Tech2Teach Monthly - Spring 2020 Issue

Tech2Teach Monthly Nearpod Reports Spring 2020 Distance Learning Shout Outs Kaffie MS Woodlawn ES Coles HS Hamlin MS Jones ES Martin MS Positive Distance Learning Experiences Tech2Teach Registration Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!! CCISD Office of Instructional Technology

SHOUT OUTS!!! Congratulations to the CCISD Board of Trustees who made the transition to using ZOOM for video conferencing. Board Meetings will proceed as scheduled. Great job and fantastic commitment in the use of online communication alternatives! Rene V. Pantoja [email protected]

Table of Contents 1 Nearpod Reports 5 Positive Distance Learning Experiences 12 Canvas Apps for Education 13 Coles HS: Future Ready Academy 17 Hamlin MS: Distance Learning 20 Jones ES: Distance Learning 21 Cristina Salas: First Grade Webb ES 25 Martin MS: Distance Learning 26 Counselors Connecting 27 ES Mathematics: Designing in Canvas 35 Kaffie MS: Distance Learning 36 Counselors Using Canvas! 38 Steve Barrera: Montclair Leader Spotlight Turn this page to register for Tech2Teach!!

Tech2Teach 2020: A Better Vision Together is right around the corner and NOW more than ever educators and leaders need to have a VISION 2020 tech savvy approach to teaching and learning. Whether we get to see each other in person or GO Virtual, the show must go on! Tech2Teach 2020 will kick-off on July 29 and will be a two day event. Participants will get an opportunity to go both days or one day! Veterans Memorial is our fabulous host, and we will be providing two types of training: 1 hour 30 min. Hands-on and 45 min. awareness. Click VISION 2020 to Register

Sessions will consist of the following categories and topics: ★ Canvas ★ Nearpod ★ Learning.com ★ Apple: Everyone Can Create for Fine Arts and K-1 ★ Online Learning for young scholars ★ Google Application ★ Smart Learning Suite Online ★ Distance Learning and more….. ★ Digital Resources The Tech2Teach 2020 website will be launched soon with all the session descriptions, and a showcase of our presenters. You do not have to select your sessions until you arrive. More information will be forthcoming on whether or not we will need to go virtual. Sign up now to hold your spot! -Cary K. Perales, Director of Instructional Technology Click VISION 2020 to Register

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SHOUT OUT @BrandeyAddison To Mrs. Vasquez and Her Calk Wilson First Grade Techies “When we started Distance Learning I felt apprehensive about how instruction would take place online. I was also concerned about how my students would adapt to this way of learning. I started participating in the weekly online trainings that were provided by Brandey Addison. The support Brandey provided for me through the online trainings and videos made the transition to online instruction a lot easier. I also teach with an amazing team of 1st grade teachers that always support each other, share ideas and help each other with whatever is needed to help our first graders be successful Champions!” Mrs. Vasquez and her Calk Wilson ES students learned to use Canvas together through distance learning. Through consistency and communication, her first graders are completing all of their assignments and online quizzes each week. Parents express that it is easy to follow the content in Canvas. Looking to the future, Mrs. Vasquez has big plans for utilizing Canvas 3 next school year!

I think doing my work on I feel proud of myself. I Canvas is awesome think it’s easy to do my because I feel work on Canvas. comfortable, but I miss being in school. I feel like I’m a big kid because I can do it by Abigail T. myself. I feel ready for second grade. Batima R. I feel great because I like doing it in the computer because it is I think it is very faster.I feel like I have been easy, and it makes reading a lot, and I can me feel very smart! understand more what I read. Felix R. 4 Zahir A.

We Asked and Teachers Told Us about Their Positive Experiences Distance Learning Teacher Survey Results 2020 Check out what teachers had to say. 5

Students and parents It allows after a few weeks of students time understanding got the to complete hang of it, and I love work at their seeing the students and own pace. their work. I feel that some Students are learning students are doing how to use the Canvas better due to it being App and that helps self-paced, and those because most of our that have questions students work and know that I am available have use their phone through several different to do some of their homework. channels of communication. 6

I love that it has forced me to use and learn Canvas. It’s a lot more user friendly than I originally thought. I love being able to track student usage and how easy it is to monitor student work. It’s a very effective tool for distance learning. Being able to get creative with assignments and receiving some really cool projects back. 7

I have more time for planning and exploring options for lessons. I also have more time for staying on top of individual students who aren’t getting their work done. Most students are participating and asking questions. I’m able to setup tutoring times with individuals or small groups and work with them at times that better suit the student. When doing a zoom class I’m never interrupted by bells! If we want to run a little over time I give the kids the option to stay or leave and then we can do a little more without anyone being late to class. 8

I love how the Discussion Boards assignments are all in Canvas have there and allowed students to Speedgrader allows read and reflect me to grade the and respond to assignments quickly one another. with not having to have papers at home. Distance Learning is a Those who are working positive way for students in Language Live are to stay connected, have doing very well! Actually personalized learning, better than they do in receive quality class with other kids curriculum, and have the around— they’re opportunity to develop a actually recording cohesive learning their reading environment outside a consistently! traditional classroom as long as they have access to a laptop or chromebook. 9

To Publish, or not To Publish That is the Question By Seth Caylor Publishing your Canvas page is like 10 turning on the lights in your classroom! It says, “we are open, let’s get working!” Publishing items in Canvas gives you the ultimate control over what students and parents see when they are working in Canvas. First and foremost, your course should be published on the home page. The word PUBLISHED must be green. Secondly, each Module, assignment, quiz, etc. must be published as well. If something is old or no longer used, simply unpublish it and no one can see it to reduce confusion. Also, work can be done ahead of time and not published until it is time for the students to see it.

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Canvas Apps for Education Allows teachers to Helps students stay Helps parents and manage certain current with their other users with aspects of their courses anywhere. an observer role course, Download the stay up-to-date with their communicate with Canvas Student app student's students, and on Android and iOS courses. Download the grade assignments devices. Canvas Parent from a mobile app on Android Canvas Student and iOS devices. device. Download Android Guide the Canvas Canvas Parent Canvas Student Android Guide Teacher app on iOS Guide Android and iOS Canvas Parent iOS Guide 12 devices. Canvas Teacher iOS Guide Canvas Teacher Android Guide

Almost overnight, the entire Article educational world, including Contributed by: Solomon M. Coles High School, had to rush to move to online Monica G. instruction. Bayarena, Principal, Solomon M. Coles H.S. & Director, Office of High School Completion 13 Once we made sure every student @BrandeyAddison had an opportunity to continue learning remotely, whether it was in Canvas or with offline packets, we decided to participate in a Future Ready Academy because we knew that this was how we could achieve instructional continuity in any environment. The Academy helped us build on what we already knew and is helping us move forward into new levels of proficiency in delivering instruction online.

The more professional learning opportunities that we can experience together right now, the more aligned and prepared we are for the start of the year. We are building out our Canvas Courses for the 2020-2021 school year. Coles High School is thankful for CCISD’s Office of Instructional Technology Specialists, especially our very own, Brandey Addison. Brandey’s assistance has been invaluable with her expertise, patience, and masterful way of taking us to the next level. 14

At Coles High School, as at all schools, students face many personal challenges and obstacles. Embracing Canvas helps us meet the needs of those students who need flexible schedules, including students who work, students who are teen parents, and students with anxiety about returning to school. By making sure that students are smart Canvas users, we are also preparing them for the world of post-secondary opportunities. Although it is late in the school year, the tools taught during the academies are critical as we continue our planning during the summer. This preparation is vital because we do not know what the future holds for educators, and we have to be ready to deliver instruction 15 in any modality.

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Hamlin MS By Roxanna Guerrero PrudPernincceipFaal rrell, “As we moved deeper into Distance Learning we realized if there was a time where our students and our parents needed us, it was now. ...we created a Distance Learning system that would make the work for our families more manageable...Each Monday morning when they log on to Canvas students are able to see their work for the week and they can plan accordingly.“ “Almost immediately, Ms. Farrell began JaTecInkasicethruDecrrtiAgiogdnevairslso, r receiving compliments from parents on how much more user-friendly our teacher pages were!!! They were so relieved to be able to navigate the Canvas courses with ease!!! Our teachers have been absolutely AMAZING throughout this process and are determined to do whatever it takes to help our Hamlin Hawks succeed!!!!!“ English Language Arts 17

“ Mathematics Social Studies 18 Science

SHOUT OUTS!!! Browne MS Curriculum Writers for Mathematics Lisa Coates, Suzi Uhling, and Anna Govella have been helping with the MS Mathematics Canvas Modules for Distance Learning and Summer School. They quickly figured out how to utilize the Canvas Quiz feature to make Auto-Graded Assignments. “Teachers loved the efficiency and the auto-grade help from Canvas. Students were able to receive feedback for wrong answers and use the hints to submit a second time for a better score.” Lisa Coates 19 By Roxanna Guerrero

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VERY ADDICTIVE! I can’t believe I may actually be falling in love ♥ with Canvas!! Well I am probably one of those people who have been resisting Canvas all along because it seemed like something beyond my comfort zone. I had just begun to finally familiarize myself & feel confident working with and creating material within Google Classroom when Canvas came along. The Canvas technology seemed foreign and perhaps too advanced for me that I thought no one like myself, who is not very tech savvy, would be able to grasp the workings of Canvas. Also, I always felt too busy with work and teaching to really learn Canvas. I felt I didn't have the time either to devote to learning a new technology. Plus my thoughts were \"what's wrong with paper & pencil,” worksheets, tangible games, etc. They had all worked all this time. Why fix something that's not broken? 21

Then along came this COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in school closures and distance learning. This new situation clearly opened my eyes that had I learned Canvas previously, I wouldn't feel unable nor unprepared to teach and create content for my students outside the confines of the four walls of our classroom into a virtual world of distance learning. This new distance learning world would now require me to provide my students with an entire lesson module that could be done independently, without the presence of a teacher and even at times, a parent, that would be engaging and fun. Then along came our Webb IT person, Ginger Becker, with whom I work with in first grade. Becker had been trying for a very long time to convince me to honestly give Canvas a try and commit myself wholeheartedly to learn Canvas. I had seen the great work she had done with incorporating Canvas in her classroom lessons, as part of her stations, and as a part of her homework. Becker's work was so great that I thought I'd never ever even reach close to her level of Canvas technology integration with already created material much less creating my own modules. 22

Then during a conversation over Zoom, mind you, another new technology for me, she asked me point blank as to what was it about Canvas that made me resist it so much. She knew I had seen her material in Canvas & the material being given to my middle school aged daughter on Canvas. She stated that I knew how to navigate Canvas, so what was the issue? Then I jokingly stated \"it's because I am a visual learner, & I would need someone to show me and guide me step by step on exactly what to do.”. I told her I would need \"Canvas for Dummies\" and someone to hold my hand in the wading pool of Canvas before I even dared to dive into the deeper & more alluring parts of Canvas. I needed Canvas, like I'm sure for many people, broken down, broken apart, & explained to me how to create a final product from start to finish. Just like my students, I needed an \"I do\", \"We do\", then \"You do\" approach. I had seen several end products, but didn't know how to create one or make it useful that a student could remotely & independently follow a lesson from beginning to end and submit a lesson to reflect their learning much less incorporate YouTube, Discovery, Loom videos, quizzes, assignments, Google Slides, etc. Ginger then stated \"well, why not let me teach you starting now? Let me teach you step by step\". 23

Using Zoom, Ginger was able to patiently walk me through step by step in creating and building a module, one after another module, that eventually became an entire lesson. She gradually kept pushing my comfort zone all the while with the \"I do\", then \"We do\", till finally it was \"You do\", my turn. I was slow at first, but have gotten faster at creating an entire lesson module. And Ginger was right, once you become better at it, it does become addicting. You find yourself tweaking the material and/or incorporating new ideas to the lesson more engaging & fun for your student's learning. I have now created (2) entire science lesson modules for Science with the 2nd lesson module, in my opinion, better than the first. More than anything, Ginger encouraged me with her positive feedback even though I was moving one step at a time. Ginger made me realized that because I had finally & honestly given Canvas a try by taking the time & focus in learning Canvas, I was finally able to overcome this resistance & move beyond my comfort zone to produce a successful end product good enough to be shared with others now and in the next school year too. 24

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Counselors Using Tech to Connect! By: Rene V. Pantoja CCISD Counselors are adapting to the new norm of Distance Learning with online products, such as Zoom, Skype for Business, and YouTube. On March 23, counselors participated in a training session using Skype for Business with CCISD Instructional Technology Digital Media Producer, Rene Pantoja, to learn how to better implement the use of online communication alternatives. CCISD counselors are adamant about offering students a place to come and connect. Not only is submitting completed core subject assignments important, but so is “communicating” with students and offering individual support. 26

Yvonne Hein Elementary Math Curriculum Specialist Mary Cavazos Instructional Technology CREATIVE GENIUS’SLpeecCiaaClistrISnDin’sg tvherriyveBseswti.t.h. Effective distance learning requires instructional design that should empower our students to own their learning. CCISD Elementary Math Instructional Designers focus on creating an experience with the following in mind: ● Modular Design in Canvas where students can access a wide variety of instructional resources and facilitate student interactions ● Lessons that are engaging, interactive, and include differentiated instruction for all learners ● Communicating with a strong physical vocal presence to ensure trusting connections with learners and teachers It is expected our students have an impact to academic growth during this challenging time. We’re #ccisdproud to say our learners are thriving and seeing gains their achievement and engagement. A HUGE THANK YOU to our very own first responders! 27 By: Mary Cavazos

Use Modules to Build Content KINDER Designers Elizabeth Maldonado Alma Mangel CUBOSEENVCAEONNNTASIOMISNITNEGaNndT! 28

Use Modules to Build Content First Grade Designers Alyse Barros Virginia Becker Corinna Longoria ⭐It’s a one stop shop for students that is organized! ⭐Use text headers and indention to 29 visually organize content

Use Modules to Build Content Second Grade Designers Amy Cornelius Cassie Reed UaisCnneUdMEBEoESNdGTDuIUNlPeDNasEIgNNteGoTsS 30

Use Modules to Build Content Third Grade Designers Rebecca Morales Andrea Gonzalez Ana Villa - Spanish 31

Use Modules to Build Content Fourth Grade Designers Katherine Huis Dolores Barragan CAoIdnTdtEeMnSt 32

Use Modules to Build Content Fifth Grade Designers Michael Garcia Emily Schellinger COntrol the Flow of Content Items by using: ● Lock Dates ● Prerequisites ● Requirements for modules ⭐CLICK HERE FOR ALL THINGS MODULES 33

2D and 3D Shapes Coins Saving and Spending Counting to 100 Add in Any Order Addition Sums Deposits and Add 3 Numbers Withdrawals Addition Strategies Customary and Parallel and Coordinate Planes Metric Units Perpendicular Multiplying 3 Digit x Partial Products 1 Area Models and Partial 2 Digit Products Partial Products 2 Multiplying Decimals Multiply with Regrouping 34

Kaffie MS Weekly Professional Learning: Teacher Canvas Checklist Some favorites have been Google Doc Cloud Assignments, Auto-Graded Assignments in Quizzes, and Rubrics for quick feedback and grading. 35 By Roxanna Guerrero

Canvas and Counselors CCISD Counselors are getting Tech Savvy and supporting their students through the Covid 19 school closures. Many counselors saw the need to learn technology tools and applications to continue to connect with staff and students. The Office of Instructional Technology partnered with Kandice Fricke, Coordinator of Special Programs, to set up sessions on video conferencing, Canvas and Nearpod. Sessions were provided on Tuesdays and Thursday in the afternoon for counselors to join and learn together. The participation was awesome and counselors took the time to learn, grow and implement. Here are testimonials from CCISD teachers and ways they implemented what they learned. “Loved all the Zoom and Canvas help! Here we are working with AVID Juniors on next year’s college application process!” “Meeting with my seniors to 36 double check their progress on scholarships. Great questions from all my students. Made it a point to invite them to my Canvas page. Thank you for all our Zoom and Canvas training!!”

“I found the Canvas training to be helpful and so grateful that they were recorded and shared for future reference.”:)-Y. Hewett “Canvas has been a great program to learn and use. Both Cary and Melissa have made it so simple for our counselors to learn. Our counseling department has been well organized with the use of Canvas since last year. We look forward to continuing the use of our Canvas counseling corner courses to ensure that information about mental health and social-emotional learning is distributed to our CCISD employees and families. Thank you CCISD IT department for continuing the growth of our staff and community.” -Patricia De Leon “The Office of Guidance and Counseling would like to give a big virtual round of applause to our Instructional Technology Department. When schools closed, the technology department stepped in immediately to provide support and training on all of our district applications so that my team (counselors, social workers/mental health professionals and behavior interventionists) were able to navigate the virtual learning platforms with ease and confidence. The presenters made participants at all levels of technological proficiency feel comfortable. The technology department has been amazing! Their support has helped us to reach out to staff, students and families during this difficult time” Kandice Fricke- Coordinator for Guidance & Counsel 37 By: Cary K. Perales, Director of Instructional Technology

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