My One Word 2019: #ResilienceI started reading Elena Aguilar's book Onward because I was hired an Instructional Coach at my son's school beginning the 2018-2019 school year (which I was super excited about!). It's all about habits and dispositions of educators. Our habits are our behavior and our dispositions are our attitudes, character, or way of being. Basically, you practice habits to develop these dispositions. Elena's book "focuses on the 12 habits that cultivate resilience, and their correlating dispositions, and provides a road map for how to feel more effective, more fulfilled, and happier at work". Sold! I would love to work on this with teachers too, but I want to make sure I can live it before I try to encourage others to join me. This is why I chose the word Resilience! I'll share more about my experience through out the year, so come on back soon. I'm looking forward to another great year filled with new connections, adventures, challenges, and accomplishments. I'd love to hear your "One Word", so let's connect! Thanks for reading! ~Pam  Happy New Year!
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Student "Play of the Week" with Google Slides
Blended LearningHave you ever understood one of our educational "buzz words" to mean something completely different than one of your coworkers? This happens all the time, especially when we mention Blended or Personalized Learning. Some people think of them as the same thing. They can be used together, but they are not the same. So, how are they different? How can they be used together to enhance our classrooms today? If someone asks me about Blended Learning, I always share the Blended Learning Universe site. They describe 7 models "in action" as well as some videos and visuals to help you understand what they look like. Below are the definitions of each of the models from the Blended Learning Universe site, make sure to check it our for more details! 7 Models of Blended Learning Blended Learning Universe 1. Station Rotation: allows students to rotate through stations on a fixed schedule, where at least one of the stations is an online learning station. This model is most common in elementary schools because teachers are already familiar rotating in “centers” or stations.
2. Lab Rotation: like a Station Rotation, allows students to rotate through stations on a fixed schedule. However, in this case, online learning occurs in a dedicated computer lab. This model allows for flexible scheduling arrangements with teachers and other paraprofessionals, and enables schools to make use of existing computer labs. 3: Individual Rotation: allows students to rotate through stations, but on individual schedules set by a teacher or software algorithm. Unlike other rotation models, students do not necessarily rotate to every station; they rotate only to the activities scheduled on their playlists. 4: Flipped Classroom: flips the traditional relationship between class time and homework. Students learn at home via online coursework and lectures, and teachers use class time for teacher-guided practice or projects. This model enables teachers to use class time for more than delivering traditional lectures. 5: Flex: lets students move on fluid schedules among learning activities according to their needs. Online learning is the backbone of student learning in a Flex model. Teachers provide support and instruction on a flexible, as-needed basis while students work through course curriculum and content. This model can give students a high degree of control over their learning. 6: A la Carte: enables students to take an online course with an online teacher of record _in addition_ to other face-to-face courses, which often provides students with more flexibility over their schedules. A La Carte courses can be a great option when schools can’t provide particular learning opportunities, such as an Advanced Placement or elective course, making it one of the more popular models in blended high schools. 7: Enriched Virtual: is an alternative to full-time online school that allows students to complete the majority of coursework online at home or outside of school, but attend school for required face-to-face learning sessions with a teacher. Unlike the Flipped Classroom, Enriched Virtual programs usually don’t require daily school attendance; some programs may only require twice-weekly attendance, for example.
 Click the image for Kasey's post!
I was so excited to have the opportunity to talk to Kasey Bell for this interview! She's been my go-to resource for years now!
I started listening to the Google Teacher Tribe as soon as it began over 2 years ago, so I feel like I talk to her every week. Last summer, I participated in the Shake Up Learning Google Certified Trainer course through Teachable, so I watched Kasey's videos and learned from her all summer long. Really, by the time we spoke for this interview, I felt like I was catching up with an old friend! So, I got to geek out for a little bit with this #edurockstar and share my love of all things Google. We also got to chat about our first in-person meeting at FETC in January! I'm #superexcited! There's still time to join us at FETC (I'm presenting too), click here to register with a discount using promo code HUBLER19. Want to become a Google Certified Trainer too?
If becoming Google Certified Trainer is one of your professional goals for the future, I highly recommend taking Kasey's course! It will give you everything you need to know and more!
Click here to join the wait list, it opens November 20th! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on Twitter @specialtechie (for the fastest response) or leave a comment. As always, thanks for reading! ~Pam Problem: In the beginning of this year, I started a new job as a Reading Coach for a K-8 school. I asked about how PLC's ran, what worked, what didn't work, etc. During that discussion, my Principal asked how we could improve the communication between administration and the teachers asking questions or needing feedback during PLC's if they weren't able to attend. In previous years, the Reading Coach had a great PLC agenda/notes template, but knowing when they were filled out or even if there were questions was hard for administration to keep up with. Our Principal really wanted to know if she could get a notification each time a PLC was held, but using a Google Team Drive, she'd have to just check the folders every day or watch the activity panel. We all know that is a time consuming task and not very productive. I knew we could use our GSuite tools to do it, just needed to figure out the best way to use them effectively! I'm sure there are add-ons and extensions for this, but we needed to keep it simple to be productive. Solution: I racked my brain and searched for easy solutions, I knew there had to be a way!
I guess I never really stopped thinking about it, then it literally came to me first thing the next morning as if I was still working on the problem in while I slept! Here's what I did...  #GSuiteUDL Resources:Thanks for coming today! Here is the link to my presentation in case you missed something or want to do some research on your own. Keep the conversation going on Twitter using the hashtag #GSuiteUDL and show us how you implement technology and UDL in your classroom this year. There will be a follow up blog post for those who weren't able to attend the session in person. #sharingiscaring  UDL Resources:Click the image below for more information on UDL and CAST.  
#FOMOWhat is #FOMO? Fear of Missing Out! I have it bad right now since I think everyone I know is in Chicago for #ISTE18! But that's okay... I have already learned so much just by using the online resources available during the conference. This post is a guide to reducing your #FOMO and look at the positive side of things!
2. Save Time & Money For a minute yesterday, I actually started checking flight prices and single day pass prices since a friend of mine was staying in a hotel all by herself. Really, I wanted to jump on a plane to go for at least one day. Being that it was going to cost about $600+ to go, I decided I would just hang at home with my family and learn from afar. Not to mention the amount of time I'd have to spend traveling from South Carolina to Chicago. 3. Try These Online Resources!Here's the best part! SO many of the presenters are well aware that many people can't be there, so they share their resources for free! TweetDeck This is the best way to keep up with Twitter chats and other things being shared at #ISTE18 and #NotAtISTE. As you can see in the GIF here, it's always moving. If you've never used it before, it can be a little overwhelming, but you'll get used to it! I just scan the feed and click on it when it's something I want to explore further. I do suggest searching as I did with #ISTE18 OR #NotAtISTE18 so you can see both in one column. On Monday night, Tara Martin @taramartinedu hosted the #TLAP twitter chat from #ISTE18 and this is how I kept up with the conversations. It felt like being there even if just for an hour. If you've never tried it, now's a good time! Google+ #NotAtISTE
PeriscopeOne way you can enjoy the sessions for free is by using Periscope. I didn't fully appreciate this site until Sunday when I started watching some of my Twitter friends recording presentations for the Twitterverse. Love you guys BTW! PassTheScopeEDU is a site created to share some of the great periscopes from #ISTE18 You could also just search Periscope for ISTE sessions and watch them live or after they've ended. Just make sure you search #ISTE18 to get the appropriate videos to populate, there are some weird ones out there! How Can I Get the Most of a Conference without Going? I started by creating a Google Keep list and titled it #ISTE18 so it would create a category. I use Google Keep because it's easy to add quick links in a checkbox style list. If I want to transfer my list to a Google Doc, I can open a new document and use the Keep Notepad (found under the Tools menu) and add it all in a quick second! Next, I went to the ISTE website and looked at the Schedule at a Glance so I knew what I wanted to check out. You could also use the program search by clicking the "attend" tab and add to a digital tote (if you are a member) or just save the links to the presentation resources. It may take some time to scan through everything, but it will be worth it! The most important thing is look for the resources you want to learn more about. You could get into information overload if you save everything just to have it. Share, Share, Share! Whatever you get from your #NotAtISTE experience, share what you find! #SharingIsCaring
Enjoy your PD in your PJ's! If you are still really sad about not going to ISTE18 you can start planning now to attend next year in Philadelphia! I'll get there one day, for now I'll see you on Twitter and Google+ sharing the goodies I find. See you soon! Relaxation & RejuvenationEveryone thinks of relaxation and rejuvenation a little differently. My preference is to turn off my alarm clock and spend as much time at the pool or beach as possible. Netflix binge watching is also at the top of my list, especially after a long day in the sun with friends or family. Since summer does go quickly, I like to create a "Summer Bucket List" in the beginning of June and add something different to my calendar each day. Since I have kids, my husband and I let them help with our selections too. If having plans every day is too much for you during the summer, plan just a couple days a week so time doesn't get away from you. Pinterest has lots of ideas to search through if this is something you'd like to add so you start back to school in August relaxed and rejuvenated! Recommended reading for more ideas: The Zen Teacher: Creating Focus, Simplicity, and Tranquility in the Classroom by Dan Tricarico *This was my favorite pool reading last summer!
Relevant LearningLast summer, I joined Kasey Bell's Teachable course to prepare myself to become a Google Certified Trainer. I figured if I was serious about it, I may as well prepare well the first time so I didn't have to apply more than once. It's not free, but it's worth it! I was able to apply and get accepted on the first try thanks to Kasey and her amazing resources. This summer, she has lots of courses available! You'll have to act fast for the best deal, enrollment closes at midnight CST on June 10th. Click the button below to join today!  Here are some of the other online learning options I've looked into:
If I wasn't already signed up for 3 of Kasey's courses, one virtual course through College of Charleston, and one week of being a counselor for Engaging Creative Minds... then I'd sign up for one of these for sure!
Looking for other reading ideas? Just search Amazon for Dave Burgess Publishing and you'll have plenty of amazing books to choose from!
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| It's almost the end of my Spring Break, so now's a great time for catching up on some reading! As I was Reading Matt Miller's Ditch That Textbook I had an idea for how students can write Blogs without using a blogging site. This may be a way to get the same results without stressing teachers with learning a new program just by using Google Slides (which most of the students already know how to do) instead. I have to remember that not all teachers like technology as much as I do. 😉 |  |
"Blogging" with Google Slides
Create Content & Read, Write, Share - these two chapters in the book got me thinking!
In his A-to-Z list of ideas, Matt says, "Turn student writing into a digital and collaborative activity. Students publish blog posts and classmates read others' work and add comments." When I think digital and collaborative, I think of the amazing power of GSuite for Education.
In his A-to-Z list of ideas, Matt says, "Turn student writing into a digital and collaborative activity. Students publish blog posts and classmates read others' work and add comments." When I think digital and collaborative, I think of the amazing power of GSuite for Education.
 | Step 1: Create a Slides template for students to use. I pictured the first slide as an "about me" page that the students can create themselves. If you want to give them some guidance on what to include, that's fine. Or even better... you can create one for yourself as your Teacher Blog and show them as an example. |
Step 2: Change the layout of your Slides
If you want them to be able to print them or save as a PDF book at the end of year, change the slide size to be paper size. I usually change it to be 8 x 10.5 inches so it fits nicely on a sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch printer paper. You can change this setting by going to File Page Setup Custom then type in 8 and 10.5 in the boxes making sure it says "inches" after the measurements. The GIF below will walk you though the steps.
Note: If you want to make a GIF yourself, using Gyazo GIF is an easy way to do it!
If you want them to be able to print them or save as a PDF book at the end of year, change the slide size to be paper size. I usually change it to be 8 x 10.5 inches so it fits nicely on a sheet of 8.5 x 11 inch printer paper. You can change this setting by going to File Page Setup Custom then type in 8 and 10.5 in the boxes making sure it says "inches" after the measurements. The GIF below will walk you though the steps.
Note: If you want to make a GIF yourself, using Gyazo GIF is an easy way to do it!
Author
I'm an Instructional Coach at Daniel Island School in Berkeley County South Carolina.
I have experience teaching K-8 special ed. and General Ed. as well as instructional & technology coaching. Since I enjoy technology more than some, I started this blog for educators who love it too. Thanks for visiting!
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