All teachers in attendance today recieved either a new iPad or a Chromebook. Many of the teachers in my sessions stated that this was the first time using either tool but were excited at the oppertunity to learn how to use it and integrate it into their learning and teaching for the classroom. Many were thrilled that they will be able to have the rest of the summer to "play" with their new tools and get familiar with all the features so they can have a great start in learning how to integrate educational technology in their classes next school year.

What is a P.L.A.Y.D.A.T.E.?  "This conference will be geared towards those who just want to explore - or play with - apps, websites, programs or tools that they've always wanted to dig into more deeply, but never had the time or support to do so. Modeled after an unconference or an EdCamp, the sessions will be participant-driven and hands on. Most importantly - there will be no sit and get. Period. No Presenters. Period. All of the content will be learner driven, exploration based and hands on. Just like the model of education we hope for our students. At the end there will be a share out of learning and take aways "The Play Off" - and digital content and notes will be disseminated to all." (Taken from Jennie Magiera's Technology in Education Blog)

This is the first of the "un-conference" for the Salinas CESD but from what was seen today will not be their last. At the end of the three sessions, the PLAYDATE was ended with a share out from the participats who volunteered to show and tell what they had learned this morning from sessions attended. The energy in the crowd could be felt all over campus! The following are the presos and info I shared in my sessions today.

The following presentation, information, tools, and resources are to help understand the requirements and implications of technology in the Common Core State Standards and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium technology usage 

Presentation (PDF) 50 mb

Documents:

1. SBAC Technology Requirements
   1. Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications Executive Summary (revised 2/6/13) (PDF)
   2. Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications (revised 2/6/13) (PDF)
   3. Hardware & Operating Systems Infographic (revised 2/6/13) (PDF)
   4. Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications Q&A (PDF)
   5. Bandwidth Check Instructions (PDF) and Online Tool. The bandwidth checker is compatible with Mozilla Firefox on computers with Windows, OS X, or Linux operating systems; Safari on tablets using the iOS operating system; and Chrome on tablets using the Android operating system. The bandwidth checker cannot be accessed using Internet Explorer.
2. ISTE - International Society for Technology in Education
   1. NETS Students (PDF) NETS Students Profiles (PDF)
   2. NETS Teachers (PDF) 
   3. NETS Administrators (PDF)
3. Technology Skills Matrix for Students from Fresno COE (PDF) 
   1. Recommended Student Technology Skills for the Common Core. Feel free to use this as a guide while you are developing rigorous and relevant content.
4. Sample Technology Skills Matrix by grade level (PDF)
5. Common Core: Digital Crosswalk from Solano COE (areas highlighted indicate digital/technology resources required)
   1. ELA and Writing K-5 (PDF)
   2. ELA and Writing 6-12 (PDF)
   3. ELA Literacy 6-12 (PDF)
6. Rigor Relavance Chart and added Products with Technology (PDF)
7. Connecting The Dots: Tying Technology to The Common Core Standards (PDF)

Articles to Read:

• Introduction and Learning Outcomes
• Evidence-Based Programs by Subject
• Additional Tools and Programs
• Avoiding Pitfalls
• Why It’s Time To Focus On Skills (Not Just Cool Tools)
• How Teachers Are Integrating Technology Into The Common Core
• Rise of Blended Learning OnCUE+ (PDF)
• The Flipped Classroom OnCUE+ (PDF)

Resources for Integrating Tech

• Edutopia: Empowering and connecting teachers, administrators, and parents with innovative solutions and resources to better education.
• Edudemic: The goal is to connect teachers, administrators, students, and just about everyone else with the best technology on the planet.

Professional Development Resources

• Free PD Resources
  • CTAP: California Technology Assistance Project Live Online Workshops 
  • TechSETS: Web Tool Wednesdays
  • TICAL: Technology Information Center for Administrative Leaddership Online PD
• FEE PD Resources
  • Atomic Learning offers solutions for professional development, technology integration and software training and support that simplify educational technology.
  • CUE - Computere Using Educators Online PD
  • Lynda.com: Software training & tutorial video library. Our online courses help you learn critical skills. Free access & previews on hundreds of tutorials.
•  Certification PD Programs
  • Leading Edge Certification (LEC) is a national certification program in educational technology and curriculum innovation. Created by an Alliance of nonprofits, universities and educational agencies, LEC is the first national certification program of its kind, and is platform and vendor neutral. There are five (5) areas of certification offered by LEC:
    • Online and Blended Teacher
    • Administrator
    • Digital Educator (available in July, 2013)
    • Teacher Librarian (available in July, 2014)
    • Leading Educator (Professional Developer)
    • CONTACT your local CTAP for local programs, dates and times

Video Keynotes

• Jenny Magiera - Integration isn't Enough: Redefining the Innovative Classrooms
• Kevin Honeycutt - Trends, Tools and Tactics for 21st Century Learning
• Catlin Tucker - Common Core: Transforming Teaching & Learning
• Jon Bergmann - The Flipped Class
• Vicki Davis - Common Core in the Cloud 
• Alan November - Learning without Boundaries
• Sir Ken Robinson: Bring on the learning revolution!
• Dr. Eric Mazur - Peer Instruction and Turning Technologies' student response technology
• Dr. Ruben Puentedura - The SAMR Model & Exemplars 

Updating Your Tech Policies

• OnTheLine.org brought together the top educational professional organizations in CA around one goal — making navigation through the complex issues surrounding technology in education SIMPLER for districts and county offices of education.

Flip Teaching

• Web Resources
  • http://www.flipteaching.com
  • http://www.infinitethinking.org
  • http://grmr.me
  • http://mathtrain.tv
  • https://www.khanacademy.org
• Videos
  • Jon Bergman Pioneer on Flip Teaching: http://tinyurl.com/JBFlipped
  • Dan Meyer: Math class needs a makeover: http://tinyurl.com/TEDDANMEY
  • Conrad Wolfram: Teaching kids real math with computers: http://tinyurl.com/TEDCONWOLF

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium has released an updated guide to technology requirements and recommendations for member states planning to implement the common-core assessment system the consortium is developing for the 2014-15 school year.

Under the framework, most schools should be able to implement the assessments, the organization says.

1. Move away from Windows XP (which is used by more than half of schools today) to Windows 7. Windows 8 might be acceptable, but further testing is needed. However, the assessments will work with Windows XP.

2. Upgrade computers to at least 1 gigabyte of internal memory. Most schools have already implemented this recommendation (63 percent, to be exact).

3. Ensure that all screens being used for the assessments have a visual display of no less than 9.5 inches, with at least a 1024 x 768 resolution. About 88 percent of schools have already met this recommendation. The assessments could work with an 8-inch screen, but 9.5 inches is the recommended width, the document says.

4. Student testing sites must operate on secure browsers. While data reports from the assessments can be accessed through Google Chrome, Safari on iOS, Firefox, and Internet Explorer 8, the organization will identify secure browsers each year that will be required for the actual test-taking. Those browsers will prevent students from being able to access anything except the exam.

5. The assessment requires about 5 to 10 kilobytes per second of bandwidth per student. The amount of bandwidth needed will depend on the specific assessments, some of which include animations, recorded audio, and other technology-enhanced items. Schools should estimate about 1 megabyte per second for every 100 students taking the assessment.

From SBAC:

** Please note that the minimum and recommended specifications in the Technology Framework documents have been clarified as of 1/11/13.

• Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications Executive Summary (revised 2/6/13) (PDF)
• Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications (revised 2/6/13) (PDF)
• Hardware & Operating Systems Infographic (revised 2/6/13) (PDF)
• Technology Strategy Framework and System Requirements Specifications Q&A (PDF)
• Bandwidth Check Instructions (PDF) and Online Tool. The bandwidth checker is compatible with Mozilla Firefox on computers with Windows, OS X, or Linux operating systems; Safari on tablets using the iOS operating system; and Chrome on tablets using the Android operating system. The bandwidth checker cannot be accessed using Internet Explorer.

The one conference I love going to every year is the Annual Computer Using Educators Conference during the Spring in Palm Springs, California. This year the conference had 4,000 attendees! I believe it has set a record for the conference organizers. The tag #CUE13 was the #1 trending tag on Twitter by the third day! So why did so many educators gather in one spot to learn about integrating tech in our schools? Because this our chance to meet with people face to face we only speak to virtually all year long sharing and exploring ideas. We get to present and share our journeys on how we are improving the teaching and learning that are happing in our local schools with a very captive audience. For me it is like presenting to a room of people who are just like me. 

Like other great conferences we attend, CUE 2013 brought me many great hall conversations, poolside PD, and various unconference sessions throughout the 3 days. The following is a Prezi preso that highlights some of the learnings that will allow me to share and implement in our local school here in Monterey County.

Sessions Attended and Resources
Day 1

• Broadcast Your Class: Creating Video on YouTube: Presenter Jenny Thomas. Teachers and students can use the video creation and editing tools in YouTube to create educational videos. Access to YouTube, either on of off campus, is necessary to replicate the activities included in this presentation. (Presenter Resources)
• Common Core: Crossing the Bridge: Presenter Tony Spittell. For many years, ed tech geeks swore by the importance of integrating technology into the core curriculum. Thanks to Common Core, curriculum and technology can no longer be separated. Come listen to a discussion of how the common core standards embed technology and what that means for everyone. (Presenter Resources)
• On the Fast Track: Effective PD for a Successful 1:1 Program: Presenter Courtney Browne. Get your teachers on the fast-track towards innovative technology integration with these tested models. Leave with implementation ideas to get all teachers on-board with 21st century teaching and learning. (Presenter Resources)
• Technology in the Common Core Classroom: Presnters Shellie Escobedo, Rich Lane, Kristina Seaman.A look into how to use technology to bridge the gap from CST to CCCSS instruction. (Presenter Resources)
• Writing for the Digital Age: Student Writing Goes Google: Presenters . Students-even at the junior high level-can use digital tools for writing. We’ll explain how to use Google Apps, including Google Docs and Google Sites, to enrich your writing program. (Presenter Resources)
• The 10 Keys to a Successful iPad Program: Presenter Sam Gilksman. iPad use in schools should be integrated into holistic approaches to 21st century education. In this session we'll address 10 vital components of any successful iPad implementation. (Presenter Resources)
• Harnessing the Power of your iPad: Apps for School Administrators. Presenter Susan Brooks-Young. As a school administrator, you are constantly gathering data, not just related to student performance, but for a variety of purposes. You have an iPad and like the mobility it affords you. Now you’re ready to tackle some of these tasks using your iPad. This BYO iPad workshop helps you identify free and low-cost apps you can use to harness the power of your iPad for informal observational tasks ranging from campus maintenance checks to classroom walkthroughs and more. Partipcants must bring his/her own iPad. (Presenter Resources)
• Digital Storytelling with Google Voice: Presenter Btandon Wislocki. Learn how to enhance digital storytelling in the classroom using Google Voice. Your students already have the technology at their fingertips, why not use it? (Presenter Resources)
• Disruptive Innovation in Practice: 1:1 iPad Pedagogies. Presenters Jim Bologna, Eryn Hoffman, Larisa Showalter, Eric Walters, Elaine Wrenn. Demonstrating tools and techniques applicable to a collaborative iPad classroom, this session will prepare educational leaders to integrate mobile-technology in a way that transforms the learning experience. Hear from three schools (elementary, middle, and high school) about the opportunities and challenges that come from a 1-1 mobile technology program. (Presenter Resources)
• Experimental Mobile Learning: Using Students' BYOD for Authentic Learning. Presenter Jackie Gerstein. This interactive, experiential BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) workshop has its foundation in two guiding principles: (1) Mobile devices lend themselves to authentic and engaging learning experiences, and (2) Mobile devices are extensions of young people. Learn and experience cross-curricular mobile learning activities. (Presenter Resources)
• Incorporating Technology to Improve Achievement of Special Education Students: Presenter Fernando Chavez. This lecture will be an overview of best practices in using technology to improve academic skills of student's with learning disabilities. Topics include teacher websites, instructional/assistive technologies, and accessibility. (Presenter Resources)
• Minning iPad Apps that Meet Common Core: Presenter Katherine Burdick. This session will highlight iPad apps that satisfy Common Core objectives. (Presenter Resources)
• Free Web Tutorials for You & Your Students: Presenters Jane Lofton and Pam Oehlman. Learn about six free, self-paced web 2.0 tutorials from California School Library Association for educators and students that provide engaging online learning activities to build web and digital citizenship skills. (Presenter Resources)
• Flipping the Secondary English Class: Presenter Kate Perry. This class will discuss what “flipped” is and how the concept pairs with the English curriculum. Methods, hosting sites, video software, and suggested educators to follow will also be addressed. (Presenter Resources)
• Inspiring Your Staff with Technology: Presenter Rushton Hurley. Technology can build morale and teamwork, and your team can have fun making it happen. Learn new approaches to strengthen and inspire your staff. (Presenter Resources)
• iPods, Little Kids and Big Learning: Presenters Brenda Heil and Maria Saavedra. Join us to learn how we have set up routines, organized apps, and integrated the use of iPods into everyday learning with our kindergarten students in our 1:1 rooms. (Presenter Resources)

Day 2

• Elementary Flipped Teaching-Using The Cycle of Learning to Innovate CCSS Intruction: Presnter Lisa Highfil/ Maximize the time with your students by rearranging how you deliver content. Flip your teaching so you can better utilize classroom minutes to explore and apply the CCSS. (Presenter Resources)
• Google Apps in The iPad Classroom: Preesenters John Goodman, Mark Hailwood, Bill Kvitli, LorenaLopez, and Ryann Rockwell. Google Apps offers teachers and students using iPads a new way to communicate and share work. Take a step-by-step look at how to effectively use this free tool to streamline the work-flow of your iPad classroom. (Presenter Resources)
• Edmodo and the 21st Century Classroom: Presnters David Ross, and Tod Teetzel. This is one amazing tool for your classroom. Since its creation, and with more schools having access to tablets and computers in the classroom, Edmodo has become one of the standards for digital citizenship amongst students today. This workshop will show you how to create an account, assign classwork, polls, and tests as well as grading on one website or app. (Presenter Resources)
• Explore, Flip, Apply: Empowering the Learning Cycle Through Technology: Presenter Ramsey Masullum. Participants will be challenged to view technology through the Learning Cycle lens. From inquiry “hooks” to content delivery, techniques used to tackle issues of motivation and time will be shared. (Presenter Resources)

Day 3

• Blended Learning, How Do You Know When You See it? Presenter Rob Darrow. 

So....here a few tips to get you back to your printing press:-) Please comment and add any more tips:-) The following is for the new iPad or iPad 3 if you are counting. If you want more ideas for you iPad 1 & iPad 2 users check out MacWorld's article from June 2011

I was able to brush up on my searching skills by taking Google's online course on Power Searching. Like Khan Academy and Wolfram Alpha, I was able to review the short video tutorials and proved to be very helpful since I was able to rewind the intrutor, something I can not do in real life. It's not onlythe rewinding of videos that had flipped the way my kids or I learn but the network of other learners and teachers I have acces to 24/7 that has me exploring, participating, and rethinking what I learn as I go. It's great! I feel like I felt as a kid going into a large bookstores and comic stands, a place to learn without boundaries.

This had me thinking what are other online resources that I used this past year that make it a joy to be a never ending learner at my own pace. If you have any that you like to share please comment below and let me know some of yoiur gems:-)

1. Coursera: a site that partners with the top universities in the world to offer courses online for anyone to take, for free! Classes offered on Coursera are designed to help you master the material. When you take one of their classes, you will watch lectures taught by world-class professors, learn at your own pace, test your knowledge, and reinforce concepts through interactive exercises. When you join one of the classes, you'll also join a global community of thousands of students learning alongside you. I'm about to start a course named Introduction to Mathematical Thinking, Learn how to think the way mathematicians do - a powerful cognitive process developed over thousands of years! This is a free course offered by Stanford Unoversity:-)
2. EdX: a joint partnership between The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University to offer online learning to millions of people around the world. EdX will offer Harvard and MIT classes online for free:-)
3. Academic Earth: Academic Earth is an organization founded with the goal of giving everyone on earth access to a world-class education.
4. P2PU: The Peer 2 Peer University is a grassroots open education project that organizes learning outside of institutional walls and gives learners recognition for their achievements. P2PU creates a model for lifelong learning alongside traditional formal higher education. Leveraging the internet and educational materials openly available online, P2PU enables high-quality low-cost education opportunities.
5. Skillshare: Skillshare is a community marketplace to learn anything from anyone. They believe that everyone has something they want to learn and something they can teach to others. This means their communities are really the greatest universities! I took a Photoshop course which was great and the instructor was awesome!
6. Codeacademy: Learn to code, program websites, learn with friends, and track your progress from the comfort of your computer:-) Codecademy is the easiest way to learn how to code. It's interactive, fun, and you can do it with your friends.

So what are you waiting for? Go learn from the best and the brightest on the stuff you always wanted to learn at your own pace for free!

The question remains for many educators: Are you social with your students? How about with parents? Looking at social from that perspective places an entire new lens on how people look at (and should look at) social networking. I know a number of educators who do not desire to live anywhere close to their district or school. It is not for lack of interest in being part of the school community as each of these individuals practically lives, eats, and breathes involvement in the school and post-educational activities. It is that they don’t want to be caught running to the local grocery or convenience store less “prepared or primped” than they are when they are at school. Another factor often is that they desire some “off-school or unplugged” time.

From a social networking standpoint, surprisingly for many people, those same “inconvenient” times are also ones that make everyone “human / real people”. Those times, feelings, or experiences are ones that many share as part of social networks. That, “I can’t believe I ran out of gas,” post on Facebook. The, “Look, I just figured out that I went to the store with a stray curler in my hair…” status update. The posting of a picture unwinding with a good book, a bottle of merlot, and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. Social networking has expanded our communities and blurred the lines between vocation and avocation. As such, many are even seeing the potential powerful connections that social networks can create with parents and students on the learning process.

With the overall goal of “social networking” being finding and connecting with “THAT” specific individual, many educators are wondering how to handle “friend” or “circle” requests or asking the question, “should I have more than one “social profile”?” At the same time, many school districts are looking for ways to encourage the use of social media while also balancing the security and safety of their staff and students. To accomplish this,  Social Networking / Media policies need to be developed and adopted.

Here are a few suggestions for guidelines:

1. Work closely between the district administration and the teachers or teacher unions to ensure that a policy is acceptable and not to overarching in its goal of protection vs utilization.
2. Encourage faculty to create separate “professional” and “personal” social networking accounts and/or even services.
3. Develop a policy that lays out positive as well as prohibited actions that are clear and concise.
4. Provide a set of guidelines beyond the policy based on social media best practices.
   • Communication should be transparent and readily available
   • Communication should be for professional and legitimate curricular and/or extracurricular purposes
   • Communication should follow all local, state, and national guidelines and copyright laws.
   • Communication should not include private or confidential information about other students
5. Help faculty, students, and parents to understand where the “grey” areas of social networking are and how to avoid crossing into those possible pitfalls.