National Bullying Prevention Month

One of the many causes recognized in the month of October was National Bullying Prevention. Our Ballard Technolgy Teams acknowledged this cause by wearing orange on Wednesday, October 24th (Unity Day) to show our support for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. In addition, all high school students were given orange bracelets to wear that said, "Stand Together: 2018."

Each building technology team has been addressing Digital Citizenship, which encompasses Cyberbullying (bullying with a digital device).  At our high school building, our advisory teachers have presented several Digital Citizenship lessons including two on Cyberbullying last school year. (If you missed the Dimension articles, feel free to check them out here: 1st: bit.ly/2s2d2Rw 2nd: bit.ly/2s20aen.)

After these lessons were presented last year, the high school student council took it upon themselves to create a digital Bullying/Harassment form to support student communication of incidents.  Mr. Ronca will share this form with our Ballard High School students in the near future.

The Middle School Technology Team began discussions with the staff in their building last year as well.  This school year the East Tech Team members have begun the discussion within their technology team.

Ballard technology team members pictured: Jake Skurdal, Anna DeHamer, Emma Jordison, Catherine Mein, Nick Steenhagen, Ashley Freese, Lisa Ronca, John Ronca, Jody Kelley, Kylie Schipper, Kim Mikkelsen and Ashley Hokel. Members not pictured Nathan Smith, Travis Thein, MacKenzie Keleher, Melsisa Lee, and Taylor Hauser.

Document Camera

Did you read the title of this blog and think to yourself, "What is a document camera?"  For decades, classroom teachers had a device similar to a document camera, but we called them overhead projectors before the digital age. Like most technology, it evolves, and document cameras have a few more features than the overhead projector had back in the day. Our Ballard teachers often refer to them as an "Elmo."

Recently, at Ballard East, all classroom teachers received a brand new document camera.  This one is called a HoverCam (Solo8Plus).  The HoverCam is a compact device with high-resolution (13 Megapixel Camera Module).  The HoverCam is a multifunctional digital camera (13MP still image) that can scan documents, take still pictures,  and video record (time-lapse video, ultra-clear details, and slow motion).  The HoverCams uses software, KnoteSter, for interactive whiteboarding, annotation, desktop marking, document camera, and lesson recording and sharing.  This software also allows teachers to do a side-by-side, multi-split, snapshot, record, and whiteboard options.

HoverCam in action.

Mrs. Jordison's class is writing autobiography poems.  Here you see her HoverCam displaying a split screen.  This allows for the class to view a list of adjectives (still picture) on the left and Mrs. Jordison completing an example poem on the right.

Mrs. DeHamer displaying her textbook onto her whiteboard.

Ms. Demrys HoverCam is displaying a math problem as it is being solved. 

HoverCam (Solo8 Plus)

Twitter: @BCSDTechEDU

(Tweets are related to technology enhancing the Ballard classrooms.)

Hashtags:

West - #bcsdwest

East - #bcsdeast

Middle School - #bcsdms

High School - #bcsdhs

District - #BCSDTechEDU

Interactive Whiteboards at Ballard

Welcome back to school and to the BallardTech Blog!

Interactive Whiteboards

At each of the Ballard elementary buildings, our classroom teachers have access to a device called a MimioTeach.  This device turns a classroom teacher's whiteboard into an interactive whiteboard (IWB).  A whiteboard is merely a board that can be used for writing, but an IWB is used to interact with the computer. For example, the contents written on an IWB can be stored for future use. Students and teachers are able to use a Mimio pen device to move objects projected from a teacher's computer to the IWB, write, highlight, color, etc.

Ballard's West building Technology Lead Teacher, Kim Mikkelsen, shared what she likes about her IWB. "My students love when they get to be the "teacher helper."  I have more active participation and the kids can't wait to have their turn.  I love seeing my kids eager to learn.  I use our interactive whiteboard frequently because it provides movement in my classroom so students are more focused and are able to concentrate on the lesson.  When they move, more blood and oxygen flow to the brain increasing attention."

Her students also shared what they like about the IWB:  Nash: " I like using the interactive whiteboard because we get to share out ideas."  Ayla: "I like using the magic pen because it's way better than cutting and sorting words. It makes it more fun!"  Drew: "I like using the interactive whiteboard because it's big so we can see it and it's fun to learn with it."

Kim Mikkelsen's MimioTeach in action.

Any Ballard elementary teacher that would like assistance with their classroom MimioTeach may reach out to their building Technology Lead, a technology team member, or the Technology Integrationist.

Teachers are able to locate activities and lessons that have been created and shared by other professional teachers at MimioConnect . Kim Mikkelsen and Jody Kelley have sorted lessons by subject-specific areas.  These lessons can be found in the Ballard District building's public folders under Mimio Lessons or Interactive Whiteboard lessons.  If a teacher would like to create their own activity or lesson, they have this opportunity as well.

Wishing you and your students the BEST year ever!

Twitter: @BCSDTechEDU

(These tweets are related to technology enhancing the Ballard classrooms.)

Hashtags:

West - #bcsdwest

East - #bcsdeast

Middle School - #bcsdms

High School - #bcsdhs

District - #BCSDTechEDU

The Bulldog's Adventure

The Bulldog's Adventure

Back in May 2017, I read a post by teacher Lisa Davis on Google+. She was seeking teachers who would be interested in participating in her "Bulldog's Adventure" project/activity.  You may ask yourself, what is Google+?  It is a Google-based social networking platform where people, including thousands of teachers worldwide, connect, share ideas and begin their collaboration with others.

I contacted Lisa and asked for more detail in regards to her project.  After reading her response, her project reminded me of the "Flat Stanley" projects our 3rd-grade teachers and students at Ballard have been doing for many years.  The thing I liked about the Bulldog's Adventure was that it was going to allow our students to see this similar project from a different point of view.  Instead of being the person who begins the project, students are participating and collaborating with another class to help them complete their project. At the same time, they also learn about their own state and other places around the world.

The month of May can be, let me rephrase that, the month of May is one of the busiest months for a classroom teacher, yet I went out on a limb and wanted to share this idea with our Ballard teachers.  I was hoping this would do one of two things: 1) allow teachers to see and hear about this opportunity or 2) inspire a teacher or two to participate.  I did receive three responses from different teachers stating that they were interested in participating in this activity.  I thanked them and wished them a fantastic summer break, while also sharing that I would be in touch at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year with more details to follow.

Just like clockwork, summer break flashed in front of us for a brief moment and then we found ourselves back at school.  In August 2017, I received another email from Lisa Davis.  This email was addressed to all those who showed interest in her Bulldog's Adventure project.  She shared the finalized planning stages and included a shared Google Doc that combined the directions and ideas for the project.  The basics for each teacher/class were to contribute at least one slide to the shared Google Slide journal that shows a picture of the Bulldog in a significant location near their school (or in a classroom) and a short narrative about the picture.  (Monument, landmark, a body of water, mountains, historical location, national park, etc.) You can also include a picture of your school on a new slide or picture of your class that is participating!  Partner classes were also asked to mail the Bulldog to his next location which will be noted on the shared Google Sheet.  

The originating classroom planned to log the Bulldog's journey on a large map with push pins and string while reviewing the travel journal (Google Slideshow) each week on the morning announcements (the originating school records their announcements).  They also have been asking a weekly math question for the students to answer (ex. how many miles did the bulldog travel between point A and point B, if the UPS truck gets 10 miles per gallon of gas, how many gallons of gas did it use to bring the bulldog to his next location, etc.) 

Lisa shared a link to the postcards she used for her map.  Thank You, Lisa!

Other possible activities that could be done with this project include but are not limited to the following:

• Use the Google Slideshow to share information about each location.
• Have a weekly math challenge related to the miles the Bulldog travels. (how many miles did the bulldog travel between point A and point B, if the UPS truck gets 10 miles per gallon of gas, how many gallons of gas did it use to bring the bulldog to his next location, etc.)
• Have students participate in a Genius Hour and research a location that they would like to know more about.  Present some interesting facts about what they find out to their classmates.
• Make a travel board and include the interesting facts they researched as well as pictures of those locations students may want to visit!
• Participate in a Google Hangout with a partner school to compare and contrast communities.

Similar to May, August is nonetheless another time of the school year where there is definitely not enough hours in a day for teachers, administrators or parents.  Yet, once again, I dared to do the unthinkable and reached out to the three teachers that had shared an interest in participating in the Bulldog's Adventure this school year.  In this email, I  shared the original and newly developed details in regards to the project and the tentative, most things are tentative for educators, Bulldog arrival date of April 2018. 

Unfortunately, the Bulldog had a rough winter break and found a new home in which no one quite knows his address yet.  So, as all teachers do (day in and day out), Lisa was flexible and made adjustments to her initial plans.  She purchased a few more "Bulldogs" and readjusted the "itinerary" for the Bulldog's travels.

Here you will find a shared doc of all the different locations the Bulldog will/had travel(ed) this school year, here. (http://bit.ly/2rM4L48 )

Due to the fact that the Google Slide shares pictures of students around the world, I will not be sharing this part of the project.  I did share it with each classroom teacher who participated in the project. Below are the slides from the two Ballard third grade classes (Jordison and DeHamer) created together.

Digital Citizenship at the High School Continued

Digital Citizenship at the High School Continued

Since the Dec-Jan 17-18 Dimension, when we shared the “what” and the “why” about the implementation of digital citizenship lessons at the high school, teachers have presented a total of six digital citizenship lessons related to online safety. We have received positive feedback from students, staff, and parents, and we look forward to building on this foundation. As this school year is coming to a close, we want to share the resources presented to students and staff.  Below are the lesson presentation titles and links to view the lessons.

You Share It, You Lose It

Online Safety: Protect Your Identity    

(http://bit.ly/2qWzNpK)

You Share It, You Lose It

Online Safety:  Who Is Behind the Other Screen? Protect yourself and your property

(http://bit.ly/2qXrKsN)

Think Before You Assume

Self-Image and Identity

(http://bit.ly/2qZg6xl)

You Share It, You Lose It

Online Safety:  Sexting and Relationships

(http://bit.ly/2qVPSff)

Cyberbullying

Why We Should Care - Part 1

(http://bit.ly/2r0EPl8)

Cyberbullying

How to Make a Difference - Part 2

(http://bit.ly/2qZhQGT)

Family Tips

(http://bit.ly/2qZf2JM)

Note: Due to the fact that these lessons were specifically designed for our Ballard students, in order for a parent/guardian to view these lessons, please have your Ballard student log into his/her Ballard account on a Chrome browsers before selecting the link or entering the URL in a Chrome browser Omnibox (address bar).

Moving Forward

The HS Technology Team will analyze and discuss the Clarity BrightBytes data in May to assist with guiding high school teachers for the 2018 - 2019 school year. This data will be presented to high school teachers and will be followed by discussions regarding a direction they would like to go for the 2018 - 2019 school year.  We all are looking forward to determining a focus to directly impact our high school students.

Thank you

At this time we would like to thank the following people. These lessons would not be a success without them.  

Ballard HS Teachers for presenting these lessons, providing a safe environment for discussions and providing insight to help guide the development of lesson topics and design.

Ballard Student Council for creating a Google Form to assist students with reporting bullying incidents.

Chief Pote for all his helpful insight in regards to lesson topics for our students

Assistant Story County Attorney/Lead Criminal Prosecutor, Ms. Meredith, for all her insight in regards to the legality issues and sharing her resources.

Ballard HS Technology Team members (Ms. Mein, Mrs. Endres, Mrs. Ronca, Mr. Steenhagen, and Mr. Smith) for volunteering all their time (a true testament that you deeply care for our Ballard students, staff, and community) to analyze and discuss data, communicate and collaborate with high school teachers, and to see the importance of our students learning how to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world.

Ballard Administration (Mr. Ronca, Mr. Deason, Mr. McGill and Mr. Maxey) for their indefinite support.

Ballard Students for discussing these topics with their advisor, classmates, and parents, taking the time to complete surveys that provided a student voice to help guide the development of lesson topics and design.

Ballard Parents/Guardians for reading your emails from the school and discussing these topics at home with your child/ren.

Proud to be a Bomber!

Pear Deck: Engage Students While Presenting Information

For those days when you need to front-load students with information, the days when it seems like you do a lot of talking, the days when you worry about whether students are "getting it" — for those days — you might want to consider Pear Deck.

Types of Responses. The starred
options are not available on the
free account.

Pear Deck is a presentation tool that increases engagement by adding student feedback opportunities within each slide. Each student can respond to the question on their own device. The teacher can choose whether to share the responses with the class (names are hidden). The presentation can be lead by the teacher, or students can move at their own pace through the slides.

An example of a slide with a free text response option.

Creating the Presentation

The first step is to plan your presentation, then add the questions based on your goals for each slide. There are three options for creating your slides and adding questions:
1. Upload an already created Google Slide Presentation into Pear Deck.
2. Create your presentation within Pear Deck.
3. Use the Pear Deck Add-on within Slides.

Presenting

When it comes time to lead the class, you will choose to present your slides within Pear Deck or through the add-on in Slides. Then, you will simply have students go to joinpd.com. The students will enter the code that is displayed on the screen. Once all students have entered, their screens will reflect the slide you are on as long as you have selected Teacher-Pace, instead of Student-Pace. This video gives you a feel for what using Pear Deck in a classroom looks like.

What is Free?

Pear Deck has a free option as well as a premium option. Here is the pricing comparison. I have used PearDeck several times over the last two school years, and the free option has been adequate for my needs. I did sign up for the premium trial and the draggable option is nice, but not necessary. (See image below to see how I used this.) Also, I have hit my 5 uploads from Google Slides, so now all of my presentations have to be created within Pear Deck, which is limiting.

Draggable Slide: A Premium Feature.

Interested? Send Mrs. Dovre an email to talk through ideas for using Pear Deck or for help with getting started.