Free Online PD

I’ve attended this session for several years and wanted to share this year’s information.

It’s called the Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit. There are nine video presentations from awesome presenters on topics related to tech and solid teaching and learning. Including previous years’ sessions, you’ll have access to more than 60 video presentations! 

Get your free ticket at: DitchSummit.com.

HOW IT WORKS: New presentations are released every day from Dec. 14-22. They remain available until Jan. 8 so you can re-watch or catch up on any you’ve missed. They’re pre-recorded, so you can watch them whenever you want until Jan. 8. After that, the summit ends and the videos are unavailable to watch anymore.

FREE PD HOURS: You can get FREE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CREDITS for watching the videos. There’s a form to fill out after each presentation, and you’ll get an automatic PD certificate emailed to you.

Sign up for the digital summit at DitchSummit.com.

This year’s new speakers include: 

• Dr. Lindsay Portnoy, cognitive scientist, professor, and parent

• Knikole Taylor, educator, lead learner, and Google Certified Innovator

• Dee Lanier, educational technologist, equity enthusiast, and Solve in Time Creator

• Dr. Desiree Alexander, education consultant, presenter, and speaker

• Esther Park, high school ESL / ELA teacher

• Maria Arfanakis (Galanis), innovation curriculum specialist, Google Certified Trainer

• Paula Martínez, designer and slide template creator, Slides Mania

• Nyree Clark, curriculum program specialist, culturally responsive teaching advocate

• Matt Miller, author of 5 books, Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit host

Research (and a little civics on the side)

TeachersFirst has shared a collection of research sites- and many of them are related to Civics (Eagle Eye Citizen and My Case Maker are just two). There is something for every grade level.

But I saw it on the internet!!!

Media Literacy is a major topic- and something our students need.  Just because you read it online- it doesn’t mean it is true!  In this content collection from TeachersFirst, you will find a wide variety of resources (and it includes one of my personal favorites- All About Explorers!).  Their reviews include grade level as well as an overview of the site.

Math and Jamboard

This interesting video from Math Boardom has several good ideas for Jamboard in the math classroom.  Don’t worry about the Zoom platform-these will work in Google Meet (not so much with Breakout sessions) and in Webex (breakout rooms will work there). New to Jamboard? This video also does a nice overview as well.

He’s got some good ideas about keeping a copy (so you always have access to a new game) and the YouTube link includes copies of the games shown.

How to create Info-graphics

Matt Miller has done it again - he shares step by step directions to assist you and your students in the creation of infographics!  Click here for directions and samples!

Helping students learn during the pandemic

We are all feeling the
additional stress related to the trying times.  Here are six suggestions to help your students succeed.

Slides and more slides

In the most recent We are Teachers newsletter, I saw this captivating collection of slide templates.  While I have used SlideMania and Slides Carnival before, some of the others were new (there are some from Teachers Pay Teachers but they are free). SlidesGo had a few interesting game formats that would work in a blended environment.

We are thankful

 Kathleen Mc Dade’s preschool class created a ChatterPIX with their hand made turkeys.  Please listen to their voices as they share what they are thankful for.  ChatterPix and iMovie are perfect together.  Consider leaving them a comment on this post.

Taking choice boards to a new level!

Student engagement in this time of hybrid/virtual instruction can be challenging.  So what if you could make it more like a game (with new levels and XP) and add some choice?  Alice Keeler has the answer- her badge game template will allow you to add activities (to an assignment), allow student choice (yet there is ample space for directions), and then make a copy for the students!

Start by watching her video and then make a copy of the template. Add your activities and points and then create a student copy.  You are then ready to assign it in Google or OnCourse classroom (make a copy for each student). Everything you need is here.

Getting to know your students

 

It’s not the same in the virtual or hybrid world- here are some suggestions from Nora Fleming (via Edutopia).  I really liked the Three things I’ve seen activity.