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Improving Communication and Collaboration...Help!

3/28/2014

 
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Purpose: I would like to continue to expand my personal learning network and I’d like to get input from outside and from within the district about how to improve our communication and collaboration system.  

I have become a huge fan of Google. I am an equally big fan of Apple and am extremely fortunate to work in a district that has a 1-to-1 MacBook initiative. I have spent the past two years with the title of Technology Integration Coach. This is/was a new position in the district. The title, itself, is the job description. I think it is safe to say that I stumbled my way through the first months of my tenure. My message has always remained the same. When it comes to creating a technology integrated environment, it is not about the tool, the product, application, or system. The focus needs to be placed on communication and collaboration...between students, teachers, teachers to students, and teachers to parents. The methods, whatever they may be, should increase the student’s access to a high quality education.

As an instructional/technology coach, my message to teachers has been that they should choose the method that works best for them. Yes, I have been an advocate for Google Apps for education, but it makes no difference to me whether they use DropBox, Google, or just email.

There have been a number of changes in systems and personnel in the district in recent history. Some of the system changes have had an affect on the district’s communication, collaboration, and information sharing needs. I now find myself advocating even more for Google. I am sure that we can utilize Google as our sole file and information sharing system. However, I am open to suggestions. We are also in the process of gathering information from other companies.

The goal is to provide students with access to content and encourage parent participation. We also need a system to organize and manage school work and curriculum files. Finally, the system needs to allow for collaboration between colleagues. We use Google in our district but not as a district. We also use Infinite Campus. Our email is an Exchange system. I think we can make better use of each of these tools in order to meet our goals. I would appreciate any and all input. What works for you as an individual? What system does your school/district use?




Flipping the Classroom

3/24/2014

 
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The idea of ‘Flipping’ classrooms has been trending in technology integration circles for a little while now. In a Flipped  classroom the teacher provides the opportunity for the student to access instruction at home. This, then, makes it possible for the student to work in the classroom with an expert, you, readily available to answer questions and provide assistance.

Perhaps the most commonly used method for flipping is the podcast. There are other methods that do not require technology. I am going to focus on podcasting to demonstrate some of the tools we all have available to us and to highlight an example from the high school.

Let’s start with Google. All teachers and every student has access to the District’s Google Domain. Teachers can upload videos to their Google Drive account. The file can then be shared directly to the students accounts or a link to the the file can be embedded on a teacher website. My suggestion would be to embed a calendar onto your website. Then all you have to do is update the calendar. For students that don’t have internet access at home, videos shared through Google Drive accounts can be easily downloaded.

Through our Google accounts we also have access to Youtube. We are currently working out some issues with Youtube, so the Google Drive method might be the easiest solution at this point. Youtube does have some fantastic content already available. So, don’t re-create the wheel if it’s not needed. Check out the educational videos that somebody else has already created. I subscribe to Crash Course, the National Museum of Mathematics, Edutopia, and Educator.com, to name a few.

Regardless of any blocks you may have experienced trying to view Youtube, teachers do all have access. You must login to your district Google account. Click on the Apps icon. Then, scroll down and click on Youtube. If there is a Youtube video that is not available to students through our Education filter, email me the link. I can put it on a safe playlist that will allow students to view the important information.

Now, let me revisit the previous statement about not re-creating the wheel. I am sure you all have incredible PowerPoint and/or Keynote presentations that you use on a regular basis. The next time you get ready to use one of your established presentations, try Quicktime or let me know. I can show you how to record your voice along with slides. This can be easily turned into a podcast without you having to put in a lot of extra time. Whether you agree with the concept of flipping the classroom or you are just not ready to commit to flipping, I think it would be easy to agree that we can extend the access to a high quality education by providing absent students or students that need a refresher with a teacher’s direct instruction rather than a copy of a friends notes.

  • Here is an example of an Algebra II podcast shared through Google Drive. (You must login in to your district Google account to view.)

  • Here is an explanation about how the above podcast was created using an iPad app called Explain Everything.

Please contact me if you are interested in more information.



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