Congratulations Mrs. Colon

Meet Claribel Colon a Science Teacher at Frank Tejeda High School. Mrs. Colon is known for her outstanding instruction of FTA students and being a Technology Leader.

What technology do you use in your school ?  
This school year I’ve been using Google Apps including, Google Drive, Slides and Docs. I also have been creating my own website using Google Sites. And in the Science department we created a Group (within Google Apps) for collaboration.

What impact has it had on your teaching and students?

The first impact would be flexibility with my personal schedule. Google Apps have allowed me to work on my documents from anywhere at any time, even when I do not have WIFI. In the classroom I like using Google Slides whenever I have to lecture because it gives my students a reference to everything I’m saying and it is easier for them to follow me. I also like to include exciting videos into my presentations which I do seamlessly using slides and YouTube. Then using Google Docs, I create a guide to take notes for each presentation. These guides keep my students focus and on task during lecture. As a department, we are also beginning to use Google Drive and Groups to collaborate between us. Even though we are teaching different subjects, we share the same students. Google Sheets for example, is a good tool that we can use to evaluate data, we can easily share with peers, and work on the document, all at the same time. I am new to the teaching career, but I look forward for the next year when I will incorporate a lot more technology into my classroom as I make a transition into the flipped classroom.

What advice do you have for other teachers?

I would advise other teachers to not be scare to try new things in their classrooms, specifically the use of technology. There’s a lot different resources out there that you can use to get student’s attention. Also, ask for help. There’s a lot of teachers and people in the district available to help you with any concerns or ideas that you might have. Sometimes all you need is a little hand to put an idea into motion. Asking for help to the right people can absolutely put on the right track.

Project Literacy

On Saturday, April 16th twenty-four 1st-5th grade ELA/R teachers braved the storms to learn about iPad Apps available through the IAL grant. There were two sessions each which were tailored to meet the technology knowledge and abilities of the participants. They learned about Digital Storytelling using Story Wheel & Puppet Pals apps, and learned about Reading & Language Development through Word Match, Lingo Zoo, and TTT. I was the Lead Instructional Technology facilitator who designed an implemented this event. I focused on creating two tracks, the Tortious and the Haire.


IAL Literacy iPads

Each of Harlandale’s 13 elementary campuses received 64 iPads, a cow with built in Wi-Fi access, and a plethora of literacy based apps through the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant. The iPads are housed in your campus library and can be used checked-out for 1st-5th grade teachers to be used for delivering ELA/R lessons. The iPads were purchased to allow students to participate in project-based activities (PBL), as well as allow them to interact with reading materials in multiple formats.


Please visit our Project Literacy: Learn, Love, Live! Website to learn more about these apps and ways to integrate them into your daily instruction. Please contact your campus Instructional Technology Facilitator for support in integrating iPads into your classroom, developing lessons using these apps, or developing a blended learning environment using these iPads.

“ I  Love the StoryWheel app! It’s very easy to integrate into the classroom as a center.”

“How to be creative and interactive with the iPads to promote student success.”

“I enjoyed learning about the different apps. Now, I know what I can have the students doing (as far as technology) instead of relying on BrainPop! for everything!!!

“I learned a lot of ways to add more technology into my classroom and make it more meaningful.

Meet Keith Hughes my favorite flipper!

A history teacher who flips his history class and creates guides for teachers. “You can find videos that are perfect for Social Studies flippers, desperate crammers and the cray cray on the internet.  Always remember,  where attention goes, energy flows".

 My Top 4 Teacher Video’s from Hughes

Hidden Gem's of the Library: Britannica School's

Have 5 minutes to spare? View these short video tutorials to learn about some of the effective resources available in Britannica School.

PD for Teachers

• Overview: Britannica School
• My Britannica for Educators
• My Content: Educator Favorites
• Lesson Plan Builder
• Curriculum Standards

PD for Students

Students

• Overview for Students
• Search Results
• My Britannica for Students

Ask your Librarian for the uAsk your Librarian for the username & password!

Ask your Librarian for the username & password!

Golden Techie: Mrs. Woody!

Meet Mrs. Sadona Woody the librarian at STEM Early College High School. Mrs. Woody is known for a big smile and going above and beyond for her students and the teachers she serves.    

What technology do you use in the library and at STEM Early College High School?

Here at STEM, we are very fortunate to have access to latest technology.  Each classroom incorporates a Promethean board to engage and enhance the learning process for the student.  Students are presented with a laptop to assist in new ways to assimilate information and demonstrate learning.  The STEM ECHS library has over 1,000 hardcover books, 2,500 eBooks, 220 digital audio books, a Promethean Board, desktop computers, printers, and collaboration rooms equipped with large display screens for group work.  

What impact has it had on your teaching and students?

From day one, technology has been integrated into my classroom and library.  Integrating technology provides learners with access to resources above and beyond the classroom environment. Students have the ability to listen to historic speeches and view events from the past.  I have always been enthusiastic about technology and the impact it is playing in our students’ lives.  

What advice do you have for other teachers?

Technology can sometimes be intimidating, but there are people at every campus to assist in the integration of these resources into your classroom.  Start by asking your librarian for available resources.

Congratulations Sergio Pena from Morill Elementary!

Sergio Pena, a Pre-Kindergarten teacher from Morrill Elementary, uses technology to enhance his classroom instruction daily. He uses a Mimio Pad, an iPad, and his projector to engage students in learning through the use of interactive technology-rich lessons. In addition, he serves as the main contact for technology support on his campus, assisting staff with updating their websites and troubleshooting local technology issues. Todd Voges, Principal at Morrill, said that Pena has been an “invaluable asset to the campus”. Although it is clear the effect Pena has had on the staff, communicating with parents is where his knowledge of technology has made a major impact.

Pena has created a Google Site, which he updates weekly with videos, pictures, and student work. This site allows parents to get a glimpse into their child’s day to day learning experiences. Pena said that technology has been vital for communicating with parents, for whom this is their child’s first time in a formal classroom setting. Using his Google Site and Remind, he keeps parents updated on the day’s events. He said, “using technology has allowed me to create a consistent stream of communication and complete transparency with the parents. As I teach 3-4 year olds, the parents (especially in the beginning!) are very anxious to see what their children are doing and learning. By using Google Sites, it has not only allowed me to create a weekly updated communication venue, but also allow me to upload pictures of the students actually doing and learning. Many parents have really enjoyed that aspect of the page.”

Hidden Gems of the Library: BrainPop