Tuesday Techbytes
January 31st, 2017
News from the Office
Printing Changes - Currently, the printing changes have taken place in the elementary schools. Middle and high school changes will be taking place this and next week. Printing now require the use of your fob. Print jobs can be completed from any fob reader location. Information on scanning to Google Drive and to email will be released in the near future. If you have any questions, please contact IT.
New Technology Tools - We have started receiving some of the items we ordered using the Smart Schools money. In regards to new technology items, we now have a classroom set of view finders for Google Expeditions, a humanoid robot that will be programmed by students in Coding Club (and others), and some 3-d printers. Much of these items have arrived at the same time, so we are unboxing and familiarizing ourselves with them this week and hope to get some of it out to be used in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for PD opportunities.
Flipped Learning Cohort - Calling any teachers that are interested in, or just curious about, flipped learning. Researchers argue that flipping some aspect of your classroom will deepen knowledge levels and form more personal relationships with your students as you are able to target them more individually. If you are interested, please email Michele to get more details. More information is forthcoming. In the meantime, why not attend a video integration PD class?
Video Integration PD Opportunities - The next few sessions of after school PD will focus on teaching with video and making videos interactive (both student and teacher). Check out MyLearningPlan to see what classes might work for you and sign up today!
News from Beyond
Google Apps Formatting Academy:
Add Headers, Footers, and Page Numbers in Google Docs
Edit and Format Data in Google Sheets
Apps and Updates:
Canva! Create Beautiful, Professional Looking Designer Graphics in Minutes with Canva!
NEWSELA Pro has had an update! You can now access real-time updates in assessment data, what students are reading, and the level they are doing it at. There are also new navigation features. Read more HERE
New features for Google Classroom:
- Individual assignments—Teachers can post work and announcements to individual students in a class.
- New teacher notifications—Teachers receive email and mobile notifications when a student submits late work or resubmits work.
- Classroom user metrics—Administrators can view Classroom usage reports in the Admin console.
- Coursework improvements for third-party developers—Third-party applications can programmatically create questions, modify coursework, and add materials to coursework.
Upcoming My Learning Plan Events:
TODAY @ 3:30 - Teaching with Video (HS111)
February 7th @ 3:30 - Reflex math Webinar (HS 111)
February 14th @ 3:30 - Making Videos Interactive (HS111)
February 16th @ 3:30 - Monthly meeting for MS/HS Special Education PLC (HS111)
February 28th @ 3:30 - Mandated Reporter Laws and Training (MS LGI)
March 7th @ 3:30 - New Google Sites (HS111)
March 14th @ 3:30 - Reflex Math Webinar (HS111)
March 21st @3:30 - Digital Portfolios with Google Sites (HS111)
SAMR SECTION - Transforming lessons with SAMR
Lesson: Learning Fractions
Original Assignment: Show understanding of fractions on a worksheet by coloring in blocks.
- Substitution: Use an Excel Worksheet to let students “color in” the blocks.
- Augmentation: Use Google Sheet to let students “color in” the blocks, where the teacher can offer feedback directly on Google Sheet.
- Modification: Use Google Sheet and direct students to online examples and supplementary learning materials for areas that they might struggle with.
- Redefinition: Use a Fractions App instead (here’s a handful of examples for iOS devices).