Hi Blakers,
I wanted to share some edtech and makerspace info for you to think about as the last months of school are here!
#BLAKERMAKERs- The Makerspace
Use your Explorations, Advisories or Recess times to schedule your Ss to learn something new, take on a group long-term project or craft something for a good cause!
Take a look at some Current offerings:
- 3D printing- Intro Workshop of learning Tinkercad to design a community word block. We're hoping to connect all of the names together for a display in the LMC/Makerspace. The goal is for every Blaker (including staff) to have been introduced to designing a 3D Print and adding their name to the growing collection!
- Yarn Graffiti! Learn how to do some simple crochet stitches and make pom poms to decorate spaces inside and outside of the school OR choose to participate in the Lyme's Disease Awareness Project.
- Explore the Makerspace- try out some mini challenges using the Makey Makey Kits, Dash and Dot robots, and Take Apart Stations.
- Learn to Code Activities.. maybe there's an app idea or a game that Ss would like to develop? A great way to get it started in understanding how to code is with Hopscotch, Tickle or SWIFT apps, or Dash & Dot Robots.
- Extraordinaire's Design Thinking Intro- as a school, we are trying to scale an introduction to Design Thinking to all students. Once teachers know that Ss are familiar with the process, you can then begin integrating it into the curriculum without needing to spend the extra days in introducing it yourself. I am happy to help facilitate this type of workshop or in planning.
APP UPDATES
- Nearpod- Collaborative Spaces and VR@ Nearpod will be visiting Blake for mini workshops geared for beginning users to the power Nearpodder. Stay Tuned for more info once it is scheduled.
- Apple Classroom is now available non-managed iPads! Many of the features allow Teachers to lock screens, view apps and work, and open an app on students' devices through your own iPad. If anyone is interested in experimenting with it, please let me know!
- FlipGrid is trending! Try their free 3 month offer of the upgraded features using the promo code: flipspring17 !
GRANTS
Looking for GRANTS. BookMark this page as it posts updates on a weekly basis:
GOOGLE HIGHLIGHTS
Introducing Team Drive- (see the #edcampblake Flipgrid for an overview posted by Jason, Jillian, Mike, Kristen, Greg and others.)
If you log on to Google Drive on the computer, you might notice a new addition called TEAM Drive. Think of it as a collaborative space for TEAMs with the purpose to help alleviate some of the issues in sharing and management of files.
This means-No one person owns the files. It belongs to the TEAM. The benefits are primarily when we reshuffle people to different grade levels, positions or when people leave the district those files do not disappear with that person.
Quick OverView: Video
Burlington EdTech Team Blog: Post
*Note, the DRIVE app does not seem to be reflected the TEAM drive. Hoping that will be an next update!
SHARING VIA SOCIAL MEDIA
While Twitter is our main go-to social media tool, many teachers are also using Instagram and may be exploring how Snapping/ Snapchat could work for your class too. For IG, you don't need an account to view some of our own:
Check out a few:
Please let me know if you have other IG or SnapChat accounts for school purposes that you would like to share with others.
Any Interests? I was contacted by Matchware.com- online mindmapping software. They are offering a webinar to introduce the product. Would anyone be interested in having me setup a time to participate together in the webinar?
Coming Soon... Blake is organizing our very first #iamablakermaker STEAM faire on May 31st. Stay Tuned for more details!
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