The Art of Tech

We're back for the new school year! In this episode we kick-off our theme on EdTech Kits. Aaron Kabat joins the podcast this week. He's one of our awesome helpdesk people. In this episode, we introduce/review the currently available EdTech Kits. We share updates with the kits and the process for checking them out and why you might want to use a kit in your class. Links: BGPS EdTech Kits webpage BGPS Helpdesk Support Portal

In this episode we continue our theme on assistive technology. Amy Campbell joins the podcast this week. She's a former Washington Educator of the Year and is a member of the Inclusionary Practices Technical Assistance Network through the Washington Education Association and is a Special Educator in the Camas School District. In this episode, we focus on a specific type of assistive technology: AAC or Alternative and Augmentative Communication. AAC is it's own umbrella that ranges from low to high tech and we discuss that range and why AAC is so important for building independence and the power of different types of communication. Links: Special Education Technology Center Micah's Miles

In this episode we continue our new theme on assistive technology. We take a look at universal assistive technology or the tier 1 supports that can help all our students inside and outside the classroom. We discuss how building an inclusive and welcoming classroom community where students feel safe and like they belong is important so no one feels like they stand out or have any stigma when they use an assistive tech tool. Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, joins the conversation. Links: What's new in Google accessibility playlist Going Onling Resources - Accessibility Special Education Technology Center

In this episode we kick off our new theme on assistive technology. We set the stage with an overview discussion on assistive technology categories and why assistive technology is so important. Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, joins the conversation. Links: Special Education Technology Center Shriner's Children's Hospital Programs  

In this episode we continue our AI theme and discuss AI Ethics (both Big "E" Ethics and little "e" ethics or ethical considerations). We talk about the big picture Ethics like the societal and environmental impacts of AI as well as the personal ethical considerations and how we can be ethical and responsible consumers and creators with AI. Scott McDaniel, our tech director, is back to join the discussion. Links: Common Sense Media AI Literacy Lessons Neil Postman - Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change  MIT Technology Review - AI Energy Use SIFT Framework Classroom Discussion Guide - Deepfakes MIT AI Ethics Education Curriculum MagicSchool for Students The Uneven Distribution of AI's Environmental Impacts AI's Climate Impact Goes Beyond It's Emissions

We're back from hiatus! In this episode we discuss AI literacy and how it's important for both educators and students (everyone really). Scott McDaniel, our district's technology director, joins the conversation. We talk about the core components of AI literacy and some ways to build it into the classroom. Links: Common Sense Media AI Literacy Lessons Digital Promise - AI Literacy Brisk Teaching AI Literacy SIFT Framework MagicSchool for Students

In this episode we start our discussion on media literacy with an overview and connecting to research skills. Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, joins the conversation as cohost. We discuss the main components of media literacy and why it's so important to incorporate into today's classroom. We also connect media literacy skills with student research projects. Links: Core Principles of Media Literacy Education - NAMLE  SIFT Framework Common Sense Media - Media Literacy Be Internet Awesome - Media Literacy MagicSchool for Students

In this episode we continue our discussion on digital literacy with some practical tips. Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, joins the conversation as cohost. We review digital literacy and discuss ways to incorporate digital literacy skills and experiences across grade levels and subject areas. Links: The Digital Use Divide PhET Simulations Math Learning Center Apps (Bridges) Desmos EdTech Kits Hour of Code Book Creator WeVideo

In this episode start our discussion on digital literacy with an overview. Scott McDaniel, our technology director, joins the conversation as cohost. We discuss what digital literacy is and why its so important in todays world. We also highlight the connections to media literacy and practical future ready skills. Links: The Digital Use Divide The Digital Access Divide The Digital Design Divide The Long Tail - Wired Article

In this episode we finish up discussion on innovative communication focusing on infographics and creative visuals. Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, joins the conversation as well. We discuss ways to use infographics in your teaching practice as well as allowing students to create them as an alternative way to demonstrate learning. Links: Thinglink Canva

In this episode we finish up our theme on the educational technology standards for students and kick-off our new theme on innovative communication. Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, joins the conversation as we discuss the final two anchor standards: Creative Communicator and Global Collaborator. In our discussion we highlight the connections with future ready skills.  Links: WA State Educational Technology Learning Standards ISTE Student Standards BGPS EdTech YouTube Channel

In this episode we continue our theme on the educational technology standards for students. We will be taking an in-depth look at each anchor standard and what that looks like across grade levels and subject areas. In this episode, Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, returns and we continue to discuss the anchor standard: Digital Citizen. We break down the second half of the standard in this episode and make connections to digital citizenship curriculum options in honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Digital Citizenship Week. Links: WA State Educational Technology Learning Standards ISTE Student Standards ISTE Digital Citizenship Lessons Digital Citizen Standard In Action (ISTE Video Playlist) Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Be Internet Awesome

In this episode we continue our theme on the educational technology standards for students. We will be taking an in-depth look at each anchor standard and what that looks like across grade levels and subject areas. In this episode, Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, returns and we discuss the next anchor standard: Digital Citizen. We break down half of the standard in this episode and make connections to digital citizenship curriculum options in honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Digital Citizenship Week. Links: WA State Educational Technology Learning Standards ISTE Student Standards ISTE Digital Citizenship Lessons Digital Citizen Standard In Action (ISTE Video Playlist) Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Be Internet Awesome

In this episode we continue our theme on the educational technology standards for students. We will be taking an in-depth look at each anchor standard and what that looks like across grade levels and subject areas. In this episode, Heidi Lammers, LAP & Title I coordinator, joins the conversation as we discuss the next anchor standard: Computational Thinker. In our discussion we highlight the connections with future ready skills and discuss the Computational Thinking Competencies from ISTE. Heidi also shares how LEGO Education has helped bring engaging hands-on learning to the summer school program and how that has connected computational thinking skills across subject areas. Links: WA State Educational Technology Learning Standards ISTE Student Standards BGPS EdTech YouTube Channel

In this episode we continue our new theme on the educational technology standards for students. We will be taking an in-depth look at each anchor standard and what that looks like across grade levels and subject areas. In this episode, Mandie Thompson, middle school instructional coach, joins the conversation as we discuss the next anchor standard: Innovative Designer. In our discussion we highlight the connections with future ready skills, UDL, and the Danielson Framework. We also look at ways a deliberate design process can apply in different areas, not just STEM challenges like we sometimes think. Links: WA State Educational Technology Learning Standards ISTE Student Standards BGPS EdTech YouTube Channel

In this episode we continue our new theme on the educational technology standards for students. We will be taking an in-depth look at each anchor standard and what that looks like across grade levels and subject areas. In this episode, Jordan Osborne, middle school ELA & history teacher, joins the conversation as we discuss the next anchor standard: Knowledge Constructor. In our discussion we highlight the connections with future ready skills and media literacy and how we can help prepare our students for whatever their future might look like with technology. Links: WA State Educational Technology Learning Standards ISTE Student Standards BGPS EdTech YouTube Channel

We're back for a new school year! In this episode we kick-off our new theme on the educational technology standards for students. We will be taking an in-depth look at each anchor standard and what that looks like across grade levels and subject areas. In this episode, Mandie Thompson, middle school instructional coach, joins the conversation as we discuss the first anchor standard: Empowered Learner. In our discussion we highlight connections to the Danielson framework for TPEP evaluations and ways to help build independence, autonomy, and flexibility with students. Links: WA State Educational Technology Learning Standards ISTE Student Standards BGPS EdTech YouTube Channel Troubleshooting for Students MagicSchool/MagicStudent Danielson Framework UDL Guidelines

This episode we finish up our shortened monthly theme on boosting engagement and we close out our second season of the podcast! We will be on hiatus for summer break and then will be back with new episodes in September when school kicks back up every Tech Tuesday! In this episode we highlight how to pace your lessons to boost engagement in the classroom and some tech tools to help streamline the process. Links: Classroomscreen Pear Deck Blooket Gimkit EdPuzzle Live Mode

This episode we start a new monthly theme on boosting student engagement. We highlight the awesome EdTech Kits we have available for checkout in the district and how they can provide engaging and really fun experiences across grade levels and subject areas in the classroom. We have a range of technology kits that include "unplugged" all the way to full coding and VR experiences. Aaron and Troy from the Tech Department join the discussion to share how to check out and what goes into the process as well as why you might want to check out a kit. Links: EdTech Kits in BGPS Maple Grove VR Art Projects with Tilt Brush Turing Tumble Video Example

This episode we finish up our monthly theme on executive functioning. Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, returns to the podcast to discuss the specific executive functioning skills that relate to initiation or starting and following through with tasks. We also highlight supports and scaffolds as well as technology tools to help teach these skills in the classroom. Links: Goblin Tools Canva Magic School How to Use Smart Chips in Google Docs