MRVED Business

Best Practice Meeting Updates
Agriculture
The Agriculture teachers kicked off the 2014-2015 best practices meetings on September 30 with a tour of Ralco Agnition in Balaton and ADM in Marshall. Agnition develops cutting-edge technologies that improve the quality of soil and the health of crops. The Agnition tour was amazing with the day starting with an overview of the company and then a tour of building. The business is located in the old school in Balaton. They modernized the building and gave it more of a business feel. It was neat to see how an old abandon school could still be utilized in a small community. In the afternoon we stopped by ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) in Marshall on our way home. This company converts corn, oilseeds, wheat, and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses. Again, another amazing experience to see what actually happens in that place and to see the volume of corn products that pass through every day.

Music
The music teachers came to the MRVED on Thursday, October 2 for their annual best practice meeting. The day was filled with visiting and idea gathering. The day started with an activity about parent and community involvement and groups brainstormed possible ways in which they can include both into their classrooms. Before lunch the group spent some time looking at the new National Common Core Arts Standards. Pizza Ranch was filled with more stories and laughter. After lunch the group had the opportunity to network and create a plan for the MELT. The group was energetic as always and it was a great meeting for all.


Upcoming Meetings
October 7, 2014 Science
October 10, 2014 Art (Ben Lecy Farm, Echo) NEW DATE
October 10, 2014 Title III Paraprofessionals
October 15, 2014 MRVED Professional Development Day
October 21, 2014 Math
October 22, 2014 Community Ed
October 23, 2014 Business

Repair Kit for Grading - Fix 4

Fix 4: Don't punish academic dishonesty with reduced grades; apply other consequences and reassess to determine actual level of achievement.

Fix 4 is another subset of fix 1 (don't lump behavior grade with academic grade).  By giving a zero on assignments for cheating, it distorts the academic grade and does not accurately show what the student knows and is able to do.  Having a clear policy in place to deal with academic dishonesty is key.  The biggest part to the policy is how you punish the behavior.

"Effective policies first and foremost recognize that academic dishonesty is very serious inappropriate behavior equivalent to theft, and as such requires primarily behavioral consequences." (O'Connor, 40)  The important words in the previous sentence is "requires primarily behavioral consequences."  The appropriate academic consequence, O'Connor would argue, is to allow the student to redo the work with honesty and integrity.  This will give a true measure of what the student knows and is able to do.

Our first reaction is to give a student a zero and punish behaviorally as well.  By giving a zero, you are distorting the grade that reflects what that student knows.  This again, could be added into a separate behavior grade.

If I pay for my electrical bill with counterfeit money, I will get in trouble for my behavior, but I will still have to pay my bill.  Don't punish the student, give them a zero, and move on.  See what they actually know.

MCIS Workshop Offered at the ALC

MCIS Workshop



When: October 15, 2014

Time: 8:00-3:30

Location: Minnesota Valley Area Learning Center

Cost: Free

Lunch: On Your Own

What: Minnesota Career Information System website training.
The Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS) is an Internet-based system that combines a wealth of career, educational and labor market information into one comprehensive, easy-to-use exploration tool. With MCIS, students and clients can:

• Learn about over 520 occupations
• Develop a personal portfolio
• Research colleges, universities, and career schools
• Find scholarships and financial aid
• Improve job search skills and create a resume

Registration Link

Questions can be directed to:

Deb Parkos
Phone: 651/582-8321 or 800/599-6247
debbie.parkos@state.mn.us

Tech Tip - TodaysMeet

I have highlighted TodaysMeet before, but wanted to share some of the recent updates from the summer that make this a great classroom tool.  TodaysMeet is a website that allows you to setup a chat room.  The chat room can be used as a place for students to share thoughts and/or talk about a movie while it's playing.  I use it when I present as a way for attendees to talk and share ideas while I present.

Summer Updates

Moderate the rooms - before this update TodaysMeet chat rooms were unmoderated.  Meaning the creator of the room had no control over things that were said.  Now the creator can delete unwanted posts.

Log In Feature - You now have the ability to log in to an account and save rooms.  

Opportunity

If you are interested in pursuing a Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning or K-12 Administrative Licensure prep, there is an opportunity coming to Marshall this Fall.  St. Mary's University will be starting classes this fall in Marshall and it runs for 18 months.  If you would like more information, contact Stacy Hinz at shinz@smumn.edu or 507-828-7421.