Closing out 2020

Post coming but for now this tweet pretty much sums up teaching with COVID https://twitter.com/brenebrown/status/1250894546847875073?s=21

My biggest takeaway, as a teacher during this stressful time of teaching. It’s time to reimagine education and what this pandemic did show us, we are capable of teaching beyond the traditional mode of delivery, rows, desks and schedules. My hope is we have national leadership in this area and we actually make the change.

Activity for students https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kJ3p1fqwad6QNxeKAEp1V2P7_pPlNAJiDLw1nvZdFTE/edit see tweet

https://twitter.com/nadinegilkison/status/1345184990003421185?s=21

  

Topics for Digital Literacy and Assessment with Tools

In our Digital Literacy/iLab class we will be ending our first trimester next week on 12/11 and starting with a new group of students on Monday, 12/14/2020.

Wrapping up the course students are doing the following:
- Updating their Portfolios to Assignments (collecting links to Page) reviewing Rubric in Classroom
   (rubric link and class survey) 
- Planning for our last week with Hour of Code 12/7-11th 

We will use some games to review our learning Gimkit for HOC terms with the new Among Us Template "Trust No One" blog post.  Other topics (Digital Citizenship and SEL)  Article: NYTimes and links on - Classroom teacher video/post    Colleagues in the Worcester School District tweeted about using Among Us to learn about technology tools.  Check out the doc here

I am going to attempt to learn more about the game and create my own!

Also working in n curating A Wakelet Winter & Holiday Activities & Choice Board via @wakelet https://wke.lt/w/s/-W22NS

Choiceboards and Design Your Own Adventure

Lots inspiration to design student choice boards here  along with my attempt to provide students with 

choices by customizing ... here along with some inspiration to Design a Choose Your Own Adventure Learning Experience

I hope to explore Challenge Based Learning / CBLworld with students as a way to connect learning technology skills and applying real-word and mobile learning.

Stay tune for some reflections while implementing with students.

Research: QR Code for chrome browser desktop - Quick Sharing through dino-themed QR Code 

Explore Rubrics and Classroom

More of ideas 

 https://blog.elkhart.k12.in.us/2020/05/using-choice-board-to-engage-and-empower/

Make and take choiceboards video and session https://twitter.com/mrshowell24/status/1420790264743010310?s=21

 

Adobe Creative Educator Program - Fall 2020

How to Become an Adobe Creative Educator https://buff.ly/2H3cWnR

What is the Adobe Creative Educator program?

If you haven’t heard of the Adobe Creative Educator program, here is the official description from the program landing page:  Class 1: Creative Educator -  https://edex.adobe.com/adobe-creative-educator 

The new Adobe Creative Educator program for educators in every subject area and grade level. In this community program you will receive curated professional development materials, information about virtual and in-person events, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded educators from around the world. To recognize your professional development you’ll earn badges for completing each level of the Adobe Creative Educator program.

After taking this course, you will understand/learn:

1. What creativity looks like, and why it is important for every learner
2. Recognize creativity in all students and develop it in your learners
3. How to make every subject creative
4. How to foster a creative learning environment
5. Leverage Adobe’s creative tools
6. How to keep learning and engaging with the Adobe Creative Educator Community

Both classes you need to provide evidence and you will get a certification  badge.

1. Creative Educator https://edex.adobe.com/adobe-creative-educator 

2.  Design Your Creative Class 
       https://edex.adobe.com/pd/course/design-your-creative-class-L2  *6hrs?

Video https://youtu.be/y4bPr16l4Z8 

Class 2 - Design Your Creative Class  

This course helps educators use the principles of great instructional design to bring creativity into any class for all students. You will hear from experts and educators on how to plan for and infuse creativity in your class. 

This course draws on examples from a wide variety of subjects and grade levels, to help those who teach children all the way up to college students and adult learners to become creative thinkers and how to apply creative thinking to create new material and learn new things. 

This course will walk you through, step-by-step, how to choose, write and plan learning objectives for your class, as well as give examples of creative learning outcomes in math, science, history or literature courses, and much more. Whether you teach in a media lab or a history class, primary school or college writing, this course will give you a deeper understanding of the power of creativity in any subject. 

 After taking this course, you will understand/learn: 

• The importance of great instructional design for infusing creativity into any class 
• How to write and plan for creative learning outcomes/objectives for your class 
• How to scaffold and sequence creativity into your class 
• How to provide peer and teacher feedback on creativity 
• How to personalize and differentiate to enhance creative outcomes for all students The importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment for all students 
• How to plan for creativity through online or distance learning 
• How to encourage sharing and communication of creative learning 
• How to choose the right Adobe tools to help students express their creativity 

The learning content in this course will take about 6 hours - this includes an optional assignment (a requirement for Adobe Creative Educator Badge or a requirement to receive PD hours if you are not earning your ACE badge). By completing the assignment and marking this course as complete, you will receive a digital badge and a certificate for 6 hours of accredited professional learning. 

Note: This course will be even more engaging if you have already taken our Creativity for All course, as this course builds on some of the core ideas and pedagogy introduced in that course. Additionally, you will need to complete the Creativity for All course and receive your Adobe Creative Educator Level 1 badge before qualifying to receive your Level 2 badge.

Lesson Proud Moment here and 

New features of tools to explore this month

 Tools and updates to review for class project:

1. Google Meet - new Breakout Room & Jamboard template 
2.  Google Sheets data to to Infographics  - Digital Citizenship
   Canva for Education (connecting data from Spreadsheets to visuals)
   - Infographic Templates Bicycle Safety -Template  Example the Importance of Literacy
   - Examples of COVID Graphics on Canva
   
   
3. Fligrid - shorts  - Show work  / portfolio and reflection post
   
4. Screencastify and Submit recording portfolio project
   
5. Adobe Spark - Classroom Accounts and resources
   
6. Choice boards and topics for Students
   
7. Advisory - Poetry Wednesday Oct 7th  - Make someone's day. Or make your own day.
   With some random poetry. bit.ly/3k6XoOn#raopoetryday #poetry #randomactsofpoetryday
   - Halloween magnetic poetry  wtemolate https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/halloween-magnetic-poetry-with-google-drawings/ 
   - Halloween Template google drawing https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/12OqtTCPup_NUj567ilE5EqVOwf96GYe7BTwXTUGj6Ak/edit

Applied Digital Skills Integrated Projects Planning (ELA, Social Studies and Science)
with  Topics and Choice Options 

• Explore a Topic: Women's History - Research a topic related to Women's History and create a report to communicate your findings. https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com/c/middle-and-high-school/en/explore-a-topic-womens-history/overview.html
  
  
• Explore a Topic: Innovators - Research an innovative person from history and create a project to communicate what you learned. https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com/c/middle-and-high-school/en/explore-a-topic-innovators/overview.html

• Research Research and Interview a Person From History
  Research a person from history using primary and secondary sources, then develop and conduct a mock interview. https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com/c/middle-and-high-school/en/research-and-interview-a-person-from-history/overview.html

Learning to work Independently in a hybrid model

Working with students to work independently can be a challenge. There are times when directions must be presented verbally, in writing and visible to students.  Not everyone learns at the same pace, so it also means repeating many of those steps.  Not to mention if someone is pulled from class, out sick or just not paying attention, there can be redundancy communicating the steps.  For short instruction, I provide quick screen recordings, but obviously I am not able to record all our instructions and look for other resources.

I found myself teaching this year and showing students a variety of technology tools and skills in a digital literacy class. I had also started using Google's Applied Digital Skills curriculum to introduce or support a lesson. I came across this article on Edutopia How to Help Middle School Students Learn to Work Independently and it confirmed what I am already experiencing. 

We started out this year with rolling out Chromebooks and getting students to organize their google drive.  After some basic instructions  I linked to Google Applied Digital Skills, created an account and added my Google Classroom students to the dashboard and assigned a module.  The first assignment was  "Organize Files in Drive" and I required the 45 minute tutorial as a review.  What I liked about using the dashboard, it showed student progress by activity.  As I introduced other topics around Internet Safety we reviewed part of the Build Healthy Digital Habits. Students already had Portfolio sites created but the links we not the same and many had the url with a former grade level, so we unpublished, republished with a protocol link.  I then collected the links in a google form to share with grade level teachers. To my surprise students were using Interactive Notebooks in ELA and Science so we simply shared the link and added to our portfolio page!  We did edit the site, made pages, etc and I provided an optional module on "Build a Portfolio with Google Sites" telling students it was optional.

The ELA teacher provided a "Technology Checklist" by tool and skills that would be helpful for students to know.  We reviewed updates in docs and slides together and added content to the portfolios.  I know most students do not know show to used spreadsheets so, I introduced the program and the students loved calculating the data and creating charts.  Some were overwhelmed and I know they need more practices, so I will add "Manage your Time with Google Sheets" which will server as a refreshed for the material covered in class.  This module 45-90 minutes will be required.

When getting started with Self-Paced / asynchronous lessons, the article recommends the following:
- Introduce Self-Pacing Gradually 
- Self Pacing is a set of Skills have  them engage with instructional videos. Often, they forget to write things down or take notes. They also don’t always take advantage of the benefits of video instruction—pausing, re-watching, or googling something they don’t understand.
- Completing isn't the same as Learning - just because a student does something quickly doesn’t mean they did it well. 
- Some student aren't ready for self-pacing, it takes time to prepare students.  I agree with the artilcel that when Covid-19 happened, we had started Applied Skills and a hyperdoc for self-paced skills and students seemed to transition more easily and need less support. 

So I am experimenting with self-pacing learning and so far, if done thoughtfully can provide students with some independent learning. I have enjoyed providing students with "challenges" while teaching and eventually plan to shift into some project based learning. using Google Tools to Support Project Based Learning and the BIE website now/ PBLworks in the past and plan to cycle back to Essential Project Design Elements Checklist .

Stay tuned for more!

MassCUE - October Featured Educator

 Well this was a nice surprise.  October Featured Educator –
Mary Marotta https://www.masscue.org/marymarotta/ 
Congratulations to Mary Marotta, MassCUE’s Featured Educator for October, 2020! While creativity and innovation have been a conversation in education for a while now, there has never been more of a need to put these skills into practice than there is now. Mary has gone above and beyond in meeting this need in support of teachers in the use of technology, and fostering a design-thinking approach to teaching and learning. 

In addition to integrating design thinking in class lessons, Mary has also been instrumental in rethinking classroom spaces through the design process. A provider of professional development, Mary has helped to foster the best use of technology for the teachers she supports as a community of learners following #nashobalearns. 

She has been described by colleagues as “committed and dedicated in the support of next generation learning for both students and staff.” As an innovator, Mary is always seeking new ways to model and apply sound technology in educational practice. But it doesn’t end there. The magic she brings to others is her willingness to share with peers through EdCamps, Google events, and within her own school community. 

In addition to providing professional development for her own school, she is a Google for Education trainer and co-facilitator for four graduate level technology courses at Fitchburg State University. In one particular course,  Teaching and Learning with Multimedia, she helps teachers explore new ways to bring emerging technologies to their students’ learning experiences. This includes augmented and virtual reality, storytelling and even virtual expeditions! Innovative design for both teachers and students is at the core of this work, which may be shared with the world thanks to the technology we have at our fingertips!

Mary’s commitment to education is clear to see. The positive impact she is making for her students and her district will benefit many in the years to come. She has been a great role model for many educators. Congratulations from MassCUE on a job well done!

---

Mary Marotta is an Instructional Technology teacher with over twenty years experience teaching at the high school, college level with a focus on technology integration. She is a Google for Education Certified Trainer and MassCUE Pathfinder. Mary delivers a variety of technology courses for teachers to promote creativity in the classroom. Twitter: @mmarotta

Exploring Advisory - Building a Community of Learners

Exploring - The Advisory Book: Building a Community of Learners - The Advisory Book: Building a Community of Learners Grades 5-9  The second edition has five parts: (1) an argument for advisory; (2) an explanation of a structure called the Circle of Power and Respect; (3) an explanation of the shorter-form Activity Plus Advisory; (4) factors to consider when planning advisory; and (5) a huge selection of sample themes and activities for Advisory. The author, Linda Crawford, founded The Origins Program, a group that supports the Responsive Classroom program for elementary schools and offers its own Developmental Designs program for middle level schools.

Thinking about online activities to support students in a remote setting for Sept 30th meeting.
Explore: Developmental Designs  https://www.originsonline.org/developmental-designs-middle-school

Learn more here

Testing out Slides   with Peardeck to check in with students:

Self-paced or Instructor - led

Stay tuned...

Hybrid model and curriculum (Applied Digital Skills)

As we return to school this week I Am working on 1:1 Chromebooks, Internet Safety and will use Peardeck to review policies with students. I have setup up Google Classrooms prior to meeting students and incorporating Getting to Know You surveys,  flipgrids and/or interactive notebooks.

Students will start with two modules from Applied Digital Skills (Organizing Google Drive and Healthy Digital Habits). Teachers have provided a list of recommended G-Suite skills to address with students and that will be a focus for our first few units. I will also be looking for ways to integrate with content teachers.

I am finding the new integration of Classroom with Google’s Applied Digital Skills helpful. An over of the curriculum and wealth of resources https://www.edtechteam.com/blog/2018/10/applied-digital-skills-week-explore-curriculum 

Next up will be developing pacing and looking for ways to include CSFirst curriculum and developing a scope and sequence for a trimester hybrid offering.

Another area of development will be with portfolios.

MS Instructional site with resources 

In addition in between classes I am looking for ways to provide teachers with coaching in remote days and support on learning new tools and updates to existing tools. We are anticipating Google Meet enterprise updates in the next few weeks. I created some back to school resources for PD in Classroom and forms.

As we head into our first full week, next week I am reminded you can attempt to plan but everything is fluid and changing as we design materials.

Article: Forbes Asynchronous Learning
Applied Digital Skills - https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com
Applied Digital Skills post1 2018 - and today an updated tweet from from Eric Curts with Google Hipster 2 #9  again Applied Digital Skills is a free digital literacy curriculum, with over 150 hours of content, for upper elementary, middle school and high school students, as well as adult learners. The practical lessons focus on accomplishing a task and solving problems that relate to everyday life, like budgeting for a purchase, creating a resume, doing a college search, or planning an event.

The curriculum is all project based learning, and has short instructional videos for each lesson, so everything that is needed is ready to go. Teachers can use all of the curriculum or just pick and choose the lessons that fit into their subject area.

This is a fantastic resource for teachers who are looking for practical, technology integrated lessons that are ready for use with their students. These can also be used for adults as self-paced professional development.

Although I attended a workshop in the past, Eric just does a great job of sharing additional materials and resources, on Applied Digital Skills from his blog along with session
Agendas- Google Docs link and presentations!

Applied Digital Skills - https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com &Presentation

• Blog post - Website link

• Program Overview - Google Slides link

• Student Experience - Google Slides link

• Instructor Experience - Google Slides link

• Curriculum Details - Google Slides link

I'm still looking for an easy way to test students knowledge prior to a class.  

So much to learn and try!

Back to School Model, Tools and More

Not sure what the upcoming school year will look like, but one thing I am certain of there will be lots of changes. Our district continues to work on proposals for HS/Remote and K-8/Hybrid models as they work with DESE, Union and the community at large. 

One of my biggest change will be transition from a high school to a middle school within the our district,  as an integration specialist.  So, one thing that makes this tricky is making new relationships with teachers in a unusual model while we socially distance from each other.  The first few weeks back will be stressful and anxious for both staff and eventually students. We will involve professional development on a variety of topics from the district, the first few week of school, but I also on helping teachers revisit tools they may have used last spring, along with several new updates that happened over the summer and many more that Google plans to roll out in the fall.

Teachers will need to clean up last year's classes - End of the year clean up tips here and plan to prepare to create new Google Classroom and revisit new features and topics they may not have tested out yet. One of the best form of PD and sharing of information can be found on twitter and the MTA shared this tweet.  by @lloydcinspire and @austinmWPS.  I plan to use/remix (giving credit and add additional information from as Google roll out more features). 

I plan on joining the middle school IT Google Classroom, reviewing last year surveys as well as sending staff a getting to know you survey and possibly a flipgrid. 

In addition I will be exploring Google’s Applied Digital Skills and CSFirst curriculum and developing a scope and sequence for a trimester hybrid offering. The curriculum is outlined here https://www.edtechteam.com/blog/2018/10/applied-digital-skills-week-explore-curriculum Another area of development will be with portfolios.

Some topics and tools that worked last spring that we may revisit this fall based on the district subscriptions.

- Google Classroom http://bit.ly/backtoschoolgoogleclassroom
- Screencastify
- PearDeck
- Flipgrid
- Edpuzzle

After teaching a few graduate classes this summer, there is a big shift in content delivery for all remote training. I am hoping although we will start the year in hybrid it will give us an opportunity to connect with each other so if we do go remote we can build upon our connections.  It should be interesting but I am hoping everyone remains safe and healthy above and beyond anything else.

 

Summer PD flipping classes to remote

 Summer FSU PD reflection coming soon 

The importance of Reflection - Last Day of School 2020

Add blog post

End of the Year Project: What Are YOU Curious About? - Tips for Designing an Online Learning Experience Using the 5 Es *Hyperdocs model

Loved finding this blog post - by @Catlin_Tucker  End of the Year Project: What Are YOU Curious About? "Teachers looking for creative ways to end the school year may want to consider a “What are YOU curious about?” project. What do you want to learn? - See video below.

This is a fun way to close out the year with a student-driven investigation. This project uses the 5Es instructional model–engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate–to guide students through a learning experience focused on a topic of their choice. The goal of this learning cycle is to give students the agency to decide what they want to learn about before the school year officially ends. Once they have decided on the question they would like to investigate, they self-pace through the parts of the project and use the slide deck below to document their learning. This project is designed to drive higher-order thinking, develop research skills, and encourage reflection." She provides a video and a template bit.ly/5EsProject to help guide the lesson always starting with a question!  I plan to try it out with a few lessons this week on twitter and slides. Template here bit.ly/5EsProject
I have been looking for ways for students to use Portfolios and Slides in a more meaningful manner.

The above slide model - Using the 5 Es Instructional Model (created by Roger Bybee’s)  5 Es instructional model also connect with using Hyperdocs https://hyperdocs.co  (this site is currently being redesigned) temples  and 5E's  for delivery in this post: Tips for Designing an Online Learning Experience Using the 5 Es Instructional Model https://catlintucker.com/2020/03/designing-an-online-lesson and ‬ bit.ly/5EsTemplate  I found the recorded videos on each stage to be very helpful!

PD Session during Remote Learning

Lots of great resources and reflecting during our weekly PD Sessions. -
Listening to: Teaching From Home: How Are You Keeping Your Spirits Up? (12 min podcast here)

Year End Clean up - Google Transfer and Google Classroom

Google Classroom - End of the year clean up tips
Marotta - Presentation for PD here

Other Resources
10 easy ways to clean up your Google Classroom by Matt Miller  @jmattmiller
https://ditchthattextbook.com/google-classroom-cleanup

Google Transfer / Classroom - Options

1. You will want to transfer your files with a process called Google Takeout Transfer. It is very simple to do. You will no longer have access to your School Google Account as of July 1, 2020. This should allow you enough time to get the files that you are looking for.
2. Go to Google Takeout https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout and follow the directions. 

For students it is recommended you do this prior to graduation, however your account will be active until the end of June. - More details here http://goo.gl/leAlDV

Remote and Blended Learning

Reflection usingWakelet PD - Tell your Story

- Note: Flipgrid now added - Immersion Reader
Twitter updates and webinars

What is Wakelet Video 4 minutes - Unlock the power of curation https://learn.wakelet.com

Account (login with Google)

How will you share and curate your learning?

Educators Guide *Extension, Mobile &  Add Tweets Twitter

Examples from others:

Design a Lesson (examples)
Learn more Bitmoji Scene Tutorial - 18 min Bitmoji Extension 

Option Read - Article from Twitter - https://twitter.com/fdesignschool/status/1258813120908333058

Article Remote Learning Through Kids Eyes

Talking about Portfolios - Link  and see below using Wakelet

Collaboration, Designing and Sharing Lessons

Using Screencastify Submit - Design a Lesson on How Might We Design for Remote Learning.
Teachers were introduced to ScreenCastify Submit - Overview and submissions

Direction from a student perspective

• Mary’s Explanation and screencast (from a student perspective - What you did to submit a link)

• Here is a link to the submission folder **
  *View your colleagues Screencasts

Directions as a teacher to setup  questions
    -    for students here  using email invite or
          https://app.screencastify.com/submit

• View to View your colleagues ScreencastsSubmits

Here is a link to the submission folder **

Curated in a Wakelet --- https://wke.lt/w/s/yfoPzA

   

Not returning to school this year and virtual portfolios

Not returning to school this year and virtual portfolios / NEASC webinar post coming soon

What’s your one word? Works clouds

Exploring Word Clouds options slides -
Word Cloud picture for your presentations. Tagul now https://wordart.com The free version has a good selection of word cloud styles and shapes to use. A font can be choose as well as some color variants and the ability to resize words along the canvas.

We have been talking about "Challenge Based Learing" for students so I wanted to share how I created with this screencast here and see if you could also create!

Link to share https://wordart.com/hmctijl9tc98/remote_learning_with_word-art%206
Nashoba Logo  - https://wordart.com/wejt91fw4upi/nashoba_remotelearning

TEST embed logo - There may be a delay after posting the logo to see on the screent
Nashoba logo - Note as you move over the words they will pop out on the page.

Remote Learning and Tools

Spreadsheet and Filter by App and Tool sheet here
* copy 
Published Link here

Google Meet is now integrated in Google Classroom!

Google Meet is now integrated in Google Classroom!
IFor each Google Classroom you have, you can now generate a unique Google Meet link for the students in that Classroom.

 The link for the Meet can be displayed on the Stream page and the Classwork page of the Classroom so you and your students can access it easily. You can use the same Meet link over and over again anytime you want to video conference with your students. 

However, the students cannot join the Meet without you, so they can't access the Meet before you are there, or rejoin the Meet after it is over and you have left.

Thanks to Eric Curts tweet  for posting the directions and a short 6-minute video that demonstrates all the steps. Google Meet and Classroom Integration is here!






Below is updated slide deck remixed from the Worcster PubichSchools.

.

Implementing Remote Learning

Remote Learning for the High School started on the week of Monday, April 6th-10th. Teachers began to implement Remote Learning Lessons.

The Schedule is Running Mon-Tuesday Odd Days

9:00-9:35

9:945-10:20

10:20-11:05

11:15-11:50

12:00-12:45

April 6th-10th - This week teachers online with Remote Learning Lessons.

Week three Remote Learning - Enrichment

We are now in week three (March 30th-April 3rd) of remote learning and we are planning lessons and meetings to move from enrichment to online learning.

Things that are happening this week:
- Chieftain Press Video Announcements
- DESE Annoucement
- District Remote Learning and PD Options
- Communications to students and parents for next week (Posts Friday April 3rd)

Planning with teachers for the week of:
Overall recommendations from the State and
District Site https://sites.google.com/nrsd.net/remote-learning-at-nashoba

Topics and preparation and schedule.
- Google Classroom (G-Suite and Meet)
- Screencastify
- Edpuzzle
- Google Slides and Hyperdocs
- Peardeck
April 6th-10th we will focus on remote learning.
Slides coming soon - in progress

in progress

Week two of distance learning with enrichment activities

Week two 3/23-27th  of distance learning with enrichment activities.  This week involved working with teachers to plan activities and become familiar with tools and techniques to add to Google Classroom.   I shared lots of choice boards with teachers around remote learning in their content areas.  It would allow a student to stay connected to the curriculum but also not involve assessments until we are directed by the state what that might entail.

I also  spent on updating a previous document I shared with staff prior to school being released. The link  bit.ly/distancelearningatnashoba The biggest area of caution this week was putting the breaks on using video conferencing (Zoom and Meet) with students. Although for some teachers and myself included it felt like taking steps backwards.  But, it's important that we wait for a district policy that is shared with students, staff and parents before moving forward.  In addition, the district is working on a Remote Learning Plan and PD options for staff.

I did work with a group of teachers in a "coffee hour session" on using technology to support teachers in special education. I was so impressed with their comfort level with Google Meet and Zoom compared to our first meeting prior to school being released.  We plan on connecting weekly to see how technology may support their learning.

DESE Remote leaning announcement was released at the end of the week, which moves us from enrichment to teaching.  As a department chair we were notified we will begin planning communications inline with the state to move to remote learning connected (enrichment to assessment).  Unfortunately, in several of our classes, students have decided if the work is not graded and does not count.  Do they actually need to get online?

A silver-lining in my week was after reaching out to our journalism/video students and conducting an online (Meet/Zoom) to discuss option to present our video announcements, they are agreed to  to have something ready by 3/17 or Monday 3/30 to share with staff.

As side note, I am co-teaching on Saturday's my Fitchburg State Lesson Design Class #gafefsu and we have a group of teachers learning remotely and quickly applying to their teaching.  It's been awesome having this experience at such a critical time. Stay tune for more...

So it begins - Will we shift to online learning this month?

We were notified last night not to report to school today and wait for an update later today. Lots of schools in the area have cancelled for multiple weeks so I am anticipating the same for our district.
This last week teachers have been inquiring and sharing different ideas for online learning once DESE and our district confirms that will be the direction.

I created a few handouts after being inspired by my colleague @csheil for teachers week.  Hoping this would help reinforce many of the tools they are already using. Timing for something like this is never perfect but I am please teacher have been using Google Classroom for several years along with many online tools.  Now we will begin the process of thinking about the best way to make learning available to students while not over stressing them or teachers.

Here to a few handouts I shared this week http://bit.ly/distancelearningatnashoba along with some steps for using Google Meets http://bit.ly/nashobagooglemeets.  We were scheduled to have a department meeting today so we are going to try out a virtual meeting.  I will post a collection  of videos (google https://youtu.be/gslpx7Q8mhc) along with a collection of wakelets around  distance and remote learning!

Stay tuned for more.

Distance Learning - Blended Learning and E-Learning

There are so many terms used to describe  Distance Learning!
Google recently provided the following tweet!
If you're facing school closure, or have students who are unable to attend class—and are able to continue teaching remotely—here are 5 ways you can continue to support learners: http://goo.gle/32TZGsF 

Today, I worked on a resource to share with teachers, tips from Google on Distance Learning  http://bit.ly/distancelearningatnashoba  along with other tools that may provided teachers with addtional options or tools to use.

Nashoba Innovates PD March 6th

I was delighted to see Dr. Tony Wagner present at our district professional development day on March 6th! Our Our district selected his book Creating Innovators and our department read the book.

This was not the first time I read his book!  Several years ago, I read the book the book and it informed my thinking as the booked discussed portfolios, Olin College and High Tech High in San Diego. After vising Olin College with member of my department, the trip inspired us to explore Project-Based Learning and Design Thinking.  So, I was pleased to re-read the book and discuss with member of my department.

We created a journal, read the book and watched the videos together over the last several months (we created a journal and a wakelet) to curated the information!  This year I created portfolios for all students in the high school as a learning goal!


Students presented their portfolios of work (POW) in the student showcase during PD. Dr. Wagner visited the showcase and met with students to discuss their projects!

Below is the link to the presentation and links to students portfolios!
http://bit.ly/nashobaportfolioshowcase










More information   - to be updated!



Other great sessions that I attended - Deeper Learning Through Authenticity and Real World Experience with http://tomdriscolledu.com/nashoba  Book: In Search of Deeper Learning
The Portrait of a Graduate https://nashobapd.weebly.com by Nipmuc admin was excellent!