Connected Educator month is October! Are you excited or what? "Or what?" You say. You don't even know what Connected Educator month is? So here is the skinny Connected Educator Month is brought to you by the U.S. Department of Education and it's partners to offer highly diverse and engaging professional development activities for all levels of educators. It is in it's third year.
The goals of CEM include:
Getting more educators proficient with social media to improve their practice
Deepening and sustaining learning among those already enjoying connection’s benefits
Helping schools credential/integrate connected learning into their formal professional development efforts
Check out the web page to see all that is available for your to participate in ...Connected Educator Month. Don't forget to share what you learn. Be sure to hashtag it on Twitter with #CE14 and #RchlandTwo! If you are new to Professional Learning Networks, Richland Two is offering a T for 2 online class - R2 Connected Educator - The goal of this course is to build a professional learning network, where you will build relationships and collaborate with other educators around the world, through various social networks. We will focus on 4 different social media types, Google+, Twitter, Blogging, and YouTube. This course is designed for you to work at your own pace, but collaboration is ongoing. Renewal Credit: 10 This class starts October 8 - Sign up in PDExpress today!
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
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:
Encourage teachers to read popular middle grade novels that their students are currently reading.
Facilitate online discussion between teachers to share ideas and resources for incorporating different titles in the classroom.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We are doing it again! This year we are focusing on Common Core, the 4 C's, and Innovation with technology. This is a conference you won't want to miss!
We have a great lineup of featured speakers on hand to share their expertise with us. Our confirmed 2014 Presenters are Steve Dembo, Catlin Tucker, Ewan McIntosh, Leslie Fisher, and Tim Childers! Check out our featured speakers page for more information.
Questions? The SC Midlands Summit is hosted by Richland School District Two. Other districts are invited to participate in our planning process and attend the Summit. We are happy to answer any questions. Please e-mail us at scmidlandssummit@gmail.comand we'll get you an answer!
Are you a 2nd grade teacher in Richland School District TWO???? Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to incorporate Chromebooks in your classroom. The class starts THIS THURSDAY!
So you have Chromebooks in the classroom, now what? Come develop your Chromebook workshop time! Bring curriculum, ideas and brainstorm with others around the district to develop engaging workshop opportunities for your 2nd graders. You will explore 3 main topics and have time to discuss and create! You will be required to plan outside of class, implement your plan with your students and reflect.
Please bring your Chromebooks to class You must attend all sessions to receive credit. The class meets 10/3, 10/16, and 10/29 from 4:00-5:30 at LW Conder Elementary in the media center. Register in PDExpress today!!!
Devices are being rolled out, you are finishing the 8th day of school, and you are starting to get your grove back on how the day works. Welcome back to school. This year Richland Two is looking for amazing teachers/administrators to facilitate our T(echnology) for Two classes in the evenings. We are looking forteachers who would like to conduct a workshop for your peers showcasing how you are integrating technology with your content. Do you have a technology rich lesson you want to share with other teachers across the district? Is there a technology practice you have integrated in to your classroom? How are you using technology with common core implementation? If you are interested please fill out the application below. Applications will be reviewed within 7 days of submission. Not all applications submitted will be accepted. The session date and time will be chosen at a later date.
We have an amazing line up of featured speakers including: Lodge McCammon, from the Friday Institute; Tammy Worcester Tang, with class integration of Google and iPads; Greg Tang, author of math story books (The Grapes of Math) and developer of math apps; Dan Russell, Google's Űber Tech Lead for Search Quality and User Happiness. Returning for a second year is Jaime Casap, Google's Senior Education Evangelist and Tim Childers, Assistant Principal for Technology Integration at the L&N STEM Academy, a STEM Magnet for Knox County Schools
There are over 100 sessions for you to attend during this two day event. You have the ability to receive up to 14 renewal credits for attending all of the sessions.
Registration There are only a few spaces left if you plan on attending! Registration only costs $35 for this amazing line up of featured speakers.
Interact with sessions!
Jaime Casip and Dan Russell, two of our featured speakers from Google, will host Q&A Time with Google Gurus Wednesday, June 13 at 2:25pm. If you are interested in attending this session please post your questions and vote on questions that others have posted in Google Moderator.
Important Summit Information!
Lunch Choices- Westwood High School is not easily accessible to restaurants so we will have lunch choices for you to pre-purchase.
Check out the exciting line up of Featured Speakers for the SC Midlands Summit. Registration is open now! This is an amazing line up for just $35.00. Participants will receive 14 hours renewal hours for attending both days of the conference.
Jaime Casap
Jaime Casap is the Senior Education Evangelist at Google, Inc. With more than 15 years of technology experience, he is responsible for working with K12 educational institutions and organizations to bring current and future technological innovations into the education environment. Mr. Casap evangelizes the power of technology and the use of Google tools, such as Google Apps and Chromebooks, to help students build the skills needed to succeed, close the digital divide, and help level the playing field. He has worked with hundreds of school systems and states to build the capability to bring Google tools to millions of teachers and students.Mr. Casap is also a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University, where he teaches classes in organizational behavior, leadership, and innovation. He serves on the Advisory Board of Directors for New Global Citizens and the Arizona STEM Education Program, and is a member of the Digital Education Council. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the State University of New York at Brockport and a Master’s from Arizona State University.
Tim Childers currently serves as an Assistant Principal for Technology Integration at the L&N STEM Academy, a STEM Magnet for Knox County Schools. He serves on the Blog Team for the Discovery Educator Network Leadership Council for Tennessee and was selected as a STAR DEN Guru for Discovery. In 2010 he was selected as one of TechSmith's "20 to Watch" rising educators for his use of video in professional development. He has led workshops for the TN Education Technology Conference, the FL Education Technology Conference, and the International Society for Technology in Education. In 2012 he was selected as a keynote speaker for the Mid-South Technology Conference hosted by Memphis City Schools. Twitter: @tchilders Google+: +Tim Childers
Lodge McCammon image from blog.discoveryeducation.com
Lodge McCammon
A Specialist in Curriculum and Contemporary Media at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation (www.fi.ncsu.edu). His work in education began in 2003 at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he taught Civics and AP Economics. He finished a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in 2008 where his work at The Friday Institute continues to bring innovative practices to students, teachers and schools. He developed a teaching and professional development process called FIZZ which encourages and models best practices in implementing user-generated video and online publishing in the classroom to enhance standards-based lessons. He is also a studio composer who writes standards-based songs, with supporting materials, about advanced curriculum for K-12 classrooms.(https://www.fi.ncsu.edu/project/fizz/about)
Daniel Russell, Ph.D.
Daniel Russell is the Űber Tech Lead for Search Quality and User Happiness at Google in Mountain View. Dan developed the Power Searching MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) that has been popular with teachers around the country. He earned his PhD in computer science, specializing in Artificial Intelligence before he realized that magnifying and understanding human intelligence was his real passion. He enjoys teaching, learning, running and music, preferably all in one day. He worked at Xerox PARC before it was PARC.com, and was in the Advanced Technology Group at Apple where he wrote the first 100 web pages for www.Apple.com using SimpleText. He also worked at IBM and briefly at a startup that developed tablet computers before the iPad.
His keynote focuses on what it means to be literate in the age of Google - at a time when you can search billions of texts in milliseconds. Although you might think that "literacy" is one of the great constants that transcends the ages, the skills of a literate person have changed substantially over time as texts and technology allow for new kinds of reading and understanding. Knowing how to read is just the beginning of it - knowing how to frame a question, pose a query, interpret the texts that you find, organize (and use) the information you discover, and understand your metacognition - these are all critical parts of being literate as well. In his talk Dan reviews what literacy means today and shows how some very surprising and unexpected skills will turn out to be critical in the years ahead. Contact Information: Google+: Dan Russell
Tammy Worcester Tang image from tammyworcester.com.
Tammy Worcester Tang
Tammy Worcester Tang began her career in the classroom, teaching nearly every grade from kindergarten through middle school.
Currently, Tammy works for ESSDACK, an educational service center in Kansas, as an Instructional Technology Specialist, providing staff development and training in the area of technology integration.
Tammy is extremely innovative and resourceful and specializes in finding unique and creative ways to use traditional computer tools in the classroom. She enjoys sharing her ideas with teachers throughout the nation, at conferences and in schools, and has a presentation style that can be described as inspiring.
Her website, “Tammy’s Technology Tips for Teachers” (www.tammyworcester.com) is a popular online resource for teachers around the world. Tammy is also the author of nearly a dozen best-selling technology resource books that are published and marketed nationally.
Greg Tang Image from www.gregtang.com
Greg Tang
A famed author and speaker, Greg’s goal is to to develop a more intuitive approach to teaching math, one that combines problem-solving and arithmetic and integrates math with language and art.
Greg has written a series of best-selling children’s books starting with “The Grapes of Math,” and has developed several award-winning math games and apps including Kakooma.
The SC Midlands Summit is getting closer and as it does the featured speaker line up is getting better and better. Our latest addition to the list is Dan Russell! If you are wondering who Dan Russell is, have you taken the Power Search with Google online? That's him!
Daniel Russell is the Űber Tech Lead for Search Quality and User Happiness at Google in Mountain View. Dan developed the Power Searching MOOC (Massive Online Open Course) that has been popular with teachers around the country. He earned his PhD in computer science, specializing in Artificial Intelligence before he realized that magnifying and understanding human intelligence was his real passion. He enjoys teaching, learning, running and music, preferably all in one day. He worked at Xerox PARC before it was PARC.com, and was in the Advanced Technology Group at Apple where he wrote the first 100 web pages for www.Apple.com using SimpleText. He also worked at IBM and briefly at a startup that developed tablet computers before the iPad.
His keynote focuses on what it means to be literate in the age of Google - at a time when you can search billions of texts in milliseconds. Although you might think that "literacy" is one of the great constants that transcends the ages, the skills of a literate person have changed substantially over time as texts and technology allow for new kinds of reading and understanding. Knowing how to read is just the beginning of it - knowing how to frame a question, pose a query, interpret the texts that you find, organize (and use) the information you discover, and understand your metacognition - these are all critical parts of being literate as well. In his talk Dan reviews what literacy means today and shows how some very surprising and unexpected skills will turn out to be critical in the years ahead.
Check out the other featured speakers at the SC Midlands Summit! Register for the SC Midlands Summit today! This is an amazing deal at $35 for two days of learning!
The SC Midlands Summit is back for year 2 and we need you to make it happen!
Mark Your Calendars!
June 12-13, 2013
Westwood High School
180 Turkey Farm Road, Blythewood, SC
Registration is now open for everyone. Go to the SC Midlands Summit page and click on registration for details.
We are also looking for presenters. Do you have what it takes? Are you trying new technology rich activities with your students that you can share? Do you have ideas on how to make technology professional development meaningful for your faculty and staff? Have you unlocked the key to assessment with technology tools? Are your students flipping over your 'flipped classroom?' If you answered yes to any of these questions and want to share with your fellow educators, submit a proposal today!
Proposals for session and workshop presentations will be considered for inclusion in the program if they are received by midnight EST on Thursday, February 28, 2013. Notifications of acceptance or regret will be e-mailed on or before March 28, 2013. The main presenter will receive a complimentary registration (workshop fee excluded). Apply to present today!
Have you seen the list of keynote/featured speakers? I think there is a little of something for everyone.
Lodge McCammon A Specialist in Curriculum and Contemporary Media at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation (www.fi.ncsu.edu). His work in education began in 2003 at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he taught Civics and AP Economics. He finished a Ph.D. from North Carolina State University in 2008 where his work at The Friday Institute continues to bring innovative practices to students, teachers and schools. He developed a teaching and professional development process called FIZZ which encourages and models best practices in implementing user-generated video and online publishing in the classroom to enhance standards-based lessons. He is also a studio composer who writes standards-based songs, with supporting materials, about advanced curriculum for K-12 classrooms.(https://www.fi.ncsu.edu/project/fizz/about)
Tammy Worcester Tang Tammy Worcester Tang began her career in the classroom, teaching nearly every grade from kindergarten through middle school. Currently, Tammy works for ESSDACK, an educational service center in Kansas, as an Instructional Technology Specialist, providing staff development and training in the area of technology integration. Tammy is extremely innovative and resourceful and specializes in finding unique and creative ways to use traditional computer tools in the classroom. She enjoys sharing her ideas with teachers throughout the nation, at conferences and in schools, and has a presentation style that can be described as inspiring.
Her website, “Tammy’s Technology Tips for Teachers” (www.tammyworcester.com) is a popular online resource for teachers around the world. Tammy is also the author of nearly a dozen best-selling technology resource books that are published and marketed nationally.
Greg Tang A famed author and speaker, Greg’s goal is to to develop a more intuitive approach to teaching math, one that combines problem-solving and arithmetic and integrates math with language and art. Greg has written a series of best-selling children’s books starting with “The Grapes of Math,” and has developed several award-winning math games and apps including Kakooma.
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, andGreg Tangare 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!
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