Literacy

Tech Tip: 

Literacy is the problem, and task, of more than just English teachers. Today literacy encompasses not only the essential content areas of math, science and the social sciences, but also technology, information and social media. While technology often presents challenges in these areas, there are also solutions to be found with t right tech tool. If you have an example of how you incorporate content literacy into your classroom with the help of technology, please share in the comments feature at the end of the blog.

Maximizing Google   

A powerful literacy strategy, backed by research, is the use of marginalia for close and critical reading. In the video below, I demonstrate how I have students use the comment feature in Google Drive documents to record margin notes electronically. This strategy works well for all content areas, focusing the specific type of text and strategy for the field.

Featured App 

Pic Collage is a photo app for iOS and Android that is "building a community of people who create, combine and share visual content in fun and novel ways. This is an app that many students are familiar with from personal use, but has some great classroom applications. In the examples below students are completing test reviews and visual vocabulary assignments. 

Kit Hard demonstrates using Pic Collage as a graphic organizer for vocabulary instruction:

English teacher Cheryl Scharnweber had students use Pic collage as a review tool before a quiz. Students chose one short story from their short story unit and created a visual review of the elements studied in the unit.

Moving Forward with Moodle 

Moodle supports literacy instruction in many ways. From lessons that can be created specifically focusing on literacy to creative use of assignments and modules. One assignment choice that is simple to create and implement is the Glossary. At its most simple implementation, it serves as a dictionary, but a teacher can use the module to creatively assign vocabulary instruction and critical thinking assignments. The video below demonstrates an example of a Glossary as well as instructions on how to create a Glossary assignment in your Moodle Course. Don't forget about the great help documents on the Moodle.org site. Here is a link to the Glossary help doc.

Twitter Friday Follow   

As you start building your PLN on Twitter, think beyond people. Do you have a favorite product? For instance, our featured app this week, Pic Collage, has a Twitter account, as does all of the apps that have been featured on the blog. #pic_collage often tweets out examples of what people have created with their product. This can be a great way to consider different uses of an app, tool or product as well as provide examples for your students.    

                 

Library News

New furniture is ordered, half of the bookcases have been evaluated and moved and 9th, 10th and 11th grade classes have all conducted a preliminary search for their quarter two independent reading project book choices. We have been busy the last couple of weeks!

Congratulations to Teen Read Week design a book cover contest winner and runner-up. The challenge was to create a new book cover for Catching Fire to coincide with the movie release. Students could choose to create a digital book cover or hard copy. Great work Caleb, I hope that you enjoyed your pizza!

                                

Caleb's first prize entry

Jenna's runner-up entry

                                          

Universal Design for Learning

Tech Tip: 

The National Center on Universal Design for Learning  defines UDL as a set of principles for curriculum development that give all individuals equal opportunities to learn. As we move forward with a 1:1 environment, building curriculum from a new perspective, it is important that we include the principle of UDL in the process. The concept goes beyond personalization and differentiation and in many situations, technology can provide the opportunities necessary for each child to learn. 

UDL Guidelines Graphic Organizer | National Center On Universal Design for Learning." UDL Guidelines Graphic Organizer | National Center On Universal Design for Learning. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2013.

 The following provide ideas and examples demonstrate how we can use the tools we already have to begin this process. Remember to start with the curriculum concept; the technology is the tool we use to help the students reach the goal by providing Multiple Means of Representation; Action and Expression; and, most importantly, Engagement.

 

Maximizing Google                                

 
As we move toward utilizing Google Drive for assignment submission, communication and collaboration, there are apps that are available to support UDL. As we consider UDL guidelines, the use of Voice Comments addresses several areas. including 5.1 Use multiple media for communication, and 8.4 Increase mastery-oriented feedback. The following video shows a teacher demonstration of how to add the Voice Comments App in Google Drive as well as how to record and share comments with the student. How powerful is it for the student for us to provide our thinking as we evaluate instead of a red pen brief comment?

*Please note: Voice Comments is now Kaizena

 

Featured App   

Social Worker Todd Barlass has had great success working with students on the autism spectrum use the iPad app The Social Express. The app moves students through social scenarios to identify social cues and choose appropriate social behaviors. The "lite" version is free. 

                        

  As Social Express is intended for elementary to middle school students, an alternative may be necessary for older students. Always consider the development level of the student that you are working with when choosing an intervention or assistive strategy. Often development is a greater indicator than age for finding the right fit.

Moving Forward with Moodle

Moodle has a tracking feature that fits well with UDL guideline 6.4 Enhance capacity for monitoring progress. It is a completion tracking option, which is demonstrated in the video below. Additionally, Moodle Docs has a page that provides step-by-step instructions for set-up.

 

Twitter Friday Follow

Many of you have had the pleasure of working with Kit Hard (@kithard) when he worked at the RESA. UDL is one of his areas of expertise. In fact, he hosts a Twitter chat on UDL on Wednesday evenings from 9-9:30 using the hashtag #udlchat. The UDL center (@UDL_Center) referenced above is also on Twitter, participates in the #udlchat, as well as sharing lessons, support tools and more.

Library News

Freshman and sophomore English classes came to the library in celebration of Teen Read Week. While the contests were a bust (no participation, just a lot of laughter!) we did discuss the goal of reading the equivalent of 25 books a year, why it is important and spent some time looking for future independent reading project choices. Students were excited to learn that we are converting to a library learning commons and look forward to the cafe and new seating areas.

Students using their devices to search digitally for book choices

 

Looking for books the old fashioned way. Digital Natives still like print books!

Professional Learning Networks and Organization Tools

Tech Tip:

Building a Professional Learning Network (PLN) is one of the most important aspects of  our profession. While technology has enabled us to make connections beyond geographical location, time and space, we still benefit from face-to-face interaction. A great opportunity in our area to do so is at EdCamp BlueWater. EdCamp is professional development at its best; learning from colleagues on topics that we choose. For Algonac employees, this could qualify as personal PD. Follow your building PD request procedure and join us on Saturday, Nov. 4th at the St. Clair County Tech Building. Great prizes including devices, software and subscriptions will be auctioned off during the event.

Registration and Information                           What is EdCamp?                  Contribute to Idea Board

Maximizing Google      

As many teachers are organizing their classrooms and assignment submissions through Google Drive. By utilizing the features in Google Calendar, you can create a course planner that includes assignment attachments. Watch the video below for a demonstration of how this can be achieved.

Featured App                   

This week's featured app is a student recommendation. While reviewing time management and planning, several students excitedly shared how they were using MyHomework Student Planner App.While not a traditional planning calendar, it does provide students with schedule plans as well as reminders for assignment and project due dates. Jacob and Kat were most excited about the "swipe" feature. When a task is accomplished the student can "swipe" it away, leaving a feeling of accomplishment.

Moving Forward with Moodle           

There are many aspects of Moodle that serve as organizational tools for both the students and the teacher. Two particular features that are visually helpful are the Calendar and Upcoming Events. Please note, if these blocks are not currently displaying, simply go to the "Add Block" block, use the drop down and choose "Calendar" and "Upcoming Events". The video below demonstrates how to use these two features.

Twitter Friday Follow                     

This week, the Friday Follow (#ff) recommendation is Richard Byrne (@RMByrne). Creator of the Free Technology for Teachers Blog, Richard often tweets out posts concerning organization using Google and iPad apps, as well as general technology assistance

Library News

http://www.ala.org/teenread

Next week is Teen Read Week! Library science students have created daily contests for prizes that have teens connecting with reading and "seeking the unknown". Posters are in the cafeteria and around the building. Please encourage your students to participate and let me know if you would like to to schedule book talks, choice read selection, or just contest time with your classes in the library media center.

Use the Comment feature at the end of the post for questions or suggestions for future postings. What is it you need to know? 

Harnassing 1:1

Tech Tip:

When you first begin a more technology focused classroom, whether 1:1; blended instruction or online learning, the change can quickly become the focus. However, there are many aspects of good instruction and lessons that you are already doing that can easily be enhanced with technology. We don't always have to reinvent the wheel, just make use of the flashy new rims that enhance the experience! Today, the shared tips and examples demonstrate how teachers allowed the implementation of 1:1 to enhance lessons and tools already used previously. The emphasis is how students are moved to the roles of creators and innovators as they begin to own their learning.

Our Award-winning, Division 1 rating marching band provides a great example. The Director, Mr. Robert Gras, has used a subscription software called Pyware to developed 3D drills and programs for years. Using a SmartBoard, he could demonstrate to the students the program that they would learn. This year, with each student in pocessions of an iPad, the 3D instruction moves out to the field with the student. Each student can view the video, identify their place in the program, and have visual replication of their movements. The video is then available for student review at any time.

 

Maximizing Google

As ACS has integrated Google Apps, many teachers are moving lessons and assignments that were stored on the network to the cloud. Here is a helpful settings tip that will allow your uploaded documents to be converted to the Google Doc format automatically.

                    

 

Featured App

Haiku Deck is a free iPad app presentation software. Their motto is to make presentations "simple, beautiful and fun. There are unique features in Haiku Deck that change the way that students view presentations. The greatest advantage is the limit on the text per slide, forcing students to think visually, with highlighted overviews or objectives instead of paragraphs of information. Images are searchable by keyword or phrase or personal photos can be uploaded. The example below demonstrate how teachers took a lesson that they already used at the beginning of the school year and made it a creative activity that is quickly and easily completed. 

In French classes, Madame Bokhari has students create mini-biographies as an ice breaker. Access to creativity tools, such as an iPad and Haiku Deck app, turn this ice-breaker in to a one day activity. Meet Georges:

Created with Haiku Deck, the free presentation app for iPad

In U.S. History, Mr. Ranger introduces his students to the curriculum using Billy Joel's song "We Didn't Start the Fire". This year, with every student having a research and creation tool in their hand, the introduction was followed by research to be presented to the class. In only two days! Students were assigned historical events mentioned in the song lyrics and were required to give an introduction of the topic in their presentation. On day three, here is an example of what was created:

Created with Haiku Deck, the free presentation app for iPad

 

 

Twitter Friday Follow

Brad (@dreambition), a Tech Ed Consultant from Jackson County,  has not only written an app, he has a weekly newsletter "Free Apps Friday" (sign up here) that provides reviews and recommendations for free apps. Relevant articles, tutorials and experience are the items most often found in his tweets. 

Library News

Conversion to the library learning space continues. Collections are being shifted to align with learning spaces as well as seated conversation and work areas. We are officially using a Google Form QR code for library sign in. Please remind your students that Mr. Dobbs does cross reference sign in with passes! Library science students can assist students that need help with the location change of collections. 

Recommendations this week are in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. All are available in the library collection.