PPS Instructional Technology

I have used Socrative , Lets Geddit , Kahoot , etc. and really enjoy them, each seemed to accomplish the task of quick online formative assessments well and each had it's pros and cons. Overall, I felt like my toolbox in this arena was already full. When I went to MACUL 2015 , I really wasn't looking for another online formative assessment tool. HOWEVER, I was at the SIGEE meeting at MACUL and my friend John ( @bcgeek ) introduced me to Formative ( https://goformative.com/ ). WOW! After a month delay, I finally got a chance to check it out and I am impressed. The user interface is clean and easy to use.  You can upload PDF, Word files, or Google Docs and easily convert them to an online assessment.  You can see students answering the assessment in real time.  The list goes on and on!  Try it out in your classrooms and let me know what you think! To get started, here is a quick introductory video: Or for my friends who find paper tutorials he...

Our next MACUL experience comes to you from our guest blogger, Malena Schrauben.  Malena is a science/computer science teacher at CMS and inspires me daily with her enthusiasm and drive.  A week ago, she presented at the Mobile Learning Conference at KRESA about how she uses Scratch in her classroom.  However, it wasn't just her up in front of the audience.  She brought along several of her CMS students to share in the experience and show the audience the amazing projects they have been creating to demonstrate their learning in her class.  I couldn't have been more proud of the students, or their teacher! Learning from my colleagues and teachers is one of my favorite parts of my job.  I am so lucky to work with these amazing Rock Star teachers.  Here is what Malena wished to share with all of us about her MACUL experience. I loved attending MACUL! I would say my biggest takeaway was the amount of collaboration that took place among strangers. B...

Many of us have combed the archives of T eachers Pay Teachers for the perfect resources that will help enhance our lessons and increase student learning in our classrooms.  Let's face it, we are all trying to find a way to work smarter, not harder, and curating resources from teachers who in the trenches is always a great place to start. Tech Tips for Teachers is a free PDF ebook that shares ways to use technology in the classroom from teachers who are actually in the classroom.  The book is broken into 3 sections: Prek-2, 3-5, 6-12.  Each page contains a tip by a different educator.  Definitely worth the read!

The makers of the DK books has now created a brand-new website geared at our primary students to help them explore and learn.   DK Find Out!  allows students to type in what they want to find out in a search box, then they will be taken to an interactive website with articles, like the ones in the DK books.  These articles include interactive pictures.  The website is currently in BETA, so I anticipate the wealth of information to keep increasing. Check out this great tool for students to use to enhance their learning, or add resources to a blended lesson.

Would you like to integrate 21things4students into their teaching and learning or do you plan on developing a course to improve the technology skills and awareness of learning with technology, then this is a must take summer professional development opportunity. 21things4students – Tech Boot Camp Offered across Michigan in August, 2015! 8/3 & 4, 2015 Kalamazoo RESA 8/6 & 7, 2015 Clare Gladwin RESD 8/11 & 12, 2015 Macomb ISD For more information, visit: http://www.solutionwhere.com/misdtraining/cw/showcourse.asp?4651 Target Audience: Grades 5-9 Teachers Join us for 2 days to get you started using 21things4students in your classroom! Explore the FREE resources of 21things4students - including curriculum, project based learning activities, tools/apps, assessments, teacher guides, and more! Network and learn from teachers currently using 21things4students in their classroom!

Susan Mann, world language teacher at West Middle School, wasn't sure what to expect when she headed off to MACUL.  She expected sessions focusing on ELA and Math and the other "Core" subjects, but what about Spanish?  Would there be anything at the conference for a middle school world language teacher?  YES!  Here is Susan's blog post: As a World Language teacher, I often feel left out of the conversation when it comes to technology. However, the MACUL conference pleasantly surprised me with all kinds of technology that I can use in the classroom. During the conference, I learned how to incorporate and tweak lesson plans in my Google Classroom , techniques for simplifying and automating rubrics, websites that allow students to record their voice and practice speaking in the target language, and how to use WEVIDEO in my classroom. The presentations were very informative and really inspired me as an educator to incorporate technology daily.   While the pr...

One of the main reasons that I can do what I do in my position as Technology Integration Specialist for Portage Public Schools is thanks to having an amazing Tech Director for my supervisor.  Dan Vomastek is very supportive of what we do to enhance learning in the classroom, and as a former high school math teacher, he understands that the whole reason we exist as a technology department is to support the teachers and the students on their learning journey.  Dan even jumped on the band-wagon and volunteered to share his perspective on the MACUL conference from the Tech Directors point-of-view.  Here is Dan's post: First and foremost, I'm thrilled to be a part of the transformation in teaching and learning occurring in Portage.  We have hit critical mass with the number of talented, motivated, creative, and resourceful staff getting behind the research-backed, blended learning movement.  They approached this conference with enthusiasm, and continue to press fo...