Monday Medley: Google for Education EDU in 90 YouTube Videos

 

Hello and happy Monday! Are you short on time but want quick tips and tricks for using G Suite tools to streamline prep time for teaching and learning? (Seriously...who isn't short on time right now?!?!) 

Check out Google for Education's video series "EDU in 90" to get information on product updates, helpful resources, and quick how-to demonstrations. The videos are less than 5 minutes long and can help keep you "in the know" about updates and improvements to G Suite tools. 

In the October 2020 episode of "EDU in 90" I learned about a new (free) course in the Google Teacher Center titled Inspire Creativity Through Learner Engagement. This 4 hour long online course might help you to formulate an ed eval goal related to hybrid instruction 

Here is the course description: "Unlock unlimited creative learning opportunities, whether students are in front of you or attending remotely. Go beyond the walls of your classroom and learn how digital tools can support creativity, promote student voice, and increase student engagement. Develop new ways to deliver instruction through learning models and digital tools while infusing creativity to support learning anywhere."

Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash

Monday Medley: Independent PD opportunities that address Hybrid Learning and Reaching/Teaching all Learners

Good Morning and Happy Monday!

You may have recently received an email from the National Education Association letting you know that one of the benefits of membership is access to free, independent learning opportunities via the NEA Professional Excellence Learning Portal. In looking through the catalog there were several courses that are applicable to our district-wide goals for the 2020-2021 school year of applying best practices for hybrid teaching and learning, and working to ensure equity by promoting a school culture of anti-racism and social justice. 

Supporting All Students in an Asynchronous Environment (Independent Study-3 hours)

In this course, you will explore asynchronous digital tools and learn how you can use them to write engaging lessons that meet the needs of all of your students—including the needs of English language learners, special needs students, and students who are above or below grade level in reading and writing. 

Equity and Challenges for Remote Learning (Independent Study-3 hours) 

In this course you will explore equity and access issues that relate to remote learning.  The 3 main topics you will explore are:

• The digital divide
• Teaching and learning resources
• Other issues 

Getting Started With Google Classroom (Independent Study-2 hrs)

Now’s the time to take your Google Classroom to the next level! Come learn how to maximize Google Classroom for remote teaching and learning purposes with embedded opportunities for social emotional learning, more complex assignments, interactive learning environments, tools for one-on-one student support and opportunities to differentiate practice to fit your students’ needs’

Remote Learning 101 (Independent Study-3 hrs)

Remote learning, also referred to as distance learning, gives learners who aren’t in a physical location for in-person education, access to online learning and materials.  There are a variety of tools and strategies to make remote learning a positive and enriching experience for your students.
In this course, you will learn about best practices for remote learning, as well as how to implement a successful remote learning program by utilizing  strategies that encourage community building, effective communication, and peer-to-peer collaboration.

Trauma Informed Remote Learning (Independent Study-3 hrs) 

Anyone in the education profession knows that working with students involves more than just subject matter and teaching methods. We teach students first, building relationships with young people that necessitate our awareness of when things might be going wrong for them.  This course will take you through how to become a trauma-informed educator, with special application to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The activities, journaling, exploration, and sharing that is suggested in this course will help you solidify concepts about trauma-informed teaching and process how they can be useful in your online or physical classroom.

Webinar: Providing Accommodations and Scaffolding Online (1 hr)

How do you support students with IEPs, English language learners, and older students with developing literacy skills in an asynchronous distance learning environment? Using Google Classroom, learn strategies for providing accommodations, scaffolds, SIOP features, and elements of explicit instruction in an asynchronous setting that support all students.

Webinar: Leveling Up Google Classroom for Distance Learning (1 hr)

Now’s the time to take your Google Classroom to the next level! Come learn how to maximize Google Classroom for remote teaching and learning purposes with embedded opportunities for social emotional learning, more complex assignments, interactive learning environments, tools for one-on-one student support and opportunities to differentiate practice to fit your students’ needs. (1 hr)

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

Monday Medley: edWeb for FREE MA DESE approved PD

 

Good Morning and Happy Monday,

This week I want to share a valuable resource for free professional development. Since we are all looking for ways to apply best practices for remote learning and incorporate social justice and equity goals into our daily instruction I thought this would be an appropriate tool to share. The following is a review I wrote for School Library Connection back in September, 2017. Since the information is still accurate and relevant in 2020 here it is:

EdWeb.net
http://home.edweb.net/
EdWeb.net provides free professional development Webinars and Podcasts for educators with
options for a broad range of topics/areas of focus. There are more than 1400 Professional Learning
Communities to join. This is a great resource for academic as well as special subject educators
working with students in grades Pre-K through grade 12. In addition to free webinars many
communities provide access to downloadable resources. There are also discussion forums.
Webinars cover popular topics such as Open Education Resources, STEAM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics), and Social Emotional Learning. Educational
partners and sponsors include familiar names such as Common Sense Education, ISTE, Library Media Connection, Time for Kids, and Britannica Digital Learning. Earn CE Certificates for 1 clock hour by participating in live Webinars or by viewing pre-recorded content and successfully completing a short quiz. The site includes an interactive state map which can be used to determine if EdWeb Certificates are accepted for PD in the state where the educator is employed. Additional information is provided including links to the state’s department of
education Website and the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) Guide to Digital Instructional Materials for the state. Educators who are interested in presenting a webinar can submit an application specifying the educational topic and who the intended audience would be. Learn about upcoming webinars via Twitter, email summaries, and directly on the Website.
EdWeb.net Social Media Accounts:
Blog: http://home.edweb.net/category/blog/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/edwebnet
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/edweb.net
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/edwebnet/
Kim Marie Brown, Library/Media Specialist, North Reading High School, North Reading, MA
Highly Recommended 

Here is some additional information that you may find helpful when planning out your professional development for the 2020-2021 school year and beyond: 

edWeb is approved for PD Points in Massachusetts as of 1/8/2018

edWeb.net is authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) to award Professional Development Points (PDPs) to Massachusetts educators. Provider number 2017F0021.

Here are requirements for PD Points:

• You must pass the quiz for your certificate to be accepted.
• You must earn a minimum of 10 PDPs (for 10 edWebinars) in 5 years for them to count.
• edWebinars viewed live or on-demand beginning 1/8/2018 can count for your PDP Points.
• Learn more about using edWeb for Massachusetts PDPs.

Photo by Kaleidico on Unsplash