Schoology Screencast Getting Started Part II

The other half of what one needs to know in starting the Schoology adventure!

Schoology Screencast: Getting Started

The very basics of Schoology.

Schoology Screencast Coming Soon, Stay Tuned!

School districts utilize tons of different technology. It is not only a tool for teachers and students to communicate, but also student-to-student, and teachers to parents. Both of the districts I am currently in are using Edmodo. However, Beaverton School District is considering switching platforms within the next year or so--and some of the Learning Management Systems (LMSs) that they are considering switching over to are Schoology or Canvas. However, it seems that they are leaning in favor of the Schoology direction.

During my next few posts, I will be screencasting different aspects of Schoology, as well as how to get started with Schoology. The first screencast lands soon!

Annotated Bibliography Screencast

Release the Creativity!!!

Holland, B., McCusker, S., and Robinson, A. (2015, April 29). “Unleashing student creativity.” [YouTube]. Project: Webinar. Retrieved from http://edtechteacher.org/15spring3/

What is the secret to unleashing student creativity? According to the presenters, this largely hinges on allowing choice in education. However, teachers also need to look for ways to infuse creativity in their classrooms so that students aren’t overwhelmed by these choices. The goal is to expose students to a variety of mediums in regards to projects and assessments, and technology can only enhance student creativity exploration. A big takeaway from this webinar was the concept of mindfulness in the classroom, to create a culture of creativity where students feel comfortable pushing the educational boundaries to really enhance their learning.

I explored the app Seesaw in an earlier technology review, and I’d really like to use this tool in conjunction with creativity in my classroom. The question I’ve often posed to myself is how to address content standards in creative ways that will keep students engaged? It’s an interesting concept to get students to think outside the box or go outside their comfort zone, but I think it can yield extraordinary results if given the opportunity. The video itself gave an example of using a Padlet wall in Creative Writing story rounds, which I would like to implement in my own Creative Writing classes.

The genius of Elizabeth Gilbert

If you didn't know already, I am a huge nerd (hence my decision to become a Language Arts teacher). I've been a fan of Elizabeth Gilbert since reading her book Eat, Pray, Love and hearing her on Cheryl Strayed/Steve Almond's podcast, Dear Sugar. I am planning on reading her new book, Big Magic, once I polish off the Divergent series once and for all.

In this TED talk, she talks about the power of creativity. This is a topic I have been continuously interested in exploring, how to infuse creativity wherever and whenever I can-in myself, my teaching, and my content area. She encourages as individuals to, "think of your gifts as being on loan to you."

Introductory Video...of Sorts

This is sort of a non-traditional, funny intro. I have been reading the Divergent series for my Language Arts methods class and we have been making videos playfully mocking the series. However, I think this works as a playful intro video for a writing teacher as well.