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!

Common Core at your finger tips

I don't know if you are like me but there are times I just can't find what I am looking for... whether it's the handout that was given to me at a meeting, the document that was shared in my drive, or an email I know is still in my inbox.  

With the implementation of Common Core, I need to have the Common Core standards readily available at any time. I found a great app to keep them at my finger tips. The Core app by MasteryConnect, Inc. puts the standards right on your phone in and easy to find or look up format. This FREE app is available on both iOS and Android OS. 

This app is a great reference for parents, students, and educators. 

Download this app today and never be without your Common Core Standards. 

 

White House Film Festival

THE PRESIDENT HAS AN

ASSIGNMENT FOR YOU

Our schools are more high-tech than ever. There are devices in nearly every classroom. You can take an online course on Japanese -- and then video chat with a kid from Japan. So, what does it all mean?

We’re looking for videos that highlight the power of technology in schools.

Your film should address at least one of the following themes:

1. How you currently use technology in your classroom or school.
2. The role technology will play in education in the future.

More information is available at the White House is running a Student Film Festival 

And to add a little more to the pot, WeVideo supports the White House Film Festival. If you use WeVideo to create your video entry you will have a chance to win a Google Chome Pixal laptop or GoPro Here 3+ black edition. More details are available from WeVideo. 

Technology Spotlight - Margaret Roberson, Blythewood High School

Margaret Roberson has been teaching at Blythewood High School for a year after teaching at Lee Central High School in Bishopville South Carolina. Margaret is married and the mother of two children, Hunter and Madeline. She earned her BFA in Art education from the University of South Carolina in 2009. Prior to attending USC, she studied art at Montgomery College in Maryland and the University of Louisville in Kentucky while spending part of her 13 years in the Retail industry as a Operations and Sales Managers. Margaret is the sponsor of the National Art Honor Society at Blythewood High School, and recently won the sponsor to the year award.

Mrs. Roberson's 2D Art students begin using Blogger to create portfolios so when they reach AP Art they will have a collection to help them create a portfolio for submission to the AP Board. Roberson's students learn to photograph their own work, and then they learn to describe, analyze, and interpret this work--as well as other works of art. As students move into the upper level classes, they will use the blogs more and more to interact with art. Roberson says, "As they look for ways to improve their art work and make connections to other artists, they become a part of the art world." A student, Justin says, "Using the blogs allowed me to look and compare ideas and techniques that I might not find in the classroom, as well as share with people beyond the classroom."

Click on the links below to visit the student blogs.

Keiner's Art 

Jameel's Art