On the DL

Notes from Digital Learning and School Library Services

November 2020

A look at the October data for Clever Portal usage in BCS.

Each year NCDPI collects data specific to Digital Teaching and Learning and uses this data to lobby for and/or distribute resources across the state. One of the tools used for this data collection, is the Digital Learning Rubric. The NC Digital Learning Progress Rubric, supported as part of the NC Digital Learning Initiative, serves as a roadmap to support North Carolina’s educators and communities in the transition to digital-age teaching and learning.

We would like input from a variety of stakeholders, so I would ask anyone who is willing to complete the rubric for use and I will consolidate data. Fair warning, this rubric is long, detailed, and intense (think of the teacher evaluation rubric only about digital resources.) The rubric is designed by NCDPI in conjunction with the Friday Institute. While I serve on an advisory panel, I did not have input into the complexity of the rubric.

If you are willing to provide input into our scoring, please download a copy of the Digital Learning Progress Rubric before beginning this process. You may want to print and complete the rubric in advance of completing this form. When you are reading, submit your scoring on this form. The check boxes in the form align with those on the detailed rubric. Please submit prior to leaving for the Thanksgiving holiday. Data will be compiled and submitted to NCDPI prior to December 31, 2020. I will conduct a prize drawing from all of those who submit rubric data.

We value your feedback. This rubric will allow us to set goals in order to best meet the needs of our students and staff.

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Copyright Corner

(click the down arrow to see the response to the question)

Why is Netflix, Disney+, Hulu or any other streaming service blocked? I teach that novel, topic, etc. and need to show the video.

Several things come into play here.

Terms of Service: Your Netflix account Terms of Service state that the account is for your personal, entertainment use. Your classroom is neither personal nor entertainment. The same goes for all other streaming accounts.
Certain Netflix Original documentaries have been deemed for educational use, HOWEVER, there is no way to filter these from the rest of the Netflix content.
Movies used in the classroom must meet Fair Use guidelines. In order to meet these, the movie must be tied directly to a content standard (no showing movies for rewards or holidays). In addition, they must be acquired legally and preferably from a vendor with licensing right for viewing.
We have a form that should be completed and then signed by your school administrator when showing any movie. See your media coordinator for more information.

School Library Spotlight

Reading Challenges Reach Reluctant Readers

At Cedar Grove Middle School, reading challenges are a staple of the school community. Mrs. Rogerson started promoting these challenges in 2017 and they continue to encourage independent reading among students and staff. They are constantly evolving and continue to ask students and teachers to leave the comfort zones of familiar genres and delve into new ones. The CGMS Media Center has sponsored semester long challenges, seasonal challenges, and now is focusing on monthly challenges with fewer categories. Participants are encouraged to read print books from the media center, as well as digital books from the BCS Sora digital catalog.

Students and staff are asked to read books from various categories based on the theme of the challenge. For example, the current Fall Reading Challenge requires that participants read a book with an orange cover, a book with a one word title, and a suspenseful book. When readers complete each book, they submit a google form found on Mrs. Rogerson’s webpage or in her Virtual Media Center Google Classroom. When a reader has completed three google forms fulfilling all categories, they are recognized on the school’s social media pages and are invited to a celebration where they receive treats like pizza and free books to add to their personal libraries.

The reading challenges have inspired a renewed interest in independent reading among staff and it isn’t uncommon to see staff members attend the Reading Challenge celebrations. This has served as an authentic motivator to students and they often compete with their teachers to see who can finish the challenges first. By modeling good independent reading practices, teachers are encouraging their students to develop a lifelong love of reading while also enjoying the rewards.

by April Rogerson, School Library Media Coordinator - Cedar Grove Middle School

Digital Learning Resources

Pebble Go is a digital resource provided by Brunswick County Schools linked in Clever. Teachers need to reach out to their Media Coordinator for login information. Pebble Go is appropriate for grades K-3. Pebble Go has many features to help early readers and their teachers such as:

Read Aloud Audio
Appropriate Text for K-3
Simple Navigation
Extended Learning
Availability in English & Spanish
Free Resources for Teachers: lesson plans & activities
Usage Reports

Exploration content includes biographies, animals, science, social studies, and health. Within each content area, students can choose sub-categories in which they can learn more about the specific content. Students can have the text read aloud and then watch a video, complete an activity, and have access to other resources depending on the content viewed.

How do you use Flocabulary?

Use the Word Up vocabulary to increase students word skills. Students can work on different levels at their own pace for a personalized experience. Word Up goes up to 12th grade!
Use the SEL page to start your day or week with a specific skill. For example, you could watch the "Active Listening" video on A day and do one of the activities together as an opening on B day.
End your week with a current events video, "The Week in Rap". Follow that up with a discussion on one of the events. Keep it Current!
Don't forget about the upcoming PD sponsered by Flocabulary for beginners. Click here.

WeVideo is a linked resource in Clever. Students and staff must sign in with their BCS Google credentials. WeVideo offers four creation options; Video, Recording, Podcast, & GIF. WeVideo allows for teachers and students to create a variety of resources such as:

Skit
Public Service Announcement
Presentation
Speech
Interview
Storytelling
Commercial
News Broadcast
Book Trailer
Podcast
GIF

Projects are created using Wevideo's creation options such as text, backgrounds, imported media from the computer or Goole Drive, transitions, stock media from WeVideo, themes, overlay's, and video & audio recordings. WeVideo projects can be individually created or collaborative. Below you will find linked tutorials:

Building Engineers in K-12 Classrooms

This FREE Virtual STEM Conference is sponsored by Moore County Schools November 8-13, 2020. Visit their website for more details: https://www.k12engineers.org/2020-conference

Bring Curriculum to Life with Flocabulary

Flocabulary PD opportunity on November 3, 2020. In this introductory webinar, you will learn how the Flocabulary site is organized, the function of each of the features, and the range of subject and grade level content that students will be able to access. Visit this registration link to learn more!

Dual Screen Mode

Teach your students about dual screen mode for Chromebooks. Use the Alt + [ to snap a browser tab to the left and Alt + ] to snap a different browser tab to the right. Use the Alt + Tab to toggle easily between the two. This can be easier then going between tabs if students need two different screens up at the same time.

HERE is more information on the keyboard shortcuts to activate the Split Screen feature on a Chromebook

NCWiseOwl EBSCO Webinars 2020-2021

Want to love and utilize NCWiseOwl even more? Attend the upcoming webinars available from our database vendors!

Britannica School:

Britannica Basics for Elementary Educators (November 4, 2020)
Britannica Basics for Secondary Educators (November 18, 2020)

Find all the other upcoming Britannica webinars there as well!

EBSCO:

EBSCO Reference Center Exploration (November 5, 2020)

Access past webinar recordings here , too!

Please visit the Toolkit's professional learning section for more details.

Connecting Your Panel

Whether you have a SMART board with a projector, a SMART panel, a Boxlight panel, or a Newline board, when tethered to the panel, they all require HDMI to connect the image and audio and the USB to enable touch control of your computer from the panel. Some of the newer interactive panels even allow you to connect wirelessly and still control the pace of your lesson right from the board!

Click HERE to find the image that best represents the panel in your classroom. Click on that image to see the details.

Sora

Have you checked out Sora lately? Accessible through the Clever portal, this digital collection for Brunswick County Schools contains graphic novels, audio books, books in Spanish and even “Read Along With Me” books!

Check out a book and read it on your laptop. or get the app and read on a tablet or phone. Adjust your reading settings - change the type and size of the font and the text/page contrast. While reading, look up words you may not know, highlight and take notes, you can even add a digital bookmark.

With over 4,700 choices - what are you waiting for?

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