Getting to Launch: Strategies for a Successful Website Redesign – presented at NAIS 2016, San Francisco 2/26/16

Presented 2/18/16, Manchester by the Sea, MA

Session 1 – Google Certifications

Google Certification Options & Study Resources

Session 2 – Makerspaces and Google Apps

Makerspaces and Google Apps

Session 3 – Tame Your Inbox – Getting More from Mail

Tame your Inbox! Getting More from Mail

Session 4: Collaborative Video Editing in the Cloud

Collaborative Video Editing in the Cloud

We’re looking forward to this year’s Google-themed February break workshop, MassCUE Winter Camp. Building off of last year’s Googlepalooza, we were struck with the overwhelming response by educators excited to take a day from their February break to dive into using Google Apps for Education to enhance and transform teaching and learning.

Spending a day at a workshop is an investment – how do you ensure the day is a success?  How do you maximize your experience at Winter Camp, or any workshop?

Here are just a few things to keep in mind to get the most from Winter Camp:

1 – The Law of Two Feet

Too often we feel trapped to stay in a workshop or session that’s not meeting our needs due to the fear of seeming rude by exiting the room. The law of two feet, one of the core aspects of the EdCamp model, frees everyone to keep learning at the heart of the day. If you aren’t actively learning or contributing to learning, it’s your responsibility to respectfully find a place where can do one or both of those things. If you get into a session and it’s not the right fit for you, quietly find one that is! Don’t worry about seeming rude – the session facilitators expect and encourage you to find a space that works for you, and the seat you vacate will likely be filled from someone leaving another session.

2 – Learn by Doing

Be selfish in your learning and experiment with new ideas during the workshop. As teachers, we work to create hands-on experiences for our students to learn, as we know that active learning is the most successful. But when given the space to get active in learning new methods, techniques, and models, it’s easy to become passive. The sessions at Winter Camp are designed to be hands-on. Take advantage of it! Try out a new tool, start planning a new project, or start acollaboration. You can’t improve your student’s experience by listening – get doing!

3 – The Smartest Person in the Room is the Room

One of the best parts of a conference is being surrounded by other teachers who are passionate about improving education. Strike up conversations, follow each other on Twitter/Instagram/Voxer/etc, and make some connections. While Winter Camp has an experienced group of Google Certified Teachers and Trainers, the wisdom of the crowd is the most valuable asset of any conference. Don’t be afraid to share – what you’ve found in your classroom is likely really valuable for others.

During Lunch, join the Demo Slam, where attendees give fast-paced 2-minute tricks, tips, and more. Short, to the point, and potent, these slam sessions are always a highlight.

4 – Different Strokes for Different Folks

Learning is not one size fits all. We know this from our students, but with PD we too often give every educator the same experience. Winter Camp has something for everyone, with sessions designed for a wide range of topics and levels. Facilitators also work to provide hands-on experiences in each session so you can find something that’s right for you. Customize your day – make a schedule that works for you, challenge yourself, and find what works for you. And if you ever find yourself in a session that’s old hat or over your head, follow the law of two feet.

We’ve been working hard to design a Winter Camp that works best for you. By following these tips, you can help ensure your time results in better learning for your students.

Originally posted at OnCueOnline, Feb. 10, 2016

Presented at MassCUE 2015.

Presentation

Resources can be found here.

“Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” – Steve Jobs

photo credit: Unhindered by Talent

While I believe that preparing students to succeed in the workplace is an important part of education, the true goal is to prepare students for life. However, after reading You are now a Consultant, How work is changing, I couldn’t help but wonder if we are preparing students to become self-sufficient in their careers.

The article highlights the fact that the average length of employment is now 2.3 years. The majority of our students will have 12+ jobs in their careers. The author describes 5 tips to thrive as a “consultant” in the workplace, and I couldn’t help but think how each tip is a reminder of what our students need in their classes.

Below are the 5 tips and some thoughts on teaching these skills:

1. Become self-sufficient by building your network

Are we teaching students to build their network, or are we letting them fend for themselves? Creating a PLN for educators has been at the forefront for a few years, but it’s time to teach our students how to cultivate and participate in a learning community.

2. Every time you start a new project you must learn very fast about the client and the work

Project-based learning where students must investigate the problem, and develop a plan before starting, provides an opportunity to discover that successful projects are made in the planning phase.

3. You must keep up with the latest technologies and best practices

Can we teach students to teach themselves the newest technologies and find optimum practices? While the technology we have today won’t be what they use in the work place in 5-10 years, through learning how to learn technology, we can prepare them for whatever tools become essential down the line.

4. Project lengths are short…

Giving many, fast paced projects might be a better strategy than one quarter or year long project.

5. Have a skill set that is in demand

Instead of teaching skills, let’s first have students identify the skills they need, develop projects and a learning plan, and ensure that each student is prepared with the skills they need.

You are a Consultant, How work is changing

photo credit: Foraggio Fotographic

It’s essential that teachers keep constantly up to date, especially in the area of technology. Exciting new tools are created daily, and teachers must stay on top of technology if they wish to remain relevant in the classroom.

Here’s 7 great blogs that every teacher should be reading.

1. So you want to teach?
   While this site is written by a band director, it offers advice that are important to all teachers, including information on classroom management and personal development.
2. Infinite Thinking Machine
   A very interesting blog full of great ideas of using technology in your classroom. From the about page: “The Infinite Thinking Machine (ITM) is designed to help teachers and students thrive in the 21st century. Through an active blog, an Internet TV show, and other media resources, the ITM shares a “bazillion practical ideas” for turning the infinite universe of information into knowledge.”
3. ELearn Magazine
   A magazine site with a blog full of articles on online education. As you integrate a site into your traditional classroom, this site will help you follow best practices that will help you be a success online.
4. Edutopia
   This is a top-notch site filled with info. The stories on specific teacher’s experiences are always inspirational.
5. e-Literate
   All about online learning. Another solid site for teachers looking to take their students online for their courses.
6. The Tech Savvy Educator
   With a name like that it has to be good! While I hadn’t discovered it until after setting up this blog, The Tech Savvy Educator is a frequently updated site full of practical ways to integrate technology.
7. darcynorman.net
   Focuses often on secondary education, but full of great ideas, including wide spread use of blogging on a campus. The information is good, but after reading the blog for a while you’ll enjoy the personal tone and the inside look at technology integration at the secondary level.

While I’m sure I’ve missed some essential blogs, these are just a few that I enjoy reading. Have a blog you think was missed? Post it (with the url) in the comments!

Math Class Starters
Online Stopwatch
Scientific Method Lab
Promethean Planet (World’s Largest Interactive Whiteboard Community)
Classroom Game Show Templates
Smart board has many activities that work great with the mimio also.
A Large list of interactive site resources organized by subject.

Found a great site or resource for your smart board or mimio? Share it here! Leave a comment with the url.