Tag Archives: TLP-C

Apr
04
2017

Interactive Assessments with Sandra Story

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We had an excellent and informative session with Sandra Story on March 16th, 2017. Sandra is a returning presenter to TLP-C and always comes with an extensive list of tools to share.


The first tool Sandra walked us through was Edulastic. Edulastic is an interactive formative assessment tool that can align with standards to provide authentic assessment to prepare students for the SOL. A few things to know as you get started, you will need to create a free account and you can link it to your Google Classroom. Edulastic has created some tutorials to support new users. This video will show you how to create an assessment:

Next, Sandra showed us another comprehensive resource that teachers can use to create formative and summative assessments. From exit tickets to creating a platform for a flipped classroom, Socrative is a dynamic resource for all teachers’ tool kit. Though this is another free resource, Sandra pointed out that it is not as easy to search for pre-made assessments, and it not as user friendly as some tools like Kahoot.


The next three tools Sandra covered were Wizer Me, Spiral, and Quizizz. Wizer Me is a resource to enhance worksheets. Spiral is a collection of formative assessments to be utilized throughout the lesson. Quizizz offers students a gaming platform, similar to Kahoot, but differs by allow the assessment to be student/player-paced. For a complete rundown of these tools, watch the recording here: TLP-C Interactive Assessments

Thank you to Sandra Story for sharing her knowledge of interactive assessments and several great resources during our March session of TLP-C. Consider joining us live for our next session! Thursday, April 27th from 4-5pm EST Cary Hanson will be covering digital citizenship and information literacy. Come with question or ideas for how to utilize resources and tools from Common Sense Media. Log on a few minutes before 4pm on the 27th using this link.

Jan
17
2017

Curating Digital Content to Boost Student Engagement

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Thank you to Carmen Canales for sharing her knowledge and insights about how EdPuzzle can boost student engagement and accountability at our most recent session of TLP-C. Weren’t able to join us live? Watch the recording here:

TLP-C Curating Digital Content to Boost Student Engagement Recording

Carmen wisely launched her session by asking us to be students. See her same video lesson by clicking here. Carmen highlighted the powerful tools of EdPuzzle: the ability to insert questions, narration and audio notes and to go back and view student responses. Carmen then walked us through the steps of how to set up an account and create a video lesson. She did a great job explaining which features she uses with her class and how they have impacted the English Language Learners that she teaches. Please remember that to use EdPuzzle with students under 18, you need to collect parent permission. See your building TIS to a form letter to use for this purpose.

Consider joining us live for our next session! Thursday, Feburary 9th from 4-5pm EST Tyler Eckhoff will share how he has used WeVideo to make student learning visible. Log on a few minutes before 4pm on the 9th using this link.

Feb
24
2016

MinecraftEDU in the Classroom

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Do your students wear pictures of green, blocky creepers to school? Do they talk about crafting tables and mining all the time? Harness their excitement about the game Minecraft by using it in school.minecraftEDU

We are pleased to have David Talbot of Hammond Middle School sharing with us his adventures using MinecraftEDU in the classroom. Dave will talk about why he uses Minecraft and what he has learned from trying it in his classrooms. This will be a fun session if you just want to know more about the game or if you are thinking about how you could use it in your classroom.

Join us Thursday, March 3rd from 4-5pm by clicking on this link (link only active on date of presentation)

https://acps.blackboard.com/webapps/bb-collaborate-bb_bb60/launchSession/guest?uid=fa8e8505-3e30-48c2-bd92-110c38c52601

Sep
27
2015

Getting Ready for the Global Read Aloud

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It is only one week until the lgraaunch of The Global Read Aloud! We were so honored that during this busy time, Pernille Ripp, founder of The Global Read Aloud was able to join us for part of our discussion of The Global Read Aloud. If you missed the live session, please listen to the recording here.

Recording of TLP-C The Global Read Aloud using Blackboard Collaborate

or watch here for video only

[kaltura-widget uiconfid=”11958342″ entryid=”1_29gjsjrw” width=”400″ height=”333″ align=”center” /] We began the session by describing what TLP-C is and what our goals are. If you are already familiar with us, you might want to skip ahead to minute 9:49.    If you’re reading this and wondering what The Global Read Aloud is, let us clear things up a bit. The Global Read Aloud is an opportunity to read a book at the same time as other classrooms around the world. As the classroom teacher, you decide how you want to connect with other classrooms. It is a great opportunity to give students a global perspective, let them write for authentic audiences and connect with a book in a powerful way.

It was wonderful to hear from Pernille directly about how she got the idea to create the Global Read Aloud. I think we got a real sense of her passion for reading and for turning students into readers; as well as a sense of how big this project has become. When talking about how the Global Read Aloud impacts students, Pernille said,

“It starts a revolution in their brain that all of a sudden leads to them identifying as readers and writers.”

Looking for advice about the Global Read Aloud? “Do it, ” says Pernille. Just get involved. Read the book and try one tool.

In addition to Pernille joining us, classroom teacher, Denise Radomski, also joined in for this information-packed session. Denise teaches sixth grade at George Washington Middle School and participated in The Global Read Aloud last year. Melissa King, Technology Integration Specialist, also shared her thoughts since some teachers she works with will be joining The Global Read Aloud this year.

GRAmapWe had fun sharing ideas about why it is valuable to participate in The Global Read Aloud. We also had loads of tips and tricks to share that will guide anyone who is new to the project. The best part of this program is that you can really pick your level of involvement. Maybe you’ll just read the book with your student and read what other classes are doing as part of their read aloud. Maybe you’ll find another class in another school that wants to share ideas about the book through Skype, Edublogs, Padlet, WriteAbout or some other virtual format.

Let us know if you join the project this year. We’d love to hear about your experiences, the excitement and the challenges.

Apr
29
2015

How to Amplify your classroom

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Thank you to Matt Henry, English teacher at T.C. Williams High School , for sharing his experiences using Amplify in the classroom. Amplify is a classroom management system for tablets in the classroom. It was great to have his perspective on what can be done with Amplify and how it has impacted teaching and learning for him. If you missed this session, you can still check out the recording here:

TLP-C Amplify Your Teaching Recording

Matt began by reminding us all that the first year of an implementation of any technology is going to have some ups and downs but that this presentation was going to focus on the best aspects of using Amplify in the classroom.

amplify1We then learned about playlists and teacher tools. Participants were able to see how a teacher can send out materials to students, freeze their screens and create discussions all via Amplify.

It was great to hear from an actual classroom teacher that is using the technology everyday. Matt was able to explain how the features work in the classroom and how he’s be able to use the features to really enhance the learning in his classroom.

amplify3Matt also highlighted an app called Sketchbook that he found very effective for non-traditional assignments in his classroom. Check out this great drawing he did! Matt shared that this is an excellent tool for visualization or teaching setting and character study.

If you didn’t get to join us, we hope you can watch the recording. We are also looking forward to our last TLP-C of the 2014-2015 school year on Thursday, June 4th. The last session is a Technology Round-Up where participants share a website, digital tool or resource they have been using. Each presenter shares for a few minutes and then we move onto the next technology. Please email the facilitators with your technology idea (Kyle Dunbar, kyle.dunbar@acps.k12.va.us, Jacqueline Mechanic jacqueline.mechanic@acps.k12.va.us, Melissa King melissa.king@acps.k12.va.us).

 

 

Mar
24
2015

Assistive Technology for All

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Please join us this Thursday, March 26th from 4-5pm EST/-5 GMT (click here to find out when the event is in your time zone) for a presentation by Jennifer Holloway of the ACPS Assistive Technology Department. Jennifer will share a variety of resources that can make a difference for students with special needs. She will also show how these resources actually benefit all students. Hear her ideas about using innovative digital tools to get all students engaged and learning.

Use this link below to access our talk. (Link will be live 30 minutes prior to the start of the session on March 26th)

Link to TLP-C Assistive Technology for All

If you’d like to learn more about how technology can help diverse learners in your class, or if you’ve had good experiences using assistive technology, please join us!

Feb
18
2015

Dynamic Projects with Weebly

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Today’s session will be rescheduled. Check back here to find out new date and time!

Please join us next Thursday, February 26th from 4-5pm EST/-5 GMT (click here to find out when the event is in your time zone) for a presentation by weebly-solarenergyJacci Erney of Tucker Elementary School. Jacci is a 4th grade teacher who has lots of great ideas about how to use Weebly in the classroom. Use this link below to access our talk. (Link will be live 30 minutes prior to the start of the session on February 26th)

Link to TLP-C Weebly in the Classroom

weebly-hannahIn this session we will review what Weebly is, how it works and how to create student accounts. We will share some student project examples and discuss the pros and cons of using this website creation services for school projects. Whether you have never heard of Weebly before or use it every day, we hope you can join us to ask questions, share ideas and contribute your thoughts.

Sep
27
2014

How many apps can you smash?

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appsmashing2 A huge thank you to Caroline Doughty for launching our first 2014-2015 session of TLP-C this week. We had a lively crowd that was enthused about trying out app smashing in their classrooms. If you missed our live session, check out the recording:

Recording of TLP-C App Smashing September 25, 2014

If you are tuning in for the appsmashing3first time, the first 20 minutes or so cover what TLP-C is, our goals and protocols and a brief overview of Blackboard Collaborate. Caroline’s section will start about 22 minutes in.

Caroline began by defining App Smashing. Basically, app smashing is any time you are using more than one app together!  Caroline then explored why she thinks it is an effective strategy in the classroom. She emphasized the critical thinking involved as well as the creativity that was unleashed in her students. What was also really interesting was that she also found it to be a great way to increase oral fluency and to track the progress of her English Language Learners. Apps that were used early in the school year could be smashed with those used later on and the progress in students pronunciation, word usage and sentence structure was marked. What a powerful form of assessment!

Caroline shared some of her favorite ways to app smash. Those included using PicCollage to take a photo of a blank clock and to add the time.  Students then opened Tellagami and imported the PicCollaged clock to explain how they knew the time. We loved how Caroline structured these activities so that they were differentiated (different clocks) and provided time for students to see each other’s examples. She found students learned so much about the mathematical skill of time telling as well as about app smashing when they had time to see their classmate’s smashed apps.

Some other apps that Caroline has smashed, or that you might want to try smashing, include:appsmashing1

  • Garage Band
  • My Story
  • Skitch
  • Doceri
  • Explain Everything
  • Base 10 apps
  • Aurasma
  • Comic Touch Lite
  • iMovie
  • Word Cloud
  • Glow Draw!

The possibilities are endless. And the more students are exposed to using different apps, the more they will want to use them together. Kids love smashing – why not let them app smash!!

We hope you get a chance to watch/listen to the recording. Leave us a comment below if you’ve app smashed or if you have more questions about how to smash!

Our next live session will be Thursday, October 30th from 4-5pm EST (click here to find out when it will be in your time zone)

 

Sep
24
2014

App Smashing, Creativity and Critical Thinking

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We are so excited about our first TLP-C of this school year. We will be hosting 2nd grade teacher, Caroline Doughty from George Mason Elementary School. Caroline has a great session planned where she will talk about App-Smashing. Join us this Thursday, September 25 from 4-5pm EST (to find out when we are live in your time zone, click here). To join us live use this link (will only work from 4-5pm 9/25/14) Can’t make it live? The recording will be posted here on this blog shortly after the live broadcast. Watch this space.tellagami

So, what is app-smashing, you are wondering? Well, it’s as simple, and as complicated as you’d like it to be. In its basics, it is using two apps at once. A student might draw a diagram using a image making app like PicCollage and then insert that diagram into a Tellagami or another app that allows them to explain the diagram. Lost? Come join us and hear Caroline explain it and see the products her 2nd graders have made. Don’t have access to iPads at your school? Get inspired to see how they can be used as learning tools or how these same lessons can be used with Web 2.0 tools. Have experience with app-smashing? Please join us to share your expertise, tips, ideas and advice.

Jan
29
2014

The Power of a Story

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Last week’s session of TLP-C was another great one. Sandra Rojas Story, English Language Learner teacher shared amazing examples of digital storytelling from her students. If you didn’t get a chance to attend this session live, please listen to the recording by clicking below. You won’t regret it! (You might want to skip the first 25 minutes though – we started the recording a little early *smile*)

Recording of TLP-C Digital Storytelling with English Language Learners – January 26th

Sandra began the session by reviewing what digital storytelling is and why you should use it with students. Sandra teaches in a juvenile detention facility and works with students from a number of different backgrounds. It was great to consider both how this is a very important digital tool for her students as well as for students in all educational settings. Many of us liked how she shared both the idea of the teacher creating digital stories to use to introduce topics as well as having students make their own digital stories.tlp-c-student

Sandra also discussed the process for creating digital stories. She included that she often asks students to complete a storyboard before they actually use the technology to make the story. Many teachers were excited about the idea of storyboards and agreed that this was an important step that they sometimes skip. Here are some links to storyboard templates you might find useful:

Jason Ohler storyboards

Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling

Ohio State University Toolkit for Digital Storytelling

As Sandra told her stories about digital stories, we all had fun playing around with some of the tools she has tried or recommends. Watch the recording to hear her thoughts about the advantages and disadvantages of each. She also shared some very moving student examples with us. You will be amazed with what her students have accomplished.

Here are the links to some of the top digital story tools mentioned:

Weebly for Education – even though Weebly is a website builder, students can use it to curate videos and tell a story that way.

Haiku Deck – this tool makes gorgeous presentations and has pre-selected images for you based on the text you are entering. (Great tutorial for this tool created by a 4th grader: http://www.yoututlp-c-goanimatebe.com/watch?v=Fbs4luORHts)

Go Animate for Schools – create cartoons that speak! Be sure to use the site for schools. There is a cost to use with a classroom.

Powtoon – allows you to create animated presentations. Really engaging presentation.

Animoto for Classrooms – create very engaging videos from still images. Students can add music from the Animoto music bank. Be sure to check out the free account for teachers.

Storybird for Teachers – author beautiful virtual books. You must use their artwork which is both limiting and inspiring.

Digital Vaults – very powerful tool for history or government classes. Extensive access to primary sources.

And, of course, don’t forget the ol’ standbys of Photostory and PowerPoint. These can both be used very effectively for digital stories.

Many of Sandra’s students’ project can be viewed on her website: http://digitalstorywithesolstudents.weebtlp-c-quotely.com/index.html Here you will see many examples of the tools mentioned above as well as read her thoughts about the power of using digital tools with English Language Learners.

An ongoing theme of the session was definitely that students find digital stories highly engaging. They are a terrific way to get students interested in a topic, practicing their written and oral language skills and learning how to use technology to create something instead of just consuming something. Sandra also discussed how motivated students were when they knew that others were going to see their digital stories either face-to-face or virtually.

Thank you Sandra for a great session and for all the teachers that shared tips and ideas in the chat. Our next TLP-C will be on doing Mystery Video Calls on Thursday, February 20th from 4-6pm EST (-5 GMT). We hope you can join us then!