Technology Walks

TECHNOLOGY WALKS 

This month I started my technology walks through all four buildings. 

Basically I spend a whole day at a building, staff book me via Google Calendar Appointments, I visit their classrooms and 1 of 3 things happens.  I get to see the innovative ways our technology is being used and integrated, or they need to discuss some existing struggles and frustrations, 

or they have ideas that they need to help formulate a plan on.  

Whatever the reason, it's been beneficial all around to get out of my office

 and back in the classroom for support.

2nd Grade Classroom Publishes Their Writing

I volunteered in my daughter's 2nd grade classroom today.  I recorded each kid reading their 3-4 page story that they wrote and illustrated.  I took their mugshots :) and took pictures of their writing and their illustrations.  I can't wait to put it all together for them to watch when they return from break!  It was a ton of fun and I can tell that they were into it and proud of what they had done.  It was a great experience to see what resources a teacher would need to do this...time in class to do it, time out of class to practice & prep, equipment, an extra hand, oh yeah... and patience!!! :) Happy holidays to all the educators out there.  I do understand the mental break you need.

Parent Tech Night - Cyber Security

Reminder that tonight is the district wide Parent Tech Night with a focus on Cyber Safety and Protecting your children. Please consider attending tonight from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Symons Elementary Auditorium. Go here for more info: http://www.milanareaschools.org/ParentTechNights.php

2 MAS teachers presenting on 1:1

I am very excited to mention that two of Milan Area School’s 5th grade teachers, Bethany Beaudrie and Michele Gierke, are presenting 2 sessions at the Michigan Reading Association in March.   It is their goal to highlight and share out all of the great things with 1-to-1 computing that is happening in Milan in the fifth grade!   Here’s info on their 2 sessions:

Going Public! Sharing our Reading and Writing!
Ever feel like you are lacking an audience for the published work of your students? Consider using social media and other Web 2.0 tools to make what goes on inside your classroom reading and writing more public. We will touch on Google Apps for Education, Facebook, Twitter, Edmodo and more!

Bridging the Gap: Technology Integration in the Workshop
Do you feel there is a gap between traditional reading and writing workshop formats and integration of technology? Join two upper elementary teachers as they share their journey of technology integration in the workshop format. This session is jam packed with tips, tricks and tools that worked along the way. 

TGIF.  Tomorrow night is the Milan parade starting at 6:00 p.m. Come out in support of the MHS Band, Milan Boys Basketball, and our Paddock's Early Childhood Center.  Have a great weekend!

Technology in the hands of the students

Every elementary classroom at Paddock and Symons has 6 netbooks. Many teachers at Paddock us them as a station. Teachers at Symons do as well but with that age group they can also check out a netbook cart to make a complete classroom set. Middle School and High School have many carts available for check out.

Tech Plan Revision

Milan's Technology Plan has to be revised and submitted to the WISD for review by May 2012.  The Tech Plan is a curriculum driven vision of how we plan to use technology to support learning.  It should really be used as a guide, one that is completely aligned with our District's Improvement Plan, which is also aligned to the curriculum and our district's Vision, Mission, and Goals.  A committee has been formed.  We have many stakeholders coming to the table this evening.  We do still need a High School or Middle School student and a representative from the High School to join.  Let the fun begin!