New Year, New Possibilities

 Which path will you take?

As an educator, the new year can present new possibilities for both you and your students. You just need to be open-minded, be willing to take a chance and make a decision to follow a path or two or three.  What possibilities lie on your path? 

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New Learning - You want students to love learning, get excited about new ideas, and become lifelong learners - right?  If you 100% agree with this statement, then ask yourself - Am I learning something new? Educators know that modeling is crucial to teaching.  If as educators, we are not learning and excited about learning, how can we expect it from our students?  Actions speak louder than words!  Get excited - and share your goals with your students.

New Tools - What new tools would you like to learn?  What tools could make you more organized and reduce redundancy in your work?  Do you feel proficient in using the free GSuite tools available to you?  

We understand that learning a new tool and learning to use it proficiently can seem  like a daunting, time-consuming task. However, your Educational Technology Representative is ready to help you achieve your goal. We are here to answer questions and guide you to success.  Don't know who your representative is?  Click Here

What tools could make your lessons more engaging or spark creativity in your students?  

Adobe Spark, Flipgrid, SeeSaw, Padlet, Screencastify, Nearpod, Google Classroom, Google Slides, and Google Docs are only a few of these tools.  If you are interested in learning more, just do a Google search for the tool or contact your ETS Representative to learn how these tools could be integrated into your instruction.

New Methods - Do you struggle with classroom management?  Do you have new devices that you are not quite sure how to implement effectively?

Check out the new website dedicated to information about Managing the Digital Classroom.  There is a wealth of information addressing issues from classroom setup to a checklist to help you determine whether or not you are device ready.

New Mindset - From time to time, we all need a new start.  Remember, we're all a work in progress and just because we don't understand something now, doesn't mean we won't understand it ever.  This applies to both educators and our students.  Students need to hear that although they may not have the understanding needed yet, with our support and a new start, not yet can become very powerful!  In this video, Carol Dweck talks more about this power of yet.

New Excitement! Excitement is contagious - Please take a moment to inspire others by Clicking Here to post at least one goal you have for you or your students this year.

What's the deal with the new interactive flat panels?

You may have noticed that new interactive flat panels have been showing up throughout the district. If your Smartboard and projector are due for a replacement, the replacement you receive will likely an interactive flat panel.

Most of the district’s interactive whiteboards look like this:

A ceiling mounted projector or a projector that is attached to an arm on the Smartboard itself. bulbs need to be replaced frequently and filters need to be cleaned.

Interactive flat panels look more like a flat screen tv and lack a projector which means…

No more bulbs to replace and no more filters to clean! No more projectors to recenter!

Are the new boards hard to use?

Interactive flat panels have similar functions and controls to Smartboards and should not be a difficult transition for current users.

Will Smart Notebook work on the Interactive Flat Panels?

Yes! You will still be able to use the current version of Smart notebook and all of your lessons should load and work on an interactive flat panel. Some interactive flat panels also come with their own interactive software such as Oktopus (Stay tuned for more info)

For a brief introduction to interactive flat panels click below.

Stay Tuned for More Info!

Rediscovering Discovery Education

At one point Discovery Education was mostly known for streaming video. Teachers would log in and have access to thousands of educational videos which they could use without the hassle of sifting through unfiltered content on other streaming sites. Discovery Education still offers access to thousands of videos and has expanded their offerings to include standards-based lessons, a classroom feature, and resources for teachers.

Standards-Based Lessons

Discovery Education allows users to search for content based on academic standards and allows teachers to find content that has been built by their peers. The Builder Tools allows teachers to create their own assignments, assessments, and digital projects.

Classroom Connections

More and more online platforms are using classroom logins to manage students and content. Discovery Education offers an online classroom tool which allows teachers to manage rosters and divide content between periods.

Not Just for Students

Discovery Education also has resources for teachers who are interested in improving their practice. In the Professional Learning tab, teachers can choose from a wide range of topics separated by discipline.

If you haven’t logged in to Discovery Education in a while, it would definitely be worth your while. If you are a regular Discovery Education user, tell us in the comments!

Where Did You Go This Summer?

Ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once stated, "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."

Or, today, we could begin with a single AR/VR tool. 

If you haven't yet ventured into using augmented and virtual reality tools, imagine the excitement of bringing literary events to life or exploring underwater caves with your class!  Or, using AR to allow new students to explore your school or practice using a combination lock.  All of this and much more is available using anything from phones to Chromebooks to projected screens. And, almost as cool as the tools, many are totally FREE! 

Here is a quick list of fantastic free tools you can use right away:

Immersive VR Education
Google Street View

Google Arts & Culture
Nearpod
JigSpace
WWF Free Rivers
360Cities
Discovery VR
CoSpaces EDU
Timelooper
Qlone - Apple/Android
WallaMe - Apple/Android
FigmentAR - Apple
CatchyAR - Apple



So, what will you tell everyone when they ask, "Where did you go this summer?" 
How will your journey begin? Where will you go?

Already traveled by AR or VR with your class? Tell us all about it! 
Want to learn how to try some of this with your class?  Contact your ETS Consultant!

Smart Learning Suite

Do you often feel like you could be doing more with your Smartboard?

The Smart Learning Suite is your first step in unlocking the interactive features of your Smartboard. Smart Learning Suite includes Smart Notebook and its related components as well as Smart Learning Suite Online.

Smart Notebook allows teachers to create lessons and assessments which incorporate the interactive features of the Smartboard. Teachers can create lessons and assessments in minutes or download preexisting lessons from Smart Exchange. 

Smart Response allows teachers to make assessments that students can answer using their devices. Teachers can quickly take a poll or make a quiz without the need to log out of Smart notebook.

Smart Learning Suite Online is an online classroom tool where teachers can post and create lessons. Teachers can also store their Smart notebook lessons using the online features. Any connected device can access Smart Learning Suite Online and students can connect using a class code.

Tired of standing at the front of the room to use your Smartboard? Download the App for iPhone and control your lessons from your phone!

*If you haven’t downloaded Smart Notebook 17, you may do so by clicking on the Symantec Software Portal on your desktop. The process is automated and may take a few minutes to begin.

 Need Smartboard Training?

Smart Professional Development offers several options for self-paced training which offer teachers practice and the opportunity to earn digital badges and become a Smart Digital Educator while earning PD credit.

OKCPS Leader Spotlight: Innovative Leading

It is widely accepted, administrators are the instructional leaders in their building and can hold great power in inspiring others through good leadership. An article in THE Journal, written by Jennifer Demski, titled "7 Habits of Highly Effective Tech-leading Principals" discusses the findings of a nationwide survey of principals who were asked to weigh in and identify the attributes they believed strong tech-leaders would hold. The survey concluded strong tech-leading principals would do one or more of the following:

1. Create atmospheres that inspire innovation
2. Foster collaboration
3. Be open to new ideas
4. Be connected learners themselves
5. Locate and provide adequate resources
6. Take risks
7. Have a visionary focus

Aaron Kellert is the principal at FD Moon Elementary. He is only one of many principals in our district who displays the aforementioned habits of highly effective tech-leading principals. He sees the importance of technology in classrooms as well as the implications its use can have on student learning.

Something that stands out about Mr. Kellert is the way he leads his teachers by example. It is important to note, Mr. Kellert never asks his staff to implement or try anything he is not willing to do first or alongside his teachers. A great example of this is becoming a Google Certified Educator. Over Spring Break, he invested the time to get his Level 1 Certification as well as several OKCPS ETS Badges. It should also be noted, Ashton Stewart, Assistant Principal at FD Moon Elementary, has also earned Level 1 Certification. 

Great leadership creates great leaders. When schools are supported from administration, it trickles down to teachers and ultimately our students. In that scenario, everyone wins. When individuals feel supported and there is a continuous pattern of growth and success.

Below, you will find Mr. Kellert's input on technology, innovation, and leadership.

OKCPS Educator Spotlight

As I discover new tools I am anxious to share them with fellow educators. I look forward to hearing the feedback and hoping they find them as awesome and exciting as I do. I am fortunate to be working with someone who is just as excited to share new ideas as I am.

Marlene White is currently the Instructional Coach at Heronville Elementary and has been an educator for 13 years. As an Instructional Coach she has embraced a variety of digital tools to introduce to her fellow educators and help them fully implement their visions. I had an opportunity to converse with with Marlene about some of the tools she is using and the impact they have in her career.

Marlene White

How has technology changed the way you work? 

It has helped me collaborate with educators globally through social media. Apps and software have brought new opportunities for teachers and students to gain knowledge, access opportunities, research in a revolutionary way and foster a love of learning.

What are some great examples of technology integration you are seeing in the classroom?

Google Classroom, shared lesson planning and data digs through google drive, RTI, graphing through google sheets, Trello for lesson planning, apps for individualized instruction and centers for Kindergarten, Flipgrid for formative assessment, Skype for live author interviews, Remind for parent updates,  group me for school wide updates, Adobe Spark for hooking kids and building on their prior knowledge.

Share any thoughts you have about the evolving worlds of education.

Ed tech has so many opportunities to personalize how we communicate, how we are shaking up the role of educators, changing philosophical shifts in approaches to our teaching and learning, and remodeling the way we view our classroom.

The Challenge

Marlene has challenged her teachers to use a new tool each month. This month's challenge in Flipgrid. Below are several of the tools she mentioned. The ETS team challenges you to try one of the tools below. We would like your feedback on tools you are currently using in the classroom and how they have impacted your classroom.

 
 

Help and Resources for G-Suite

Educators are often looking for help or additional resources for G-Suite. A full staff PD over G-Suite could potentially last hours and leave advanced users bored to tears and novice users hopelessly lost. YouTube is a great resource, but the sheer volume of videos can be overwhelming and it can be time-consuming to find exactly what you are looking for.

  There are many online resources for G-Suite from individual users to official Google publications.

The ETS website has tutorials for all G-Suite tools as well as many other Edtech tools and all district employees have the opportunity to earn badges that showcase their accomplishments.

Another option is going directly to Google for the answers you are looking for and we don’t mean doing an internet search. The G-Suite Learning Center has multiple resources with many solutions to common problems as well as tips and downloadable cheat sheets. G-Suite is tailored mainly for general or business use but offers a good overview of G Suite tools.

Hoonuit is an excellent resource for all things education and teachers who earn certificates can upload them to MyLearningPlan and receive OKCPS PD credit. The G Suite tutorial is broken down by tool and teachers can choose to watch only those videos they are interested in learning about. Hoonuit (formerly Atomic Learning) is linked on every district laptop and accessible
with your district login.

Google for Education: Training Center (not to be confused with G Suite Learning Center) has many resources for Teachers. Google for Education is arranged similar to G Suite, but is geared specifically towards educators. For help with specific Google tools, click here and find the information you need to maximize your teaching practice. Google for Education also offers certification for educators interested showcasing their google abilities.

Mastered G-Suite? Earn your  Badges, or get Google I Certified!

Interested in earning your Google Educator Level I certification? Contact ETS for a free voucher!

*Any teacher who completes their Google Educator Level I certification is eligible to earn 3 hours of OKCPS PD credit in My Learning Plan.

A Google Success Story with Google Classroom

My name is Jenna Rudek and I am a sixth grade teacher at Fillmore Elementary School. I started migrating to become an online, technology-based teacher, once I experienced what Google Classroom had to offer.

I would always rush to the copy room early in the morning to make copies. If my copies would run out, I would struggle to find paper and have all the students copy my work from the document camera. Then, if students would lose an important document/worksheet, I would have to find my original copy to make more copies. Once I started using Google Classroom, all those worries disappeared.

I am able to create my own worksheets, answer keys, tests, and assignments from home. I can include various videos and slides to my work, for better understanding. Now, I can visualize what concept and standard each student needs help on, and create small group instruction from their Chromebooks. #googlesuccess

A big thank you to our guest blogger, Jenna Rudek. We appreciate you sharing a small piece of your classroom with the world. 

If you are an OKCPS staff member and would like to be a guest blogger, please contact your ETS point of contact. 

HyperDocs: The Ultimate Change Agent?

"We want our students to be creative, collaborative, critical thinkers and communicators--and then we ask them to sit quietly while we explain everything and tell them exactly how to do a task. School doesn't have to be this way, and if we want to prepare students for life in the twenty first century, it shouldn't be." The HyperDoc Handbook

HyperDocs?

The term HyperDoc belongs to Lisa Highfill, Kelly Hilton, and Sarah Landis, who keyed the term to describe a highly engaging way to present information to students.  It is exactly what it sounds like: 

Hyper = Hyperlinks 

Docs = Google Document

(Documents can include slides, maps, drawings, sites, etc.)

Students who sit in our classrooms today have taken on a new shape. Teaching has taken on a new vision where students are the leaders of their learning. Their voice and choice guides their learning and teachers become more of a facilitator in the classroom. The learning is placed back into students' hands. 

So, where do HyperDocs come in? HyperDocs are created and crafted in a way that allows teachers to make intentional decisions about units and lessons.  They choose web tools to accomplish this and students are given opportunity to construct their own learning through activities and extensions. To sum it up, HyperDocs are a digital lesson plan that require educators to have their end in mind, knowing what they want each student to have learned and understood at the end of a lesson, unit, learning module, etc.

Simply put, HyperDocs were created to give teachers the ability to provide students opportunities to be creative, collaborative, critical thinkers, and communicators. Students are provided the opportunity to gather new information and grapple with it all while making meaningful connections. Humans are, by nature, very curious; so why not provide meaningful opportunities to be curious by allowing exploration and questioning which in turn leads to engaged learning. With the use of HyperDocs, the learning goes beyond getting information to connecting with information. 

A HyperDoc is far more than just "one more thing" to do. It is not just simply providing students a document with a list of hyperlinks to go "find" information. However, when used properly, HyperDocs allow teachers to begin thinking about lessons, content, and teaching in an intentional way. This in turn places the power of learning back into the hands of students as it becomes an active experience. Students are allowed the power to engage, explore, explain, apply, share, reflect and extend in their learning. In response, teachers are allowed to get more face time with their students to gauge their understanding, ask questions, extend thinking, address misconceptions, etc. Teachers are able to facilitate and actively go alongside their students as they learn. 

What's The Hype With Hyperdocs

#Ditchbook with #HyperDocs Padlet

Need More Tools?

HyperDoc Templates

Favorite Tools

Teachers Give Teachers: Give One, Take One

HyperDocs Are More Than A Digital Worksheet

YouTube Playlist

HyperDoc Samples

Want to learn how to try some of this with your class? Contact your ETS Coach!

Connect with the Gurus on Twitter?

Kelly Hilton

Sarah Landis

Lisa Highfill

Teachers Give Teachers

Top 5 Sessions from Winter Intersession

Oklahoma City Public Schools held a great professional learning opportunity for new teachers December 14-15, 2017. Here are the top 5 sessions from Winter InspireOKCPS. These are great resources for teachers to use on their own or for principals to use with their entire staff.

gSuite 101

This interactive session is designed to be learner-centered and focused on G Suite Tools. Participants worked through a self-paced hyperdoc to complete tutorials, read and explore resources, apply knowledge with learning activities, and finally reflect on their G Suite exploration.

Check out this massive hyperdoc, gSuite. It has resources for the most commonly used tools in Google as well as places for feedback and reflection. Finish this course by earning your Google Certified Educator Level 1 course. 

Chromebook 101

Does your building have Chromebooks? Customize your professional learning path with Chromebooks. This is a self-directed professional learning course. Select your activity based on your skill level and desired outcome. Complete each task and earn digital badges at your own pace.

If your campus is using chromebooks, you definitely want to review this course. We have created a Chromebook 101 hyperdoc which walks you through teaching with chromebooks based on your ability from beginner to advanced.

Choose Your Own Google Adventure

Customize your professional learning path with Google. This is an advanced, self-directed professional learning course. Select your activity based on your skill level and desired outcome. Complete each task card and earn digital badges at your own pace.

Are you already a savvy Googler? Then check out our Choose Your Own Adventure session for more creative ways to use Google in your classroom.

Student Safety in the Digital World

This session provided teachers with the necessary tools to help students understand the importance of digital citizenship.

Using the hyperdoc, Student Safety in their Digital World, explore a myriad of resources to add to your toolkit as you use mobile devices in your classroom. If you would like to use the hyperdoc, please go to File, Make a Copy for you own personal copy of this hyperdoc.

What's the Hype with HyperDocs?

HyperDocs take Google Docs to a whole new level. HyperDocs increase engagement and create a self-directed learning opportunity to take ownership of learning. They can also be used for flipped professional learning and personalized PD.

So you have probably noticed a theme with the resources we create...we love hyperdocs. Check out this hyperdoc to learn all things hyperdoc.

Alternatives to Screen Monitoring Software

There are many alternatives to Screen Monitoring Software which teachers can use to keep students engaged and on task. 

Good Citizenship

 Digital Citizenship is a must for all students at all grade levels. More and more teachers are integrating technology into their classrooms and with increased access comes increased responsibility. Digital Citizenship needs to be addressed before students ever start using technology and reinforced throughout the year. 

Layout is Everything

Classroom layout is a good deterrent to off-task behaviors. Sitting students where their screens can easily be seen can help minimize unstructured web browsing. There are many different layouts you can choose from based on the seating you have on hand. Tired of rows of desks? Why not explore Flexible Seating?

 *Students are less likely to risk playing games or using social media if they know that at any moment their teacher will appear behind them.

Keep Things Simple

Switching between multiple apps during a lesson can become distracting to students as some struggle to log on and others use the downtime to browse the web. Best practice would be to find a small number of apps or sites you use regularly and stick to those while gradually experimenting with new ones.

Pausing the Internet

When students are not allowed to be on their devices, having them tilt their screens to a “45 degree angle” for Chromebooks, or put their “Apples up” on the case of iPads will allow the teacher to see who is not being compliant and have the assurance no one is using their devices. 

Have a Plan B

There will always be situations where a student is not complying with the rules or lose their privilege to devices. It is always a good idea to have an alternative assignment ready in case of outages or for students who have lost the use of their devices.

Engaging lessons will have the greatest impact on keeping students on-task. If you are stumped or unsure how to integrate technology into your lessons, click here for additional resources.

Additional Resources

Classroom Management in the Tech Equipped Classroom

Six Top Tips for Managing Technology in the Classroom

Educational Technology Services

Digital Citizenship

Skype in the Classroom

MYSTERY SKYPE

Mystery Skype is an educational game that was invented by teachers. It encourages students to practice many 21st-century skills. It is a wonderful digital tool to help students learn and solidify their understanding of collaboration, critical thinking, teamwork, cultural awareness, digital literacy, deductive reasoning, and geography. Students are able to work with other partner classrooms across the United States or beyond. They answer only yes and no questions to determine where their "partner skyper" classroom is located. Mystery Skype lessons and activities can be adapted for all subject areas and grade levels; both elementary and secondary included.

Rebecca Kerr, 3rd Grade Teacher

Eugene Field Elementary

Mrs. Kerr has been using Mystery Skype in her classroom for the last three years. She believes that it has been impactful in so many ways but has made the biggest impact with breaking down the barriers of the classroom. "Using skype has allowed my students to gain exposure to things and people outside of their immediate community. Many of my students have never left the city, let alone the state. It provides them the opportunity to see other students and communities that are similar and different to our own. They get to see kids and places that are different while also seeing all they have in common despite their geographical distances." 

One challenge she has run into is letting go and releasing her control. She said, "all teachers have some level of control and like to be in the details of what goes on in their classrooms. However, I have learned that I have to let some of that control go. Using this activity has pushed me to step into more of a coaching role allowing my students to take over and lead. It's important that they begin to take the initiative when it comes to their learning. I definitely realize that I have to be a facilitator, not a controller and let them lead each other and themselves."

Mrs. Kerr believes that it is her role and responsibility to give her students experiences that go beyond the typical classroom; experiences that will carry over into the world outside of her classroom walls. "65% of the students in my classroom today will be working in jobs that haven't been created yet. I have to prepare them for that and give them the tools they will need to be successful. They will be working in a world where there are no bosses to tell them what to do and when to do it, or how to accomplish the task. They have to become problem-solvers who are able to collaborate and think critically."

Through the use of Mystery Skype, Mrs. Kerr has seen students become more engaged and excited about collaboration and learning. She is providing students a hands-on and in-depth learning experiences that will prove to be influential and impactful well beyond the third grade. 

A Look at Mrs. Kerr's Mystery Skype Session

Helpful Links

Email Mrs. Kerr
Mrs. Kerr's Twitter Account
Video: The Magic of Mystery of Skype
Video: GoNoodle Mystery Skype Song
Blog: Mrs. Long's Classroom Skype
Blog Post: Using Mystery Skype as a Classroom Tool
Microsoft Education: Find a Mystery Skype Class
Pinterest: Mystery Skype Boards to Follow
Sample Lesson Plan with Links

Twitter

#MysterySkype
@SkypeClassroom
@MicrosoftEDU