Pages

Friday, April 15, 2016

Tech Tip - Chromebook Help Center

I have had many inquiries into working a Chromebook in the past few weeks, so I thought I would share a really good place to go if you are trying to figure out how to run a Chromebook.  The site also offers great advice or tips for even the most advanced user.  Check it out today!

Chromebook Help

MRVED Business

FitnessGram Webinar
The MRVED will be assisting in hosting a FitnessGram webinar for all Phy Ed teachers on Monday, May 9th from 3:15-4:00.  The purpose of the webinar is to dig deeper into the software and ask questions of the FitnessGram presenter.  If you need a refresher or just have a few questions, participate in the webinar on May 9th.  Contact Brandon before May 1st if you would like to participate and he will send you the webinar information.

Summer Professional Development
Due to decreasing participation numbers the last few summers, the MRVED will not be offering any summer professional development opportunities.  If you are in need of a relicensure area, contact Brandon and he can provide some assistance in finding other opportunities.


Upcoming Meetings
April 13, 2016  Community Ed
April 20, 2016  MRVED Board (7:00 p.m.)
April 22, 2016  Title III Teachers
April 27, 2016  Superintendents' Council

Better Conversations - Back and Forth Conversation

Belief 5
For the past two months we have examined what it takes to have better conversations with people using the book Better Conversations by Jim Knight.  Two weeks ago we talked about not judging your conversation partners.  Today we will look at belief 5, conversation should be back and forth.

6 Beliefs to Better Conversations
  1. I see others as equal partners in conversations.
  2. I want to hear what others have to say.
  3. I believe people should have a lot of autonomy.
  4. I don't judge my conversation partners.
  5. Conversation should be back and forth.
  6. Conversation should be life-giving.

Belief 5: Conversation should be back and forth
"During a better conversation, my conversation partner and I become more thoughtful, creative, and alive when we talk in ways that open up rather than shut down our thinking and talking" (Knight, 49, Better Conversations Companion Book).  Conversation should be back and forth, you should gain something and I should gain something.  If it's always me talking, what will I gain from the conversation?  Controlling the conversation also implicitly puts the person talking in a one-up scenario.  Whether intentional or not, we need to be aware of how much we are talking in a conversation and the words we are using.
Granted there are times where the purpose of our conversation is not back and forth, but rather me giving you information.  Again, there are times and places for all six beliefs.  In a better conversation, we need to try to listen as much as we talk and learn as much as we teach (Knight, 51).

Free GED Testing

Below, you will find the press release from the Governor from April 7 announcing that GED testing will be free through July 2016.  If you know of someone that could benefit from this, please pass the word along!  This is a great opportunity.

ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith announced that General Educational Development (GED) testing is available at no cost to eligible Minnesotans through July 2016, expanding economic opportunity for thousands of Minnesotans across the state.

“People who obtain a high school diploma can expect to earn significantly higher incomes in their lifetimes than those who do not,” said Governor Dayton. “This program will help reduce economic disparities in Minnesota, racially and geographically, to help ensure our economy works better for all Minnesotans. I urge the Legislature to approve funding this session to continue the program.”

Having a high school diploma or GED increases the earning power of individuals by 37.5 percent – that’s nearly a $10,000 per year median wage increase, which can make a significant difference for a Minnesota family.

“The GED provides a pathway to better jobs and opportunity,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “This proposal will make the GED more affordable for more Minnesotans. I urge the legislature to support the Governor's proposal, and help build an economy that works for everyone, everywhere in Minnesota.”

Minnesota has long invested $125,000 each year through the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to partially reduce the cost of the GED test for some Minnesotans. An additional $100,000 in funding from the federal Workforce Investment Act is making the GED test free for Minnesotans through July 2016. The Governor and Lt. Governor’s 2016 Supplemental Budget proposal would invest $120,000 to keep the test free for test takers into 2017.

MDE estimates that as many as 2,000 Minnesotans could benefit from this initiative in 2016. In 2015, more than 3,600 Minnesotans took the GED test. The GED test is comprised of four subject area tests, the total cost of which is normally $120.

For more information about the GED program, visit the MDE Adult Basic Education website. For more information and to register for the GED test, visitthe official GED website.
Permalink: http://mn.gov/governor/newsroom/index.jsp?id=1055-212679

Testing Resources

Testing Resources
Testing season is upon us!  It can be a stressful time for both students and teachers.  Here is a list of resources that can assist you and/or your students with testing.

Pinterest Ideas
Resources from Scholastic
Frontline: Testing our Schools (bit dated, but still relevant)
Larry Ferlazzo Blog Post