Edmodo Presentation

Today 32 teachers attended an Edmodo session led by Doris and Stu Goble.  They shared how Edmodo allows them to distribute assignments, collect assignments from students, and grade assignments – all without paper copies.  They also demonstrated how to use the annotation feature in Edmodo, how to differentiate instruction by creating small groups, and how to hold discussions between different classes.

Additional training will be offered for Edmodo after school in the Junior High media center on January 14th.  Doris and Stu also offered to be resources for anyone who has questions.  If you need a teacher account please use the code for your school (contact the technology office if you need the code).

Thanks Doris and Stu.

Microsoft OneNote Introduction

On Thursday December 12, twelve teachers from the district attended a OneNote session in the Junior High media center. The training focused on orientation to the software, set-up, personal use, classroom use, and settings specifically for the Plaidlet.  We also shared a few tips on saving "pages" as pdf's for students to turn-in to their teacher through student shared.  The last item we demonstrated is feature called "OneNote packing".  This feature will help teachers share a "pre-made" OneNote Notebook, Section, or Page with their students.  If you are interested in OneNote please contact your T.I.S.  Check out the links below to get started now.

Changing your OneNote location (where it saves)
Settings for your Plaidlet (covered in a previous post)

Kwiqpoll and Padlet

Have you ever wanted to ask your students for input?  Or check understanding before or after a lesson?  If yes, Kwiqpoll might help you.  The polling service is very basic and does not require an account on the teacher or student side.  Simply create the poll and share the link with you students.  Watch the results tally on your computer and share with your students.


Do you love Post-It notes?  How about digital post-it notes?  A canvas for notes and comments that you can share on your projector or view later.  Students can share their thoughts anonymously or attach their name. Padlet, formally Wallwisher, is a web tool that does all of this without creating an account.  A wall can be created in seconds and the link shared with your students.  Give it a try!!!  Need help?  Contact your T.I.S.  Want help now?  Watch the video on Richard Byrne's website!!!
http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/09/video-how-to-create-padlet-wall-for.html#.UqiyqtJDuSo

SAMR Training @JH/HS Day 1

Wednesday morning during collaboration time six teachers (Kathi, Abi, Adam, Bobbi, Chad, and Mark) shared the lessons they learned about technology integration and the SAMR model.  Today's session focused on how we are currently using technology and an introduction to the SAMR model.

Eastbrook's view of the SAMR model was presented as a growth model for teachers.  Importance was placed on changing teaching and finding technology to support these changes.  "We" want standards to drive what takes place in the classroom, not technology.  The technology cannot and will not replace the expertise of the teacher's content knowledge, but can be a valuable tool as teachers Augment, Modify, and Redefine their curriculum.

HS/JH Teachers meeting in
Ms. Hirons' room

During the second half of the session teachers were asked to organize current technology uses based on the SAMR model.  A variety of technology activities were placed at each level of the model as teachers shared how the technology allowed previous activities to be Augmented, Modified, or Redefined.  As a result of this activity, we were able to reflect on all of the positive technology uses already taking place at Eastbrook.

Next Wednesday we will look at specific activities and brainstorm how the activities can be moved up the SAMR model.

Additional SAMR Resources:

• Links from the SAMR Creator (Ruben Puentedura's) Blog
  http://www.hippasus.com/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/rubenrp/mtype/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=SAMR
• SAMR and Blooms
  http://www.schrockguide.net/bloomin-apps.html
  http://www.unity.net.au/allansportfolio/edublog/?p=874
  http://edorigami.wikispaces.com/Bloom's+Digital+Taxonomy
• SAMR and Starbucks
  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/198439927305087443/
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4vaxzJDqVY

Students Share at Board Meeting

Monday night Jayda and Alexis shared how they are using their Plaidlet in their high school math classes.  Jayda shared how she uses her Plaidlet daily to acces aleks.com.  The website is a math program that is self paced and adjusts to student learning.  Jayda has completed over 150 objectives in the first 14 weeks of school.  

Alexis is using her Plaidlet for homework and notes in her Ivy Tech Dual Credit course (taught by Eastbrook Math Department).  She is able to put her notes from Curriculum Loft into a program called OneNote.  This allows Alexis to put her Plaidlet in tablet mode and take her notes digitally with a stylus.  She also uses her Plaidlet to access and complete her homework on MyMathLab.  

Each of these students work very hard in the classroom and did a wonderful job showing the board how they use their Plaidlet daily.

OneNote Fix for your PlaidLet

OneNote and your Stylus:
If you have tried to write with your stylus in OneNote or other programs on your Plaidlet you might notice your pen does funny "things."  These not so "funny" things can be very annoying.  Most likely a quick change to a few settings will improve your note-taking experience immensely.  Please watch the short video linked below for steps to adjust your settings.  If you need further assistance please contact the Helpdesk or your T.I.S.

"SMART"er Teaching

SMART Board Training:

20 teachers from across the district attended SMART board training this week.  During the training teachers learned about the hardware basics and began to explore the SMART Notebook software.  The training was tailored to meet the needs of the teachers and their board types.  The 7-12 teachers have SB-680 boards and the elementary teachers have SBX-880 boards.  The majority of these boards were acquired last year from the Boren Grant.  Check out the links below for additional training and tips.  You can also request a one-on-one training session by contacting the help desk.

27 SMARTboard tips (pt. 1)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAt7Yl--wQ8

27 SMARTboard tips (pt. 2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sHItX0X-tA

SMARTboard Training  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fnJCRynrRc

Advanced Lesson Creation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBN1ZDtx6ZM