3 Ways to Encourage Higher Order Thinking with Technology

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Upcoming PD

SAMR Through the Lens of Common Core Standards
12/3 @ 4:00 CST, sponsored by MyInfinitec.org

Are you looking for ways to leverage the power of technology to help students develop 21st Century Skills? Researchers have determined that technology integration typically moves through four specific levels: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition (SAMR).The higher the level of an activity the greater the educational benefit. This webinar will demonstrate how to use the SAMR model of technology integration as a guide for planning and implementing classroom learning experiences that take student learning to higher levels. Join Susan Oxnevad as she looks at some traditional learning tasks, aligns them to the Common Core Standards, and walks them up the SAMR ladder to show how to transform your teaching and "Teach Above the Line."


Register open to all

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Weaving Digital Tools into the Common Core
12/7 8:00 - 12:00, DeIce Winter Mini Conference, Lockport Township HighSchool

We will take a look at free and user friendly digital tools through the lens of the Common Core to design and facilitate learning experiences that require students to construct knowledge and create. Google Docs and ThingLink will be featured, and additional Web 2.0 tools and apps will be explored, as we weave digital tools into the CCSS.

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Digital Differentiation: Tools to Support Flexible Learning Paths for Individualized Learning 1/23 @ 1:00 PM EST, Sponsored by Simple K12

Technology is a tool that can be used to help teachers facilitate personalized learning experiences to address the diverse needs of all students. At the most basic level, digital tools can be used to help students find, understand, and use information. When combined with student-driven learning experiences that are fueled by essential questions and offer flexible learning paths, use of digital tools can break the learning barriers that exist in our classrooms. Join Susan Oxnevad as she provides an overview of digital tools and resources to design personalized learning experiences that effectively incorporate digital differentiation.

Register open to Simple K12 members

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Winter 2013 Preview

Webinar: Google Docs Writer's WorkShop, January 2014, sponsored by Infinitec

Webinar: Using Google Slides to Construct Knowledge, February, 2014, sponsored by Infinitec

Hands-on Full Day Workshop: Design Your Digital Classroom, February 2014, Illinois Computing Educators Conference 

Hands-on Full Day Workshop: Digital Differentiation, February 2014, Illinois Computing Educators Conference 

ICE Conference Break Out Session: Unpacking the Common Core: Embracing the Academic Vocabulary Shift, February 2014, Illinois Computing Educators Conference 

Webinar: Using Google Docs for Collaborative Learning, March, 2014, sponsored by Infinitec

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10 Terrific Tools in My Toolkit

Flexible Learning Paths

The key to successful technology integration is the efficient use of digital tools tools that are appropriate for the task. Technology provides us all with the ability to develop our own toolkit of flexible resources for use when needed. Here is a toolkit I assembled that is filled with tools I frequently use for designing flexible student-driven learning experiences. Starting with a good toolkit is essential.

Wikispaces Classroom - A Flexible Tool for Teaching & Learning

Wikispaces Classroom is a flexible tool that has many useful features for designing and implementing technology powered learning experiences to support all learners. This online learning platform and virtual classroom is free, efficient, and built to support teaching and learning. Wikispaces is well-suited for engaging students in creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking.

The SAMR Ladder on GettingSmart.com

The SAMR Ladder Through the Lens of 21st Century Skills

on GettingSmart.com 

Digital Differentiation - QR Codes on the iPad

Managing a classrooms full of students with 1:1 iPads presents the challenge of getting them on the same page, literally. Trying to manage differentiated groups requires a good tool for organizing resources. QR codes are one quick and easy solution.

Global Virtual Classroom to Extend Classroom Walls

How will you go beyond the walls of your classroom this year?

Global Virtual Classroom provides teachers and students across the globe with amazing opportunities and resources to collaborate, work together, and learn from each other. My longtime friend and mentor, Janet Barnstable, has been the program manager for Global Virtual Classroom for several years and I highly recommend working with Janet and the GVC team. You can participate in the Web Design Contest or the GVC Clubhouse if you are interested in extending the walls of your classroom this year.

SAMR - Walking a Wiki Up the Line

For those of you interested in learning more about the SAMR model of tech integration ...

I created a MentorMob playlist designed to share a sample of a wiki project I've walked up and down the SAMR ladder. The playlist displays illustrated examples of the project at each level of SAMR. After you've viewed the example, please read the whole post on GettingSmart.com to learn where this example fits into designing lessons.

Using SAMR to Teach Above the Line on GettingSmart Today

I have been digging deeper into SAMR to help educators embrace this tech integration model because it is simple, easy to gauge, and something to strive for. I hope you will read my post on GettingSmart.com to see the connections I've made and watch me walk a wiki project up and down the SAMR ladder.

Explore - Wagon Wheel Project Toolkit

And now for a mouthful of EdTech...

I have been weaving together digital tools with the Common Core to design flexible student driven learning experiences that start out Above the Line, as defined by SAMR.

Good news! My digital toolkit is filled with great resources to tackle these design challenges. Do you have a digitalt toolkit of resources? Take a look at mine.