In last week’s Around the Schoolyard column entitled “Streamlining The Digital Learning Experience In North Reading: Support, Resources and Coaching,” published in the print edition of the Transcript, there were two typographical omissions.
The column is reprinted below in its entirety with the previously omitted text.
By DANIEL DOWNS, Ed.D.
Director of Digital Learning
SCHOOL START REMINDERS FOR CHROMEBOOK CARE & SUPPORT
Support for student and parent/guardians technical issues with Chromebook devices or insurance questions is available at the NRMS/NRHS Media Center Digital Learning Center Help Desk. Feel free to call 978-526-5265 during the hours of 8:30-3:30pm Monday through Friday with any question regarding devices, policies, insurance coverage options, educational apps or any digital learning question. You can also submit a ticket using the email: tickets@nrpsk12.incidentiq.com
Please be sure you have reviewed the NRPS 1:1 Device Agreement & NRPS Acceptable Use Agreements posted on the NRPS District Website
Be sure to report any damage or issue with a device to the Digital Learning Help Desk.
If you are unsure if you purchased insurance feel free to contact the help desk to confirm. Policies are available for most grades at any time.
Students who take their devices back and forth each day(Grade 3+) should be sure to charge their device each night. Also, confirm the location of your students’ chargers.
DIGITAL LEARNING CORE APPS: STREAMLINING INSTRUCTIONAL APPLICATIONS & RESOURCES
The Digital Learning team has identified a group of core apps which are vetted for Data Privacy and instructional purpose and also are supportive of managing the digital classroom. I am proud to share that we have resources to support educators and students to learn, engage and create effectively digitally and monitor student progress and assess student learning.
I would like to share three resources educators use in the classroom. These resources are highlighted as they allow students to share their knowledge and learning through multimedia sharing and digital portfolios (Seesaw), assess student learning utilizing video-based content (EdPuzzle) and create rich multimedia projects reflecting classroom content and creative expression (Adobe Express).
Seesaw: An interactive learning platform for K-5 students to share learning experiences and multimedia. This tool supports student and educator sharing of multimedia like video and student project images.
EdPuzzle: Allows educators to utilize their own videos or YouTube videos to create interactive assessments and share content with students which engages, assesses knowledge and encourages exploration.
Adobe Express: Tool used to allow students to express their creativity through the creation of digital art, posters, banners, videos & graphics.
https://www.adobe.com/education/express
ELEMENTARY SMARTBOARD PROJECT COMPLETED
All classrooms in each elementary school now have a new Smartboard.
The completion of this project updates educators’ previous boards to take advantage of new interactive and new touch features of the boards such as Google Apps integration and Lumio Software. Lumio Software can be used by educators to create interactive lessons, share lesson content and multimedia from the board directly to students’ devices.
The completion of this project marks another milestone in the continual updates to the schools’ technology infrastructure to support the students’ digital skills and citizenship with relevant technology.
DIGITAL LEARNING GOALS & COACHING SUPPORT
This year the Digital Learning team is offering digital learning goals for educators to select from to support student and professional learning with digital resources available in the district. These goals align with the investment in SMART technology, Core Apps and educators’ goals with technology integration in their classrooms.
The Digital Learning Specialist will be supporting this work with educators on these goals over sustained goal-setting and collaboration. The Digital Learning Specialist will be the coaching and support for the classroom educators’ integration of technology into the classroom with effective digital pedagogy and professional goal setting in mind.
Each of the start of year topics identified here are part of the Digital Learning Team’s evolution to provide streamlined learning experiences for students, effective technology for educators, and timely support for the school community who relies on technology resources each day.
