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Friday, March 27, 2015

Tech Tip - Build With Chrome

Build With Chrome
In the theme of Makerspace, the tech tip for this week is Build With Chrome.  Build With Chrome is a website that allows users to build anything with Lego's.  Once built, the user can place their creations on a map for other users to see.  If you enjoy building with Legos or you have students that enjoy it, give Build With Chrome a try today!


Horizon's Report - Makerspaces

The past couple weeks we have touched on a variety of trends related to educational technology.  This week we will start focusing on a couple of the technologies that may have an impact in education in the next five to seven years.

The Horizon's Report outlines two technologies that can have an impact in one year or less.  These two technologies are the Bring Your Own Device movement and The Flipped Classroom.  Since these two movements are relatively well-known, we'll focus on the developments that may take two to three years to adopt.

The first of these movements is the Makerspace movement.  A Makerspace is a space to make things.

This space usually has the space, tools, and materials used to build something.  One of the real benefits to a Makerspace is collaborative learning.  Other people are in this same space building and each person has their own unique experiences and expertise.  These spaces pull learning from all content areas together to create something.  Wouldn't it be great to give kids the space, time, tools, and materials to build and see what they come up with?  If you ever have the opportunity to participate in a Makerspace, do it!  It is a very rewarding and fun experience.

7 Things You Should Know About Makerspaces


Will Steger Summer Institute

Summer Institute 2015
  • 2 graduate credits (fee)
  • 20 CEUS
  • $75 Early Bird Rate
Please join us for our 10th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education, June 15-17, 2015 at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN. Participants will have the opportunity to:
  • Reunite, learn from and network with past participants of Will Steger Foundation Summer Institutes for Climate Change Education.
  • Hear from experts in climate science, climate change education and climate solutions.
  • Engage with hands on activities that help bring climate concepts into the classroom and informal education settings.
  • Learn about how the Will Steger Foundation curriculum supports language arts, social studies and science standards.
  • Share how you have been implementing climate change education in your educational setting. (More information on how to apply below)

MRVED Business

FACS Meeting
The Family and Consumer Science teachers gathered for their annual best practice meeting on Tuesday, March 24.  The group had the opportunity to tour CashWise Foods in Willmar and learn about the grocery business.  After the grocery store tour the group ate and shared ideas.  In the afternoon the group toured Mr. B's Chocolates in Willmar.  Overall it was a great day and much was learned.

Upcoming Meetings

April 8, 2015  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
April 10, 2015  Community Ed
April 17, 2015  Title III Teachers
April 22, 2015  Superintendents' Council

May 8, 2015  Community Ed
May 11, 2015  Principals' Council/TAC Combined Meeting (NEW DATE)
May 27, 2015  Superintendents' Council

6 Ways to Be a Stronger Communicator (from Practical Business Training)
1. You don't always need to be "right." It's unrealistic to think you will never make a mistake. How you handle it says a great deal about who you are as a professional. Don't try and shift the blame or go radio silent, hoping no one will notice. Own your error, come up with a solution and apologize for the inconvenience it may have caused. This shows maturity and tells your boss you can be trusted to handle a difficult situation under pressure.
2. It's not necessary to one up your coworker. Friendly competition is healthy and challenges others to step up their pace.  Make every effort to congratulate peers on a job well done and keep the conversation focused on their success. Steer away from bringing conversations back to you and your own achievements.
3. You learn more by listening.  If someone is taking the time to offer you constructive criticism, mentor you, or give you a piece of sound business advice, take advantage of the opportunity to listen and learn. Jot down notes to review later.
4. Know-it-alls are annoying. If you are good at your job, there is no need to brag about your expert status. Your reputation will speak for itself loud and clear.
5. No one respects a gossip. Being part of the "in the know" crowd may seem exciting and fun, until you are the subject of conversation. Rest assured, if they are trash talking someone else with you, they are surely talking about you when you are gone. Avoid water cooler chit chat and aspire to be the person who can be counted on to keep their mouth shut. At the end of the day your associates will view you as a trustworthy friend and coworker.
6. Keep your language clean. Cursing in the workplace is a habit worth breaking. Even if your boss regularly uses curse words at the office, you can't go wrong by keeping a civil tongue. If tough situations bring out the profanity, find other ways to cope.

Friday, March 20, 2015

MRVED Business

Upcoming Meetings

March 24, 2015  FACS (Willmar tours)
March 25, 2015  Superintendents' Council

April 8, 2015  MRVED Board meeting (7:00 p.m.)
April 10, 2015  Community Ed
April 17, 2015  Title III Teachers
April 22, 2015  Superintendents' Council

***April 24, 2015 TAC/Principal meeting MOVED TO MAY 11, 2015***



Will Steger Summer Institute

Summer Institute 2015
  • 2 graduate credits (fee)
  • 20 CEUS
  • $75 Early Bird Rate
Please join us for our 10th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education, June 15-17, 2015 at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN. Participants will have the opportunity to:
  • Reunite, learn from and network with past participants of Will Steger Foundation Summer Institutes for Climate Change Education.
  • Hear from experts in climate science, climate change education and climate solutions.
  • Engage with hands on activities that help bring climate concepts into the classroom and informal education settings.
  • Learn about how the Will Steger Foundation curriculum supports language arts, social studies and science standards.
  • Share how you have been implementing climate change education in your educational setting. (More information on how to apply below)

Horizon's Report - Data Driven Learning and Assessment

Data Driven Learning and Assessment
Over the past three weeks, we have looked into the Horizon's Report.  The report outlines different educational technology trends that are set to make an impact in the coming years.  The first two weeks we outlined the two fast trends of online learning and learning spaces.  Last week we focused on a mid-range trend of Open Educational Resources (OER).  This week is a mid-range trend of using learning analytics to drive instruction.

In the past couple years learning analytics has grown by leaps and bounds.  What is meant by learning analytics is any data that is produced after a learning activity.  For instance, a student could finish a lesson in Khan Academy and complete an assessment.  After completing the assessment,  the teacher can get data that includes what the student knows and does not know about the process, standard, strand, etc...  The data produced from some of the assessments today is incredible.  It has gotten so advanced that after the assessment, a program can move the students along on a learning path.  If a student needs to redo certain parts of the process, it knows to do that.  If the student can move on to the next process, the program knows where to go.

I think we'll see more and more programs similar to Khan Academy using learning analytics to drive instruction.  Whether it be a self-paced course, or teacher-led, the learning analytics are a valuable piece of data.

Tech Tip - My Script Calculator

My Script Calculator
If students have trouble putting in equations into a regular calculator, give My Script Calculator a try. There is an app for both Android and iOS.  What My Script Calculator does is allows you to write out the math equation, then turns your written equation into a type face and solves the problem.  This could be handy for the student that struggles putting the correct numbers into a calculator in correct order.  The app is really user friendly.  It could even read my handwriting (which is no easy task)! I'm keeping this app on my phone for personal use.


Help Students Score Higher on Their Upcoming Tests

The reality of testing season is upon us.  Whether we like it or not, our students will be tested and tested and tested some more in the upcoming weeks.  Besides pounding more facts in their head, what can teachers and parents do?  Below you will find a great article on what research says about what students need during the testing season.  Hopefully you will find a couple tidbits you can send home in your newsletter or incorporate into your classroom.

Help Your Students Score Higher on Their Upcoming Tests by Eric Jensen

Friday, March 13, 2015

MRVED Business

Upcoming Meetings

March 17, 2015  Guidance Counselors
March 19, 2015  Social Workers
March 20, 2015  Title III Paraprofessionals
March 24, 2015  FACS (Willmar)
March 25, 2015  Superintendents' Council

Communication Briefings
The word pair "bring/take" confuses many writers.  Remember these guidelines and you will be sure to choose the right word:  When you go, you take, and when you come, you bring.

Wrong:  "When we go to lunch, I will bring a copy of the report."

Right:  "When we go to lunch, I will take my copy of the report."

Right:  "When I come to the restaurant, I will bring my copy of the report."

I don't think anyone would really know if you used the wrong word, especially when speaking, but thought I would share this little tip.  It does make sense.  I'm going to take this one to heart.

Tech Tip - Draftback

If you have ever wanted to watch the revision history on your Google Documents, Draftback is the extension for you!  Below you can watch what Draftback does.  This is a playback of my notes I took at the TIES conference in December.  You will notice the images did not come over in the Draftback, but only the writing.

This could be a useful students when writing papers.  Students can rewatch their writing transform over time.

Horizon's Report - Open Educational Resources

Open Educational Resources
The past two weeks we have looked at the fast trends that are driving technology adoption.  The next two weeks we will look at the mid-range trends.  These are trends that will drive technology adoption in 3-5 years.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely accessible, openly licensed documents and media that are useful for teaching, learning, and assessing as well as for research purposes (Wikipedia).  OER are becoming more prevalent in the educational system today.  They are also starting to gain acceptance among the academic community.  OER can be a free, openly licensed textbook to a free online course from MIT.  OER does not necessarily mean just free, but free and openly licensed.  In general, this means a person can take and use the material and make it their own.  When using OER please look at the fine print on the resource to see what you can and cannot do with it.  Below you will find a variety of OER databases with a lots of free and open resources.



Education on Air from Google

Education on Air


Come explore the future of education and technology with a community of teachers, students, researchers, Googlers and business leaders.

Education on Air is a free, online conference for educators, by educators. Register and you'll have the opportunity to:
  • Reflect on and discuss how we can create an education system that prepares students for our always-changing world
  • Learn new ideas from people in various roles across education, including students
  • Get tips and tools from educators who have boosted student engagement, collaboration and productivity using technology and innovation
You won't even have to leave home to attend. You can take part right from the comfort of your computer, at no cost.

Pi Day Resources

Pi Day Resources
Do you need another day to celebrate in your classroom?  Why not celebrate Pi Day?  Pi Day will be coming up on March 14 (3/14/15 at 9:26.53) and Edutopia has put together a nice list of resources and ways in which you can celebrate.

Pi Day Resources from Edutopia

Piday.org

Friday, March 6, 2015

MRVED Business

Business Meeting Recap
The Business teachers met at the MRVED on Thursday.  The day started with a presentation from Julie Redepenning from DEED on business trends in Southwest Minnesota.  After the presentation the group had an opportunity to digest some of the information from DEED and network.  Lunch was great as usual.  In the afternoon the group had the opportunity to meet with Gail Polejewski to talk Perkins.  The day ended with a little curriculum work.  Overall it was a great informational day.


Upcoming Meetings
March 13, 2015  Community Ed
March 17, 2015  Guidance Counselors
March 19, 2015  Social Workers
March 20, 2015  Title III Paraprofessionals
March 24, 2015  FACS (Willmar field trip)
March 25, 2015  Superintendents' Council

Communication Briefing

Home in vs. hone in.  Home in means "to direct attention toward an objective."  Hone means to "to sharpen with a hard stone."  Note:  If you have trouble remembering which is correct, think of a homing pigeon who is flying toward a specific place or said another way, toward an objective.

Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Symposium

Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Symposium
If you are looking for summer professional development, there is a great opportunity to learn more about Gifted and Talented programming.  More information can be found on the MDE website by clicking here.  There are excellent keynotes throughout the days as well as top-notch breakout presenters from around the country.

The Seventh Annual Hormel Foundation Gifted and Talented Education Symposium provides an opportunity for educators, administrators, counselors, psychologists, school board members and parents to gain a greater understanding of the unique needs of gifted and high potential learners.

A generous grant from the Hormel Foundation and collaboration between the Minnesota Department of Education and Austin Public Schools makes possible this intensive educational experience. All are welcome to register and attend the symposium. Invited speakers include many of the field’s finest regionally, nationally and internationally known presenters, focusing on foundational knowledge, creativity, curriculum strategies, social and emotional needs. Attendance is limited and early registration is encouraged.

Tech Tip - Photo Hiding Apps

Photo Hiding Apps
This is not a typical tech tip that we have become accustomed to, but this information is worth sharing.  This is not a post about an app you can use in the classroom, but rather informing you on helping kids stay safe in the online world.  If you feel you have control over the content on your child's phone or iPod, think again!  Since the emergence of SnapChat, a plethora of other camera apps has emerged.  The popularity of photo hiding apps has skyrocketed.  Unlike SnapChat, these photo hiding apps allow for students to either password protect their pictures, tell photos to not show up in the camera roll or native photo app, and/or disguise the app as something else.  For example, one of the apps listed on this list from Mashable looks and acts like a calculator.  To get this app to display the pictures it has hidden beneath it, the user needs to punch in a certain "code" on the calculator to open the "secret" folders of pictures.

What is scary:  You don't know what pictures could be in those compartments.  You also don't know where those pictures are being saved to.  Are they saved to the actual phone, or are they saved on a server somewhere and a company has control of them?

What can you do.  If your son or daughters account is linked to yours, check under the purchased apps section.  You can also take their device and look under the settings, privacy, camera or photos, and see which apps have requested permission to either the photos or camera (Apple devices).  I'm sure there is a way to check on Android too, but I am an Apple junkie :-)  You can also have a conversation with your child about having hidden things on their phone.

Horizon's Report - Evolution of Online Learning

Online Learning
Last week we highlighted learning spaces.  According to the Horizon's Report, both learning spaces and online learning are "fast trends".  Meaning these will likely take hold in the education world in the very near future.

Online learning continues to grow and evolve at both the K-12 level as well as higher ed.  As our technologies advance, our online courses will also advance.  The typical online course is no longer only offered in the university, but also in high school and elementary.  Other advances in learning analytics and synchronous and asynchronous communication have allowed online classes to meet the needs of a variety of learners.  Examples of the online growth can be seen with the Khan Academy.  One can learn almost anything in a personalized manner without the aid of a teacher.  Everything is driven by learning analytics.  What do you know?  What don't you know?  What should you learn next?  Is all driven by algorithms.  It's a very interesting concept to see where we have been, where we are now, and the possibilities of tomorrow in online learning.

I don't think we need to fear losing our teachers to computers, but we do need to understand and grasp the online world.  How can we use it to organize our content and help our students grow and learn.