Final Reflection

As I wrap up this class, I am excited.  I am a learner and I enjoy when I can learn new things, especially with technology.  This is an area that is constantly changing and I feel you MUST stay ahead of the curve (or at least on top of it) or you will be lost.  This class in particular helped point out all of the resources, tools and programs that are out there to make your life easier. I can honestly say that I think I will use a lot of the things we did.
My thoughts on the assignments:
Interactive blog: LOVE it!  I have been using a blog to communicate with parents (and to other teachers, BRI) but I now feel even more confident in what I can do with it.  I have already talked my PLC team into letting me set up a grade level blog so we can streamline information for our families. I think this will allow us to send a consistent message to them and it will keep them well-informed.
Powtoon, Pear Deck: Glad I know about it, feel like I could use it, not sure I will.  I think this might be something I could see my daughter (4th grade) and I am glad I will be able to introduce it to her.
Google Suite: Can't imagine my life without it.  This keeps everything in one spot.  No matter what device I use or where I am doing it - what I need is there for me.  We are expected to collaborate with our PLCs and this is a powerful tool for keeping us together.  I feel good about know how to use some of the features that are not quite as common.  I can see using branching forms, adjusting sharing options and transferring old docs into Google.  I need to get better at organizing my files.  We have the option to have it all there but if it is not organized then we have a mess on our hands.  That is a goal of mine this year.
Screencasting: I know I will use this. Another goal of mine this year is to reach more families and assist them in helping their children.  At times I get frustrated that they 'don't do enough' but I also know that most of them are trying their best and they don't know what to do.  I think having the ability to do a quick tutorial & record it on how to do things would be so helpful.  It is easy to post the videos and those who need it can access it.  Same would go for students - if they need a bit more information on a topic, they could watch a video and do a little extra practice.  
Apps, Add-ons, Extentions: Again, will most certainly use.  These are the little things that make our lives easier!  I hope to be able to collaborate with others on what they are using so I can stay current on good ones to have.
Google Classroom:  While I won't be doing it this year, I am excited about the new changes to Classroom!  I think they have listened to what teachers need and have made great improvements.  I have got to believe this is a 'must' for teachers that have Chromebooks.  I think Classroom gives teachers a simple and fast way to give feedback, a great way to organize lessons and have them ready to go and a quick way to share information & lessons with their students.  I have thought about having our PLC use this as a way of organizing our lessons and sharing resources.  I need more time to plan that out but I think there is potential in that idea.
Kahoot & Poll Everywhere:  Super interactive for students.  I can see that you could use these to engage students in their learning.  Again, I will not have whole class access to technology but I am glad I know how to use them.  A secret plan I would have is that I can encourage my principal to get me more technology because I know how to use it :)
Google Forms & Flubaroo:  As mentioned many times.....I see great potential in this!  Our PLC/TDAP work is all based on common assessment.  Why not use this to do half the work for us?  I commented that idea on many other Nerd's assignments.  It is easy to use, gives great information and can be easily shared with others.  AWESOME!
Digital Citizenship: This was one of the most powerful lessons for me.  We have a crazy amount of technology that has been given to us.  It is our job to teach students how to use it.  I had honestly never thought of it in the way Google training presented it yet I now see how important it is!  I think it is imperative that this is explicitly taught.  I think of my own kids and hope that their school will teach them these things.  The Internet can be a scary place and kids need to have digital literacy skills.

Side note question......

Why is it that when I copy something and paste it into my post that I get a white background?

Can anyone help with that? Is it my settings?

Help!  My blog looks ugly!

#9 - Digital Citizenship

• Discuss the possible ethical issues involved in two of the scenarios.

I don't think any of the teachers in the scenarios had ethical issues.  It seems to me that their problems came about because they jumped into their technology use with students too quickly.  I think they all had good intentions for potentially good projects or assignments. Incorporating technology into what we are doing is what we need to do to prepare our students to be college and career ready.  Not to mention using technology can be fun and motivating to many students.  With that being said, I think the effect of the teachers not laying the ground work for appropriate tech use led to ethical issues.  Students were given a lot of freedom without the proper training and took advantage of it.  They made poor choices and things quickly got out of hand.  Miss Starbuck, Mr. Kirk and Mr. McFly all had experiences that went in that direction.

• Determine if the safety or well-being of anyone is in jeopardy.

I believe that when bullying is involved then it turns into a safety and well being issue.  I believe the first 3 scenarios lead to bullying.  Students may not come face to face but words can hurt.  If one is being bullied, in or out of class or via cyber-bullying, it will affect how they feel in class.  If one is worrying more about comments that might be posted or others making fun of their work then they are not concentrating on what they need to be, which is their school work.

• What advice, strategy, or policy would you recommend to individuals or schools based on this scenario?

I really liked the Google Digital Citizenship Training.  Students need to understand how the Internet works.  They need to know the importance of safe passwords, communicating with others (especially strangers), how to search safely and to have an overall knowledge base of Digital Literacy.  The training led you into creating many lessons so you are very up-front and straight with students.  They need to know that you are not alone while you are in the 'Google World'.  They need to have an understanding that they are creating their own digital footprint and that is another aspect of themselves personally.  I think many kids feel that they are able to do whatever they want because no one will know it was them.  Kids need to be explicitly taught about passwords, searching safe, how to research using Google, privacy settings and I sure I have not included everything!!  We have great priority standards for our core subjects.....maybe it is time for some priority standards on teaching kids about technology??

• Share any real-life incidents or personal connections related to the scenario.

I was part of 5th grade last year and we didn't get our Chromebooks until mid-October.  I felt like most of the things we did were the 'jump in & hopefully swim' method.  I know we didn't teach anything like I mentioned in the question above.  I feel we were very reactive instead of being proactive!

One particular student I had was very tech savy but that also made him very dangerous!  He was sneaky and it seemed that when he was supposed to be working on his Chromebook he was always off task!  I most definitely thought of him in the Mr. Kirk scenario.

• How can the Mounds View Resources help to implement high quality instructional practices with with technology?

As I mentioned above, I would love to see something similar to priority standards as far as technology.  Maybe a checklist of recommended things to instruct upon before students can use Chromebooks (or other technology).  The site that was shared at the BILT institute that went through many of the popular apps or extensions (can't remember the name of it!!) and their rules/regulations is an excellent resource!  I think this class should be a mandatory class for teachers getting a set of Chromebooks. In my opinion, the district is spending a lot of money on them so they could give a bit more of their time.  I suppose there could be a set of lessons that are premade (maybe screen-casts or presentations) that teachers could use instead of making their own?  I also think it would be helpful to have a student version of the acceptable use policy.  It is very legal-ish and something direct, with less words would be good for students.

• What is 1 procedure that you can implement in your class and what is one that you would like to implement in your whole PLC or whole building?

One thing that I would like to implement is the whole idea of teaching about Digital Literacy and safe Internet use.  It needs to be taught properly and it is extremely important.  Our job is to prepare kids for life after they leave school and technology is everywhere.  This is something I will do and I think all teachers should also do it.  I see no reason that a teacher would not start with these important topics before letting their students loose.  We need technology, it can make our lives a lot easier but we all need to know how to use it so it can continue to be a powerful tool.

#10: Collaboration - Endgame

#8 Assessment, part 2

Intermediate: LOVE Flubaroo!  What an easy way to look at data!  Great way for teams to analyze their TDAP information.  I love it when something else does the work for you!!
One way that you could use Flubaroo to differentiate instruction is through to weight questions differently.  You can use an assessment to test if they know what you have been teaching and the skill that you want to teach next.  You can get the final grade you need and then know where students are at (preassessment) data without messing with your other data.  A branching form can also let you know how kids are feeling about a topic and allow some to get extra help (more review or a video) or move on.
One way you could use it to modify a whole class activity is to do a quick preassessment on the topic you are going to teach.  Wait for the students to take the test and then quickly run it through Flubaroo (it only takes seconds!) and then you would quickly know where the kids are at.  You could even show them what you are seeing (delete or hide names) and then they would know exactly how they are doing and what type of instruction they need to get better.  You could then use the same form or a slightly different assessment at the end of your lesson and show them all they have learned.  Fast feedback.....John Hattie would be proud!

Look at the different analysis tools within Flubaroo and identify 1 way you could use this to differentiate instruction and 1 way you could use this to modify whole class instruction

Beginner: Great assignment!  Way to make me dive deeper into what all Google forms can do for me!  Branching the answers was tricky at first but I knew if I kept trying I could do it!  I love to option for allowing the video only if the students think they need it. (last question - if you answered the 2nd two options you went to a video)  I think building in more of this type of practice would help students take more ownership of their skill level.  They need to know when to ask for help.

Side note: I did have to adjust the width of my layout because the form was overlapping on the right side.

#6 Google Classroom

I can see using Google Classroom in all areas I teach! This is a very easy way to go 'paperless' and be organized! I like that you have everything you need in one spot. You can look at assignments when you have time (at home on the couch is a good option) and comment/grade when you need to. Classroom also provides a way for students to get feedback that only they can see. You get away from passing back papers with tons of RED marks all over them. They are also able to share assignments with others so they can get peer feedback before the teacher has the final say. Students can work at their own level, at a pace that works for them. You can also check to make sure they are progressing towards the necessary goal in a timely manner. (The group I worked with last year was difficult so I had them turn in their assignments at the end of each class just so I could check on them. They quickly learned how to unsubmit their work to continue.). Hopefully you can somewhat avoid the students that do not get started until the very end.

I had fun with this activity. I used Classroom last year but very limited. I really only attached docs for writing assignments. I learned through these activities that you can easily add videos or websites to add to the lesson. It was so easy to do that I can't believe I didn't do it last year! I love the idea that you can save assignments as drafts. I could honestly set up my whole unit on figurative language and have it ready to go! Talk about summer work that you could use!! I also enjoyed the blog on naming assignments. I have noted before but my Google drive is a mess & I need to fix that this year! Creating a naming system would certainly help. I am excited to do more with Classroom this year.

#3 Screencasting

Well.....I kept putting this one off because I thought it would be hard. WRONG! Reason #1,429 why I love Chromebooks......they make screencasting EASY! I used Snagit to do it. I picked that one because it would run with Chromebooks and I saw a lot of other campers use it. (Side note: when I took the Web 2.0 class I spent DAYS working on screencasting. I did not have the right supplies to record my voice. I ended up NEVER having sound. I love that the Chromebook has all of what you need already in it!) Super easy to add it on and use! I played with the side bar tools a bit and was ready to roll. I wasn't sure what to do it on so I picked how to log-in and use RAZ-Kids, an online reading site. I have been lucky enough to get a subscription to it every year so I can register up to 36 kids. I have never had good luck with kids using it at how so maybe this will help.

# 7: Assessment/Polling & Data Gathering

I had fun using Poll Everywhere!  It was quick and easy.  I like the option to change the background.  The Flicker search had a lot of good options.  I also like the response settings.  Too often kids like to vote more than once and then it can throw off your class data.  I can see using this for interactive math lessons.  Everyone can input their data and we can discuss it.  Graphs are hard to understand and interpret so I think this would really engage the students.

I also made a Kahoot!  I know students LOVE these!  A lot of our 5th grade classrooms used them last year.  (in fact I had to cover for one of them last year and I did not know how to use Kahoot.  I had trouble pulling up what she wanted me to do so I changed the lesson.  Wish I would have known how easy it is to use!)  It is such a fun way to review anything.  The competitive nature of it makes it engaging.  I did a quick book review for the book Stone Fox.  I quickly grabbed a quiz from Super Teacher Worksheets and used most of their questions.  I liked adding pictures and those were easy to find on Google Images.  I can see using this for just about anything in school.  I can see it as an easy way to review vocabulary.  It could be used as a tool to see where the kids are at.  I like that they can use a nickname so other kids don't necessarily know who is answering what.  I want to spend more time looking for public games.  These are fun but a bit time consuming to make.
https://play.kahoot.it/#/k/85f600b4-11b0-4191-92b5-701a8fdc2327

#5 Apps, Add-ons & Extensions, Oh My!

Love, love, love all of these EASY to use tools!  I can only wish I had these while I was in college!  I hope we can all share things that we use because there are a lot of good things out there.  I love anything that helps me stay organized or makes things go faster.

For apps, I added Monster Math Flashcards, Haiku Deck and Newsela (already had Pear Deck).  Monster Flashcards will be helpful for all kids.  I find basic facts a huge struggle with kids and all they need is practice!  I like that it offers addition, subtraction and multiplication.  You can set the range of numbers and number of problems.  I had my second grader try it out and she liked doing it.  I added Haiku Deck, also.  This is my most favorite thing to use with students.  It is such a great way for them to organize and present on things they have learned.  I am amazed how quick they pick up on it and the quality of their final product!  The last one I added was Newsela.  I used this a lot in my class last year.  I love the option of students doing it online without printing the articles out.  Newsela does such a great job offering articles at different lexile levels.  It makes for an easy way to differentiate within your classroom.  It also has new articles all the time.  Current events helps boost motivation and interest which is KEY to reading.

Extensions were my favorite. Quick and easy....one click get it done!  I could see myself adding more and more of these.  I added Add This (to instantly share, print or email things online), Last Pass (saves login information for sites) and Save to Google Drive.  I am excited to use these on a regular basis.

I also played with Add-ons.  I love the idea of Bibliography but it is a bit advanced for my students.  That is one I wish I had.  I think older students would LOVE this.  It makes things SO easy.  I remember spending hours on that!!  I did add Thesaurus and Open Clip Art.  I do a lot with Shades of Meaning and using synonyms.  Using the Thesaurus makes looking up different words so easy.  Forget the ABC order.....just click and search.  So much easier.  I think students would actually use it because it is right there.  The Open Clip Art is good, too.  Who doesn't like adding graphics to enhance your documents?

Super excited about this lesson.  I am ready to share them with other teachers & students.

Here is a Haiku Deck that a third grade student made.  It was her first time using Haiku Deck.


Hershey - Created with Haiku Deck, presentation software that inspires

#4 Google Suite

I love Google Suite!  I used a lot of these options last year but I did not use Google Forms so that is what I went with.  I run the Reading Buddies program at Bel Air so I thought setting up a form for volunteers to register for the program would be helpful.  It would be easy to share with volunteers and I love how it puts the data into a spreadsheet for me.  One less thing that I would need to do!

I love the flexibility that Google sharing offers to everyone.  Just like one of the videos said.....you never come to school without your homework!  Same for teachers, I am always working on things at home, so all I need to do is log into Google and I have everything I need! No more emailing docs back and forth, flashdrives or forgetting things at school.

I am the extension/intervention teacher for 2nd grade so I am always sharing data with my team and our BAIT (Bel Air Intervention Team).  I can set up a doc or spreadsheet and update it for everyone to use.  I like the editing options, also.  At times I just want to share data without the options of editing and other times everyone needs to input their own data. We also share a lot of lessons around our PLC so this is a great way for us all to work together.

I see many benefits of using Google Drive with students.  The overall ease of it would be the biggest benefit.  You can check in on them without getting right in their space (which intimidates many).  You can comment on their work and no one else needs to see it.  I love the idea of adding a quick link to a video or helpful site.  The students would be able to take more ownership of their work.  You can also do it from anywhere.  You don't need to bring notebooks and papers home in order to correct them.

The only con that I see with Google Drive is that I need to keep it organized.  Naming and labeling items in a meaningful way would be important.  I will be using it for so many different aspects of my job that knowing how to find things will be key.  I do like being able to search for things so if I name them correctly, I should be able to locate them.

I also uploaded documents that I made years ago for a Literature Circle.  I have them saved on my home computer.  Having these more accessible will be helpful to me and I will be able to easily share them with others.
Literature Circles

#2 Engagement

I created a Pear Deck to use with during math.  I love the idea of adding the formative assessment questions!!  I used a power point presentation that I already had, added some multiple choice slides and now can quickly add 'quick questions' to assess how the students are doing on telling time.
In playing with it a bit more I would like to add slides that are interactive so I don't have to do it on the spot.  I had to watch videos on how to do that.

Telling Time Pear Deck

I can see how using Pear Deck presentations with students would boost their engagement in what we are doing.  They would certainly be held accountable, yet in a personal way.  They would all have to answer and I could tell who was having trouble with the concept.  If I am careful on picking multiple choices then I think I would also be able to identify the problems students are having.  I work with younger students so yes/no, true/false and multiple choice seem the easiest to use.  I think the slide tools could be interesting to gauge how they are feeling about their performance.

I also like how it is very easy to login with our Google accounts and easy to share.  This would be very useful for my whole team to use & share Pear Decks.

Activity 1: Communication

I think having a blog is excellent for communication & organization.

I can use a blog for communication with parents, grade level teams and just for myself.  They look professional and are easy to use. It would not take long to post our daily goals and objectives and any homework that is assigned. Students would be able to use my blog if they need more help at home. The more you can find online (videos or presentations) can act as flipped instruction.  I work with many students that need extra support.  I could use the blog to assist them in getting the instruction again or to see it in a different way.  Many parents also want to know how to help their children so parents could use it in the same way.

In addition to helping students, the blog can be used to show off some of the things we are doing in school.  It is an easy tool to showcase student work.  Who wouldn't love showing their parents or grandparents that their school work is online for all to see?
 It is an excellent way to organize all of the excellent things you can find online.  I always struggle to remember the 'good stuff' I find online.  It is quick and easy to add a link or embed a video to a blog.  Using labels is even another step to keeping the blog organized.

Kickoff

I am excited to be a tech nerd this summer!  I was on a PLC team that was phase I this year but I was not always connected with that group.  I am ready to learn how to do it myself and figure out how I can use things in my classroom.  I am switching grade levels so I will not have chrome books but I hope to use tech that is available at BA.  I also took the Summer Camp Web 2.0 class and I loved it.  I continue to use all of it.
I am not sure if I am specific learning goals for this class.  One thing I would like to learn more about is how to use apps or add-ons with Chrome books.  I love iPads so I would like to know how to use the Chrome Books more like that.  I just love to learn what it out there, play with it and then think of how I can use it in school.  I also have kids that are in school so it is nice to be able to help them with technology and stay up-to-date.
I am comfortable with technology but I know I don't even have an idea what all is there that I don't know about!  I use a Smartboard daily and I use Google Classroom with one small group.  I love doing projects with iPads.  I like using Haiku Deck and other apps for skill practice.  I also have a class blog for school and the Beginning Reading Instruction class I teach.