Leslie Fisher shared so many apps that help educators with efficiency, collaboration, and classroom effectiveness. While I wish I could share detailed information on every one of them (maybe on a later date), for the time being a list and little insight will have to do. I have to honestly say, this presentation was professionally life-changing and I see why Mrs. Fisher has such a following.
Note Taking Solutions
Devices for Note Taking - Check out these two options below for those who still like using good ol'pen & paper with a 21st century twist. While you may feel like you are using an old fashioned method of note taking, your notes are automagically being sent to apps and devices connected to your pen or book. Really cool stuff.
Sharing is Caring
Full Presentation Here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Mja0NwOl_894FYUBRngWRJyE2Ee6NI0s
Ok... so I completely underestimated today thinking that yesterday, being the first day of my first time at ISTE, would be by far the most overwhelming and challenging. Wrong! The Vendor Hall adds an entirely new layer of complexity in any well laid ISTE plans. However, there is a silver lining to this day. It was extremely beneficial and full of helpful information. (Not to mention all the goodies I was able to gather and a special gift i'll share at the bottom of this post.)
Therefore, I'm going to have to organize this post a little differently than expected in order to not waste your time attempting to figure all of this out.
Topics I will speak to later when more info is released:
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As a Technology Department we are looking forward to seeing how we can further technology integration in addition to how we encourage, evaluate, and share our successes. One of the initial steps we would like to take is the leveraging of micro-credentialing and badges. Below are several links to resources on badges and how other districts are using them.
One of the coolest pieces of Tacoma's Badge implementation was how they printed not only physical badges to decorate their doors but created annual trophies (plaques) to recognize teachers who were going above and beyond. These accolades ranged from technical goals found in their Personal Growth Plans to expectations set by the school and district administrative teams.
Make sure you Join the Schoology Course to the right for more information on Schoology (Digital) Badges!
Session of the Day - "Students Won’t Stop Fact-Checking Me: Teaching Kids to Read News Critically"
This session, while primarily non-technical, was a very worthwhile session.
The session focused on our responsibility to teach students to filter out Fake News or as they called it, Fact vs. Fiction. The panel chose to stay away from the term "Fake News" as they felt it had become political and could have a negative impact on the content.
The panel shared some of their favorite tools, activities, and assignments and felt this should be implemented into everyday curriculum (including Digital Citizenship). The panel compared it to being just as important as instructing students to use a dictionary or a table of contents.
Some of their favorite activities include...
Full Presentation: http://www.billselak.com/2018/read-news-critically
To Google only "edu" sites you can search “site: edu" or country codes such as "site: au" to ensure students only receive sites that are educational or outside of western perspective?
Bonus - "We Won!"
Today I was lucky enough to receive a prize winning card that resulted in a LocknCharge Carrier 10 Wall-mounted Charging Station (over $600.00 value).
We will decide in the coming months where this will placed within our district.
The case can be modified to fit various types of devices and is extremely well built. You can learn more about this device here: https://www.lockncharge.com/products/carrier-charging-stations/
Summary
So I fell off the ISTE cliff rather quickly. I felt like Wile E. Coyote with a full proof plan only to find myself falling to my impending doom. However, there's a happy ending and a lot to share. I hope to post a summary each evening consisting of beneficial tips, tools, and resources that will hopefully prove to be useful in the classroom.
The first session went very well, no pressure, got a good seat, and all seemed to be pretty standard conference expectations until the session ended and I was politely asked to leave the room. This really wasn't an issue but my next session was in the same room and I had planned just to remain in my warm, comfortable seat for the next hour. However, I complied, walked out, with the plan of walking right back into the room. That is, until I had noticed a line that appeared to have no end. This forced me to change my plans and take in all of ISTE18. Presentations lead to demonstrations, Poster Sessions, Interactive Sessions, Playgrounds, Learning Networks, and I soon found myself struggling to pay attention to people that were simply and cordially saying hello (Sorry if I ignored anyone.) Nevertheless, I landed on my feet, ran into several Kentucky friends, and attended some great sessions. Let's just hope I can keep it all together when they open the Vendor Hall tomorrow.
The KySTE Organization had the opportunity to present students from Hardin Co. & Floyd Co. with money to support their trip to #ISTE18 in Chicago. These students are STLP KY State Champions and will be presenting throughout ISTE in addition to some of the students serving as engineers.