Tuesday Tech Tip: CCSD's Super Tool Smackdown

This summer, our team was fortunate enough to attend the ISTE 2016 conference here in Denver. It was a fast and furious week full of key notes, playgrounds, poster talks, and some mind-blowing presentations full of content but also new strategies for presenting professional development.

One of our favorites from this week was 60 in 60: The EdTech Game Show! presented by Brandon Lutz and Scott Snyder. This presentation was fast paced and shared over 60 Web Tools, Apps, and more in 60 minutes. Part of this presentation was a sweet 16 style bracket where eight sets of tools were paired up against one another and the audience was given time to vote for their favorite based on one minute descriptions given by the facilitators (and eventually audience members) until a winner was chosen. Aside from the super fun game show feel there was also some great information given by the presenters on how to use this structure in a professional development setting.

The Set-Up

From what we could see, here’s how they set things up:

• Pre-event: audience exploration of tools
• Presentation: Initial presentation with introduction of game show format; 1 minute overview of each tool (each facilitator took one in the pair)
• Voting: After each pair presentation, the audience had the opportunity to vote on NearPod and a winner was chosen 
• Repeat for each pair (1st round - 16 tools)
• Audience participation: Before the show, the presenters asked volunteers from the audience to represent apps later in the presentation with practical advice or usage examples. The deeper dive into the tools was to continue to persuade the audience to vote for one tool over the other. (2nd round - 8 tools)
• Transition Time: Between a vote and then next round of tool overviews the facilitators had to update the presentation and voting spaces with the new pairs. While this was happening the other facilitator took the time to share other tools (not in the initial 16). 
• Repeat for final tools (3rd round - 4 tools)
• Audience Smackdown: 5 minute free for all about final 2 tools. Voting commences. A winner is chosen. Cheering! Hooray!

Here’s Why it Rocked

The setup was simple, mostly because it had to be. Sharing that many tools in such a short amount of time would otherwise be impossible. The descriptions of each tool were short and to the point; that was really refreshing. Also, there were plenty of tools to choose from. As participants we didn’t feel like we needed or wanted to get to know each and every tool they presented, but at least having the option to eliminate a few of the choices almost right away felt empowering in a sense. If we knew this wasn’t a tool we didn’t find useful, or we had already used the tool they were presenting (or anywhere in between those places) the next tool was literally only moments away. In the end, we were sure everyone in the room (including us) were able to learn about a tool they could use right away in their classrooms. That’s powerful.

Our team attends presentations with two lenses. One is our “learner” lens. The other is our “facilitator of learning” lens. We saw several new tools that can be used and shared with our teachers using our “learner” lens. We thought about the structure of the learning environments we support using our “facilitator of learning” lens. The structure of this presentation is something we definitely could use. That is how this blog post came to life. So here we are, sharing it with you. Right now. In this space.

Let the Smackdown Begin!

A 16-tool blog post is something you would rather not read and we would rather not write, so we simplified things a bit and are going to present eight tools for your consideration. There will be 4 head-to-head battles, and then a semi-final with the four remaining tools, and a final round after that between the two tools left standing. Quick reminder: just because a tool “loses” does not imply that it’s useless. All of these tools can add value to your class when used in effective ways.

Here's the bracket. You can check out each of these tools on your own and then vote using this FORM. Check out the details below by hovering over the blue or red circles next to the tool listed. Each one is hyperlinked to their website...check them out! 

Please feel free to share this post with your colleagues so they can 1)learn some new tools and 2)vote for their favorites! You have 2 weeks to vote as our next round will begin September 27th! Happy voting!

Tuesday Tech Tip: Summer Learning Opportunities

If you are searching for opportunities to brush up on your technology integration skills and learn about new ways to be innovative with technology, here are some conferences and classes to think about attending/taking over the summer...

CCSD SLA - (Cherry Creek's Summer Learning Academy) June 8-12, ISF (Instructional Support Facility) and Eaglecrest High School

This is a conference with sessions taught by Cherry Creek teachers, coaches, and leaders. Sessions focus on Standards Implementation, Excellence and Equity, Instructional Technology, and Planning for Instruction. On Wednesday, June 10th, SLA will host a featured speaker, Mr. Rick Wormeli.  

InnEdCO - (Innovative Education Colorado)- June 23-25, Keystone, CO

InnEdCO, previously known as TIE (Technology in Education), is a conference geared toward learning about current and emerging technology and how to apply this technology to your classroom or school. This year the conference is moving to Keystone from its long-standing location at Copper Mountain. InnEdCO features great keynote and guest speakers, over 150 sessions (some taught by Cherry Creek teachers and Technology and Learning Coaches), and valuable opportunities for networking with innovative teachers throughout the state. Here’s a recap of last year’s conference:

BLC- Building Learning Communities- July 15-17, Boston, MA If you have ever heard Alan November speak, or have read one of his books, you know why this conference is a recommended one. There will be multiple, excellent keynotes including Jennie Magiera and Dylan William, and Alan November will serve as the host of the conference. This conference will focus on creating and enhancing relationships for "more meaningful teaching and learning enhanced by technology."

Schoology NEXT- July 20-22, Chicago, IL

If you are using Schoology or if you are interested in using Schoology, this is a fantastic conference! Last year the keynotes included Alan November and Jenny Maguira, and this year is sure to include inspiring, motivating keynotes as well. One of the highlights of the conference is learning about upcoming additions and improvements to Schoology before anyone else. In addition to learning about Schoology and what it can do for you, you can improve your knowledge in the areas of Leadership, BYOD and Mobile Learning, Integrating Technology and Content, and Hot Topics in Education. Click the link provided to hear what some attendees/keynotes had to say about the conference last year:

Reactions to new Schoology features announced at NEXT 2014 from Schoology 

ISTE- (International Society for Technology in Education)- June 28-July 1, Philadelphia, PA

This is a conference that pulls in educators and educational leaders from around the world. Expect engaging sessions, fantastic keynotes including NBC's Soledad O'Brien, and countless vendors showcasing their newest, most exciting hardware, software, and apps. The video below explains what you can expect to learn at ISTE 2015.

eNet Learning Online Courses
There are many online courses being offered this spring and summer through eNet Learning Online. These courses can be taken for graduate credit, but every participant will receive CEU credits. Some of the courses offered include Designing Blended Learning, Curate, Collaborate, and Create: A Wealth of Resources, and Creativity in the Mobile Classroom. Click the link above to learn more about the courses offered. 

Dominican University Online

Are you switching grade levels or content areas next year? Do you want to integrate more technology with your curriculum next year but have trouble finding the time to plan and do your research? If what you need is time, and you want to earn credit for it, then check out the Dominican University Online course, Innovative Curriculum Design: Authentic Planning for the 2015-16 School Year. Through this course, you can earn up to 6 credits this summer doing what you already do, planning to become a more effective teacher.

Hopefully you have found something here to pique your interest and save yourself from boredom during the summer months. Keeping up with your learning over the summer can help you feel relaxed, prepared, and excited when the school year starts up again.

Flip, Flip Hooray!

It's been a few weeks, how are you feeling about flipped-learning?

So far we have defined blended learning and flipped classrooms and explored some statistics about the topics. This week we will turn to a couple noted experts in the field to see what they have to say. Jon Bergmann and Aaron Sams are pioneers in the flipped-learning community. Interesting to note that they both taught in nearby Woodland Park, Colorado. The gentlemen have co-authored a few books through ASCD and ISTE: Flip Your Classroom:  Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day

and Flipped Learning: Gateway to Student Engagement and the soon to be released Flipping the Science Classroom.

Additionally, they have an excellent series of videos on Edutopia as part of the Flipped-Learning Toolkit. Click the picture below to find the toolkit. What are you waiting for? Go grab your favorite beverage, turn up the volume and get ready to further your learning. You will be entertained and glad you took the time to rethink how you share content. Ultimately, your students will be the the ones saying, "Flip, flip, hooray!"  Or something like that!  

Need more?  Check out their YouTube Channel about Flipped Learning.  

Next week we will explore tools that you can consider as you start down this flipping path!  

Cooking Up Some New Ideas for Your Classroom...Exploring Blended and Flipped Learning

Hearing the words blended and flipped might make you think about food and cooking techniques. No, you have not stumbled upon the Food Network. If you have been around the educational table in the past few years, you have seen these words surface in relation to learning. Undoubtedly, you have heard the terms blended and flipped classrooms.  But what exactly are these things?  

Over the next 4 weeks we will explore many aspects of blended and flipped classrooms.  We will share various resources and thoughts about taking your instruction to another level.  

To get started, here are a few links to sites to help ground you in what these terms mean.  

Defining Blended Learning by the Teach Thought Staff:  This article offers some basic understanding of the concepts.

3 Mindsets for Blended Learning from ISTE:  This article focuses on aspects to consider when blending your classes.

Flipped Learning-A Definition from the Flipped Learning Network.

4 Tips for Flipped Learning from Edutopia a few tips from fellow educator.

Cheers to you and your new learning about blended and flipped classrooms.  Tune in next week for another installment and assistance with sharpening your skill set.