Previously, I talked about Blended Learning and how you can utilize Twitter search to find content and ideas for Blended Learning in the classroom. Blended Learning is not necessarily a new concept, however the practical use of Blended Learning in the classroom (and outside) may be a new idea. Educators from around the world are coming to the understanding that with the use of technologies administered appropriately, student learning and engagement can grow tremendously. Understanding what Blended Learning is is the first step to allowing us to utilize this method in our own classroom experiences effectively.
Edutopia has several resources on this topic [Side note: If you have not visited the Edutopia site, you are missing out on a very valuable resource].
Many of you who may not feel that you are very tech savvy will love these time-saving tips. Literally they will add years to your life. They may sound too simple, however I am sure if you calculated the amount of time wasted when you didn't use these you would be blown away. I find, in my own experience, when learning a new tech tip or method, if I make an effort to go out of my way and rigorously practice it in my regular workflow. It soon enough becomes habit and easy to do on a regular basis; almost automatic. That's my tech tip.
This video from TED Talks, explains some top 10 tips that will save you some time and headaches from your computer to your smart phone.
I found this great little helper from Brunswick City Schools, Ohio. This is a great tool to have by your side at all time when integrating technology into your curriculum. It's simple and very achievable. It's the goal outline for pretty much everything in life... if you want to change.
January 28, 2013: Madawaska Middle/High School Connecting the Humanities Jigsaw using Geographic Tools Geography is the study of spatial patterns, processes and relationships, and can act as the background for all humanities study: all historical events have a location, literature can be studied through its setting and economics is bound to the land. Therefore, teaching students how to use digital geographic tools can give them the grounding needed for studying the humanities. This session will focus on the use of online geographic information systems and Google Earth, and will present strategies for research, writing and presentation in all areas of the humanities with these digital tools.This is a new session for this spring. Your attendance at the MLTI Fall Social Studies session is not a pre-requisite for this session. This is a new session for this spring. Your attendance at the MLTI Fall Social Studies session is not a pre-requisite for this session. January 29, 2013: Madawaska Middle/High School Supporting Students with Special Needs Using MLTI and Universal Design for Learning This hands-on workshop will begin by exploring accessibility options and adjusting preference settings on the MLTI device to meet the needs of the learner. Participants will also learn to create lessons that target Response to Intervention and incorporate different learning styles to increase universal access for classroom activities. We’ll also examine exciting ways to “provide multiple means of engagement” for students through creating social stories and learning how to socially navigate the world around them. Participants will explore ways to apply these skills to creating Digital Portfolios. Students will ultimately be able to showcase projects that target their Individualized Education Plan benchmarks and goals as well as self-assess their work. This is a repeat of the Fall 2012 session but we encourage you to join us again to review and spend more time on applications on your own. February 4, 2013: Houlton High School Instructional Design with Tech & Next Gen Science Standards
With the publication of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) early next year, science teachers face the challenge of adapting and aligning their teaching to "keep up." We will look at the 8 Practices, and the other dimensions of Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts from the Framework to see how applications on the MLTI image and from the web can be part of reworking lessons and units for science instruction.
This workshop will provide the time and assistance necessary for hands-on instructional design to folks who attended the Fall MLTI science workshops, as well as introducing the new standards to folks who will be participating for the first time. Careful attention will be paid to how the NGSS align with the ELA and Math Common Core State Standards.
February 28, 2013: Houlton High School
Shift Happens! Common Core, ELA and Digital Literacy
This session is designed for middle and high school teachers who are using the MLTI device and is flexible to meet the diverse levels of knowledge/use of technology and of the CCSS. We will approach the ELA/Literacy standards from the perspective of "Six Shifts" in pedagogy and instruction required for a standards-based approach to be successful. We will explore applications on the MLTI device (as well as other web-based tools) that support teaching with the Six Shifts in mind, including Preview Annotation Tools, Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite, and OmniGraffle-- and more! Since the ELA/Literacy standards are intended to address literacy across content areas, all are welcome to attend!
This is a repeat of the Fall 2012 session but we encourage you to join us again.
February 28, 2013: Houlton High School
Connecting the Humanities Jigsaw using Geographic Tools
Geography is the study of spatial patterns, processes and relationships, and can act as the background for all humanities study: all historical events have a location, literature can be studied through its setting and economics is bound to the land. Therefore, teaching students how to use digital geographic tools can give them the grounding needed for studying the humanities. This session will focus on the use of online geographic information systems and Google Earth, and will present strategies for research, writing and presentation in all areas of the humanities with these digital tools.
This is a new session for this spring. Your attendance at the MLTI Fall Social Studies session is not a pre-requisite for this session. For more information and to register for any of these workshops, please visit MLTI's PD site.
Since I have grown to love Google+ more and more, I am using it more and more. I use this microblog to spread the communication on new content, idea, resources, and tutorials for technology integration in the classroom. Be sure to fine me and add me to your circles in Google+. Even if you do not have a Google account or use Google+, bookmark my Profile page or my education page and frequent this site for some very useful resources to assit your classroom environment and professional development. You'll find much more content on my Google+ education page (also, titled Ratkacher Station) since it is a microblog and much easier to send out new stuff; and quickly.
Since this blog is devoted to spreading information and content to my school district (though, not restricted to this), I only post during the school year and school days. You will not find any new content during holidays or vacations (well, you may find something from time to time). Though I have been using this blog for about a year and a half, I feel that I am still very new to this mode of communication. In the past year my blog posting frequency was about one per week. I intend on increasing that frequency this year to a couple a week depending on how busy my week is.
Through my posts you will find helpful tutorials, useful online tools and information that will assist educators in being better at what they do.
As we begin this new year, I am excited again about working with my teaching staff and helping create solid curriculum through technology. We have a couple of new products that I am excited about - i.e. SMART Technology's new integrated SMART tools and the new PowerTeacher upgrade. I will be posting some information on these as well as some tutorials.
I would like to reiterate what a Technology Integration Specialist does. The video below is something I had posted last year, but does a great job at explaining what my goals and desires are as a TIS.
I am a jack-of-all-trades, but some of the areas I do specialize in are any of our SMART Technology's products (i.e. SMART Notebook, SMART Boards, SMART Response, and more), Moodle, Google Earth, using a Personal Learning Network and many of our MLTI Macbook applications from Noteshare to ComicLife to iMovie.
Some of you at the High School are already aware that I have relocated my "office". I am now in Rm 213 and will be available for anyone to stop by at any time for a visit. I will also be available to stop by your location if you have any questions.
Durring these next couple of weeks I will be available all week until harvest break. After harvest break I will be available at the high school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I can be flexible, though, if these two days are not accommodating for you. Just let me know what would work best for you and I will see what I can do to help.
Please contact me any time if you have any questions, ideas, feedback or want to discuss how we can work together:
Richard Byrne (as previously mention, several times) is always pulling out very practical material that helps teachers use technology in their classroom. Below I have embedded his ebook that I think you will find very useful. Not all of these suggestions may be available to our district, however take advantage of the ones that are. If you have any questions about any of these tech suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Found this provoking video on Twitter. Although it is from a business blog, Kneale Mann, it is a good reality check of what our now and future digitally-native students are and what they demand from their education.
This video talks about Augmented Reality or AR; somewhat new technology,yet been out for awhile in some areas like the military. AR will soon be moving into (some avenues, already is) the Education field. If you are not familiar with Augmented Reality, Vicki Davis, edublogger from Georgia, gives a good explanation.
