Daniel Downs

Digital Learning in Modern Education: 5 Key Areas Shifting Our Work

2019-06-03T09:28:00.002-04:00

The lives of our children will be drastically different than our own in part to technology. We know this, because in our own lifetime we have seen computers go from taking up an entire room to fitting on our wrist or in our pocket. As parents we are challenged with adapting to our own challenges of keeping up with technology to best be able to explain to our children that we confidently have an understanding of what will happen next in regards to modern technology.
I have outlined a few of the topics which I always try to keep in my purview when thinking about technology and education.

This article serves to provide a brief overview of the context of topics as well as our next step questions and evidence for pursuing the value of these trends.

Design Thinking

The minds of our future leaders are being developed in our schools each day. Amazing teachers are working hand in hand with their students to learn conceptual Design Thinking concepts such as “Empathize”, “Define, “Prototype” and “Test” (Stanford, 2018). These ideas are modeled and presented using digital tools and creative expressions each day and led by teachers who value this process in regards to student learning. For an overview of Design Thinking I recommend the Stanford Design Thinking website https://dschool.stanford.edu/resources/a-virtual-crash-course-in-design-thinking. Now, more than ever we are asking students to think and respond to problems in new ways that work in concert with modern technology.
Design Thinking processes help prepare our students to address new kinds of questions that activate their process of analysis:

How do you design for sustainability?
How do we create something new to solve an existing problems?
What skills do we need to know to solve the problem?
Why are the skills of troubleshooting and adaptability valuable?

Personalized Learning

We are living in a rebirth of education in which instruction has been transformed by digital tools empowering teachers with the ability to assess understanding in real time, deliver continually more personalized instruction and scale learning. Teachers have the ability to better manage the time, classroom resources, method of content delivery and increase time engaged on learning. It is often said “The proof is in the pudding”, and with technology and education it is no different. These tools are the current means and future of learning.
Personalized approaches in education provides several new outlets for educators to support student learning:

Teachers can quickly assign, monitor and comment upon student progress with digital resources.
Teachers can research and share resources quickly and in multiple media formats (video, websites, applications, digital assessments).
The concept of the classroom has moved beyond the traditional walls and resources and engagement are more self-directed by students within the context of learning.

Adaptive Instruction with Digital Tools & Media

The cycle of review in which a teacher practices and the iteration of the student learning cycle has been transformed. Teachers are also able to support their process and professional learning community through their digital network of resources. Students can reflect and learn to refine presentations, writing and literacy with adaptive tools and strategies for instruction.
The evidence of student learning with all of these new resources, strategies and tools is the continually evolving classroom which is adapting to the way we instruct and share our practice. A teacher can share the student products (videos, presentations, digital content) understandings, processes of student learning to the world in a heartbeat through a variety of apps and tools which capture student reflection and learning.
Student assessment is more than an online exam or multiple choice question; it can be an expression of creativity, a story or well edited student video. Actively educators are adopting this mindset to fully empower a range of student skill sets. A few examples include:

Students create videos to explain their learning and process.
Students write code and produce digital outputs (posters, programs, graphics and documents).
Students are storytellers. Explaining their learning and identifying their understanding of concepts.

Digital Literacy & Student Advocacy

Context is key. Providing a Chromebook to a student or allowing a student time to work on digital media project in a computer lab is incredibly important. Understanding the value of connecting students with technology and supporting their digital literacies to continue to refine creative collaborations and advocacy made possible through technology is incredibly important.

Students need time, reflection and rigor with digital tools to properly share their content knowledge safely, effectively and as with most things a lot of practice. Repetition and familiarity with digital tools is the barrier of understanding in the next level of learning. I think we can all remember a time in which we needed to adapt our learning and understanding to meet expectations. Technology has built this scaffold into the challenges of generational learning with digital resources.
How the tools are used and the design of outcomes tied to rigorous learning with technology allows us to ask new questions. Each year as technology continues to speed up production of our world we continue to identify key starting points and views of the values associated with it.

How does your online presence and digital identity impact your professional interests?
How well do you communicate with digital tools and resources? How do you share your knowledge?
How are digital assets or products designed and manufactured effectively and efficiently?

College & Career Readiness Skills

The habits of mind which support the kind of adaptable thinking is fostered in our schools ability to define and shift to address the next level of learning often modeled within the innovations of our current workforce such as robotics, 3D design and production, user interface design and the flexibility and familiarity of computer programming as a multi-tiered language to express creativity. What we see in the workforce in regards to innovation today will be multiplied 3 times over by the times our elementary students reach college. We need to be developing a mindset to support “Future Acting Employees” (Dr. John Sullivan, 2018) to envision and drive innovation at scale.
Education is not a field in which it easy to survive unless you are continually making modifications to instruction with all students. Kids are continually developing and refining their learning skills. Students need to learn a variety of new soft and hard skills to help them modify their learning based on current world trends. Critical thinking and the ability to decipher the world trends for actionable learning moments with technology will best prepare students to meet the needs of a global workforce.
Does it make sense to provide students with the tools which will help them succeed in the 21st century? I think it does. It is my passion to assist educators to support the transition to a more digitally enhanced classroom. I am inspired as I walk into each and every school and see how technology supports entirely new learning experiences.

References

Dr. John Sullivan. (2018, March 13). Implementing Innovations Requires a Future-Acting Workforce. Retrieved June 3, 2019, from ERE website: https://www.ere.net/implementing-innovations-requires-a-future-acting-workforce/

Stanford University. (2018, February 5). Stanford d.school. Retrieved June 3, 2019, from Stanford d.school website: https://dschool.stanford.edu/resources/a-virtual-crash-course-in-design-thinking

Removing The White Background from an Image (Transparent Images,Flash Programming)

2019-04-27T10:52:00.001-04:00

Introduction To Color Scheme Designer: Color Schemes For Websites/Graphic Design

2019-04-27T10:49:00.001-04:00

Creating A Website Banner In Photoshop

2019-04-27T10:47:00.001-04:00

Creating A Basic HTML Page With Notepad

2019-04-27T10:46:00.001-04:00

Welcome to “Designs On Digital Learning” for the week of April 22nd

2019-04-24T23:31:00.002-04:00

Week Of 4.22.19-4.26.19

Welcome to “Designs On Digital Learning” for the week of April 22nd. Please follow @digitalhornets on Twitter and click subscribe to get our updates on Youtube.

Final Week Of April Tech Buzz Sessions

Two very cool new Tech Buzz Professional Development sessions will be offered as April comes to a close. On April 25th Kathy Dasho will be doing a session on “Creating A Quiz In PlusPortals” and Helen Kelley will be presenting her “Makerspace Session 2” offering on April 30th. Please check the Digital Learning Blog for remaining sessions and please sign up on My Learning Plan.

https://northreadingdigitallearning.blogspot.com/2019/01/monthly-tech-professional-development.html

MassCUE Conference Deadline Extended Till April 30th

The deadline for submitting proposals to the Fall MassCUE conference has been extended to April 30th. Consider submitting a proposal to Massachusetts largest educational technology conference and share the amazing work you do in the classroom! If you have any questions please let me know.

https://www.masscue.org/event/conference-fall-2019/

MS/HS MAPLE Learning Tour

On April 29th North Reading Middle and High School will be hosting a learning tour to share some of their work in the area of Personalized Learning. Great opportunity to share with other MAPLE districts our work in strategic areas.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-reading-public-schools-maple-learning-tour-tickets-57716624979

Stair Climbing Robot in High School Robotics

Students in the Robotics program at North Reading High School have been developing some great ideas. Tyler Bellavance Brandon DeCleane have been working on a prototype for a stair climbing robot. Check out the video to see their progress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZRY4Rrynt8&feature=youtu.be

Designs On Digital Learning: Week Of 4.8.19-4.12.19

2019-04-09T11:45:00.004-04:00

Welcome to the Week Of April 8th in Digital Learning In North Reading. As we move into spring we have a several exciting topics this week.

Parent University Update

Parent University on April 6th Clips from the Sessions on Social Media and the 1:1 Learning Program will be available on the blog in the coming week.

April Tech Buzz Professional Development Week Of April 8th

On April 10th Jim Sgroi will will provide a professional development session on the use UDL strategies to move away from traditional presentations from 2:30-3:30 in the Media Center classroom at the MS/HS. On April 11th Chris Lindsay will be doing a training on QR codes in the classroom at 3:15 at the Batchelder school and also on April 11th Kathy Dasho will have her session on the use of video in the classroom for teachers from 2:30-3:30 in room 110 at the high school. Please consult this link for all upcoming sessions. bit.ly/techbuzzsessions

Digital Learning Work In Elementary Schools This Week

Hood Digital Learning

● 5th Grade will be creating instructional videos to teach 4th graders about figurative language using WeVideo.

● First Graders will be creating Earth Day Celebration Videos to teach others how we can protect our planet.

● Fourth graders will be creating Book Trailers using iMovie

Batch Digital Learning

● Grade 1 - Mammal Research Project - Students will be using PebbleGo for research, coming to the Makerspace to create a habitat for their mammal and creating an eBook using Book Creator for a culminating project.

● Grade 2 - Biography Project - Students are using Google Docs and iPad apps like ChatterKids, PicCollage, and Seesaw to showcase what they have learned about an important figure in history.

● Grade 3 - Pilgrim Project - Students are creating the scenery and script for a stop motion animation about their voyage on the Mayflower or their life in Plymouth.

● Grade 4 - Students are completing a Scratch practice project and will then use Scratch to program characters to share what they've learned about a National Park.

● Grade 5 - Explorers Project - Students completed online research using the library databases and are now using the information to create interactive maps using Google Tour Builder

Little Digital Learning

● Fifth grade students will be beginning computer based MCAS testing on April 9th.

● Fourth grade students will be working on building their moon bases as a part of their FIRST Lego league Mission Moon robotics teams.

● Grade 3 is completing a Makerspace challenge that follows up on their most recent unit, Forces In Our Environment.

● Mrs. Reed's class and Ms. Barrett's class will be participating in a live SKYPE call with world renowned scientist and conservationist, Jane Goodall.

North Reading Public Schools Receives Citation For Participation In First STEM Week

This week the NRPS received a citation from the Governor's office for our STEM event during the STEM Week In October. The North Reading Public Schools “STEAM Night” event was a huge success and collaboration of STEAM focused curriculum areas. We look forward to putting on a similar event in the coming fall.

Donation of Robotics Tables To High School Robotics Program

The Digital Learning and Entrepreneurship department was the recent recipient of 3 robotics building tables which can be used in the Robotics courses to support building robotics. A large thank you to the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce for this donations and the work of Lisa Eagan who has been a great collaborator with the schools.

#STEAMCS Chat on Twitter 4/10/19

On Wednesday night I will be hosting a Twitter chat on STEAM and Computer Science topics. Please use the #STEAMCS hashtag to follow along or participate. It is a great opportunity to share resources, learning experiences and stay connected with the most relevant conversations in education.

Key Features In A Educational "Digital Transformation"

2019-03-30T23:10:00.000-04:00

Students Sharing Experiences In Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation…. what does this look like in education? For some it’s the shiny new resource available to students 24/7; for others it’s a dashboard of digital resources to manage personalized learning. For many, transformation is a shift in mindset towards digital assessment and learning managements tools to support content standards.

In the end, digital transformation includes a range of approaches to each of these items plus many more. The important role digital shifts in instruction and learning play in the realities of the larger commitment to the proper implementation of these tools in a mindful and cost effective way is a huge factor. Considerations should include the time and labor intensive practices such as product trials, leadership and instructional consensus and implementation at necessary scale. Mixed with these considerations are the even larger variables of the product or experience that is required within each unique edtech lifecycle and learning environment. Ease of use and instant impact are variables which often take more time to navigate than the pressure to adapt to new technologies.

I want to share a few reflections and perceptions of ongoing digital transformations and their unique process and practical experience. My own definition of “Digital Transformation” is essentially an organization’s commitment to utilizing technology to maximise the improved processes that can be brought to education and organizational work.

Understand What Your Educational Environment Values: “Speed Of Innovation”

Your school or organization probably has a pretty well established speed of innovation. This is the speed at which the organization adopts new practices and implements technology to support their goals. An organization may be able to only support only so many changes and shifts to practice. With this understanding it is possible to selectively choose tools and resources which can match the organization’s willingness to change.

Trial Teams

Are there a culture of teachers or other stakeholders who are ready to do a trial or review of the product or program and how will the impact of the trial change perceptions, impact or goals of the transformation of digital tools. The results of a trial can be a setback, time for reflection or in some cases the motivation to move forward with excitement. Conclusively, product trials should provide and match the organization’s level of needed data to support to drive decisions.

Data Drives Decision Making

The potential data that a product can provide can assist in the “vision of value” for a product which is part of a digital transformation. From an organizational culture standpoint the data will always drive the decision making. The data of experience within the organization as well as the data that a product brings to the conversation from research and other customers plays an important role in the perception of perceived success upon implementation.

Return On Investment & Learning Analytics

Success is often measured on the opinions and perceptions a tool or resource has in the classroom from an practical teaching perspective. This is often the unknown variable in the sales pitch. Do the analytics support the value system of educators? We know that if the analytics don’t support the implementation then the likelihood of a long term implementation is not likely.

Talking Education Change Models With Julie Wilson: An opportunity to dive deep on the next steps for organizational change in schools.

2019-03-19T15:48:00.001-04:00

I recently had the opportunity to check in with Julie Wilson and record a podcast for the MAPLE/LearnLaunch organization to talk about her book “The Human Side of Education” and discuss the role of Personalized Learning in schools and some of the powerful change models that can make true impact in educational organizations.

The podcast was an opportunity to connect on some of the work that I have been doing in my own district in terms of Personalized Learning strategies but also an opportunity to discuss the ever changing role of online content in education and how schools can begin to take their next steps in terms of shifts to support new instructional and assessment models.

Please take a moment and review the table of contents below. I can highly recommend the section on “Signs and Models for Change”. In this section Julie dives deep into several change models and how they can be implemented into organizations. Additionally, in the section “The Role of Coaching In Organizational Change” Julie provides examples of specific experiences in which coaching was the backbone to shifts and sometimes how asking the right questions can begin develop a better understanding for next steps and opportunities to connect with stakeholders.

Join Julie Wilson, author of “The Human Side of Education” and Executive Director of the Institute for the Future of Learning, and host Dan Downs, Director of Digital Learning for North Reading Public Schools, as they delve into strategies for making meaningful change in school districts. They discuss strategies on how to better sustain personal leadership when leading change, how to inspire others as they navigate their own journey, and how to lead from a place of clarity, conviction and courage.

Table of Contents
00:00-02:02 MAPLE & Julie Wilson Introduction
02:02-05:45 Overview of "The Human Side of Changing Education"
05:45-08:30 Challenges to Change in Education
08:30-10:58 Content as Commodity
10:58-15:58 Where does Personalized Learning Fit
15:58-21:00 Where can Organizations/Institutions Start with Change
21:00-26:00 The Role of Coaching in Organizational Change
26:00-40:18 Signs & Models for Change
40:18-End Next Steps & Success Factors for Change

So You Want To Have A STEAM Night For Your School: Your 5 P's STEAM Night Marketing Plan

2019-03-18T15:45:00.000-04:00

A successful STEAM night in the end will make you say “Thanks!” and it will have you truly recognizing the amazing resources that you have not only in your own educational community but also within the community of resources and connections who are willing to support your district STEAM vision. All district events are always a tremendously collaborative experience which require extensive planning and support from district, building and classroom level personnel. Special thanks go out to our Superintendent Jon Bernard and Assistant Superintendent Patrick Daly who provided support with planning and executing the event.

Event Overview: http://bit.ly/steamnight18

In my district, we have spent the past few years identifying, collaborating and implementing a range of STEAM focused activities, programs and curriculums. We have also taken advantage of a range of professional associations with Higher Education, Regional Workgroups to support our districts STEAM conversations and internal collaboration. These connections support a deeper vision for STEAM in our schools and a concentrated effort to continue the supporting the many moving parts making education exciting and engaging for all students.

Traditionally, many academic departments operate in a “siloed” discussion groups in which curriculum discussions are held between stakeholders around topics which generally provide self sufficiency to their ends but don’t always have the opportunity to collaborate, cross-curriculums and create more authentic experiences to students. Alas, the four C’s of Creativity, Collaboration, Communication and Critical Thinking must work across leadership, teachers and students simultaneously.

A Few Well Intentioned STEAM District Questions:

How are departments collaborate in interdisciplinary ways? (makerspaces,curriculum development, cross curriculum teams?)
How do departments and schools communicate around STEAM innovation? Do they communicate? What is your “State of STEAM”? Support multiple visions to enable adoption.
What does the “New Art” look like in your school? Is your district embracing the “New Digital Arts”

STEAM & Personalized Learning Initiatives “Think Holistically”

It is my belief that it is much easier to have a holistic approach to bring departments and learning initiatives together. STEAM brings people and ideas together and it is better to see the interconnectedness of curriculums and how they can work together to bring interdisciplinary opportunities to students.

There is always continual work to do in interdisciplinary approaches but I would suggest that our work with MAPLE on supporting Personalized Learning allows us to be more open and engaged with different curriculum approaches which meet a range of needs.

With digital tools increasingly embedded within classroom instruction the practice of reviewing digital pedagogies and 21st century rubrics drives education to encourage a reflective approach.

How Our STEAM Night Began

Our initial discussions around planning a district STEAM event were brought on by Governor Bakers charge to support STEM initiatives within the state for “STEM Week”.

Our growth across content areas in STEAM related learning and interdisciplinary approaches was something worth sharing and aligned with many of the goals of our technology plan and new innovative classroom approaches. Expand your vision!

We decided in June to formally begin the planning of our district STEAM event. This timeframe provided an opportunity for us to get our ducks in a row around identifying outside resources and those who we feel could be involved. It sometimes also takes more time than usual to confirm that the theme and presenters and participants are confirmed and aligned with the vision of the evening. Plan long term!

We initially identified teachers who we felt would be interested in the event and reached out to their willingness and availability to present a demonstration or have a table for the event. At this point we really had not fully decided on the layout of the event other than we planned on holding the event in our combined Middle/High School open area”Main Street” table demonstrations. Identify Teacher & Student Leaders

As we secured teachers, table demonstrations and encouraged our community resources to participate in the event, the shape of the event evolved and we decided to formally select speaker groups. It was decided to bring in speakers from the “Women In STEM” group from Fidelity Investments. These dynamic speakers, technologists and STEM leaders from industry were identified as our key speaker group paired with a presentation from our local community STEAM partner Amazon Robotics.

We decided early on that it would be great to involve a central speaker group like the ‘Women Of STEAM/STEM” from Fidelity. This was a group which had connected with me a year before and we did not have an opportunity to utilize the resource until we decided to have a district STEAM night. Take Advantage Of Your Community & Corporate Offerings

We defined our target audience as the greater school and community who were interested in attending the speaker event, activity tables and demonstrations of science, technology, engineering and art demonstrations. We wanted to appeal to all ages.

Working With Staff Presenters and Outside Groups

Teachers from many departments were willing to participate and share the work from classrooms K-12. All of our schools were represented and some of the outside teams from FIRST robotics were participants. Representation included science ,engineering, arts, robotics and the digital learning department.

When teachers returned in the fall and we connected with them on what they felt could be their presentation or table demonstrations many science groups or classes felt they had something they could contribute and our Digital Learning teachers from all schools had representation for all schools. We wanted to provide an open opportunity for all departments in STEAM content to participate. Take advantage of teacher leaders.

Pulling It All Together

With our table demonstrations and presentations coming together it became time to solidify the participants who were coming in from outside organizations and to begin to visualize the event. These steps included finalizing the final floor plan of tables and presenter locations, create and share the online and email event invitation, finalize the human support and building resources ( custodians, moving tables, projectors, robotics demonstrations, providing monitors and keyboards etc.) that would streamline the evening. Additional areas of focus included a graphic for the digital and paper handout for the event, an outline of the participants and sequence of events, coordinating the anticipated experiences of our visitors (demonstrations, raffle, free books, Amazon Swag Bag, presenters) and timeline. Some of the final details which were part of the event included having plenty of pizza for our presenters, students and teachers and staff which supported the event.

What We Gained!

The process we went through as a planning team of district leadership, teacher leaders and outside collaborators was a practice in the collaboration we promote in our classrooms to support student learning. We were able to establish higher level conversations around the work we do in all schools and around STEAM content areas and we are very excited to begin the planning for our next event. We have a greater interest in participating in curriculum groups around STEAM initiatives and the dialogue around our next steps has already begun.

We continue to think about the ways we can improve the evening and the new collaborations and sharing which is possible in an event like a “STEAM Night” or showcase. I invite you to take a look at my gallery of photos from the event and our online listing of events for our evening for a list of contributors to the event. I am wholeheartedly in debt to those educators and supporters who made our eventing a success on so many levels.

Please view the basic overview in images here:10 Minute STEAM Night Focus Areas

Our Event Document: http://bit.ly/steamnightnrps

Using Design Thinking To Support STEAM Educators

2019-03-01T16:40:00.003-05:00

This week I had the amazing opportunity to work with Andre Morgan from the Learn Launch Institute/MAPLE to design a session for educators in my district that supported the sharing, reflecting and key data points to tell the “story” of our STEAM work within the district.

In this session, I had the goal of bringing together as many of our district STEAM educators (Science Teachers, Digital Learning Teachers, Math Teachers, Art Teachers, Specialists) as a group to discuss and design our districts next steps, questions and pathway.

The key areas in which we first addressed in the program overview were:

Let’s Celebrate and Reflect On Our Success In This Area Across The District!!! You have done amazing work!
What does STEAM mean to us as a collective group?
Planning Our Next Steps To Expand Our Vision In STEAM Learning
STEAM Learning is in the North Reading Digital Learning & Technology Plan As A Central Focus
STEAM Learning is a great way to think across grade levels, schools and student skill sets.
A Focus On STEAM Brings People Together And “Un-Silo’s Our Thinking”
21st Century Skill Sets For All Students

We also addressed some of the value of STEAM in our work with students and teachers:

Cross Collaboration (Increased Communication and Resource Sharing)
Shared Curriculum Experiences (Collaboration and Support With Development, Alignment)
Student Experiences Expanded (21st Century Skill Sets/Career Readiness/Fun/Authenticity)
Better Product Investments and Support
Teacher Experiences Expanded (Professional Learning Aligned/Better Conversations)

We connected some of the embedded values of Personalized Learning to STEAM Instruction

Communicate and share student skill sets which scaffold student learning to meet skills and knowledge areas
Provide students interdisciplinary learning opportunities
The curriculum supports student skills and prepares students to engage in STEAM knowledge sets (21st Century Skills, New Opportunities & Resources).
Increase access for all students to participate in Computer Science and Robotics courses and have new experiences in schools
Find tools and resources which can best personalize instruction and measure student success

And of course, we addressed the challenges that we face in teaching and instructing in STEAM content/discipline areas:

Lack of time and resources (material, people, space, curriculum, support) to facilitate a project
Properly Investing In Curriculum and Products Which Have Impact & Value
Aligning District-Wide Collaboration & Sharing
When something really exciting and cool happens somewhere in North Reading how do we share? How can we expose others in all of K-12 so they can become inspired by the work?
Understanding the jargon of modern education and finding opportunities.
Connect Industry To Education More Seamlessly (Speakers, STEAM Nights,Coding Events)
Forgetting the “A” in STEAM

We proceeded to review a few of the districts data points such as course enrollments, new programs and opportunities for students presented through interdisciplinary STEAM work. The participants then worked as small groups separated by grade level and school to come up with our “story” of our progress and also develop questions based on their review of the districts data points across schools.

The feedback and conversation from the share out was a great process. Teachers shared a new understanding of some of the programs going on, discussed their willingness to support curriculum groups to support a broader range of STEAM integration and also continued to ask key questions around our next steps within the district. I now have teachers who are willing to keep the conversation going around the support for this topic and input from the key stakeholders who are working each day with the students to make the STEAM “magic” happen in the classroom.

What Next Generation K-12 Computer Science Teachers Will Need To Know

2019-02-26T22:28:00.004-05:00

The preparation for the next generation of computer science teachers is going to require some of the same preparation that their students will need. Next generation CS teachers will need to adopt many of the same skill sets, soft skills, and adaptability to new technologies and become fluent in a variety of instructional models to address the range of student entry points.

A Demand For Soft Skills

A new demand for soft skills for both teachers to utilize to connect students to outside resources and also the ability to demonstrate the capacity for using them in learning environments which support their use in student classroom experiences.

Instructional Strategies to Support Project-Based Learning & Hands-On Learning

Computer Science educators will need to be able to identify the instructional strategies to support online learning, project-based instruction and also teaching practices which are non-traditional skill sets and new technology trends and tools to instruct. What comes to mind are educators fluent to instruct with models such as the ADDIE or Gagne's 9 Events. Having a skill set and playbook for instructional approaches to teach.

Differentiation & Well Defined Competency Based Rubrics For Self Directed Learning Goals

Assessments for students in Computer Science will adapt to meet the growing job market and trending technology. Teachers will need to be able to identify specific competency-based skill sets and develop and use rubrics to assess new skills and the environment and authenticity of the learning.

A Well Developed CS Skill-set and Adaptability To Acquire New Skills Continually

The most important skill for teachers in this area will be the willingness to adapt to new technologies and implement them into instruction in proper context. Adaptability will be key as what will be necessary for the range of K-12 CS instruction will surely change each year.

A Deep Connection To Industry and the ability and skills to lead program development

The new generation of CS teachers will need to forge deeper relationships with industry and show a willingness to lead the adoption of new CS programs and initiatives in their respective schools. They will need to educate and inform others of the power that these skills bring to students and the power that opportunities that interdisciplinary approaches to teaching computer science will bring to students and educators and ultimately industry.

Digital Learning By Design: April 2018 Robotics Podcast & Update

2019-02-11T23:38:00.000-05:00

Hot Topics In STEAM & Computer Science Twitter Chat February 12th 5pm-6pm!

2019-02-11T23:07:00.002-05:00

9th Grade Begins Their Journey into 1:1 Learning In North Reading

2019-02-04T12:36:00.001-05:00

9^th Grade Begins Their Journey into 1:1 Learning In North Reading
Daniel Downs, Ed.D.

North Reading Works With MAPLE to refine its vision.

On January 24th and 25, the class of 2022 received their Chromebooks at North Reading High School as part of a rollout of devices. The 9th-grade class is the first high school class to be part of the 1:1 initiative that has already reaped a range of benefits for the 7th and 8th-grade classes. The benefits that come from the implementation of a 1:1 learning program include the increased student and teacher access to technology which enables student learning opportunities with online resources, media, and applications.

Learning with technology is a critical tool for students as they prepare themselves to be college and career ready. Digital resources assist students in understanding the value that technology can have in supporting their continual learning and adaptation to new resources and technology. Empowering students’ learning in the 21^st century means providing the best resources, tools, and teaching methods which support deeper learning.

A few of the highlights to daily teaching and learning
Identified below are several of the benefits of 1:1 learning that I have witnessed first-hand within our program. These items reflect student and teacher growth, self-reflection and the desire to adapt and use technology as a powerful education tool it is. I look forward to seeing the benefits of this program continue to enhance instruction, student engagement and the continual adaptation of skills to support the high-level use of technology.

Working With MAPLE to refine our vision
As one of the first 14 catalyst districts who were a part of MAPLE in Massachusetts we work to refine the benefits, strategies, and outcomes for 1:1 learning in North Reading. The collaboration from other districts who are implementing similar programs provides great support to our continuing work with digital learning.

Increased student engagement and ownership of learning
Students who can learn at their own pace and use resources which support a variety of pathways and interests. These students will want to learn longer. I have seen students continue to work past their class time or want to work together in the media center collaboratively with their classmates with technology.

Access to resources outside of school and the ability to connect and collaborate with group work
Project -Based Learning has become greatly enhanced with the increase of digital resources. Students can collaborate and share resources within collaborative groups and can also present and demonstrate learning with video resources and digital presentations.

Increased teacher adaptability to utilize tools to instruct, assess and collaborate
Many teachers have learned new skills, resources and applications which support students in organizing resources online, improving their in-class assessment using digital tools or providing real-time feedback and homework support through online resources.

Tailored and Personalized Learning Experiences
Student learning and their experiences while accessing resources in a 1:1 learning environment are increasingly personalized. Students have opportunities to spend time researching topics and developing research skills which support deeper learning and interests. Lifelong learning is supported through increased personalization and supporting student interests.

Increased Student and Teacher Collaboration
Using resources like Google Classroom and other online collaborative spaces students can collaborate with students and receive real-time feedback from teachers. Opportunities for formative assessment with students is greatly increased as teachers can immediately assess and review student learning progress.

Hot Topics In STEAM and Computer Science Twitter Chat #HTSTEAMCS

2019-01-12T13:02:00.000-05:00

Programming Through The Standards: A Boot-Camp Style Review Of Essential Computer Science Learning For Educators

2018-12-29T10:01:00.001-05:00

Programming Through The Standards
Daniel Downs, Ed.D.
Direct Link: http://bit.ly/programmingstandards
@danieldowns

The presentation below provides a boot camp style overview of essential computer science understandings that can be implemented conceptually in K-6 and with competency-based assessment grades 7-12. The presentation provides a simple introduction to the Python programming language with the use of a web based development environment.

The presentation reviews the following topics.

Quickly Review The Guiding Principles Of The DLCS Standards
Identify Power Topics & Activities For Competency Based Instruction With CS
Walk Through Hands-On Coding Boot Camp Lessons
Discuss Strategies For Assessing Student Learning With Computer Science
Provide A Groundwork Of Understanding To Review Computer Science Standards Across All Levels

Fitting It All Together: 21st Century Course Design & STEAM Pathway Innovation

2018-12-23T10:35:00.002-05:00

Fitting It All Together: 21st Century Course Design & STEAM Pathway Innovation
Daniel Downs, Ed.D.
Director Of Digital Learning North Reading Public Schools
@danieldowns
http://bit.ly/21skillsmass

Link To Presentation
:http://bit.ly/21skillsmass

Are you working to develop a digital learning course or pathway of STEAM courses in your district? In this presentation, you will review multiple instructional design approaches for selecting courses, content, and outcomes which will move your programs forward to meet students college and career readiness needs. Learn a process to review your existing computer science and digital learning courses to meet the needs of the Massachusetts Digital Learning & Computer Science Standards and your students 21st-century competencies. This session will provide guidance and a matrix of skills to create a seamless pathway for students in your school or district to embrace design thinking, innovation and technology skills.

Building a Mindset for STEAM

2018-11-14T15:48:00.000-05:00

Let's fast forward to an education in the year 2025. Most of what we currently consider modern day education will be even more infused with virtual learning experiences for students and a higher dependency on a student’s ability to translate their understandings through digital formats and blended learning both online and in person. The experiences which will separate students from each other will be their willingness to build, create and design their futures based on their hands-on experiences. Opportunities and capabilities for students to show what you know and understand has been quickly enhanced by the use of technology. STEAM learning is the common term which encapsulates the subject areas related to Science, Technology, Engineering, The Arts and Math.

I am passionate about STEAM education because it supports student’s natural innate desire to connect their understandings across disciplines and also encourages educators to collaborate outside their safe zone. Whenever you can bring educators together around a common theme or topic, amazing things can happen. STEAM learning drives student engagement and watching students experience authentic learning in areas like robotics, programming, scientific inquiry and analysis of data is an encouraging direction of how education is shifting to provide more tangible real-world skills in these areas.

In my own opinion educators are the most inspired when they recognize that learning is not measured just solely by a test but it when all students have enabled the opportunity to demonstrate a unique part of their own learning and experience. Empowering students to synthesize subject areas, connect concepts and explore the freedom to express themselves keeps the excitement for learning alive.

Technology’s role has completely shifted how all of our core subject area learning happens. It reflects not only what's happening in the real world in science labs, engineering, and design processes, but also in the skills of communicating, collaborating and thinking critically. Technology enhances our ability to communicate across the world and to bring together unique skill-set that can create new products and experiences. These Innovations are part of the new economy and STEAM represents the opportunity for cross-curriculum collaboration and communication around the topics driving education today.

As the world continually gets smaller and the demand to provide students the core skills, opportunities, and understandings that will give them an essential groundwork for the future job market it is extremely important that a school culture and curriculum support the changes evident in the real world.

9th Grade 1:1 Informational Night For Parents: North Reading Middle/High School Media Center

2018-11-13T12:20:00.000-05:00

North Reading Public Schools Seesaw Portfolio Use 2018

2018-11-09T12:53:00.000-05:00

Seesaw is a student-driven digital portfolio. Teachers can empower students to create, reflect, share, and collaborate. Students “show what they know” using photos, videos, drawings, text, PDFs, and links. It’s simple to get student work in one place and share with families, and nothing is shared without teacher approval.

https://help.seesaw.me/hc/en-us/articles/115003713306-What-is-Seesaw-

November Tech Buzz Session List 2018

2018-11-08T12:08:00.000-05:00

The Digital Learning Team is happy to announce our current session list for Tech Buzz Professional Development. Please visit and subscribe to this blog for updates.

Any combination of 12 hours of participation in the "TechBuzz" Training contributes to an in-service credit through "North Reading University" for advancement on the salary scale. If you plan on participating "For-Credit" please be sure to sign-up for the "Tech Buzz Credit" in My Learning Plan.

Our goal is to support you with a range of entry points with the use of technology to enhance instruction. This year we will also be introducing the Schoology Learning Platform to deliver our resources and session materials and feedback. The Digital Learning Specialists will support you with providing you access. Please connect with your building Digital Learning Specialist about these options available in your school!

novenber pd

2018-11-07T16:52:00.000-05:00

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/44164367/how-to-embed-google-drive-document-pdf-in-blogger-post

Kathy Dasho, K-12 District Digital Learning Specialist Canva Presentation

2018-11-07T13:18:00.000-05:00