GUHSD
Instructional Technology
Blog
December 2018
December 2018
This post includes:
This post includes:
- A teacher spotlight from Cortez High School
- A teacher spotlight from Cortez High School
- Highlights of what's happening with instructional technology around the district
- Highlights of what's happening with instructional technology around the district
- Information about our featured instructional technology strategy, Learning Playlists
- Information about our featured instructional technology strategy, Learning Playlists
Teacher Spotlight
Teacher Spotlight
Anthony Groth has been teaching for 6 years and has been with GUHSD for the past 2 years. He currently teaches Integrated Science and AP Biology at Cortez High School.
Anthony Groth has been teaching for 6 years and has been with GUHSD for the past 2 years. He currently teaches Integrated Science and AP Biology at Cortez High School.
Hear how using Pear Deck engages Anthony's students and gain insight on how he puts his lessons together.
Hear how using Pear Deck engages Anthony's students and gain insight on how he puts his lessons together.
Anthony Groth, science teacher at Cortez High School, is utilizing the features of Pear Deck to help interact with all students in his classroom. Anthony imports his PowerPoint lessons into Google Slides and then uses the Pear Deck add-on to employ interactive features that engage his students in his lesson. He implements questions at the beginning for his bell work and also uses the interactive features to close out his lesson as well. Throughout his lesson, he implements multiple choice questions, open-ended questions, and graphing questions, so students can demonstrate what they have learned. Anthony can check everyone’s understanding instead of just those that respond. He appreciates that Pear Deck allows him to check who has responded to make sure that each student is participating.
Anthony Groth, science teacher at Cortez High School, is utilizing the features of Pear Deck to help interact with all students in his classroom. Anthony imports his PowerPoint lessons into Google Slides and then uses the Pear Deck add-on to employ interactive features that engage his students in his lesson. He implements questions at the beginning for his bell work and also uses the interactive features to close out his lesson as well. Throughout his lesson, he implements multiple choice questions, open-ended questions, and graphing questions, so students can demonstrate what they have learned. Anthony can check everyone’s understanding instead of just those that respond. He appreciates that Pear Deck allows him to check who has responded to make sure that each student is participating.
Anthony begins his lesson preparation with his previously created PowerPoint lessons. He imports his PowerPoint lessons into Google Slides which are then enhanced with the Pear Deck add-on to employ interactive features, including drawing on graphs, to engage his students. When adding interactives, Anthony’s goal is to build in checks for understanding in addition to adding bellwork and closures to his lesson.
Anthony begins his lesson preparation with his previously created PowerPoint lessons. He imports his PowerPoint lessons into Google Slides which are then enhanced with the Pear Deck add-on to employ interactive features, including drawing on graphs, to engage his students. When adding interactives, Anthony’s goal is to build in checks for understanding in addition to adding bellwork and closures to his lesson.
Once the lesson is ready to go, Anthony clicks “Present with Pear Deck” from within the Google Slides Add-on and is taken to Pear Deck presentation screen. Students are directed to go to joinpd.com and enter the auto-generated Pear Deck join code. As Anthony goes through his lesson and encounters an interactive slide, students are automatically allowed to engage in the Pear Deck activity. From students picking a multiple choice answer to answering an open-ended question all the way to having students draw on a graph, student responses are easily viewable by the teacher on the Teacher Dashboard screen. Anthony is able to see who has and has not answered, as well as provide real time feedback to students who need it before moving on.
Once the lesson is ready to go, Anthony clicks “Present with Pear Deck” from within the Google Slides Add-on and is taken to Pear Deck presentation screen. Students are directed to go to joinpd.com and enter the auto-generated Pear Deck join code. As Anthony goes through his lesson and encounters an interactive slide, students are automatically allowed to engage in the Pear Deck activity. From students picking a multiple choice answer to answering an open-ended question all the way to having students draw on a graph, student responses are easily viewable by the teacher on the Teacher Dashboard screen. Anthony is able to see who has and has not answered, as well as provide real time feedback to students who need it before moving on.
What's happening with instructional technology around the district?
What's happening with instructional technology around the district?
Apollo:
Apollo:
In English 1-2 classes, students are using the online tool Kami to annotate their digital text of Night. Kami enables students to use various annotation tools to engage with digital texts. Better yet, everything saves automatically to Google Drive.
In English 1-2 classes, students are using the online tool Kami to annotate their digital text of Night. Kami enables students to use various annotation tools to engage with digital texts. Better yet, everything saves automatically to Google Drive.
Cortez:
Cortez:
Check out the teacher spotlight on Anthony Groth using Pear Deck to engage his students!
Check out the teacher spotlight on Anthony Groth using Pear Deck to engage his students!
Glendale:
Glendale:
Technology use is impressively infused in the PE curriculum at Glendale. PE teachers give online pre and post tests to measure student growth, as well as using data to compare best practices within their PLC. Synergy assessment has made comparing data both simple and immediate. Goal setting is a focus of the PE department, and teachers have students navigating through a goal setting activity using Google Slides and Google Classroom. Students have been observed to be extremely engaged in tailoring their presentations to reflect their own thoughts, goals, and personalities. Megan O'Donnell loved the ease of using Google Classroom and plans to use it to house the department's curriculum online.
Technology use is impressively infused in the PE curriculum at Glendale. PE teachers give online pre and post tests to measure student growth, as well as using data to compare best practices within their PLC. Synergy assessment has made comparing data both simple and immediate. Goal setting is a focus of the PE department, and teachers have students navigating through a goal setting activity using Google Slides and Google Classroom. Students have been observed to be extremely engaged in tailoring their presentations to reflect their own thoughts, goals, and personalities. Megan O'Donnell loved the ease of using Google Classroom and plans to use it to house the department's curriculum online.
Greenway:
Greenway:
Candice Nelson and Linda Parrott are teaching students to conduct research and properly evaluate electronic sources by using the CRAAP test. Students are completing research on Chromebooks and presenting their information in Google slides presentations that are both engaging and informative. Students are also creating their own videos using Screencastify to share with their classmates as they will be learning from each other’s presentations during a classroom gallery walk.
Candice Nelson and Linda Parrott are teaching students to conduct research and properly evaluate electronic sources by using the CRAAP test. Students are completing research on Chromebooks and presenting their information in Google slides presentations that are both engaging and informative. Students are also creating their own videos using Screencastify to share with their classmates as they will be learning from each other’s presentations during a classroom gallery walk.
Independence:
Independence:
Several Independence teachers are using instructional videos in innovative ways. Social studies teacher, Haley Rubio, is using Screencastify to make detailed instructional videos for her students when she knows she will be out of the classroom. Several world language teachers are using instructional videos to help students learn speaking and listening skills. As we continue growing in technology, we will continue finding innovative ways to meet our students’ needs.
Several Independence teachers are using instructional videos in innovative ways. Social studies teacher, Haley Rubio, is using Screencastify to make detailed instructional videos for her students when she knows she will be out of the classroom. Several world language teachers are using instructional videos to help students learn speaking and listening skills. As we continue growing in technology, we will continue finding innovative ways to meet our students’ needs.
Moon Valley:
Moon Valley:
Link Crew is hosting a Coco Quiz Bowl after school for the freshmen to support final exam preparation. Students will be organized in the same groups that were used in previous Link Crew activities lead by their original Link Crew leaders. Students will play a series of games that review math, English, science, and world language concepts. Although participating in a different locations around campus, each group will compete against one another using Quizizz. The event is called the Coco Quiz Bowl as all participants will get a free hot cup of cocoa!
Link Crew is hosting a Coco Quiz Bowl after school for the freshmen to support final exam preparation. Students will be organized in the same groups that were used in previous Link Crew activities lead by their original Link Crew leaders. Students will play a series of games that review math, English, science, and world language concepts. Although participating in a different locations around campus, each group will compete against one another using Quizizz. The event is called the Coco Quiz Bowl as all participants will get a free hot cup of cocoa!
Online Learning Academy:
Online Learning Academy:
The Online Learning Academy (OLA) uses the learning management system (LMS) Canvas for all online classes. Canvas is a straightforward and easy to navigate LMS, which means instructors can easily build courses. The SpeedGrader tool allows teachers to grade and provide feedback more efficiently and effectively. OLA students mainly use desktop computers and Chromebooks to access Canvas, but many have started to use the Canvas mobile application to make accessing their classes even easier. Communication is important for online classes, and Canvas is equipped with its own email system, which allows students and teachers to communicate easily. Canvas also offers a calendar tool to help students stay organized and plan out their work for the week for all of their courses.
The Online Learning Academy (OLA) uses the learning management system (LMS) Canvas for all online classes. Canvas is a straightforward and easy to navigate LMS, which means instructors can easily build courses. The SpeedGrader tool allows teachers to grade and provide feedback more efficiently and effectively. OLA students mainly use desktop computers and Chromebooks to access Canvas, but many have started to use the Canvas mobile application to make accessing their classes even easier. Communication is important for online classes, and Canvas is equipped with its own email system, which allows students and teachers to communicate easily. Canvas also offers a calendar tool to help students stay organized and plan out their work for the week for all of their courses.
Sunnyslope:
Sunnyslope:
Sarah Stahlbush is using Diigo with her English classes and loving it! Diigo is a Google Chrome extension that collects, annotates, organizes, and shares online research. Sarah shared, "We are using Diigo for a research assignment and annotated bibliography. Diigo lets the students annotate any online material and to save those annotations. Their dashboard keeps their annotated sources all in one place, so it's helping to keep their research organized as they go. They are able to share a link to their annotated versions with me, and I can monitor their progress and check their work."
Sarah Stahlbush is using Diigo with her English classes and loving it! Diigo is a Google Chrome extension that collects, annotates, organizes, and shares online research. Sarah shared, "We are using Diigo for a research assignment and annotated bibliography. Diigo lets the students annotate any online material and to save those annotations. Their dashboard keeps their annotated sources all in one place, so it's helping to keep their research organized as they go. They are able to share a link to their annotated versions with me, and I can monitor their progress and check their work."
Thunderbird:
Thunderbird:
The English 3-4 team at Thunderbird High School has been using Google Sites to assist them with their student's weekly independent reading this semester. Students have created a Google website that houses their weekly independent reading logs. This allows the teachers and the students to have constant access to their weekly postings, making it easy for the students to reference previous postings, and for the teachers to grade their work at their convenience. Using a Google Sites based portfolio is a simple and visually appealing way for students to compile a portfolio of their work for any class.
The English 3-4 team at Thunderbird High School has been using Google Sites to assist them with their student's weekly independent reading this semester. Students have created a Google website that houses their weekly independent reading logs. This allows the teachers and the students to have constant access to their weekly postings, making it easy for the students to reference previous postings, and for the teachers to grade their work at their convenience. Using a Google Sites based portfolio is a simple and visually appealing way for students to compile a portfolio of their work for any class.
Washington:
Washington:
Washington P.E. teachers are using technology in fun and exciting new ways. Veteran P.E. teacher Wendy Ramos stated, "Using technology has really enhanced a lot of what we do in P.E. class and makes things more relevant for students. We now have WiFi in the gyms and locker rooms so we can checkout Chromebook carts or have students use their phones to watch short videos, give quizzes, or check for understanding."
Washington P.E. teachers are using technology in fun and exciting new ways. Veteran P.E. teacher Wendy Ramos stated, "Using technology has really enhanced a lot of what we do in P.E. class and makes things more relevant for students. We now have WiFi in the gyms and locker rooms so we can checkout Chromebook carts or have students use their phones to watch short videos, give quizzes, or check for understanding."
Washington P.E. teachers have been taking advantage of technology by using Google Classroom to organize projects and share classroom materials such as visual aids and study guides. EdPuzzle has been another helpful tool for this group of teachers who use the program to create interactive videos to introduce new material and reinforce curriculum by inserting checks for understanding within the videos. P.E. teachers are also stepping out of the box and using fun apps, such as QR Counter, Boxing Timer, Rock My Run, and MyFitnessPal to increase active participation and accountability while adding novelty and fun to the learning experience.
Washington P.E. teachers have been taking advantage of technology by using Google Classroom to organize projects and share classroom materials such as visual aids and study guides. EdPuzzle has been another helpful tool for this group of teachers who use the program to create interactive videos to introduce new material and reinforce curriculum by inserting checks for understanding within the videos. P.E. teachers are also stepping out of the box and using fun apps, such as QR Counter, Boxing Timer, Rock My Run, and MyFitnessPal to increase active participation and accountability while adding novelty and fun to the learning experience.
Featured Instructional Technology Strategy
Featured Instructional Technology Strategy
What is a Learning Playlist?
What is a Learning Playlist?
Learning playlists are a sequence of resources and/or activities for students to complete independently or in groups. Learning Playlists can be differentiated by offering alternative pathways for learning based on student performance. They can also be personalized by offering a variety of choices for students to accomplish instructional or assessment goals.
Learning playlists are a sequence of resources and/or activities for students to complete independently or in groups. Learning Playlists can be differentiated by offering alternative pathways for learning based on student performance. They can also be personalized by offering a variety of choices for students to accomplish instructional or assessment goals.
Source: Education Elements
Content Examples
Content Examples
What is the Purpose of a Playlist?
What is the Purpose of a Playlist?
When we ask students to complete multi-faceted independent activities, a playlist serves as guidance and sequencing without real-time teacher actions. This allows the teacher to direct students without having to be present, thus freeing the teacher to work 1:1 or with small groups of students, manage behavioral challenges, observe and respond to academic blockers, offer tech support, and so much more.
When we ask students to complete multi-faceted independent activities, a playlist serves as guidance and sequencing without real-time teacher actions. This allows the teacher to direct students without having to be present, thus freeing the teacher to work 1:1 or with small groups of students, manage behavioral challenges, observe and respond to academic blockers, offer tech support, and so much more.
With playlists, the responsibility for executing the learning plan shifts: Students are given the unit (lesson ,activity, etc) plan, including access to all the lessons ahead of time. With the learning plan in hand, students work through the lesson and assignments at their own pace.
With playlists, the responsibility for executing the learning plan shifts: Students are given the unit (lesson ,activity, etc) plan, including access to all the lessons ahead of time. With the learning plan in hand, students work through the lesson and assignments at their own pace.
Not all playlists are personalized; they can be assigned the same way to all students. To personalize, teachers implementing playlists in conjunction with personalized learning strategies to target specific student interests, skills, and needs.
Not all playlists are personalized; they can be assigned the same way to all students. To personalize, teachers implementing playlists in conjunction with personalized learning strategies to target specific student interests, skills, and needs.
Source: Education Elements
Click here to learn how to create a Learning Playlist, as well as ways to use it for differentiation and personalized learning!
Click here to learn how to create a Learning Playlist, as well as ways to use it for differentiation and personalized learning!
Contact your local Tech Coach if you would like your instructional technology use to be shared in a future Tech Coach blog post.
Contact your local Tech Coach if you would like your instructional technology use to be shared in a future Tech Coach blog post.