This video by shows you how to use Doctopus and Goobric to assess student's work. If you are using Google Classroom to assign work you will be able to create a rubric and assess individual student work. The rubric is pasted onto the students google doc and emailed back to them for immediate feedback. You also get a spreadsheet that is populated with the students scores in each level. I have used it and it is very easy to set up and use.
Sunday, 30 November 2014
Friday, 28 November 2014
Communication is the Key
The other day I was teaching my LD class what the word irony meant in the following question:
It was ironic that his father died in a car accident going to get ice cream after dinner since he flew a fighter jet plane for the US military.
We had a long discussion and the students were able to use the word ironic in connection to their own life. Do you know what I thought about when I reflected on the word "ironic?"
It is ironic how little I know about the "happenings" in my school board with the numerous ways (twitter, facebook, blogging, websites etc.) we have to communicate programs, events and activities we offer for students!
The hardest part is that I don't think the issue has a simple response. I will give you an example. I sit on a committee in my board that plans a conference for at risk students in grades 7-12 across the school board. This is the 8th year we have offered the conference. Last year although we had the largest attendance of 395 bodies I still believe that there are administrators and teachers that have never even heard of the conference or know the purpose and goal for the program. We already have a website, send out emails and tweets but it doesn't seem to be enough!
That is only one example but in my new role as VP I have come across many other examples as I talk to staff and families.
Community resources and supports is another area I find we need to have better communication!
This lack of communication in a connected community has become a hot topic of discussion between myself and my principal.
Recently I attended the OPC Conference, "Technology-Enabled Teaching and Learning Institute." George Couros was the key note speaker and showed the following you tube video which in my eyes summarized the thoughts that have been swirling around in my mind for the past month!
We have reflected on the following:
How do we get better at communicating what we have to offer!
How do parents know what there child is doing in school when they don't bring home work?
How do we showcase the leaders/learners in our board?
I would love to hear from anyone out there that can tell me what your board does to communicate!
Please comment/share or ask questions?
It was ironic that his father died in a car accident going to get ice cream after dinner since he flew a fighter jet plane for the US military.
We had a long discussion and the students were able to use the word ironic in connection to their own life. Do you know what I thought about when I reflected on the word "ironic?"
It is ironic how little I know about the "happenings" in my school board with the numerous ways (twitter, facebook, blogging, websites etc.) we have to communicate programs, events and activities we offer for students!
The hardest part is that I don't think the issue has a simple response. I will give you an example. I sit on a committee in my board that plans a conference for at risk students in grades 7-12 across the school board. This is the 8th year we have offered the conference. Last year although we had the largest attendance of 395 bodies I still believe that there are administrators and teachers that have never even heard of the conference or know the purpose and goal for the program. We already have a website, send out emails and tweets but it doesn't seem to be enough!
That is only one example but in my new role as VP I have come across many other examples as I talk to staff and families.
Community resources and supports is another area I find we need to have better communication!
This lack of communication in a connected community has become a hot topic of discussion between myself and my principal.
Recently I attended the OPC Conference, "Technology-Enabled Teaching and Learning Institute." George Couros was the key note speaker and showed the following you tube video which in my eyes summarized the thoughts that have been swirling around in my mind for the past month!
We have reflected on the following:
How do we get better at communicating what we have to offer!
How do parents know what there child is doing in school when they don't bring home work?
How do we showcase the leaders/learners in our board?
I would love to hear from anyone out there that can tell me what your board does to communicate!
Please comment/share or ask questions?
Thursday, 27 November 2014
Google Docs and Google Forms Connected
Google Forms + Form Values + DocAppender
This is a great video that walks through the steps of connecting google forms to your google docs so that when you submit anecdotal notes on google forms it automatically curates on a google doc for each student or staff member.
The Connected Learner/Leader
The Connected Learner/Leader
Leaders from UGDSB
@LeBlancPeter
@brendasherry
I connect to see another perspective, share great ideas and learn new things.
Presentation
How do you become connected? The first step is to open a twitter account and follow the right people. Start with Peter LeBlanc and Brenda Sherry their twitter handles are above. My handle is @nhamilton647. Remember that lurking is ok! Take one minute everyday to open your twitter account and make a commitment to re-tweet one tweet you liked. One of the biggest challenges or hurdles to overcome is finding time to become connected! Don't let TIME be your excuse! (I sometimes find time to check my twitter account while sitting in the drive through at Tim Horton's) What I love about twitter is that it can be as quick as a few minutes. As a twitter user I had to come to terms with the fact that it is not possible to read every tweet from your followers. You have to imagine twitter as a room with millions of conversations going on and you wandering into the room hearing snip-its of those conversations. Once I came to the understanding that I didn't have to read every tweet I was set to go! It seems like such a basic idea but if I am being honest it bothered me that I couldn't read every tweet but that was at the beginning of my twitter journey when I followed 10 people since then I have shifted my mindset!
Here is a handbook for new users to twitter:
Twitter hashtags to check out:
#OntEdLeaders
#onted
#GAFE
#satchat - American lead educational conversation on Saturday mornings.
Why do we connect? I connect to see another perspective, share great ideas and learn new things.
Allowing staff, students, and families to connect online breaks down barriers. For anyone with anxiety or social fears or for those that may not want to share their thoughts in a staff meeting- online connection allows their voice to be heard!!!
Resources:
TeachOntario -Share Explore and Create resources for teachers
Group Tweet - Allows you to share a twitter account with others without sharing your password
iEARN - Global classrooms connecting digitally
PLP network - action research projects
ISTE - International Society for Technology in Education
The connection
What's Out There to Support Connected Leaders in Education
I sat in a workshop this morning on what's out there for educators so they can become connected in the 21st learning community
Mindomo - new mindmapping software
-mindmapping
-has presentation format
-can enter pictures and videos
-you can collaborate on a joint project
-you can chat while working on a project
-presents like a Prezi
Note:
When you sign up as an educator- click on more and choose school board and then select your school board and use your board email (some school boards may have this linked already to their school board cloud account)
OSSEMOOC
Purpose: To help school and system leaders find entry points into the connected world
-You can find leaders in education from Ontario and check out their blogs and professional learning
-Tuesday night is open mic sessions - learning from the comfort of your own home!!
-New model: ten minutes of connecting a day
-Look back through the how to guide of getting started with 21st century learning (using twitter, blogging, etc)
AERO
http://alternativeresources.ca/Aero/Public/WelcomePage.aspx
Check here for digital resources (books for students who require accommodated formats)
OERB - Ontario Educational Resource Bank
https://resources.elearningontario.ca/
Username and Password for a Teacher
UGDSBteacher
oerbt
Username and Password for a Student
UGDSBstudent
oerbs
EDUGAINS
Easy to follow
They highlight 6 or 7 softwares but there are many more
You need to contact your E-Learning Contact from your schoolboard to get access to the software
You can find tutorials, images
http://www.edugains.ca/newsite/HOME/index.html
Coursehelp.me
targeted for students to learn more about elearning courses
Coursehelp.ca
targeted for teachers to learn more about elearning courses
Thank you,
Mindomo - new mindmapping software
-mindmapping
-has presentation format
-can enter pictures and videos
-you can collaborate on a joint project
-you can chat while working on a project
-presents like a Prezi
Note:
When you sign up as an educator- click on more and choose school board and then select your school board and use your board email (some school boards may have this linked already to their school board cloud account)
OSSEMOOC
Purpose: To help school and system leaders find entry points into the connected world
-You can find leaders in education from Ontario and check out their blogs and professional learning
-Tuesday night is open mic sessions - learning from the comfort of your own home!!
-New model: ten minutes of connecting a day
-Look back through the how to guide of getting started with 21st century learning (using twitter, blogging, etc)
AERO
http://alternativeresources.ca/Aero/Public/WelcomePage.aspx
Check here for digital resources (books for students who require accommodated formats)
OERB - Ontario Educational Resource Bank
https://resources.elearningontario.ca/
Username and Password for a Teacher
UGDSBteacher
oerbt
Username and Password for a Student
UGDSBstudent
oerbs
EDUGAINS
Easy to follow
They highlight 6 or 7 softwares but there are many more
You need to contact your E-Learning Contact from your schoolboard to get access to the software
You can find tutorials, images
http://www.edugains.ca/newsite/HOME/index.html
Coursehelp.me
targeted for students to learn more about elearning courses
Coursehelp.ca
targeted for teachers to learn more about elearning courses
Thank you,
Donna Fry Education Officer
Mark Carbone CIO WRDSB
Joe Russo e-learning coordinator TCDSB
Monday, 10 November 2014
Game Based Learning
Game Based Learning
At ECOO I went to a workshop on game based learning by @adeletweets and
@Derek_S_Walker
My purpose for attending this workshop was to gather resources that have been tested in the classroom and our beneficial for critical thinking, increased engagement and connection to the curriculum. A huge shout out to the presenters for sharing some great resources. The following resources shared at the conference fit into five categories on why and how you would use games in the classroom:
-provocation for inquiry
-assessment tool
-skill builder
-schema builder
-learning tool
1. Prodigy
Makes math fun. You can differentiate for each student in the class by grade level, math strand, number of questions by creating an assignment for the student you can target a specific outcome for example multiplication 3 times table or 2D shapes
2. Electrocity
Online game that lets students mange their own virtual towns and cities. Students learn about energy, sustainability and environmental management
3. Dragon Box
Ipad App that reinforces algebraic rule. Looks good for all ages and has two levels the unfortunate part is the cost.
4. New World Colony (IPad)
Can be used to build schema for social studies unit on early settlers
5. Sumdog (IPad or Online)
On sumdog you can set up a live class with a leaderboard and assign differentiated questions. Students can compete with each other at their own level.
6. Tinybob (Ipad) human body
Use as a provocation tool! Let the students play human body sandbox app as they play curiosity is piqued, students record wonderings and questions, students find answers to their wonderings - record wonderings in a google doc
Further Research:
Jane McGonigal
Jane McGonigal is a game designer with Avant Game, and a senior researcher at the Institute for the Future. Read her full biography.
The Interview with Steve Paikin: Jane McGonigal: How Video Games will Save the World Author Jane McGonigal on how reality is broken and video games can fix it.
The Happiness Engine
@gamficationQV
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)