JEFFCO ED TECH

Engaging Students in Digital Discussion

8/31/2018

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"Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results." ~John Dewey.
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 Digital discussions have become regular practices in our everyday lives. From text messages and social media posts to blog and YouTube comment streams there are continued learning and sharing opportunities with global connections on a regular basis. Many of us are often hyper-active in daily digital discussions as we connect with friends, family, and world-wide audiences. 

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As we continue to implement the Jeffco Generations skills and Transform Tasks, digital dialogue and discussion opportunities present engaging opportunities to authentically develop skills and concepts beyond the basic acquisition of facts. Through participation in digital discussions with global audiences we are exposed to the challenges of content application, concept justification, and social understandings in our ever changing world. 

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The New York Times provides a number of incredible resources to educators and students for elevating digital discussion opportunities that engage learners in relevant and meaningful topics. Through The Learning Network, they began in 2014 with 200 Prompts for Argumentative Writing which grew to 650 Prompts for Argumentative Writing in 2016 and is now over 1000 Writing Prompts for Students in 2018.  The prompts are broken up by topic areas such as Social Media and Smartphones, Gender Issues, Dating and Sex, Music, Literature and Art, Being a Teenager, School, Health and Nutrition, Science and Animals, Government and Leadership, Personal Character and Morality, and more. Under each topic is a list of questions that are linked to a short articles followed by more specific questions for students to consider and answer. The list of 650 prompts are also available via a handy PDF for easy access and sharing. 

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So how does this apply to our daily instruction as educators? Francis Bacon said, "Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man". Reading, writing and discussion are a critical components of our everyday learning and growth processes. As educators we know high quality instruction in any content area or discipline contains regular opportunities for learners to engage in reading, writing, and discussion to further develop critical and creative thinking skills.

Using the resources above, learners can be given a prompt and the associated article to read. Following the reading, learners can engage in a short writing activity to gather thoughts and develop ideas. Learners can then share their thoughts with others and ideas to seek feedback for further development and discussion. Some ideas might include:
  • Writing on Google Docs and using the comment feature for sharing and feedback with peers or even community volunteers.
  • Using Google Classroom for digital discussion threads. (See the Guide to New Google Classroom for more information on how to manage discussion threads in Classroom) 
  • Using Schoology for digital discussion boards. (Schoology Instructor Guide & Schoology Student Guide) 
  • Creating a blog posts or web pages to share with global audiences and seeking feedback through the comment features. ​
  • Writing a student opinion section to be shared in the school announcements or community newsletter. 
  • For learners over the age of 13, participating in the New York Times Student Opinion Section to share thoughts and opinions while interacting with other learners across the globe.   
  • Don't have access to a number of technology devices? Learners can leverage writing on paper, engage in Socratic seminar discussions and send letters to city council members or legislators to share their opinions. 

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Reading, writing and dialogue can and should take place in all disciplines, not just literacy. For example, math teachers can leverage prompts like #327 which centers around a distribution graph of how many A's schools hand out or #289 "Are You Afraid of Math?" and ​#290 "Do We Need A Better Way To Teach Math?". Science teachers can leverage the wide variety of prompts in Science & Health (1,066-1,146) involving Science and The Environment, Animals and Pets, or Exercise and Health. Art teachers have a vast array to choose from in Arts and Entertainment (75-248). Whichever discipline you teach, there can be resources for you to leverage to support students with engaging in reading, writing, and dialogue. 

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How will you leverage digital discussions as a way to Transform the Task and support learners with developing the Jeffco Generations skills? The Jeffco Ed Tech team is available to support you in thinking through ways you can leverage reading, writing and discussion with students in your instruction. We would also love to hear from you around how you are already leveraging digital discussions or have done so in the past. We learn a great deal from examples and experience so we invite you to share with us as we continue to grow together. 

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Book Studies 2018-Online Learning Communities: join Today!

8/24/2018

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​The Jeffco Ed Tech team is excited to announce our Fall 2018 online book studies.
  • Participate in an online learning community
  • Collaborate with teachers across Jeffco and learn with others beyond your own building
  • ​Apply just-in-time learning with your students
Learn all about our 4 book studies which are available to you this Fall. 

ClAssroom Management in the Digital Age

PictureClick here to read more about this title from the publisher.
Whether you’re already teaching in a 1:1 classroom or hope to be soon, Classroom Management in the Digital Age is a great resource.  This book study will examine the procedures, expectations, instructional  strategies/tips, and partnerships with parents needed to run an effective 1:1 classroom. ​

What Jeffco Educators have to say:

"The book study was a great way for us to explore critical aspects of management in a 1:1 classroom.  It helped us feel more comfortable about embracing devices in our classrooms. We created school-wide norms and expectations using the book as a resource."
"This book study was a quick way for our school to all get on the same page. It helped us get organized for going 1:1."
"Classroom Management in the Digital Age" is a down-and-dirty quick read full of thoughtful tips for 1:1 classrooms. It's a must for kicking off a classroom with success, and has great ideas for troubleshooting when problems arise. Loved it! ​"

The Google Infused Classroom

PictureClick here to read more about this title from the publisher.

​Empower Your Students - This book will teach you how to allow students to show their thinking, demonstrate their learning, and share their work with authentic audiences - to use technology in meaningful ways that prepare them for the future!

What Jeffco Educators have to say:

"​I thought this book was a great balance of pedagogy and practical application."
"​The big aha that I had is that technology should be a vessel for learning, thinking, and reflection. This has allowed me to empower my students to have choice in how they convey their thinking."
“Digital literacy is not simply a way to replace "analog" work. It's a way to be able to hear all students voices, and allow all students to make learning visible.”

Bold School

PictureClick here to read more about this title from the publisher.
You can be a #boldschool teacher or leader by applying the strategies of Jeffco parent and author, Weston Kieschnick, to your classroom or school.  He combines old school wisdom and Hattie’s effect sizes with technology integration to create engaging learning tasks for students.

What Jeffco educators have to say:

"Bold school has changed my thinking immensely. Because blended learning can enhance my teaching, make my lessons more engaging, and make my instruction more effective by reaching more of my students, I think I will include technology more often! I will use it through all facets of my instruction including the strategic planning stages of my lessons and then through my tools that could help me meet learning outcomes. I’m excited about my new blended learning insight!!"
"​This was such a great resource for blended learning.  It helped me the most to see how Kierchnick focused first on the instructional strategy and purposeful thinking before layering in technology."
  • "I now have a different perspective of blended learning, I see it as culmination of the best in teaching and the best in technology."

Google Apps for Littles

New this Fall!

PictureClick here to read more about this title from the publisher.
K-2 can, too! Young children are naturally curious about the world around them. They love to explore and play; in fact, that’s how they learn! The Google Apps for Littles book study will provide educators with ideas on how to get students playing and exploring using the G Suite. Empower your littles and shift your thinking to believe that even the youngest kids can do more with technology!


Interested? 

Interested in learning more about our Jeffco Ed Tech book studies? Want to register? Looking for more professional learning opportunities from our team? Click on the image below for details. 
We hope to learn alongside of you this Fall!
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Back to School With Ed Tech

8/20/2018

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August 9th Learning Day 

On August 9th, our department had the privilege of welcoming our Jeffco educators back with a day of learning around transforming the task with technology. We had rooms full of teachers, eager to add new strategies and improve their pedagogy around integrating technology. 
Due to the overwhelming success of this event, we want to make sure that all educators have access to the learning. Attached is a document with the course descriptions and linked presentations! 
A huge thank you goes out to Golden High School for hosting our event, as well as events for several other departments in the district. We are very thankful to all of the schools who partner with us throughout the year to help us deliver learning to so many educators! 

Hello! 

This year we are excited to share that we have 2 new members joining our Ed Tech team!
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Jamie Kelley
Jamie joins the team as a former Jeffco Instructional Coach with a passion for technology. She’s returning to work after taking a year off to spend time with her family.​ Jamie will serve as a point-of-contact for most of our middle schools this year. 
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Nick Steinmetz
Nick joins us from Aurora Public Schools where he worked in a similar role as Ed Tech and Personalized Learning support for a wide range of schools in the district.  We are excited to tap into his great wealth of knowledge and expertise.  Nick will serve as a point-of-contact for most of our high schools this year. 

Goodbye.

A new year also comes with some exciting new transitions for our amazing teammates. 
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Karrie Zanetti
We wish Karrie continued success as she transitions from an Ed Tech Specialist position to a Digital Teacher Librarian position at Deer Creek Middle School. We will certainly miss her many talents on our team and feel fortunate that she will continue to make a difference for the Deer Creek community.

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Amanda Thanos
Amanda has accepted a position as a Digital Literacy and Instructional Coach at Thunder Vista P-8 in Adams 12. She spent countless evenings and her summer break working hard to open this brand new school. We wish her the very best in her exciting new adventure! 

Other Changes

Marnie Roush
Rather than support a sub-set of our schools (as she’s done for the past few years), Marnie will be charged with developing a strategic vision for Computer Sciences working in close partnership with schools, central departments, communities, CDE and vendors in shaping this exciting work.
Julie Carlson
We are excited to welcome Julie back from maternity leave. As an Ed Tech Specialist, she will continue as a point-of-contact for a subset of our elementary schools this year. 
Amie Adams
Amie will move from a Title I-funded position to one that supports all of Jeffco. She will serve as a point-of-contact for a subset of our elementary schools this year.
​Rounding out the Ed Tech team are continuing team members:
  • Mary Beth Bazzanella - Director of Educational Technology
  • Cathy Baune - Assistant Director of Blended Learning 
  • Lisa Summitt - Ed Tech Specialist
  • Alice Graves - Senior Training Specialist
  • Diane Puntenney - Technical Support Specialist/IT Liaison
  • Jen Shirley - Curriculum and Course Code Technician
  • Heidi Floyd - Digital Teacher Librarian Coordinator
  • Joan Jenkinson - Lead Cataloger
  • Pat Walsh -  Cataloger 
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Get paid for your teacher-created resources and assessments!

2/7/2018

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Educators across Jeffco have an amazing opportunity to win a $100 Classroom Mini-grant. This communication has recently gone out:
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Are you interested in winning a $100.00 Classroom Mini-grant?
Have you been thinking about uploading Resources or Assessments into the Bridge to Curriculum? Do you have some great resources that other Jeffco teachers could use with their students? If you upload any Resource or Assessment into the Bridge to Curriculum, you are eligible to win a classroom mini-grant of $100.00! Each time you enter a Resource or Assessment, just put your name into the form below and you will be entered into a monthly drawing.  https://tinyurl.com/Bridgeminigrant  Questions: Ask here Directions for uploading here.
Here are the facts:
  • After you enter-add your name to the form: https://tinyurl.com/Bridgeminigrant
  • Each entry on the form is a chance to win
  • Many mini-grants will be awarded each month
  • This school year over 200 teacher-created Resources and Assessments have been added to Bridge to Curriculum
  • 15 Performance Tasks created with the help of Jay McTighe have been added  to Bridge to Curriculum
  • Teams of Math and ELA teachers are coming together in March and April to share their “Authentic Tasks” in Bridge to Curriculum
  • You can enter to win  each time you share a Resource or Assessment in Bridge to Curriculum
  • There is a Bridge to Curriculum Training Team, that would love to come out to your school and support teachers as they share Resources and Assessments in Bridge to Curriculum




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Elementary Professional Learning Opportunity: Coding and Robotics

2/5/2018

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Have you bungled with Bee-Bot? Spun with Sphero? Collided with Cubelets? Or muddled with Makey-Makey? Ed Tech wants YOU to join fellow JeffCOders to create dynamic robotic infused lesson plans. Apply for this exciting opportunity today!
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  • Do you have a passion for coding/ robotics and bringing innovative learning opportunities to life?
  • Are you looking to join a community with other educators who also share your passion and knowledge?
  • Would you like time, space, and resources to ideate, innovate, prototype and develop lesson ideas?
The application for teams to join this professional learning opportunity is now open!
Teams of two elementary educators are encouraged to apply. Team members can be from different schools. 
Fifteen teams will be notified of acceptance.  Teams must agree to meet all the required components of this opportunity listed below.  Select robotics equipment will be available for use.
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Important Dates and Deadlines

  • February 9th- Application closes
  • February 14th- Teams are notified of acceptance
  • March 8th- Required Professional Learning Day #1
  • May 8th- Required Professional Learning Day #2

Questions? Contact Julie.Carlson@jeffco.k12.co.us
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Did you "Get Your Tech On"?

1/16/2018

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Almost 600 Jeffco educators attended the first ever Get Your Tech On professional learning event on Friday, January 5th at Green Mountain High School. 

Jeffco Ed Tech hosted the all-day event which included an influential keynote speaker, prizes, demo slam, and 48 sessions facilitated by Jeffco educators.
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Thought-provoking sessions were focused on how technology is transforming teaching and learning in Jeffco classrooms.

This was the best tech conference I have been to... including ISTE!! The sessions were applicable to what we are doing now in schools. Our entire instructional staff went and every teacher responded to my google reflection form that they were inspired and ready to try their new learning. The presenters and topics were very knowledgeable of what teachers experience and were able to relate to the classroom. 

Inspiring Keynote

PictureKen Shelton, currently works as the Educational Technology Strategist for the Google EdTechTeam. He is an Apple Distinguished Educator and Google Certified Innovator.
“Transformational Teaching and Learning with Technology” presented by international guest speaker, Ken Shelton, took us back in time for a nostalgic glance at how technology has changed the way we have lived over the last few decades. He gave us a glimpse at how technology has not only changed, but transformed how we learn.
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Ken examined the impact on student learning when the focus shifts from solely making changes to transformative experiences.

Didn’t have time to sketch during @k_shelton ‘s keynote last week, but finished up tonight! #SNDay2018 @jeffcoedtech #sketchnote #jeffcotechon pic.twitter.com/mtMdaxL1z2

— Amie Adams (@Whamies) January 12, 2018
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Participants walked away inspired. When asked what was the highlight of the event, particiants remarked, “[the] keynote speaker's enthusiasm and eye opening message" and "the sense of camaraderie among teachers and the inspiration from the keynote speaker Ken Shelton."

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That's Sketchy! Sketchnotes in the Classroom

1/9/2018

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Why Sketch?

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Have you ever found yourself doodling during faculty meetings? During guest speakers? During professional development? If so, you understand how engaging the kinesthetic portions of your brain can help you focus and remember the content you are attempting to learn, but why is that? "It turns out that various forms of doodling have all kinds of benefits for our brains. Doodling is actually a form of mnemonics, connecting images with information and significantly increasing our ability to remember what we’ve learned. In a 2009 study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology, 40 participants were asked to listen to an extremely boring recorded telephone conversation. Half of them were instructed to doodle as they listened, and half were given no such instructions. At the conclusion of the study, people who doodled remembered 29 percent more information than their counterparts who did not doodle."  (Education Week)

What's a Sketchnote?

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A sketchnote varies from a doodle in that the images are purposefully related to the content that the listener is absorbing and sense making. Sketchnotes are a way to take notes, as well as a method to allow for creative expression. To be a successful sketchnoter, you do not need to have artistic skills, but you do have to be willing to practice synthesizing ideas using symbols, figures, text and icons. 

Consider how some students might greatly benefit from sketchnoting as they listen in the classroom. How can you use sketchnoting to have students demonstrate learning after watching a video or listening to a lecture, guest speaker, audio book or podcast? How can sketchnoting engage the brain for some students in the way 2-column notes and graphic organizers cannot?

Get to Sketchin' - How do I get started?

Some sketchnoters prefer to sketch with ink and paper, while others prefer to sketch digitally. If you are interested in sketching digitally, you might want to check out the Procreate for iPad app (approved for Jeffco), as well as the Musemee stylus or the Paper by Fifty-three stylus. 

Although this equipment works well for many teachers to begin their sketchnoting journey, it is often outside of the price range for a typical classroom. To get your students sketchnoting, consider allowing the physical and digital words to collide. Encourage students to show what they've learned and how they have made connections by sketching on paper with pencil or ink. Using a mobile device, have students capture their sketch with the camera or a scanner app. These images can be uploaded to any of the G Suite tools, Google Classroom, Schoology, Google Sites, and more. 

Interested in learning how Sylvia Duckworth does her digital sketchnotes? See the video below! 

The Sketchnote Challenge 

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Thursday, January 11th, is World Sketchnote Day #SNDay2018!

​We challenge you to try creating your own sketchnote showcasing a bit of new learning! Share your sketchnote with @JeffcoEdTech on Twitter. Don't forget to add the hashtag #SNDay2018, as well. We also encourage you to get your students sketchnoting in the classroom as a way to sense-make new content and make connections. 

Sketchnote Resources 

Sylvia Duckworth 
Sketchnote Army
Mike Rohde
Amy Burvall 
#sketchnote
#SNDay2018
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Twitter challenge recap

12/4/2017

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Throughout the month of October, Jeffco Ed Tech hosted a Twitter Challenge inspired by Connected Educator month. Our schools offer a lot of face to face ways for educators connect and learn, and we wanted to offer a way to connect and learn digitally. We asked, what if educators in our system had the chance to learn from each other regardless of which building they work in? How might we grow our educators through continued work with PLCs, but also grow their Professional Learning Network (PLN)? 

From that question, a Twitter Chat was born! Each week through the blog, we taught basics of Twitter in preparation for the Chat: Challenge 1 and Challenge 2. The questions were designed based on common questions/discussions that Ed Tech Specialists have in a variety of schools.

On October 19, 2017, we invited teachers to engage with us in the evening, and encouraged them to extend the conversations beyond that time.  Here's a little summary of some of the Tweets! 
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What's Hot? Top Trends in Ed Tech

11/9/2017

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 Digital Citizenship:
This is not a new topic, but it’s taken on new importance thanks to the omnipresent nature of students' online lives. With increased access to 1:1 devices schoolwide, educators will be looking for curriculum and programs to support teaching digital citizenship skills. Want to know more? Check out all of the Digital Citizenship resources on the Ed Tech Website.
 Project-Based Learning:
It’s what’s hot right now! Using a PBL approach to learning fosters student empowerment, an essential component of the ISTE Standards for Students. The thoughtful integration of technology will enable students to take ownership of their learning and will make learning more active, both inside and outside the classroom. Remember, you don’t have to do a technology PBL to integrate technology. Technology can support all PBLs! Check out our recent blog on PBL in Jeffco!  



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Part 3: Jeffco twitter challenge

10/17/2017

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Be a connected educator 

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Welcome to week 3 of Jeffco Ed Tech's Twitter Challenge. Now that you've gotten the chance to lurk and read a few tips for posting a variety of tweets, you'll have the opportunity to become more connected on Twitter by both consuming and producing content during a chat. Save the date: Thursday, Oct. 19 @ 7pm MST! In this post, scroll to find information about how to participate and etiquette during the chat. 

Final Challenge: Lead Your Nest's V Formation
Participate in a Twitter Chat hosted by Jeffco Ed Tech. 

​Here are the questions you can anticipate during the chat: 


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