On the DL
Notes from Digital Learning and School Library Services
December 2022
Welcome to the refreshed monthly newsletter from the BCS Digital Learning and School Library Services Department. The sections below were designed for quick, efficient browsing that prioritizes the importance of empowerment, reflection, and innovation in education. Have feedback on this new layout? Please let us know what you think using the form linked below!
Empower
The BCS Digital Learning Department is thrilled to share our monthly calendar! Feel free to use these resources in your classroom as a way to celebrate the various days featured on this calendar. Check out the embedded and printable link to the calendar below.
Please log in to Clever before accessing any of the linked calendar resources below, and always be sure to preview resources before utilizing them in your educational setting.
Reflect
Let's reflect on current practices in our school communities, including our amazing library spaces!
Esports in BCS
Brunswick County has launched its first-ever esports program, which began competition in October for the 2022-23 season. Esports, or electronic sports, are multiplayer, organized games played competitively. Brunswick County Schools is among the first school systems in southeastern North Carolina to roll out an organized electronic athletics program.
BCS Esports has a structure that mirrors traditional Brunswick county sports, and the teams currently compete in Rocket League. Each high school fields its team of between 10 and 20 players. Esports athletes are held to a high standard of conduct. They are expected to maintain the same academic and behavior standards as any other high school athletes competing in Brunswick county schools.
In addition to being a new and unique county sports program, the BCS Esports program provides opportunities beyond gaming for students, including real-world skills through work with broadcasting, production, social media, and team management. Electronic student-athletes gain experience in collaboration, team-building, problem-solving, communication, leadership, and critical thinking.
Want to check out an Esports competition? Visit one of the high school media centers on Thursdays @ 3:00. The Fall season is currently in play.
Students at South Brunswick play Rocket League.
High school media centers at North, South, West, and Early College feature a state-of-the-art esports setup.
This appears on a unit, workbook, etc. that I purchased. What can I do with it? What can't I?
"Permission is granted to the individual teacher who purchases one copy of this book to reproduce the student activity material for use in his or her classroom only. Reproduction of these materials for colleagues, an entire school or school system, or for commercial sale is strictly prohibited. No part of this publication may be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. "
There is actually quite a bit to dissect here AND the answer maybe slightly different than it may have been a year ago. Context matters. First, the person who bought this, not their teammate, not the person who took over the subject from them, but the actual person who paid for it, can use it in their classroom and can make copies FOR THEIR STUDENTS. Not everyone else. Where it gets complicated is in the last statement that bars transmission. Realistically, any digital format shared with others is transmission. However, the online classroom is now an extension of the traditional classroom and no one can argue that. Therefore, you can share with students in a closed classroom setting (ie. Google Classroom). Can you put it in your Google Slides? Yes, but....you can't then share that slide with anyone who isn't a student rostered in your class.
Innovate
Looking to embrace new ideas and products in your learning environment? Below are some professional learning opportunities as well as links to some of the many resources BCS Digital Learning & School Library Services provide!
Are you in need of CEUs? The Digital Learning Team at DPI has curated a list of Self-Paced professional learning opportunities that are available! THIS linked document contains a list you can search to find just what you need!
Once you find the perfect fit, look it up in NCEES and enroll.
Did you know that NC is the first state to provide ISTE memberships to educators? Be sure to claim your FREE membership to ISTE (the International Society for Technology in Education) - Look for the icon shown above in NCEdCloud!
