The Google Slides Module is now open on our Chromebook Basics and G Suite Online Training site for Granite teachers. The module walks you through the basics of Google Slides, but also includes some additional helpful tips and tricks. [Read more…] about Now Open: Google Slides Basics Online Module
Professional Development
2017 Computer Science Education Week and Hour of Code Coming Soon
Computer Science Education Week is December 4-10, 2017. Many schools, educators, and students participate in an Hour of Code during Computer Science Education Week.
Hour of Code
Last year, students at Farnsworth Elementary and Woodstock Elementary tried out computer programming by participating in Hour of Code activities. In the video above, a few of these students share their work and their thoughts about the coding activities with Joell Wilkins, school technology specialist.
Hour of Code is a worldwide initiative to introduce young people to the basics of coding and computer science through 1-hour coding activities. These activities are especially promoted during Computer Science Education Week, but can be done at any time throughout the year. If you are interested in hosting an Hour of Code event, these how-to guides provide assistance for activities ranging from school-wide events to at-home family coding activities.
Check out these awesome Pleasant Green Elementary students learning to code during their Coding Club. Thanks to Jayanne Unander, school technology specialist, for sharing!
https://twitter.com/junander/status/922595732523188231
If you host a coding activity please share it with us! You can leave a comment below or share pictures via social media including Twitter or Instagram, using the hashtags #gsdedtech and #HourOfCode.
About Computer Science Education Week
Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) is an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in computer science.
Originally conceived by the Computing in the Core coalition, Code.org® organizes CSEdWeek as a grassroots campaign supported by 350 partners and 100,000 educators worldwide.
CSEdWeek is held in recognition of the birthday of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper (December 9, 1906).
–from “About CSEdWeek” (https://csedweek.org/about)
Why Learn to Code?
See what the developers of Microsoft, Dropbox, Twitter, Facebook and others have to say about learning to code.
Post created by Teresa Bruin, district educational technology specialist and team leader. originally appearing in our November 2017 Ed. Tech. Monthly Newsletter for Teachers. Hour of Code spotlight video created by Joell Wilkins, school technology specialist at Farnsworth Elementary and Woodstock Elementary, and originally featured on this blog last year.
Watch: #GSDEdTech Hands-on Learning
Have you ever wondered what school technology specialists and library media educational technology specialists do on their Friday trainings? Heidi Meenen, one of our Educational Technology team leaders, gives some insights into our department’s Friday professional learning in the video above.
In this meeting, technology specialists learned about a new technology tool, the Explore feature in Google Sheets, and then had the opportunity to engage in a lesson that integrates that tool into learning. They experience first-hand how the lesson works, then take it back to their schools to share with students through co-teaching opportunities, modifying when necessary to meet specific classroom needs.
Additionally, technology and library media specialists spend time at Friday meetings in collaborative groups creating original lesson plans. Each month they focus on one or two specific topics or tools from our Technology Integration Progress menu. The goal is to create and amass a library of lesson plans aligned to specific core standards that integrate innovative technology use and 21st century learning practices such as those described in the ISTE Learning Standards. Technology and library specialists share what they create with each other and bring these lessons back to teachers and students at their schools.
You can see snapshots of some of these shared lessons in action in classrooms by browsing our @EdTechGSD Twitter Feed. As time passes, selections from these shared lessons and resources may also be shared publicly on our Technology Integration Progress Resource Pages.
Spotlight Created by Heidi Meenen, Educational Technology Specialist and Team Leader.
Now Registering: Code.org Winter 2017 Class
Just in time for the Hour of Code, we are offering a two session course in Code.org for Granite School District teachers, geared for anyone with low to high computer skills. Participants will receive 7 hours of relicensure credit.
Classes will be held on two Tuesday evenings, November 28, 2017 and December 5, 2017, from 4:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M., with a one hour homework assignment to be completed after the first session. Participants are required to attend both sessions. Classes will be held at the Jackling Educational Technology Lab (located on the southeast corner of the Jackling Elementary Campus), 3760 South Atlas Way (4610 West), West Valley City, UT 84120-3702.
You might have noticed that Code.org has updated their content and changed their course structure. Participants in our class will receive a swag bag, a printed teacher’s manual of the new course work, and, after completion of the course work and an end of class survey, manipulatives to assist in unplugged classes. Because this course is so close to Hour of Code, we will also sign up the teachers who wish for Hour of Code as part of the instruction.
Register here for the Code.org Winter 2017 Class.
Please contact Cherie Anderson, Granite educational technology specialist, with any questions.
Chromebooks in the Classroom Online Training
Are you a teacher just getting started with using Chromebooks in your classroom? Are you a parent or student curious about how Chromebooks and Google Apps work in education? The Granite Educational Technology department has just published the Chromebook Basics and G Suite Online Training with a new site and updated content. [Read more…] about Chromebooks in the Classroom Online Training
Now Registering: Code.org Fall 2017 Class
Do you want your elementary students to learn to think?
Coding is a skill that requires the development of a growth mind-set, persistence, critical thinking, analysis, and evaluation. And, it’s fun!
For elementary teachers in Granite School District we are offering a class on Code.org, geared for anyone with low to high computer skills. After completion of the two 3 hour classes and a simple assignment, you will receive 8 credit hours for re-licensure, a cool studio.code.org account, and some fun swag.
Classes will be:
Tuesday October 17th and October 24th from 4:30-7:30 P.M.
Jackling Ed Tech Lab (The Ed Tech Lab is located on the SE corner of the Jackling Elementary Property)
3760 South Atlas Way (4610 West)
West Valley, UT 84120-3702
Register here for this two night class.
This post originally appeared in our October 2017 Ed. Tech. Monthly Newsletter for Teachers.
Teacher Spotlight: Amber Palmer, Bennion Elementary
SAMR, Disneyland, and the STS
What do the SAMR Model, Disneyland, and a dynamic School Technology Specialist all have in common? At first you may think that only two of these subjects are connected, but given the creative thinking of Amber Palmer, STS at Bennion Elementary, they create a beautiful symphony of thoughts and ideas that teachers at her school will enjoy all year long. [Read more…] about Teacher Spotlight: Amber Palmer, Bennion Elementary
Coming Soon: Technology Integration Progress Cards
For the 2017-18 school year, teachers in Granite School District will receive a printed set of “TIP Cards” — Technology Integration Progress Cards. Designed to be a quick desk reference, they provide instructions and tips for classroom technology tools and digital learning resources. [Read more…] about Coming Soon: Technology Integration Progress Cards
Upcoming Event: GSD Conference
Next week Granite School District is holding GraniteCon, a professional development conference for all teachers working in our district. Over three days at four high school locations, teachers will be given opportunities to attend breakout sessions on a diverse range of professional learning topics, all led by fellow teachers, specialists, and administrators.
The Educational Technology department is excited to help support this conference. Many of our educational technology teacher specialists (school technology specialists and library media educational technology specialists) will be presenting sessions on topics such as:
- Introduction to using Chromebooks in the classroom
- Student collaboration tools in Google and Office 365
- Canvas learning management system
- Google Classroom
- Hyperdocs
- Breakout EDU
- Lessons with interactive whiteboards
- OverDrive Digital Library and Utah’s Online Library
Check out the detailed schedule to plan your conference attendance and find out more about these educational technology sessions, as well as other quality sessions hosted by teachers and specialists from schools and departments throughout the district. Visit https://gsdconference.org/, the official conference website, for schedules, directions, maps, resources, and answers to frequently asked questions about the conference.
#GSDEdTech Teacher Chat Archive — #letthemlead (5/11/2017)
On May 11, 2017, Chris Larsen, Director of Educational Technology, led our monthly #GSDEdTech twitter conversation. This month’s topic was #letthemlead: Empowering Students to Take the Lead. You can check out the archive for great ideas for empowering students.
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