Common Core Connections: Halloween Writing



The Common Core Standards identify six instructional shifts necessary for effective implementation of the ELA/Literacy strand. These instructional shifts provide a framework to help us understand the big picture before diving into the specific individual standards. 




Using Avatars to Teach Digital Citizenship on GettingSmart Today

In honor of Digital Citizenship Week, October 21st - 25th, I've revised one of my favorite interactive learning experiences.

Read more on GettingSmart.com


Webinar: SAMR Through the Lens of 21st Century Skills


SAMR Through the Lens of 21st Century Skills October 15, 2013, 4:00 PM CST

Are you looking for ways to leverage the power of technology to help students develop 21st Century Skills? 

This webinar will demonstrate how to use the SAMR model of tech integration as a guide for planning and implementing classroom learning experiences that take student learning to higher levels. Join me and Infinitec as we look at some traditional learning tasks focusing on 21st century research and writing and walk them up the SAMR ladder to help you "Teach Above the Line." 

Registration is open to all




2 Games for Learning: Alge-Bingo and Remembus

I'd like to introduce the readers of the blog to 4TheKingdomApps, a father and son team who have developed a couple of apps for learning. Kevin Scritchfield is a veteran high school math teacher and his son Tad is a high school student. They have each created a game style app to help students improve memory and practice skills.



6 Tools for Connected Educators on GettingSmart.com

October is Connected Educators month. If you’re reading this post my guess is you are already a connected educator to some degree because you are, at the very least, someone who is opening the door to the ideas of others. It’s quite possible  you stumbled across this post
on TwitterScoop.It or Pinterest. And it’s likely that you might pass it along to others through the various networks  in your own Professional Learning Community.

Webinars This Week

Please join me and Simple K12 for back to back webinars this week.






4 New Ways to Use a Google Docs Forms with Students

Back to School with Google Docs


Google Docs is truly one of my favorite tools for teaching and learning because of the features it offers to support research, writing and collaboration in the 24/7 classroom. Here are some things to try with Google Docs as you make plans to use a little more tech and embrace change this school year.





3 Ways to Encourage Higher Order Thinking with Technology

On GettingSmart.com Today...

Read more on GettingSmart.com
























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 WorkshopDigital 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.


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