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.  

Newsletter 11/5/2015 : New Website and Resources

New Curriculum and Technology News and Resource Site

We have been working hard to rework the Curriculum and Technology Website. You'll see a wide variety of links and resources currently available to you. The link has been added here and is also available under the "staff" section of the district website. 

New Website

The rest of this newsletter will give you a quick tour of the initial layout of the site. Expect many additions along the way so check back often.

General Curriculum Links and Resources

This section will include helpful links to useful websites and additional resources.

Daily 5

Here we've listed some individual websites on the Daily 5. Check out how other teachers are using this framework.

Online Testing Resources 2015/2016

As you know, Ohio has Air Testing for ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies.  This testing engine may be new to some of you. This page currently includes all available information from the state. As there are more updates, we will share them with you here.

Please note that all test administrator manuals and resource materials are here for your access. There are also a number of walkthroughs and information to use with your students. 

Professional Development

We wanted to create an area to house resources from Professional Development opportunities. This will be used to keep an archive for future reference. 

Technology Resources

Like the previous section, this will grow and morph over time. These are technology resources to help with instruction but also with content for student use. 

Please take some time to check out the website for resources that will help your instructional goals and needs.

Edutech World Podcast : Episode 2

Episode 2: The Need to Apps and Websites: the Challenges of Modern Instructional Tools! This episode features quick commentary about the Surface Book, Acer Aspire One Cloudbook, and Dell’s Chromebook 11.  The main segment focuses on an introductory discussion on evaluating app and websites while focusing on how to make sure students are at the center of those choices.

Featured Tool of the Month : OneNote.

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

0:52 Devices: Wish List/Trial/Recent Purchase

11:01 Apps, Websites…

20:27 Tech Tool of the Month : One Note

29:13 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

Office 365 (OneNote)

Check out this episode!