Teaching and Technology Course - Final Projects

Every year we offer a technology course for teachers that runs from June through October. The purpose is to give teachers time to come up with new and innovative ideas for their classroom. We love the format because it's 3 days in June, a half day in September, and a full day in October when we share out the projects. Teachers can take the class for recertification hours, or if they attend the entire class with an online portion, they can receive 3 credits towards the salary scale.

Every year we are blown away by what teachers accomplish. Because of the gaps in the dates, teachers have time to try various activities in their classrooms with students. During the three days in June, teachers pitch their final project to a small group (similar to shark tank) which includes a student and receive feedback. They then have the summer to tweak it. In September, they have help from student assistants as well as the three tech integrators.  This year we had the added bonus of having A.J. Juliani visit. The impact of his message on final projects was clear. It is amazing to see the changes that have happened from June to October.

The projects are listed here and the descriptions can be found at #ysdchat

Thank you CDW Corporation

Honored to be recognized with these folks!

Announcing the EdTechTeam Maine Summit

For more information

New Summer Course at University of Southern Maine

I am thrilled to announce a new Graduate level course from the Professional Development Center at the University of Southern Maine for the summer of 2017.

EPC 586: Teaching and Learning in the Digital Age

Teachers will explore the use of online tools that support student learning, collaboration, and communication that extends beyond classroom walls.  They will also become knowledgeable about curricular best practices and skills as they fit into the K-12 classroom.  Emphasis is given to cloud computing and collaborative technologies for a digital age school.  GSuite for Education as well as digital based learning theories will be explored.  Educators will be exposed to many of the GSuite Applications as well as create a final project and presentation of how they will use the tools in the classroom setting.

This class is scheduled to run at the Portland Campus from July 10-14.

Registration Information

EdCamp Western Maine

EdCamp Western Maine was held at the Mt. Blue Campus in Farmington Maine yesterday (February 6th). There were quite a number of pre-service and first year teachers attending, which is really exciting!

Session 1) I brought a Google Cardboard. Most of the group hadn't seen it before. We played with a few apps, Cardboard, Street View and the NYTVR. I also showed the group Google Cultural Institute. Thanks to Sonja for taking the notes for the group. My resources are here. I will definitely bring a set to EdCamp Maine to play with.

Session 2) Sketch Noting with Dan Ryder. I was excited to finally learn more about this topic. I loved learning about visual vocabulary and once you have the six symbols down, the possibilities are endless. I have always written things in boxes and in a random fashion, so it was exciting to think about how Sketch Noting might fit into my own work. I also learned about Bullet Journaling which I would like to explore further.

What was also fun was it was the first time I used my Rocketbook. I learned about this from a tweet by Dan Callahan  The Rocketbook uses Frixon erasable pens. You then scan the pages into your smart phone and it sends the page to any of your cloud accounts that you set up ahead of time. I sent my notes to my professional development folder in Google Drive. Example: Page 1. When I am done with my Rocketbook, I can microwave it and it will be erased to use again.

Session 3) Design Thinking with Dan Ryder. I read Creative Confidence this past summer and have tried some of the activities in professional development sessions, so I was excited about learning more about using this method with students. I wasn't disappointed. Dan talked about cultivating empathy in his classes and how he is designing activities so that students learn how to tell about learning. We participated in an activity about how to humanize the process and then participated in a Flash Lab where we had 7 minutes to create an artifact to solve a problem - in this case create something that brings joy. He also shared different ways of giving feedback, for example using legos during a gallery walk of projects to give feedback. A yellow lego is for laughs and giggles, a green lego would be for inspiring, a white lego raises questions. Here's his blog post about using design thinking and empathy.

A terrific day. Thanks to all of the organizers: @jbailey8 @WickedDecent @MsRedmanEnglish @johannaprince @texastheresa @MichaelisMath

Google Tools for Creativity and Innovation

Tonight I co-moderated my first Twitter chat - #gafechat with @LISDTechie on the topic of Google Tools for Creativity and Innovation. It's quite an experience to moderate as you must pay attention to the questions, the people, and the topics. Kelly is incredibly organized and made the process very manageable. I learned to schedule my questions ahead of time and have my links ready to go. It's best to use TweetDeck as the tool to keep track of the conversation. Kelly's GafeChat website has everything you need to learn how to participate in the chat. She also archives the conversation so you can go back and do more learning. I am definitely doing this again!

You can get a reminder for the next #gafechat which is May 19th on Google to Drive Instruction

Google Jamboree

http://www.ettgoogle.org/

Mike Arsenault, Cathy Wolinsky, and I went as a team to the Google Boston Headquarters to join other educators for the Google Jamboree hosted by EdTechTeacher. The message for the day was about preparing students to be thoughtful, flexible and constant learners.

I went to two sessions - the first by Tom Daccord on students as creators. He showed Chrome extension and Drive add ons in purposeful ways. He showed only a few examples and I was most excited about VideoNot.es. This works inside of Google Drive and allows students to take notes which sync at specific times in a You Tube video. Some excellent ways to use Google Draw were shown. I think I want to use this more with students.

The second session was using video in student projects with Greg Kuloweic. I appreciated how he set up the session. He gave us an overview, we then worked in small groups and did some brainstorming. He taught up some more and then we did the work. Then we shared out. We learned a lot about managing video in Google Drive and Choose Your Own Adventure Stories.

USE THIS FOR EDCAMP AND MOTIVATION
ERICK'S WORDLE

Google Tools for 21st Century Learners

A free webinar for NEISTE - March 24, 2015

This session will address the use of Google tools in the areas of the “4 C’s”—creativity, communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. Discover the best ways to share project information, homework assignments, docs, and images. Spend more time on content and less on managing their work.

The recording is coming and I will post it here. In the meantime, here's the worksheet and presentation

Updated: You can download the recording here

T4IE at Tilton Academy

You and your fellow educators are invited to Google 'Summer Camp' being offered at Tilton School.  

The real conference name is Technology 4 Innovation in Education Conference

 (T4IE) but it's like 'summer camp' because onsite lodging (in one of the dorms) is an option and it is so incredibly fun!    The curriculum is very well planned and focused on outcomes. 

Highlights include:

• Choose your Google Apps track (beginner/advanced but also switch throughout to meet your needs.
• Classroom application/Edu Focus (not just the app)
• Set up your Paperless Classroom to start next year!
• Dinner (evening of day one)
• Make it Take it ~ Day 2 allows for project work time
• On campus housing available for only $50 (it is awesome). 

See the schedule here.  

There will also be a Google Pre~certification Training on day three for admins and trainers.  If you want to become 'certified' and need that extra boost, consider one of these sessions.  You will leave ready to take the exams and submit your application(s).

If you are looking to get the most out of your PD money, this is the place to go.

Email me if you have any questions!

Summertime and Learning Opportunities

Attribution: Anne Davis 773
https://flic.kr/p/efNfHY

It's Spring Break in Maine which always makes me start working on summer plans. Time goes quickly from now until the end of school. A few educators have asked about local summer learning opportunities.  Here are a few that I know about in the New England area. If you have some to add please put them in the comment section.

June

• June 19 - August 8
• Google Tools for Schools; Various locations in Vermont
• 8 Summer institutes on using Google Tools, Chromebooks and more
• 21-22 Apps Events Connecticut Summit; Greenwich, CT.
• 23-25 Sebago Alliance Tech Camp for Staff; Windham, ME
• 25-26 GAFE Peak; York, ME
• 26-27 NELMS 1:1 Institute; Kennebunk, ME
• 23-27 Learn Everywhere; Thomas College

July

• 6/30 - 2 TechnologyTeacher.me; Gould Academy
• 10  Cloud Camp NE; East Bridgewater, MA. 
• for schools using Google Tools
• 14 - 18 
• Teaching and Learning with the iPad; University of Southern Maine 
• Teachers will explore the use of iPads and apps that support student learning, collaboration, and communication. Apps are providing new ways for students and teachers to use touch screens as well as recording video and audio. Teachers who attend this course will learn ways to change their teaching to include Apps during instruction as well as ways for students to demonstrate learning by creating products on the iPad.
• The Read Write Web in the Classroom; University of Southern Maine 
• Explore the use of Web 2.0 online tools that support student learning, collaboration, and communication extending beyond classroom walls. Educators will become familiar with what it means to be literate in the 21st century classroom. #usmepc500
• Create, Make & Learn; Burlington, VT
• Includes 4 strands of learning featuring Wes Fryer and Kevin Jarrett
• 21 - 25 
• 21st Century Teaching and Learning with Technology; University of Southern Maine
• In our technology-driven, globally diverse world, students are consuming and producing many forms of electronic media. How do we develop teaching strategies for the 21st Century classroom given changing ideas about literacy? This course is designed for K-12 educators looking to integrate an array of current digital technology skills with core academic subjects. #usmepc512

• 28 - 8/1 
• Mac Computer in the Digital Classroom; University of Southern Maine
• Educators will become familiar with digital technology tools and their use to enhance learning, engage students, and integrate 21st century skills in the classroom. Software components will include the iLife suite (iPhoto, Safari, iTunes etc.) online tools, and Internet resources. Topics to be covered will be web page publishing, blogs, podcasts and project based learning activities.
• 31 - 8/1 
• Apps Events New Hampshire Summit; Bedford, NH.

August

• 12 - 13 Google Apps for Education Maine Pre-Summit, Yarmouth, ME.
• 14 - 15 Google Apps for Education Maine Summit, Yarmouth, ME.
• 18 - 20 Technology for Innovation in Education; Tilton Academy, Tilton, NH
• The focus of this year's conference will once again be Google Apps for Education (GAFE).  The conference will be August 18-20.  The first two days will be aimed at anyone interested in or currently using GAFE with students in the classroom and the third day will be aimed at GAFE domain administrators.

Bammy Award Nomination

I received an email today that I had been nominated for a Bammy Award. Thank you to my "colleague" who nominated me. You are a mystery, but I am so honored that you think I should be added to an incredible group of educators. I follow and learn from many of them an am looking forward to meeting new nominees that I will be adding to my PLN.

So now I ask that you vote. This will be exciting to see what happens next.

Response: One-To-One Technology 'Is Really About Building Effective Relationships'

At Education Week By Larry Ferlazzo on April 12, 2014 11:08 AM

I wrote a response to One-to-One Technology "Is Really about Relationships"

What Are the Real Benefits of a 1:1 Program? What Are the Biggest Challenges?

Thanks to @larryferlazzo, @hickstro, and @bamradionetwork for this opportunity to talk about 1:1!

Seedlings Season 6: Hour of Code

Today we talk about the Hour of Code...

Geek of the Week links

You can also get this as a podcast.

Happy Thanksgiving!

EdCamp Seacoast

Congrats to the following folks for putting on a fantastic day of learning and sharing!

Sheila Adams @sheila_A

Tony Baldasaro @baldy7

Cathy Brophy @brophycat

Stephen Gagnon @jstephengagnon

Jaclyn Karabinas @jkarabinas

Andy Littlefield @AndyLittlefield

Rachel Small @rvsmall

Jessica Valenti @jesslvalenti

The highlight of the day for me was learning MineCraft from @jstephengagnon's and @D_Carchidi's kids with @bobsprankle. Thanks to @rvsmall, @eadventures, and @D_Carchidi for the pictures!

Website

Smackdown links

Reading for October 20, 2013: 10 Do's (and 5 Don'ts) for a Successful One-to-One Classroom

Each morning, when Laura Rahn’s class of fourth grade students entered their classroom at Mountainview Elementary School in Loudoun County, VA, they got their laptops from the charging station, completed their daily math fluency practice, and checked EdModo for the day’s instructions.

Read the Rest: http://www.weareteachers.com/hot-topics/special-reports/10-rules-for-a-successful-one-to-one-classroom-and-5-mistakes-to-avoid

1:1 and School Culture

Our high school is starting the tenth year of having a laptop for every student and teacher. Maine has been fortunate, in 2002, Governor Angus King proposed a visionary project; a digital learning initiative - all students in Grade 7 have a laptop to use in school and at home.  In 2004, our district chose to continue the plan into high school.  When we rolled out , we didn’t have any models to refer to, but we knew this project had to be about good teaching and learning. Our journey has been an exciting one.

The most important change has been in our school culture. It is an expectation that the device will be used for many aspects of learning, but not all. Technology is used is purposeful ways and when it is appropriate. Teachers and students are learners exploring the connection between best practices and digital learning. Sometimes, it is difficult to tell where the teacher is in the classroom. Professional development is held often, in small collaborative groups, and based on learning new classroom practices that use technology. 

Students set the tone for each year for positive laptop use by helping the technology team in the summer, presenting the information at the grade level roll outs, and being involved in the creation of the rules and guidelines. Students are empowered and often describe their learning as continuous between home and school.  We trust our students to do the right thing with their devices. Many use online chat for “study groups” and some teachers have online “office hours”.  Students have much more ownership over their work, often because they are given choices about how to demonstrate their learning. Student work is usually public and designed to be shown to an audience. We have visitors come to see our “technology program”.  It is entirely student run, they give tours and answer the many questions about learning with technology. We do not script the day so that the guests can see how much technology is intermingled with classroom activities. Visitors leave having a much better understanding of our school culture.

Cross Posted at Microsoft Partners for Learning: Hot Topics

USMEPC512: 21st Century Teaching and Learning with Technology

I just finished a week of learning and teaching with this group at the University of Southern Maine. This is a picture of our new learning community. It's quite a feat to work from 8:00 - 4:00 5 days in a row. But this group was amazing! They are made up of elementary, middle and high school teachers. One participant has been teaching for 48 years! One of his former students was also in the class! We kept each other hydrated, happy, helped and remembered to have fun. Thanks to this amazing group of educators for taking on the challenge. I loved learning with all of you and now have some great ideas to take back to my school. Watch out, these folks are going to change the world! If you want to see some of their work, it's at the class website.

The School Year in Review

I just finished writing my portfolio for the year at school. I don't always love the process of writing portfolios, because I am not very good at it. I also get interrupted a lot during the day and so I never seem to be able to finish it on time. (Excuses, excuses!) So I went in to finishing it today with a sort of negative attitude. I really thought I didn't do much. I started at noon and it's now 8PM. I guess I was wrong! Here are a few highlights to share:

We continue to have many visitors from nearby districts as well as from around the world ostensibly to see our laptop program in action. After Student Ambassadors take them around to classes, meet with them in panel format, and explain our beliefs, visitors often leave understanding that technology is just one piece of the culture of student centered learning. The Student Government Tech group and ultimately Student Ambassadors continue to make an impact on our program.

YHS beliefs:

We believe the best learning occurs…

• when positive relationships form the foundation for learning;
• when students engage in high-level learning and access appropriate support;
• when students have an active role in their learning and in the school community;
• in a culture of collaboration;
• when students and teachers extend their learning beyond the school;
• in an environment of creativity and innovation.

We are an Apple Distinguished School. iBook and PDF

The Summer Technology Course (June 17-19 and in September and October) started off really well. We introduced two concepts to the teachers that I think will be adopted in Classrooms. The Edcafe model and the EdCamp model. Teachers really seemed to like the structure. Both of these models promote student choice and voice.

A new project that we (the tech integrators) have worked on is the Lead Learners. We adopted the model from Wayneflete School. This was absolutely amazing. Each Lead Learner was  given an iPad to use. We had a professional day in October to unpack and  introduce the iPad. The energy around learning and trying new things was fabulous. We also did an activity where everyone had to work in pairs to learn a new app and then present it to the others. We meet monthly to share and support one another. It has been a very positive experience for everyone. We asked some of the lead learners (in addition to the student helpers we have) to "TA" for us in the technology course. It helped promote the vision of impacting technology use at each building. We are pretty happy with the way this has turned out and hope to be able to continue this project in some way next year. The great part about this format is the exchange of ideas shared, a little learning community.

Digital Citizenship. We changed our Digital Citizenship day to Living Your Life. Online. It took place during two period 3's. Students could sign up for 4 sessions.  The things students liked were our visitors and anything hands on. One Student Senate member suggested that we do some small group discussion at the beginning of the year.

Just a few nuggets, but I guess I feel like I did something this year! If you have questions about any of these programs, please feel free to leave a comment.

GetIdeas.org Hangout on Professional Development

As part of the Featured Thought Leaders on GetIdeas.org, I was on a panel in Google Hangout with Julie Lindsay, Noble Kelly, Don Buckley, Michelle Bourgeois, Sylvia Martinez, and Mary Anne Petrillo. Their bios are here. The chat stream is available here.

I also wrote a blog post Professional Development for Sustainable Technology Use