2014 12 Days of EdTech Cheer: Day 2 #EdTechCheer

Come join the fun on Day 2!

To view what is in store on Day 2, please click here.

To see how I implemented the ideas presented on Day 2, please click here.

2014 12 Days of EdTech Cheer: Day 1 #EdTechCheer

Come join the fun on Day 1!

To view what is in store on Day 1, please click here.

To see how I implemented the ideas presented on Day 1, please click here.

Bring on the Cheer! The EdTech Cheer, That Is! #EdTechCheer

December 1 - 12, 2014

The season for my 12 Days of EdTech Cheer is upon us!

As I do each year, I would once again really like to encourage any and all teachers, educators, and administrators to participate (not just GLPS teachers!).  There is so much we can learn from one another about utilizing technology as a tool in learning and instruction that does not need to be confined within the walls of a classroom or district.

This year, the theme for EdTech Cheer 2014 is Kagan Cooperative Learning and SIOP strategies.  As with last year, it is my intent to provide you with 12 days of online, self-directed professional development that you can complete within 15 minutes a day.  That means that if you complete the full 12 days, that equals 3 hours of professional development!  We are all busy during the day and at this time of year, so 15 minutes is much more manageable than 3 hours at one time!

To view the 2014 12 Days of EdTech Cheer, please click here https://sites.google.com/a/godfrey-lee.org/edtech-cheer/2014/home

Feel free to explore and get started participating in any of the days at any time.  Each day is scheduled for a day starting on December 1 (for the purpose of documenting participation and other fun incentives).  You do not have to wait to complete the activities on that particular day - you may start at any time!  To be considered for any of the incentives though, you must complete the form provided on each day (to document your participation) by the scheduled date listed on the home page.

To kick of the EdTech Cheer fun, I will be hosting a drop in session on Monday, December 1 from 3:30-4:00 in the Lee Media Center. Feel free to drop by with any questions, start working on some of the days, or talk to others who are also participating in this online professional learning opportunity.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I hope to see you following along over the course of the 12 Days of EdTech Cheer!  Also, feel free to follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #EdTechCheer .

What is Rebel U?

It seems so long ago that we began planning our first Rebel U!  It began with our superintendent granting our Tech & Media team with one day to provide technology professional development to our staff.  With the freedom to be creative and design a day however we wanted, we were a bit overwhelmed, but more so excited!  Our team sat down, brainstormed, and worked at developing a professional learning day that stemmed from some of the great things from events and other conferences we have attended.  The result was Rebel U.

Five years later, our program has grown beyond anything any of us could have anticipated.  Each year we receive amazing constructive responses from teachers and administrators that helps each participant and planner grow professionally in future Rebel U events.

Thank you to everyone who has participated, presented, or been a part of Rebel U in anyway over the past five years!  We look forward to future Rebel U days and can't wait to see what the future unfolds!

If you are unable to view the video below, please click here.

How to Make Your Life Easier in RebelNet - Storing Passwords

Did you know that RebelNet allows you to store passwords?  This allows you to easily (and securely) access certain resources found within RebelNet.  To find out how you can store your login credentials to have RebelNet automatically log in you into certain sites, check out the tutorial below.

Note:  RebelNet provides links to many different websites and resources.  Not all of these tools allow passwords to be stored, only specific ones that have been set up.  Also, as RebelNet allows you to customize your interface, your screen may not look exactly like the images below.

Step 1: Log in to RebelNet.  On the bottom menu, click on Account.

Step 2:  Click on the Password Mgr tile.

Step 3:  When the Password Mgr window opens, you will be asked to confirm your identity.  Enter your RebelNet password and then press the Submit button.

 

Step 4: You will now be able to view any of the resources in which RebelNet will allow you to to store your password.  Some of these fields will already have information stored for you.

Example: If you would like to store your IGOR password, click on the IGOR Login Credentials title and enter your IGOR login and password.

Step 5:  After you have entered any of the login credentials for sites that you would like passwords stored, press the Update Stored Passwords button to save your information in RebelNet.

4 Steps to Making RebelNet Work for You - Creating 'Shortcut' Tiles

Did you know there is much more to RebelNet outside of clicking on the tiles to access your email, Google Drive, or Infinite Campus?  You can really make RebelNet work for you by adding your own "tiles," or links to websites that you frequent.  Below is a quick tutorial on how you can add your own tiles to RebelNet.

Note:  As RebelNet allows you to customize your interface, your screen may not look exactly like the images below.

Step 1: Log into RebelNet.  On the bottom menu, click on My Tiles.

Unless you have previously added any tiles, this screen will be blank.

Step 2: Right-click anywhere on the blank screen.  A menu will pop up and select Add Tile.

Step 3: The Add Tiles window will open.  Add the URL of the website that you would like to add as well as a title for the tile.  Press the Save button once you have entered your information.

For example, if you were adding a tile for a link to the KISD's Moodle server, you would add http://moodle.kentisd.net/ for the URL and a title such as KISD Moodle.

Step 4: You will now see that your tile has been added to the My Tiles screen.

After you have clicked on your tile from RebelNet, it will show up in the Recent row of tiles.

That is all there is to it!

Fire Prevention Week 2014, October 5-11

Come visit me over at my blog to check out ways technology can be used as a resource in the classroom for teaching about fire safety and prevention.