Digital Learning Day Brings Info and Resources Galore

Digital Learning Day is Wednesday, February 5, 2014.  If you're asking yourself "what's that?" you've come to the right place.  Spearheaded by the Alliance for Excellent Education, Digital Learning Day recognizes innovative teaching and common-sense, effective applications of education technology that support teachers, improve learning, and help students achieve at their highest potential.

    In addition, thousands of state and local events will be held throughout the country, including the more than 1,000 local events that educators have added to the Digital Learning Day website. In conducting their events, educators will be tapping the interactive lesson plans andteaching toolkits available in several different subject areas, including English language arts, math, science, social studies, and more.
    “In the two years since the Alliance’s inaugural Digital Learning Day, the many uses of technology to improve student learning outcomes in the nation’s schools have skyrocketed,” said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education. “Still, there are schools and classrooms where students are asked to check their devices at the door. Digital Learning Day was created to provide all educators—from those who are technology averse to the technology rock stars—with the support and guidance they need to feel comfortable using different types of technology to improve learning in their classrooms.”
   In addition to the local events, Digital Learning Day will include a national showcase event and virtual conference that will be broadcast live on the internet from the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. The showcase will be hosted by Judy Woodruff, co-anchor and managing editor of the PBS NewsHour, and it will feature Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler, U.S. Representative George Miller, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, Acting U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education James H. Shelton III, Wyoming State Senator Rich Crandall, and Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery.
    The national showcase will also feature educators and students from schools and school districts that are using technology to make a positive difference in student learning, including Talladega, Alabama; Beaverton, Oregon; Henry County, Georgia; Hillsborough, Florida; Albemarle County, Virginia; and West Windsor Township, New Jersey. Also highlighted will be key initiatives to bring broader adoption of technology into classrooms, including an urgent need to update the federal E-rate program, an immensely successful initiative that has connected 94 percent of schools to the internet, but as more teachers, students, and devices attempt to access a school’s network, it cannot meet the exploding demand for high-speed connections.
    “From simple beginnings, Digital Learning Day has become a worldwide event for showcasing how technology can improve student outcomes and support teachers,” said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former governor of West Virginia. “I encourage everyone—educators, parents, students, and members of the media—to visitDigitalLearningDay.org or contact your local schools and school districts to see what they are doing to celebrate Digital Learning Day and learn how you can get involved.”
    Visit DigitalLearningDay.org for ideas about how students, parents, administrators and others can participate. Follow the action on the Digital Learning Day Twitter page, with the #DLDay hashtag, and on the Digital Learning Day Facebook page.
    In USD 308, we know that every day is a digital learning day, but the resources and celebration surrounding this event are truly too good to pass up.  What are you doing on Wednesday to recognize Digital Learning Day?  

'Twas the Day Before Break (A Technology Tale)

‘Twas the days before Break, and all through the schools The  teachers were using technology tools. The iPads were charged and the “carts” were plugged in In anticipation for class to begin. The students showed up with a gleam in their eyes, Because when there’s tech, engagement arrives. They take to it like a duck does to water, ‘Cuz the tech is the clay and the kid is the potter. At Faris and Graber and Lincoln and Wiley, Cool projects like “Linkville” make wee ones feel smiley. Others like Manny write blogs yes they do, And Bleything and Williams tried Hutchdocs woo hoo! Corcoran’s vid made the board say “That’s Great!” Burlie’s sixth grade  iMovie  was especially first rate. Winters does projects with Educreations, They make herstudents give standing ovations! Don’t forget Magnet @ Allen  or our  MCC, They are as  busy with tech as they can be. With Compass and iPads and SMARTboards  galore, They are always on the lookout for more, more and more! Then Morgan and the folks down at Avenue A, Bring technology into most every day. With Keynote, Edmodo, QR Codes and FasttMath, Their students are headed down the perfect path. Don’t count out the high school or CTEA, Their tech is “sick” as the kids these days say. They’ve got Robots and green screens and auto-mechanics, Robotic welders, wind tunnels-  I’m not done yet, don’t panic… There’s the Hoss Mill and paint booth that’s state of the art, The saw stop and printer that prints 3D parts. The teachers are stellar as they teach the mobs Of kids hoping they’ll become the next Steve Jobs. Loewen and Gusty and yes, even Durham Tackled Hutchdocs without a bad word between ‘em. The students enjoy it , Roehm knew that they would, They turn things in paperlessly the way that they should. Hutch Middle School, it was not saved for last, Their use of technology can’t be surpassed. They “Explain Everything”, Socravite and such Infographics, Thinglink gosh, there’s so much. So as this last day with students draws near, There’s just one thing more that I’d like you to hear. Thank you so much for your hard work with tech, Have a restful holiday season, as the halls you do deck! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!!! Amy Reilly

Linkville: A "Tasty" Second Grade Community

2nd Graders at Wiley Elementary got a taste of what building a community is like in Kristi Link's class. Focusing on Social Studies Common Core Standards that center around communities and what makes them thrive, students spent time brainstorming what was important for all communities to have, what citizens needed, and how buildings might be designed. Then, using a variety of items, the kids set to work building their community (they named it Linkville).  Kristi's class is part of a larger, multi-state project called a "STEM to STEAM" challenge. During the week of December 16-20 classes will Skype with each other to compare/contrast their engineered communities and discuss what it is like to live where they do.  To read more about this activity, you can visit the project website here.

Yes, We Can...Write Code. :-)

It's here!  Computer Science Education Week is upon us and as I posted in last week's blog a great way to recognize it is by visiting their site and treating your students to "An Hour of Code".  I am a firm believer in practice what you preach where technology is concerned so I signed up and participated myself.  It was FUN!  It was also a tad addicting. The minute I saw the Angry Bird logo I knew that kids would be interested but I was still sketchy about adults.  That skepticism quickly vanished when I entered the site:  http://learn.code.org/hoc/1   It was engaging and educational at the same time.  Basically users are trying to "write code" that gets the bird to the pig.  This video explains how:  

What a great way to get students excited about writing code!  There are extension activities as well for those students and teachers who are interested in going beyond the hour where they learn the basic concepts of Computer Science with drag and drop programming. The website provides 15-25 hours of "unplugged" classroom activities interspersed with game-like, self-directed tutorials starring video lectures by Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Angry Birds and Plants vs. Zombies.  
I strongly encourage you to introduce your students to the concept of coding in this way.  You won't be sorry!

iOS7 Is Here!

Ok, I know not all of you have an iPhone or an iPad, but my love of all things nerdy has me excited about the new iOS7 update for Apple devices.  If you have a Droid, continue as you were and catch the blog the next time.  For those of you who have an Apple device this is for you.  
On September 18, the update became available.  I spoke with a teacher friend of mine last night and she had already updated her system and deemed it "pretty slick".  So, I tried to update mine.  It was a no-go because the update was not yet available on my phone.  But no worries.  When I woke up this  morning there it was!  It took my phone about an hour to update to the new system.  That was from my home internet which has medium speed levels.  I felt like it was a reasonable amount of time.  How do you update your system?
1.  Go to settings.
2.  Click on General.
3.  Click on SYSTEM UPDATE.
4.  Download and Install OS7.  **Because it is a big update, you need to be on WiFi to download it.  In addition, it is smart to plug into a power source, as updating it can drain your battery.
5.  These same steps apply when updating your iPad!
       There seemed to be quite a few "policy" screens.  I hate to say it, but I click agree and continue without reading a word.  C'mon, you know you do it, too.  I'm trusting that I haven't promised anything too outlandish by doing so.
       The next part is the fun part because it's time to play.  Seriously, just like a kid does with a new toy, you have to allow yourself time to investigate all the new functions and the new look of your device.  A few sites that I have found to help you are here:
Apple  This is Apple's website.  They have a short video that will show you the new features of the iPhone and iPad with the update.
iOS7 Tips and Tricks  This is a blog created by an Apple employee.  She and her husband got the download early and have had a chance to check things out.  Read further to hear their opinions.  
Troubleshooting Tips  This site offers help with downloading the update and information about auto-updating apps and how to turn certain functions off.
       There are a plethora of sites out there that will help you.  Simply Google "iOS7 tips and tricks" and you'll see quite a few.  
       My verdict:  While I love all things nerdy, I'm not completely sold yet.  The look is a little too bright and shiny for my tastes.  I know I'll get used to it eventually, but right now I'm not loving it.  My battery seemed to drain at rapid speed today.  Not sure if that can be attributed to the update or the fact that I kept playing with it. I would recommend that to save battery you swipe UP to show the control center and tap on AirDrop.  Turning this function off will save your phone from searching for other phones or iPads nearby.  There are several other new features one can turn off to improve battery life, but until I try them I don't want to recommend them.  I do love the swipe feature for the control center.  That is pretty cool.  In addition, by double tapping the home key and swipping up on the pages you see, you can close your apps.  For some reason that seems to entertain me more than waiting for the wiggly x to show up.  Have fun with the update.  If you stumble upon a great tip that could help others navigate the update, please comment here!

Remind 101 - Perfect for communication with parents and students K - 12

Welcome Back!  There's nothing like jumping into a new school year with a great plan to communicate with parents and students.  Teachers choose sites like Edmodo, Facebook and blogs for that communication and they are terrific sources.  To add to your bag of tricks is Remind 101. 
What is it?
Remind101 provides a safe way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with parents for free. Teachers use remind101.com, the Android or iOS app to send texts to students' and parents' phones without ever having to share their own phone number. Students and parents also never have to share their phone number with teachers. Ever.

How Might I Use It?
Field trip reminders, motivational messages, homework, exam reminders, schedule changes, fun facts, and trivia. It’s a great way to communicate information to students and parents safely! 

How do I get started?
Go to remind101.com on your computer, or download the Android or iOS app, then create your first class to see how it works. It takes less than two minutes to get started! 

My students are too young for cell phones.
That's when you use it with the parents.  Busy parents would love reminders about field trip permission slip due dates and test schedules.  They will LOVE this!

Everyone has two minutes, right?  And once your account is created, messages take seconds to write and send.  Today's parents and students are more connected than ever.  Remind 101  would be a great way to keep the lines of communication open between home and school.

Here's the link: Remind 101

Don't Catch My Disease

Favorite daughter Brigid just returned from Girls State recently.  Like her brother when he went to Boys State five years ago, she was excited about the prospect of meeting new people and having some fun.  Well, she met new people.  That's it.  Ok, I am probably exaggerating.  She said it was a great experience.  She said that knowing what she knows now, she would recommend it to others.  She also said she has no desire to go back.   One of the reasons was the rules.  The other was that my sweet, intelligent daughter is catching my disease.

Let's talk about rules.  As an educator, I'm a huge fan of rules....well, procedures anyway.  Students need to know how to turn in papers, how to conduct research and the right way to collaborate.  All of that takes procedures and rules.  People who learn how to follow the rules when they're young, seem to do better with them when they become adults.  (Speeding aside, of course...that's one that trips me up all the time!)  That said, what is with those who feel the need to create rules just for rules sake.  Really?  Brig shared some of the rules of GS with me and I was surprised and a bit miffed for her.  The girls, at GIRLS STATE, in an all GIRL environment were not allowed off their dorm floor in running shorts...or shorts for that matter - even during their "free time".    They were to wear dresses the entire time.  Um, ok.    They were not allowed to use the restrooms between speakers.  Um, WHAT?  Finally, the one that really threw me was on the girls' last night, the floor Nazis, guards, monitors set their alarms to wake up every two hours to make sure the girls were not still up talking.  Seems there are motion sensor lights and if the girls even ventured into the other side of the suite the lights would come on.  If the "monitors" saw the lights on, the girls got into trouble.  Wow.    Brig was shocked.  So was I.  These girls are some of the best and brightest and they were treated like little kids.  This was nothing like the shorts, t-shirts, fun and late night conversations that her brother Conor experienced at Boys State.  They learned the same information.  They learned the same branches of the government.  But the experiences were vastly different. It seems to me that if you have a group of intelligent young ladies on the precipice of adulthood, that they ought to be treated as such. 

Disease.  The definition is simple- a disease is an ailment, a sickness or illness.  My daughter has caught mine. I guess you could call it "peoplephobia".  I'm not scared of them however, I just simply don't want to be around them.   I laughingly tell others that I don't "like people".  It usually gets a giggle or smirk because people think I am joking.   I'm not.  Truly, my intentions are good and interactions with people are genuine.  I can do the small talk thing with professionals to a certain degree and I love working with teachers in my district.  That's my job. But,  I can't stand the banal, humdrum sometimes cutthroat encounters that revolve around my kids' school functions.  This includes ball games, music concerts and other extracurricular events.  Wow.  Women, as a gender, are mean, gossipy, and snarky.  So are their husbands.  I choose not to interact.  I pack my iPad, full of games and good books, and a beverage sadly lacking in alcohol and head to the top of the bleachers.  There I park it, all by my lonesome and watch the game/activity.  I love it...because I'm alone.  I might venture over to talk briefly to others, but for the most part, I am blissfully unaware of the cutting remarks aimed at the players, coaches and teachers in the building.  Peace.   Ahhhh.....

The same is true about crowded functions.  I loathe them.  This includes but is not limited to trips to Walmart - must be the tenth circle of hell, the DMV, jury duty and huge church gatherings.  I recently traveled to Washington DC with my kids.  The airport just about pushed me over the edge.  How can so many idiots be in one place at the same time.  And of course, at the airport, they are all mad as hornets due to missed connections and delays.  So they rant and rave and curse at the top of their lungs, causing me to push up the volume on my iPod to drown them out while grinding my teeth in an effort to keep from telling them to shut the heck up.  Places like Arlington Cemetery and the Lincoln Memorial sent me into orbit, too.  At Arlington, I saw a grown, flip flop and dirty t-shirt wearing man dump his hot Pepsi into the grass....ON A GRAVE!  Seriously?  At the Lincoln Memorial, there are signs asking for visitors to show respect and decorum.  Who are they kidding?  I saw a wife shouting directions to her husband to get his finger in the right place so it looked like he was picking Lincoln's nose. C'mon people, have some respect. 

All of these instances over my lifetime\ have caused me to come to the conclusion that I really don't like people.  I like/love my friends.  I love my family (sometimes I don't like them all the time....lol).  But honestly, I can truly take or leave the rest of the population.  Mostly leave. 

Now it seems Brig is experiencing the same symptoms of exasperation and bewilderment when surrounded by people.   Her chief complaint about Girls State was the fact that she was SURROUNDED ALL THE TIME.  And one of the girls in close proximity to her was a hugger. NOOOOOOOOO!   I felt for her.  I get it.  While there is no hope for my son Conor (he decided he doesn't like people many moons ago),  perhaps Brig can turn it around and come out of her teens unscathed and with a positive attitude about her peers and society as a whole.  I'm not going to hold my breath that this will happen, but a girl can dream, right?