Common Core

Tech Tip: 

It's official. Kind of. Approval was granted this week for the Department of Education to continue moving forward with Common Core standards, although assessments from Smarter Balanced were not. While we remain in a state of limbo, there are some tools we can begin to use as we await the assessment piece. Below are just a few ways the technology we are already using can assist in the implementation of common core. The emphasis is on "Research to Build and Present Knowledge, an important literacy component across the content areas, and, for math, the concept at all grade levels to "Apply and Extend Previous understandings of Operations" with the ability to "represent" concepts and solve word problems. This focus on application requires students move beyond basic concepts and number plugging; tasks well-suited for technology integration. 

 

As always, I am available for planning and collaboratoration as you implement these strategies in your daily work. Have fun!

Maximizing Google  

The emphasis on Research in the Common Core is a librarian's dream. For GAFE (Google Apps for Education) schools, the drive apps provide excellent tools that can be used K-12. For non-GAFE schools, some of these features require Google accounts, which at this time are for ages 13 and up. Below is a demonstration of how Google has embedded the research features in the Google Drive apps.

 

Featured App    

 

Common Core Standards is a free app by Mastery Connect.  Simple and easy to use, it functions as  reference resource that includes all math and literacy standards K-12.  Some great features include both traditional and integrated pathways for the math standards and synthesizing the Literacy standards with College and Career Readiness Standards (CCR's).  Download it today from the App store.

 

Getting the Most Out of Your Learning Platform

In a slight change to the Blog layout, Moving Forward with Moodle will now focus on several learning platforms or tools that teachers are using to create a web presence. Moodle support is not going away, the concept will just be more inclusive. The timing fits well to introduce a great research took, InstaGrok. For those of you using Edmodo, InstaGrok can be purchased as an App that will integrate into your Edmodo classroom(s).  InstaGrok is truly one of this librarians favorite new tech tools.  To add to your PLN development, both can be followed on Twitter with the handles @InstaGrok and @Edmodo. Both have also generously donated teacher subscriptions for prizes at Edcamp Bluewater. It's not too late to register! 

Intro to InstaGrok

  
InstaGrok as an Edmodo App (notice the teacher uses it as a Common Core Science app!)

Twitter Friday Follow 

 

My Twitter Friday Follow recommendation this week is my friend Ben Rimes (@techsavvyed). Ben is well known for his blogging, participation in tech training (including 21st Century Symposium), and technology creativity. If there is a GIF for a situation, Ben is the maker! His website includes technology integration in all content areas as well as thought provoking blog posts. He also hosts and online book club as a way to encourage educators to read books and facilitate discussion. The latest book choice is Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck. First discussion is Thursday, Nov. 7th so it isn't too late to join in the fun! https://sites.google.com/site/bookclub106/current-book

One of the tech savvy things that Ben is known for, in addition to his amazing animated GIF creations, is video story problems. For those getting started in this process, his website contains everything you need to begin. Below is an example of how Ben uses a real-life situation to explore a math concept. I know I'm not thinking about algebra when I shop at Kohls, but then that is why I'm not making the story problem videos!

 

Library News

 

Informational text is at the heart of the Common Core and College and Career Readiness Standards. There are actually more informational and non-fiction books in the library collection than fiction, even with our ongoing evaluation (read: weeding and deselection). The library is not just for the English classes. Critical analysis, primary sources and information sources for every department are available. Look at these gems for the Social Studies Department: Representative American Speeches.