VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

Patrick Hausammann

Common Sense Education Resource Share – May 3, 2023

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An image of students working on laptops in a classroom. A Common Sense Education text overlay appears in the top right of the graphic."Common Sense is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all kids thrive in a world of media and technology. They support pre-K–12 schools with lesson plans, edtech reviews, family resources, and everything else students need to thrive in a connected world." Below is a custom set of resources pulled from this month's newest updates! Check them out via the links and explore even more at www.commonsense.org/education. VSTE is proud to partner with Common Sense Education.

For Teachers:

For Parents & Caregivers:

 

All Resources via Common Sense Education

All VSTE Posts of Common Sense Education Resources

Common Sense Education Resource Share – April 19, 2023

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An image of students working on laptops in a classroom. A Common Sense Education text overlay appears in the top right of the graphic."Common Sense is the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all kids thrive in a world of media and technology. They support pre-K–12 schools with lesson plans, edtech reviews, family resources, and everything else students need to thrive in a connected world." Below is a custom set of resources pulled from this month's newest updates! Check them out via the links and explore even more at www.commonsense.org/education. VSTE is proud to partner with Common Sense Education.

For Teachers:

For Parents & Caregivers:

 

All Resources via Common Sense Education

All VSTE Posts of Common Sense Education Resources

Big Deal Book, April 17th, 2023

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VSTE partners with Big Deal Media to bring you carefully curated resources designed for K-12 educators. Grants, competitions, web-based and mobile resources and more. We select our favorites from each newsletter but be sure to scroll down and view the whole newsletter. And, since not all the Big Deal Book resources are time sensitive, we provide an archive for you to browse.

This newsletter will help you with Language Learning in VR, Financial Literacy Foundations & More...

 

Curriculum Making Financial Literacy the Foundation of the Next Generation’s Future

A team of educators from across the country and around the globe joined the ChooseFI Foundation to create the PreK–12 Financial Literacy Curriculum to help students become ready for life after graduation. The curriculum is totally free, easy to implement, and easy to adapt.

 

Google Initiative Expanding Student Access to STEM

Google’s Code Next lab is a free computer science education program that meets Black, Latinx, and Native high school students in their own communities and provides the skills and inspiration they need for long and rewarding careers in computer science–related fields.

 

Language Learning in VR with Native Speakers in Authentic Locations

ImmerseMe offers solo language practice in virtual reality. In each lesson, students will find themselves in a 360-degree photographic image filmed on location in a place where their language of choice is spoken.

 

SPOTLIGHT! On Building and Cultivating Community Through Astronomy

The flagship event of Astronomers Without Borders, Global Astronomy Month takes place every year in April. The aim is to encourage everyone to go outside, look up, and share the sky. It’s also an excellent time to immerse students in STEM topics, from telling space stories to engaging in a virtual exploration of the Universe.

 

 

View the whole Big Book Deal Newsletter for April 17, 2023

The Archives

ChatGPT & AI in Education_What’s All The Buzz About?

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by one of the VSTE Coaching Crew members, Patty Gilham

A robotic hand holding a table with a lightbulb above it. Text is along the left that says AI in Education.

As educators; we have been using applications such as Kahoot!, Quizlet and Immersive Reader with our students that use artificial intelligence (AI) to make them more personalized to the needs of our students. In late 2022 and into 2023, ChatGPT, however, seemed to suddenly bring to focus how AI could impact teaching and learning in a major way. Many school divisions have blocked it while others are embracing it to support students and teachers. No matter which way a school division decides to go; as educators we certainly want to be informed about technology that will impact what happens in the classroom. In keeping with the spirit of demonstrating the power of ChatGPT the following question and response was generated in less than 30 seconds.

Question: What are some practical ways teachers can use AI tools like ChatGPT to improve instruction?

Response: Here are some practical ways that teachers can use AI tools like ChatGPT to improve instruction:

  • Personalized feedback: Chat GPT can provide personalized feedback to students on their work, allowing them to identify areas for improvement and work at their own pace. Teachers can use Chat GPT to provide feedback on assignments, essays, or other written work, providing suggestions for improvement and areas to focus on.
  • Differentiated instruction: Chat GPT can be used to provide differentiated instruction to students based on their individual needs and abilities. Teachers can use Chat GPT to provide students with personalized instruction, such as assigning specific readings or activities that are tailored to their interests and learning style.
  • Real-time assessment: Chat GPT can be used to assess student understanding in real-time during class discussions or activities. Teachers can use Chat GPT to pose questions and receive immediate feedback from students, allowing them to adjust their instruction accordingly.
  • Collaborative learning: Chat GPT can be used to facilitate collaborative learning among students, allowing them to work together on projects and share ideas in real-time. Teachers can use Chat GPT to create group chats or virtual classrooms where students can collaborate and communicate with each other.
  • Research assistance: Chat GPT can be used to assist students with research, providing them with access to a vast amount of information and resources. Teachers can use Chat GPT to guide students through the research process, helping them to identify credible sources and evaluate information.
  • Time management: Chat GPT can be used to help students manage their time more effectively, providing them with reminders and prompts to stay on track with their assignments and deadlines. Teachers can use Chat GPT to create calendars and schedules for students, helping them to prioritize their work and stay organized.

ChatGPT is not the only AI technology that has the potential to encourage educators to rethink methods of leveraging technology with teaching and learning. Canva, another tool that promotes use in the educational arena, has also introduced many new features that includes a suite of AI-powered tools. A simple prompt can generate a range of presentations as well as custom-designed images in a matter of minutes.

As AI technology continues to advance; it is important for educators to understand its potential impact and how to prepare students for an AI-driven world. Integrating AI into education can help students learn to use, create and evaluate the results of AI-generated resources. Assisting students in developing a responsible understanding of this technology can go hand-and-hand when teaching students other digital citizenship concepts and strategies.

Additional Resources to Explore to Learn More:

  1. ChatGPT, Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence in Education
  2. 10 Gifts We Unboxed at Canva Create
  3. Artificial Intelligence in Education
  4. Tips and Resources for Introducing Students to Artificial Intelligence
  5. The A-Z of AI

 

Sketchnoting

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While it's a form of notetaking that has been around for a little while now, some may not be aware of sketchnoting as applied to student use. This method of notetaking helps to summarize thoughts in a unique way. Originally posted in September of 2020, author Chad Fisher provides his take on this for use with students. Connect with him on Twitter at @Chad_the_ITC.

Sketchnoting is something that has been around for a little while now. This method of taking notes is a little different than your typical outlines and takes a lot more thought in the planning of your drawings. But that can be the beauty of sketchnoting. You really have to conceptualize what you're hearing and make sense of it in order to place it into some type of drawing that can make sense to you.

Last year I was asked to come into a classroom and talk about some possible digital options that students could use for creating sketchnotes. One option that I thought of is called Autodraw. This online tool is part of Google's experimental labs and has been in use for several years now and isn't the only tool online that students can use. Autodraw is a little different from other drawing applications though in that users don't have to have the best of drawing skills in order to make or draw things. You just need to start drawing something and the app will make suggestions as to what it is that you're trying to draw. You just select the closest object to what you wanted and it takes the place of what you were drawing. It's not always 100% accurate but I was surprised at how well it actually worked.

A Sketchnote by Sylvia Duckworth ( https://sylviaduckworth.com/) from https://www.edtechteam.com/blog/2018/08/eduslam-how-to-sketchnote/

The Autodraw app lends itself very well to sketchnoting but doesn't only need to be used with notetaking. Drawings created in the application can be downloaded and then reused in whatever way that is needed or required. So if there's a reason why you need students to draw online consider this as a good option for those who feel they lack the necessary drawing skills.

With the current lack of participation by many students who may be working virtually, Sketchnoting may be one avenue to think about to get students more involved. Yes. Not all students may enjoy working with this notetaking technique but some may. Why not at least give it a try? Even if students don't use the online method and instead use old fashioned paper and pencil they may get more out of listening to their teachers doing online presentations or videos.