Our team is working towards increased fluency and intentionality in our use of of various technology and software (iPad Apps, Google Classroom, etc.) so that we may facilitate its implementation in our personal teaching practice and throughout our school.

As our competency increases, we will be better able to use technology in powerful and intentional ways: to enhance student learning and increase engagement across subject areas; to provide alternative options for ongoing feedback, assessment, and evaluation; and to facilitate and simplify communication between teachers, students, and parents. Further, we intend to share out with school staff to build capacity in our larger learning community.

Our TLC met with PDSB ITRT Jennifer Hully for half a day of introduction and hands-on practice with Google Classroom. We had an opportunity to set up a classroom for our TLC group which we will use as a pilot space to explore how Google Classroom could be used in our work with students. We also took time to explore the many apps that work hand-in-hand with Google Classroom (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Photos).

Our team, along with ITRT Jennifer Hully, facilitated an after-shool PD session on Google Classroom for HMC staff. As part of the PD, we created a Google Classroom where all staff members at our school could dialogue on how we are using Google Classroom and other GAFEs to enhance student learning and assessment.

What better time to have some fun with Makey Makey than Halloween? Our TLC set up an informal Play-to-Learn Breakfast Session for staff to introduce them to this "invention kit." Makey Makey allows any conductive material to act as an input device for a computer. Staff had fun using a halloween-themed "gummy candy" game pad to trigger spooky sounds and play Pacman on laptops. Conversations centred around the possibilities for integrating Makey Makey into classroom learning. Examples include:

--> "Big" Piano - floor piano activity that would help students learn key names in their Music Keyboarding class (Kinaesthetic intelligence)

PDSB app / google chromebooks?

Our TLC group hosted a "Play Date" after school to introduce staff to a range of apps that they could consider integrating into their classroom instruction. Apps discussed and explored were:

--> Scratch

--> Minecraft

--> Pixton

--> Touchcast (Green Screen Technology)

Our TLC is made up of members from a variety of teaching areas within our school. We used our final working session as a time to go in-depth with learning and planning related to our individual teaching practices and contexts.

My personal learning goals this year were to find, learn and use technological tools that would digitize my day plans/gradebook and facilitate student learning and communication with both students, parents and colleagues. After reading about and exploring my options, I selected the following:

iDoceo

http://www.idoceo.net/index.php/en/

This app has proven to be a one-stop shop to organize my day plans, seating plans, and gradebook. Although it took a while to set it up and I’m continuing to learn its features, it has met my needs and goals for this year. With iDoceo, I was able to digitize my day plans, making them easy to access, edit and use both at home and at school. I synced it with my Google Calendar so that all important reminders, both personal and professional were accessible in my day plan view. I created photo seating plans for my class and phys. ed squads, and the random picker proved to be a handy tool. I use the grade book to document student grades, and colour code assignments that are late and/or need to be flagged because of low performance. I also record anecdotal notes and store photographs of student work all in one place. This has proven to be very handy when writing report cards. While not the most user-friendly app, it definitely is worth taking the time to explore and get to know, and I appreciate the time provided to me this year to do just that. I will definitely continue working with iDoceo in the future as there are still many features I have yet to explore.

Google Classroom

https://edu.google.com/products/productivity-tools/classroom/

Over the past number of years I had been using a MyClass Site to post information to students, however it was not the most user friendly platform. With the rise in popularity of Google Apps for Education I decided to take the leap and try it. I created a Google Classroom site and transferred the contents of my previous classroom website to it. I used the About page to post helpful links and resources for students, and the Stream page to post important announcements, assignments and surveys. I was able to organize the content according to subject area, set due dates, monitor student progress on assignments created in Google Docs, provide instant feedback and send out grades digitally. Students have really taken advantage of using Google Docs to receive teacher and peer feedback, edit and revise their work, and to collaborate on a number of projects. I like how I can create graphic organizers and templates in Google Docs and then send each student their own copy digitally. I also use the Classroom site to post daily homework and reminders, so if students are absent or forget what their homework is, it is easily accessible to them. It’s handy that I can always keep this document at the top of the Stream for easy access. Google Classroom has also eliminated the need for a student agenda book, yet keeps the students responsible for deadlines. The comment areas have made the site more interactive as students comment on what they are learning about and ask questions and for clarification when needed. Students have also taken initiative to post their own links and resources their peers might benefit from. The fact that it is accessible from any device is another bonus feature.

Google Classroom has also proven to be a helpful hub for communication with colleagues. We created one for this Teacher Learning Co-Op and used it to share information, conduct surveys, and post resources. I also created a Google Classroom site for my grade 6 team and we have used it to share projects and assignments for students, post report card comment resources, and helpful links and tools that benefit our entire grade level. The Google platform allows us to easily collaborate and make copies of shared documents and edit/modify them as needed to best meet the needs of our individual students.

Class Dojo

https://www.classdojo.com/

After exploring tools such as SeeSaw and Remind, I selected Class Dojo to double as a behaviour management tool and to facilitate communication with parents. I use Class Dojo to keep track of student learning skills so parents can be instantly informed when their child has demonstrated both positive and negative learning behaviours (e.g., assigning points for working hard, collaborating well, etc. and removing points for incomplete and forgotten homework, disorganization, etc.). I share photos of student work with feedback to individual parents through the digital portfolio feature, and share videos and photos of student learning, field trips, etc. on the classroom page to keep parents informed of what goes on in our classroom. Through the message feature I communicate with parents individually about their child and send group messages to inform everyone of upcoming major projects, reminders, special events and helpful resources. Parents love this tool because they are kept aware of what their child is learning and how they are doing. They can also “like” and comment on what they see. Students take more ownership in their learning because they know they are accountable since their parents are instantly informed, and students can also access the Class Dojo, track their progress and post work and videos they want their parents to see. The students love that they can customize their personal monster avatar. I really appreciate this tool because it is easy to use, eliminates my need to chase students to show me parent signatures on their work, and reduces the amount of telephone tag I had trying to communicate with parents. Class Dojo also posts wonderful learning videos about Growth Mindset and various character traits that I use in my classroom.

Ozobot Evo

http://ozobot.com/stem-education

On our final release day, I decided to independently explore Ozobot Evo, a robot we purchased for use with our school’s Makerspace and for potential classroom implementation.

I began by charging the Evo, setting up the puzzle path, downloading the Ozobot Evo app, setting up my user account, and updating Evo’s firmware.

Using ozoblockly.com I tried to connect my Ozobot. Initially, it did connect, but soon was not recognized by the app so I spent the rest of my time trying to figure out why, and playing around with the coding tools. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to test the codes because I still could not regain the recognition needed to calibrate it. It looks like a fun toy, but I definitely need more time to problem solve with it and figure out how I could use it with my class. It’s not as user friendly as it claims to be and I need to resolve the various tech issue I encountered before sharing it with staff and students.

Using apps, GAFE and PD sessions to encourage student creativity and Engagement.

http://www.coolcatteacher.com/google-classroom-resources/