May 27, 2014

Hello everyone,

​

With Quint 5 in full swing we thought we'd share some of the ways you're exploring teaching and technology.

What's working:

- Melody has used a new tool called Socrative http://www.socrative.com/ to share quiz questions with her students using their smartphones.  Another option for this kind of engagement is using Backchannel Chat http://backchannelchat.com/ - you can create spaces for students to ask questions, leave feedback at the end of a lesson or collaboratively brainstorm in a spot that records their responses (accessible via smartphone or website).

- Randy has been experimenting with 123D Catch - a free app that lets you create 3D models from your photographs: http://www.123dapp.com/catch - he's been taking photos of student's sculptures to turn them into 3D digital sculptures.   

What's wonky:

- Some of you are experiencing a bit of a learning curve with Office 365.  Greg, Alicia and I will be offering drop-in sessions for the next week and a half.  Please come by the Computer Lab, ask questions and get set up.  If these times don't work just drop us a line and we'll set up an appointment.

• ​Thursday, May 29th, 2nd period
• Friday, May 30th, all lunch periods

Next week June 2- 6:

• Monday, 2nd period
• Tuesday, 1st period
• Wednesday 6th and 7th periods
• Thursday 2nd period
• Friday 3rd and 4th periods

What you wish for:

- Both Alicia and I spontaneously said: More time.  

We're working on it!

- A more robust VPN interface. 

Just a reminder, for things that are bugging you/changes you'd like to see, please let us know via helpdesk@northwestschool.org  it really helps us keep track of issues and promptly resolve them.

Wildcards:

- Interested in an insightful take on technology?  I attended danah boyd's town hall talk - about It's Complicated, her recent book about teens, technology and the ins and outs of social networking -  and thought you might enjoy it:  http://www.townhallseattle.org/danah-boydtechnological-teens-the-ins-and-outs-of-social-networking/

- For anyone who has a google account (gmail/google drive/etc). Please read this and - if you choose - opt-out of having your photos and personal info appear in Google's ads:

http://gizmodo.com/googles-going-to-start-sticking-your-face-and-name-in-1443861985/1462317340/+ace​

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

- Catherine and Alicia

March 3, 2014

Hi everyone,

Happy Quint 4! 

A week into quint 4 here's what has been happening with teaching and technology:

What's working:

• Randy and his students are having a blast creating 3D pottery images using a fun smartphone app - Jono is surpassing Randy with his app wheel creations - http://www.potterygame.com/   Students are printing off their designs on this French site: http://www.sculpteo.com/en/ and on Shapeways: http://www.shapeways.com/
• Lisa Beemster and Kathryn Wallace are each using Pinterest - a visual bookmarking tool - to collect lecture ideas/images that inspire... check it out here: https://www.pinterest.com/ 
• Megan and Catherine Seaver met with the 9th grade to discuss Social Networking last week - it included a panel of peer mentors discussing how technology makes their lives great and also challenging, an anonymous activity to raise awareness that there is no digital shredder for words you wish you hadn't said, strategies for dealing with feelings while using our devices and a mindfulness meditation activity.  Check out Daniel Goleman's videos on Focus here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quS2kK27U_4&list=PL10g2YT_ln2gmPbtzIWIPXKsNR2_-BrWn
•  Our Helpdesk ticketing system - email helpdesk@northwestschool.org - is working fabulously. The IT team has resolved 523 tickets/issues since September! And that doesn't include answered phone calls, hallway conversations etc... way to go team! Just a reminder to all - please submit an email to helpdesk@northwestschool.org if issues arise. Call 4357 (HELP) on the phone if it's urgent, but either way please keep letting us know what's going on. That way we can keep responding promptly.

What you wish for:

• This Friday, March 7th is National Day of Unplugging - http://nationaldayofunplugging.com/ - there are a lot of ways to model and talk about this with your students.  What will unplugging allow you to do in your life?  Consider thoughtfully and perhaps download this sign to share with your students: http://nationaldayofunplugging.com/download-your-unplug-sign/
• Here's a quick video tutorial about how to embed videos into your teacher page: http://screencast.com/t/fdIJfM2nM

What's wonky:

• The VHS/DVD player in MF Spanish is not working.  Somehow the cord was ripped out, leaving the pin still in the machine.  We are looking at replacing it and possibly transitioning away from a VHS player in the space. 

A wild card:

• As more teachers experiment with our school-wide license for Voicethread, consider using Voicethread for differentiated instruction – check out some great examples and research here: http://voicethread.cmail3.com/t/ViewEmail/y/A7E5DFA88E810A53/508741A9680284D4BA4AF9908B8D85ED

A really wonderful thing:

• I received this video from Curtis Erlinger – it’s a NWS Environment Video made almost 20 years ago.   Andrew Matson found it here: https://vimeo.com/63750561   Password = nwsclassic

I hope all this helps to brighten your day!  Thank you again to all of you who share your journeys, take risks and keep learning with us.  It is a pleasure to work with you!

-Catherine and Alicia

January 29, 2014

Happy Tuesday everyone,

We’ve been joking that this wired weekday might have to shift to some sort of “Q” themed message considering it’s coming out once a quint.  It has been a busy time.  Here’s an overview of some of the ways that technology and teaching is working, wonky and leaving us wishing for more.

What’s working:

• Ongoing experiments with Voicethread: Marina has student writing poetry, illustrating, narrating and commenting on other poems in Voicethead.  Feedback from students has been quite profound regarding the impact on language learning.  Students shared that hearing themselves speak, practicing, and re-recording what they are saying has given them more insight into the language and where they need to grow.  Francoise and Steven are considering ways to use Voicethread collaboratively in their French and Spoken Word classes.   If you’d like an account with Voicethread please email me or Alicia.  If you’re curious about how it could be used, check out the ongoing discussion on our Voicethread homepage: https://northwestschool.ed.voicethread.com/
• Going old school  - as a frequent experimenter with technology, Tina is once again pushing the envelope.  She is having students call her answering machine here at school and leave a message in response to a homework assignment.  Yep, it’s that simple.  The message is automatically emailed to her and she can then use it for formative feedback.  She had tried all sorts of things from Google Voice, Voicethread, Audacity and others – but this is the simplest solution.
• The Middle School Math department has been using the ALEKS program -  http://www.aleks.com/ to great success.  Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn't know in a course. ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics she is most ready to learn.  This is an exciting way to make use of online learning while enriching class instruction as well.

What’s wonky:

• Documentation of the AV setup in the new dining room.  We (Alicia and Catherine) are pulling together steps (with photos) and will be sharing these in the next week.  If you do have questions about the setup please let us know.  As usual please book that space with Brenda.

What you wish for:

• Here’s a little tutorial about how to book the main office conference room: http://www.screencast.com/t/bgMeNCeGC
• The library has added a few trial databases to the resource ABC-CLIO that we’ve been testing out with classes this quint. The new databases are Issues, Modern Genocide, and World Religions. Test them out, and let us know what you think, over the following few weeks, as we’ll need to make a final decision of which (if any) we decide to subscribe to.   To test them out – just go to the NWS Catalog,  log in as you normally do and click on ABC CLIO.  The database links are on the right (screenshot is attached).
• More ways to take screen shots!  Check out this handy little website: http://www.take-a-screenshot.org

Wild cards:

• NCCE – The National Council for Computer Education conference  is approaching!  March 12-14  here in Seattle.   The deadline for early bird registration is Feb. 10^th.  Please let me know if you’re interested in joining us.  I’ll collect names and get things organized.  The conference happens just down the hill at the Seattle Conference center.  The conference website is here: http://www.ncce.org/index.php/attendees
• Here’s the keynote speaker’s blog – a refreshing perspective: http://esheninger.blogspot.com/]
• A little plug for one of our adventurous students -  Zach TB  is in 8^th grade and a co-leader of our Game Design and 3D printer Interest Group.  He was just interviewed as their Designer Spotlight on the Shapeways blog (a 3D design community):  http://www.shapeways.com/blog/archives/2428-Designer-Spotlight-Zach-Tsiakalis-Brown.html
• Carol Dweck’s research about the power of a little word: YET.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyAde4nIIm8

So that’s what’s been happening… and actually there will be more to share very soon about upcoming experimentation with online learning.  Stay tuned! 

If you’re still reading this – thank you! – and interested in joining me (Catherine)  tonight for the Parent Forum, we’ll be talking about parenting and technology.  We’ll talk about the power and importance of conversations, share strategies, talk about modelling a mindful approach to technology, and connect our parenting wisdom to the online world.   Should be fun!  Tonight – January 29 - in the Commons 6:30-8:30 pm.

All the best,

Catherine & Alicia