Just Google it for first year teachers

Over the years, I learned that Google is your friend when you are a teacher.  I have listed three of my best Google Friends.  They probably don't even know I exist, but I certainly found them to be helpful.  Find these Google experts online and follow them.  There are many more, but these three Google stars will make your teaching experience much easier and they are the ultimate Pros!  These Education Technology experts share their knowledge and work with others.  They also sell books, teach classes, and have podcasts - don't be afraid to invest in your own career as a teacher.  

Matt Miller

Click here for Matt's free resources.  Matt Miller is a teacher that found a better way to teach by ditching his textbook.  He actually wrote a book called "Ditch that Textbook" and has become a most sought after keynote speaker for educators.  This is the link to his blog.   Matt is one of my favorite presenters, ever.  He is engaging and entertaining.  His ideas are so simple you will wonder why you didn't think of that.  

Casey Bell  

https://shakeuplearning.com/

Follow Casey Bell at Shake Up Learning.  She has a blog, podcast, and offers Google Certification classes.  She is an EdTechpert!  She has a wealth of information for digital teaching.  When I was teaching, I would often put Casey's podcasts on during my planning period and listen as I was working on lessons and prepping for the next day.  Casey freely shares, but she requests that you download your own copy of her work.  This link will allow you to sign up and download her cheatsheets.  The ShakeupLearning Blog contains links to much useful information from Casey.  Click here to access free downloads of her archives.  35 Remote Learning Resources from Casey Bell.  

Amy Mayer

Amy Mayer is a Texas girl and is well known for her friedtechnology teacher training and her YouTube channel.  Amy and her crew are former classroom teachers that used Google to transform their teaching and to make their lives easier.  They are fun, witty, and creative!  I learned so much from attending professional development sessions at TCEA with this group and from watching their videos.  Subscribe to this site and follow their lead!

Classroom Technology Protocols 2018-19

Please read the entire blog about technology protocol and care of devices.   Follow directions at the end.  Reading and commenting will count as a daily grade.  After you have read my blog, make a comment at the end of this post.  If you don't comment, I will assume you didn't read it. Your comment should include this statement:  "I have read the classroom technology protocols and I will do my best to abide by them.  Include one other statement from the blog that you learned.  Sign your name.  Due by Monday, August 27.    

Each Day:

• Check the number on your computer to assure you have the right computer.
• Make sure it is fully charged and ready to go. 
• Check the board in the front of the classroom to see what type of technology we are using that day.  Although we will not use the MacBooks every day, we will use frequently.  Open your computer to Canvas each day, this will help save class time.
• When you return your MacBook to its tray at the end of class, be sure it is in the correct tray and the charger lights up.  This is a courtesy to others.
• Do not carry your laptop by the screen.  This will harm the built-in camera.
• Clean the screen with wipes that are provided and never spray anything on your computer.
• Keep drinks and food away from your computer.

During Class:

1. Screens Down – Anytime someone is speaking (teacher, speaker or other students), screens will be tilted down.  Nothing is more distracting to you or to others around you than someone surfing the web.  Putting the screen down will help bring attention to the task at hand.
2. Tech-Tips – It is required for you to have a Chrome toolbar set up on your computer. Always make sure you are logged in to your Chrome toolbar.  Your name should appear in the top right corner of your screen.  The minimum bookmarks you should have at this time are Canvas, BISD, Google Classroom and NewsELA.  Others will come at a later time.  Bookmarks are a HUGE time saver.  
3. Sound – All laptops will be muted during class time.  If you are working on an independent project, you may listen to music with your headphones, one headphone ONLY.  Do not assume you can leave headphones in when you enter the classroom.  When I begin speaking, remove your headphones. 
4. Camera Use – Your laptop and iPad is equipped with both a digital camera and digital video recorder. With these tools, we will create a multitude of projects from footage and photos you take. There are expectations that the photos and videos taken are appropriate and in good taste. The subject should always be asked before an image is taken of them. Privileges of these two tools will be revoked if used inappropriately. Please refrain from taping video and snapping pictures of people without permission.  Please refrain from taking selfies with the iPads.  
5. Self-Management – If it is not related to the task assigned, you should not be doing it during class. This includes email, Googling, and social networks. Self-Management of digital access is a lifelong skill that relates to productivity.  Do not change the home screen on your computers. Manage your files and keep desktop clutter to a minimum.  
6. Saving work – You should be saving your work.  Everyone has a Google Drive.  You should save all of your work in your own drive.  You can drag all types of files into the drive, even if they are not google files.  Word, Excel, PowerPoint, jpg, png, PDF..
7. Students may not have phones out in class without express teacher permission.  This means unless we are using your phones for an assignment I have asked you to complete with your phone, it stays out of signt.  
8. You may not charge your phones from the laptops!
9. Cell phones will need to be left in the classroom when you go to the restroom.  Leave your phone  in the deignated cell phone holder located in the front of the classroom.   Failure to comply will result in consequences.   See Richland HS cell phone policies for 2018-19. Referrals will be submitted for cell phone offenses:
• 1st offense - device held in office for pick up
• 2nd offense - Parent picks up at the end of the day
• 3rd offense - Parent picks up after 24 hours
• Refusal to surrender phone - 1 to 3 days suspension
• Multiple offenses - 1 to 3 days ISS, parent pickup and loss of electronic privileges on campus

Thanks for reading.  Now comment!  

End of Year Video 2018

End of Year Video 2018. 

What do you think?

Think of a school where you studied topics, rather than say Math or History.  In Finland, the world's leader in education will begin replacing subjects with topics.  Their new focus in education is primarily focused on secondary level schools.  Finland will be replacing their subjects with topics that will prepare them for their working life.  Click here to read about what this means.

After reading this article, give two good reasons for this new education focus and two good reasons against this new plan.  What pitfalls do you see in implementing this new reform of their education system?

As always, follow the rubric.  Include a hidden link to the article in your blog.  This blog is due on Friday, April 20. 

Rethinking Learning and Teaching

Things are changing!

Read this blog from TCEA about rethinking our learning models for the Fourth Revolution.

Click here to open the link.

Give an explanation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.  After reading some of the suggestions on how to rethink current teaching models, give three suggestions on how you will adapt or change current teaching models in your future classroom and to fit with the needs of the Fourth Revolution.

Use the rubric for best results.  Blog is due on Monday, April 2.

Good Instruction

We have been working on lesson planning for the past week or so.  Planning instruction for learning is one of the most important skills good teachers possess.  Taking it a step further, after you have formulated your plans, now is when you put it all together in front of your class.  Good instruction is just as important as a good plan.

What is good instruction?  Take a few minutes and think about effective teachers you have had in your life.  Think about ineffective teachers you have had.  What was the difference in the two types of teachers?  I am thinking it probably has something to do with the way they presented the information.
Some hints to make you an effective presenter:

• Know your material!  If you don't know what you are talking about, your students will sense this.  
• Speak with a loud enough voice to be heard by all of your students.  Relax the nerves. 
• # 1 rule is to be prepared!  Students know when you are winging it.  Don't be that teacher!
• Practice with a friend or in front of a mirror before your lesson.  Those that practice do so much better than those that don't!

A good way to be a good teacher is to watch videos of other good teachers.

• The Teaching Channel is a good place to search for videos that show good teaching.  
• You can sign up for a free account with an email address.  
• This will enable you to save videos and lesson ideas for future use.  
• Be sure to write down the email and password you used.  

Your blog assignment is to find a short video (2 to 5 minutes) of a teacher that teaches the same grade level as you are teaching on The Teaching Channel.

• Write a review of the video. 
• Write down the "Questions to Consider" and Answer the "Questions to Consider" found on the side panel of your video.
• Copy the URL of the video and hyperlink on your blog.  
• Take a screenshot of your chosen video that shows the questions on the right panel. (like I have done for you)
• The name of your video should reflect the name of your Teaching Channel video.

As always use the rubric for best grading results.  This blog is due on Monday, February 5.  

Precepts

In Wonder, you should have learned about Mr. Browne's precepts. Be prepared to explain your precept in detail.  Keep reading... It only gets better!

What is your Precept?

Write your own personal precept -

• If you use a quote, credit should be given to the originator
• You should use CANVA to create a Postcard with your personal Precept on it.
• You can get a free account by logging in with an email and password.
• When you are finished, click on Share, then Embed - Copy the embed code or download as a JPG and upload or embed on your Blog.  
• This is a Book Club grade and a Blog grade. 2 grades.

Scan the QR and learn About the Author, R. J. Palacio

Due by January 5, 2018.