Rebel U 2015 {All About Our Presenters} #rebelu15

Rebel U is right around the corner and presenters work hard every year to put together amazing presentations.  This year is no exception to that statement!  Every year, we are amazed, impressed, blow away, and inspired by the ideas that our presenters step forward to share with their peers.  To celebrate the amazing things our amazing presenters are sharing this year, we wanted to share some amazing data about what Rebel U has to offer attendees this year!

Below is data that we have collected and would like to share about our presenters this year.  We are excited to have presenters from every building and almost every grade level!

If you would like to view our agenda for Rebel U 2015, please click here.

If you would like to view the session descriptions for Rebel U 2015, please click here.

6 Years of Learning, Sharing, and Fun for Rebel U! #rebelu15

Six years ago, Rebel U resulted from a plea for time for technology professional development.  Our teachers were always asking for it and our Technology & Media Team always was open to providing it,  but it was often hard to make worlds collide.  Back in 2010, Superintendent Britten provided our Technology & Media Team with a day to provide technology professional development to our professional teaching staff.  At this time, we were preparing for some big roll-outs (implementing Stone-ware and Google Apps).  Our team brainstormed and decided we wanted to plan a professional development day that was similar to that of MACUL.  With lots of hours brainstorming, planning, and designing, we were able to put together our first Rebel U technology professional development day.

Fast-forward five years later and we have been fortunately able to hold Rebel U every year for our staff.  This day continues with success every year because of the amazing presenters that step forward to share what they are doing in their classrooms, what they have learned about technology, or lead a discussion about how technology can leveraged in the classroom.  To make this happen, every year, about late winter/early spring, we send out our Call for Presenters for Rebel U.  When we open this call, we welcome all of our teachers, consultants, and outside consultants to be a part of our day by being a presenter.  As the world of education loves data, we have tried to collect data about our presenters and the sessions they share over the past six years.  This is by no means meant to be an evaluation of any individual, but rather data that validates the need for Rebel U, the diversity of presenters, content, session topic areas, and related professional standards that were addressed.  To maintain an annual professional program, we feel it is important to constantly evaluate our delivered program to the needs expressed by our professional teaching staff.

In addition to collecting this data about our program, we believe it is important in sharing as it can only make what we offer even better.  We do not try to hide anything about what we do (although we do like to keep some surprises under our sleeve until the day of Rebel U every year!), as someone might be able to notice something that we might have overlooked.  Below is information that we have gathered over the past six years about our presenters.  As we vary our Call for Presenters every year to make sure we are fitting the needs of our staff, some questions are not asked of our presenters every year.

We are looking forward to another fun year of learning and sharing at Rebel U 2015!

9 Ways to Have Fun at Rebel U: Version 2.0

The other day, I wrote a post, "9 Ways to Have Fun at Rebel U".   One thing I was introduced to at the Podstock conference I went to this summer was the concept of Sketchnotes.  Since then, I have been hooked on trying to practice on what it means to bring the verbal world into the visual world.  So I thought I would use one of my own blog posts to practice Sketchnoting and take a risk and share my notes.

One of the great things I keep reading about Sketchnotes is that it is not about drawings/art, but about the idea.  What might be a meaningful sketch to me to remember a concept or idea might not mean anything to the rest of the people in the room or who are looking at my notes.  Some of sketches below are actually clipart images and digital typography that I combined with my own original sketches (pretty sure it is easy to pick out my originals!).  For my drawing, I used the Paper app on my iPad, a stylus, PowerPoint, and Photoshop (simply to merge three images together to form one).  Sketchnoting could could be done digitally, on paper with a pen/marker, or a combination of both.  What I have learned is it is all about finding your style and what works best for you!

10 Ways to be a Super Session Presenter at Rebel U

Rebel U is right around the corner and presenters work hard every year to put together amazing presentations.

A while ago, I read an article about the Podstock conference and one of the organizers, Ginger Lewman, wrote a blog post about "10 Ways to be a Phenomenal Podstock Presenter".  In following their Facebook page, I found they posted some neat things to prep their presenters for their professional development conference.  I thought she had many great ideas on how to prepare presenters for leading a session, so I thought I would share "10 Ways to be a Super Session Presenter at Rebel U"!  Some of the ideas listed below are very similar to the ideas that Ginger Lewman listed, but they are great presentation tips!

10 Ways to be a Super Session Presenter at Rebel U

1. Teachers like seeing modeling.  If you are presenting about engaging your students in their learning or sharing a hands-on method, make sure your audience has an opportunity to participate in a similar experience.
2. If you prepare a slideshow presentation, make it visually appealing.  After all, no one really wants to read a PowerPoint presentation...
3. Post your presentation slideshow, materials, or anything else that might be a great reference to attendees online.
4. Encourage your attendees to engage in conversation during your session, whether it be face-to-face, online, or through social media.
5. Actively engage your audience in your session.  No one wants to "sit and get" all day!
6. Leave time for questions, playing, and practice.
7. Practice your presentation.  Time it out and add or take out material as necessary.
8. Bring a dongle (if you have a Mac laptop), charger, and a Plan B (even if it is a mental Plan B!).  Be ready for anything!
9. Leave your attendees wanting to learn more, talking about your session, or leave them with something that will remind them of your session.  If your session has a story that comes from it, the audience is more likely to remember what your shared.
10. Don't be afraid to be different and put your best foot forward.  Some of the best presentations are built on taking chances, stepping outside comfort zones, and most of all, sharing what you know and your personal experiences!

9 Ways to Have Fun at Rebel U

Rebel U is not too far off!

Not too long ago, I read an article about the Podstock conference and one of the organizers, Ginger Lewman, wrote a blog post about "7 Ways to be a "Cool Kid" at Podstock 2014".  Coincidentally, the Podstock conference this year was also doing a superhero theme.  In following their Facebook page, I found they posted some neat things to prep people for their professional development conference.  I thought they had a great idea, so I thought I would share "9 Ways to Have Fun at Rebel U"!

9 Ways to Have Fun at Rebel U

1. Own the theme.  Have fun, dress up, and become involved throughout the day.
   
2. Talk to people outside your building. Sometimes, the conversations you have with others outside your building can provide an unique perspective and can add to the value of a session.
3. Be prepared. Wear comfortable shoes.  Bring your charged device (and charger).  Although the focus of Rebel U is technology, the technology of pencil and paper is also great to have on hand for quickly jotting down ideas and resources. 
4. Get your picture taken at the photo booth.  If you have ever stopped by the photo booth before, you know you are guaranteed a good time and many belly laughs!
   
5. Actively participate in sessions.  Much like students, when you have a hands-on experience and  are actively engaged in the learning process, you are more likely to remember what you have learned.
6. Engage in social media.  There were many great thoughts and moments captured across different social media platforms last year!  Use the #rebelu15 hashtag on social media to be part of the conversation!  Share thoughts, resources, pictures, and anything else!
7. Come with a positive attitude and an open mind.  You never know what you might take away from the day when you set aside "limitations" that mentally and/or physically keep you from trying something new.  It doesn't matter which devices or how many devices you have in your classroom, an open mind could open new ways of thinking or conversations for making things work for you.
8. Contribute.  Contribute to the day in some way.  This could be as simple as stepping outside of your comfort zone and contributing to conversation.  It could be donating something to the day (time, materials, photo booth props, etc.). Or something as simple as dragging a friend into the photo booth.  The more you contribute and participate actively in the day, the more you will take away from it.
   
9. Reflect.  We ask everyone to fill out an evaluation at the end of the day.  This is important to the Tech & Media Team for future planning, but also verifies your participation in the day.  Take notes or make a plan for how you would like to use ideas and tools you learned about today.  Think about what you liked about the sessions you attended and provide thoughtful and constructive responses on the evaluation.  Or take some time after the day of Rebel U to reflect by writing a guest post on the GLPS Tech & Media blog.

End of Year FAQ's

Each year we try to become more efficient in the way we collect district technology items. Our goal is to keep all staff members informed of what is happening to devices and how things are handled over the summer. Listed below are a few Frequently Asked Questions that we get each year.

What happens to my devices over the summer?

• Staff-
• Each staff device will be re-imaged and updated this summer. All data stored locally on the computer will be wiped. Please make sure all of your important files are uploaded to Google Drive or otherwise backed up.  We're streamlining how staff computers will receive updates and other software packages. Many of the systems on your computers require updates on a weekly basis. Each staff computer will be setup to receive these necessary updates automatically while connected to the districts network. 
• Student-
• Each student device will be re-imaged and updated every summer. 

Will I have the same student devices as last year?

• No, devices are distributed by the building administrator. After all repairs are completed an inventory is sent to the building administrator so they are able to distribute the available devices accordingly. 
• This does not apply to devices that were purchased with Grant, Title, or other special funding for a specific classroom or purpose. 

Will I be getting new technology next year?

• New technology purchases are done at the building level. If your building administrator has planned to purchase new technology for your classroom we will do our best to get it setup for you to use in the fall. 

What if my devices are broken or missing? 

• Anytime a device is broken (internal or physical) it should be reported to the Technology Department and building administrator. If you have devices that are not working or have been damaged please fill out a GLPS Support Ticket. It is important that we are able to get broken devices fixed while they are still under warranty. If their is a cost associated with the repair it will need to be handled at the building level.
• Missing devices should also be reported to the Technology Department and your building administrator. 

What do I do with my other technology items such as Projector Remote, Apple TV Remote, Classroom Speakers?

• These items belong to the classroom and should be left on top of the desk in your classroom. Many of our classrooms are used over the summer for various reasons and those items need to be accessible. Even if you are moving classrooms leave these items on the desk in your current classroom. 

Getting Smart with Brain Breaks!

Recently, our Tech & Media Team heard some buzz from our Early Childhood Center (ECC) about brain breaks.  We were instantly intrigued because it seemed so fun!  Several of the teachers were using the website, GoNoodle, for giving their kiddos a learning break and letting them get their wiggles out and brains recharged.  Our team was invited in to see some first graders in action during one of their brain breaks, and the energy was contagious!  The kids (and teachers!) sure know how to move!

After watching the students, we had a chance to sit down with one of our ELL Specialists at the ECC to talk about how brain breaks are beneficial to all students, but especially ELLs.  She offered some great insight about the cognitive benefits of brain breaks.  Below is a video of our interview with her and her insight on brain breaks.  If you are unable to view the video below, please click here.

With all the excitement from the students about brain breaks, and especially the video Pop See Ko from GoNoodle, some of the 1st grade teachers had the idea to make a personalized ECC Pop See Ko video for their students.  They wanted to include teachers and the principal from ECC, but also the superintendent of the district.  This was such a fun video to collaborate on with many different people and we are proud of our staff for not only coming up with such a great idea, but actively taking part in the creation to make an awesome video for their students.  Below is the video our teachers and administrators Pop-See-Ko-ing!  If you are unable to view the video below, please click here.