EdTech@NSCDS
All the Tech & Innovation News You Can Use • Issue #4
EdTech@NSCDS News
- From 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm on every Monday in October, I'll be in US 024 for tech drop in sessions! On October 1, our topic will be Chrome Extensions and Add-Ons. Extensions and add-ons will boost your productivity within the Chrome browser, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides! Bring your laptop and any questions.
- It was fun last week to work with Caitlin McLennan and her fourth graders on a Global Collaboration Week project called Global Greetings. We used a tool called VoiceThread. We're planning on conducting some Mystery Location Calls over Google Hangouts or Skype next!
- I'm available to meet with you, your grade level and/or department to explore how to integrate technology into classroom instruction. Book an appointment on my calendar here or send me an email!
- If you are teaching in the middle and upper schools, please make sure you are reinforcing NSCDS iPad policies and requiring students to bring their charged iPads to school every day.
Build a lesson around any TED-Ed Original, TED Talk or YouTube video
Did you also know that there is an education initiative run by TED? TEDed provides original videos and a platform for creating and organizing lessons. The video for this music lesson is embedded below as an example.
TED also supports TED clubs for students through its TED Student Ideas program; I'd love to jump-start a TEDx or a club at NSCDS if anyone is interested in co-leading one with me. Let me know!
PRODUCTIVITY - Making the Most of the Apple Pencil
Yes, not everyone has one....here's why.
This means that older iPads do not support the use of these devices and I imagine that we will acquire more of these as we refresh iPads around the school, so stay tuned. If you are interested in the Apple Pencil, and you know you will frequently use it in your classroom practice, shoot me an email and we'll see how we can support you.
That said, for those of you who do have an Apple Pencil or are curious about it, here are some resources.
GLOBAL COLLABORATION
The Global Read Aloud Project: One Book to Connect the World
"The premise is simple; we pick a book to read aloud to our students during a set 6-week period and during that time we try to make as many global connections as possible. Each teacher decides how much time they would like to dedicate and how involved they would like to be. Some people choose to connect with just one class, while others go for as many as possible. The scope and depth of the project is up to you. While there are commonly used such as Skype, Twitter, WriteAbout or Flipgrid, you choose the tools that will make the most sense for you. Teachers get a community of other educators to do a global project with, hopefully inspiring them to continue these connections through the year."
RECOMMENDED APPS
Mentimeter
Try out these examples in a sample presentation I created. Go to menti.com on your computer or mobile device and enter the code 52 97 28 or click this link to vote. There are three sets of random questions that you can scroll through and answer to see Menti in action. See the results here.
ToonTastic 3D
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Note-taking: A Research Roundup | Cult of Pedagogy
Why a High Schooler Started Covering the Supreme Court | NPR
A New Curriculum Uses Film to Teach Democracy | MiddleWeb
Conrad Wolfram: Let’s Build a New Math Curriculum That Assumes Computers Exist | EdSurge
CONTACT LUCY GRAY
North Shore Country Day School teachers should contact Lucy Gray, Director of Educational Technology, for support with any of the following:
- Ask for suggestions for apps, conferences, and other resources via email
- Request an app to be installed on your iPad or other application on your laptop
- Arrange an individual coaching session
- Book Lucy for departmental or divisional PD
Email: lgray@nscds.org
Website: http://nscds.org/
Phone: (847) 881-8886
Twitter: @elemenous