NEW class in PDExpress! Reading in the Middle

Do you enjoy reading Young Adult Literature? Do you teach middle school? Do you want to learn more about technology tools you can use in your classroom? If you answered yes to at least two of the questions listed, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THIS YEAR LONG CLASS! 

SIGN UP IN PD EXPRESS today! The class starts October 1, 2014 online!

Instructors: Media Specialists Michal Hope Brandon, Christina Willson and Lorena Swetnam

Class Website : Reading in the Middle blog

Course Description: Ever wonder what your middle schooler is reading?  Get to know what’s trending in middle grades literature while learning some hot tech tools to help you implement these popular titles in your classroom.

Method of instruction:  Each month teachers will select a book to read from a different genre and will learn how to use a different technology tool.  Teachers will visit the Reading in the Middle blog each month to review the book lists and technology tool for the appointed month.  Each month teachers will write two posts and submit them to the Google + Community: 1) a reflection on the title he/she read and a connection to his/her students 2) a reflection on using the technology tool for professional learning and/or in the classroom.  If applicable, teachers will share a product created using the featured technology tool.  Teachers are encouraged to comment on the posts to build a conversation about the learning experience.  

Course Objectives:

1. Encourage teachers to read popular middle grade novels that their students are currently reading.
2. Facilitate online discussion between teachers to share ideas and resources for incorporating different titles in the classroom.
3. Teach teachers about technology tools tied to literacy and reading.

Credit:  The course will be held from October through April for a total of 7 months. Teachers will earn 3 credit hours for each class in which he/she participates through their posts on the Google + Community.  Teachers may earn up to a total of 21 credit hours.  This is a monthly course that teachers will sign up for each month they wish to participate.

DENapalooza in COLUMBIA! September 20, 2014

Please share with all your colleagues! 

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If you haven't heard, DENapalooza is coming to Columbia, SC on Saturday, September 20 from 9-3:30! 

So what exactly is DENapalooza?DENapalooza is a full day professional development event organized by the Discovery Educator Network team with assistance from local DEN community members. The goal of the day is to provide educators with new skills to improve their use of technology in the classroom and increase the use of Discovery Education in the classroom. The day consists of formal presentations in the morning, lunch, and an unconference in the afternoon. The morning sessions will be set by the presenters. Some presenters are from the DEN Team and others are educators like you. The great thing about the unconference in the afternoon is that attendees drive the conversation and discussions. Those in attendance choose the topics they want to explore. The day is low key and provides a great networking, sharing, and learning environment.
What is the format/agenda?The day will begin with a light breakfast following by a few opening remarks from the host. There will be morning presentations following the opening and then an opportunity to plan the unconference prior to lunch. Discovery will provide lunch on site and attendees can use this time to reflect on the morning, network, and enjoy the company of fellow DEN members. After lunch, the unconference will take place. There will be several options for attendees to choose from based on the schedule set up prior to lunch. The day will end with an appy hour, cool tool smackdown, or some other opportunity for attendees to share something fun.

How much does it cost?

IT'S FREE!!!!!!

Where do I register? 

Visit the DENapalooza site!

Be a part of the DEN Ambassador Program

Richland School District Two Teachers,

We would like to invite you to participate in a pilot of an innovative Discovery Education program.  Are you looking for ways to learn more strategies for integrating digital media and technology?  Do you want to share and hear success stories from across your district?  Ever wondered how other districts across the nation are using Discovery Education?  If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we have the program for you!

The DEN Ambassador Program is designed to fully support teachers as they integrate digital media and technology into their teaching practice. During this program, participants will come together for three face-to-face meetings. A variety of learning experiences will be provided throughout the program, as well as the opportunity to connect and learn via a private Edmodo group. To learn more about the program visit the DEN Ambassador Program.

This program is being supported by Richland School District Two and is being led by DEN STAR MaryAnn Sansonetti-Wood. This is a blended class with online assignments and in person meetings. The 3 in-person dates will be held on Thursdays - October 2, November 6, and December 4 from 4:30-6:30 pm. We are only accepting 40 participants from across the district for this program so RSVP ASAP... we only have a few spots left :)

The online portion of the class runs September 22 through December 15.

If you are interested in being a part of this innovative program please fill out this form. Sign up by September 15.

George Couros Speaks with Richland Two Leaders

Day 2 of the Administrative Inservice was kicked off with a keynote by George Couros, the Division Principal for Parkland School Division and an Innovative Teaching, Learning, and Leadership consultant.  He challenged our administrators to communicate, share, and transform what is going on at their schools. 

Here are a few tweets of the morning. Head on over to Twitter and check out the #RichlandTwo Discussion.

Show us - What are you doing this summer?

 
As you begin taking your much needed summer vacations, when you return why don't you make a video to show what you did this summer? You like the idea but don't know where to start... 

Did you know in Richland School District Two every teacher, student, and staff member has access to WeVideo? It is an amazing cloud video editor. All you have to do is go to the WeVideo website and click login at the top right of the page. Then simply log in using your Google login (same thing you use for email). The best part is if you are logged in to your district google account all you have to do is click login and it connects your account with 2 clicks. :) Easy peasy!

Now you are saying, "But I have no idea on how to use WeVideo!" They have that covered too. Just simply learn on demand with the WeVideo Academy. This is a wonderful YouTube channel filled with tutorials and examples of all of the things you can do with WeVideo. 

https://www.youtube.com/user/WeVideoMarketing

So here is a challenge for you .... I will share my summer if you share yours... Join me on this blog again in August with your video links ready to share. Have a great summer!

Don't miss this summer learning opportunity - SC Midlands Summit COMING SOON!

Richland School District Two's SC Midlands Summit featuring Google for Education is scheduled for June 11-12, 2014! The SC Midlands Summit is a two day conference focused on the use of Google for Education, research tools, Web 2.0 tools, and technology integration in the classroom.  Over 100 unique sessions will be offered! We have a great lineup of featured speakers on hand to share their expertise with us. Steve Dembo, Catlin Tucker, Leslie Fisher, and Tim Childers are all confirmed presenters! Check out our featured speakers page for more information. 

Registration is only $35 for Richland Two employees and $50 for Non-Richland Two employees for TWO days of Professional Development and up to 14 hours of renewal credit.  Registration is open!

Sessions have been posted on the sessions page. There is something for everyone no matter what level or ability. 

If you have any questions, please comment below.

Mystery Date- Speed Dating Tech Style PD Session @ Blythewood High

Who says Professional Learning isn't fun? Today at Blythewood High School the teachers shared with other teachers on what technology activities work in their classrooms by Speed Dating. No, not actually dating but teacher presenters were set up in a speed dating style to share for 4 minutes with a group of about 4 teachers before the participants moved to another table and topic.

The a few of the topics covered 

• Classroom management ideas
• A technology tool
• A great lesson that worked well
• A great project that worked well
• A way to manage student work
• A way to manage with a sub in a 1:1 classroom
• A way to easily grade/assess online work
• Classroom assessments 
• and more....

This event was a collaboration between Blythewood and Ridge View High Schools. The Technology and Learning Coaches, Tami Lenker (BH) and Cheryl Hunter (RVHS), as well as the Blythewood media specialists, Amy Whitfield and Crystal Smith, enlisted the help of not only teachers at each school but other school-based Technology and Learning Coaches, District staff, and a former Richland 2 teacher, Lissa Layman presenting via Google+Hangout from Kuwait  to present to the teachers at Blythewood High School. Blythewood High School teachers will be given the opportunity to present to Ridge View teachers later this semester when the event will be replicated at Ridge View High School.

The event was promoted with the video below. How could you not be excited to attend?

Teachers left with a few WOW moments from Mystery Date stations about Challenge Boards, Kahoot!, WeVideo, Today's Meet, and interactive storyboards. 

Exit slips were given to teachers to provide feedback and future needs. One of the questions was "I will use _________ very soon this way.... 

Responses from teachers:

"I will use WeVideo for student created infomercials on topics."

"I will use Kahoot! instead of just lecturing."

"I will use VoiceThread for student reflections on performances."

This event was a great success but beyond the learning, Blythewood and Ridge View High schools are fostering collaboration between both schools and creating a local network of teachers to help them grow as professionals. 

Contact Tami Lenker, Cheryl Hunter, Amy Whitfield, or Crystal Smith to find out how you can try this at your school!

SC Midlands Summit Registration Open for Richland 2 Participants!

Good news the SC Midlands Summit registration is open for all Richland TWO employees! 

Date: June 12-13, 2013

Location: Westwood High School

Registration Fee: $35 

We have a great lineup of featured speakers on hand to share their expertise with us. Lodge McCammon, Tammy Worcester, and Greg Tang are all confirmed presenters!

This year each keynote speaker will be conducting a 2 hour extended workshop along with a number of 1 hour concurrent sessions. The workshops have limited tickets available for an additional $5. This is truly a bargain!

So I bet you are wondering how you can register for the event. With early registration opened to Richland Two employees at this time, you can get the registration link from your school level ITS or you can contact MaryAnn Sansonetti-Wood (msansonetti@richland2.org) for the link. Registration for participants outside of Richland TWO starts February 19 so reserve your spot today!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter! @scmsummit!