Tuesday, October 21, 2014

This week is - Digital Citizenship Week (10/19-10/25th)

Next week, in conjunction with October’s Connected Educator Month, Common Sense Media is sponsoring Digital Citizenship Week from October 19 -October 25th. Teachers can find ways to get connected, activities to do with students. Really, the week is a perfect time to discuss digital responsibility, safety, and citizenship with students, and there are plenty of valuable events and resources for educators and students to use.

What is a digital Citizen? It's one who knows what it is right and wrong, and exhibits intelligent technology behavior and makes good choices when using technology. With recent events in our school concerning Yik Yak along with iCloud and SnapChat recently being hacked, it's a good time to remind you that what you put online is permanent. Here are some videos made by students on the topic.

Video 1 Your Digital Footprint link 

Video 2 - Cyber Bullying link 
Video 3 - Bullying is Bad link 

Digital Citizenship is an important topic that students should consider whenever posting online.
Here are some additional resources.
Infographics and Site


Upcoming Google Demo Slam (Nashoba PD Day) and Christa McAuliffe Conference

I am thinking about putting together a Google Demo Slam for a PD Session in my District next month. 
A Google  Demo Slam is a high energy, geek out kind of session. We are going to have a half dozen presenters share their most used or tip and trick using GAFE. Participants will be encouraged to jump in and share! What do you want to learn and share with your colleagues? 

Some of the topics I am thinking about are:
  •  Creating Assessments with Google Forms/ Flubaroo (Add-On) to grade assignments/DDM’s.
  • Audio Correcting in Google Drive with Kaizena Google Classroom Tips for Assignments
  • Google Classroom users. Looking to benefit from the popular Goobric extension (rubric) grading fed to a spreadsheet right from your browser? Want the ability to send merged emails to students providing them personalized feedback on their assignments? Look no further;)
  • Doctopus now offers rudimentary integration to make these important Doctopus features available for Google Classroom assignments. 
  •  Creating E-Portfolios using Google Sites to showcase student work Classroom 
  • Kaizena · Give Great Feedback
  • Back Channel Today’s Meeting and Google Accounts Assessment with Kahoot learning! 
  • Open Mic – What would you like to share? 
Update: The Google Demo Slam was a great hit with Nashoba Staff this month.  The survey results indicated teachers loved collaborating and learning from each other.  Did I mention it was also a lot of fun!  What a great group of teachers that shared their favorite tips and techniques. Many of the teachers loved Kahoot  a game-based learning tool for assessment.  We hope to offer more in the future and the session gave me more ideas for an upcoming Demo Slam later this month!

I attended the  Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference 2014 and presenting another  Google Demo Slam with a few of my former graduate students and colleagues

If you want to follow me on twitter me or the conference use #NHCMTC. I will be sharing the demo slam link Bit.ly/nhcmtcSLAM .
A special thanks to Nicole @nicoletomaselli and Craig @csheil. It's always great to reconnect with my NH colleagues!

The Keynote on Wednesday @k_shelton topic “The Art of Iteration: Embracing Failure for Learning” #nhcmtc Emphasized how important it is to take risks and show your work as outlined in Austin Kleon's book.  It's always a great learning experience to work outside your comfort zone and continue to learn!

Monday, October 13, 2014

Meet Anastasia. Her Hand Came from a Printer

A great article/link in this weekends Globe "Meet Anastasia. Her Hand Came from a Printer".
How 3-D Printing is Transforming Everything from Medicine to Manufacturing .... Last spring a Hudson High School teacher used 3-D printer to make prosthetic hand for middle schooler see article he worked with another school for inspiration here.  It always impressive reading about the impact of technology but I love the fact it's in our own backyard!

Snapchat isn't private. Period.

Snapchat isn't private. Period. 
The Snapchat photo-sharing app offers a false send of privacy by promising it will erase photos.
Read more here: http://www.wcvb.com/money/snapchat-isnt-private-period/29057302#ixzz3G3YEVyGt

Just another reason for students to realize that whatever they put on the internet is never private!   Last spring Adam McLane posted Why You Should Delete SnapChat,  This should make for an interesting lesson this month.