Vanguard Teachers: Why GRIT?
Two Part Series of understading GRIT and Technology
Vanguard Professional Development Meeting February 4th and 5th, 2016
Thursday, Feb 4, 2016, 01:00 PM
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Before the PD, please
- Peruse the SMORE; https://www.smore.com/uyh29-vanguard-teachers-why-grit
- Listen to the TED talk on GRIT; https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_the_key_to_success_grit . Be prepared to discuss how this relates to teacher integration of technology
- Take the Grit Test by following the link below. How "gritty" are you? https://sasupenn.qualtrics.com/jfe6/form/SV_06f6QSOS2pZW9qR
Toby Grosswald
Email: toby.grosswald@nlcinc.com
Website: https://www.smore.com/rb94q
Location: 1615 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA, United States
Phone: 215-680-0123
Twitter: @tobyteach
Professional Development Goals 2015-2016
- To collaborate online and through video with other Vanguards across our network of schools monthly by using the video platform of 'GoToMeeting' and SMORE to support the teachers in your schools with the integration of the iPads and technology
- To continue to coach, support and train Vanguard teacher leaders to turn around and train teachers on the best instructional practices using their iPads in order to produce, reflect and share by showcasing student work and best practices.
- To communicate and collaborate with your instructional team and teachers an understanding of "what good looks like" as we add rigor and move through the SAMR continuum.
- To differentiate the information in this SMORE by finding out what works for you and your teachers using Toby and the Education Team as a partner, coach, support, mentor and guide
AGENDA
- The Why and What of Grit
- Integrating Technology and Grit: Reflections and Connections
- Resources on GRIT: True Grit and The Grit Test
- Making It Stick: Sharing SAMR PD and Websites
- Tobytech Tips, Website and Free App Recommendations
- PD Corner
- Next Steps
TODAY'S OBJECTIVES
- To establish a background of grit using the media as it relates to teacher's integration of technology.
- To showcase your Vanguard SAMR PD's in order to make connections to the evidence of rigor and grit
The Why and What of GRIT
A popular topic in educational conversations today is grit. Grit is perseverance; the decision (and ability) to keep moving forward rather than giving up. Many students have grit, just not related to academics. When we are teaching grit, students may experience some frustration. That is normal; in fact, if they aren't experiencing frustration, then they do not have the opportunity to use grit.
Students who demonstrate grit are more confident, and ultimately, learn at higher levels. Therefore, it is important for us to teach and reinforce this skill. How can we do that? There are two basic steps: create a climate that encourages grit and provide opportunities for students to demonstrate grit.
First, create a climate encourages grit. This means showcasing examples of grit. For example, today, I would share the story of Steve Jobs, who most students know as the creator of the IPhone. But they typically don't know that he was fired from Apple before he created the IPhone. Another example is J.K. Rowling, who was rejected by many publishers before someone accepted Harry Potter for publication.
Next, provide opportunities for students to experience grit. You must be careful here, as many students will give up if the assignment is totally over their head. What you want to do is create an assignment in which students will need to struggle and demonstrate perseverance to be successful. You'll need to model the process for students, and encourage and support them as they struggle. But in the long run, struggling and ultimately being successful helps students develop grit.
TAKE THE GRIT TEST
Camera Icon: Quick Wins in the Classroom
- Swipe Up: The fastest and most convenient way to access the camera on the iPad is directly from the lock screen. Touch the camera icon on the bottom right of the iPad screen and swipe up – this bypasses the need to enter a passcode even if the iPad is locked and gives access to the camera in less than one second.
- The Grid: While taking pictures, the grid can be used for centering as well as taking level shots of things like horizons and cityscapes. Students can also use the grid to support and explore the Rule of Thirds, and to get a better perspective on the angle and positioning of objects to photograph. To turn on the grid on the iPad, go to the Settings app, scroll down to Photos & Camera, and make sure the Grid slider is turned on.
- Burst Mode: The burst mode delivers a number of shots with one press. To get started, instead of giving the camera trigger one touch, push and hold. This action will deliver as many as 10 photos per second. The burst mode is a useful tool to employ whenever there is movement or unpredictability in the image you’d like to capture, like a flock of flying birds or waves crashing on the beach. The images are grouped together in a cluster in the photos app so you can select one to keep, keep them all or delete the entire burst with touch.
For more camera tech tips, check out http://iphonephotographyschool.com/
Tobytech's Free App Recommendations
Digital storytelling is a powerful way to share and engage with information. Now you can save time and effort by bringing stories to life on a single page. Combine text, images, videos and audio with the drag-and-drop Glogster tool, then instantly share the output with others! To make storytelling simpler, Glogster has included a Digital Storytelling template on your dashboard, offering learners and educators a structure for their imaginings and allowing cooperative creativity to take over. Using Glogster, students engage creatively with knowledge and develop digital literacy skills while teachers save time and resources with a range of customizable templates and a paperless cloud solution not to mention several options for sharing your finished work with colleagues, classmates and families. See http://webuse.glogster.com/
TOUCHCAST STUDIO
TouchCast Studio lets you easily add visuals to your video, mark them up with the whiteboard and explain things with ease. it is also a TV studio in your hands. Create broadcast-quality videos with a built-in teleprompter, green screen, visual filters, sound effects, and titles. Watch TouchCasts from any of the apps or online and you can also embed the video on a web page.
Tobytech's Website Recommendations
Primary Corner
What are teachers and students saying about TouchCast?
- "TouchCast is spreading like wildlife and kids are loving it!"
- "One of my sixth graders has been training other classes on his own time (lunch, elective, etc.)!
- " I like TouchCast because now I know how it feels to be a meteorologist "
- " I like TouchCast because it helped me present what I learned in a new way"
- " like TouchCast because it's awesome "
ONE-TO-ONE CORNER
Vanguard Lynda shares a Glog from her 1:1 students at Touchstone
Check out this Glog on Grit
ALL 4-8 TEACHERS SHOULD WATCH THIS!!!!
NEXT STEPS FOR VANGUARDS: WHAT GOOD LOOKS LIKE
- Look at the SMORES from your fellow Vanguards. Take the time to send at least two of your colleagues an email to tell them what you like about their PD/SMORES AND WHY!!!
- Meet with your instructional team at least once a month at a designated time and place to summarize and share pieces of the SMORE as you differentiate the information to your teachers. The instructional team consists of you, your Principal, Lead Literacy Teacher, Lead Tech Teacher and Assistant Principal.
- Use Toby as your "go to" Education Manager for Technology. If I don't know the answer, I will direct you appropriately. Use FaceTime as much as you can. My cell is 215-680-0123 and you can FaceTime me on my NLCI email. I am also here to coach you and help you plan your professional development sessions.
OUR NEXT SESSIONS WILL RESUME ON MARCH 3rd and 4th, 2016.
"...Kids no longer hear “You’re so smart!” or “Brilliant!” Rather, teachers praise students for their focus and determination. “You must have worked really hard!” or “To have performed this well, you must have put out a lot of effort.” ---Tovia Smith