Technology and TEDTalks

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.

http://community.simplek12.com/tlc/google2/

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. 

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Kate Reece, Instructional Technologies, Komachin Middle School

Parent Resources

Short version:  https://www.commonsensemedia.org [4 stars] Constantly updated resource for parents wanting to know which apps, web sites, online games... are appropriate for their teens.

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. Holding a teenager's hand to cross the busy street may seem like a funny idea and any parent who has tried has suffered the teen-glare at its best, but preparing them to watch for renegade red-light runners and rogue right-turn non-lookers starts when they're young and continues clear until they are themselves driving.

Preparing teens to navigate the Internet and online resources should be the same. Don't hesitate to lay out the ground rules and to openly remind teens of ways they potentially put themselves at risk. 

But how does the parent of a busy teen keep up to date? Common Sense media keeps an updated list of apps and resources, listed by age, to keep every parent informed without having to spend hours searching for insight. https://www.commonsensemedia.org

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K. Reece, Instructional Technologies, Komachin Middle School

Symbaloo.edu

Symbaloo as an instructional tool  

Staff WebMix

Short version: With SymbalooEDU teachers can organize and share the best of the web with their students.

Three minute read: SymbalooEDU is a free educational tool that allows teachers and students to save their online resources in the cloud with access from any device or workstation. Teachers can easily save their favorite web sites, video resources, Google docs, directions, collaborative workspaces, and rubrics to a webmix with just a few clicks then share it with colleagues or students. With a free account, users resources are available on any iPhone, PC, Mac or iPad.

Start using web mixes created by others or start from scratch.

KMS Advisory Web Mix 

Online Tutorial: (on your own)

Course 1 [14:08] Symbaloo Basics

Quick Start: 
KMS Advisory Web Mix

Mobile Home Screen

Mobile Mix

Mobile Tiles