Take 5! Integration Update - April 12, 2011 (Vol.2/#22)

Issue #22

“Take 5” is a weekly update containing information related to teaching and learning for today and beyond...

Take just 5 minutes (or less) to look over these resources and see what might be helpful for your and/or your students. Better yet, set aside at least 15-30 minutes a week (yes, that's been increased from last year!) to focus on finding resources and ideas that will improve student learning and prepare them for their future!


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Tips and Tools for Teachers

• Webinars on Using the SMART Board (from Teq) – FREE! – Learn on your own! (LOYO): SMART Board webinars from Teq
• (For intermediate to advanced users, I highly suggest the “5 Coolest Things...” webinar!) 
• SMART Notebook 101 Basics 
• SMART Boards and Web 2.0 
• Informal Assessment with SMART Response PE 
• 5 Coolest Things You Can Do On A SMART Board 
• Transparent Background (for PC/Win version)

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• Tip: Planning for a Substitute – (NOTE: Most of these suggestions came from ACTUAL substitute teachers and their experiences in the classroom. See what things can make their day better and your lesson-in-absentia more effective and meaningful for all.)
  These days, many teachers’ lessons have at least some technology element to them. Therefore, when you’re planning for a substitute teacher, here are some things to consider as you best prepare them (and your students) for a day or more without you:
  
  (this is particularly meant for REVS teachers, who most have a SMART Board, but it can apply in other situations as well)
  
• Guest password for substitutes to get onto your computer (or have another teacher, principal, or secretary log in). You can change your log in password for the sub, then change it back, if needed. Or if that’s too much trust, seek a colleague to log the substitute teacher on.
  
• Any other possible passwords they'd need (for computer, websites they will visit, overrides, etc.), be sure to leave that too (or with another teacher, close by)
  
• Include a paper roster of students (even better... One with names AND pictures!)... No more “What’s your name so I can tell the teacher what you did?” “Uh... It’s Butz... Seymour... Yeah, that’s my name!”
  
• If using a SMART Notebook lesson, leave it on the computer AND have a copy on a USB thumb/flash drive that you leave w/ them. If you’re really paranoid and the file is not too large (over 9 MB or so), you may be able to email it to the sub and/or a teaching colleague, just in case).
  
• If using a SMART Notebook lesson, in addition to the electronic file, leave a printed copy (printed in handout format of 3 slides per page on left side and lines down the right side; or 6 per page)... This is handy if there are technological issues, failures, oops-es, etc. You know about Murphy’s Law, right???
  
• Leave the names of a couple students that can assist with the technology if there are concerns...  Most substitutes welcome a helping hand and the students will be happy to help!
  
• Include the phone extension for tech help (if tech help is readily available/on call, like it is here at REVS!), whether that’s the building techs or district level... Email doesn’t help since they may not be able to get online and/or their personal email will probably be blocked by the filters.
  
• Last, but not least, leave the name of a teacher (probably the one mentioned in #1,2 above) who the sub can go to if there are problems. This may seem obvious, but the closest teacher may not be the best one to consult. (NOTE: this came directly from an actual substitute teacher, so obviously not all teachers leave this information!) 

Ponderings 

 

  

Predicted Changes in Education by 2020

• "21 Things That Will Be Obsolete by 2020" -- That's less than 9 years away! Here are some things to consider, such as:
  ... Desks, 

  Language Labs, 

  Homework, 

  High School Algebra I, 

  and Paper (which could be a good thing!)
  
  

Learning Opportunities

• 1. In-District Professional Development Opportunities
• 2. NWO's STEM Education Inquiry Series (at Rossford High School!) - LAST ONE, this Thurs., April 14th (from 5-8pm) a low-cost, local opportunity for elementary teachers and JH/HS science, math, and technology teachers offered 7 times from September 23 - April 14, 2011.
•  3. In the right margin of this blog, enter your email to receive future postings into your email Inbox (Take 5s and more!) -- plan on 1-3 posts per week.

;-) Just for Fun?!?! (and a little learning, perhaps)

 

"What can school do for me?"

This Betty comic (click to see full comic) asks an interesting question to parents and teachers these days... which hopefully all educators can answer!