Learn, Create, Connect

News and Updates from the MASD Technology Integration Committee

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

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

In a Classroom Near You...Just What is an Empowered Learner?
BrightBytes - You Still Have Time
Teacher Webpages - Our "Edline" Days are Numbered
Blogs to Learn From - Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Resource Review - Digital Breakouts

(See the "Previous Issues" tab at the top of the page for LCC's from December and January.)

In a Classroom Near You...Just What Is an "Empowered Learner"?

Our first digital learning transfer goal develops students who are "empowered learners". Your TIC members have been sharing information about this transfer goal through a variety of building level PD opportunities. The transfer goal says:

Students will be able to independently use their learning to leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving, and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.

So, what does an Empowered Learner look like? Where have you seen evidence of empowered learners in your school? How have your students leveraged technology to achieve and demonstrate their learning goals? Check out the Padlet below for some examples and feel free to add your own!

BrightBytes - You Still Have Time!

Teachers, students, and families across the district have been completing the annual "Technology and Learning" survey known as BrightBytes. Each building has (or will be) rolling out the teacher link sometime this month. Many of you have already completed the survey, but for those who haven't yet, there is still time. The survey links will remain active through the end of February. If you need the link, please contact your building TIC member(s).

Special thanks to the following groups for administering the student survey:

Grades 3-5 - Elementary Librarians
Grades 6-8 - MMS Business and Computer Teachers
Grades 9-12 - MASH Physical Education Teachers

Teacher Webpages - Our "Edline" Days are Numbered

Last summer our district moved to a new website provider, Edlio. Several professional development opportunities were held in August, allowing teachers to learn the new system and set up their new pages. At the same time, the district was able to continue our subscription to Edline, our old webpage provider. In the hustle and bustle of the new school year, some of you chose to simply add a link on your Edlio page to your old Edline page. Our subscription to those old Edline pages will end on June 30, 2018...that's 129 days from today! After that date, you will no longer be able to access your old page or any of its contents. If you still have links, files, images, or anything else on your "old" Edline teacher webpage, please begin to plan when and how you're going to make the transition. Use this link to access the old page: http://www.edline.net/pages/mechanicsburg_asd.

If you are just getting started with the new Edlio webpage system, here are a few online resources that might be helpful:

If you'd prefer face-to-face help, please contact Anne Reardon (annereardon@mbgsd.org) before the end of the school year to set up a time to learn about getting started with Edlio.

Blogs to Learn From

Ditch That Textbook is the work of Matt Miller, teacher turned blogger who uses his blog to share his passion for changing the way we do things in our classrooms. His posts are practical and varied, appealing to a wide variety of situations. As an example, scroll down to his January 31st post about voice typing. Whether you use this yourself or use it to empower students who struggle with using a keyboard, the ease and accuracy of today's speech-to-text options are amazing. I encourage you to check out Ditch That Textbook (and no, you don't have to literally ditch the textbooks!).

Resource Review - Digital Breakouts - Try One Here!

What is it?

You've probably heard about Breakout EDU by now - the box with lots of locks on it that kids have to unlock by solving clues. They're fun and engaging and can really stimulate problem solving and critical thinking, but they do have their drawbacks. The kits can be expensive and even with multiple locks, it can be hard to keep a whole class engaged with just one box. Digital Breakouts replace the physical locks with a series of codes that are entered into a Google Form. Clues can be provided physically, digitally, or as a combination of the two. Students can work in teams or alone and are not necessarily tied to that classroom or time of day.

Who might be interested?

Teachers who like the engagement and problem-solving aspects of Breakout EDU, but don't have a kit or want to avoid setting and re-setting all of those locks, will enjoy the digital version. As with the physical kits, Digital Breakouts can be designed for any age group.

How could it be used in the classroom?

A Digital Breakout would be a great way to launch or review a unit. Students can also create Digital Breakouts for their classmates to solve.

How do I get started?

Go to https://www.breakoutedu.com/digital/ to learn how to create the lock form and for dozens of creative ideas for setting up the games. Additional information can be found at these links:

If you prefer to learn face-to-face, contact Anne Reardon (annereardon@mbgsd.org) to schedule time to learn more about creating your first Digital Breakout.

Pros

No expensive kits to buy!
No need to reset locks between class periods.

Cons

Some students might prefer the intrigue of the physical box over a Google Form.

Anne's Thoughts

Breakouts are a great way to get kids collaborating and thinking critically. They can also be a way to get students to go back into a text looking for clues. Try your hand at a sample Digital Breakout below. Click on the icon at the top right of the Form below to open it in a new tab. Then use the "Misquoted Quotes" as clues. The solutions to all of the locks are based on information found somewhere on the Learn, Create, Connect site. Summon your best critical thinking and give it a try! If you need a hint, try typing something into the answer spaces on the form. (Answers will be revealed in the March issue of Learn, Create, Connect.)