Let's Talk iPads @BIS!

Many school systems across the country and around the world have initiated programs which have brought iPads in to their classrooms.  How are they being used?  Do students seem to be performing better in these schools?  Is the cost worth it?  These and many other questions have been part of discussions in systems including ours.  Let's listen to "What Students Think About Using iPads in School."

Last week we were unable to get to our iPad readiness activities; so we will start them this week. Check out this video.  We will take a moment to share your thoughts and then you will work with your "cubicle mates" to complete a TK-W-L chart. This week we will also have our first discussion about Cooperative Learning Groups.  There are four roles or jobs within each group.  You will each play a role and throughout the year you will all have an opportunity to try out each role.  Will you be the "leader" "reader", "scribe" or "reporter"?  Your iPad intro will end with a matching activity which you will complete within a cooperative learning group.

During class two this week you will take the first part our our DDM pre-assessment using a site called Learning.com.  Your log in is exactly the same as X2 log in.  You will need to select "Barnstable" as your district.  There is nothing you can do to prepare for this except read carefully, think about your choices, and take your time.  When you finish your DDM, you can take a look at the information on this year's Doodle4Google contest and get started on your submission.

By the way, you are doing a great job so far at bisilt.com.  We had a great discussion during one of our shifts last week.  As a result, starting in October I will select an "Employee of the Week."  His/her photo will be displayed outside our room.  I can't wait to see who will be the first one of you to have your photo on the wall!  In addition, I will be selecting a "Shift of the Month."
Have a super week!!    Mrs. White:)

More Communication and Collaboration

This week we will pick up where we left off.  You will need to finish adding your Contacts in to your address book.  You will also take the time to clean up your Google Drive.  Managing your digital life will be a large part of what we do this year.  The amount of information can be overwhelming at times.  I will help you work on managing all of that information.  You will use the "Beginning of Year Google Drive Clean Up" resource to accomplish this task.  All of the resources and assignments can be found in our LMS (Google Classroom.)

We will get started with our iPad readiness activities.  Check out this video.  We will take a moment to share your thoughts and then you will work with your "cubicle mates" to complete a TK-W-L chart.
Your iPad intro will end with a matching activity.  

Communication @bisilt.com

This week you will be receiving your orientation to the communication procedures here at “bisilt.com.”  Texting is the way you communicate on your “social/personal” side of your technological life.  Here at “work” or on your “school/professional” side you will be using email to communicate.  You all have your school/work Google accounts.  We will start by logging in; gaining access to this account. 

We will talk about the proper protocol for sending a “work” email, and take part in a Kahoot so you can show me what you know about sending a work email.  We will take a look at a quick overview of "Email Etiquette for Students."  Where will you get all of your resources for this lesson you might ask?  Well that would be on our learning management system, LMS for short, Google Classroom.

We will start by “joining” my class.  To do this, please use this link.  There are other ways to gain access to our LMS which I will share with you at another time.  You will find an assignment waiting there for you.  This LMS makes communication between you and your teachers quick and easy.  No more creating, naming and sharing folders.  Google Classroom takes care of all of that for you…like magic!   All you have to do is join the class.  FYI using your LMS makes access to resources and assignments happen PDQ.  So let’s get started!!

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New Employee Orientation

Welcome back from your long weekend.  I hope you did something outside this weekend as the weather was spectacular.   I am so glad I was not stuck in the traffic heading off Cape yesterday.  Check out the report from CapeCod.com.
So here we are, back in to the routine.  You will start off our new school year with the human resources department of bisilt.com.  I hope you enjoy working for this company this year.  You will hear our mission statement.  Check out this sneak peek:   Never Give Up.  You will also find out the company expectations, employee responsibilities, compensation scale, and identify and share what you will contribute.  You will receive your employee ID and an information packet will be waiting at your cubicle.  Have a great start!

~Mrs. White (company CEO and head of human resources)

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Let's Get Started

It's hard to believe the summer has ended and a new school year has begun.  Today was a soft start to the new school year as I did not teach technology.  It was great having the time to get to know the students on our team.  So I had 100 introductions; just 200 left to go in the next couple of days!
Starting the school year with a "two-day" week is a bit unusual.  I have decided to start the year off with a challenge.  Each of my students will find a piece of line on their workstation.  I will give students 20 minutes to try and learn how to tie a bowline knot using one of the resources below.

 How to Tie a Bowline

 NetKnots.com

If you already know how to tie this useful knot, please find another "knew knot" to tie.  You may be wondering why on earth you are tying a knot in tech class......I guess you will have to stay tuned to find out!!!

Welcome Back!!!!

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