PLE Zen Den
Your Guide Toward Becoming a PLE Master
October Zenspiration
Throughout tablet deployment I've thought a lot of how to keep your reservoirs of hope filled to the brim. It's easy to not use the tablet in a Personalized Learning Environment when you run into such difficulties as charging the device. It's easy to leave the tablet at home because you're more akin to an iPad. It's easy to not integrate technology into your lesson because what you've been doing for the last 20 years works just fine. But is 'just fine' acceptable for our students? Of course not, so October's dose of Zenspiration serves as a resource to give you hope when you need it.
I want to share some of my favorite and recently acquired inspirations, and I'd love to hear yours. Here are some suggestions to refill your reservoirs of hope:
I want to share some of my favorite and recently acquired inspirations, and I'd love to hear yours. Here are some suggestions to refill your reservoirs of hope:
- Every kid needs a champion. Even the child that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. If you find most aspects of PLE difficult, the one educators have always done is to connect with students and believe in them. Rita Pierson gives you the reminder you need every now and then.
- Taylor Mali is a teacher-poet that has inspired me for years. Check out two poems that will remind you why you entered this profession: What Teachers Make and I Teach for the Fire.
- Wing Clips is a site filled with nothing but inspirational clips to use in your classroom or to serve as something to watch when you need a jolt and cannot get to Starbucks.
- And of course, there's Kid President. He's making the world more awesome one video at a time.
Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students!
"Where there is not vision, there is no hope." George Washington Carver
To have a successful Personalized Learning Environment, you must envision what it looks like in your classroom. Your hope is fueled by that goal and it will soon become a reality.
October is here and by mid-month, both schools will have successfully deployed tablets. (Did you see that? That's my current vision.) With tablets comes a host of other facets of PLE. How to I use Playlist Builder? What's the point of OneDrive? How do I integrate all these tools into personalized learning? No worries, my friends. These are the questions we will answer as we begin our Transforming Learning sessions (Check the calendar at the end of the newsletter). The sessions are optional but you will be awarded CEUs.
Finally, Be sure to check out the featured Web 2.0 tool and Knowledge Nuggets. There's a How-To guide just for teachers that will eliminate 98% of tablet issues.
To have a successful Personalized Learning Environment, you must envision what it looks like in your classroom. Your hope is fueled by that goal and it will soon become a reality.
October is here and by mid-month, both schools will have successfully deployed tablets. (Did you see that? That's my current vision.) With tablets comes a host of other facets of PLE. How to I use Playlist Builder? What's the point of OneDrive? How do I integrate all these tools into personalized learning? No worries, my friends. These are the questions we will answer as we begin our Transforming Learning sessions (Check the calendar at the end of the newsletter). The sessions are optional but you will be awarded CEUs.
Finally, Be sure to check out the featured Web 2.0 tool and Knowledge Nuggets. There's a How-To guide just for teachers that will eliminate 98% of tablet issues.
Allen Educator Spotlight - Elizabeth Hough
Teachers are rocking the tablets and the Viking of the Month honor goes to Elizabeth Hough (ELA). Ms. Hough's enthusiasm for PLE and the tablets begin at the beginning of the PACE initiative in April 2013 when she introduced herself and informed me that she is here to help AMS be successful. This year, Ms. Hough has a firm grip on what it means to personalize and has experimented with various teaching styles. During week 1 of the tablets, she used the Montessori model which allowed her students to obtain mastery by working at their own pace. The best thing about Elizabeth is her can do it attitude. She is the type of person that turns problems into teaching moments. Trust when I say that her job may be to teach the students, but she is a true teacher leader when it comes to showing us what a personalized learning environment can look like. She has the VISION!
Guilford Educator Spotlight - Kimberly Hudak
There's something to be said for a teacher that volunteers to teach an additional student training module because she's anxious to use the tool. You call that teacher marvelous.
Ms. Hudak (ESOL), is a teacher who truly integrates technology to cater to the learning styles of her students. There isn't a moment when we haven't passed each other and she wants to know more about how she can Amplify the lives of her students. Kimb has mastered the idea of allowing students to guide the learning process and that includes students teaching the teacher. She shows us that it's okay not to know everything about the tablet/PLE but it's important to try.
Did I mention that she bakes extraordinary cakes? Thank you, Kim, for your enthusiasm and yummy treats.
Ms. Hudak (ESOL), is a teacher who truly integrates technology to cater to the learning styles of her students. There isn't a moment when we haven't passed each other and she wants to know more about how she can Amplify the lives of her students. Kimb has mastered the idea of allowing students to guide the learning process and that includes students teaching the teacher. She shows us that it's okay not to know everything about the tablet/PLE but it's important to try.
Did I mention that she bakes extraordinary cakes? Thank you, Kim, for your enthusiasm and yummy treats.
Tablet Rock Stars!
Check out these tweets to view how students are rocking PLE and technology at Allen and Guilford!
- https://twitter.com/zenPLEF/status/517024755179065344
- https://twitter.com/zenPLEF/status/514349074750140416
- https://twitter.com/zenPLEF/status/514349074750140416
- https://twitter.com/zenPLEF/status/512635391648989184
- https://twitter.com/zenPLEF/status/509908925727395841
- https://twitter.com/zenPLEF/status/509396987297693696
- https://twitter.com/zenPLEF/status/509149338409652224
Fakebook
Yes, you read that right, FAKEbook. This tool allows students to apply their knowledge of a topic in a way that is fun and incorporates the tablet.
Here are a few other ideas to get you started:
- Science: Students can describe the life cycle of a cell
- Math and other subjects: project for the students to do with famous mathematicians, musicians, artists, etc.
- ELA: book reports or character analysis
Join the DEN Community for a free day of professional development, networking, and sharing at DENapalooza.
WHO: ANY educator using Discovery Education
WHAT: A day of professional development and fun
WHEN: Saturday, November 15, 2014 (9am-3:30pm)
WHERE: Southern Guilford High School
WHY: To network, share, and learn with the Discovery Educator Network.
COST: FREE!
Join other educators for a day of professional development to learn more about integrating technology in the classroom, with an emphasis on getting the most out of your school's partnership with Discovery Education.
The day will consist of formal presentations from STAR Discovery Educators and members of the DEN Team in the morning, a break for networking and lunch, and then an unconference in the afternoon. The event will conclude with a sharing session for attendees to share their favorite project, website, tool, or app.
Knowledge Nuggets
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you quickly troubleshoot tablet issues:
- Sign-in errors are common. Students and teachers typically have these errors when something on the tablet isn't working correctly. The only thing users need to do is input their tablet password. Student pw: birthdate (mmddyyyy)/Teacher pw: first 3 of last name+last 4 of SSN.
- Visit and bookmark THIS document for a quick list of common issues and how to solve them. Please contact me or our CTCs should you have additional questions.
- Remember to work the steps on the TROUBLESHOOTING POSTER before contacting your media spec, CTC or PLEF.
Flexing the Environment with Edmodo
Have you created your Edmodo account? If so, have you joined our PLE group? This year we're flipping PLE sessions by doing the easy stuff solo and the fun/informative stuff as a group. Please join your school-based group by October 15 as the codes below will expire on that date. Contact your PLEF or media specialist should you need guidance.
- Amplified Allen: 9nhuk5 - Allen School Code: fjq9fr (does not expire)
- Guilford Gurus: rq3cdw - Guilford School Code: 0p5dic (does not expire)
Tamika M. Davis, PLEF
What the heck is a PLEF? PLEF stands for Personalized Learning Environment Facilitator. Tamika brings 16 years of education experience having taught in Houston Independent School District, Guilford County Schools and Higher Education. While her background is ELA, Instructional Technology and Library Media, she will put on her librarian hat and research the answer you're seeking.
Email: davist@gcsnc.com
Website: http://ple.gcsnc.com
Location: Serving Allen MS & Guilford MS
Phone: (336) 370-3287
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pace.plefs
Twitter: @zenPLEF
Event Information
Transforming Learning with One Drive @GMS
When?
Wednesday, Oct 8, 2014, 03:30 PM
Where?
Guilford Middle School, Lindley Road, Greensboro, NC, United States
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Event Information
Transforming Learning with One Drive @AMS
When?
Thursday, Oct 9, 2014, 03:30 PM
Where?
Allen Middle School, Glendale Drive, Greensboro, NC, United States
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Event Information
Transforming Learning with Discovery Education @GMS
When?
Tuesday, Oct 14, 2014, 03:30 PM
Where?
Guilford Middle School, Lindley Road, Greensboro, NC, United States
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Event Information
Transforming Learning with Discovery Education @AMS
When?
Thursday, Oct 16, 2014, 03:30 PM
Where?
Allen Middle School, Glendale Drive, Greensboro, NC, United States
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Event Information
Transforming Learning with Flipping the PPT @GMS
When?
Wednesday, Oct 22, 2014, 03:30 PM
Where?
Guilford Middle School, Lindley Road, Greensboro, NC, United States
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Event Information
Transforming Learning with Flipping the PPT @AMS
When?
Thursday, Oct 23, 2014, 09:00 PM
Where?
Allen Middle School, Glendale Drive, Greensboro, NC, United States
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Event Information
Transforming Learning with Blendspace @GMS
When?
Wednesday, Oct 29, 2014, 03:30 PM
Where?
Guilford Middle School, Lindley Road, Greensboro, NC, United States
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Event Information
Transforming Learning with Blendspace @AMS
When?
Thursday, Oct 30, 2014, 03:30 PM
Where?
Allen Middle School, Glendale Drive, Greensboro, NC, United States
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.