Topic - Mentor Meeting Overview of Positive Climate/Bullying Prevention & Intervention Guidelines

Discussion for today Mentor Meeting
Overview of Positive Climate/Bullying Prevention & Intervention Guidelines
Presentation Link  Slides 27-31 Social Media Outline


Presentation to all freshman students 12/11/15 in conjunction with the School Resources Officers and District Attorney's Office. Key message (Good - Bad - Ugly) and Consequences

Google Takeout Tool (seniors and retirees take all your data with you)

Seniors, before graduation please make sure you take your Google Data with you!
If you are taking all of your data, lots of files make sure you use Google Takeout.

Go to see the screencast/recording below:

To start the process go to https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout 
Note: School Accounts are unlimited so you may want to clean up your account prior to the transfer.

More details:
See document with details: https://goo.gl/EsJzLq  and Video
Share a few files - Try this link https://goo.gl/VZi1m6

Checkout Twitter for updates #googletakeout

Teaching GAFE Reflection and new features

When teaching a GAFE class last week we introduce new features just released by Google.
Check out the Google Blog here on Accepting Questions from your audience

I plan on testing out with a few classes this week and provide an example here.
Note/Tip: to insert a Google Presentation into a Blog you must use File Publish and get the embed code and edit under html in the blog.


See example of a student asking questions of audience!
Video link

Bonus! Allowing your audience to ask questions isn’t the only way we’re improving the presentation experience on Slides today. We’re also making the following possible:

• Use your mouse as a laser pointer in Slides on the web. Just choose the laser pointer option from the toolbar and move your mouse, and a red laser-like dot will appear in the same place on screen, helping your audience know where to look and when.

• In the Slides iOS app, present to a new Hangout or to a Hangout selected from a meeting on your Google Calendar. For more information, check out the Help Center. 

What will you try with students and teachers when presenting your next presentation?

Carousel Digital Signage - Tightrope Media Systems

Earlier this year the seniors were looking at providing signage options in the builing and I bebegn to explore what other schools are using.  I learned about Carousel and was able to determine we had an existing service in our distirct.  We were able to upgrade the server and configure the library Flat Screen display with a player and a pre-made channel. Learn more about  Carousel Digital Signage - Tightrope Media Systems and pre-made channels. Our next steps will be to configure a device in the lobby and for the Senior class gift a unit in the cafeteria, hopefully before the seniors graduate. Stay tuned for more details.

Motivating teachers for PD and changing the culture

I love showing teachers new ways to integrate technology into their teaching practices.  It is particularly rewarding when you have the opportunity to teach a graduate level class over an extended time period and therefore, teachers are able to make an investment in the course, assignments and projects.  Those teachers are able to quickly and effectively implement the tools in their own classrooms and are rewarded with student engagement and results.

The problem is trying to teach teachers ways to integrate technology into their classrooms within the time restrictions of a school day and in addition to all of their other daily responsibilities.   It is a challenge to engage teachers who may not be technologically savvy; who may not appreciate the value of technology; or who are overwhelmed with their many classroom responsibilities.  The best way to accomplish this is to try to motivate and build momentum.  This month I was given the opportunity to hijack our school staff meeting.  My challenge is to figure out what I can do in one hour to get teachers to think outside the box.  My method was to adopt the Edcamp model and allow teachers choice in professional development topics.  

 How do you do this?

1.  Find a group of teachers that are using technology or are willing to take on a lesson or a project.
2. Help design and facilitate the lesson.
3. Use the EdCamp model, or at least stage it the first time by providing choice.
4. Listen to what they want and at the same time show them new option.
5. Collect the information using Google forms to showcase.
6. Create a signup for a PD session form and post to a Staff Google Classroom and share the results.
7. Create the session slides and share with presenters, as editors.
8. Build momentum, one tweet at a time.
9. Tweet out an image of their slide and tag the next presenter.
   What if everyone is not tweeting?  
10.  Provide options, post to padlet and comment in Google Classroom.
11. Work with a teacher and market their session in three minutes and use a building hashtag #nashobalearns.
12.  Make it fun, provide a raffle to encourage engagement and collaboration.
13. Promote what teachers are doing, encourage and support.
14. Share by inviting stakeholder to the sessions.
15. Remind staff it does not have to be perfect and thank them for taking a risk.
16. Get teachers behind you and support each other.
17. Remind them that the only way to implement change is to drive the change.

Created with Padlet

Most importantly, show teachers the possibilities and keep moving forward!
Here are a few is a great article and resources (5-Minute Film Festival: Taking Back PD with Edcamp) describing the Edcamp model from Edutopia.

I am holding my breath for our session tomorrow, but I am feeling optimistic. Follow us on Twitter #nashobalearns!

Math, Science and Music Teachers using Tablets and Flip Classroom techniques

I worked with a group of Math, Science and Music teachers on the tablet initiative this year. Some of the topics we covered are posted on my class site here.  We first focused on the basics of the new OS/Windows 8 and touch screen, along with the wireless projector.

We then focused on the ability to ink using Word and then Journal by sending the files to a PDF and inking on the file. The math teachers explored the Graph paper options and inking formulas on a worksheet.  The  music teacher came up with several creative ways to use the tablet for teaching.  The teachers learned how to incorporate the snipit tool and adding Apps for content area (Graphing Calculator, etc).

The next phase, the teachers applied in their classrooms this month.  I worked individually with teachers to show them ScreenCastify so they could begin to think about recording lessons and begin to setup for the flipped classroom model.   This group of teachers will share their progress during our Staff Mini EdCamp Model in April to their colleagues!

Research Projects and modeling tools and Apps (blog and Thinglink Map)

In a recent class students were evaluating multiple presentation programs, focused on maps and travelling.  We looked Google Slides, Prezi, Padlet, Haiku Deck and Thinklink.  I think it's always important to connect students with real life opportunities and connections when using technology.

I started the class by showing students my travel blog and explaining why I use it and had recommended to my own kids when travelling. We talked about researching countries and online resources.  Some of the sites or blogs that I visit are Rick Steve's Travel blog on specific countries, (Italy).  Students can research sites such as Expedia for travel packages or Trip Advisor.  Then it's time to start planning!

I came across a Thinkglink Map of Italy which I thought was a perfect tool and way to connect a trip along with videos.  Students could also use Google Maps for a similar process.  Below is an interactive map created in Thinglink of Italy.  Students can also download the app and create on their phone.  I showed them how to link and embed on the Portfolio sites and I am modeling the use in my blog.  I loved the fact that I would take an existing Thinglink and "remix" or just get a creative idea how to use in other content areas.

The project could be expanded so students create their own videos and learn to use in a variety of ways.  I think this was also a good example of showing students whey the would want to blog versus using a google site for their portfolio.  This lesson could be expanded to show so much more when travelling. Student's can reflect in the blog about their travel experience and share with family members.