JEFFCO ED TECH

Get REady for CSedweek and hour of code 2020

11/30/2020

0 Comments

 

December 7th - 13th

Picture
It' s that time of year again! Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual call to action to inspire K-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. 
There are lots of ways to implement this with your students including participating in Hour of Code from Code.org, a virtual family event at mindSpark Learning, Code Bytes, as well as events and activities from Code HS and PopFizz.

Picture
From Code.org:
Explore endless computer science topics with brand-new tutorials
This year’s activities dive into tons of different CS topics like AI, data processing, and app & game design, as well as programming concepts like events, loops, and variables! Students can explore the oceans with SciGirls, learn to code and meditate with CodeSpeak Labs, build a climate clock with Vidcode, or try out another of the 30+ new #CSforGood themed activities and lesson plans! See them all at hourofcode.com/learn.

No computer? No problem. Unplugged resources for students Every student deserves to learn computer science regardless of what technology they have at home. A number of engaging new unplugged options from our partners at Google, Kodable, iRobot, and elsewhere are available to learners with low or no connectivity or limited device access. We’ve also created a printable Hour of Code Unplugged Activity Packet for ages 4-18. 

From mindSpark Learning:
​Virtual Family Coding Event at mindSpark
Tuesday, Dec. 8th 
4:30-6:30 
​
Invite students, parents, and educators to join the event here!

Introducing CodeBytes with Hadi Partovi...​
Planning for the Hour of Code with your classroom that’s gone virtual? Try a CodeByte! Designed to fit smoothly into a distance learning plan, CodeBytes are easy-to-digest, 20 minute interactive lessons that will 
​stream during Computer Science Education Week, December 7-11. Every episode features a new lesson that blends computer science with real-world topics. One day, students will use Dance Party to get creative and express themselves. Another day, they’ll explore environmental sustainability with Artificial Intelligence.
Tune-in (Join on Zoom or stream on YouTube) Plus, you have two chances to catch each lesson live! Episodes take place twice daily at 9:00a and 2:30pm. Check out their episode schedule to find a time that works for you.
​CodeBytes are great for:
  • Students with varying access to technology. Participants can tune-in and interact whether they have a laptop, tablet, or smartphone!
  • Young students who may not be ready for fully self-led Hour of Code activities.
  • Older students who want to engage in a group lesson.
  • Parents and caretakers looking to supplement their child’s learning at home.
  • Educators looking for a simple, pre-planned way to bring the Hour of Code to their virtual classrooms.
Picture
From Tynker and NASA:
Explore NASA’s exciting new efforts to reach the Moon and then Mars. Students can design their own animated mission patch, imagine their life as an Artemis astronaut on the Lunar Gateway, take control of robotic rovers, and even create their own lunar habitat. A collection of space-exploration themed coding tutorials created in collaboration with NASA! Students can tap into their artistic side in "Design a Mission Patch," get creative in "Tell Your Lunar Gateway Story," take control of robots in "Rover Relay," and imagine their home in space in "Design A Lunar Habitat."

All of these step-by-step tutorials help students learn about real-life NASA missions while strengthening their coding abilities. Younger students can choose the Tynker Blocks version, and the older students can try the JavaScript version.


Try Incorporating CS into Math with BlocksCAD
CS Education Week Build Alongs in BlocksCADBlocksCAD is offering a series of one-hour live 3D design and Coding workshops for students. These build alongs can be completed at home and are free! 


Picture
From Code HS:
Live Hour of Code Workshops hosted by CodeHSRegister your class for a live Hour of Code workshop hosted by the CodeHS Team! Whether your class is remote or in-person, these workshops are a great way to get students excited about computer science.
Coding for a Litter-Free Community
Monday, 12/7 @ 10am
Coding for Data Visualization
Tuesday, 12/8 @ 12pm
Coding in Music
Wednesday, 12/9 @ 9:30am
Supporting Artists with Code
Wednesday, 12/9 @ 11am
Turtle Graphics with Tracy the Turtle
Thursday, 12/10 @ 9am
Creating Virtual Worlds
Friday, 12/11 @ 11am


Picture
From PopFizz:
​Hour of Code: Retro Py Game
Designed for grades 9-12.
Join us to create your own retro game using Python and share it with your friends and family! This 1-hour project introduces students to some of the advanced programming concepts such as events, functions, and classes.    → Register Now

Picture
Hour of Code: Data Visualization with Python
Designed for grades 9-12.
In this 1-hour session, we’ll explore how to gather, visualize, and extract information from data by using Python’s libraries. Ultimately we’ll create a final visualization product that will help tell a compelling story. Along the way, we’ll also explore the basic concepts of statistics. 
 
→ Register now.

Picture
Need some PD hours? Try Scratch's 30 Day Teacher Challenge! This Teachers Challenge starts on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020! Earn 8 hours of PD while learning how to code and build games in Scratch. The cost is $19.99 for this online course and to earn 8 CEU's.
https://www.createcodeload.com/scratch-teachers-challenge

Or try this 5-hour self-paced online course from Code.org.
Enroll through ESS. Teaching CS Fundamentals K-5 is intended as an introduction to Computer Science Fundamentals and the Code.org K-5 resources for elementary teachers. Through reading, viewing videos, completing interactive puzzles and reflecting on your learning, you'll develop your own understanding while preparing to teach computer science in your classroom. No previous experience with coding or computer science education is assumed. This is a beginner's course.
Register in ESS: CSFUND Session 0002 (through December, Session 3 coming in January) Clock Hours: 5
0 Comments

Collaboration using Digital Tools

11/13/2020

0 Comments

 
Whether our students are working remotely, hybrid, or in-person collaboration is a key element to students being successful.  Collaboration allows students to share ideas, fosters authentic learning, and allows for peer interaction and feedback.  As we move into being fully remote, students need collaboration more then ever. 

Considerations when Collaborating remotely

  • How do we make social and emotional connections for students when they are both in-person and remote.
  • ​How can students participate in collaborative work safely online?
  • How are students being held accountable?


​This article by John Spencer speaks to ways to improve student collaboration.​  Watch this video to see the difference between cooperation and collaboration.
In remote learning, students often interact with one another without actually engaging in collaborative work. Here, they are cooperating rather than collaborating. ​~John Spencer

Virtual Small Groups

  • Students can use breakout rooms in Meet and Zoom as a video conferencing tool to communicate with others, both inside or outside of the district. 
  • Teachers may leverage breakout rooms to create small, collaborative groups of students. 
  • The teacher might consider providing sentence stems, protocols, or frameworks for student discussion, debate or conversation. 
  • Teachers may leverage Google Chat direct messages or chat rooms to continue class conversations beyond the video conference. Students may message classmates or teachers to ask questions and receive support.

Digital Tools that promote student collaboration

While there are numerous digital tools that support collaboration while working remotely, a few of our district supported tools are perfect for allowing students to work together and share ideas.  
Google
Book Creator  Login
WeVideo  Login
Adobe Spark Login

Collaborating using Google

Picture
G Suite Apps are collaborative, which makes them highly powerful. They offer opportunities for students to engage in so many different ways. Here are 30 ideas for using them with your class.

Using Book Creator to Collaborate

Picture
How can you use Book Creator to foster collaboration in the classroom? With this open-ended creation tool students can work together on the same page of a book. This means they can add text, images, video and voice to their ebook at the same time. Students can make a plan, provide feedback and work together to create their book. ~Monica Burns

Wevideo as a collaboration tool

Picture
Recently, WeVideo added a new collaboration feature.  Now students can collaborate on projects in real-time.  
WeVideo’s Chief Education Officer, Dr. Nathan Lang-Raad, said, “Real-time collaboration is a core part of every career field and subject discipline. The same holds true for the classroom. More than ever, learning should be part of a social context, as learners collectively rely on each other’s thinking to solve complex problems and create. No matter what subject or concept we teach, collaboration is a crucial component of blended learning.” 


He added, “When students engage in real-time collaboration, they experience the following (both in-person or at home):
  • Higher ownership and investment in the project
  • Increased efficiency and productivity, which means they can channel cognitive energy into creative processes
  • An increase in their individual and collective efficacy
  • More control over the time, place, path, or pace of learning. 

  • The ability to collectively work together in a blended/remote context 
  • Opportunities to build necessary skills of teamwork and cooperative learning as a part of project based learning.”

Collaborating using Adobe Spark

Picture
Adobe Spark is one of the newer tools that we support.  Adobe Spark is an integrated suite of media creation applications for mobile and web developed by Adobe Systems. It comprises three separate design apps: Spark Page, Spark Post, and Spark Video. While real time collaboration isn't available yet, users can pass the project back and forth to create something together. Click here to learn more about how to collaborate in Spark.

WHat's Next?

Picture
While it isn't easy to make collaboration work in a remote environment, when it does work, students are creative, gaining valuable skills that prepare them for the future and teach students to overcome challenges and conflict. 

Comment below on what you've used to get students collaborating during remote learning. 

0 Comments

Fine-Tune Your Feedback with Digital Tools

11/9/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Looking to add a few digital power tools to enhance student learning? Try combining a productive tech tool with insightful feedback and amp up the learning curve (and the effect size! ) The essential message is that the most valuable feedback focuses on helping the students improve (Clarke and Hattie).

Picture
​​If the hinge point average effect size is .4 for one year of growth on Hattie’s Scale of Achievement,
Providing students with individual feedback, tips the scales at a .66 effect size.

Picture
When learning, students must be able to answer three imperative questions. Where am I going?, How am I going there?, and Where will I go next?  Then, if teachers can thoughtfully integrate a few engaging and proven tech tools, their concerted efforts will greatly empower students’ learning capacity and interest. Check out the " Digital Ideas to Fine-Tune Feedback" below.
Picture
​
​“Techy Tool” Tips
​and Examples:
 
​

Picture




Picture
Check for Understanding- Student to Teacher
  • Provide Better Questions Using PearDeck- video​
  • PearDeck template (Math and other) Pre-assessments
Picture
Use Interactive Videos- Effect size .54
  • How To Create an Interactive Video Assignment Using Actively Learn
  • Actively Learn DOK Questions
Picture
Goal Setting and Providing Comments
  • Use FlipGrid For Goal Setting and Reflection ex.
  • Feedback Comment Ideas
  • Offer Comments Using Google Docs article
Differentiation and Self-Regulation
  • Jamboard Idea To Differentiate Math
  • Small Groups/Break-Outs
Picture
Clarke and Hattie. Visible Learning Feedback. 2018
Fisher, Frey, and Hattie. The Distance Learning Playbook, Grades K-12. 2020.
Hattie, John. “What Works Best?” 2020.
Gettyimages.com. Royalty Free image of Teen reading on her device. 2020.
Lieberman, Mark. “Discussion Boards: Valuable? Overused? Discuss.”2019.
TeachThought Staff. “How To Add Feedback To Student Writing On GoogleDocs”. March, 2019.
0 Comments

Media Literacy today...

11/4/2020

1 Comment

 
Last week, October 26 - 30, was Media Literacy Week across the nation. Students, teachers and community members engaged in learning related to the different aspects of Media Literacy including access, analysis, evaluation, creation and action. Even though Media Literacy might not be the most gripping topic, it is one that is embedded in our daily lives and has impacts that extend far beyond the classroom.

​Fake News, Confirmation Bias, Woke-Washing, Deepfakes, News Satire, Clickbait, and more are terms and tactics new and old that fill our digital atmosphere. Additionally, the way people choose to get their information and interact with it changes on a daily basis. More than ever we need to be engaging students of all ages in the life skills of critical thinking, inquiry, questioning, along with responsible communication and collaboration.

What is Media Literacy?

Picture
Defined by NAMLE (National Association of Media Literacy Education), "Media Literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using all forms of communication.”  Our own Jeffco Generation skills exemplify the core aspects of Media Literacy through Self-Direction & Personal Responsibility, Communication, Critical & Creative Thinking, Collaboration & Leading by Influence and Agility & Adaptability. 

Information Literacy, Media Literacy, Digital Literacy and a variety of other phrases are often used to reference these intertwined competencies.  It is not a clear cut conversation that is limited to one content area, as the learning and application cross all areas of curriculum and frequently blur across lines of understanding. 

​​Understanding the potential and real impacts of digital literacy is relevant to all of our communities, locally and globally.

Our own Colorado Legislature  submitted a Bill in the Fall of 2019 to begin discussions to clarify and better understand what Media Literacy looks like across our state.  The intention was to  better understang how schools are addressing these critical skills for all learners in Colorado. You can see Colorado
 House Bill 19-1110 below:
Colorado HB19-1110
​

​How might you engage students in the understanding:
  • Elementary resources:  Linked here is a collection of videos provided by Media Smarts that help teachers introduce Media Literacy to elementary students.
  • Secondary resources: “When is Your Brain Ready for Social Media”,  from Common Sense Education to lead into the conversation about social media with secondary students.

Why is Media Literacy important?

Picture
Current events are a prime example of why media literacy is more important than ever before.  Our students are our future as a nation and as global citizens.  We need help to develop the skills necessary to be self aware and critical of the information being presented to them.

Linda Ellerbee, journalist and host of Nickelodeon’s Nick News with Linda Elerbee once stated, “Media Literacy is not just important, it is absolutely critical. It’s going to make the difference between whether kids are a tool of the mass media or whether the mass media is a tool for the kids to use.”


Making this relevant to learners:
  • Elementary connection: Newseumed.org is a great resource for media literacy lessons.  “Breaking News: Tracing the Facts” is a quick lesson to engage students with current events.  
  • Secondary connection: The Library of Congress offfers a a collection Primary Source Analysis Tools and sources for students diving in deeper to research, history, and analysis.  

Who needs to be a part of the Learning?

Picture
​The answer to this question is we all do.  Teachers, administrators,  family members and our community need to engage students in rich conversations about the information around them.  We need to model the practices we hope to see and build those relationships to engage in dialogue that allow for critical questioning and responsible action.  
​
Promoting conversations between students and their families, is a great way to connect the learning community. 

This article, "What is Media Literacy, and why is it important?" from Common Sense Media provides a structure and language to help families discuss media literacy at all ages.

What are some of the Resources available?

Media Literacy crosses all contents, Art, Music, Physical Education, Social Studies, Science, Language and everything in between. Thankfully, there are an ever increasing amount of resources to pull from and engage in this discussion. Often it is more a matter of ensuring that it is not forgotten but addressed.  When a music teacher shares a resource they are sure to give credit to the composer, likewise for any other form of research.  Now more than ever our students are creators and owners of their content.  Understanding the basics of media, information or digital literacy should be at the core of their work.
Picture
Linked here is a small collection of Media Literacy resources for teachers of all levels to explore and connect with throughout the year.  If you would like support as you think about engaging your students with Media Literacy please reach out to your school’s Digital Teacher Librarian.  They would be a great asset in partnering to co-teach and collaborate!

1 Comment

cross-posted from "The PUlse from Jeffco Curriculum & Instruction"

11/4/2020

0 Comments

 
If you have not had the chance to read Curriculum and Instruction's blog post on Jeffco's Distance Learning Playbook, check it out here!
0 Comments
    Picture

    Connect:

    Ed Tech Website
    The Pulse Blog

    Categories

    All
    #BetterTogether
    Blended Learning
    Chromebooks
    Classroom Spotlight
    Computational Thinker
    Creative Communicator
    Digital Citizen
    Digital Teacher Librarian
    Digital Tools
    Empowered Learner
    Global Collaborator
    Google
    Innovative Designer
    Knowledge Constructor
    News & Events
    Professional Resources
    Schoology
    YouTube

    Tweets by @jeffcoedtech

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly