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Showing posts from October, 2024

Technology Blog #3 - Tools For Connected Learning

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     In chapter 5 of "The Connected Educator", Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach and Lani Ritter Hall emphasize the transformative power of collaborations in professional learning. The authors argue that educators who actively engage in collaborative practices are more effective in enhancing their teaching skills and improving student outcomes. They introduce various models of collaboration, such as co-teaching, professional learning communities (PLCs), and online networks like blogs, social media, and apps that can help create an environment where educators can share resources, strategies, and constructive feedback. There are also tools to show bookmarks and other tabs that teachers have kept and shared with other teachers in order to generate new ideas. Through these collaborative efforts, teachers not only gain new insights into their practices, but also cultivate a culture of continuous improvement.            Chapter 5 highlights the importance...

Smackdown #2 - classroomscreen.com

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 Link to video:  Classroomscreen.com Classroomscreen.com is an interactive website that is designed to help enhance classroom management and engagement by providing teachers with an easy and customizable digital interface. It offers a wide range  of widgets that help teachers display instructions and help keep students focused during the day. Some of the interactive tools include timers, random name selectors, sound level monitors, and traffic light tools to signal classroom expectations. The platform also allows teachers to display text instruction, draw diagrams on a digital whiteboard, and manage student work progress through visuals, all of which can be projected on a screen. One of the awesome features of Classroomscreen.com is its versatility and how easy it is to use. There are no sign-ins or downloads, which helps make it accessible for teachers who need quick set up and implementation. Teachers can adjust the interface to their specific needs, and display multipl...

Technology Blog #2 - Connected Learning Communities in the Work Environment

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         Chapter 6 of The Connected Educator by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach and Lani Ritter Hall, highlights the essential role that personal learning networks (PLNs) play in professional development. The chapter begins by talking about early attempts to form online learning communities, showing how these efforts connected educators across different professions and even in different countries. The connection that the author made with a government employee in Edmonton, Canada through these PLNs evolved so much that she even visited their town. By joining these networks, educators could "leverage deeper connections and relationships" (pg. 92) to foster their growth and stay informed about best practices and educational innovations.      The chapter emphasizes that while it is impossible to know everything in today's fast-changing world, "knowledge, learning, and innovation can be managed within virtual networks" (pg. 92). These networks, according to the ...

Smackdown #1 - Padlet

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Link to video:  Smackdown Assignment 1.pptx   Giavana Marotta PADLET Padlet is a unique tool that can be used by teachers as a way to organize information. Teachers can create virtual boards where they can post texts, images, links, videos, and other forms of media. It can be used for brainstorming, sharing ideas, or collaborating on projects not only in an educational setting, but also a professional setting. Padlet allows you to create customizable "walls" that can be shared with students, or kept for private organizational use. Padlet is a unique tool that can be used by teachers as a way to organize information. Teachers can create virtual boards where they can post text, images, links, videos, and other forms of media. It can be used for brainstorming, sharing ideas, or collaborating on projects not only in an educational setting, but also a professional setting. Padlet allows you to create customizable “walls” that can be shared with students, or kept for private organi...