Meeting Recap
Teachers' Advisory Council
The Teachers' Advisory Council (TAC) met at the MRVED on Thursday February 19. The morning consisted of learning more about the coaching and observation process. The teachers had the opportunity to learn about their own personalities and how to work with people with like and different personalities. Lunch was delicious and lots of great conversation was had. The afternoon was spent looking over MELT evaluations and providing feedback on how to make the day better. The group had great insight into what the MRVED can do to help make our teachers better.
Upcoming Meetings
February 25, 2015 Superintendents' Council
March 2, 2015 Agriculture
March 3, 2015 Industrial Technology
March 5, 2015 Business
March 13, 2015 Community Ed
March 17, 2015 Guidance Counselors
March 19, 2015 Social Workers
Friday, February 20, 2015
MDE Math Webinar
Mathematics Webinar for Teachers
Date: February 24, 2015
MDE, in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM), is offering webinars designed specifically for K-12 mathematics teachers. Typically the webinars are for K-6 and 6-12 grades; in this case, the same webinar is offered twice at 2:45-3:30 p.m. and 3:45-4:30 p.m.
Each webinar will include a brief update from MDE followed by a presentation by a Minnesota Math Teacher. The February 24 webinar is titled “Identity and Its Impact on Math Success” and will be presented by Nicole Bridge, Middle School Math Coordinator, Minneapolis Public Schools.
Presentation description:
“So often we hear people say things like "I am not a math person," or "I actually liked math in high school." How are these identities formed? How can we help to students to develop positive identity around learning and doing math? This session is meant to be a start to helping teachers think about their own identity around mathematics and the identities of their students. The goal is for participants to leave with a deeper understanding of how to examine their own instructional practices, and strategies to help their students create a positive math identity.” Nicole Bridge
View the MDE Calendar for more info and to register!
View Past Mathematics Webinars
For assistance with questions, email Terry Alvarado.
Date: February 24, 2015
MDE, in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM), is offering webinars designed specifically for K-12 mathematics teachers. Typically the webinars are for K-6 and 6-12 grades; in this case, the same webinar is offered twice at 2:45-3:30 p.m. and 3:45-4:30 p.m.
Each webinar will include a brief update from MDE followed by a presentation by a Minnesota Math Teacher. The February 24 webinar is titled “Identity and Its Impact on Math Success” and will be presented by Nicole Bridge, Middle School Math Coordinator, Minneapolis Public Schools.
Presentation description:
“So often we hear people say things like "I am not a math person," or "I actually liked math in high school." How are these identities formed? How can we help to students to develop positive identity around learning and doing math? This session is meant to be a start to helping teachers think about their own identity around mathematics and the identities of their students. The goal is for participants to leave with a deeper understanding of how to examine their own instructional practices, and strategies to help their students create a positive math identity.” Nicole Bridge
View the MDE Calendar for more info and to register!
View Past Mathematics Webinars
For assistance with questions, email Terry Alvarado.
Horizons Report
Horizons Report
Earlier this year we did a series on grading practices. Our next series will feature information from the Horizons Report. The Horizons Report is put out by The New Media Consortium which is a community of hundreds of leading universities, colleges, museums, and research centers. The NMC stimulates and furthers the exploration and use of new media and technologies for learning and creative expression. Last week they released the Higher Ed Version of their report on trends in educational technology and challenges of implementation. The video below gives a brief summary of the report. Each week we will highlight one of the trends or challenges. Once the K-12 report is released, we will focus on trends in challenges in K-12.
Full Report Link
Summary Report Link
6 Trends
1. Evolution of Online Learning
2. Rethinking Learning Spaces
3. Open Educational Resources
4. Rise of Data-Driven Learning and Assessment
5. Agile Approaches to Change
6. Growing Importance of Open Communities
6 Challenges
1. Adequately Defining and Supporting Digital Literacy
2. Blending Formal and Informal Learning
3. Complex Thinking and Communication
4. Integrating Personalized Learning
5. Competition from New Models of Education
6. Relative Lack of Rewards for Teaching
We will start our 3 month series next week looking at the evolution of online learning. I hope you will following along every week!
Earlier this year we did a series on grading practices. Our next series will feature information from the Horizons Report. The Horizons Report is put out by The New Media Consortium which is a community of hundreds of leading universities, colleges, museums, and research centers. The NMC stimulates and furthers the exploration and use of new media and technologies for learning and creative expression. Last week they released the Higher Ed Version of their report on trends in educational technology and challenges of implementation. The video below gives a brief summary of the report. Each week we will highlight one of the trends or challenges. Once the K-12 report is released, we will focus on trends in challenges in K-12.
Full Report Link
Summary Report Link
6 Trends
1. Evolution of Online Learning
2. Rethinking Learning Spaces
3. Open Educational Resources
4. Rise of Data-Driven Learning and Assessment
5. Agile Approaches to Change
6. Growing Importance of Open Communities
6 Challenges
1. Adequately Defining and Supporting Digital Literacy
2. Blending Formal and Informal Learning
3. Complex Thinking and Communication
4. Integrating Personalized Learning
5. Competition from New Models of Education
6. Relative Lack of Rewards for Teaching
We will start our 3 month series next week looking at the evolution of online learning. I hope you will following along every week!
Tech Tip - Turtle Diary
TurtleDiary
Turtlediary is a website that has learning games and videos for toddler through 5th grade. There are a variety of aspects to this site which make it appealing. Aside from the games and videos there are also printables that can be used. Subjects range from Science to Literacy. The only downfall is the free version is highly ad supported. Still give it a look today. These games would be great on an interactive whiteboard.