ISTE Reflections

If you are a follower of Twitter, you may have seen that several people from the Office of Personalized Learning were able to attend the ISTE (International Society of Technology in Education) conference in Atlanta.  Here are my reflections on the experience:

• It's all about the students.  If they're not the focus of what you're doing every day, then you should refocus.  When someone asks what you teach, the natural response is to answer "Math" or "First Grade" but the real answer is "Students" we teach students first and foremost.
• Technology is there to support students and teachers.  It's not about add a new tool for technology's sake.  Technology should make teachers' jobs easier by helping engage and connect students.Don't ask "What can I do with this iPad?"  Ask: "How can this iPad best help me teach X?"
• Empower your students.  Don't start by taking away all rights and choices because some students MIGHT do something they aren't supposed to.  Give your students the benefit of the doubt and they might do something amazing.  Deal with the rule breakers when the time comes.
• Share the successes.  Too often, teachers are the only ones that see amazing student work. Share it with other students, their parents, the school and even the community.  Find a place that works for you. Create a website, join Twitter, write in a blog... something. Show the world what your students are capable of.
• Be brae and let students teach you. There were a number of Poster sessions with students teaching the adults. How better to empower students to show you how they created something on their iPad?  Have them help their peers, too.

This was easily one of the most amazing (and overwhelming) experiences I've had as an educator.  It is so fun to spend four days with other educators that are committed to helping students succeed.  We're going to do our best to bring some small part of what we learned to SPPS at the Tech HOOPLA (Hands-on Office of Personalized Learning Academy) on August 14 and 18.  Sign up in PD Express. I hope to see you there; I would love to start a conversation with all of you.

Personalized Learning Institute

The Office of Personalized Learning held the first Personalized Learning Institute March 26 and 27.

The institute was attended by eighty-five Saint Paul staff and introduced them to personalized learning essentials, tailoring instruction, culturally responsive teaching, teaching in technology rich environments, student voice and choice, universal design for learning (UDL), and a hands-on introduction to some of the features of the new learning platform.

Staff also had time to collaboratively explore web 2.0 tools and resource websites that can be integrated into lessons to help students collaborate online, produce multimedia examples of their learning, and educate students on digital citizenship and online safety.  

Additional personalized learning institutes and training will be available later this spring.  Please check the Personalized Learning website for additional information about institutes and professional development.

School Choice Fair

Come join the Office of Personalized Learning staff at the School Choice Fair!

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We would love to strike up a conversation with you about how personalized learning can engage and empower Saint Paul students by allowing them more voice and choice in how they demonstrate their learning with technology-enhanced personalized instruction.

Come see some of the digital learning tools being used in SPPS schools, such as, iPads, laptops, Chromebooks, Nooks, and the new Learning Platform and hear more about how these tools can be used to support instruction.  We can also give you a demonstration of digital resources like Achieve3000, MackinVia, TumbleBooks, and Discovery Streaming that are currently being used with students in our schools.

Join us January 11 at the RiverCentre between 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM.

Galtier Community School embraces design thinking for greater flexibility in learning

Earlier this year, during two sweltering days in late June, students, their parents, and teachers from Galtier Community School in Saint Paul decided to revolutionize education. Their methodology? Design thinking. —TheLineMedia.com.

Read the full story here:http://www.thelinemedia.com/features/galtierschool111313.aspx

Personalized Learning Contacts

Do you need help with training needs for our district enterprise level digital tools?

Contact a Personalized Learning Specialist from the Office of Personalized Learning to learn about upcoming training opportunities and ways to use digital tools like iPads, SPPS Apps, MOODLE, Promethean Boards, SMARTBoards, and Nooks and Achieve3000 to engage students and transform your lessons and Twitter to connect with your colleagues within and beyond the district for professional development and building your personal learning network.

The goal of the Office of Personalized Learning is to "Use a racial equity lens to raise achievement for all students and to interrupt institutional practices that result in predictably lower achievement for students of color."

Upcoming Training Schedule

Looking for more instructional technology trainings?  Check out the schedule below for additional trainings.  Please sign up in PDExpress.

*Any changes to dates, times, or locations will be updated in PDExpress.

Learning Platform Development Training

It's here! The Learning Platform Development Training will kick off on Monday, October 14 with 2 sessions and 5 more sessions on Tuesday, October 15.

If you were contacted about being part of the Learning Platform Development Training, please sign up in PDExpress ASAP.

Check back on the blog to stay up-to-date with information about the Learning Platform.

CIPA Training

Every school in Saint Paul should send a representative to the

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CIPA Compliance Contact training on September 9 to learn more about the Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and CIPA curriculum requirements to be covered with every student in Saint Paul Public Schools.

The training will be offered at 345 Plato from 2:30 to 4:00 or from 4:30 to 6:00.  School contacts should attend the training that best fits their school schedule.

Please check with your principal if you would like to be the designated contact for your school and register in PDExpress under Personalized Learning: CIPA Compliance Contacts.

New Teacher Orientation

Two hundred and forty new teachers attended the New Teacher Orientation on August 21.  New teachers attended sessions on Personalized Learning and learned about access, use, and safety; instructional technology; communication and access; professional learning; and digital tools and resources available in Saint Paul Public Schools.