Welcome to an engaging exploration of distance learning with Common Sense Education. I’m Tali Horowitz, the New York Education Director, and I’m excited to share insights from our recent discussion, now available on our Common Sense Education YouTube channel. Today, we delve into the world of digital learning with our esteemed guests, Laura Ogando and Jackie Patano.
Laura Ogando: With 11 years at the Department of Education, Laura’s journey began as a special education teacher. She transitioned to an ICT teacher and later became a Digital Literacy Specialist. Currently, she serves as the Program Manager for the Office of Digital Literacy and Inclusion, where she integrates technology into various content areas, ensuring digital accessibility.
Jackie Patano: Jackie is an EdTech Instructional Lead for District 31 in Staten Island, supporting schools from pre-K to 12th grade. Her passion lies in embedding digital citizenship across all subjects. Previously, she was a classroom teacher and instructional technology coach, and she actively engages parents in supporting their children’s digital learning journey.
Wide Open School is a comprehensive resource hub offering high-quality content for students from preschool to 12th grade. It includes resources for reading, math, and emotional well-being, making it a valuable tool for educators and parents alike.
Laura: I discovered Wide Open School during the pandemic. It’s an incredible resource, organized by topic and grade level, which simplifies finding the right materials. It also offers resources for parents, which is crucial for supporting families during these times.
Jackie: Wide Open School is a one-stop solution for educational activities, including virtual field trips that my six-year-old loves. Its well-organized structure makes it easy to access resources for various grade levels.
While digital resources are invaluable, offline activities play a crucial role in developing life skills.
Jackie: An offline activity I enjoyed with my son was making scrambled eggs using a recipe from Tasty. It was a fun way to teach him about following a process, and he even wanted to record it for YouTube!
Laura: Wide Open School collaborates with over 85 partners to provide curated content, making it easier for educators to find quality resources without the hassle.
Laura: I highly recommend GoNoodle for movement breaks. It’s engaging and fun, helping students stay active, especially during long screen sessions.
Jackie: The Daily Planner from Wide Open School is another favorite. It offers structured activities, which is a great help for parents navigating remote learning.
Laura: It’s okay not to have all the answers. We’re all learning together, and it’s important to support each other.
Jackie: Build a community with fellow educators and parents. Don’t hesitate to seek help and leverage resources like Wide Open School to enhance your teaching.
Thank you for joining us in this insightful discussion. You can explore more Distance Learning chats on our YouTube channel. Have a wonderful weekend ahead!
Engage in a hands-on workshop where you will explore how to effectively integrate digital literacy into your curriculum. Collaborate with peers to create lesson plans that incorporate technology, ensuring accessibility for all students.
Plan a virtual field trip using resources from Wide Open School. Select a destination, outline educational objectives, and design activities that align with your subject area. Share your plan with classmates and receive feedback.
Participate in an offline activity challenge where you will choose a life skill to teach, such as cooking or budgeting. Document the process and reflect on how this skill can be integrated into your teaching practice.
Incorporate GoNoodle movement breaks into your daily routine. Experiment with different activities and evaluate their impact on student engagement and focus. Discuss your findings with peers.
Join a session focused on building a supportive community among educators and parents. Share strategies for collaboration and explore resources like Wide Open School to enhance your teaching and support students’ emotional well-being.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
Welcome to Distance Learning with Common Sense. My name is Tali Horowitz, and I’m the New York Education Director. This conversation will be posted to our Common Sense Education YouTube channel, along with links and resources shared and discussed in our chat today. So let’s go ahead and get started. I am absolutely thrilled to introduce our two guests, Laura Ogando and Jackie Patano.
Before I ask you to introduce yourselves, I just want to say happy Digital Citizenship Week to both of you. You both look lovely! I love the coordinating red glasses with the red shirts.
Let’s go ahead and introduce yourselves. Tell us where you work, some background about yourself, and how you’ve been a good digital citizen this week.
**Laura:** Hi everyone! My name is Laura Ogando. I have been with the Department of Education for 11 school years. I started out as a self-contained teacher, so my background is in special education. I did that for five years, worked as an ICT teacher, and most recently, I was my school’s Digital Literacy Specialist. Now, I work as the Program Manager for the Office of Digital Literacy and Inclusion, focusing on integrating technology into all content areas and ensuring that the content we create is digitally accessible.
**Jackie:** Hey everybody! I’m Jackie Patano, and I also work at the New York City Department of Education. Currently, I am an EdTech Instructional Lead for District 31, supporting all schools from pre-K to 12 in Staten Island. Previously, I was a classroom teacher and an instructional technology coach at PS 16. I’m passionate about infusing digital citizenship into all content areas, and this week, I’ve been working with parents on various ways they can support their kids.
Thank you both! You mentioned Wide Open School, which offers high-quality content from preschool to 12th grade, including reading resources, math, and emotional well-being. Can you help our educators understand what exactly Wide Open School is and how you’re using it?
**Laura:** I first came across Wide Open School in April during the pandemic. It’s an amazing resource that can be sorted by topic or grade band, making it easy to find what you need. It even has resources for parents, which is crucial since many families need additional support right now.
**Jackie:** I completely agree! I found Wide Open School to be everything we need in one spot. It has activities for students, including virtual field trips, which have been a huge hit for my six-year-old. It’s organized well, making it easy to find resources for different grade levels.
**Tali:** That’s great! Can you talk a little more about some of the offline activities available and how they can build life skills?
**Jackie:** Sure! One offline activity I did with my son involved making scrambled eggs using a recipe from Tasty. We followed the steps together, which helped him learn about the process. He even wanted to record it to share on YouTube!
**Laura:** That’s a fantastic example! Wide Open School has over 85 partners providing curated content, which is so helpful for educators. It takes the guesswork out of finding quality resources.
**Tali:** Laura, can you share a resource you appreciate?
**Laura:** Absolutely! I love GoNoodle for movement breaks. It’s engaging and fun, and it helps students get up and move, which is essential, especially during long periods of screen time.
**Jackie:** I also rely heavily on the Daily Planner from Wide Open School. It provides structured activities for students, which is great for parents who may not know what to do with their kids during remote learning.
**Tali:** Thank you both for sharing! As we wrap up, what are some takeaways you want our educators to walk away with?
**Laura:** Remember, it’s okay to not have all the answers. We’re all navigating this together, and it’s important to lean on each other for support.
**Jackie:** Absolutely! Find your community, whether it’s other educators or parents, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Keep pushing forward and utilize resources like Wide Open School to support your teaching.
Thank you both so much for your insights today, and thank you to everyone who joined us. You can find this Distance Learning chat and others on our YouTube channel. Wishing you all a wonderful upcoming weekend!
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. – Education is crucial for developing the skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern world.
Digital – Involving or relating to the use of computer technology. – Digital tools have transformed the way educators deliver content and engage with students.
Literacy – The ability to read and write, or competence or knowledge in a specified area. – Digital literacy is essential for students to effectively participate in today’s technology-driven society.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught. – Online platforms have revolutionized learning by providing access to a wealth of information and interactive experiences.
Resources – Materials, tools, or services that are used to achieve a goal or complete a task. – Educators often utilize digital resources to enhance the learning experience and provide diverse perspectives.
Skills – The ability to do something well, usually gained through training or experience. – Developing digital skills is critical for students to succeed in the modern workforce.
Citizenship – The status of being a member of a particular country or community, with associated rights and responsibilities. – Digital citizenship involves understanding how to use technology responsibly and ethically.
Activities – Tasks or actions that are done for a particular purpose, often to achieve educational goals. – Interactive activities can significantly enhance student engagement and understanding in digital learning environments.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – The integration of technology in education has opened new avenues for personalized learning.
Community – A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. – Building an online community can foster collaboration and support among students and educators.
