Skyward: Message Center for staff


Curriculum Resources for staff

Short version:  Skyward Message Center  [4 stars] Constantly updated resource for anyone wanting to know which apps, web sites, online simulations, and resources will be useful for their team.

3 minute read: The Message Center will allow you to communicate to the parent/guardians of your students. The Message Center allows you to communicate with your students as well. You will have a choice of posting messages to Family Access and/or to send email messages.

 You have various ways to access the Message Center in Skyward: 

 > In your Gradebook, pull down the Other Access menu and choose Message Center from there.
Another way to get to the Message Center is 
> My Classes – click on the Class Options link for any course
Then click on the Message Center line
>  To start the communication to the parents or students – you will use either the Add Message for Multiple Classes or the Add Message for Current Class button. It just depends on how many students/classes you are sending the message.


? If you only need to send a message to one class…then use the button Add Message for Current Class




> The screen for the Add Message for Multiple Classes works the same way as a single class

 Notice at the bottom of this window that you can check certain classes that you teach….so in this example, I would only be sending the message and/or email to the parents/students in Pre-algebra classes.





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Have you Plicker'd yet?


Short version: Need a quick way to assess or do a quick check? Plickers is a powerfully simple tool that lets teachers collect real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices ... and it is free.




 Three minute read:   
BASICS: Plickers is a FREE APP/resource that can be used on computer, tablet, or IOS device. Students receive a card that has a number on it and the answer choices A, B, C, and D. Teachers can print these free at plickers.com as many times as they need and in different sizes (adapatable for diverse populations). The teacher will use their tablet or smartphone to scan the class cards and begin to immediately see student responses pop up on the screen. The student simply has to hold the answer choice they choose at the top of their card. This simple activity can be used for pre-assessments, checks for understanding, collection of artifacts, polls or class surveys, exit tickets, or reviews. Plickers is a great way to get immediate feedback without a heavy use of technology.

 CREATING A LIBRARY OF QUESTIONS/POLLS: Teachers type full questions into the web version of Plickers or straight into the app. Questions can be immediately assigned to classes or stored in a "plan" section so they can be assigned later. Teachers can plan different questions for different classes or assign the same question multiple times for pre- and posttest assessment data.


STUDENT CARDS: Check out Pinterest or some of the links below to see ways teachers have adapted Plickers into their classes. There are a lot of different ways to manage the Plicker cards, having them on display for students to grab, taping them into student journals or planners, storing in center of a group workspace... Make sure to log back on and add your ideas here (by adding a comment) so we can compile some of those ideas.




More Resources:

Prezi, CTibbs
                      Powtoon, ASapp

Credits:
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EdShelf will make you a Tech Ninja

Curriculum Resources

Short version:  https://edshelf.com [4 stars] Constantly updated resource for anyone wanting to know which apps, web sites, online simulations, and resources will be useful for their team.

3 minute read: Teens these days are just like we were when we were their age... except they have immediate, unlimited access to the world. You can try to hold their hand as they navigate online, but be prepared to suffer the well practiced I-got-this-glare. Instead, arm yourself...

People constantly ask me how I heard about this 'new' software or trending tool... They assume I'm online all the time, but I'm not. When I'm online I have a few specific tools I use to keep on top of the ever shifting tech wave; edShelf is one of the tools I use to make me seem like a tech Ninja to others... 

EdShelf doesn't just review sites and apps, it gives you a full rundown of platforms, costs, pros/cons, and site overviews... This site allows users to organize parent and educator-friendly reviews of these apps and web resources into 'shelves'. 

For this sample shelf I selected apps & sites for ages 11 thru 14.  I searched science apps... and had this shelf together in about 10 minutes...

EdShelf is a great resource for parents too.  It's a perfect resource to bookmark now and then pull up on that rainy day in August when you just need a safe site or app that will be a perfect fit for your kiddos.  





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Curating Sites: edshelf or graphite?

Short version:  Techie and Pennsylvania School Librarians Blogger Heather Lister compared
~VERSUS~


Check out Heather Lister's blog
Three minute read:
She examines the following aspects of each tool:

1. The presentation of the site - Is it easy to navigate?
2. Searching for tools - Do I have to know what I’m looking for or can I browse by subject/age/etc.?
3. Curating tools - Is there a way to save these tools for later?
4. Quality and layout of individual reviews - Who does the reviews? Do they actually help me when making a decision to use/purchase the tool?
5. Variety in directory - Is the directory thorough? Are there tools missing?


More from The Little Kid Librarian, Heather Lister can be found @LibrarianLister

EdShelf














Minecraft: Love it or Hate it?


Short version:  Minecraft guide for parents and staff wondering what the big deal is...

Three minute read: Aside from the serious gamers reading this, it's hard for most to make the leap from using a computer to type a book report or to finish up a big research project to setting aside time during the academic day for students to play games. With some guidance and parallel play, Minecraft can be more than just another video game. It uses building blocks where users can build your own universe and with *LearntoMod, users can learn to code as they are immersed in the Minecraft world. This STEM approach to coding is one I will be trying with some of our KMS students during second quarter PACK time.

Before you totally make up you mind, check out Ayah Bdeir's TEDTalk about Lego's building blocks of imagination...

Links:
What is Minecraft doing to my child? 
Minecraft User Guide for Minecraft for Parents 

Technology and TEDTalks

TEDxRainer
Short version:  Meet Jessie Wooley-Wilson, an eLearning leader who talks about blending technology and classroom learning in a 11 minute TEDtalk.

Three minute read: How is technology shaping the practice of teaching? How do we, as educators and parents inspire this generation to new levels of creativity because the world they are going to inherit, the jobs and industries that today's youth are preparing for, might not exist. How do we look at technology as more than just apps and tools to master? How does teaching need to shift? 

 Once you're finished with the video, the Ted-Ed lessons are a good second step. Build a lesson around Wilson's 3 talking points or click on the SERIES tab to to see collections of thought provoking and conversation starting topics. 

Google Webinars, save the date: September 6th

Short version: Seven, 45 minute online sessions that give step-by-step directions and Google app tips & tricks are being offered for teachers.
This looks interesting...


Three minute read: How many times have you been sitting in a cold. uncomfortable chair waiting for a class to start that you had to drive 30 minutes to attend? Putting our busy, summer lives on hold for professional development takes more than just a time commitment for the actual presentation... Webinars can remove that stress. Log-on and settle in with your favorite beverage or snackage; let your summer hair fly loose as you connect online for 45 minutes of inspiration... 

If you are a curious student or parent who wants to more about what Google apps can do for you... Feel free to join us. Check out the link for detailed information and times:  http://community.simplek12.com/tlc/google2/

* Note that this webinar is posted in EDT, we are 3 hours earlier, PST. Join me in Google docs as I blog during the live sessions (check back for link) or let me know you're interested and we can plan a webinar meet-up. 

--
Kate Reece, Instructional Technologies, Komachin Middle School
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