Hi again everyone,
Just wanted to send out a message about my findings this
week as I’ve been meeting with more of you about how you are using technology
to teach effectively, and what you’d love to see happening with technology here
at NWS. This email covers big and small issues, I hope you find it
useful…
What’s working:
-
Lots of successful Smartboard use (not
just as projectors but using Smart Notebook software, writing on the
boards/note taking). Ann and Emma are both using the boards extensively
and most boards are now working smoothly in the school (see below for
more training info).
-
Peer mentors are using texting as a way
for students (mostly Middle School students) to submit anonymous questions to
the peer mentors. Peer Mentors have published their cell numbers on
posters around the school and students can text a question during Tuesday
break, issues that come in outside that time are dealt with in the Peer Mentor
class. Check out more on their Peer Mentoring page: http://teachers.northwestschool.org/nws/peermentors/index.php
-
Jen is using Windows Live Movie Maker
with her ESL Theatre 9 students; students record themselves with the Flip
Cameras and, in teams, edit the clips into a story.
What you wish for:
-
Middle School students have been dealing with
issues of email spam and how to tell if an email is legitimate - a good
tip is to copy and paste the wording into a search engine and see if you find
any related, reported scams. Unfortunately these kind of scams can upset
students who just want to help: http://www.snopes.com/fraud/distress/family.asp
Let’s discuss ways to have these conversations and raise awareness with
students.
-
Lindsay would love to have school
subscriptions to BrainPOP, an online resource of animated, curriculum-based
content: http://www.brainpop.com/
as well as Discovery Education, a collection of short, edited videos and
digital content: http://www.discoveryeducation.com
-
The PE teachers rely heavily on Apps and
mobile devices to do their jobs. We need to look into ways to support
them and know more specifics of what they need to do their jobs well.
Things you’re wondering about:
-
Consider ways that we can handle a
crisis/disaster in light of the rapid rate of texting. In light of
the way word spread last week after the news of Anna’s brother, Will, being
killed in Afghanistan. How can we use/be aware of this technology
in order to be responsive, sensitive and informed teachers?
-
How to check your voicemail when the red
light isn’t blinking/or from home: Call your school number and press the
# button, enter your password and you’ll be able to navigate the menu, listen
to new messages, etc. The new email/voicemail integration allows
you to also delete, sort and save messages right from your email Inbox.
More specific tips and tricks to come.
-
Smartboard refresher session –I am
holding a basic, hands-on session next week, Monday Feb. 13th at
2pm in Physics. Please email me if you’re interested.
All the best,
Catherine
