VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

Patrick Hausammann

Lights, Camera, Learning: Why Video is the Star of Education

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Written by VSTE Board Member Chrystal Elmore (@elmore_chrystal)

In education, tapping into students' innate abilities is key to fostering meaningful learning experiences. One powerful tool that aligns perfectly with students' natural inclinations is video. Let's explore why integrating video into education is not just beneficial but transformative:

  1. Students are natural storytellers.
    It's no secret that students possess a natural inclination towards storytelling. Video provides them with a medium to unleash their creativity and storytelling process. Whether it's crafting narratives, presenting ideas, or explaining concepts, students can harness the art of storytelling to deepen their understanding of the subject matter.
  2. Most students already spend a lot of time watching and making videos.
    In today's digital age, students are immersed in a world of videos. They spend hours consuming content on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. By incorporating video into education, educators can leverage this existing interest and familiarity to create engaging and relevant learning experiences.
  3. Encourages students to be creators, not just consumers.
    Video empowers students to transition from passive consumers to active creators. Instead of merely absorbing information, students become actively involved in the learning process. They take ownership of their learning journey, exploring topics, conducting research, and producing content that reflects their understanding and perspectives.
  4. Allows students to create personal connections to the content.
    Video offers a platform for students to personalize their learning experience. They can relate course material to their own lives, experiences, and interests, fostering deeper connections with the content. This personalization not only enhances engagement but also facilitates long-term retention and understanding.
  5. Enables Multimodal learning.
    Every student learns differently, and video caters to various learning styles. It combines visual, auditory, and sometimes even tactile elements, making it a powerful tool for multimodal learning. Whether students prefer visual demonstrations, verbal explanations, or hands-on activities, video provides a versatile medium to accommodate diverse learning preferences

Looking for some inspiration on how to incorporate video into your classroom? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Create a personal/subject narrative
  • Record Interviews
  • Stop Motion
  • Make a video tour of significant locations
  • Record Video Self-Assessments
  • Book Reports
  • Step-by-Step Videos
  • Newscasts

Our district uses Canva to create videos in the classroom. Canva for Education is like the Swiss Army knife of design platforms—it's versatile, user-friendly, and packed with features tailored specifically for students and teachers. With Canva, students and teachers have access to templates, stock photos and royalty free music to use in their videos!

Incorporating video into education offers students a dynamic platform for student expression, engagement, and learning. So let's grab our cameras, cue the lights, and embark on an educational adventure where creativity knows no bounds. After all, in the grand production of learning, every student deserves a starring role. Lights, camera, learning—action! 🎬✨

2024 VSTE Board Elections Nominations

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You are invited to nominate yourself or a colleague to be considered for election to the Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) Board of Directors, for the 2024-2027 Board term (three years).  This is an opportunity to become involved in the key decision-making group for the Virginia Society for Technology in Education.  The online election, which will be held in April 2024, is for four seats on the Board of Directors for Region 1, 2, 3, and 8.

Learn More About the VSTE Board of Directors

VSTE Version of VDOE Superintendent's Regions Map of Virginia

 

Nominations

VSTE members may nominate themselves or a colleague for a three year term who belong to VSTE and who live or work in Region 1 (Southwest), Region 2 (Southwest) or Region 3 (East) or 8 (South). Nominations are only being accepted from individuals in these regions for the 2024 elections.  This is an opportunity to become involved in the key decision-making group for the Virginia Society for Technology in Education. If you are interested and meet these requirements, please complete the electronic form no later than March 15, 2024.   If you are nominating someone else for the position, please be sure they are aware in advance and properly secure responses to the nomination form prompts.

Nominations open on March 4 and are open until March 15. You must be a VSTE member to nominate, to be nominated, and to participate in the online election.  Details for a complimentary membership can always be found at VSTE’s website.

 

Voting

Voting will open on April 1 2024 and close April 19th 2024. You must be a VSTE member at least 10 days prior to voting to be eligible. New board members will be announced April 29th.

Voting will open on April 1 2024 and close April 19th 2024. You must be a VSTE member at least 10 days prior to voting to be eligible. New board members will be announced April 29th.

Common Sense Education Resource Share – February 2024

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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

2023 VSTE Award Winners!

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The VSTE Coach and VSTE Teacher of the Year awards recognize and honor coaches and teachers who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in implementing technology to improve education.  Award recipients are selected from a pool of nominations submitted by VSTE members from around Virginia.

On December 6th, 2023, two individuals were recognized as Outstanding Technology Coach and Outstanding Teacher for their innovative and engaging work in supporting their peers and districts in becoming change agents in technology education. The winners met the high standards set by the ISTE Standards for Coaches and Teacher Leaders.

Below are our winners and remarks that were provided as part of their application packet.

 

Teacher of the Year

Heather Russell

4th Grade Teacher , Chesterfield County Public Schools

These award recognizes and honors one teacher who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in implementing technology to improve education.  

Ms. Russell has built a STEAM culture, not only within her own classroom but also within her school building. At the time, STEAM curriculum was only being embedded into classrooms with gifted or high achieving students. Ms. Russell immediately wanted to break that mold and expand STEAM to all students no matter their economic background, race, gender, or instructional level. Just like her students, she is always challenging herself to think outside the box and design STEAM and technology challenges that not only spark creativity within her students but also  bridge the gap between real world connections and the classroom. She is always seeking out new ways to blend technology into her Science, Social Studies, and Math content areas. The legacy she hopes to leave her students with is to always ask questions, dream big, and to inspire others with creativity.

 

Coach of the Year

Nicole Holdcraft 

Instructional Technology Coordinator, Virginia Beach Public Schools

This award will recognize one educational technology coach who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in implementing technology to improve education.

Ms. Holdcraft has created a supportive coaching culture by being approachable and a true instructional partner. She supports teachers in growing their capacity and helping students move toward mastery of their learning through student-centered coaching. She leads PLCs through data-driven conversations as a starting point for co-planning and co-designing learning opportunities. She has helped teachers identify meaningful connections for innovation in STEM, coding, podcasting, and performance tasks in all grade levels PreK-5. She is firm in her belief that technology access should be equitable and should engage future-ready students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Ms. Holdcraft collaborates with other educators to design accessible and active learning environments as seen with the College Park Elementary Innovation Lab, Makerspace, and Science Lab.   Her innovative spirit and collaborative mindset have made a profound impact on both students and educators throughout her school, district, and state.

VSTE is Hiring! Apply to be the VSTE Certified Coach Program Coordinator!

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Are You the Future VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator?

VSTE is on the lookout for a VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator. The VSTE Certified Coach program aims to provide an extended learning program that certifies instructional coaches and to grow a professional learning network of certified coaches that actively contributes to the VSTE mission and VSTE Certified Coach program.

What Does the VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator Do?

The VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator (VCCC) advocates for the role of coaches across the Commonwealth by managing and promoting the VSTE Certified Coach Program (VCC), facilitating the VCC professional learning network, coordinating the renewal process for all VCC coaches, and collaborating with the VSTE Board of Directors, Personal Services Coordinator (PCS), Digital Resources Manager (DRM), and Forward Edge (VSTE’s VCC partner organization). The VCCC is a dynamic role that impacts instructional coaching across the Commonwealth!

Managing and Promoting the VCC

As the coordinator, one of the main tasks is to work with the VSTE executive committee to promote the VCC program, coordinate the VCC application and enrollment process, and update the VCC program resources. You will work closely with the VSTE executive committee and Forward Edge to ensure the efficient and successful management and growth of the VCC program. This means you will be promoting and running registration windows twice a year.

Facilitating the VCC PLN

The VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator will be the primary point of contact for all VSTE Certified Coaches from registration to certification and through the ongoing renewal process. You will manage the VCC Professional Learning Network by managing an online platform for asynchronous communication, coordinating VCC PLN events throughout the year, publishing a quarterly VCC newsletter, and maintaining a database of all VCC coaches and cohorts. This role will be the liaison between the VCC coaches and the VSTE board.

Coordinating the VCC Renewal Program

In order to support the ongoing growth of the VCC coaches as well as the overall VCC program, the VSTE Certified Coach Coordinator will manage the VCC Renewal Program by advocating for opportunities for VCC coaches to earn renewal credits and contribute to the VST vision and goals. In addition, the VCCC will manage the VCC Renewal Program by providing ongoing communication and support to coaches, reviewing and approving renewal submissions, and maintaining current renewal status for all VCC Coaches.

Collaboration is at the heart of this role. The PSC will work closely with the VSTE Board of Directors, the VSTE Professional Services Coordinator (PSC), and the VSTE Digital Resource Manager (DRM). This collaboration entails reporting updates to the Board of Directors, working with the PSC to coordinate opportunities for VCC coaches, and collaborating with the DRM for marketing material publication and website edits.

Do you have what it takes?

To be eligible for this exciting position, you should have completed the VSTE Certified Coach Program. A passion for instructional coaching and VSTE’s vision and mission is essential. The ability to demonstrate excellence in multimedia and design skills, communication and collaboration skills, and content creation experience are required. Experience in professional development design and presentation, project management skills, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders are highly desirable. Demonstrating honesty, humility, transparency, and respect will be highly valued.
The annual salary for this part-time position is $3,500, based on an average of 2 hours of work per week. The expectation is that this position will have fluctuating periods of activity, with some weeks requiring higher hours per week. This position also offers flexible hours and the option to work remotely.

Ready to Make a Difference? Apply Now!

So, if you're ready to take on this exciting role and make a difference in the world of instructional coaching and education, apply now! We can't wait to meet you. Applications are due by 3-1-24.

Application Form