October 2023 - Instructional Technology Newsletter

A Basket Full of EdTech Tricks

When it comes to EdTech, there's a lot out there. Here are a few tricks you can use to make your lessons spooky good.

Interactive Learning Platform: Utilize interactive learning platforms and Learning Management Systems (LMS). At MSD of Boone Township, we have access to Google Classroom, which allows for a multitude of ways to help make learning interactive. Classroom allows you to post assignments, quizzes, and resources, making it easier for students to access and submit work. Classroom also enables communication and collaboration among students and provides a centralized hub for class materials.

Flipped Classroom Techniques: Flip your classroom by creating video lessons or multimedia content that students can review before class. This allows for more interactive and engaging in-class activities, discussions, and problem-solving. Tools like Edpuzzle, Screencast-O-Matic, or even YouTube can help you create and share educational videos.

Gamification: Incorporate elements of gamification to make learning more fun and engaging. Platforms like Kahoot, Quizlet, and Classcraft allow you to create quizzes, flashcards, and game-based activities. Gamification can motivate students, foster competition, and enhance their understanding of the material.

Adaptive Learning Software: Integrate adaptive learning software like Khan Academy, Duolingo, or DreamBox into your teaching. These platforms personalize the learning experience for each student by adjusting content based on their progress and areas of need. This helps students work at their own pace and receive targeted support.

Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR): Explore AR and VR tools to create immersive learning experiences. Platforms like Google Expeditions, Nearpod, or Oculus VR can transport students to virtual environments, historical settings, or scientific simulations. These technologies can make complex subjects more accessible and memorable.

Remember that the key to successful EdTech integration is proper training and support for both teachers and students. Start with one or two tools that align with your teaching objectives, and gradually incorporate more as you become more comfortable with them. Also, be mindful of students' access to technology to ensure equity in education.

A Basket Full of EdTech Treats

Teachers can benefit from a wide range of EdTech tools to enhance their teaching and engage students more effectively. Here are five EdTech treats to try in your classroom:

Google Workspace for Education: There's a lot more to Google than Classroom. Google Workspace offers a suite of free productivity tools like Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms.

Kahoot!: Kahoot! is a game-based learning platform that allows teachers to create and share interactive quizzes and surveys. It's an engaging way to review and reinforce classroom content, and it offers a fun and competitive element that students often enjoy.

Edpuzzle: Edpuzzle allows teachers to make any video their lesson. They can crop, add voiceovers, and embed questions within videos to track student understanding. It's a great tool for flipping the classroom or creating interactive video lessons.

Nearpod: Nearpod is an interactive presentation platform that enables teachers to create engaging lessons with embedded quizzes, polls, and other interactive elements. Teachers can use it to monitor and enhance student participation and understanding during presentations.

Seesaw: Seesaw is an excellent tool for younger students and for remote learning. It's a digital portfolio platform where students can showcase their work, and teachers can provide feedback and assessment. It's a powerful way to involve parents in their children's learning as well.

Remember, the effectiveness of these tools depends on the specific needs and preferences of both you the teachers and your students. It's essential to choose EdTech solutions that align with the curriculum and your students' short and long term needs.

September 2023 - Instructional Technology Newsletter

Recent Updates to Google Classroom

Over the last few months there have been several updates to Google Classroom; some obvious, some not. 

Practice Sets allow teachers to create sets of questions using artificial intelligence (AI). Teachers can either search for questions by topic, type their own questions, or import their own questions.  But the real power behind Practice Sets is AI. The AI can identify appropriate remedial resources that the students can access if they do not answer the questions correctly. Thus connecting students to the right resources at the right time. In addition, it uses the questions that you ask to determine suggestions for the appropriate skills sets to associate with that question. Presently, teachers can ask short answer, paragraph, single select, and multi select questions; with the ability to auto score short answer, single select, and multi select questions. For more on practice sets, check the official Google blog.

There is also a new feature that allows you to attach YouTube videos to your Google Classroom assignments and add questions at various points throughout the video. The new YouTube feature is in its infancy and currently works a lot like a basic version of Edpuzzle, for those of you who are familiar with that tool. I have been using this new feature a bit lately and one thing about it that I really liked was that the videos I used were saved as a separate activity that I could then add to other assignments later. 

Google has also added Grading Periods and Visiting Google Classrooms features that you can read more about by clicking on the respective links.

Massive Archive of Google Resources

Here is an online spreadsheet of all sorts of Google resources. If you'd like to make a copy of this spreadsheet, click here.

Congratulations Are In Order

This spring we had 4 teachers pass the Google For Education - Level 2 exam and earn their Level 2 certification. Congratulations to Brandy Parks, Veronica Siwy, Kristy Stephens, and Melissa Summerville. All four of these MSD of Boone Township teachers have upped their ed tech game. As a bonus, they each received a $250.00 stipend and 15 Professional Growth Points to use toward renewing their teaching license. In order to earn the Google for Education Level 2 certificate, each of these teachers also had to take and pass the Google for Education Level 1 exam before completing the Level 2 test. Speaking of Google certifications, the Google for Education - Level 1 and Google for Education - Level 2 self-paced classes are available again this fall. Email me and I will send you the invite link to join. The test can be taken at no cost with the use of a voucher and there is a $250.00 stipend awarded to teachers who successfully earn the Level 2 certification.

Other Professional Growth Opportunities for MSD Of Boone Township Teachers

I would also like to invite those of you who are interested in exploring The Modern Classrooms Project (MCP) to complete the online training this fall. In the spring, if there are enough teachers who are interested in using some of the strategies in MCP, I would like to put together a pilot program where we can use the strategies and discuss ways to implement them successfully.

May 2023 - Instructional Technology Newsletter

Artificial Intelligence Is Here (and I don't think it's going away)

But rather than bore you with opinions and lessons and such; I asked Chat GPT for 10 summer vacation ideas for teachers in Northwest Indiana. Here you go.

1. Beach Getaway: Enjoy the sandy beaches and refreshing waters of Lake Michigan at Indiana Dunes State Park or Warren Dunes State Park in Michigan.
2. Camping: Take a camping trip at Indiana Dunes National Park, Potato Creek State Park, or Tippecanoe River State Park.
3. Visit a State Park: Explore the natural beauty of Indiana at one of the many state parks, such as Turkey Run State Park, Shades State Park, or Chain O' Lakes State Park.
4. Hiking and Biking Trails: Take a scenic hike or bike ride along the miles of trails available at Indiana Dunes State Park, Oak Savannah Trail, or Prairie Duneland Trail.
5. Outdoor Recreation: Go fishing, boating, or kayaking at Bass Lake, Lake Maxinkuckee, or Pine Lake.
6. Local Attractions: Visit local attractions such as the Albanese Candy Factory and Taltree Arboretum and Gardens.
7. Explore a New City: Take a day trip to nearby cities such as South Bend or Indianapolis.
8. Local Festivals: Attend local festivals such as the Porter County Fair, Valparaiso Popcorn Festival, or the Chesterton Art Fair.
9. Farmers Markets: Visit the many farmers markets in the area, such as the Chesterton European Market, Valparaiso Farmers Market, or Michigan City Farmers Market.
10. Historical Sites: Learn about the history of the area by visiting historical sites such as the Barker Mansion, Chellberg Farm, or the La Porte County Historical Society Museum.

Not to be outdone, here are the results from a similar query performed on Google Bard. There are some similarities with the Chat GPT results, but also a few new ones.

1. Visit the Indiana Dunes National Park (link provided above). This park is home to stunning sand dunes, forests, and wetlands. There are plenty of activities to enjoy, such as hiking, biking, swimming, and fishing.
2. Go to the beach. There are many great beaches in northwest Indiana, such as Lake Michigan Beach, Porter Beach, and Beverly Shores. You can relax on the sand, swim in the lake, or build sandcastles.
3. Visit a museum. There are many great museums in northwest Indiana, such as the Hammond Museum of Industry and Technology (is this a real place?) and the Indiana Dunes Museum. You can learn about history, art, science, and more.
4. Go to a sporting event. There are many professional and college sporting events held in northwest Indiana, such as the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, and the Indiana Pacers (not in season). You can cheer on your favorite team and enjoy a day of fun.
5. Go to a concert. There are many concerts held in Indiana, featuring a variety of musical genres. You can see your favorite band or artist live in concert.
6. Go to a festival. There are many festivals held in northwest Indiana throughout the summer, such as the South Shore Summer Music Festival, the Porter County Fair (link provided above), and the LaPorte County Fair. You can enjoy food, music, dancing, and more.
7. Go to a movie. There are many movie theaters in northwest Indiana, showing the latest blockbusters and independent films. You can catch a new movie or see a classic film.
8. Go to a play. There are many theaters in northwest Indiana, producing a variety of plays and musicals. You can see a live performance of your favorite play or musical.
9. Go to a comedy show. There are many comedy clubs near northwest Indiana, featuring a variety of comedians. You can laugh your head off at a live comedy show.
10. Go to a restaurant. There are many great restaurants in northwest Indiana, serving a variety of cuisines. You can enjoy a delicious meal with friends or family.

April 2023 - Instructional Technology Newsletter

The Modern Classrooms Project

Over the past few weeks I have taken some time to explore and learn more about the Modern Classrooms Project (MCP). The MCP is a pedagogical approach to classroom teaching that better and more precisely differentiates instruction for each student in the classroom. The MCP accomplishes this goal by making clear distinctions between what teachers and students should be doing during and outside of class time. 

The primary distinction for teachers is using time outside the classroom to make short instructional videos that students will be using in the coming days. The MCP even includes resources letting teachers know how best to approach their video making. During class time the teacher's primary goal is to facilitate learning among students on a more individualized basis. This often includes assisting students who will be at various levels of mastery with the content due to any number of circumstances (i.e. the students are advanced, the student was absent, etc.)

For students, the primary distinction is taking more control over their day-to-day learning activities. In the MCP style, students have learned routines for the classroom and know what to do on their own when class time begins. Working on their own or with partners (when allowed), students accomplish as much as they can without the teacher's assistance but can always seek out the teacher's help when they get stuck. 

A MCP classroom would look quite different than what you may be accustomed to. In a MCP classroom, students generally work at their own pace, and may be ahead or behind other students. Once they have completed a sufficient amount of practice, students can take a mastery assessment to see if they are ready to move on. If they do well, they move on to the next skill. If not, they continue working on more practice.

If you are a teacher and you are interested in learning more about MCP and their approach, they offer a free training course to introduce teachers to this style of teaching.

Google Classroom Practice Sets

If you have been posting assignments in Google Classroom lately, you may have noticed a new addition to the menu of options you can include with your post; Practice Sets. Practice Sets allow teachers to generate practice problems for various types of skills that they may be interested in having students practice. In many cases, these skills can be attached to various standards or learning targets. 

Practice Sets allows teachers to choose from four different question types; short answer, single select, and multi select questions can be automatically scored (more on that below) and paragraph question, which cannot be automatically scored. 

For many skills, (not all) Practice Sets can automatically attach helpful resources for students that will provide assistance as they answer the questions. Or, if the student answers the question incorrectly, provide resources for remediation. Resources are identified using the power of artificial intelligence, so the teacher is not spending the time finding these resources when they could be doing something else.

March 2023 - Instructional Technology Newsletter

 

Congratulations Are In Order

First things first! Congratulations to MSD of Boone Township Spanish teacher Melissa Summerville for successfully passing the Google for Education Level 2 Exam. Melissa has earned 15 Professional Growth Points (PGPs) to use toward licence renewal and a $250 stipend from the district. 

All MSD of Boone Township teachers are eligible to earn the $250 stipend, which also includes 30 PGPs, by passing the both the Google for Education Level 1 and Level 2 exams.

Low Key PD Update

Low Key PD now has tutorials available for Google Docs, Google Forms, and Google Jamboard. The complete set of tutorials for Google Drawings will be available later in April, but you can catch a sneak-peek here. 

Low Key PD is designed to provide easy to follow, video-based tutorials on the tools that you use everyday. Some videos are more detailed and last a bit longer, but most of the tutorials can be viewed in a passing period. You can find all of the Low Key PD videos on the Instructional Technology Coaching YouTube channel.

Google Has Been Busy

Ed Tech guru Eric Curts has posted a blog entry about all of the new updates Google has been working on that affect the Google tools you use everyday. As an added bonus, Eric has a terrific video explaining the Screencast App available to you on your chromebook.

February 2023 - Instructional Technology Newsletter

Google Docs

Google Forms

Low Key PD

The Hebron Instructional Technology YouTube Channel now has complete tutorials available for Google Docs and Google Forms will be finished by the end of February. What do I mean by complete? Pretty much every menu option in Google Docs is explained either in its own tutorial video or as part of another video covering multiple menu options. For Google Forms, every question style in Google Forms and pretty much every possible setting and option is explained in its own tutorial video, including themes, quizzes, response analysis, and so much more. 

These playlists give you the opportunity to learn specific skills for Google Docs or Google Forms or engage in a deep-dive study to maximize your learning. More Google apps will follow in the coming months as the tutorials are produced.

ParentSquare

Earlier this year MSD of Boone Township rolled out ParentSquare, an online community site for Hebron Schools students, parents, and employees. Links to the ParentSquare platform, the ParentSquare quick start page, and the ParentSquare YouTube channel have been added to the Hebron Schools bookmark folder.

ParentSquare allows teachers to communicate with both students and parents en masse with notes, messages, calendar events, and much more. Many parents have already activated their ParentSquare accounts and are staying in the loop with active teachers. Are you one of them?

January 2023 - Instructional Technology Newsletter

 

Google for Education Certification

The MSD of Boone Township is committed to providing teachers with professional development opportunities that will benefit student learning. As part of the district's commitment to teacher professional development, teachers have the opportunity to earn a $250.00 stipend (as well as PGPs for license renewal) by becoming a Google for Education (GfE) Level 2 certified educator. The process for becoming a GfE Level 2 educator requires teachers to pass two exams; the GfE Level 1 exam and the GfE Level 2 exam. According to the Google for Education website, the Level 1 skills provide teachers with "lessons and a progressive set of tips designed to help educators make the most of Google’s classroom technology," while the Level 2 skills allow teachers to "move beyond fundamentals with advanced lessons and cutting-edge strategies for integrating Google in [their] classroom."

In an effort to assist teachers in this process, the Instructional Technology Coach has provided online course work on Google Classroom for both the Level 1 and Level 2 courses and the district has purchased vouchers to cover the costs of the exams. The first iterations of these courses were offered as synchronous online courses, meaning that content was uploaded according to a schedule and participating teachers were typically completing work according to that schedule. Now that both courses are complete, these two courses are now available on Google Classroom as asynchronous online courses. Teachers are now free to complete the courses as quickly (or slowly) as they please. If you are a teacher in the MSD of Boone Township and would like to participate in GfE certification course, please contact the Instructional Technology Coach for more information.

Lastly, but certainly not least, I am happy to report that in 2022, nine MSD of Boone Township teachers successfully passed the GfE Level 1 exam and are on their way to becoming GfE Level 2 educators...and receiving additional PGPs...and receiving the $250.00 stipend.

Low Key PD

In other news, the Instructional Technology Coach will be working on a new initiative this spring called "Low Key PD." The purpose of Low Key PD is to provide teachers with short, (nearly) on-demand tutorials on the skills that they want to learn. There is already an extensive collection of tutorial videos on the Hebron Instructional Technology YouTube channel. Or you can go to YouTube and search "low key pd." The videos are in the neighborhood of five minutes; some are longer, many are shorter. Teacher time is valuable and often the skills they want to learn are very specific. Teachers can also make requests at the Low Key PD website.