Welcome to an engaging discussion on distance learning with Common Sense. I’m Barbara Keith, the Regional Education Program Manager for the DC Metro area. Today, I’m joined by Lori Guillen and Alison Brenda to explore low and no-tech resources that can benefit all learners. This conversation will be available on our Common Sense YouTube channel, along with all the links and resources we discuss. Our chat moderator, Vicki, will also share some valuable resources.
Lori Guillen: I’m the Assistant Coordinator for Model Schools at Washington Saratoga Warren Hamilton and Essex BOCES in upstate New York. We serve five counties and about thirty-one school districts, reaching around 40,000 students. My role focuses on professional learning and assisting teachers with technology.
Alison Brenda: I am a computer teacher for grades three through five and the district technology coach for the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District, also in upstate New York.
In my area, I host daily webinars at 11:00 AM. Initially, these were hour-long Q&A sessions, but now they are half-hour topic-driven sessions based on teachers’ questions. These sessions are recorded for future access, along with the slide decks.
In Alison’s district, the main challenge has been ensuring all students have access to devices and the internet. Fortunately, they have reached a point where all students are receiving the necessary services.
To engage students, I send out newsletters with resources for teachers and have created a calendar of low or no-tech activities. Fun ideas include scavenger hunts and bingo games that require minimal technology. For instance, you can take your child outside to sketch things they see or create a list of items to find during a walk.
Google offers a website with various experiments, including an emoji scavenger hunt. Students use a camera to find items that match the emojis shown to them. They take a snapshot of the item, and the faster they find it, the more points they earn.
Alison suggests incorporating seasonal activities, especially with spring in mind. Art teachers can set up scavenger hunts for students to find materials and create projects. Additionally, using webcams to view live animals or nature can be a great resource.
Scavenger hunts can be adapted for older students by incorporating technology like taking selfies or using apps like GooseChase to create more complex challenges. You can also focus on social-emotional learning by having students identify situations that evoke different emotions.
Bingo can be played using a website called Bingo Baker, which allows you to create virtual bingo cards. You can customize the cards with various themes, and students can play online by generating their own boards.
It’s important to balance device use with breaks. I introduced breakout EDU and Kahoot, which are engaging and easy to use. These tools allow for interactive learning experiences, and many are currently free to access.
For rainy days, I suggest activities like Prodigy for math practice or creative projects using Google Drawings. It’s essential to have a variety of engaging activities for different weather conditions.
Privacy is critical, especially in New York State, where laws require contracts with any EdTech vendors that collect student data. We focus on using tools that do not require sign-ins or collect personal information.
Keep it simple and stick to what students are comfortable with. Be open to trying new things and allow students to showcase their learning in various ways. Celebrate every accomplishment, and encourage creativity and exploration in learning.
Thank you both for sharing your expertise today! We appreciate your insights and look forward to our next session.
Engage in a fun and interactive Emoji Scavenger Hunt. Use your camera to find items that match the emojis displayed. Capture the item quickly to earn points. This activity encourages observation skills and quick thinking.
Participate in a seasonal scavenger hunt. Collect materials from your surroundings to create art projects. This activity fosters creativity and connects you with nature, enhancing your observational skills.
Join a virtual bingo game using Bingo Baker. Customize your bingo cards with different themes and play online. This activity promotes strategic thinking and can be a fun way to learn new concepts.
Engage in interactive learning with Breakout EDU and Kahoot. These platforms offer a variety of challenges that are both educational and entertaining. They encourage teamwork and problem-solving skills.
On rainy days, explore creative projects using tools like Google Drawings or practice math with Prodigy. These activities provide a productive outlet for creativity and reinforce academic skills.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Welcome to distance learning with Common Sense. My name is Barbara Keith, and I am the Regional Education Program Manager for the DC Metro area. I am joined today by Lori Guillen and Alison Brenda, and we will be discussing low and no-tech resources for all learners. This conversation will be posted later on our Common Sense YouTube channel, along with all the links and resources we discuss today. We also have a chat moderator, Vicki, who will be sharing some of the resources.
To get started, Lori, can you tell us a little more about yourself and the schools you represent?
Sure! I’m Lori Guillen, the Assistant Coordinator for Model Schools at Washington Saratoga Warren Hamilton and Essex BOCES, located in upstate New York, just outside of Saratoga. We service five counties and about thirty-one area school districts, serving around 40,000 students. My job focuses on professional learning, helping teachers with technology.
Thank you for being here today! Alison, can you share a bit about yourself and the schools you represent?
My name is Alison Brenda, and I am a computer teacher for grades three through five and the district technology coach for the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District, which is also in upstate New York, about an hour from Lori.
Before we dive into our topic, can you share some of the things currently happening in your schools?
In my area, I host daily webinars around 11:00 AM. Initially, we started with hour-long Q&A sessions, but now we have shifted to half-hour topic-driven sessions based on questions I receive from teachers. These sessions cover various topics, and all are recorded for future access, along with the slide decks.
Alison, what’s happening in your district?
We are a smaller district with about 2,000 students. Our biggest challenge has been ensuring that all students have access to devices and internet. We are finally at a point where all students are receiving the necessary services.
Getting students connected is crucial. What are some resources available to engage them that require low or no technology?
I have been sending out newsletters with resources for teachers and created a calendar of low or no-tech activities. Some fun ideas include scavenger hunts and bingo games that can be done without much technology. For example, you can take your child outside to sketch things they see or create a list of items to find during a walk.
Can you share more about the emoji scavenger hunt you mentioned earlier?
Google has a website with various experiments, including an emoji scavenger hunt. Students can use a camera to find items that match the emojis shown to them. They take a snapshot of the item, and the faster they find it, the more points they earn.
Alison, what ideas do you have for engaging students?
I like to incorporate seasonal activities, especially with spring in mind. For example, art teachers can set up scavenger hunts for students to find materials and create projects. Additionally, using webcams to view live animals or nature can be a great resource.
How can we engage older students in scavenger hunts?
Scavenger hunts can be adapted for older students by incorporating technology like taking selfies or using apps like GooseChase to create more complex challenges. You can also focus on social-emotional learning by having students identify situations that evoke different emotions.
Can you provide an example of how to play bingo virtually with students?
Bingo can be played using a website called Bingo Baker, which allows you to create virtual bingo cards. You can customize the cards with various themes, and students can play online by generating their own boards.
It’s important to balance device use with breaks. How did you start introducing activities that use a bit of technology?
I introduced breakout EDU and Kahoot, which are engaging and easy to use. These tools allow for interactive learning experiences, and many are currently free to access.
What about resources for rainy days?
For rainy days, I suggest activities like Prodigy for math practice or creative projects using Google Drawings. It’s essential to have a variety of engaging activities for different weather conditions.
Regarding privacy, can you share how you prepare schools for using technology tools?
Privacy is critical, especially in New York State, where we have laws that require contracts with any EdTech vendors that collect student data. We focus on using tools that do not require sign-ins or collect personal information.
As we wrap up, what are your top takeaways for everyone?
Keep it simple and stick to what students are comfortable with. Be open to trying new things and allow students to showcase their learning in various ways. Celebrate every accomplishment, and encourage creativity and exploration in learning.
Thank you both for sharing your expertise today! We appreciate your insights and look forward to our next session.
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This version removes any informal language, personal anecdotes, or specific names that may not be necessary for understanding the content.
Learning – The process of acquiring knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Professional students often use online platforms to enhance their learning experience.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry and education. – The integration of technology in classrooms has transformed the way students access information.
Resources – Materials, tools, or assets that are used to facilitate learning and teaching. – Digital libraries provide valuable resources for students conducting research.
Students – Individuals who are engaged in the process of learning, typically in an educational institution. – Students are encouraged to collaborate on projects to enhance their understanding of complex subjects.
Activities – Tasks or exercises designed to engage students in the learning process. – Interactive activities in the classroom can significantly boost student participation and interest.
Engagement – The level of interest, enthusiasm, and involvement that students show towards their learning. – High engagement in online courses often leads to better academic outcomes.
Privacy – The right of individuals to keep their personal information secure and confidential, especially in digital environments. – Ensuring student privacy is crucial when using educational technology platforms.
Tools – Software or applications that aid in the educational process by facilitating learning and teaching. – Educators use various digital tools to create interactive and effective lesson plans.
Devices – Electronic equipment used to access digital content and educational resources. – Tablets and laptops are common devices used by students for online learning.
Education – The systematic process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, and habits. – Education technology has revolutionized the way knowledge is disseminated and acquired.
