Podcasts to Demonstrate Learning

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New Screenshot Reader Making Text Accessible

View New: Screenshot Reader - Allows Users to Read Inaccessible Text  full version on Tackk
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Grading with Orange Slice Google Docs Add-On

View Want to Grade Digital Writing with a Rubric Quicker and Easier? full version on Tackk
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Speak Up Project

View Speak Up About Ed Tech! full version on Tackk
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October is Connected Educator Month!

See the Walled Lake Instructional Tech newsletter to find out what being a connected educator means and explore tips for how you can begin your journey of becoming a connected educator. There are lots of wonderful learning opportunities this month. See the Connected Educator website for a plethora of resources and ideas!

Instructional Tech "Must Knows" of the Week

Walled Lake Educators:

Click here to learn about:

• A troubleshooting tip when using your new technology (phase 1 and 2 of the tech bond)
• Google Calendar/Google Classroom integration
• The availability of the Read & Write for Google Chrome extension

Communicating with Staff Using Tackk

I'm going to try using a tool called Tackk to communicate new ideas with the staff that I support in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District. I like it because I can include tips and other info AND people can contact me right from the document... it’s one more way to let people know about my role in the district and strong interest in supporting teachers.

My first one is all about the August and September 2015 Google Apps for Education updates. There are several that are really neat!

Pam's Pointers: Google Updates You Will Love!

Enjoy!

This Learning Tool is Available: Do Your Students Know About It?

Do you know about the availability of Read & Write for Google?  Last week, Texthelp released an update to it's Read & Write for Google Chrome extension. Gone is the green arrow, here is the purple puzzle piece icon. Once this chrome extension is installed, the purple arrow will appear whenever a Google Document is open; it just needs to be clicked on and used! Click the purple icon to open and close the Read & Write for Google toolbar.

Read & Write for Google is free for teachers, but for student use, there is a fee. See pricing here. In my district, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, we are fortunate to have a district subscription for our Google Apps domain. It is available to all students who have a district Google Apps for Education account. The district has pre-installed it for all users, so there is no need to go to the Chrome web store to get it.

As I work with teachers, I find that many are not aware of this powerful toolbar. This could be due to three possible reasons:

1. They are not logged into Google Chrome with their Walled Lake Google account.
2. When prompted, they are closing the window for the user agreement instead of clicking the "agree" button. 
3. They haven't clicked on the icon to open the toolbar to see what it does. Once I show them.

Once I show teachers that this is available, they are amazed!  

Using a tool like Read & Write for Google can provide learning support to all (this is called a "universal support." Yes, using it will help students become familiar with similar type tools that are available when taking online standardized tests. But it makes sense to show students what it does so that they can use it when they need it on a daily basis. They decide if they need it and they decide on which tools they want to use based on their own learning needs. 

My Favorite Tools:

Electronic Highlighters

Text-to-Speech

Speech-to-text

Vocabulary Builder

   

• Electronic highlighters: Provide a reading selection about a topic in a shared Google Document. Ask students to identify the main idea or words they do not understand. For their own writing, they can highlight parts of speech, areas they need to embellish, or use for just about any writing skill they are working to develop. 
• Text-to-speech:  When students write, they often are able to self-correct and improve their writing when they listen as their writing is read out loud.  They notice problems with word choice, tense, omitted words, and punctuation. 
• Speech-to-text: If students prefer talking instead of writing to get their ideas down, they can use this tool. They'll need to click a button to allow the microphone to record their voice. Once their ideas are on "paper," they can edit as needed. Often the hardest part when writing is simply getting started.
• Vocab Builder: Students can highlight vocabulary words using one of the electronic highlighters (yellow, blue, green, or pink), and then click the Vocabulary Builder button. Google will automatically generate a new Google Document with a table that includes the highlighted words, a definition for each words, along with a picture to go with it. This table can be modified. It's magical! 

I write this post to help raise awareness of this toolbar's existence. It could be helpful to students of all grade levels. Walled Lake staff, please help spread the word, and if you need help using it, let me know!  

So Excited: The MACUL Conference is This Week!

The annual MACUL Conference will be held in Detroit, MI on March 18-20. The MACUL leadership team has been busy all year planning and preparing for this event. So far, there are already over 4,800 people registered to attend, so it's looking to be the biggest and best yet!

The conference will be held at the newly remodeled Cobo Center in downtown Detroit. I have not yet seen it, but I've heard that the changes will wow us all.

Some of the highlights of this year's conference include:

• New conference app: Get it from the Apple App Store, the Android Play Store, or access it on the web. View the conference sessions and plan your schedule, access maps of Cobo, and connect with others on social media right from the app. 
• New interactive session styles will be offered this year. See the descriptions for each style on page 14 of the conference brochure.
• Share photos you take while at the conference with others by posting to Twitter or Instagram with #macul15.
• Stop by the Advocacy Booth in the MACUL Zone to explain in one or two minutes how technology makes a difference to you and your students for a chance to win an Amazon gift card! Drawings will take place every hour. See story starters here. 
• New this year: Maker Space! This will be held on Friday from 9am-2pm in the Atwater Lounge. Come find out why the maker movement is gaining popularity in classrooms across the country. 
• Student Technology Showcase: Students and teachers share their projects from 11am-1pm on Thursday in the Grand River Ballroom Prefunction.
• Join in on a discussion about improving Detroit's schools at Michigan Radio's "Issues and Ale" event at the Detroit Beer Company. This will take place on Wednesday between 6 and 7:30pm. It is free. Arrive early for a good seat. 
• Spark sessions are 20 minute mini sessions on a variety of topics.  They will be held in room 140A.
• Lightning Talks: This high energy event takes place on Friday from 1:00-2:00pm in Grand Ballroom B.  Presenters share stories or passions that are designed to inspire others. Each presenter speaks for 5 minutes with 20 slides on screen for 15 seconds each. The list of speakers looks fabulous!  
• There is a new format for the MACUL Party this year. It will be a networking event right at COBO (in the Atrium) on Thursday from 5:30-7:30pm. Stop by to mingle and network with the featured speakers and MACUL attendees. There will be light hors d'eourves and a cash bar. After the party, there will be time to either relax or head out for some Detroit city nightlife. The People Mover will help you get to where you want to go.
• 17 of my Walled Lake Consolidated School District colleagues will be presenters this year! 

Coming Soon: Digital Learning Day!

Digital Learning Day is coming up on Friday, March 13, 2015. 

Digital learning is something that happens every day in our classrooms, so I certainly hope that the message gleaned by the public when they hear "Digital Learning Day," is NOT that digital learning only happens once a year. 

Digital learning day (DLD) is about celebrating new ways of teaching and learning in whatever way makes the most sense for you. For teachers and out-of-school educators, it's an opportunity to try out new digital tools and innovative instructional practices. For school administrators, it could be an opportunity to introduce a new school-wide initiative or professional learning course. District and state leaders can get involved by facilitating opportunities for collaboration between schools or providing incentives to expedite the spread of best practices.  

With so many new types of digital devices, educational program and mobile apps continuously being developed, it can be hard to keep up with the latest and greatest in educational technology. Digital Learning Day has provided a powerful venue for education leaders to highlight great teaching practice an showcase innovative teachers, leaders, and instructional technology programs that are improving outcomes. DLD has blossomed into a massive nationwide celebration as teachers realized that DLD is not about technology, it's about learning. It is about enhancing the role of the teacher in America's classrooms.     

How can YOU participate?

STEP 1:

• Review the Digital Learning Planning Guide. You will review the six choices on the yellow buttons and choose one that best describes your area of interest. See screenshot below.

STEP 2:

• Check out the lists of digital tools, resources, and lesson plans recommended by fellow educators around the country. One of these may spark your interest! 
• Sign up for the Digital Learning Day mailing list to receive email alerts about upcoming webinars, news and updates. 

STEP 3:

• Fill out this form to share how you will be celebrating Digital Learning Day.
• Share ideas and network with other participants on social media using #DLDay!

EdCamp West Bloomfield/Walled Lake

The second annual edcamp WB/WL is on the morning of January 24, 2015 at Pleasant Lake Elementary School in the Walled Lake Consolidated School District. If you live in SE Michigan, we hope you will attend.  See detailed information on our flyer. 

The event is co-hosted by the Walled Lake Consolidated and West Bloomfield School Districts. Registration is open to the first 100 people. Register to attend now!


What is Edcamp:
An edcamp is an “UNconference” event organized by groups of educators, specifically designed to create a participant-driven, fun-filled day of professional development. Educators can connect with like-minded individuals, collaborate ideas, brainstorm solutions to common education problems, have group discussions, and receive information that can immediately be applied in the classroom. The structure is flexible and the environment is relaxed and fun. Also, it's FREE!


What Should I Bring:
A laptop or other device with wireless Internet is useful. It will allow you to follow the conference backchannel and tweet out information, take notes, and view websites discussed throughout the day.

Why You Should Attend:
Don’t miss this unique professional development opportunity. It will be a great opportunity to learn about topics that are meaningful to you and develop connections with our neighboring colleagues! It is limited to the first 100 attendees.

Please follow the Twitter hashtag for updates. #edcampWBWL