Edmonds Digital Learning

Summer Camp was such a success that we have decided to offer more online professional development for Edmonds School District staff!   Please read through the description below, explore the Instructional Technology Online PD website to check out the challenges, and check out the Blog where participants will share their learning. Instructional Technology Online PD is an opportunity to learn about a host of technology tools, that can be used with students, at your own pace. All work is completed in a place of your own choosing and on your own schedule. We encourage participants to collaborate with other educators.  Participants may earn badges and/or certificates along with Clock Hours. We are offering Drop-in Labs for one-on-one assistance from an Instructional Technology Coach (register  for Labs on the website) Find out more at the official Instructional Technology Online PD Website Register on the PD Portal This is free optional Profes...

Google Forms are great for collecting survey and assessment data, but sometimes you may wish to turn them off when you have received a certain number of responses (e.g. if you are offering a PD class and only have room for 20 people, or you are organising a field trip and only have room for 40 students). Thankfully, there is a way to do this using Add-ons .  Here's how: Step 1:  From your form, go to the Add-ons  menu and select Get add-ons : Step 2:  In the window that appears, type in "Form Limiter" , hit Enter , and then click  + Free on the blue button that appears: Step 3:  Click Allow Step 4:  Now, go to the Add-ons  menu and you will see there is a new option called formLimiter .  Select this menu, and then Set limit : Step 5:  From the menu at the right-hand side, select the type of limit you wish to impose: Step 6:  Set your limit and response message, then click Save and enable

Discover how to use Google Drawings as a learning tool. Have you discovered Google Drawings yet?  If not, you are missing out on a great educational tool. While it’s potential might not be obvious from the start, Google Drawings offers numerous possibilities for creating engaging learning activities. Last February, I posted “Graphic Organizers using Google Drawings” which highlighted a blog post by Matt Miller, on his site Ditch That Textbook , titled “ 15 FREE Google Drawings graphic organizers — and how to make your own” .  If you missed that post, I suggest that you check it out for some wonderful examples of graphic organizers that are ready to use. Graphic organizers are great for certain activities, but that is not the only learning tool that Google Drawings offers.  Matt Miller has written another post on his site titled, “ 10 engaging Google Drawings activities for classes.”  Yes, graphic organizers are mentioned as one of the engaging activitie...

Created by K. Lowden

Please join us for this Professional Development opportunity! EdCamp is a fun and relaxed environment for learning and sharing. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other educators in and around our district. The focus of this EdCamp is on technology integration but the agenda is open to all issues. Find out more at the official website . The registration form is available on the website or here . Please register soon because there’s a limited number of tickets available. FAQs Can only teachers attend? All teachers, para-educators, administrators, and interested people are welcome to attend. Registration is open to all including educators outside of the district. Are clock hours available? Yes. Five free clock hours are available for teachers and administrators in the Edmonds School District. Clock hours are also available to out-of-district people for a fee. What sessions will be offered? EdCamp is a form of unconference designed for participants and their ne...

For months now, we've been shouting about EasyBib as a great way for students to create bibliographies.  A challenger has appeared, however: RefMe Like EasyBib, RefMe allows students to create a bibliography in MLA format by either searching for their sources (books, websites, YouTube videos, and 36 other source types) or filling out details in a form. It has a Chrome extension to allow for one-click citations, and also a mobile app that allows students to scan the barcode of a book  in order to create a citation. This is a great way to harness the power that is already in the pockets of many of our students, and to shift the paradigm of cell phones in class. Have you used reference tools with your students?  Do you have other tips for using cell phones in class?  Let us know in the comments.

http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2015/08/25/10-collaborative-technology-projects-your-students-will-love! Reading this article this morning (while cuddling with my dogs), I recognized many tools that I've tested over the years with students as well as a few new ones I can't wait to try. Some of the tools work better with a subscription.  As we shift our thinking towards integrating technology, consider using your $350 to purchase inexpensive subscriptions to products you think will work great with your students. Try out the free version first or talk a young friend into teaching it to you (I learned a lot from my eight year old nephew this summer) and then determine if the subscription will enhance the project.  Unsure if you should buy the subscription? Contact your Instructional Technology coach and we will be happy to take a look and make a recommendation. I often get asked, which tool do you think is best?  It just depends on whether the tool meets the ...