources and Secondary Resources to help Michigan educators better understand the wealth of resources available for teachers and students in MeL). The centers include handouts, slide decks, videos, and other resources to assist teachers with using the valuable resources found in MeL.
Election 2016 Teaching Resources from NY Times Learning Network
Learning Network Election 2016 Unit: An Overview
The goal of the four-part election unit is to help students read, watch, research and discuss in order to come to conclusions grounded in evidence about the candidates and the issues.
Mini-Unit 1: Who Are the Candidates?
Project: Candidate Profiles
Students become investigative reporters who learn as much as they can about the candidates so they can inform voters about what past experience, leadership qualities, and values they would bring to the presidency.
Mini-Unit 2: What Are the Issues?
Project: Multi-Issue Voter Guide
Project: Debate
Students learn about the issues at stake in this election, and then create a tool to help voters understand where the candidates stand on the most important issues. Then they hold a debate.
Mini-Unit 3: How Are the Candidates Trying to Win the Election?
Project: Analytical Essay
Project: Candidate Speeches
Students assess campaign ads to analyze how the candidates this year are trying to appeal to voters, then focus on one or more campaign strategies to write an essay answering the question, “Which candidate is running the better campaign?” Next, they have the chance to practice the art of rhetoric and public speaking by writing and delivering a speech from a candidate’s point of view (with clear ground rules established in advance).
Mini-Unit 4: What Do You Think?
Project: Student Editorial
Project: Mock Election
Students conduct a one-question interview on views about the election so far, then write an editorial in which they tell why they think one of the candidates should be elected. They use the materials they have created and what they have learned so far to run a mock election.
EdCampOU 2016
The 5th annual EdCampOU will be held on Saturday October 15, 2016 from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm in Pawley Hall on the Oakland University Campus. The event and registration are free! There are a limited number of spots available, so sign up soon. EdCamps provide an wonderful environment for learning, networking and sharing. SCECHs will be available at EdCampOU for those who need them.
What is an EdCamp?
EdCamps are independently organized and hosted by area educators, are free to participants, and serve to bring together passionate educators for a day of learning and growth. EdCamps provide access to high quality, personalized professional learning for educators based on their expertise and ways in which they seek to grow. EdCamps embrace the understanding that fellow educators can be some of the most valuable professional development resources for their colleagues. The sessions for the day are planned and facilitated by the attendees on the day of the event.
Click on the link for more information, event details and to register: EdCampOU Information & Registration
Watch the video below to learn more about EdCamps!
Google Classroom now has Parent Component
Note: Your Google Apps for Education administrator will need to turn on "guardian email summaries" via the admin panel before you can use this feature.
Oakland Schools Educational Technology Twitter posts can be found at: os_edtech
When you are posting to Twitter about things related to educational technology, don't forget to use the hashtag: #oakedtech
Using the hashtag will help all of us Oakland County educators, who are interested in the effective use of educational technology, to connect and better collaborate with each other.
Oakland Schools Educational Technology Consultants
Laura.Cummings@oakland.k12.mi.us
248-209-2283
Judy Nichols
Judith.Nichols@oakland.k12.mi.us
248-209-2080
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