Professional Development

Professional Development Workshop was Anything but Scary!

On Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, teachers from both Boxford schools spent the afternoon learning new ways to create, invigorate and curate curriculum.
During part of the afternoon we reviewed the many apps and tech tools available to staff and students (see Doc below).  We even played a quick game of Kahoot to test teacher knowledge of the capabilities of such tools.  It was informative and fun!

Teacher Technology Training

Google Doc of Resources:

Technology Essential Questions:

How does this digital tool help improve collaboration and/or communication?

Are there technological solutions or enhancements to supplement what is being taught?

How can we use this software to create original and innovative projects?

How can we use this software to address the different needs, learning styles, interests and abilities of students?

Collaborative Relationships

Daily Collaboration at Spofford Pond School

I can walk into any classroom at Spofford Pond School, at any time, and see students working together.  I also often see students working with teachers.  These collaborations are always in real time, either in the physical world or the digital one.  The G-Suite allows many opportunities for digital collaboration.  Sometimes these collaborations are synchronous.  For instance, when students are working on Google Slides presentation together.  Other times they are asynchronous.  For example, a student can turn in a Google Doc project, a teacher can offer comments and suggestions with in the document for editing, the student can revise it and turn it back in.  It is fantastic to see collaboration happening in every classroom! This week however I witnessed yet another kind of collaboration:  teachers working with teachers.  I know this happens all the time as teachers team teach with other colleagues and professionals in the building.  But this week I saw teachers across grade levels sharing knowledge in a Google Community, through Twitter, in the Google Classroom and in real time using the G-Suite.  I know collaboration is not new to Spofford and I am sure the things I saw this week have happened here many times before. However, coming off of a week that began with a Professional Development day that emphasized the importance of relationships, it was so great to walk the halls and witness the wonderful relationships of Spofford staff in practice. I am glad to work with these professional teachers who come to school everyday and give their best.    To me, they are all "TOP THIRD"!

Trying New Technologies

This week teachers and students throughout the building have been trying Kahoot!.  It was great seeing teachers attempt something new, find success and then brainstorm different ways the technology can be integrated into the classroom and the curriculum.

Staff were introduced to Kahoot!, an online game-based learning platform, during a staff meeting.

We used Kahoot for a Spofford Pond staff technology challenge, testing everyone's knowledge of tech trivia and top technology practices.

Grade 4, in it to win it!

Then, throughout the week Kahoot! could be seen in action in classrooms.

Ms. Davis took Kahoot! to her classroom, challenging students to some brainteasers just before lunch.  The next step for this technology tool will be integration into the curriculum.  Kahoot is great for discovering what students already know or reviewing and retrieving information they have learned.

Grade 4 Kahooting

Technology Essential Questions:

How can this digital tool supplement what is being taught?

How can this digital tool help students use the retrieval practice learning strategy?

Teacher Workshop

Hyperdocs Tech Talk with Boxford Teachers

One of the many perks of my job is getting to work with classroom teachers on new ways to integrate technology into their classroom and their curriculum.  At a recent after school Tech Talk, I introduced Hyperdocs to classroom teachers.

We discussed how hyperdocs can transform lessons with a zap of technology, creativity and new ideas.  (For additional information regarding hyperdocs, read this article.).  We learned about hyperdocs and how to design, create, adapt and share them.

We also spent time brainstorming and creating the beginning stage of our very own hyperdocs.  Needless to say we got a lot done in a short amount of time.

So happy to work with a terrific group of lifelong learners and innovative teachers!

Technology Essential Questions:

How can technology be used to enhance a project and communicate knowledge?

Are there technological solutions or enhancements to supplement what is being taught?

How can a hyperdoc encourage student-centered learning?

Why are exploration and creation an important part of learning?

Differentiation with Technology

Fluency Tutor for Google

In two after school workshops, Spofford Pond teachers learned how to use the app and extension, Fluency Tutor for Google.

"Fluency Tutor helps students of all ages and ability levels become avid, engaged and confident readers.  What's more, it gives educators a clear picture of every child's reading attainment and progress over time." (Texthelp, Fluency Tutor).

Participants took their new skills to the classroom, introducing Fluency Tutor to students, assigning reading passages and even assigning FT work through Google Classroom.  Apps and extensions such as these can help teachers differentiate as needed and can help students build confidence

across subject matter.

Technology Essential Questions:

How can we use this software to address the different learning styles, needs,

interests and abilities of students?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:

3-5.CS.d

Grade Three Teachers and Special Educators recently spent time participating in a Webinar learning the tools within the Learning A to Z and Kids A to Z web-based software suite.