VSTE

Virginia Society for Technology in Education

VSTE News

Virginia Students Featured at Speak Up Congressional Briefing

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I was fortunate to attend a special event to share the results of the Speak Up 2016 survey, http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/speakup_congress.html.  This is a survey published by Project Tomorrow, http://www.tomorrow.org/ , It is an online tool that  gives students, educators, administrators, and parents an opportunity to provide feedback about the use of technology for learning. The data from this survey has helped many districts develop and implement new strategies to address the needs of all learners and  prepare them for their future.  I have always been impressed with Julie Evans, CEO Project Tomorrow,  She has been such a strong advocate for technology in education.  She is a true believer in the positive impact of technology on learning. I would encourage you and your division to participate in the 2017 Speak Up Survey opening on October 16. You can access the survey here: http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/

At this event, we heard from students about their experiences with technology and why it is important for them to have ubiquitous and equitable access.  One student shared that their one-to-one program has provided equal opportunities to all students providing them an “equal start to the future of their education, because we live in a digital world.”  She  mentioned that they are able to use  all of the tools that adults use in their work environment.and  shared  the importance of collaborating with her peers.  During one project, she got to know other students in her class as they worked together on a project.  She shared that members of the group had ideas that she never would have thought of on her own.

If given the opportunity, students will go beyond the standard and far beyond our expectations. How can we empower our students, take them seriously and trust and support their thoughts about their own learning? The students on the panel all described the learning environment at their schools as one that

  • gives them a chance to be heard
  • promotes having a strong foundation that they can further build upon - referring to learning how and when to use technology resources to demonstrate their learning
  • encourages collaboration
  • exposes students to new tools, resources, and ways of thinking

All of these students were confident and well spoken about their school experience. They were able to articulate what they need from school and why their school works.  I have to guess that these schools have created that culture of trust that we have heard about so often.  It is easy to see when it works, but not an easy thing to develop. But I do know that  giving students that voice, the ability to be heard and a part of the conversation about  their learning is a very important step in the process.

Diane Harazin is a member of the VSTE Board of Directors and Supervisor of Instructional Technology for Prince William County Schools.

Big Deal Book, September 15, 2017: Maximize Your Learning

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Looking for some new ideas for the new year? Interested in grants or competitions? Check out the latest edition of the Big Deal Book, VSTE's partner for making sure you get the best of the best in web-based resources.  In this edition, you can find ways to Tinker with Technology, Track Climate Change, Think Visually & More.

Grants for Field Trips Connected to Classroom Curricula

Target Field Trip Grants are awarded to K–12 public, private, and charter schools nationwide to fund field trips that connect students’ classroom curricula to out-of-school experiences.

Challenge to Girls to Become Tech Entrepreneurs

Technovation offers girls around the world the opportunity to learn the skills they need in order to emerge as tech entrepreneurs and leaders. Technovation invites girls to identify a problem in their community and then challenges them to solve it.

Search and Rescue Game

A distress call from an emergency beacon goes off somewhere in the world. Satellites orbiting high above Earth receive the signal and relay the person’s location to search and rescue crews on the ground. In Rescue 406, an iOS mobile game by NASA, students use the information from these satellites to direct the rescue effort.

Big Deal Book, September 15, 2017

Not all the resources are time sensitive, so be sure to check out the archives.

VE PLN Presents Virtual Reality in Education

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Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, 8 PM ET: VIRTUAL REALITY IN EDUCATION

Dr. William Schmachtenberg (Dae Miami in Second Life) will share the research he conducted this summer into Virtual Reality. There is so much hype about Google Cardboard, Gear VR, and Oculus Rift, but how much of it is hype and will it help educate students? Dr. Schmachtenberg has reviewed apps on Gear VR and Oculus Rift for their educational value and will address practical questions about using this technology including purchasing, installation and integration. Join the Virtual Environments PLN on VSTE Island In Second Life for this presentation about what is really happening in VR, based on hands on research of the hardware.

Learn More About Second Life & How to Attend Events On VSTE Island 

 

Save the Month: #vstereads for Connected Educator Month

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Diane Harazin and Lynmara Colon from Prince William County Public Schools are leading our October book study. We'll be reading Learning Transformed: 8 Keys to Designing Tomorrow's Schools, Today by Eric C. Sheninger and Thomas C. Murray.

You can review the first webinar archive here. (The link will open in a new tab.)

We'll be using flipgrid to share thoughts about the book. (The link will open in a new tab.)

Reading Schedule:

  • Week 1/October 2nd- Chapters 1 &2
  • Week 2/October 9th- Chapters 3&4
  • Week 3/October 16th- Chapters 5&6
  • Week 4/October 23rd- Chapters 7&8

Activity Schedule:

  • October 4- #NovaEd Chat
  • October 5- Live Webinar
  • October 11 & 18- Flipgrip Interactions
  • October 25- Live Webinar
  • October 30- Write a Blog Post or Reflection
  • January 30- Post with Application

Participants in the Fall 2017 book study are able to earn 10 recertification points by participating in the synchronous and asynchronous events including:

  1. At least one of two live webinars (October 5, 7:30 PM & October 25, 7:30 PM) Webinars will be held in VSTE's Adobe Connect room: http://vste.adobeconnect.com/vstereads Choose guest login and enter your name the way you wish it to appear in the attendee list.
  2. #novaedchat Twitter Chat (October 4, 8:00 - 9:00 PM) You'll need a free Twitter account. Be sure to use the hashtag #novaedchat AND #vstereads. Here's a short tutorial about participating in Tweet Chats.
  3. Post to at least three of four flipgrid topics related to the book study. (Topics will be posted each week throughout the month of October, usually on Wednesdays.) The Flipgrid link is coming soon!

If you are interested, please complete the registration form.

 

Critical Action Needed: National Days of Action for Federal Funding

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Part of VSTE's mission is to advocate for education and technology. We are reaching out today to let you know that action and advocacy is critical right now. The Senate Appropriations Committee will be making funding decisions on two programs we care about - Title II-A and Title IV-A - the week of September 7. As you may have heard, the House Appropriations Committee has already voted to eliminate all funding ($2 billion) for Title II-A, which provides states and districts money for effective professional development, and a small increase for Title IV-A, the new block grant that supports education technology. Much is riding on what the Senate decides.

Join the National Thunderclaps: A Thunderclap is a social media tool to amplify a message. To participate in an ISTE-supported Thunderclap, go to the URLs below and use your Twitter or Facebook account to sign up. On both National Days of Action, the tool will post an identical message in support of funding for these programs to all of the supporters' accounts, amplifying our message to all of their followers and friends.

Join the Title II Thunderclap here.

Join the Title IV Thunderclap here.

Title II-A Day of Action - August 29, 2017: Title II-A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides ongoing professional development for teachers and school leaders, including professional development for the effective use of technology. Many ISTE members also use these funds to attend our conference. Unfortunately, both the president and the House of Representatives called for a complete elimination of this funding and it's up to the Senate to restore funding to at least last year's level.

Title IV-A Day of Action - August 31, 2017: Title IV-A of ESSA houses the education technology provisions of the law and is meant to support the effective use of technology, investments in infrastructure and access to digital learning in the classroom and at home. Unfortunately, in its first year of funding, Congress only dedicated $400 million (less than 25 percent of its authorized level) to the program - meaning many districts will receive very little funding to invest in these areas. The House of Representatives included $500 million for the program and it's critical that the Senate hears our support for this program.

Now is the time to raise our voices in support of these programs. ISTE will send an email on the morning of each event with details about other actions you can take throughout the day, so please consider joining the ISTE Advocacy Network. VSTE will post announcements across their social media networks as well. ISTE and VSTE strongly urge you to take action and participate in this important advocacy work!