As I've been planning for the 2015-2016 school year with administrators, I've noticed a few trends. Here is a list of trends and resources to go along with those trends.
1. Google Apps for Education - GAFE
Our district has been a GAFE district for a few years but there was never an official launch. As more people have been made aware of GAFE, they want to learn more. Then once they learn more, that want their staff to use the Google productivity suite of tools.
2. Chromebooks
Many principals have discovered Chromebooks are cheaper than iPads. Then once they realize Chromebooks and GAFE go together like peanut butter and jelly, they are sold! I also like the fact Chromebooks can have a personalized login for each student.
3. Web 2.0 Tools
The popular web 2.0 tools seem to be Socrative, Kahoot and Today's Meet. You can read more about these in the blog post listed above.
4. Online Learning
Faculty and staff want more online learning for that anytime, any place access.
These are a few trends, I have noticed in 2 weeks of working with administrators and teachers as they prepare for school to start. What other trends have you noticed?
Monday, July 27, 2015
Friday, July 24, 2015
Popular Web 2.0 Tools
Favorite web 2.0 tools...
1. Socrative
Socrative is one way to not only engage students but also assess them with educational activities on multiple devices. Some of the key highlights include real-time questioning and instant data.
2. Kahoot
Are you competitive? Then Kahoot is for you! You can create a Kahoot in minutes or choose from ones already made. You can also connect and play with other students from over almost 200 countries in real time.
3. Today's Meet
TodaysMeet is a perfect chat or back channel platform for classroom teachers and learners. The conversations through Today's Meet can transform your classroom. Set it up for a specified time period, then all can join without signing up.
4. Edmodo
Edmodo is another platform to create a blended online learning classroom. Edmodo simplifies the process of creating, distributing, collaborating, and grading.
5. Twitter
Twitter is a great place to find ideas and inspiration. Follow other educators, build your PLN and engage your students!
This is a VERY short list. What are some of your favorite web 2.0 tools?
1. Socrative
Socrative is one way to not only engage students but also assess them with educational activities on multiple devices. Some of the key highlights include real-time questioning and instant data.
2. Kahoot
Are you competitive? Then Kahoot is for you! You can create a Kahoot in minutes or choose from ones already made. You can also connect and play with other students from over almost 200 countries in real time.
3. Today's Meet
TodaysMeet is a perfect chat or back channel platform for classroom teachers and learners. The conversations through Today's Meet can transform your classroom. Set it up for a specified time period, then all can join without signing up.
4. Edmodo
Edmodo is another platform to create a blended online learning classroom. Edmodo simplifies the process of creating, distributing, collaborating, and grading.
5. Twitter
Twitter is a great place to find ideas and inspiration. Follow other educators, build your PLN and engage your students!
This is a VERY short list. What are some of your favorite web 2.0 tools?
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Summer Ed Tech Learning Challenge
I had the idea of an ed tech learning challenge after participating in Todd Nesloney's Summer Learning Series in 2014. Our district has low participation in professional development because it is not required and there are no or low expectations for it. I wanted to create a personal learning opportunity which would not be too time consuming, would be engaging and provide resources to use today! Selfishly, I love Twitter and get SO many resources and ideas from my PLN. Naturally, I wanted to involve Twitter in this learning challenge as well.
I decided to create 4 challenges for participants to complete over 4 weeks. We presented 1 challenge per week. We started with Twitter so we could utilize it in each of the following challenges. We also created a hashtag #etlc2015 to track participation and encourage communication and collaboration. Since we are a GAFE district we used Google Classroom to relay each challenge, encourage comments and post announcements.
I was pleasantly surprised to have 100 participants sign up in May. We had 65 active participants and will have 40 participants complete all challenges by July 31st. For a district with no professional development expectations, I consider this a success!
I decided to create 4 challenges for participants to complete over 4 weeks. We presented 1 challenge per week. We started with Twitter so we could utilize it in each of the following challenges. We also created a hashtag #etlc2015 to track participation and encourage communication and collaboration. Since we are a GAFE district we used Google Classroom to relay each challenge, encourage comments and post announcements.
I was pleasantly surprised to have 100 participants sign up in May. We had 65 active participants and will have 40 participants complete all challenges by July 31st. For a district with no professional development expectations, I consider this a success!
June PD Blitz
Last week was the last week for students in OKCPS. That means...this week is PD for teachers. The curriculum department scheduled this MASSIVE PD event for all elementary teachers. ETS was given a campus to hold Teaching with Technology. My one caveat is, technology is another tool used as we integrate curriculum and should not be a separate entity. All in all, the PD sessions were successful and hopefully we planted some seeds for the 2015-2016 school year.
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