October Newsletter

Blended Learning Department

In this issue:

Blended Learning Focus Area
Monthly focus: Rigor/Mastery (ideas and tips)
PD Opportunities

Monthly checklist
Resources
September Canvas Challenge Winner
Canvas Challenge: Chance to win!

Blended Learning is when students learn in an online and physical setting. You have built a toolkit of videos and modules to help students learn. Remember this is not reinventing the wheel. YOU ARE ALREADY DOING MANY OF THESE COMPONENTS!

Rigor/Mastery

Rigor/Master is the focus area for this month's newsletter. The image, below, is one part of the Blended Learning "Look-For" document. See which blended learning practices can assist with providing rigorous instruction. Mastery of the state standards is the end goal, but the pathway that each student takes to get there may look a little different.

Blended Learning Focus: Rigor/Mastery

If you want your students to master standards in a meaningful and relevant way, rigor is the key. Rigor is also what makes a learning unit robust, engaging, and appropriately challenging. (ASCD.org)

Here are a few things to consider as you look at building rigor in your classroom to attain mastery this year.

PD Opportunities

Blended Learning will be offering Professional Development through Performance Matters. Search GCS-BLDLRN and sign up for your PD starting October 18th.

Apple Training

We are continuing training for October. The dates, time and topics are listed below.

Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

October 4: Mac Foundations for Teaching and Learning

October 7: iPad First Apps to Use with Students for Learning

Monthly Checklist

Consider...

Resources

BL Resource Website: Visit our website for all things blended learning. Locate your blended learning specialist, find out about our virtual course offerings,

Air Table: Want to know what digital resources we have for you? Check out the district's Air Table. You can filter to find the information you need.

Resources Document for Look-fors: If you like the Blended Learning Look-for document but feel like you need to know more, please check out our resource page that directly aligns with each of the blended learning focus areas.

Digital Learning Resources Canvas Page: Need help with one of our GCS district-provided resources? Visit our digital learning resource page to find video tutorials and instructional guides on anything from Swivl to Canvas.

Congratulations!

Beth Rickerts, from Northwest Middle school, is the Canvas Challenge winner for the month of September. Mrs. Rickerts won a $15 gift card to Target for submitting a discussion post she created for her students about the Renaissance. See below for our October Challenge. The next winner could be you!

Canvas Challenge

Pull in the outcomes for your content area.

Please submit a screenshot of where you have imported outcomes/standards to your Canvas course at THIS LINK. Once you submit your screenshot, you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a prize.

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