PLE at Your Fingertips
Personalized Learning at Lincoln & Hairston
Top of the Month to Ya'
I am a closeted Trekkie...it's my "Mama's fault"! As I reflect on life, I'm sure the tell-tell signs of being a geek were evident. I enjoyed watching all of the various Star Trek franchises but no other character touched me more than Mr. Spock. I'd like to think that it was his intelligence, undeniable acceptance of others and loyalty to friends, but I'm sure It was the ears. I mean, I even owned a pair.
As I sat down to write this month's PUF, the news of the death of Leonard Nimoy, the man who first portrayed Spock was trending online. I thought about the way a character, such as Spock, would have been taught in school. It dawned on me that Spock probably received a personalized education:
- using a 1:1 device with real-time feedback and instructions
- collaborating with friends in a virtual world
- using simulations to solve real-world problems
- exploring on said device to delve deeper into a subject at a pace most beneficial for him
Star Trek first aired in 1966. Many of the imaginings the creators dreamt up are now our reality, such as the first cell phone. Click here for more Star Trek coolness. I suppose envisioning the way students learn is a natural progression.
I often get annoyed looks when I share that we're still trying to figure out what personalization looks like. It may take until the end of the PACE grant or another decade before all educational institutions embrace a PLE. Either way, Guilford County has started marching towards the unknown and there is no turning back. Unfortunately, the journey looks less like the Star Trek Enterprise flying across galaxies at warp speed, and more like the Pilgrims battling their way across the Atlantic Ocean in a leaky Mayflower. But like Spock, it is necessary that we "Live Long and Prosper" to reach our destination.
THE NEW FILTER WORKS!
What you will notice is that students AND staff will need to login each day when they access Chrome or Browser on the tablet. A small, white pop-up box will appear when you enter either of those browsers.
• The login information for teachers is the same as your email credentials. As a teacher user, you will have access to Facebook, YouTube, etc.
• The login for students is their lunch number and 8-digit birthday. As a student, social media will not be open.
• You & students will login to the filtered network every day, otherwise the tablet will not be able to access the internet.
Some issues you may encounter:
• Your personal devices WILL NOT connect to the Guest network- you will need to download a certificate in order to login. You can do this by following the steps for your device here: http://www.gcsnc.com/pages/gcsnc/Departments/Technology_Services/zscaler/guestaccess or come see Mrs. Baumann and I and we will assist you in doing so.
• If students have trouble logging in, please have them follow the ticket system we have in place.
• Some sites may be blocked that you were using BEFORE the filter. Please use the Unblock Website app on your tablet.
• Some sites NEED to be blocked still- please send me the URLs to block.
• Some apps may not act properly until kids login to the network in Chrome/ Browser- make sure you have students login, then try the app again.
Please Note: You will no longer be able to share YouTube videos via feed to students. They will not be able to access these types of files any longer via web.
Thank you for reading and let me know if you have questions!
Lucky for You, I've got you covered with new Instructional Technology Resources
AMPLIFY APP ATTACK - Lenso
Crazy simple tool
Lensoo is a virtual whiteboard and the great part is that it reflects exactly the same way you teach in the classroom.
That means that the order in which you add to the board is the order in which your students will receive the information.
Let’s take a look at some of the tools:
You have the board option which allows you to select a color palette of your choosing. If you don’t like any of the options, you may import one of your own.
The pin option allows you to use your stylus or finger to write.
Shapes work specific curriculum areas such as math or if you want to add a bit of cuteness to your presentation
The eraser function clears your canvas either at your discretion or the app will clear all of the drawings or images with one click
The big T allows you to type, which if you’re handwriting is anything like mine, a very good thing
The photo icon allows you to import or take a picture and insert it right into your presentation. This is especially wonderful when you write something on your actual classroom whiteboard and want to refer back to it for enrichment.
The arrows icon let’s you adjust the size of your picture after you insert it.
And finally, you have the PDF icon which does exactly what you see on the screen. This is a great way to add an additional element to your flipped power point presentations.
When you’re finished, click the PLAY arrow to review your awesome creation.
Other features:
Create Playlists of your work
When you save your recording, it saves to Lensoo’s cloud. This features allows user to QR code them for stations, gallery walks or just showing off student work for parents to see at Open House.
You can search for videos within the app or on the Lensoo website at create.lensoo.com. There, you’ll find other educators that created videos grouped by subject for you to use with students.
Lensoo for PLE:
24/7 access to your class if students have access to wifi at home.
This allows students to work in stations. Imagine the possibility of you working with a small group for students who need that true 1:1 but having other groups refer to your Lensoo for enrichment
Students can create their own lensoo to showcase mastery of the topic
Use lensoo for differentiation as it is a different option to take in the information you’re sharing
The possibilities are endless
Your goal today is to:
Create a short Lensoo as a bell ringer for tomorrow’s class.
Save the recording
Copy the link and upload to Playlist Builder
Create the QR code through QR Droid
Have fun
Let’s get started!
Differentiation spelled wrong – ABC bag added to end of PPT.
Display video as teachers follow along on their tablet: https://create.lensoo.com/watch/b8qs video link.
QR code:
Playlist link: https://playlist.amplify.com/playlist/NjgwODE3Yzc2NzQzYjk4NTZjMWE2YzU5Njc3Y2U3MTIx
Where's My PLEF
Mondays and Wednesdays - The Academy at Lincoln
Tuesdays and Thursdays - Hairston
Wenalyn S. Bell Glenn
Personalized Learning Environment Coordinator (PLEF)
Creatively coaching fantastic facilitators. Thank you for welcoming me in your classroom.
Email: bellglw@gcsnc.com
Website: ple.gcsnc.com
Location: 501 West Washington Street, Greensboro, NC, United States
Phone: 336.365.8632
Facebook: facebook.com/theplefs
Twitter: @cheerPLEF