Tech2Teach Monthly CCISD Office of Instructional Technology - January
Calling All techies!
The Instructional Technology team is looking for Tech Savvy teachers that would like to showcase and share how to integrate technology into the classroom. We are looking for presentations that fall in the following categories:
- Web 2.0
- Google Applications
- SMART Notebook
- Devices in the classroom
- Content specific technology integration
- Classroom management with technology
- Integrated digital curriculum resources (Discovey Learning, Brainpop, calculators,stem scopes ,Reading A-Z)
CCISD’s Inaugural Tech2Teach Conference was a huge success and we are looking to double the amount of sessions and presenters. We can’t do it without you! Deadline to submit proposal January 29th.
Mascot Search continues
Instructional Technology Mascot Design Contest
Brainpop has Moby. Geico has the Gecko… and CCISD Office of Instructional Technology has ???
Here's what we do…
The mission of the Office of Instructional Technology is to provide leaders, educators, and learners the resources necessary to use technology as a tool to achieve their educational and operational goals. The Instructional Technology Team is made up of a diverse group of individuals with backgrounds in all content areas, technology hardware and software expertise, web design, video production, and instructional strategies. Each member has been trained in four major areas: Web 2.0, Devices, SMART Notebook, and Google Drive.
Open to CCISD Students and Employees.
Create a digital mascot design that would best represent the Corpus Christi ISD Office of Instructional Technology.
Once you have created your character, send your file to Brandey.Addison@ccisd.us with the title IT Mascot
All entries must be received by 5:00 PM CST on Friday, December 11, 2015.
All submissions must be ORIGINAL ARTWORK.
Your character must be in one of the following formats: JPG file or PNG file. At least 300 dpi size 8.5 x 11
No other formats will be accepted.
THERE IS NO LIMIT OF ENTRIES PER PERSON.
All entries become the property of Corpus Christi ISD.
Student submissions must include the following information in your email
First and Last Name
Campus
Grade Level
Homeroom Teacher Name (Elementary Students Only.)
Student ID # (Secondary Students Only.)
Here's a few links to our work...
-High Definition Schools-
Walking through the doors of Kostoryz elementary is truly an inspiration. The Kostoryz team of teachers, administrators and support staff have taken on “one- to- one” devices for their students and embracing technology integration head on. When visiting you may think you are going to see technology only in the upper grades, but no, you will start in Pre-K and see it spread through each and every grade level. The organization of equipment and usage is so effective and organized it should be an exemplar to all teachers that need ideas for technology management. I had the pleasure to visit three teachers classrooms Mrs. Mancha (Pre-K), Mrs. Mrs. Soliz (Grade 1), and Mrs. Amaya (Grade 2) all had students utilizing technology to either, communicate, collaborate or test their skills. My first visit started in Mrs. Soliz’s classroom where she had students working on skills based on their level and need. Each student had their own chromebook which was labeled with colored dots. These dots indicated to the students what activities they were allowed to enter into and complete. Mrs. Soliz utilized the Smartboard to display the “motherboard” of activities going on in the classroom. Then I ventured into a Mrs. Mancha’s Pre-K classroom where I was blown away with her technology classroom management. She had labeled every device with not only a number for each student but their name and their picture. Even the headphones were labeled and stored in a very cool partitioned box! As students were working, Mrs. Mancha was able to view and monitor students progress from her laptop while working with a small group of students. Talk about multi-tasking! My next visit was to Grade 2 where I saw ClassDojo in action. Mrs. Amaya was granting points to students based on tardies, and homework, no tardies today so kids were thrilled to receive points. Students then were prompted to give feedback through their learning platform, which most quickly logged on and got started. One student was having trouble logging in and quickly began to troubleshoot his own issue by going to a blue cup on the chromebook storage center and locating his card with the magic numbers. I was so impressed with the fact that the student knew how to troubleshoot without interrupting instruction or others. My tour guide Sara Ajisafe, the TTIPS Instructional & Technology Coach K-2, explained that the teachers have really jumped in with both feet. She also explained that the administration is extremely supportive and the teachers are willing to go the extra step because of the support. Kudos to Kostoryz! I can’t wait to see what I see at my next visit.
CCISD Techie of the month
Maricela Adair Apple - Evans Elementary Librarian
Marcella Adair Apple, an Educator and Librarian at Evans Elementary. . . knows the value of learning and promotes the development of reading skills through the use of technology.
“By 4th grade students have to be prepared for the increased math problems that require good reading skills.”
Her love for reading has been always a lifelong gift and hopes students will discover their own passion for reading.
As librarian, Ms. Apple has the task of making sure that students learn how to check out books using the computers and how to navigate the use of the library catalogs. Marcella extends students’ opportunities in the library to include technology whenever possible.
Encouraging students to use iPads . . . students created digital books and as authors and illustrators, learned how to publish their own books digitally.
Ms. Apple’s next technology venture is to incorporate MineCraft (a popular children’s game) to have 4th grade students build a digital model of the Alamo.
“I am always looking to incorporate technology.”
Ms. Apple highly recommends these easy to use apps:
Ms. Apple hopes that with a recent grant, she will be able to buy digital books to add to the Evans library web page so that students have the opportunity to read during the school year and also while on their summer session.
“Students just love technology and apps that not only promote learning through games, but help them create content .”
Combining her passion of reading and her openness to try new technology help Ms. Apple motivate students at Evans Elementary.
Redbook reference
Let’s look at Element 7
Element 7: Organizing Students to Interact with New Knowledge
Discussing small chunks of content in pairs, triads, or small groups of four is encouraged by Element 7. According to Marzano, “ Group interaction is beneficial because it exposes students to multiple points of reference.”
Strategies you might use:
-Grouping for active processing
-Job cards
Grouping for Active Processing
Grouping students to discuss new material gives them the opportunity to observe how the other students in their class may be processing the same information. Doing this may enrich a student’s processing of new information because he has been exposed to other students’ perspectives. Grouping can be done randomly or based on levels of understanding. Creating heterogenous groups allows students who have a firm grasp of the material with those who do not. Of course, prior to a group processing activity, teachers should be explicit in their explanation of what they expect the students to do . Some expectations may include:
-All students contribute to the discussion.
-Respect other group members.
-Ask clarifying questions if you don’t understand something.
Technology tools can be used during your Active Group Processing activity.
Random Group Generator in SMART Notebook will organize students into groups of your specified number. You enter students’ names, establish the number of students you want in each group and then Random Group Generator distributes the students into random groups.
Students may use technology tools to actively process their thinking by taking digital notes. Evernote or iPad Notes are great apps for this. These tools may actually enhance this process by making notes available to students at any time and through a variety of devices (laptops, tables, students’ mobile devices.)
Technology also allows groups to collaboratively record notes and contribute to the collective understanding of new information. Students can use tablets, laptops, or mobile device. Students might use Pinterest to repin screenshots of digital notes captured during a group discussion. Google Drive can be used to revise, edit, and share notes. Lucidchart, SMART Notebook, and Google Draw can be created on tablets or laptops.
Questioning is key to deepening students’ understanding of important facets of new content. Have students work in groups to come up with simple and complex questions and then pose the questions to other groups. Other groups might respond using a polling software like Todaysmeet.com or Shout It Out on SMART Notebook. You might also use Google Classroom or Echalk to post questions to prompt extended group discussion. This may allow students to be more reflective and careful in their answers.
Job Cards
Note cards may be distributed to groups that designate jobs or roles for each member. This has two purposes. It guides students in a particular direction and equalizes the participation among the students in the group. Using technology can improve this strategy by eliminating prep for the teacher and increasing the randomization of job distribution. Use the Random Name Generator in SMART Notebook to select students for jobs. If using the Random Group Generator you might assign the first student in each group to be the summarizer, the second is the recorder, etc.
Jobs may include:
-recorder
-summarizer
-questioner.
How do you use technology to support your students’ interaction with new content?
We would love to know. Please share your ideas to Brandey.Addison@ccisd.us
Get your kids moving with GoNoodle. Keep bodies and brains active while having fun.
g(Math) for Forms is a Google Forms Add-On that is Free in Google Apps for Education.
Create graphs, statistical displays, multiple choice questions, and write complex math directly in your Form!
Create graphs and complex math directly in the sidebar and insert them as Form items. You can also deploy a Form to allow responders to craft responses using g(Math) tools!
You can use LaTeX commands or prebuilt codes to create complex math. Some examples include geometric signs, custom characters, and formulas (like the quadratic formula).
With the graph creator, you can type in functions and create the graph associated with that function. You can also plot points in the same graph, find the line of best fit of those points, and specify a viewing window.
Use the handwriting entry to maximize the use of touchscreen devices to insert entries and drawings.
The multiple choice builder will allow you to input items in a variety of ways, including by webCam and inserting images from Google Drive.
This will be an invaluable tool for any math class or math teacher. Now, creating math items for your Form is possible!
Meet the help desk heroes
Who is at the other end of your HelpDesk request? That’s Ana, Priscilla, and Marie.
We had the opportunity to get to know these three, and this is what they had to tell us.
We know that you guys must be very busy. How many end-users do you support? Ana and Priscilla answer calls, emails, and Heat Self Service requests for about 5,000 employees.
There are only three of you answering to all 5,000 of us. Yikes! You can’t possibly keep track of all those requests. Can you? We can’t help but wonder how many help desk requests you get in a week? In August and September we receive anywhere from 700 - 800 requests a week. October through May about 300 - 400 a week. A month? August and September: 2800 – 3000, October – May: 1000 – 1600 A year? 10,000 – 14,000
Mind blowing! That’s a lot! So, when we request help we need it as soon as possible. We all want to know what we can do to help you help us. If you could provide everyone in the district with one simple technology tip, then what would it be? Please be descriptive (include service tag, model of equipment, and any error messages) in your request when emailing the Help Desk or placing a work order through Heat Self-Service.
With such a heavy workload, you ladies must find ways to relax on your time off. When you aren’t fielding technology questions at work, how do you spend your time outside of work? Marie tells us she stays busy with soccer every weekend. Ana says you can catch her taking it easy watching TV, reading books, and walking her pup Suzie Q. Priscilla likes spending time with my family… Cooking, cleaning, football games, cheer practice, etc! She says that she stays very busy!
We are curious. You must get some interesting requests for help. What is the most interesting help desk request you have ever received? We received a request to spray a classroom for ants and roaches.
Ok, admittedly when my technology isn’t working correctly, I panic a little. Many of us do. (Right?) Sometimes you ladies are the first person we encounter while we are in panic mode. Tell me what you are thinking while we are in distress. We really love helping our customers. We share your frustration, your happiness (especially when things are fixed immediately), and we always appreciate your patience.