September Newsletter

Blended Learning Department

In this issue:

Blended Learning Look-for Document
Monthly focus: Culture (ideas and tips)
PD Opportunities

Monthly checklist
Resources
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!

What does good blended learning look like?

What does Good Blended Learning Look Like.pdf

Resources Document for Look-fors

Introducing the "Blended Learning Look-for" document!

This document breaks down blended learning into four focus areas:

Culture and Communication

2. Ownership and Agency

3. Differentiation

4. Rigor/Mastery

We will spotlight each of these focus areas in our monthly newsletter.

I've created a S.M.A.R.T goal. What's next?

Use the Blended Learning Resource Document to access suggestions/ideas for implementing your goal.
Consider how you will collect data around your S.M.A.R.T goal. Could a Google Form or spreadsheet help?
Consider using a blended learning model as a key strategy to help students achieve mastery.

Things to remember...

~Start small

~Pick an area of improvement

~ Set a S.M.A.R.T goal

Blended Learning Focus: Culture

A positive and dynamic culture in the classroom focuses on student involvement, teacher-student trust and rapport, and sharing ideas and experiences.

Here are a few things to consider as you look at building culture this year.

PD Opportunities

Blended Learning has modified all virtual Back-to-School support training sessions to accommodate early morning schedules. All Tuesday trainings will be conducted from 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM. Thursday trainings will remain from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Tuesdays (8:00-9:00 a.m.)

- SWIVL--Intermediate Training (9/7 and 9/21)
- Google Training (9/14)
- Nearpod Training (9/28)

Thursdays (4:00-5:00 p.m.)

- SWIVL--Intermediate Training (9/16)
- Google Training (9/9 and 9/30)
- Nearpod Training (9/23)

Click HERE to join these sessions.

Apple Training

We are continuing training for September. The dates, time and topics are listed below. Each training day there will be office hours available for anyone who desires personalized assistance.

Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Sept. 7, Mac Foundations

Sept. 9, Mac Foundations

Sept. 14, Intro. to Apple Classroom

Sept. 16, Mac Foundations

Sept. 21, iPad First Apps

Please use this link to access meeting links and additional information for Apple Training.

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.

Canvas Challenge

Create a discussion board post to help build culture in your classroom.

Please submit a screenshot of the discussion post question at THIS LINK. Once you submit your screenshot, you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a prize.