Innovative Learning October 2017 Newsletter

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Innovative Learning

Dr. Daryl Diamond, Director

Innovative Learning Logo

The district has moved all students to a Single Sign-On (SSO) platform from which they can get access to all of their applications without having to remember specific URLs and specific usernames and passwords for each application.

Parents of BCPS students should use their SSO account to access applications such as iReady, and all of their digital instructional materials including online textbooks. Students may think the SSO launch pad is only to used while at school but it can also be used from home. The URL to login is: https://broward.identitynow.com

The User ID is the student number.

The default password is a combination of the letter "P" and the student's birthdate, formatted as: Pmm/dd/yyyy. (Slash marks are part of the password.)

Students can change their passwords so, parents, if the default doesn’t work, ask your child for the password.

2017 Future of Technology Summit Essay Competition

Innovative Learning wants to share with you and your students an exciting opportunity that combines writing with STEM fields! The 2017 Future of Technology Summit Essay Competition is a nationwide search for the most creative, thoughtful, and well-presented student ideas on technology of the future—what problems it might solve, and what problems it might create.

One winner from each age group—elementary (grades 4 to 6), middle School (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) will be selected by a panel of university and corporate tech experts to participate in the 2017 Future of Technology Summit, a prestigious one day conference taking place in Washington, DC on November 2, 2017.

At the conference, student essay award winners will be recognized and have the chance to meet a panel of accomplished tech influencers including Steve Wozniak, cofounder Apple Inc., Ray Kurzweil, Director of Engineering Google, Martin Eberhard, cofounder and former CEO of Tesla Motors, Randi Zuckerberg, author and founder of Zuckerberg Media, and neuroscientist Dr. Boris Konrad, among others./p>

The conference will bring together these notable minds in tech along with national and international leaders to discuss the same issues addressed by students in the essay competition—how will technology change the way we live, work, learn, and connect in the future? The purpose of the student essay competition is to have the voice of the next generation represented during the conference, as our young people will live the longest with the decisions and tech advancements we make today.

Educators, students, and parents can learn more by visiting http://essay.fts2017.com/. Applications will be accepted online through October 20, 2017.

Learning Never Closes.....While our School District was closed due to the impact of Hurricane Irma to our communities across Broward County, Broward County Public Schools remained committed to supporting students and families in making sure that learning never stops. While the school buildings were being inspected and prepared for teachers and students to return, BCPS encouraged families and caregivers to have students engage in academic activities. The district created a website with information for families fortunate enough to have electric power and internet. The website contains engaging activities and staff continues to update the site so that families can access educational content 24/7 from any location with Internet connection. Please visit the website at http://learningnevercloses.com.

Technology & Instruction

LoriAyn Stickler, Project Manager Technology & Instruction

Broward County Tech Meetup

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Innovative Learning hosted the first Broward County Tech Meetup on September 28th at Park Ridge Elementary School! Teachers collaborated with vendors and colleagues to learn new EdTech teaching strategies. During this vendor-sponsored event, teachers honed their skills of infusing digital applications such as Canvas, Discovery Education, Learning.com, and Newsela into everyday teaching and learning.

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Many teachers also attended the networking event and enjoyed refreshments at Galluppi's Restaurant after the learning sessions. Many thanks to our vendors for sponsoring such a wonderful event! Mark your calendars for the next Broward County Tech Meetup on November 9th. Meeting details are forthcoming....

Innovative Learning Canvasador Trainer Program

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BCPS Office of Academics is dedicated to training classroom teachers in developing engaging and relevant Canvas Blended Learning Courses that personalize the learning environment while preparing K-12 students for college, career, the workforce and life.

Are you actively using Canvas in your everyday teaching and learning?
Are you considered to be a Canvas Leader at your school?
Would you enjoy mentoring other teachers to infuse Canvas in their everyday teaching and learning activities?

If you answered, "Yes" to any of these questions, you might want to apply to participate in the Innovative Learning Canvasador Trainer Program!

The Innovative Learning Canvasador Trainer Program consists of three district levels.

Level 1 - Support Canvas PD workshops
Level 2 - Co-facilitate Canvas PD worshops
Level 3 - Lead Canvas PD workshops

All applicants are directly supported by the Innovative Learning Staff throughout the program. Learn more about program requirements and apply for admission in the program today!

Library/Media

Lynne Oakvik, Curriculum Supervisor Library Media
Neena Grosvenor, Staff Developer Library Media
Desiree Berger, Data Entry Operator II

BCPS Partners with Broward County Library to Launch the BCL Digital Direct Student Card

Broward Schools and the Broward County Library have partnered to launch the BCL Digital Direct Student Card to provide additional learning opportunities to Broward students. The public school and public library initiative was developed in response to the ConnectED Library Challenge issued by President Obama in 2015. The Challenge calls on library directors, community leaders, and school districts to strengthen partnerships, so that every child can receive a library card and have access to the books and learning resources of America’s public libraries. Many communities and school districts across the country have committed to the ConnectED Library Challenge and Broward County seeks to join this effort for several key reasons:

Access to Broward County Public Library resources supports school and community literacy goals.
The ConnectEd library initiative is aligned with the Broward Reads Campaign, District literacy goals to support grade level reading proficiency, and Personalized Learning initiatives that support anytime, anywhere access to learning.
Digital teaching and learning requires access to the most up-to date digital resources.
With the District’s SMART technology deployment of thousands of computer devices there is increased demand for the most current, credible, and reliable digital resources to support teaching and learning. The vast digital resources available through the public library provide valuable learning resources to Broward students and families.

How it Works
An individual, public library card is required for each student or teacher user to access the BCL digital resources. By establishing the BCL Digital Direct Card, BCPS students whose parents opt-in will be able to use their school log-in credentials to access the Broward County Public Library digital resources and eBooks directly from school or home!

Because of FERPA requirements, parents must OPT-IN to the BCL Digital Direct Student Library Card program by providing permission to the District to share select student records with the Broward Public Library. The BCL Digital Direct Student Library Card is in addition to, and separate from, any full service BCL library card that a student may already have or may obtain in the future.

The Innovative Learning Department will be distributing the Opt-In forms in October to schools. Completed forms should be returned to the school, so that the school's Information Management Technician (IMT) can enter the information in TERMS. Once the Opt-in information entered, the District will work with the Broward Library to create student access. Media Specialists will be trained to provide support to students on accessing and using the Broward County Library digital resources.

For more information on the BCL Digital Direct Student Library Card, please contact Lynne Oakvik, Curriculum Supervisor, Library Media.

Gifted & Talented

Zuzel Rodriguez, Curriculum Supervisor

Download the Gifted Symposium Flyer

Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker,
Author Gordon Korman

How to ignite a passion for writing. Many of our gifted students are already veracious readers but stumble when it comes to writing.

Forget formulaic writing templates and tap into their creativity. Come learn how to encourage your students to become published authors by learning the in-depth book writing and publishing process.

A conversation with Gordon Korman

You’ve developed a passionate reader but how do you develop an accomplished writer? Come learn tips of the trade on how to help your children become authors from New York Times best-selling author Gordon Korman.

Gifted Strategies

SEL Skill Building Rubric

Rubric for Integrating SEL Skill Building into Academics

Kathleen Casper · President FLAG

All content areas, levels and parents

The new CASES rubric that connects the “whole gifted child” to academic and personal goals. The rubric and resource links provided gauge a child’s potential to grow in multiple social-emotional categories, including: leadership, self-awareness, group interactions, emotional awareness/reflection, problem solving, and personal skills, creativity, and more!

Mind Tools

Mind Tools for
School and Life

Marie Garrido · Secondary Learning

All content areas Middle/High Level

Gifted learners often suffer from overthinking that interferes with their productivity and decision-making. This analysis paralysis can be vanquished by learning how the brain works and leveraging the right kind of thinking for the task at hand using various strategies. In this interactive session, participants will engage in activities like The Six Thinking Hats, and The Ladder of Inference and experiment with new ideas in a mini-Tinker Lab.

Visual Thinking

Visual Thinking – Understanding, Truth, Fairness and Creativity

Jacob Aronin · Gifted Coordinator

All content areas and levels

A focus on developing ‘thinking skills’ allows all students to take charge of their own learning, deepen understanding and become more engaged. Using the Visible Thinking techniques developed by Harvard University, this workshop will combine textual analysis with strategies and routines that foster independent thinking and self actualization.

Gifted Ed & Advocacy

Just the Facts:
Gifted Education and Advocacy

Kimberly Thomas-Cain · Duke-Tip

Parents, Educators all levels

Utilizing research-based approaches in education enables us to differentiate truth from anecdote, promotes more effective education techniques, makes better use of funding, and better informs gifted policy-makers. Using research-based facts to make informed decisions leads to greater outcomes for gifted students. Leave this session equipped to advocate for your child, student, or gifted program.

Classroom Growth Mindset

Optimism Brings Opportunity:
Growth Mindset for the Classroom

Virgina Walz · Secondary Learning

Secondary/All content areas

Developing optimism is a critical element for success and a sense of achievement. Optimism leads to creative endeavors that guide innovation through recognizing the opportunities that exist in every challenge. This workshop explores optimism and its role in student achievement, providing activities for growth in this key discipline of the mind

Parent-Teacher Support & Guidance

Recruiting and Retaining

Recruiting and Retaining Culturally Different Students: Leaders Identifying, Serving and Supporting With Equity

Dr. Donna Ford · Vanderbilt University

All content areas, levels and parents

In many districts and nationally, certain students of color are under-represented in gifted programs. Many times, the referral process, tests, and policies and procedures are barriers. The presentation discusses the twin goal of recruiting and retaining Hispanic and Black students in gifted education, with an emphasis on equity. Culturally responsive practices and measures will be shared.

Mind Tools

Traveling With Our Youngest Innovators

Veronica Sclafani · Early Learning

Early childhood/elementary/all content areas

Play and hands on learning activities can help develop social/emotional maturity, academic competency, critical thinking skills and resiliency in all students. This is especially important for gifted and talented students that can easily get bored and build a negative attitude about school. This will be a fun and informative session about gifted students in Prekindergarten and Kindergarten. We will participate in learning centers appropriate for our youngest gifted students.

Social/Emotional Learning

Social/Emotional Learning of Gifted Students

Dr. Daniel Shapiro · Guidance

Parents and all levels/content areas

In this session, Dr. Shapiro will discuss Social and Emotional Learning and classroom strategies that teachers can implement to help gifted students develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Advanced Placement Options

Advanced Placement Options

Bob McKinney · Secondary Learning

Hope Targoff · Innovative Programs

Middle/High Level

This presentation will examine the differences between Advanced Placement - AP, Cambridge - AICE, International Baccalaureate - IB and Dual Enrollment as opportunities for students to earn college credit while in high school.

Parenting for Potential

If You Believe: Parenting for Potential

Naomi Church · ESE Department

All content areas and levels

This session will focus on how parents can build a Growth Mindset for their children, and even develop one themselves. When children and young adults believe in themselves, they understand their effort makes a difference in achieving their full potential. Come learn how simple changes in the way you praise your child can make them into more successful students and young adults.

Naviance Navigation

Using Naviance to Navigate the World of College and Career

Carol Lopez · Guidance

Middle/High Level

This presentation will be geared to parents and students who are interested in knowing the benefits of using Naviance to find out about their own learning styles as well as how they can research careers and colleges. Students and parents can realistically see what it takes to get into the college of their choice, how to earn scholarships, and what resources there are for career bound students. Presenter will go over all the aspects of Naviance from a student's view.

Literacy & Arts

The Mandala Project

The Mandala Project

Libby Hodges · Tropical Elementary

Elem/Middle Level - ELA/Math/Visual Arts/Science/Social Studies

Mandala means “circle” and represents wholeness. Mandala art has been used throughout the world as a process of self-expression. The Mandala Project explores the symbolism of these symmetrical designs from Tibet to Greece to Navajo sand painters. This workshop will bring these geometric artistic creations, cultures and philosophies together.

Passage to Ndebele

Passage to Ndebele

Libby Hodges · Tropical Elementary

ELA/Math/Visual Arts

South Africa is full of vibrant diversity with many people calling this beautiful land home. Few are more colorful and more iconic than the famous Ndebele tribe. Participants will discover African folktales, create a puppet fashioned after the Ndebele dolls of South Africa and explore the artistic history, geometry and color of Ndebele mural painting created by women and their daughters. The style is instantly recognizable, and as such has become a dominant marker of a people's identity with bold pattern and symmetry.

Fighting Fake News

Fighting Fake News with Facts & Digital Literacy

Lynne Oakvik,
Neena Grovsnor · Innovative Learning Department

Middle/High Level

Help your students survive the invasion of “Fake News.” Learn how to use web resources like opensecrets.org and snopes.com to help your students separate fact from fiction and become informed, empowered citizens. Discover District resources and innovative instructional strategies to support critical thinking skills that will help students analyze and evaluate information effectively in today’s digital landscape.

Inspire Through Art!

Innovate-Instruct-Inspire through the Arts!

Tammy Holder · Artist-In-Residence, Broward Center

All content areas and levels

After reviewing the specific needs of gifted learners, participants will combine drama and music with language arts and social studies to uncover how best practice in arts integration can affect teaching and learning. Experience how your curriculum can come to life through the arts! Innovation through integration!

Immigration and Our Economy

Immigration and Our Economy

William Bosshardt · FAU

Middle/High Level · Econonics/Geograpy/History

Immigration continues to be a controversial topic. Does immigration help or hurt our economy? Two activities – one role playing, the other a group activity - will be demonstrated. The activities help students understand the impacts of immigration from various economic and social viewpoints.

Immersive Story Telling

Immersive Story Telling

Nerissa Street · Bethune Elementary

ELA/Math/Visual Arts

Immersive Story Telling – All content areas and Level
In this interactive and hands-on session, participants will use techniques pioneered in filmmaking with “transmedia” and immersive storytelling. The participant will learn the basic techniques of audience immersion to deepen your lesson’s rigor, and allow each student to personally synthesize abstract subject matter into applicable knowledge by making activating your learner’s active imagination Give each gifted learner a passport to into her own subject area world! Please bring your wifi-connected device. (Session 3, Band Room)

Maximizing Student Engagement

Student Engagement Through Academic Discussion & Blended Learning

Lisa McQuade · Secondary Learning

All content areas Middle/High Levels

Walk into a modeled Blended Learning Cycle as a student and learn how to use multiple platforms such as Canvas, Socratic Seminar, and Online Blog to maximize student engagement through academic discussion in order to increase student achievement. Participants will explore the latest research to make connections with analysis, academic discussion and standards.

Breakout EDU

Breakout EDU

Lynn Mitchell · Gator Run Elementary

All content areas and levels

Put your sleuthing skills to the test and experience an innovative way to turn ownership of their learning over to your students and children! Join us for an interactive game of BreakoutEDU (a classroom twist on escape rooms) and learn how to sharpen critical thinking and collaboration skills, while incorporating any and all academic subjects and areas.

Math & Science

Thinking and Maker Challenges

Design Thinking and Maker Challenges

Lisa Milenkovic · Applied Learning
Science, STEM

All levels

Passport to the future of innovative learning through design thinking and maker challenges. Participate in hands-on, minds-on challenges as you travel through different stations to explore and experience the latest innovation in learning.

Turning the Corner

Turning the Corner—
Creative Ways to Explore Mathematics

Richard Bobinchuck · Secondary Learning Mathematics

All Levels

Through a procedure as simple as folding a strip of paper mathematical ideas such as symmetry, sequences, and patterns can be explored. Making simple changes to the process of folding/unfolding a strip of paper fascinating figures can be generated and examined both visually and mathematically. Participants will engage in paper folding activities designed to generate “figures” which at first glance do not appear to have much mathematical relevance but during this interactive workshop the mathematics will be revealed.

What are the Chances?

What are the Chances?

Tanya Hutkowski, Heidi Clay and Kathryn Tobon · Elementary Learning
Math

Elementary Level

Remember throwing a quarter and calling out heads or tails? Or rolling dice to see who goes first? Come roll, flip, and spin with us to learn about theoretical and experimental probability in grades K-5 and the connections to higher level mathematics. This hands-on "event" will lead to great "outcomes"!

Learning ≠ Spectator Sport

Learning is not a Spectator Sport

Sandi Reyes · Elementary Learning

Elementary Science

In this interactive presentation, eight research-based engagement strategies will be discussed and demonstrated. Attendees will participate in multiple activities from a student-based perspective. They will reflect on the activities and strategies as teachers and parents, align the activities to the engagement strategies, and synthesize the information into ideas for future implementation in school or at home.

Technology

Personalized Learning and Skype

Make learning personal through Skype

Camille Edwards · Innovative Learning Department

All content areas and levels

There's nothing like seeing and hearing the real thing. Think about making a Science, Art, Social Studies, Language Arts lesson come alive by communicating with experts, having live chats with other students, visiting places of educational interest. In this session for K-12 educators, you will be introduced to a quick start to using Skype to make learning personal.

Using LTI's in Canvas

Using LTI's in Canvas

Rachel Lee · Instructure
Paula Jasser · Innovative Learning Department

Broward County is working hard to connect 3rd party technology tools with Canvas to enhance the technology experience for both teachers and students. LTI is a term meaning Learning Tool Interoperability and in Canvas, we refer to these as External Tools. These LTIs (or external tools) are comprised of content from education related websites and are configured in such a way that they can be easily integrated into your Canvas Course. Canvas LTIs are configured for you by the Broward Admin Team and are ready for you to easily incorporate into your website.

In this session, participants will learn about free resources as well as Broward purchased resources for creating engaging learning materials and assessments.

Microsoft Sway

Microsoft Sway

Dana Rubenstein, Sharlene Kellier · Innovative Learning

All Content Areas/Tech All Levels

Personalize learning with Sway, an innovative digital storytelling app that helps you create professional, interactive designs in minutes for your images, text, videos, and other media. This hands-on session will teach participants how to create an interactive digital presentation using Sway.

App Smash – Top Web Tools for Teaching

App Smash: Top Web Tools for Teaching

Lynne Oakvik · Innovative Learning

All Levels and content areas/Technology

Check out the AASL (American Association of School Librarians) Best Websites for teaching and learning for 2017! Discover great digital tools and resources vetted by librarians that will help you to support curriculum, flip your classroom, enhance digital story telling activities , or build a new learning game!

Canvas Assignments

Canvas Assignments

Adam Rizzi, Sharlene Kellier · Innovative Learning

Assignments in Canvas include discussions and 'assignments' submitted through multiple submissions types (i.e. files, images, text, video, URLs, etc.). Assignments in Canvas are used to challenge students' understanding and help assess competency by using a variety of media. This session will show you many ways in which assignments can be built and organized so that students will know what is expected of them and when assignments are due.

Canvas Basics & Homepage

Canvas Basics & Homepage

Rachel Lee · Instructure
Sharlene Kellier · Innovative Learning Department

All levels and content areas

The Canvas basics and homepage session is designed to provide an overview Why Canvas? as an optimized tool to achieve blended learning. The session will describe the many functions Canvas provides within the classroom, and will demonstrate how easy it is to build course content in Canvas.

Canvas Tips & Tricks

Canvas Tips & Tricks

Deonne Johnson · Instructure
Rhonda Weimann · Innovative Learning Department

This workshop is designed to help K-12 teachers implement blended learning through sound Instructional Design principles. Ask ten educators what is meant by Instructional Design and you may get more than ten different answers. This session will educate participants on instructional design principles that enhance students learning experience in a blended environment as well as offer tips and tricks to easily "jazz" up the visual elements of a Canvas course.

Canvas Communication & Discussions

Canvas Communication & Discussions

Rhonda Weimann, Adam Rizzi · Innovative Learning

When communication is properly utilized, both the student and the teacher benefit. Canvas provides a variety of tools to support communication both between students to strengthen connections and between the teacher and the student to help them reach their learning goals. This session will introduce participants to organizing a course with modules and the calendar, utilizing discussions & rubrics, and staying connected through course announcements and the inbox.

Digital Portfolios Home/School Connection

Digital Portfolios Home/School Connection

Jaclyn Sherman · Gator Run

All content areas/Elementary Levels

This workshop session is primarily focused on home-school connection. Come learn how to create student-driven digital portfolios using the app Seesaw Learning Journal. Seesaw provides simple parent communication and a home-school connection.

Canvas Collaborations

Canvas Collaborations

Deonne Johnson · Instructure
Martina Blanco · Innovative Learning

With Canvas, collaborative projects have never been easier or more effective. Collaboration provides deeper learning, adds variety to the classroom and creates an engaging environment for students and teachers alike. This session will show participants the basics for group management, peer reviews, and collaborative projects using office 365 tools.

Canvas-MS LTI

Canvas–Microsoft Integration Tool

Dana Rubenstein, Paula Jasser · Innovative Learning

All content areas and levels

Office 365 Education provides teachers and students everything they need to communicate, collaborate, and create products that aid learning and demonstrate that learning objectives have been met. In this session participants will learn to: View, access, and edit personal Microsoft Office 365 documents within Canvas; Embed Microsoft Office 365 documents using the rich content editor and Canvas modules; leverage Microsoft Cloud Assignment for authentic learning.

Plugged in with Podcast

Plugged in with Podcast

Idel Leibowitz · Secondary Learning

All Content Areas, Middle/High Level

“Audio is one of the most intimate forms of media because you are constantly building your own images of the story in your mind.” (Rodero, 2015) Podcasts can offer great benefits for student learning and engagement through the integration of listening and speaking standards.

In this interactive session, participants will delve into the use of audio texts (Podcasts) in the classroom and make curriculum connections. They will listen to engaging podcasts while infusing close listening strategies and analytical thinking that spark discussions through critical inquiry, explore podcast websites, and collaboratively discuss ideas for classroom implementation.

Canvas Quizzes

Canvas Quizzes

Martina Blanco, Tina Swanton · Innovative Learning

Assessments are more than just a method to assign a score and provide students a course grade; they are a powerful tool for measuring and guiding the learning process. Using Canvas quizzes for assessments will provide teachers (and students) many creative ways in which to gather data and analyze student learning. In this session, strategies and best practices for using formative and summative assessments in the classroom will be explored.

Drop the Text

Drop the Text – Interactive Resources and Evaluation

Ed Knote · Secondary Learning

All Content/All Levels

The goal of this workshop is to equip teachers with ways to find/evaluate tools and resources to make their class more interactive. During this session, teachers will interact with a blend of technology and hands-on tools to investigate mathematical content demonstrating why we need to use more than just a textbook.

Instructional Materials

Dominic Church, Instructional Facilitator

Digital Access to Instructional Materials

Digital Textbook Access

Dual Enrollment Purchases, Pickups, and Returns

textbooks on shelf The pickup and return windows for Dual Enrollment textbooks for Broward College have been set for the year. Please note that students are encouraged to order their textbooks online (available when registering) before they pick them up from Barnes & Noble. Textbooks are to be returned to home high schools (not Barnes & Noble) during the return window. Barnes & Noble will retrieve the textbooks from schools the week after they are due to be returned.

Term	Purchase Window	First Day of Classes	Extra Session Pickups (Session 3 or 4)	End of Term	Student Return Deadline (To Schools)	Buyback Pickups from Schools
Fall 2017	August 14-19	August 21	October 16-24	December 12	December 15	December 18-22
Spring 2018	January 2-6	January 8	March 12-21	May 6	May 11	May 14-18
Summer 2018	May 7-12	May 14	June 25-30	August 7	August 9	August 13-17

Please remember that Dual Enrollment Textbooks are the property of Broward County Public Schools and must be returned to schools at the end of each semester. Students who fail to return Dual Enrollment textbooks will have obligations placed on their accounts and may be unable to participate in extracurricular activities or graduation.

2017-2018 K-12 Science Adoption

During the 2017-18 school year, we will be conducting reviews of K-12 science instructional materials for adoption throughout the District from 2018-2023. Information that was shared with publishers about our curriculum and technical expectations can be found on the 2017-18 Science Adoption Homepage. If you are interested in participating in the the review process or being a part of the formal adoption committees, please contact Sandra.Reyes@browardschools.com (Elementary) or Merilyn.Johnson@browardschools.com (Secondary).

If you have any questions about inventories, materials ordering & delivery, or Dual Enrollment textbooks, feel free to contact me at (754) 321-2620 or via email: dominic.church@browardschools.com

Technology Integration Matrix

What is the Technology Integration Matrix?

The Technology Integration Matrix (TIM) illustrates how teachers can use technology to enhance learning for K-12 students. The TIM incorporates five interdependent characteristics of meaningful learning environments: active, constructive, goal directed (i.e., reflective), authentic, and collaborative (Jonassen, Howland, Moore, & Marra, 2003). The TIM associates five levels of technology integration (i.e., entry, adoption, adaptation, infusion, and transformation) with each of the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments. Together, the five levels of technology integration and the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments create a matrix of 25 cells, each with a description of the types of activities and technology tools used.

What is the Technology Integration Matrix Observation (TIM-O) Training?

The TIM-O is a flexible tool for classroom walkthroughs that can be used for formative feedback, peer coaching, grant evaluation, or professional development planning. The TIM-O is a web-based system that works on any device and requires no software installation. It’s designed to guide principals, teachers, and others through the process of evaluating the level of technology integration within a particular classroom. When completed, the tool produces a profile for the observed lesson in terms of the Technology Integration Matrix.

Broward County Public School is offering training opportunities for administrators, teachers, magnet coordinators, media specialists, and district support staff on how to effectively use the TIM-O tool when observing classrooms using technology. Participants in this training will learn how to identify the various technology integration levels and the different learning environments. Collection of this data is extremely valuable as it is a requirement to the state in order to receive our annual Digital Classrooms allocation which helps us to purchase technology and to deliver ongoing professional development.

What do you have to do to become a TIM-O Observer/Coach?

Complete a 1-day TIM-O face-to-face training (Technology Integration Matrix Observer). We currently have 4 trainings scheduled at our new training facility at Lauderhill Paul Turner Elementary: 9/22/17, 10/26/17, 2/15/18, and 4/19/18. You can register for them in My Learning Plan.
Complete a 20-hour online training course (TIM for Instructional Design & Coaching) through Canvas. These trainings are scheduled to run monthly and can be found in My Learning Plan.
Complete the application below and obtain principal’s signature indicating approval of your training participation and ability to conduct observations during the year.
There is a $500 stipend for completing both trainings and conducting five (5) TIM-O observation/coaching cycles (Pre-Conference –> TIM Observation –> Coaching Session –> Follow-Up Observation). These observations can be done at your home school or any school in Broward County.
In order to receive the $500 stipend you must complete the online course after work hours. The face-to-face training can be completed through a TDA signed by your principal.

Global Scholars

Camille Edwards, Coordinator

We are excited, enthused and ready for another year of global learning in about half of Broward’s middle schools. On September 25th Global Scholars launched the 2017-2018 program internationally. This year’s curriculum theme is Feeding our Cities—exploring the global food systems and its impact on cities around the world.

Broward schools, in its third year of participation, has 18 middle schools with a projected 1,200 students being facilitated by 26 teachers in 44 classrooms, one club and after school programs. For a list of participating schools and a curriculum overview visit http://innovativelearning.browardschools.com/global-scholars/.

Broward is among 12,000 students in 58 cities in 29 countries on four continents, with 600 classes led by over 550 teachers around the world. Students are introducing themselves and responding to introductions via posts in the e-Classroom. Broward’s teachers introduced themselves in the online Teachers’ Lounge. Global Scholars is an online interactive, program for middle school students to collaborate on global issues that have a local impact.
Visit https://www.globalcities.org/home to learn more about the program and the provider Global Cities Inc.

One of the many ways the District supports this program is by visiting the classrooms to speak with students and assist teachers with resources and completion of program requirements. Visits started last week to the classrooms, beginning with the 14 teachers who are facilitating the program for the first time. A central question to the students and teachers focused on program introductions. Below is a synopsis of some of the most fascinating strategies at some of our schools.

Ms. Butler, the Media Specialist at Lyons Creek MS who is also new to the District, used The Pearl to introduce appreciation of cultural differences. The students listened to an audiotape and were provided copies of the book to follow along as well. They used Kahoot and their cell phones to demonstrate comprehension mastery of the content. What ensued was an engaging conversation comparing pesos to dollars. Students gained an appreciation of the value of money in varying economic situations.

Ms. Lobban, also at Lyons Creek MS, combined the Spanish Heritage assignment with her introduction of Global Scholars. Her students made brochures that included cultural characteristics and food that were unique to their country of choice. This is an excellent example of using Global Scholars to achieve interdisciplinary learning.

Ms. Potter-Oliver at Millennium Collegiate is facilitating the program as part of their Women’s Studies program. She used two books about women in other countries to introduce cultural appreciation. Her students discussed, with passion, the role of the woman in managing the food systems in their homes.

At Attucks MS, Ms. De L Prada prepared her students by exploring what it means to be a Global Scholar and how they will practice respect for others. Through role play she had students practice how they will respond to foods that are different from their food choices. Students determined what they would do if students said they eat worms? She took the opportunity to replace "yuck" with more appropriate responses and facial expressions.

At Silver Lakes MS, Ms. Higgins is very excited about what she is learning and it is reflected by her students’ authentic engagement. As the students prepared their posts she challenged them to move beyond "pizza, burger and fries" to what they really eat at home helping students recognize the cultural diversity in the classroom. She asked students to discuss what is made in their kitchens when their mother really wants to do some cooking. The sharing resulted in food choices from the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.

Ms. Schaeffer at Bair MS, had her students view the introductory video on the Global Cities website where students learned what it means to be a global scholar from previous global scholars participants. After discussing what the class hoped to do and learn as global scholars, the students' writing activity was to find five facts about four cities in their collaboration where one fact had to be about food.

We welcome participating Broward students, and new and returning teachers. We are off to a great start!

Microsoft Updates

Microsoft Certified MIE badge Dana Rubenstein, Instructional Specialist
Microsoft Innovative Educator Program

The Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) programs are designed to help educators move along a pathway from those who are just beginning to integrate Microsoft tools into the classroom to becoming leaders of innovation in education. Microsoft has developed these programs to recognize global educator visionaries who are using technology to pave the way for their peers for better learning and student outcomes. This is the first step on a journey of joining a professional learning network of enthusiastic educators who come together to learn, share, and grow.

If you would like to become a Microsoft Innovative Educator, registration is available in My Learning Plan for the October and November courses. In addition, registration for the December and January courses will open in a few weeks.

To learn more about the Microsoft Innovative Educator programs, please click on the following link:

Microsoft Innovative Educator Programs

Microsoft offers two whole school programs, one geared for those getting started with digital transformation (The Microsoft Schools Program) and one for those with a mature whole-school end-to-end approach with demonstrated outcomes (The Showcase Schools Program). Each program intentionally focuses on the school leadership team responsible for driving change.

To learn more about the critical components of school transformation, please click on the following link:

Critical Components of School Transformation

Broward County Public Schools is proud is have seven Microsoft Schools and District departments where the transformation of teaching and learning is taking place:

Maplewood Elementary
Margate Elementary
Pasadena Lakes Elementary
Pembroke Lakes Elementary
Sheridan Technical High
Innovative Learning Department
Professional Development Standards & Support

App of the Month

Learning Tools

Microsoft Learning Tools are free tools for OneNote and Word that implement proven techniques to help students improve reading and writing skills, including gifted learners, students with learning differences, or a combination of any of a broad range of unique learning abilities.

Improve Reading Comprehension

Read text out loud.
Break words into syllables.
Increase spacing between lines and letters.
Increase fluency for English language learners or readers of other languages.
Help build confidence for emerging readers learning to read at higher levels.
Offer text decoding solutions for students with learning differences such as dyslexia.

Encourage Independent Reading

Learning Tools helps teachers support students with different abilities and helps students sustain attention and improve reading speed.

To learn more about Learning Tools, please click on the link below:

Learning Tools to Improve Reading and Writing Skills

Microsoft People

The People application takes you to your contacts in Outlook within Office 365. This is where you can create a contact list to easily email multiple people at once.

To get started, log into Single Sign-On. Once logged in, click on the Office 365 icon on the launchpad.
When you see the Office 365 app launcher, click on People.

Click `New` and then click `Contact List` .
Type the contact list name. For example, October Newsletter Mail List.
Add members.
Click `Save` . Once you have a contact list created, you can make changes by clicking `Edit` .
To email your contact list, create a new email message and type the name of the contact list in the `To` or `Bcc` field.

There is a delay between creating a contact list and being able to use it. Please allow about one hour for the People and Mail applications to synchronize with each other.

Atomic Learning Access

Newly Released Hoonuit · Atomic Learning Content for This Week

Newly released content for this week:

School Safety: Using Technology and Technology Systems

The Power of Formative Assessment

Social Media for PK-16 Educators

Scaffolding for English Learners

Laws that Govern Actions in Ed Leadership: Data Privacy and Student Searches

Plus more great content!

There is a great Nearpod in the Classroom module!
There are many College and Career Readiness resources that can be found by just a keyword search for College or Career in our search tab!
Also, all parents have full access to our resources.
We also have a great module related to understanding and communicating with families—It Takes a Village: Partnering with Parents.

Atomic Learning is your resource for more than just tech integration tutorials. You will find great resources on a variety of subjects for both you and your students!

Students, Teachers, and Staff: Students, Teachers, and Staff https://broward.identitynow.com/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. .

Username is: BPSP + school location code (example: BPSP2751)

password: broward (all lowercase)

Digital Tools

learning.com logo home page.png

What is it?

Learning.com provides solutions to help students, teachers, and schools excel in a digital world. Learning.com’s digital literacy solutions help ensure that students are prepared for success in school, college, and the workplace. Learning.com supports Broward’s move to digital content with tools to build and share district-created digital curriculum. Students will develop critical digital literacy skills including hardware/software fundamentals, keyboarding, word processing, media and information literacy.

Kudos

Congratulations to the following top 5 schools for having the most curriculum launches in Learning.com for the month of September.

⭑ Rock Island Elementary ⭑

⭑ Everglades Elementary ⭑

⭑ Charles Drew Elementary ⭑

⭑ Embassy Creek Elementary ⭑

⭑ Sunset Lakes Elementary⭑

Who has it?

All students and teachers in 2nd – 5th grades, 6th and 7th grade digital classrooms, Digital DLA classrooms, and Global Scholar classrooms have access to Learning.com from Broward’s Single Sign-On (SSO) portal.

How can I get trained?

Building K-12 Digital Literacy (Learning.com)

Coming in November: self-paced online training.

Training is available to sign up for in My Learning Plan.

Flyer to print and post.

download (1).png

What is it?

NewsELA is an innovative way to build reading comprehension with nonfiction that’s always relevant daily news. Newsela makes it easy for an entire class to read the same content, but at a level that is just right for each student. Each article is available in five different Lexile levels and contains a standards-aligned quiz for students to complete. Launched in 2013, more than 37 million Newsela articles have been read by students, making Newsela the number one online news source for students.

Kudos

Congratulations to the following top 5 schools for having the most articles viewed in Newsela for the month of September.

⭑ New River Middle ⭑

⭑ Manatee Bay Elementary ⭑

⭑ Miramar High ⭑

⭑ Everglades Elementary ⭑

⭑ Boyd Anderson High ⭑

Who has it?

All students and teachers in Kindergarten – 12th grades have access to it from their Broward’s Single Sign-On Portal.

How can I get trained?

Using Newsela in the Content Areas (1 day training)

October 18th, 19th (face-to-face)

Coming in November: self-paced online training.

Training is available to sign up for in My Learning Plan.

Flyer to print and post.

What is it?

Vocabulary.com combines the world’s smartest dictionary with an adaptive learning game that will have students mastering new words in a short period of time. Vocabulary.com teaches words by systematically exposing students to a wide array of question types and activities that will help students understand all the meanings and nuances of new words they’re learning.

Kudos

The top 5 scoring schools for the month of September are:

⭑ Hollywood Hills HS ⭑

⭑ Margate Middle School ⭑

⭑ Flanagan HS ⭑

⭑ Falcon Cove MS ⭑

⭑ Nova HS ⭑

Who has it?

All students and teachers in 5th – 12th grades have access to it from their Broward’s Single Sign-On Portal.

How can I get trained?

Using Vocab.com in the Content Areas (Online Course)

↣ October 2nd

↣ November 6th

↣ December 4th

Training is available to sign up for in My Learning Plan.

Flyer to print and post.

Single Sign-On to BCPS LaunchPad

Think Tank

Ps'Think-Tank.jpg On September 27th Innovative Learning, in collaboration with OSPA Director Sandra Shipman, convened this year’s first Principal’s Think Tank at Everglades Elementary School. A big thank you to Principal Eliot Tillinger for his hospitality and to his teaching staff for giving us access to their classrooms so we could watch outstanding teaching and learning through the use of technology tools.

Participating schools included: Bayview ES, Coral Cove ES, Coral Springs K - 8, Cypress ES, Eagle Point ES, Gator Run ES, Larkdale ES, Manatee Bay ES, Morrow ES, Pembroke Lakes ES, Quiet Waters ES, Ramblewood ES, Silver Ridge ES, West Hollywood ES, and Westchester ES.

Each principal brought three teachers for a total of 45 teacher participants and 15 principal participants. The group was able to visit numerous classrooms to watch their students and teachers in action. After classroom observations were completed and debriefed, teachers and principals were split up into two groups. Teachers went to classrooms to learn about technology applications available to them. Principals learned about the valuable role of the media specialist in supporting the Digital Classrooms Program and personalized learning.

Education Elements, a partner with Broward County Public Schools in creating and delivering personalized learning opportunities for our students, presented information on how schools can move from "good to great" in designing instruction to facilitate personalized learning. An application process for schools to work with Education Elements is in the process of being finalized. Stay tuned for more information to follow.

Below are some photos of our visit and a video of a student explaining how to access digital content from Canvas and a video of students working together on a project where they used Canvas and other resources to complete.

Canvas

Canvas Learning Management System

Canvas, Broward County Public Schools Learning Management System (LMS) is now in its 2nd Year of implementation and adoption. Have you ever wondered, 'Why is a learning management system necessary?' Broward County carefully considered that exact question by looking at current educational research and the resulting goals are summarized below.

Deliver high-quality instruction through blended, personalized and differentiated learning.
1. Research Base: Hattie Effect Size 1.0, Marzano Domain 2/3 and Design Question 2, ISTE-T Standard 1
2. Canvas Elements: Lesson design on content pages, Multimedia to support and reteach standards, Differentiated assignments, Modules for organization
Provide timely and meaningful feedback.
1. Research Base: Marzano Effect Size .61, Marzano Domain Question 1, Hattie Effect Size 1.3, ISTE-T Standard 2j
2. Canvas Components: Rubrics; Feedback though text, video and/or audio comments; Document annotations for feedback; Announcements
Implement cooperative learning and peer tutoring.
1. Research Base: Marzano Effect Size .73, Marzano Design Question 8, Hattie Effect size .50
2. Canvas Elements: Discussions, Collaboration, Peer Review, and Groups
Utilize computer aided instruction and instructional media.
1. Research Base: Hattie Effect Size .3, ISTE-T Standards 3, 4
2. Canvas Elements: Microsoft Office 365 integration, 3rd Party Tools and Integrations, Mobile Apps

We want to hear from you! How has Canvas made a difference in your classroom? Has it improved instruction or student learning (or both)? Send Rachel Lee, Broward Onsite CSM, rinstructure@browardschools.com an email to share your story.

October Announcements & Reminders

Please be sure to add "Grades" to the course navigation menu. When added it will show as "Course Progress" in the menu. This newly configured tab will allow students easy access to their grades and teacher feedback on assignments. If you need a reminder on how to edit the menu following these instructions. Don't forget Grades in Canvas are easily synced to Pinnacle following these instructions.
Courses in Canvas and students are automatically added to Canvas. Changes to teaching assignments and changes to student schedules will be reflected in Canvas within 48 hours. If you are missing courses and/or students email Rachel Lee, rinstructure@browardschools.com.
24/7 Help is available by clicking the help button in the global navigation. You can call, chat, or email with any Canvas question 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. If you have a question about anything in Canvas, contact 24/7 Help to get your questions answered.
We have newly launched Canvas Advanced Courses. If you have already taken the Canvas for Teachers course and want to continue learning about Canvas for instruction and student learning, try one of the new courses. Fully online courses are available as well.
- - Blended Learning Tips & Tricks in Canvas (in-person and online)
  - Using 3rd Party Tools in Canvas (LTIs) (in-person and online)
  - Formative & Summative Assessments in Canvas (in-person and online)
  - Collaborative Projects in Canvas (in-person only)
  - Best Practices for Online Assignments, Microsoft + Canvas (in-person only)
  - Accelerated Course Design Using Design Tools (in-person only)

Canvas Tips & Tricks of the Month

How-To Download Broward Approved Content From the Canvas Commons: Canvas Commons is a learning object repository that enables educators to find and download course content to use in their courses.

Broward County District departments have published course content for teachers to easily access.

Click here for a printable PDF version.

Instructional Strategy Tip of the Month - Simplify Grading

Have you ever wished you could speed up the grading process? Silly question! Right? Canvas has a tip that hopefully might just help with the task of grading.

Change the SpeedGrader Options to Sort by Submission Status: Change the SpeedGrader Options to Sort Student List "by submission status (needs grading, not submitted, etc) to avoid having to scroll through a list of students with no submissions. When you click the next button, the next student with a completed submission will show, and studets with no submissions or those that have already been graded will sort to the bottom of the list. This setting will need to be changed on every assignment.

How? Open any assignment in SpeedGrader. Click the gear in the upper right corner of the screen. Choose Sort Student List "by submission status (needs grading, not submitted, etc.).

Submit Feedback

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