Pages

Friday, November 8, 2013

MRVED Business

Meeting Updates
FACS Meeting
The Family and Consumer Science teachers took a field trip for their best practice meeting this Fall.  The group spent the morning at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall meeting with the department chairs of education and culinology.  The group had the opportunity to hear from higher education as to what they are seeing in students as well as trends in their area.  The teachers also toured the departments.  After a great lunch at SMSU, the FACS teachers made their way over to Schwans Research and Development. This was a treat!  The group had the opportunity to throw on a hairnet and see how a product is born and all the steps that are involved in bringing a product to market.  Overall it was a great active day for everyone!

FACS group touring a kitchen at SMSU with department chair Michael Cheng.

MELT Update
The MRVED still needs YOU!  We know there are great things going on in all of our schools.  Please consider sharing some of those great things at the MELT in January.  If you are interested in presenting, or are not sure if your topic would be interesting, please contact Brandon (braymo@mrved.net).  Remember, you do not have to present alone, teams of teachers are encouraged to present together.

The MRVED is also looking for facilitators of networking groups.  As a facilitator you are not expected to be the expert in the room, but rather move the discussion along.  The goal of a networking group is to share resources and ideas with people who have the same interest.  They are meant to include a give & take.  Bring something to share and take something away that someone else shared.  The only networking groups that will be offered are those that have a willing facilitator.  If a networking group does not have a facilitator, they will not be held.  If you would like to sign up, please click the link below and add your name to the list next to the group you would like to facilitate.  If you have any questions, please contact Brandon.

Networking Facilitator Signup

MRVED BEST PRACTICE MEETINGS:
November 12, 2013 - District Technology Coordinators
November 14, 2013 - Guidance Counselors
November 15, 2013 - Social Workers
November 21, 2013 - Industrial Technology (K & M tour)
November 26, 2013 - Superintendents' Council (NEW DATE)


Augmented Reality in Schools

According to the Horizons report, Augmented Reality is set to have a great impact on education in the next 5-10 years.  What is augmented reality (AR)?  Augmented reality is taking the real world and superimposing a virtual image on top of it to bend your perception of reality.  See the TED talk below about how Augmented Reality is being used today.


This technology can have a great impact on the way our students view the world in the coming years.  There are many ways in which this technology can be used in education today.  See the great list of apps below and start experimenting with this great technology today! (All links will take you to the Apple App store, please note some are also Android apps).


Google Forms for Educators

Google Forms can be a very powerful tool to use in your classroom, with parents, or among colleagues.  If you have a Google Account, you already have access to this great free tool.  Watch the videos below to learn how to create a form and also incorporate Flubaroo with Google Forms.  If you know how to create a form, check out this great resource for ideas for use in education.  This website is jam-packed with great ideas on how to incorporate Google Forms into the education world with ready to use examples.

Creating a Google Form

Using Flubaroo

12 Touchstones of Good Teaching

8. Create an Oasis of Safety and Respect in Your Classroom




What it looks like: "Teachers establish clear rules for behavior and consequences for misconduct, ensuring that all students feel safe to learn and contribute to classroom discussions."

Why it is important: "Until more basic needs of safety and respect are met, students will find it difficult to learn.  The most effective behavior management techniques balance punishments for misconduct with rewards for good behavior and also enlist the entire school community in enforcing clear expectations for behavior throughout the school."

(Goodwin & Hubbell, pg. 197)

Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports website