Tech2Teach Monthly CCISD Office of Instructional Technology - December

Calling All Techies

You can present at this year's Tech 2 Teach Conference

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 (Discovery Learning, BrainPOP, Calculators, Stemscopes, 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 Design Contest

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.

Here's a few links to our work...

Open to CCISD Students and Employees.

  1. Create a digital mascot design that would best represent the Corpus Christi ISD Office of Instructional Technology.
  2. Once you have created your character, send your file to Brandey.Addison@ccisd.us with the title IT Mascot
  3. All entries must be received by 5:00 PM CST on Friday, December 11, 2015.
  4. All submissions must be ORIGINAL ARTWORK.
  5. Your character must be in one of the following formats: JPG file or PNG file - At least 300 dpi size 8.5 x 11
  6. No other formats will be accepted.
  7. THERE IS NO LIMIT OF ENTRIES PER PERSON.
  8. All entries become the property of Corpus Christi ISD.
  9. 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.)
Techies of the Month
Simon Guerrero

Roy Miller - Metro

Simon Guerrero, a Technology Applications Teacher at Miller Metro, has students work on a project called Food, Spreadsheets, and Surveys. It is a great November project because of the unique types of food his students might eat during the holidays. The food is the hook for this project that enables Guerrero to help students create good SURVEY questions that are designed on Google Forms. Participants take the survey online or on printed forms. The responses are converted to DATA on a SPREADSHEET. FILTERS are applied to group like responses. Data TABLES are built to enter the responses and CHARTS are created from each data table. The charts are inserted in Google Slides. Each slide contains a chart with written FACTS and OPINIONS about the information gathered. The purpose of this project is to integrate surveys, spreadsheets, tables, and charts so that information can be gathered, analyzed, and presented. Survey topics may include:

  • South Texas Food
  • Favorite Thanksgiving Pies
  • Do you make Tamales
  • Cupcakes or Cookies
  • Mexican Treats
  • My Thanksgiving Plate

Technology vocabulary terms include: Survey, Spreadsheet, Data, Filter, Table, Fact, Opinion, Menu Bar, Toolbar, Form, Chart, Analyze, Cell, Row, Column, Summary, Axes, Legend

Kaffie Middle School

Cynthia Hopkins

Science and technology integration is happening at Kaffie Middle school. Mrs. Hopkins, 7th grade science teacher, is having her students create VOKIs using VOKI classroom on their Chromebooks. The students are using the Chromebooks to design, create and collaborate using science concepts. Mrs. Hopkins initially requested the Chromebooks to incorporate more technology use in Kaffie’s 7th grade science classrooms but has also seen an increase in student engagement, completion of assignments, and focus. In a recent project, the students were creating VOKIs explaining the differences between primary and secondary succession. The use of VOKIs allowed students to solidify their understanding. Students submitted their VOKI to the teacher for review and feedback until their work reflected a very clear understanding of the concepts. The students in the classroom were at a high level of engagement. When asked what advice she has for teachers that want to incorporate Chromebooks in the classroom she say, “First, establish a management system. I numbered every chromebook, its power cord, and its place in the cabinet so students could efficiently access the same computer each time we used them. Second, start with a small activity so all students can achieve success. Lastly, allow the students to show you and their peers new websites and apps.” The fusion of content and technology is thriving in Mrs. Hopkins classroom and is influencing not only her students but her colleagues as well.

Don't Worry, Be Appy

Remind - Featured App

www.Remind.com, formerly known as Remind101, is a communication tool that helps teachers connect instantly with students and parents. Send quick, simple messages to any device.

Google Omnibox- An Omnibox is similar to the traditional browser address bar with additional features.

In the Google Omnibox, type:

  • time - get the current local time and synchronize your watches.
  • temperature - get the current local weather
  • timer 3 minutes- starts a timer set at three minutes ( You can choose any number of minutes for your timer.)
  • stopwatch- a stopwatch appears and is ready to go.
  • 56+4 ( or any math equation)- finds the solution and opens up a calculator.

Red Book Reference

Chapter 4

How can I use technology to help students effectively interact with new knowledge?

Let’s look at Element 6: Identifying Critical Information

Element 6: Identifying Critical Information

Teachers should use such strategies as:

  • Identifying critical-input experiences
  • Visual activities
  • Pause time

Teachers must identify what is most critical to achieving the learning goal. According to Magana and Marzano, there should only be 2 or 3 critical-input learning experiences.

Use IWB (Interactive Whiteboard) software to create a multisensory routine for students to alert them to critical information in a lesson. This could be a linked image that when clicked on plays a drumroll to alert students to the importance of upcoming information. Use SMART Notebook to prepare a lesson like this.

Students could also use technology to rate their own level of understanding of critical information using a four-point scale. Multiple choice polling software such as Plickers or Google Forms would make this happen in your classroom right away.

Visual activities are made capable through the use of technology in the classroom. Visual cues can supplement the auditory cues provided by the teacher. Interactive Whiteboards (SMART Boards) offer a variety of tools in their presentation software (SMART Notebook.)

How?

  • Embed visuals, videos or nonlinguistic representations of the critical information.
  • Change the color of the text or use the highlighter tool
  • Use the reveal tools or screen shade tool
  • Use graphic organizers or flowcharts

Pause time gives students time to reflect. Technology tools can take this a step further. Students can use technology tools to reiterate what they understand to be the most essential information as part of their reflection.

Use a simple countdown timer to allow students time to reflect on what they already know.

Want to learn more about Element 6? Read pages 47-50 in Enhancing the Art & Science of Teaching with Technology by Sonny Magana and Robert J. Marzano.

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