November 2017

CU Innovation Tour

Teacher Librarians (TLs) that attended the Future Ready Librarianship Professional Pathway concluded the course with a tour of University of Colorado (CU) Boulder innovation spaces. 20+ TLs gathered on the CU campus on Oct. 25 and visited the following locations:

The tour highlighted the fact that the same shifts we see happening in teaching, learning, and physical spaces in BVSD K-12 schools are also happening at CU Boulder. ITLL, Idea Forge, and Norlin Library Commons are all flexible, hands-on, collaborative environments that support both independent work and student team explorations, and access can be scheduled or unscheduled to encourage "spontaneous exchanges".

The tour concluded at the Norlin Library Commons where we met with CU Librarians, Caroline Sinkinson and Juliann Couture, to answer our questions and share details about Norlin's journey to create more student-centered, self-sufficient, flexible, multi-use, and participatory spaces. It was interesting to note that CU Librarians are also navigating many of the same adaptive challenges BVSD TLs are with respect to re positioning libraries as information, technology, and collaboration hubs. It was an incredibly educational and validating afternoon and a big "thank you" to Caroline Sinkinson for organizing the tour and giving us the opportunity to learn, connect, and share.

Guest Blogger - Jane Schissel | Broomfield High School

Mobile Maker Kits: Feeding Curiosity and Imagination

"I have a responsibility to make sure that there is enough variety in the MakerSpace to appeal to our diverse population. I do the same with books." Read more.

InnEdCo Grant Opportunity

Innovative Education Special Project Grants 2017-18 2018 Innovative Education Colorado Conference Stipend Innovative Education Grants, funded by InnEdCo (formerly TIE Colorado), is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for two different grant opportunities for Colorado educators:

1) 2017-18 Special Project Grants to improve student achievement through the integration of technology into K-12 classrooms, a school, or district - Applicants could include Classroom Teachers, Information Technology, Media, and Library specialists, etc. Teams are encouraged to apply. They could Include other specialty areas, i.e. gifted and talented, STEM, literacy, the arts, etc. Grants will be awarded in the amount of $500 to $2,500. Application process is now open. Application deadline is midnight Nov 30, 2017. Awards will be announced Feb 1, 2018.

2) Need-based stipends to attend the Innovative Education Colorado Conference, June 12-14, 2018 at Keystone Resort - The stipends will provide $500 towards conference registration and other expenses. Qualified educators must be certified teachers. Administrators need not apply. Applicants must demonstrate: a focus for their learning that will impact their classroom and/or school, and be willing to share their learning with others in their organization and complete a follow-up evaluation/survey. Administrator support is also required. Request for Proposals will open Dec 1, 2017. Application deadline is midnight Jan 31, 2018. Awards will be announced Mar 1, 2018.

Blended Courses

Are you ready to up your ed tech integration? Then we have the PD for you! Whether you’re just a beginner or looking to learn some new tricks, this PD is for teachers of all grade levels and content areas.

The Ed Tech Team is offering four blended courses that will feature a mix of face-to-face sessions, online webinars, and individual work time. Not only will you learn new skills to use in your classroom, all courses are available for salary credit or instructional seat time as well. This is a great opportunity to grow your technology skills, especially if you are at a 1:Web or distance learning school, so sign up in MyPassport today and bring a friend! We look forward to learning with you!

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