OS Digital Learning News
September 2017
Hi Everyone!
We hope the new school year is off to a great start for all of you! We look forward to supporting your adventures with digital learning throughout the school year.
This issue of the newsletter introduces you to Vinos, our new Digital Learning Consultant; provides information about the 21 Things 4 Teachers self-paced modules available through the REMC Association of Michigan; registration information for the 17th annual Student Technology Showcase at the Capitol; information about a Michigan eLibrary provided early reading resource, BookFlix; a quick look at Google Takeout; information about a coding competition where prior coding experience is not required; a link to free, printable paper of all kinds; two resources for writing; a link to 360 degree tours of some of our National Parks; and more!
~Laura and Vinos
New Digital Learning Consultant at Oakland Schools!
Hi! My name is Vinos Kassab and I am looking forward to the many opportunities I will have to collaborate and meet new people in my position as Digital Learning Consultant.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Oakland University and obtained my Masters in Leadership and Administration from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!). I began my career in education as an English Language Learner paraprofessional in the West Bloomfield School District. After obtaining my degree, I secured a position with Bloomfield Hills Schools. During my first two years with Bloomfield Hills, I taught all subjects in 3rd and 4th grade. Afterwards, I moved to the middle school level and taught 6th grade math and language arts and 7th and 8th grade math and computer science. In addition, I coached a Coding Club, MathCounts, and track. I also served on the School Improvement Planning Team, Global Education Team, and Technology Team.
I am a mother of three boys, two of whom are in college and one who recently completed his studies at U of M (GO BLUE!). I also have a feisty Pomeranian named Benji. My passions include traveling, reading, and gardening.
My current focus will be to integrate robotics, computational thinking and computer science into the elementary and middle school curriculum. I look forward to our paths crossing and hope to assist you with all your Digital Learning needs.
21 Things 4 Teachers Self-paced Modules
The REMC Association of Michigan is offering a great opportunity for you to learn at your own pace and in the setting of your choice! Via modules from the 21Things4Teachers project, you will learn to make connections between technology tools and best practice instructional strategies. You will be supported in your learning journey by skilled instructor, Melissa White. You can start modules any time after October 1 and complete anytime before December 22.
The modules being offered are:
Assessment for Teaching and Learning
Increasing Efficiency and Productivity
Dynamic Presentations
Enhancing Instruction
Extending Your Classroom to the Cloud
Media Literacy
Personalized Learning in the Classroom
Searching Safely and Strategically
Transforming Education — Maker Movement
Cost: $50.00 per module
SCECHs available
17th Annual AT&T/MACUL/Michigan Virtual STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE
The 17th Annual AT&T/MACUL/Michigan Virtual STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE (STS) will be held on December 6, 2017. The showcase is a day-long event (each team will be there for two hours) held in the Michigan State Capitol Building to allow lawmakers, business leaders and other citizens to see first-hand how technology is used in classrooms across Michigan. K-12 student teams representing their schools from around the state will demonstrate best practices of how technology can enhance teaching and learning for the success of Michigan students. Each team should consist of up to four students and one mentor. The teams will be in one of three sessions during the day. The sessions are an hour and a half in duration. Each team will receive t-shirts for up to four students, a parking pass, and a showcase certificate. Light snacks will also be provided.
The deadline to apply to send a team is November 4th. We hope to have many teams representing the wonderful things that are happening in Oakland County! Please let us know if you get accepted to bring a team.
Use this link to apply: Submit your team application
If you have questions or need additional information, please email the Showcase Coordinator.
Michigan eLibrary: BookFlix
The Michigan eLibrary (MeL) provides access to Scholastic BookFlix, free of charge to all Michigan schools and residents! BookFlix is an online literacy resource that pairs classic video storybooks with related nonfiction. It is designed for grades PreK - 3. All the fiction/nonfiction pairs in BookFlix are categorized according to nine themes:
- Animals and Nature
- Earth and Sky
- Family and Community
- People and Places
- Music and Rhyme
- ABC’s and 1, 2, 3’s
- Adventure
- Imagination
- Celebrations
Grok Code Quest
Engage your students with a coding quest! Grok Code Quest is a friendly five-week competition where thousands of school students in grades K-8 come together to learn to code. Teachers can sign up their students, and students competing individually at home are also welcome!
The quest will run for 5 weeks, starting Monday, October 30th until Sunday, December 3rd. Programming challenges are released at the beginning of each week, along with interactive notes that will teach your students everything they need to complete them.
Grok Code Quest will teach students how to program as they go along, rather than expecting them to be an expert already. With four streams to choose from and problems ranging from simple to challenging, there's something for coders of all experience levels.
For more information and to register your team, visit http://get.gl/cq17_about1.Please let us know if you plan to participate. We would love to come out and work with you and your students on Grok Code Quest!
Google Takeout
To learn more, visit: http://www.google.com/takeout
Watch the screencast below for a quick tutorial that will walk you through the process.
Printable Paper!
A Year of Picture Prompts: Over 160 Images to Inspire Writing!
Do you need some ideas for writing projects? Last school year The New York Times set up an archive that now holds 160+ images. The archive is "A Year of Picture Prompts: Over 160 Images to Inspire Writing" and is still being updated with new images. The images are great to use as inspiration for writing across many genres. Scroll through the site to find categories for images based on the form of writing encouraged for students. Also, a lesson idea bank inspires using pictures and writing in the classroom.
"Little Shop of Writers" YouTube Channel
Watch the video below for a sample of what's available.
The Hidden Worlds of the National Parks
Assign a park, or have students choose one, to begin their journey. After a short introduction, students will explore the locations by dragging their mouse or cursor around the screen on their device to view the sites from every angle. As they explore, rangers continue to provide additional information on each location.
Oakland Schools Digital Learning Twitter posts can be found at: os_edtech
When you are posting to Twitter about things related to digital learning and educational technology, don't forget to use the hashtag #oakedtech.
Using the hashtag will help all of us Oakland County educators, who are interested in the effective use of digital learning, to connect and better collaborate with each other.
Oakland Schools Digital Learning Consultants
Laura.Cummings@oakland.k12.mi.us
248-209-2283
Vinos Kassab
Vinos.Kassab@oakland.k12.mi.us
248-209-2229