Learn, Create, Connect


News and Updates from the MASD Technology Integration Committee



Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Scroll down to read this edition's features...

  • Get to Know Your TIC Members
  • Our New Digital Learning Curriculum - What does it mean for me?
  • Blogs to Learn From - The EdTech Sandbox (by our very own Joe Reidy!)
  • In a Classroom Near You...3rd Grade Skypes with Author/Poet Kenn Nesbitt
  • Resource Review - Padlet - This favorite tool for sharing and collaborating has some great new features!

Get to Know Your TIC Members

The MASD Technology Integration Committee (TIC) was formed in the 2013-14 school year and charged with finding a way to make sure all students have the opportunity to learn and develop important technology skills that are necessary for life in today's world. Members are recommended by their building administrators to represent their school as well as their grade level and/or content area. TIC has had some personnel changes over the years, but you can find out who your current TIC representatives are here or by clicking on the "Who is TIC?" link in the navigation bar at the top of this page. Our TIC members are great resources within your buildings, grade levels, and departments for any questions related to the use of technology for teaching and learning.


Pictures of TIC members at work

Our New Digital Learning Curriculum - What does it mean for me?

Over the past few months, many of you have been introduced to our new MASD Digital Learning curriculum. (If you haven't heard about it yet, don't panic. Your turn is coming.) This new curriculum, which was approved by the school board in April, is the result of four years of work on the part of the Technology Integration Committee (TIC). It identifies what we want students to know, understand, do, and be like related to the use of technology. The curriculum does not include its own cornerstones or performance tasks. Rather, as grade levels and departments, you will identify places in your own curricula where the digital learning transfer goals, which were adapted from the ISTE Standards for Students (see right), fit with your goals. Then, over time, you will work with your colleagues to build them into your own assessment tasks. This will help us guarantee that all students have the opportunity to learn and develop important skills and abilities, allowing them to use technology as a learner and as a global citizen.

Many of you are already well on your way in this process. Over the next few years, as curriculum work continues and revisions and updates are made, we will work together to find the best places to address these skills. For now, as you become familiar with the new digital learning curriculum, think about how the great things you're doing in your classroom are already helping our students meet these goals. If you have questions, please reach out to any of the TIC members. If you want to know more, you will find the Digital Learning Stage 1 documents on the network at mech1>District>Curriculum and Assessment> Digital Learning.

Blogs to Learn From

In each edition, we'll share a link to a blog that might be of interest to teachers across the district. For our inaugural edition, we're happy to share a homegrown blog. Joe Reidy, MASH Social Studies and Technology Integration Resource Teacher (and TIC member) has started The EdTech Sandbox, a blog to help MASH teachers "explore, create, and share technology-based learning strategies". Those of you at MASH are already familiar with Joe's blog, but we encourage the rest of you to check it out, too. Many of the ideas Joe shares will be of interest to our elementary and middle school teachers as well.

In a Classroom Near You...


Earlier this month, 3rd graders across the district kicked off their new ELA unit, "Laugh a Little", by participating in a Skype call with children's author and poet, Kenn Nesbitt (@poetry4kids). Mr. Nesbitt shared how he got started as an author, where he gets his ideas, and even worked with the students to write a collaborative poem during the call! Here are a few comments about the event:

“The Skype session was cool because we got to talk to a famous author and I never got to talk to a famous author." James, 3rd grader

“I thought the Skype session went really well. I thought everyone had a good time, I felt joyful when he came on the screen. We have a really, really, rare opportunity.” Lilly, 3rd grader

“The Skype session with Kenn Nesbit was a unique opportunity to learn from an author and to also have the chance to co-author a poem with him. The excitement it generated will help produce creative, funny poets.” Jennifer Rogosky, 3rd grade teacher, Grade Level Chair

Activities like this help students see that learning doesn't just have to happen with one teacher in one classroom or one school. Connecting with experts or peers from across town or around the world helps students to broaden their perspectives, improve their communication skills, and begin to develop their own learning networks. In our digital learning curriculum, these activities address the transfer goals of Empowered Learner (TG1), Digital Citizen (TG2), Creative Communicator (TG6), and Global Collaborator (TG7).

Resource Review - Padlet

What is it?

At its heart, Padlet is a digital bulletin board. A Padlet consists of a blank "wall" onto which you add notes. These notes can simply contain text, or you can add images, videos, links to websites, or other files. Padlets can be shared via a link or QR code for others to view and/or collaborate.

Who might be interested?

Teachers can use Padlets for their own organization or to share resources with students. Students have to be at least 13 years old to create their own accounts, but as long as they don't share any personal information, younger students could contribute to a teacher-made Padlet.

How could it be used in the classroom?

The possibilities are endless...but here are a few ideas to get you started.

  • Create a Padlet with a question or prompt as an activator, summarizer, or lesson reflection.
  • Have students post links to completed projects on a Padlet and then view and comment on one another's work.
  • Use the "Shelf" layout to create a K-W-L chart or other graphic organizer.
  • Groups can use a Padlet as a project management tool to keep track of notes, documents, links, etc.

How do I get started?

Go to https://padlet.com/ and sign up for a free account. Padlet is very easy to use, so a few minutes of playing around might be enough. But if you'd like a short tutorial, check out this video from Richard Byrne at Free Tech for Teachers. They've added a few new features since this tutorial was made, but it's a great walk through the basics.

Pros

  • Free version has a lot to offer!
  • Easy to set up and use.
  • Enhances communication and collaboration for students and teachers.

Cons

  • Students must be 13 to create an account (but younger students can still contribute to teacher-made Padlets as long as they don't share any personal information).

Anne's Thoughts

There are specialized apps that do one thing really well, and then there are the "work horses" that can be used in many different ways. Padlet definitely fits this latter category. I've used Padlets in classrooms with students, for professional learning with teachers, in conference presentations, and even for my own organization. It's easy to use and amazingly flexible for a free tool. If you've used Padlet, be sure to check out the new features. If you've never used it, I encourage you to give it a try. And just to give you a first-hand look, double click on the Padlet below and add your ideas about how you could use Padlet in your classroom.