Guest Post: Technology from a Teacher's Perspective

Today's guest post is written by high school Social Studies teacher, Tom DeGennaro.  Tom approached our Technology & Media Team and asked if he could write a post about how he uses technology in his classroom.  Below is his guest blog post.  You can also find Tom online on Twitter.

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I recently recieved a IPEVO 2 to use in my classroom this year but was not too excited to use the technology because of my limited experience with technology.   I graduated high school in 1983, right before the beginning of the PC craze.  We learned how to type on typewriters that you manually had set at the end of the page.  You had to correct your mistakes with an eraser pencil with a kind of broom on the end.   If you were lucky you would not rip the rice paper you used in the typewriter and have to start that page all over.  Then at the tail end of my undergrad studies, we got to take computer courses at GVSC.  I took a class call BASIC computers thinking it was a course on how to use the computer, you know, simple things like how to turn a computer on.  NOPE.  It was a course on how to write B.A.S.I.C. computer programs (I am still not sure what that means.) So I set in a classroom with 30 "nerdy" looking guys with pocket protectors and filled out my "go to" sheets to communicate with computers.  After that class I did not want anything to do with computers or technology. 

While in graduate school I bought my first laptop with an early edition of Windows.  It was a new revelation.  You could make spelling mistakes and correct them instantly.  WOW!  (Something I am doing as I type this.)  But beyond using the computer for word processing I did not have much use for it.  But since I started teaching I have become more and more familiar with more uses.  I now use email, instant messaging, PowerPoint, video maker, spreadsheets, and many other programs.  I can even buy my baseball cards on the computer.  So I have become more comfortable with technology but still am weary when learning new things.  But I am here to tell ya, you can teach an old dog new tricks.

The IPEVO is evidence of that.  I noticed with the contraption you had to download the software.  I thought "ya right like I can do that."  My five year old can do it but I cannot.  But it was easy.  I just put it into the disc drive and it loaded all by itself.  Next I thought what would I use this for?  But I use it almost every day to look at different historical documents with the whole class or to look at charts and graphs to make sure kids know how to read those things.  It has been a wonderful addition to my classroom.  And I did not have to ask anybody to show me how to use the darn thing. 

So I guess what I am trying to say is don't be intimidated by technology use it.  Try out new programs and put them into your teaching tool chest to help the students to become life long learners.  I do ask one favor, can anybody show me how to use my cell phone?  Na, I ask my five year old.

Quick Tech Tips

Quick Tech Tips

• Can’t Print from Infinite Campus?
• Try using Mozilla Firefox as your web browser. Infinite Campus works best when you are using it in Mozilla Firefox rather than Internet Explorer or Google Chrome. All you need to do is open up a new Mozilla Firefox window and go to www.portal.godfrey-lee.org, then go to Infinite Campus as you usually do from RebelNet.

• Need to add a printer?
• If you are using a district windows device your homepage will have an icon on it labeled ‘add a printer’. This will take you to a webpage that has all of the supported printers listed on it. Select the printer you need and click connect.
• If you are using a different device please contact a member of the tech team for your printing options. 

• Microsoft Office Upgrade
• As you may have noticed all of our windows devices have had Microsoft Office upgraded to the 2007 version.  Almost everything you create in Microsoft Office is able to be uploaded into your Google Drive so you can access it anywhere as long as you’re online. 
• If you are still having trouble navigating in the ‘newer’ version of Microsoft Office browse through these online PDF files I found (must be authenticated if you are in the district) or search what you are looking for on youtube.
• Word
• Powerpoint
• Excel

• Elementary Wednesdays 
• Just a reminder that each Wednesday Jesse and Jason will be stationed at each of the elementary buildings. If you are in need of support please email them to schedule a time on Wednesday or anytime. 
• Also, because the tech team is around the district most of the work day email is the best method to get ahold of us.

Rebel U 2012: Guest Post

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This a post in a series about Rebel U 2012.

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As part of the Rebel U 2012 evaluation, we asked participants if they were willing to be a guest blogger on our Godfrey-Lee Technology & Media blog.  We were not only interested in hearing (and sharing) first hand accounts from attendees and presenters, but also introducing some teachers to publicly posting content online for the first time and building an online presence.

Today's guest post is written by 7th Language Arts teacher, Alissa Huggins.  You can find Alissa online on Twitter.

This year, I presented in two Rebel U sessions. Last year, I filled in for someone, so this was my first year designing and presenting my own material. One of the best things about Rebel U is that the sessions are developed by teachers, for teachers. That makes the designing of a session very simple. My two main focuses were valuable discussion and TIME - particularly for my Google Sites session. I could have filled up two hours for that session, but it gave me a great springboard to help colleagues after Rebel U was over. The session based on Project Based Learning and the Common Core. It was awesome to discuss how teachers already use project-based learning in their classrooms; our colleagues are such a wealth of knowledge and I think it's such an amazing gift that we are able to share with each other at Rebel U. It's definitely the most beneficial professional development I have ever participated in.

KISD Media Resources for GLPS Teachers

The REMC8 Kent ISD Media Center has resources available to help supplement your curriculum needs.  Many of these resources are free to use and can sometimes provide access to resources that are not currently available in the district.  Some of the resources they have available are:

• Recorded and digital media (a great alternative Learn360 or United Streaming!)
• Laminating services
• Die-cutting room for visual aids/bulletin boards
• Many other services!

In order to utilize some of these services though (especially the digital media), a client code is required.  If you do not already have your client code, please contact Sarah Wood.

Power of Information V.1

  In this series we will look at great resources available through the internet.  They may consist of online databases, websites, e-books, etc.  Today we are going to look at a database offered through the Kent District Library and The Grand Rapids Public library systems called Biography InContext.  You will need to have an active library card to use this tool, so get off your butt and get one because without one you’re truly missing out on a ton of amazing information tools.

Biography InContext, as you may have guessed, is a biographical database where you can search for biographical information on any popular figure.  What you may not have known is how comprehensive the information is on this database.   From reference books, newspapers and magazine articles to videos, interviews and Text to Speech read-alouds, Biography InContext is more than just an overview it’s one stop shopping for biographical information.  

Take a look at this video to find out more about how to use this amazing tool.  

http://www.gale.cengage.com/media/training/In_Context/bio_home/bio_home.htm

Rebel U 2012: Teacher Learning & Experiences

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This a post in a series about Rebel U 2012.

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As part of the Rebel U 2012 evaluation, participants were asked to complete the following sentence, "If you were at Rebel U 2012, you would have learned, witnessed, or experienced..." (similar to the question Scott McLeod posed on his blog, Dangerously Irrelevant). We received many responses that really spoke to the learning experience that teachers encountered during the day.  We had also asked our teachers this question last year and it evoked such great responses that we had to ask again this year!

So... if you had attended Godfrey-Lee Public Schools' Rebel U 2012, you would have learned, witnessed, or experienced...

1. Teachers learning, instructing and engaged.
2. Some enthusiastic educators helping each other with awesome tools.
3. I always learn so much at Rebel U, even when I'm presenting. I think that this training is something that every district should have at the beginning of the year.
4. All the tools you need in order to be successful integrating technology into your everyday work at Godfrey-Lee.
5. Experienced how project based learning can be used to increase engagement.
6. Teachers collaborating to create an educational experience for the students that will allow them to be successful.
7. A rekindling of the collaborative nature and energy of the staff in the Godfrey-Lee district.
8. That we are a top class school with top shelf staff.
9. Major opportunities for students to learn guided by teachers.
10. You would have learned about the technology available to help you and your students have an amazing and productive year.
11. Collaboration, excitement, and a drive to learn how to be a better teacher.
12. Home made lottery tickets!
13. How to successfully incorporate technology into every aspect of your teaching and learning!
14. Some interesting tools to use for student engagement and streamlining what you do on the administrative side.
15. How to think out of the box when using apps in the classroom.
16. Many teachers who are passionate about their jobs and are willing to share their wealth of knowledge.
17. A day of rigorous learning.
18. How technology can help our students learn in a way that is exciting to them and how we, as teachers, can use technology to save time, money and stress.
19. Knowledgeable and enthusiastic presenters sharing ideas and resources while the staff enjoyed learning in the sessions they had chosen.
20. Hundreds of new ways to use the latest technology in your classroom!
21. A wonderful chance to share with colleagues from other buildings. It made you feel like a strong united district.
22. The epitome of educators sharing knowledge. Rebel U is an awesome way to kick off the school year to get teachers motivated to incorporate new technology ideas in their classrooms.
23. A plethora of useful strategies and tools that can be adapted to fit each teachers' and students' style and needs.
24. Godfrey-Lee teachers are passionate and dedicated to their profession and want to help each other to move up!!
25. New, quality techniques, resources, and ideas to help improve your teaching and your district's policies that would ultimately lead to better student learning.
26. An organized, informative, tech filled day that is NOT A WASTE of time! :)
27. With it being my first Rebel U, I felt like I was "properly" baptized as a Rebel now, thanks for such a great start of the year.
28. A teaching staff working together to learn and make themselves more prepared for the upcoming school year.
29. I enjoyed everything. Dan Townsend's presentation made me cry three times. So let me just say, "I believe."
30. Something new and exciting in professional development - innovative and fresh!
31. Teachers and other staff members sharing their ideas, experiences, and knowledge with other peers and colleagues to enhance the learning experience of our students.
32. Many fun and worth while sessions. It is OK to be a beginner at Rebel U. The instructors are there to teach and to help you make your classroom a more viable place of learning.

Doesn't it make you wish all technology professional development was like Godfrey-Lee's Rebel U?

Rebel U 2012: Recap

This year marked the third year for Rebel U.  As our district continues to grow and add different technology devices and resources, it is vital that we provide our teachers with relevant professional development that supports the use of technology in their classroom.  Each year, we ask teachers to complete an evaluation at the end of Rebel U.  We use the information gathered from this evaluation to improve weaknesses, continue the areas that were deemed important or positive, and make each event entertaining and filled with relevant learning.

Our theme for this year was "weLearn."  We know that there is not a one-size-fits-all model to using technology, and how we approach using technology (whether it be for professional/personal use, or with students) will look different for each person.  Different knowledge bases, comfort levels and intended uses all play a factor in implementation.  Regardless of how it is used, at some point, we had to learn how to use different kinds of technologies.  We wanted to focus on how we can use what we know to help others and inspire others to try new things.  We heard many comments from teachers about things they learned throughout the day that they couldn't wait to start using in their classroom.

Some of the highlights from this year:

• Keynote:  This year we added a keynote address to the schedule.  Our keynote was presented by our District Media and Technology Supervisor, Daniel Townsend.
• Amazing Donations:  We had many businesses and organizations that donated items, supplies or food to support our professional development event.  To see a full list of all of our sponsors, please check out Sponsors page.
• Photo Booth: In efforts of trying to combat the "My brain is starting to fill because of all of the learning and awesome food I just ate" feeling, we set up a photo booth for teachers to stop in and take a picture after lunch before heading back to their afternoon sessions.  We had some very energetic teachers stop by and took some great pictures.  To see the full gallery of pictures, check our our Photo Booth album.
• "Lottery" Tickets: Our Tech & Media Team put together some custom scratch-off "lottery" tickets to give away incentive prizes.  We wanted a fun way to engage people in the learning taking place in their sessions so it wasn't a "sit-and-get" kind of professional development day.  Presenters gave these away in their sessions and our teachers were so excited when they had a winning ticket.
• What did our teachers think of Rebel U?

To see more pictures from our day, please check out our photo album.

If you wish to keep up with our on-going effort to provide relevant and meaningful professional development for our teachers, please "Like" our Facebook page!