e-Learning Newsletter
SCSD2 Elementary Edition
Blogging Basics
If you are new to the blogging world, a blog can help you support student learning, by reflection, self-questioning, and collaborating. You can begin a blog on Kidblog, Weebly or Blogger. All three are easy to use and easy to access.
Blogs can be powerful in the world of education! Many times, students access information through blogs, as well as reflect on them. They are a great way to publish your work, your students' work, or to tap in to their world.
Example Elementary Blog
In the January edition of the SCSD2 e-Learning newsletter, I shared several examples of stellar teacher blogs in our district. This month, I wanted to share another one for your reading pleasure. Mrs. Copples' Rockin' Firsties Blog highlights activities that have occurred in the classroom. Students and families can revisit the site to view pictures, as well as find out what is happening in their child's classroom.
Practice Take Home Days for Younger Students Begins This Week!
Students in grades 3 through 12 have been taking devices home for awhile now, but for the younger students, this Wednesday, February 4, will be the first practice day to take devices home. The second practice day will be Tuesday, February 10. Students should have some type of simple assignment on those days to demonstrate if they can access content from home. An example document can be found below. Students could open it in neu annotate or Doodle Buddy. For the second practice day, a similar document could be sent home with practice on the programs or apps that are intended for the virtual day. This will allow you to follow up on accessibility issues before the Virtual Day. If students are having technical issues, please submit a help desk ticket.
Preparing for Offline Activities
When designing your lesson plans for the Virtual Day, be sure to treat every student as if they did NOT have internet access. Prepare your lessons so that every student has the same opportunities to complete the expected work, and then you may tailor enrichment, extension, or remediation activities that you would like to include that are internet based. Don't forget to include all accommodations for students with IEP's or 504 plans and your special classes for that day, such as Art, and Music. Connect with those teachers to create a lesson plan that includes all facets of your normal day in the classroom. If you would like assistance making your activities digital, you can submit a help desk ticket for Tiffany or Bobby and they will help you with your digital needs. Click here to access a list of suggestions for creating an offline lesson plan.
How to Pull a Video for Offline Use
There are several ways to accomplish saving a video for offline use with your class, just be sure that copyrighted materials are used within your classroom only. Click here for instructions and click here for the accompanying video.
Teaching with Technology
An easy way to provide assistance to your students through technology is by recording yourself teaching a skill. One easy way to do this would be through the Educreations app and sharing your video out through MBC or ebackpack. Simply open the app and click the record button. It will record your voice and what you write. Students and parents will be able to view the video as many times as they like.