VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

VSTE News

PROP-EL: Creating a Resource that helps both EL students and their teachers to succeed

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Screenshot of PROP-EL website header

 

Created by:

  • Ryan Champney - ITRT for Spotsylvania County Public Schools
  • Tara Hefner - ESOL Secondary Lead / ESOL Coach
  • Sarah Mills - ITRT for Spotsylvania County Public Schools
  • Cara Miles - former Spotsy ITRT / current ESOL teacher for York County

 

“Do you have anything for translation?” This was a question I was asked many times in my first year as an ITRT. Little did I know that this question would send me on a journey that I never would have guessed I would become immersed in as a new ITRT.

In the past year, Spotsylvania County Public Schools has had an increase of over 500 EL (English Learners) or ML (Multiple Language) Learners. This is a trend that is only increasing as we begin to see an influx of these students in our schools.

As I started to become aware of the needs of these students, I reached out to some of my colleagues for support and information. We decided after some discussion about how best to support the teachers for EL students and the students themselves, that we would create a shared Google Drive to host a number of EL resources that could be shared throughout the county.

A screenshot of the PROP-EL Canvas course header

However, after some discussion about copyright and share settings, we decided to create what is now known as PROP-EL. Within this project, we created a hub for resources, a Canvas Course with Modules to keep track of the state required training needed by all teachers, and a website that hosts a number of resources to help all of our students.

Take a look at the presentation below and explore what PROP-EL is, what it can become, and what YOU can do to best help your EL students.

PROP-EL PRESENTATION

PROP EL Title slide with PROP-EL centered, a rocket to the right and the tagline "Propelling ELs forward using technology based skills and strategies"

Common Sense Education Resource Share – February 20, 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, February 15th, 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 Combat Cybersecurity Threats, Detect AI Writing, Descend on Mars & More...

 

Tools for Students to Combat Cybersecurity Threats

Australia, India, Japan, and the United States have launched the Quad Cyber Challenge to draw attention to ongoing cyber threats against governments and schools. The initiative's website links to resources for students created by federal agencies, including Kahoot quizzes on cybersecurity and similar topics.

 

Online Course Providing an Overview of Social–Emotional Learning

Interest in social and emotional learning (SEL) has grown rapidly in the post-pandemic world, according to CASEL. To address this increased interest, CASEL has launched a free one-hour online learning course: An Introduction to Social and Emotional Learning.

 

New Tools to Detect AI-Generated Writing

OpenAI, maker of the controversial ChatGPT, released a new tool designed to help teachers detect work that has been written by artificial intelligence tools—and potentially curb cheating. OpenAI emphasized the limitations of its detection tool but said that in addition to deterring plagiarism, it could help to detect automated disinformation campaigns and other misuse of AI to mimic humans.

 

Educator-Led Project That Promotes Media and Digital Literacy

Project Look Sharp is an outreach initiative through Ithaca College that helps K–12 educators teach literacy across the curriculum to empower students as media consumers and creators.

 

 

View the whole Big Book Deal Newsletter for February 15, 2023

The Archives

Board of Directors Nominations

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VSTE Board of Directors Nominations are Open

You can make an impact on the future of the Virginia Society for Technology in Education (VSTE) by nominating someone outstanding to serve on the VSTE Board of Directors! This is an opportunity to become involved in the key decision-making group for VSTE.

Nomination Process
Each year around this time, VSTE sends an announcement that nominations are open for the VSTE Board of Directors.  VSTE members may nominate themselves or a colleague who belongs to VSTE to be considered for election to the VSTE Board of Directors for a three-year term, beginning July 1, 2023.  VSTE strives to have representation of members from across the various regions of Virginia.

Once the nominations have been submitted, the election committee recommends a slate of nominees to the Board for approval.  The online elections will take place in April and all VSTE members in good standing (and have been members at least 10 days prior to the election start date) are eligible to vote.

Board Member Duties and Responsibilities
The Board of Directors meets on a monthly basis. Four times a year they meet face-to-face on a Saturday at locations across the state in September, December (at the VSTE conference), March, and June. In-person quarterly meetings are half day retreats.  The other monthly meetings are 1 to 2 hours in length on a virtual call in the evenings.

Board members are expected to participate in the Board meetings, as well as chair and participate in various Board committees and initiatives.  The Board helps to promote and support the work of VSTE throughout the year.  Board members are also expected to attend the annual meeting at the annual conference in December.

For more information about the nomination process, please go to the 2023 Elections Information and Nominations site. We hope you will consider nominating someone for the 2023 VSTE Board of Directors!

Big Deal Book, February 1st, 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 Black History Month, Math Sightings, Virtual Fitness Challenge & More...

 

SPOTLIGHT! On Black History Month.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in US history. Since 1976 every US president has officially designated February as Black History Month.

Teachers are invited to put the power of these resources to work in their classrooms during Black History Month and throughout the year.

 

Virtual Learning Experience with African American Scientists

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) invite middle school and high school students to join A Space for Us All, a virtual educational experience examining and building on the legacy of achievement, connection, and knowledge of African Americans at NASA.

 

Robotics Platform That Uses Trash to Teach Coding

To students, crumpled plastic water bottles and milk cartons may seem like trash, but to brothers and entrepreneurs Rohit and Sidharth Srinivasan, these common everyday items represent an opportunity for equitable STEM education.

 

Walking, Cycling, Swimming … Virtual Fitness Challenge

Spice up your motivation for running, walking, or cycling (or any distance-based exercise) by taking on The Conqueror’s Mount Everest Virtual Challenge. The challenge takes you through a breathtaking 40-mile journey to the summit of Mount Everest—the highest peak in the world.

 

 

View the whole Big Book Deal Newsletter for February 1, 2023

The Archives