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ArchiTECHs of Learning
Our latest blog posts…
It’s Time! (To Update your Zoom Client)
Zoom is making updates that improve function and use. Dearborn Public Schools personnel have the Zoom desktop client installed on their district desktop computer and can check for updates. To start this process, click on your zoom desktop icon that appears like the...
Where are all the Chromebooks?!?!?!
The district has purchased 15,000 Chromebooks to replace most of those that went home during our period of virtual learning. So where are they? The tech team has been working hard on the weekends to get the Chromebooks in the hands of students, and I spent last...
Seasonal Ideas Across Grade Levels
As the weather turns cooler and the leaves on the trees start to change color, our thoughts turn to jack o' lanterns, broomsticks and all things haunted. Some of our favorite EdTech people have shared some pretty cool Halloween activities, and we wanted to share them...
Heads Up!
Unfortunately, due to a staffing shortage in the district, everyone's favorite secondary Tech Coach, Bob Harrison, has been returned to the classroom for the time being. If you have questions for Bob, or would like to set up a Tech Coach appointment, please contact...
Quick Activities to Make Learning Relevant to Students
Working virtually with students has its challenges, for sure. But keeping the students engaged in their learning, while they are at home with unlimited distractions, can be one of the toughest. Let's talk about engagement for a minute. We know that in...
When Engagement Becomes More than Entertainment
As a Tech Coach, I often hear people say that technology is used to "get students engaged." Oftentimes, the term "engagement" is used synonymously with the word "entertained." While this is partially true, student engagement goes far beyond just entertainment and...
How Can the Tech Coaches Help?
If you are reading this, you probably know that we are the district Tech Coaches, and that we are available to collaborate with you on best practices in technology integration. However, you may not know exactly what we do, or can do.
New ArchiTECHs of Learning Podcast Now Available!
The Tech Coaches are proud to announce that our first podcast of this school year, Ready or Not, Here They Come!, is now available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher and Google Podcast! Join us as we discuss what learning in a (sorta) post-pandemic world looks like, and how...
Practical Ways to Implement Voice and Choice in the Classroom
One of the hallmarks of a student-centered classroom is student agency. Effective learning happens in a meaningful and relevant context, in which students have voice and choice in the learning process. This often seems like a lofty, unrealistic goal…
Tech Coach Appointments Available!
This is just a reminder that Tech Coach appointments are now available. The Tech Coaches are happy to meet with you, whether in person or online, and help you with technology integration in your classroom.
#TechCoachTip | Create a QR code for any site you open in Chrome
You can now quickly and easily generate a QR code for any site you have open in Chrome. Here’s how…
Welcome Back Digital Activities (and A Plug for PLNs)
Looking for ideas for digital activities that students can do using their Chromebooks in the first week of school?
Chromebook Essentials
As you are now well aware, Chromebooks have become one of the essential school supplies for students of all ages. However, many students are still not using them to their greatest potential. Here are a few tips and tricks that every student should know to get the most...
Schoology Year-End Housekeeping
We’ve reached the finish line. So what do we do with our course materials?
What Our Perceptions of Technology Indicate About Us
Technology doesn’t limit learning. Our own imagination and proficiency limit technology.
What are You Going to Keep? (Part 2)
In this series about practices, strategies and tools used during remote instruction that should be considered to remain best practice as we return face-to-face, we will look at an idea from Larry Ferlazzo, called “Leadership Teams.”
What are you Going to Keep? (Part 1)
While there are many components of online learning teachers (and students) won’t miss, there have been some experiences that have been helpful, and dare I say motivating, to teachers and students both. Let’s take a look at one of those pieces.
The Auto-Graded Essay
One of the most challenging things to automate has been providing timely and valuable feedback on free-response questions. There are still not entirely great options for doing this, but one solution I have found over the last several years has gotten me a little further along the path to my goal of automating everything that can be automated…
Word of the Day: Leverage
[Read time: 2 min] What does it mean to “leverage” technology? And does every teacher need to help students do this?
ArchiTECHs of Learning Episode 8: When the ISTE Standards Call, the Penguins Answer
Amy and Bob talk about the ISTE Standards, and how teachers should be thinking about technology integration. Plus, we have our first podcast PENGUIN sighting! Find the ISTE Standards at iste.org/standards.
ArchiTECHs of Learning: Episode 7: What’s Up, HyperDoc?
Join us as the Tech Coaches discuss the ins and outs of HyperDocs. Warning! They AREN’T just docs with links!
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.
