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Our latest blog posts…
Toward a More Consistently-Enacted Curriculum
First year teacher Ahmad Charara was assigned to teach Computer Applications at Lowrey Middle School this year. Fortunately, over the past several years, the Computer Applications course has been built on iLearn, Dearborn's Moodle courseware--largely due to the work...
Using Google Drawing to Create Multiplication Models
In Dana Grizzell's third grade classroom at Snow, students created multiplication models using Google Drawing. First, students used the Shapes function to create a group. Then, using the copy and paste functions, students created identical groups. Next, they...
iLearn: Claim-Evidence-Reasoning
Several teachers in secondary science have begun using an argumentative writing protocol called "Claim-Evidence-Reasoning", or "C-E-R". Students use this protocol to generate a claim about a particular issue or concept, then support their claim with evidence....
Blog Theme of the Month
Check out this new blog that is designed to teach you how to use a popular blogging theme! We created a test blog that shows teachers how to use the design elements of the popular blog theme called "Cute Frames." By scrolling through the blog, teachers are taught...
Google Classroom
Thinking about taking your classroom online? Google Classroom is ready to use! Watch this short video to see what Google Classroom can do for you. If you are interested, contact a Tech Coach and we will support you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K26iyyQMp_g
“My Learning Plan” is Going Digital
I have been working with students in the Dearborn Magnet High School and teacher Laurie Locascio to begin creating their digital My Learning Plans on Mahara, Dearborn's ePortfolio platform. Using the data and artifacts they have gathered over the past semesters,...
Data-Driven Instruction with Moodle
Over the past several years, the Biology Team at Edsel Ford High School (Lorraine O'Brien, David Mayoros, Christina West, Michael MacPherson, and this author) has been using iLearn, Dearborn's Moodle Courseware, to assess student understanding and make instructional...
Coaches’ Corner: A Google Docs Session
Attention all teachers: Next Wednesday (November 11), the Tech Coaches will be holding their first regular "Coaches Corner" session from 3pm to 5pm in the Fordson High School Media Center. This session is designed to introduce you to Google Docs, how it works, and...
Getting Kinders Ready for 21st Century Learning!
Kindergarteners at William Ford and Haigh are sharpening their computing skills by learning how to master the keyboard and the mouse! Kindergarteners are logging in by themselves, which is a HUGE task for little fingers, and learning mouse skills through interactive...
iBlog Training for Pre-K Teachers
On Friday, I had the chance to work with the Pre-K teachers across the district to set up and customize their iBlogs. Teachers got a hands-on experience setting up, customizing, and updating their iBlogs. They exchanged ideas for making their blogs more interactive...
Revolutionizing Assessment with iLearn
This semester, several teachers have begun administering assessments on iLearn. One of these teachers is Ms. Kelley Murphy, science teacher at Bryant. Kelley uses iLearn to create quizzes that involve color pictures, drag-and-drop fill-in-the-blank questions, and...
Video Conversations in Spanish
Students in Mrs. Jedrzejowski's Spanish classes at O. L. Smith this semester have been using Chromebooks and the Screencastify extension for Google Chrome to record their conversations with their peers. Students are first given their task and are then invited to find...
Mr. Apple’s iLearn Writing Workshop
This week, Woodworth Social Studies teacher Scott Apple and his students practiced their writing craft with an exercise on iLearn based on the Declaration of Independence. The iLearn workshop module used here incorporates several phases, through which students prepare...
Digital Classrooms are Taking Miller by Storm!
At Miller Elementary, Shelly Klan and Iman Hammoud have their classrooms up and running using Google Classroom. Shelly's first graders made science predictions using the question module, while Iman's third graders used the assignment module to complete a writing...
Using iLearn (Moodle) to Teach Writing in 7th Grade Language Arts
Stout Middle School language arts teacher Marla Wiacek, together with co-teacher Nicole West and student teacher Ikram Alhassan, has begun using iLearn to help students learn writing skills in 7th grade language arts. Wiacek uses iLearn to make available an organized...
Model Courses Project UPDATE
Model Courses on iLearn have begun to grow exponentially. Over the past 2 weeks, the Tech Coaches have been creating model activities using their own pedagogical expertise, as well as content that has been imported into the Dearborn Educational Curriculum, or DEC....
Offering Accommodations with Google
Over the past couple weeks, the Tech Coaches have helped teacher Sara Pniewski from Dearborn High School find ways to use technology to accommodate some of her students with reading and writing needs. Using the Voice Typing feature of Google Docs, Mrs. Pniewski has...
Introducing The Model Courses Project
Over the next year, the Tech Coaches will be assembling model iLearn courses for several disciplines and grade levels. The model courses will showcase the wealth of activities created by Dearborn teachers, as well as custom activities created by the Tech Coaches...
New Promethean Board Training
Bob and I were fortunate enough to spend some quality time with a new interactive projector. This projector has the capability to turn any whiteboard into an interactive whiteboard! These will take the place of the old Activboards. Coming soon, to a classroom near...
Using iBlog to Improve School Culture
Teacher leader Hebat Abdelbaki at Salina Intermediate created her blog today. She will be using the blog to communicate with parents, as well as to allow students to record Acts of Kindness they witness within the school. By clicking on a link from the menu on Mrs....
Technology in Action at Henry Ford!
Lots of good things are happening at Henry Ford! In Mrs. Hammoud's 3rd grade class, students are using Google Classroom to complete writing assignments. In Mrs. Hetu's 1st grade class, students are using flipcharts created by their teacher to practice building words...
Technology for Lifelong Learning
Our Goal
The goal of instructional technology coaches is to help teachers become effective at using technology to provide the most technology-rich, positive learning environments possible. To this end, we believe effective teachers…
- Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity.
- Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments.
- Model digital age work and learning.
- Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility.
- Engage in professional growth and leadership.
from Standards for Teachers.
