Instructional Technology at ESU 8

Lately I have been working with schools on how to utilize technology to facilitate more student-centered learning. The following resources are an introduction to various tools that can help educators get started with this important aim.

Presentation Tools

https://prezi.com/ - presentation software that Katie used to present. Screen moves from slide to slide

Student Quizzes/Polling

https://www.polleverywhere.com/ - quick class poll, create word walls
http://quizizz.com/ - similar to Kahoot, can be student paced
https://getkahoot.com/ - the Kahoot that was presented by Mr. Havranek
https://www.peardeck.com/ - similar to quizziz and kahoot, requires a Google account for every student and has premium features not available in free version

Chrome Extensions - https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/apps

Chrome extensions will show up on the top, right side of your browser. Once you download them, you will have them every time you use a Chrome Browser.

Speakit! - Highlight text to speak
Screencastify - create screencasts on the chrome
DF Youtube - blocks all of suggested videos on the side of youtube videos

GoogleDocs

Suggesting Mode - (View -> Mode -> Suggesting) - leaves the original text on a Google Doc, but allows someone else to “suggest” revisions. Student will have to go and resolve the issue
Revision History - (File -> See Revision History) - Google Docs saves all of revision history for a document
Dictation in Google Docs - (Tools -> Voice Typing) - Only in Chrome Browser - like Siri on your phone
GoogleDoc Add-ons - (Click Add-ons in Google Docs) - similar to Chrome Extensions

EasyBib - creates a citation in MLA or APA format for Google Docs

Translation

translate.google.com - has the ability to speak into google translate. Does have the ability to translate an entire document, file, or website.

Collect and Curate

Google Drive - cloud storage
Google Keep - like sticky notes on Google
Evernote - notes anytime, anywhere, any device
Pinterest - keep certain articles that are beneficial for research
Youtube Channels and Playlists - ability to create a playlist and upload videos

Mr. Havranek’s Science Channel as an example

Communicate and Collaborate

Backchanneling - https://todaysmeet.com/ - use when showing a long video or long assignment. Ask students questions in the backchannel to create interaction. Help them watch the video with a purpose.
Blogging - http://blogger.com - Can use to highlight daily learning, students can have their own blogs as well. Is tied to a student’s google account.

Show What You Know

Screencastify Chrome Ext - capture video/audio on your computer
Google Slides - google’s version of PowerPoint. There is the ability to share between students
Prezi (https://prezi.com/) - like a PowerPoint. Creates zoom in and out slideshows. This is the presentation tool Katie used during the presentation.
ThingLink - (https://thinglink.com) - upload picture, students add “hot spots” to explain the picture. Students build in the buttons to highlight the information

Creation and Choice

Smore - (https://smore.com) online posters. Can add videos, pictures, and text
Adobe Slate (https://slate.adobe.com)- Scrollable poster with images and words
Canva - (http://canva.com) Create visual elements for any project
Youtube Capture - record and edit videos right from YouTube

Padlet (https://padlet.com) - online corkboard for ideas. Katie used at the end of the presentation

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Digital Citizenship Resources

Digital Citizenship Week is slated for all to take part in during the week of Oct. 18-24, 2015. It is imperative, however, that we not address digital citizenship in one time or at one shot alone.

The following resources are recommended from Edutopia and are useful options for schools to address digital citizenship in an ongoing, organized effort.

Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum for K-12: Common Sense Media’s interactive curriculum offers something for every grade level. Check out the "Scope & Sequence" tool to find the perfect lesson for your classroom. Plus, you can incorporate Digital Passport activities with students in grades 3-5, and their interactive assessments and videos are super engaging, as well.
Google Digital Literacy and Citizenship Curriculum : Produced in conjunction with iKeepSafe, Google's Digital Literacy curriculum provides three lessons to help students find reliable information online, manage their reputations, and recognize scams. Additionally, check out iKeep Safe's educator resources for professional-development modules for teachers and a variety of activities to use with students.
Search for Digital Literacy Lessons at MediaSmarts: MediaSmarts is an advocacy and education nonprofit based in Canada that seeks to provide kids with the skills they need to be responsible digital citizens. The organization features an extensive list of lessons on their website, and educators can search for activities based on grade, resource type, media type, and topic.
Lessons for Teaching Digital Citizenship from Cable Impacts: InCtrl is a series of lessons for students in grades 4-8 designed to introduce digital-citizenship concepts to students. Topics covered include media literacy, copyright laws, and privacy. Plus, teachers can browse lessons by subject and topic. Each lesson includes materials, as well as a lesson plan.
Resources for Teaching Digital Literacy from Digizen: Digizen is a repository of useful and engaging resources to teach students of all ages about becoming upstanding digital citizens. Produced by the U.K.-based child safety nonprofit ChildNet International, Digizen features videos, lesson plans, and games, and there are different sections for parents, students, and teachers.
Digital Citizenship Videos from the TeachingChannel: This TeachingChannel playlist of 30 videos highlights ways classroom teachers are introducing digital-citizenship concepts to students. There are resources here for every grade, and each video provides a lesson plan, as well. TeachingChannel teamed up with Common Sense Media to produce these lessons.

Related to this important topic, the annual Digital Citizenship Symposium was held on Wednesday, October 14. ESU 8 schools who attended brought a team including students, staff, and patrons to ESU #7 in Columbus, NE. The event was held in conjunction with ESUs across the state and two other locations participated simultaneously. Speakers for the day presented to everyone at once-- either in person at a site or via distance learning equipment to the external sites. In between the speakers, discussions and additional activities were held including the development of team action plans to bring digital citizenship best practices back to the attendees' schools.

The theme for the day was T.H.I.N.K. and all participants brought back bracelets and poster reminders of this important motto.

T - is it True?

H - is it Helpful?

I - is it Inspiring?

N - is it Necessary?

K - is it Kind?

Speakers for the day included Karen Haase, attorney from KSB School Law, Kenneth Schmutz, FBI Cyber Task Force, Omaha Division, and Jeremy Nielsen (Common Sense Media) and Heather Callihan. Many informative facts were tweeted throughout the day using the #nedcs2015 hashtag and even more information was collected on the Facebook page for the event.