Newsletter 2/26/2016 : Code.org, Testing Resources,

Testing Resources

As we are heading into testing season, I wanted to make you aware of some resources that might help take some stress off of you and your students. We are regularly updating the Curriculum/Technology web site to support your needs based on your feedback. 

http://www.westg.org/OnlineTestingResources20152016.aspx

I am including a short video walking through some of the links you may have missed. I hope this is helpful.

Code.Org Part 1

At the recent OETC Conference, one of the founders of Code.org had an amazing presentation on how students from 1st through 12th grade could start learning the the basic skills of coding through their amazing website. I plan to do a few posts over the next couple of weeks walking you through the site and some of the benefits. Attached is a video with the initial account and classroom setup.

Staff Computers

The first wave of staff computers continue to roll out. While we will not be able to reach everyone in this first phase, we will be able to in phase 2 which will begin very early in the upcoming school year. I have noticed that some staff members have not completed the original survey. I will be emailing you in groups with a link to we get accurate numbers on who needs a desktop and who needs a laptop based on instructional needs. Thank you for your patience. We are aware that there are many old teacher machines that need replacing. The board supported taking care of this in a two year cycle so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Newsletter February 4, 2016 : Online Testing Resources and Khan

Online Testing Resources Reminder

On Wednesday, the high school held an infrastructure test. The main goal was to check for connectivity issues and to get a needs assessment on devices. While circulating through most rooms, it was great to see such a positive and supportive atmosphere to our students and their questions. Your efforts are appreciated!

We have an online testing resources section that we regularly update. You can find this by going to westg.org, choosing the "staff" tab and going to the "Curriculum and Technology" web page. 

If you see something we are missing, please let us know. We want it to be a source of links to walkthroughs, practice examples and resources for a majority of our state tests.

Currently, we have updated sections on Air/Tide and Map testing.

http://www.westg.org/OnlineTestingResources20152016.aspx

Lucidchart, Lucidpress and Google Docs in Action!

In the last newsletter, Lucidchart was mentioned as a classroom tool. Traci Hren and Jileen Urbanek were kind enough to share some of the interesting ways that they are using this tool along with Lucidpress and Google Docs to have their students demonstrate their learning. 

Students using Lucidchart for Word Work in collaborative groups.

More photos

Students using Lucidpress for an activity showcasing understanding of concepts such as similes, metaphors, and idioms.

Students using Google Docs for an opinion paper that explores peer editing concepts.

More photos

Khan Academy (More Than Just Video)

Jack Toriello is doing some really interesting data driven prescriptive instruction in his math courses using Khan Academy.  Often, Khan Academy is considered a video resource but there are many activities covering a wide range of subject matter that is available. 

If you are interested in the subjects and content available, you'll want to check out the library of free content:

https://www.khanacademy.org/library

To sign up, check out this link:

https://www.khanacademy.org/

I have created a few short videos walking your through the basics of starting up the teacher and student side. There is an interesting prescriptive piece for math that could add some potential new interactive learning activities to your content. 

Creating an account and adding students

Joining a course from the student side

Quick overview of adding a mission and prescriptive instruction for K-12 Math or Programming Courses

Newsletter January 22, 2016

Free Tech Tools

Anytime we run across free tools that will help you in the classroom, we like to share them. Please let us know if you find success using any of these. We would love to stop by your classroom and see some of your success in action!

Evernote

Evernote is another great tech tool that you can start using today with your students. It is also an amazing tool for classroom organization. In a very basic sense, Evernote is an online notebook that allows you to create multiple notebooks, tabs and pages in an organized fashion for a variety of purposes. You can add in clip art, links, videos and most other content. 

Below are links to examples on how to start using the free tool for your classroom.

Evernote Website: https://evernote.com/?var=2

• http://www.theorganizedclassroomblog.com/index.php/blog/using-evernote-in-your-classroom
• http://www.teq.com/blog/2012/11/10-tips-for-using-evernote-in-the-classroom/#.VpUhkI-cHZs
• https://www.pinterest.com/pin/287597126179784751/
• https://vimeo.com/45708548
• Evernote Scanable App - This app turns your iPad or iPhone into a scanner to add content to your Evernote Notebooks.
• https://itunes.apple.com/app/evernote-scannable/id883338188

Lucidchart

A number of our teachers have been taking advantage of the benefits of Lucidchart. We applied to expand our license of this tool to allow more classrooms to take advantage of the wide variety of benefits to using this in the classrooms.

https://www.lucidchart.com/

Below are some links for classroom use. 

http://teacherrebootcamp.com/2013/01/18/10-ways-to-use-lucidchart-online-graphic-organizers-in-the-classroom/

http://www.emergingedtech.com/2013/08/lucidchart-excellent-web-based-diagramming-and-charts-free-for-educators-and-students/

Lucidchart works on Chromebooks and iPads, as well as PC's where the user is logged in via their Google Account. Students and teachers do need to sign up with the "Sign up using Google" option. The license is linked to the West G email account.

Twitter and 6 Tech Tools to Try in 2016

The curriculum and technology site has a direct link to our Twitter accounts. We regularly find a share resources that you don't have to have a Twitter account to access. 

http://www.westg.org/CurriculumTechnology.aspx

An example of this was a recent article on 6 tech tools to try in 2016. These are free and ready to use to potentially support some of your instructional goals. Consider creating your own Twitter account to find and follow educators who tweet about grade level or subject specific content appropriate to your needs.

http://www.cultofpedagogy.com/6-ed-tech-tools-to-try-in-2016/

Newsletter 1/5/2016 : Welcome Back

Professional Development Day

 Thank you for participating in PD Day. We hope that you found the sessions to be of value. They were developed based on the needs and concerns expressed by you and we are always looking to bring you content to support educational initiatives. We also want to thank all presenters and helpers for the amount of work done to make this day successful. 

 A short survey has been developed to garner feedback on what you would like to see more of in future PD opportunities.  Please consider participating.

http://goo.gl/forms/n6VcuqDp7n

 As a quick reminder, please check out the presentations from PD Day. If you were not able to attend a session of interest, the content and resources are of great value.

http://www.westg.org/ProfessionalDevelopmentDayJan42016_201512261210546.aspx 

Daily 5 Newsletter

 If you haven't had the chance, consider subscribing to the Daily 5 newsletter. Regular support content comes straight to your email. This includes "Ready Reference Guides" that are downloadable, one-page documents that will help you remember the key details of the CAFE Menu strategies you want to teach. 

The "subscribe" button is in the upper left hand corner. 

http://eepurl.com/bLv4fn

SAM-R Follow Up

Whether you were able to attend the SAM-R session or not, there are some great resources for including technology in your lessons. Besides what is included on the original presentation. This pedagogy wheel, included many more resources.

Pedagogy wheel with activities and resources

Edutech World Podcast : Episode 4

Edutech World Podcast Episode 4: Gaming in education, Children’s book recommendation, Arkon Flexible Tripod, NEOTIE Magazine, and the tech tool of the month! This episode features commentary on gaming in education,  a children’s book to support today’s modern tech lessons, a shout out to NEOTIE Magazine’s new issue, the tech tool of the month and more!

Featured Tool of the Month : Audacity.

Show Notes:

0:00 Show opening, NEOTIE.org, Twitter = @seanwhelantech, email: edutechworldpodcast@gmail.com

Show voicemail line 1-216-647-0201 or edutechworldpodcast on Skype.

Show contact info and web site: http://edutechworldpodcast.com/

Show’s Google+ Community

1:09 Gaming in Education

8:48 The Most Magnificent Thing and Arkon Tripod

12:15 NEOTiE Magazine Issue 2

13:17 Tech Tool of the Month

Closing

The show will be back next month with another episode. Please check out the show website and Twitter for further information.

Episode Links

NEOTIE Magazine Issue 2

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires

Arkon Smartphone Holder/Flexible Tripod

Audacity

Entrsekt

Check out this episode!

Edutech World Podcast : Episode 3

Edutech World Podcast Episode 3: Equipment reviews, Content Filtering, and the tech tool of the month! This episode features quick commentary about the Lenovo ThinkPad E550 with the i5 Processor, Logitech’s Wireless Presenter R400, and a quick follow up on the Microsoft Surface Book.  The main segment focuses on thoughts relating to web content filtering, which is a continually evolving topic.

Featured Tool of the Month : Screencast-O-Matic.

Show Notes:

0:00 Show opening, NEOTIE.org, Twitter = @seanwhelantech, email: edutechworldpodcast@gmail.com

Show voicemail line 1-216-647-0201 or edutechworldpodcast on Skype.

Show contact info and web site: http://edutechworldpodcast.com/

Show’s Google+ Community

0:38 Tech Reviews

9:31 Filtering

19:28 Tech Tool of the Month

22:36 Closing

The show will be back next month with another episode. Please check out the show website and Twitter for further information.

Episode Links

NEOTIE Magazine Issue 1

Screencast-o-matic

Check out this episode!

Online Testing Update and Resources for Teachers/Test Administrators

Latest Online Testing Updates, Manuals, and Resources for Preparation

Please remember we will be regularly updating the Curriculum and Technology Site with testing information and resources for the 2015/2016 school year. 

To get there:

1) Go to http://www.westg.org

2) Click on "staff"

3) You will see a link to the new West Geauga Curriculum and Technology website

Note: Ohio created a great training tutorial for how to use AIR for Test Administrators. It goes through the entire process.

 

To access it:

1) Go to the Ohio Online Testing Resources Section

2) Click on the 3rd folder down labeled "Online Systems Resources"

3) Click on "Tutorials" 

4) Choose the "Test Administrator Certification Course" 

 

This is new this year and gives a common language to learning how to administer the test.

 

To get test administration manuals:

1) Go to the Ohio Online Testing Resources Section

2) Click on "Administration Manuals and Guidance Documents"

3) Test administrators will want:

         a) Directions for Administration Manual

         b) Test Administrator Checklist

         c) Online Testing Checklist (Scripts and Troubleshooting tips to make the day go smooth!)

 

To get to student practice:

1) Go to the Ohio Online Testing Resources Section

2) Click on "Student Practice Resources"

3) You will see student tutorials and tools for the practice site but also subject specific sample items, keys and rubrics.

 

Some suggestions for online testing:

1) Remain calm: Most problems are quickly resolved. There is nothing that can happen that can't be fixed. Students need to be aware of this. Students should focus on doing their best and need to know that any technical glitch that may arise is often resolved quick, just like when they play a game or open an app at home. Most are very experienced with this and that connection is helpful.

2) Go through the tutorial and read the resources early: We are here to help as specific questions come up. The sooner you have taken a look at the state resources, the quicker your questions can be addressed.

3) Talk to your team: Each member of a team brings unique ideas. This support is critical. What is a question for one member of the team will likely be answered by another. If not, send us any questions that come up and we will try to find answers.