Summer of Conferences

I have gone to three conferences this summer and they have all been great!  I began my quest for Personalized Learning in the classroom and went to each of these conferences looking for new ideas to help continue that quest.

Cobb County's TLC 

I had the opportunity to present and attend TLC, but for only one of the three days.  My big learning experience was how to use images to help introduce and teach social studies.  It is amazing how many independent, partner and group activities you can do with small copies of images.

 iSummit

  

This is my third year attending and my first time presenting.  In the last year, Google has made it easier for iPad users to take advantage of Google Docs and Presentations. I decided to go to a class on Doctopus and Goobric.  This is a way for teachers to send students a blank Google Doc for the students to type their paper or complete their presentation.  Once it is complete, the student SHARES the doc with the teacher and then he/she can grade the assignment using a Rubric that is attached to the document.  Another great Google Add On is Flubarro.  It allows you to create a Google Form and then submit the correct answers yourself.  Then you take that line in the spreadsheet of responses and name it the key.  The rest of the submissions will be graded automatically.

ISTE

This is a huge technology conference that was luckily in Atlanta this year.  I had a few take aways from this conference.  This is my second time attending ISTE so I wasn't quite as overwhelmed as I was the first time I went four years ago.

The first "Game Changing" moment came during the Key Note Speaker, Kevin Carroll's speech.  He caught my attention when he took his very difficult upbringing and turned it into that time in your life when you can use an experience to give up or to be brave and make something of your life.  He reminded me that recess isn't just about kids needing a break, but it's about learning how to relate to other people.  Our students learn many important life skills out on the playground.  The trick for adults is how do you then take that and bring it into the classroom and inspire kinds to reach for their dreams.  I encourage everyone to watch his videos that are on YouTube and take a look at his website.  I can't wait to get home from vacation and start reading his book, Rules Of the Red Rubber Ball, that was delivered the day I left!

• Take Away Number 1-  QR Code Professional Development- Have you ever been sitting in a faculty meeting and you are listening to somebody talk about something that sounds really cool that they are doing in their classroom, but all can think about is all of the reading groups and assessments and planning that you need to do.  This is just not something you can add right now. This plan would allow you to learn about that cool thing when you are calmer and when your mind is ready to take in some new information.  Below is a QR code to the site that belongs to the teachers that I spoke with.

Here is how it will work...

1. Teachers will create a document, video, or presentation about something they are doing in their classroom or a book review.  
2. They will upload the video to SchoolTube and then attach the link to a QR code using a QR code generator like QR Stuff.  
3. We will then post the QR codes around the building.  Imagine while you are waiting for your copies to finish, you can scan the QR code and watch a teacher talk about how to create a Google Form.  You now also have the link saved on your phone or tablet so you can view it again later while you try one for the first time.

• Take Away Number 2- Have Students Create the Text Books with iBooks- We do several different projects that touch on all the levels of Bloom's for each unit.  I could begin each unit by putting the kids into different groups and have each group submit their assignment and create an iBook that will be our text book for the unit.  Each student would have access to it while completing all of the other assignments for the unit.

Here is how it will work...

1. I create an iTunes University Course for the unit.  
2. The students will do the first assignment as a group.  Each group will have a different section of the unit.
3. They will submit their assignments to Edmodo.
4. I will take the assignment and begin creating the iBook using iBook Author.
5. I will call the groups over and we will add the text and review assessments in for their portion of the unit.
6. I will export to iBooks and attach it to the iTunes University Course for them to reference throughout the unit and then again at the end of the year when reviewing for the End of Grade Assessment.

• Take Away Number 3- Companies that Caught my Eye- Although there were many more, these were the top ones for me.

1. AirSquirrels- They have a program called Reflector that allows you to wirelessly see your iPad on your computer screen and it works on Mac as well as Windows computers.  This would  mean that schools could spend $12 per computer rather than $100 per classroom on an Apple TV.  Some teachers that have a lot of technology going on in their rooms might prefer the Apple TV, but for those that are just beginning to use iPads in the classroom, this is a much cheaper alternative if you can get the Technology Boss to make it work with the Firewall.
2. OpenEd- This is a website that is free and has tons of resources for teachers to use in their classrooms.  From elementary all the way up to Ap classes, teachers will find lots of useful content.  It is all common core aligned and you can even create a course for your students to access. 
3. The SmartBall- This is a really fun and affordable tool for memorizing facts.  You can put an iPhone or iPod in the ball and then choose one of the apps that goes with the ball.  The kids will then throw it, look at the question, say the answer and then throw the ball to the next person.
4. Phet- This is a website that is free and has lots of simulations for science and math concepts.  They are currently moving their simulations from flash to HTML so they will work on an iPad.
5. PurpleMash- This program looked amazing to me.  It is definitely for elementary only and it costs $2 per student.  They can write words, sentences and stories and then draw pictures to go with their stories and then animate their own pictures.  They can also start with a basic car or building and then manipulate it and add to it.  They can then print it and put their creation together so it is 3D!  There is also beginner coding and so much more.  I LOVE this program!
6. Newsomatic-  This  program gives students news stories in language they can comprehend.  There is an app that is available as well.  I was able to secure a one year subscription for free, but I believe the cost is around $5 per student.  Another colleague has it on her iPad and it seems to be free.  I will be able to see what other options I have with the paid version.

What's Next...

Next I will be preparing to present at Cobb County's PrePlanning Professional Development session and for my fourth year in an iPad classroom.  I am looking to have this year be the best yet!

iEngage Presentations

Cobb County TLC and iSummit Conferences

I am presenting at two conferences this week that I have been looking forward to for quite some time.  Whenever I present at a conference or a meeting, I make sure I have my presentation in many different formats.  I did my presentation for this conference on Google Slides.  I have it downloaded as a PDF and a PowerPoint and also have access to it through my Google Drive and now through my blog.  I am not taking any chances!




Below is one of my first iMovie projects.  The assignment was to make a video about your teaching philosophy.  I recently went back and looked at it.  Although it has some editing issues, my teaching philosophy hasn't changed much.

Documents I use in my classroom...

Classroom Tech Rules

Where Are We Chart

Work Flow Chart

Work Flow Decisions

Web Tools Permission

Initial Accounts

Edmodo: Beginners

Warning Slip

Account Permission

Creating iTunes Actt for Classroom

VPP (Cobb)

Guided Access (Lock one App)

iPad Class Lottery Letter

Technology Integration Presentations I have done...

Work Flow Decisions

Apple TV in the Classroom (Cobb Specific)

Personalized Learning & Career Readiness

Handouts...

Brochure

Standards Activity

iEngage Text PDF

Links...

2013 Q3 Special Report: Pathways to Personalized Learning

Tim Elmore’s Blog

Don’t prevent Students’ Mistakes

Ruben Puentedora’s Weblog

Edmodo for Beginners...

edmodo-1r37qrh.jpg

Edmodo in the Classroom:

A Beginner's Guide

Please contact Megan Huss (megan.huss@cobbk12.org) for any questions.

Go slow...Add as you go!

This beginner's guide will help you learn how to do the following...

• Create a group
• Find the group code
• Send out a note
• Send out an assignment
• Grade an assignment
• Create & Share folders
• Annotate a submitted assignment.

I recently sat down with two high school social studies teachers (Molly & Tim) to show them how to start using Edmodo in their classrooms.  I know I can tend to give a lot of information in one session, so I tried to do a beginner's guide with options for adding more.  I came up with the Beginner's Guide that you will find below.  A huge thank you to Molly and Tim for giving me the opportunity to share something that I find very valuable in a 21st Century Classroom!


I have been using Edmodo in my classroom for two and a half years now.  I would have a hard time running my 1:1 iPad Classroom without it.  I love it for many reasons, but the biggest one is the flexibility it offers students to turn in many different formats of projects.  I have created a document for teachers to start slowly incorporating using it in their classrooms.  I believe this will work for any grade level teacher.  Please feel free to contact me and let me know if there is anything you believe I should add or change.

*Let me begin by saying that Edmodo offers many different options for classroom use, but this is simply a getting started guide.  I would encourage you to begin exploring the other resources that Edmodo offeres such as quizzes, polls, and the many apps they offer.

1.     Create a teacher account.  (Your district may already have a county code to put in.)

2.     Click the “Me” at the top right and click settings.  You can decide how you would like to be notified of updates.

3.     You can choose to get text updates when students post or send you direct messages.  You can choose to be notified only when a student sends you a direct message.

 

4.     Create a group for each period you are teaching.

   

5.     Have students create an account.  If they already have an account from another class, they don’t have to create another one.  Have them log in.

6.     Give them the code to join that class.

Begin using in your classroom…

1.     Send the class a note…

2.     Send a note to one student or a group of students…

3.     In a note, you can attach files from your computer and links to websites.

·      When you click on file, it will automatically open a window for you to browse your computer for any files.

 

·      When you click on link, you will paste the link into the top box.

·      Sometimes the name of the website will automatically pop up in the second box, sometimes you will have to type it in before you click attach.

4.     Notes can also be discussion questions that you post and have students respond to.

5.     When you create an assignment, it is with the assumption that the students will also turn it in to edmodo.  If you don’t want this to be the case, then send it as a note or have them type “turned it in via Turnitin.com” so it will signal you and them that it has been turned it. 

·      You have to put a due date in and you have the option to lock the assignment after the due date.  You can attach any kind of file or website link to the assignment exactly like you do a note.

6.     Students Submitting Assignments

·      On the teacher Edmodo account, you have a library.  A student has a backpack.  They can upload assignments and documents to their backpack and attach them to assignments from there.  They can also just browse their computer to attach without ever uploading them to their “backpack.”

7.     Grading Assignments

·      When students turn something in you will go to the heartbeat symbol at the top left of you screen and then click on the class you want to look at.  I create a differet group for each unit that I teach so it will keep all assignments in a separate group.

                                

·      Once you click on the group for the assignments you want to see you will have a window that has all assignments.

·      You can click on one of the assignments at the top and see your class for that particular assignment.  You would then click on one student and then their submission will come up for you to click on.  I find that it is best to have the students submit in a PDF, but you could also have them submit a link to a google doc.  They can submit all different types formats such as videos and images.

8.     Creating Folders in your Edmodo account for easy access.  Click on the library button in the top left of your screen.  Then click New Folder.  You will name it and then check and groups you want to share the folder with.

 

9.     Sharing a folder from your library with students or other teachers.

·      You may have a folder of documents and videos that you want to share with a class or with a group of teachers.  Click on Library at the top left, then click on folders.  Choose the folder you want to share and then click the group you want to share.

·      Idea for Folders- Create folders for each unit containing documents, images, and videos that you want your students to have access to throughout the unit.  Share the folder with the group.  When you give an assignment, attach the docs anyway.  Students will always have access to these files through the folder.

10. Annotating a Paper submitted to edmodo

https://blog.edmodo.com/2011/12/02/how-to-annotate-assignments-in-edmodo/

Like I said at the beginning, Edmodo has many different options for use in the classroom.  This is simply a beginners guide.  

Start slow...add as you go!

Google Drive & Docs

I love this blog about all the different things you can do with Google Drive and Google Docs...

http://21daysofdrive.blogspot.com

iSummit Conference!

I have been given the opportunity to present at the iSummit Conference this summer!  I have attended the last two summers and can't believe that this year I will be able to share everything I have been doing for the past two years.

My presentation will be about classroom engagement...

iEngage:  The I’s have it! 

You can engage your students by following these three i’s in a  21st Century Classroom!

Independence- Students are responsible for using the given resources to complete assignments.

Interpersonal Skills- Students need to use their interpersonal skills in order to work with partners and in groups for different projects.

Individualized- Students are able to individualize their own learning by choosing how they will present their new knowledge.

Common Core...Think Different

 

I shared this image in an earlier post that I saw on a blog that  I found about iPads.  Now I want to talk about this simple statement...Think different. 

As we change to the Common Core Standards, I find that I keep asking myself questions like... "What is my job?"  Today, my answer is simple, my job is to get my fifth graders to think harder and understand more.  If I can get the kids to think differently than they have before then they will have a true understanding of what they are learning.  Although my answer is simple, it doesn't mean it is always an easy thing to do.

I have done my job when I can get students to study the abolitionist John Brown and they can come to the conclusion that the world needs people that are willing to stand up for what they believe in or nothing will ever change.  I didn't just ask them to tell me who John Brown was, they need to be able to figure out why he is a significant person in our history.

Common Core isn't about making things more complicated, but it is about making things more challenging.  We aren't going to prepare our kids for the future by asking them to memorize steps and facts.  It's okay for school to be challenging and it's okay to change the way we teach.  We often hear, "What's wrong with the way we learned?"  Nothing is wrong with the way we learned years ago, but we live in a different world now.  You wouldn't teach a child how to learn Spanish and then send him to France.  We have to teach in order to prepare them for a very different world and that mean critical thinking and problem solving.

Presentation for Cobb Chamber of Commerce

I was recently asked to speak to the Cobb Chamber of Commerce Education Committee about how I use technology in my classroom.  It is hard to share what I do without also sharing why I think it it important.  I created this presentation on Google Docs.

Cobb County School District Video

A glimpse into my classroom...

I recently had a visitor from the county office of Curriculum and Instruction.  She wanted to take some video in my classroom and share it on the county website.  I truly believe int he way that I am teaching and want to share it with as many teachers and parents as I can.  My students are becoming independent students who are willing to learn how to advocate for themselves.  It is exciting to watch them start as fifth graders that simple wait for instructions to students who are willing to email or come talk to me about something they would like to see changed and be able to articulate why they would like to see it changed.

I am extremely lucky to have administrators in my school who are willing to support all of my efforts and who are willing to do what it takes to keep it going.  They are also willing to go the extra mile to find out how everything works and not expect the same kinds of lesson plans that they are used to seeing.  INstead of expecting me to fit into a mold, they allow me to work on creating a new mold that other teachers may be able to use to integrate new technology into their own classrooms.

Although the video isn't long, it is a glimpse into how we do things.  The levels of differentiation that this type of classroom allows is truly amazing.  I am able to extend for those that are ready and I can give support to those in need.  I can change how some assignments are completed or they can make a plan and decide how they would like to complete an assignment.  With the use of Edmodo, they can upload their work directly to the assignment and I can still grade that one assignment all at one time even though everyone chose a different way to complete it.

Although my students this year took longer to take ownership of their learning, they are light years ahead of where they were when they walked into my classroom.

Parts of Speech Projects

Parts of Speech Projects

This is a video that three of my students completed for our Parts of Speech projects.  The instructions they were given was to show their understanding of each part of speech.  They were allowed to use any app they wanted.  There were eight parts of speech that they were to divide up among the group members.  Each group member was then the director of a certain amount of the projects.  he other members were the actors or helpers.  Each student was graded on the ones they were in charge of directing.

   

*This particular class seems to get dependent on videos, so I asked that they not use one app more than twice.