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Transforming the Writing Process with Google Classroom
Last week, I met with language arts teachers Lindsay Diem and Susan Basom-Juchau to talk about ideas for integrating technology into their upcoming MAISA unit. Since Diem and Basom-Juchau are already utilizing Google Classroom with their students, we talked about how...
Transforming Assessment with iLearn (Moodle)
During the current school year, over 40 teachers have begun to use, or ramped-up their use of Moodle (what Dearborn calls iLearn) in their classroom. One of these teachers is Nicole Laramee, science and social studies teacher at Woodworth Middle School. Ms. Laramee...
iLearn (Moodle) in 5th Grade: Part 2
Monica Hankins is a 5th grade teacher at Whitmore-Bolles. She attended the Dearborn Moodle Moot this summer, and began tinkering with iLearn (Moodle). Since then, she has created some pretty fantastic online learning experiences for her students, and her Moodle...
Coaches’ Corner Tech Talk: Promethean Board Tips and Tricks
Our next Coaches' Corner Tech Talk will be held on Wednesday, February 10th from 3:00-4:00 and 4:00-5:00 in the Team Room at Stout Middle School. The Team Room is located in the back of the school, next to the east parking lot. Some of the topics we'll cover:...
Signing into Chrome
By now, most of us are using Chrome as our default browser. And if you're not, you should! Chrome is the best browser choice when working with Google apps, such as Docs, Sheets and Forms. One helpful feature of Chrome is that it allows you to sign in. Why sign in?...
Kindergarteners at Maples Take on Chromebooks
Kindergarteners in Nicole Wozniak's class had a treat today- they got to use Chromebooks for the first time! Students learned proper handling techniques, how to log in to a Chromebook, and took selfies to set as their user profile pictures, all the while utilizing...
Reason #3: “Keep trying until you get it” is finally realistic
With limited time and a (seemingly) unlimited number of standards to cover, the suggestion that teachers ought to encourage students to "keep trying until they get it" seems just a tad bit unrealistic. Waiting for every student that begins at any one of a range of...
If you have a Promethean board in your classroom, we encourage you to check out prometheanplanet.com. There are great flipcharts, created by teachers, that you can download and edit or download and use immediately in your classroom. You do need an account, but it's...
Using Technology to Support At-Risk Students’ Learning
https://edpolicy.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/scope-pub-using-technology-report.pdfA study published by the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE) provides evidence that the active use of technology makes the difference in at-risk learning. Click here to read the report.
Read moreDigital Use Divide
Traditionally, the digital divide referred to the gap between students who had access to the Internet and devices at school and home and those who did not. Significant progress is being made to increase Internet access in schools, libraries, and homes across the country. However, a digital use divide separates many students who use technology in ways that transform their learning from those who use the tools to complete the same activities but now with an electronic device (e.g., digital worksheets, online multiple-choice tests). The digital use divide is present in both formal and informal learning settings and across high- and low-poverty schools and communities.
The Digital Divide is deeper than you thought
The National Technology Education Plan is a vision and call to action for preparing students for life in the 21st century. One of the issues addressed is that of the Digital Divide. But the divide may be deeper than you think: Digital Use Divide Traditionally, the...
Coaches’ Corner this week
On Wednesday, January 13, the Tech Coaches will be holding a repeat of the "Coaches' Corner" session on Google Docs and Google Drive from 3pm to 4pm and from 4pm to 5pm at ASC, in Room 8. This session is designed to introduce you to Google Docs, how it works, and some...
iLearn (Moodle) in 5th Grade- Part 1
Take a look at one of the cool things that is going on in an elementary iLearn (Moodle) class in the district! At McCollough/Unis, students in Rola Harb's 5th grade used iLearn(Moodle) to discuss the indentured servant system and whether they felt the system was fair....
Metacognitive Multiple Choice
Dearborn High Science teacher and Dearborn Moodle Moot 2015 attendee Mrs. Heather Ferris has been working diligently this year to create powerful course materials on Moodle (iLearn) for her chemistry and forensic science students. So far, Mrs. Ferris has provided...
Reason #2: There’s a tool for every part of the learning process
These days, there are dozens of online tools to help students learn and teachers teach. With quick, fun formative assessment platforms like Kahoot and Poll Anywhere, to tutorial/drill-and-practice sites like Khan Academy and IXL, opportunities for learning abound in...
Tips for getting the most out of your blog
I've had several conversations with teachers over the past few months about how and what to put on their blogs. On top of that, there are many who have expressed frustration about the fact that it seems not many people are using their blogs. I thought I'd share a...
Model Google Classroom
Throughout the district, teachers are turning to Google Classroom to provide immediate feedback to students, differentiate learning, decrease the amount of paper used, share assignments and links quickly and efficiently, and increase student motivation. They are...
Reason #1: Data in the hands of teachers
If you're a Dearborn teacher, you've heard of it many times. You've even been required to use it to complete some of your own professional development. But if you're like many, you haven't found the time to invest in it or seen how the benefits could possibly...
Guide to Creating a Moodle (iLearn) Quiz
Check out the latest guide created by the Tech Coaches to help you create a Moodle (iLearn) quiz. The guide is easily navigable and even features Tech Coach Tips with advice on creating and administering quizzes on iLearn. This Guide is just the latest in a series of...
The SAMR Model
How are you integrating technology? Take a look at this short video clip to help you think about how your technology integration relates to the depth of knowledge of tasks taking place in your classroom....
iBlog: Maximizing Teacher Effectiveness and Empowering Learning
Teachers across the Dearborn Public Schools are doing fabulous work communicating with students, parents, and the community at large. The daily and weekly happenings of the classroom, learning targets, resources, links, and student work are being displayed for all to...
Google Classroom Guide
Do you want to start a Google Classroom but don't know how? Or maybe you already have a Classroom, but forgot how to add an assignment? Well we have your answers! Check out the new Google Classroom Guide, created by your Tech Coaches! With the Google Classroom...
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.
