Digital Learning Today

Jeff sits down with Terri Schwartzbeck and Sam Patterson to discuss the Alliance for Excellent Education, Digital Learning Day and how you can have a Future Ready School.

The Alliance for Excellent Education is a Washington, DC–based national policy and advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring that all students, particularly those who are traditionally underserved, graduate from high school ready for success in college, work, and citizenship. The Alliance focuses on America’s six million most at-risk secondary school students—those in the lowest achievement quartile—who are most likely to leave school without a diploma or to graduate unprepared for a productive future.

Started in 2012, Digital Learning Day has provided a powerful venue for education leaders to highlight great teaching practice and showcase innovative teachers, leaders, and instructional technology programs that are improving student outcomes. This grassroots effort blossomed into a massive nationwide celebration as teachers realized that Digital Learning Day is not about technology, it’s about learning. Digital Learning Day promotes the effective use of modern day tools afforded to every other industry to improve the learning experience in K-12 public schools.

• The Alliance for Excellent Education
• 4th Annual Digital Learning Day
• What is Future Ready?

• www.digitallearningday.org
• live.digitallearningday.org
• www.futurereadyschools.org

• http://www.edutopia.org/digital-learning-technology-resources
• http://all4ed.org/
• live.digitallearningday.org
• #DLday
• http://www.futurereadyschools.org/site/default.aspx?PageID=1
• http://tech.ed.gov/futureready/

Terri Schwartzbeck is Senior Digital Outreach Associate at the Alliance for Excellent Education and supports Digital Learning Day’s online presence. She helps lead the Alliance’s social media efforts as well as manages much of the Alliance’s video production work. She has a long history in the education policy nonprofit space including the American Association of School Administrators and the Regional Educational Laboratory – Appalachia.

On February 1, 2017, hundreds of thousands of educators and students will join together in the spirit of “play”. Today, I am sharing this podcast that we recorded to celebrate the first Global School Play Day in 2015.

There are several things you can do to participate in this years event. The first thin you can do is share with your community their great website www.GlobalSchoolPlayDay.com. The second is to follow the social hashtag #GSPD2017.

There is an online form found here that you can use to sign up and become connected with hundreds of classrooms around the world.

• www.GlobalSchoolPlayDay.com
• #GSPD2017

Tim Bedley

• Global School Play Day Founder
• Twitter: @tbed63
• www.timbedley.com
• 5th Grade Teacher in Lake Elsinore, CA

Misty Higgins

• Twitter: @mistynorman12
• Instagram: @mistygirl12
• 6th Grade Teacher in Bakersfield, CA

Scott Bedley

• Twitter: @Scotteach
• www.scottbedley.com
• 5th grade teacher in Irvine, CA

Oliver Schinkten

• Twitter: @schink10
• LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/Schink10LinkedIn
• About.me:  http://about.me/oschinkten
• Co-founder:  AssistEd Shift

Eric Saibel

• Twitter: @ecsaibel
• about.me/ericsaibel
• Blog: principalsintraining.wordpress.com
• Middle school assistant principal in Marin County, CA

Bethany Chaffin

• Twitter: rockroseschool1
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bchaffin
• 2014 San Diego County Teacher of the Year
• K/1 Teacher in Escondido
• Founder and Board President of The Rock Rose School for Creative Learning

Jeff sits down with Syed Balkhi from WPBeginner.com to discuss how WordPress can be used as a communication tool for teachers and parents, as well as how it can be used as a powerful digital portfolio tool.

WPBeginner is a free WordPress resource site for Beginners. WPBeginner was founded in July 2009 by Syed Balkhi. The main goal of this site is to provide quality tips, tricks, hacks, and other WordPress resources that allows WordPress beginners to improve their site(s).

• http://www.wpbeginner.com
• WPBeginner Youtube
• @WPBeginner
• @syedbalkhi

Syed Balkhi is the founder of WPBeginner. He is known for his aggressive marketing skills, creative designs, and expertise in SEO. Syed has been in the industry for over eight years, and he has worked with some of the top brands in the industry. He is known as “the WordPress Ninja” among our clients because he is a total WordPress Geek. He used to blog at Balkhis.com. Check it out, and follow him on twitter.

Recorded in 2015

Jeff sits down with Cameron Evans from Microsoft Education and educators Glenn Robbins and Michael Braun to discuss how Microsoft and Code.org are transforming the lives of more than 20 million students through code.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

1. Microsoft in Education
2. Microsoft Educator Network
3. @Microsoft_EDU
4. Microsoft in Education (Facebook)
5. YouthSpark (Hour of Code)

• Hour of CodeThere’s been lots of buzz and student participation in the Hour of Code during Computer Science Education Week which was 12/8-14. Over 77 million globally have tried coding.
• Microsoft believes that every young person should have the opportunity to learn coding and it’s proud to be a founding partner of Code.org. Microsoft is working with the industry on a grassroots effort to inspire 100 million young people around the world to try coding and empower them to do more and achieve more.
• Satya recently visited the Laboratory School of Finance and Technology in the Bronx and encourages employees to participate in the Hour of Code
• Some of the many ways Microsoft is supporting educators and their students around the Hour of Code/Code.org effort include:
• Technology Education and Literacy in Schools (TEALS) places Microsoft employee volunteers and experts from across the industry into high schools across the U.S. to teach computer science to students and help address an urgent need to jumpstart computer science education during the K-12 years.
• Microsoft partners with Code.org to bring computer science professionals from Microsoft to students as guest speakers through Skype in the Classroom. Teachers can access volunteers who are experts in a range of topics from design to coding and more.
• Student Created Coding Projects
•   Catching Eggs
• http://apps.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/app/849c776b-e075-4c94-bfe1-c935be880c55
• Where's Waldo?
• https://www.touchdevelop.com/ymqc
• Teddy Bear
• https://www.touchdevelop.com/lhmi
• Swimming Angry Bird
• https://www.touchdevelop.com/mfsr
• Sun Collector
• https://www.touchdevelop.com/wasy
• Microsoft EducationOn 12/8, Microsoft launched Microsoft Imagine, a new cornerstone of Microsoft’s global YouthSpark initiative that connects aspiring student developers of all skill levels with the tools, resources, and experiences they need to turn their innovative ideas into reality. Whether it’s building a game, designing an app or launching a project, Microsoft Imagine strikes a balance between fun and learning, encouraging students to create, code and develop their ideas throughout their educational journey. This is another resource teachers can use to pull from for their lesson plans.
• Microsoft’s support of Hour of Code/Code.org is a part of a broader purpose…MS EDU’s goal is to provide the programs and technology to educators that can help ensure kids have 21st century skills.
• Explore how technology in the classroom can help students, teachers, and administrators be successful beyond just the classroom.
• Microsoft IT-Academy: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/training-and-events/it-academy/default.aspx

Cameron Evans serves as the National and Chief Technology Officer of Microsoft Education, responsible for shaping and leading Microsoft’s empowered learning agenda in US Education.

A 20-year veteran for education and training, Cameron has been a pioneer and leader of education transformation in public schools and universities across the nation.  Cameron focuses his expertise on sustainable education initiatives that improve individual learner outcomes and the productivity of people with technology.

Cameron is a sought-after speaker and frequent lecturer on issues impacting learning, the academic enterprise, and school innovation. As the US spokesperson for Microsoft in Education, Cameron conferences and writes on literacy, STEM, entrepreneurship, gaming, leadership, and innovation monthly.

Cameron is a US Air Force veteran. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management-computer information systems from Park University and a Masters in Business Administration specializing in Global Leadership from The University of Texas at Dallas. He enjoys all forms of creative work, fitness tech, eating dessert first, and travel with his bride and daughter.

Michael Braun's innovative approach to teaching Computer Science has been highlighted by the New York Times, the Seattle Times, GeekWire, Code.org, Microsoft Research, TEALS, and the Daily Edventures blog. Washington State's Governor Jay Inslee also recognized the computer science program.

A former Computer Science teacher, Michael Braun currently serves as an Instructional Coach. His focus is in the integration of technology, problem-based learning (PBL), and 21st Century Learning in the public school system. Braun supports curriculum in Common Core State Standards while mentoring teachers on innovative education.

Braun co-founded, organizes, and manages middle school and high school “hackathons” called App Day. The goal of this coding event is to give public school students a taste of computer science and basic programming over the course of a single day. Students use a web app called TouchDevelop to create their own apps on their Windows phones, Androids, iPhones, iPads, laptops, whatever device they are carrying in their pocket or backpack. App Day has received support from Microsoft TEALS, Microsoft Research, Microsoft Citizenship, Seattle Public School’s Career & Technical Education Department, the University of Washington Computer Science Department, the College Success Foundation, and individual IT professionals. The hackathon concept has been a terrific success, as a result of which, Braun has been invited to lead various other coding events and “Teacher Training” computer science workshops across the West Coast of the United States and abroad.

Full bio: http://michaelebraun.weebly.com/

Glenn Robbins Is currently the Lead Learner at the Northfield Community Middle School. He is a digital leader who embraces Twitter (@Glennr1809) and Voxer (Grobbi143) to connect with educators from across the globe to better his students, staff and school as a whole. As a digital leader it has allowed him to bring amazing changes to a school, such as: creating and implementing a 100% secure WiFi building to allow staff and students to use BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), creating a schedule that increased instructional time by an additional sixty minutes per day, designed an APP and school Twitter account to promote more transparency within the community and lastly, developed a mentoring program that allows selected eighth graders to work with fifth grade students throughout the year to ease their transition to the middle school. He has an undergraduate degree from Rider University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Jones International University. He is currently pursuing a Ed.D at the American College of Education in Educational Leader. He was recently named Top 40 Under 40 in Atlantic City. He also is a member of the Edcamp Leadership organizing committee which was held at the University of Pennsylvania in August. He was an organizer and keynote speaker for NJPAECET2, which was by invite only for 150 educators from NJ and PA for professional development and celebrate great teaching. Lastly, he was 1 of 50 people selected out of 1000 to attend Edcamp USA, which was held at the Department of Education in Washington D.C., this past June.

Recorded in 2014

Jeff sits down with Jeffrey Bennett to discuss his new book On Teaching Science and how your students can have an astronaut read to them from the International Space Station.

Big Kid Science (www.bigkidscience.com) offers fun and scientifically accurate educational products, including award-winning books, school programs, author visits, and activities and resources for individuals, families, and classroom teachers.

• On Teaching Science: Principles and Strategies That Every Educator Should Know
• Math for Life: Crucial Ideas You Didn’t Learn in School (Updated Edition)
• Max Goes to the Space Station
• Max Goes to Mars
• Max Goes to Jupiter
• Max Goes to the Moon
• The Wizard Who Saved the World

• Website: http://jeffreybennett.com | www.bigkidscience.com | www.storytimefromspace.com
• Twitter: @JeffreyOBennett
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeffrey-Bennett/159547380906805
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BigKidScience

Dr. Jeffrey Bennett (http://jeffreybennett.com) is an astronomer and educator in Boulder, Colorado. He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in astrophysics and a B.A. in biophysics. He is the recipient of the 2013 American Institute of Physics Science Communication Award and the Entertainment Industries Council Science Engineering and Technology (SET) Award. He is the author of On Teaching Science, Math for Life, and What Is Relativity? He is also the author of five award-winning children’s books about science, which are currently onboard the International Space Station being read by astronauts as a part of Story Time From Space (www.storytimefromspace.com).

Jeff sits down with Dr. Bill Brennan to discuss views on education, social media, parent involvement and much more. For more information, please visit www.TeacherCast.net.

Dr. Bill Brennan (@DrBillBrennan) is Lead Innovator in Farmingdale Public Schools. A graduate of Fordham University’s Doctoral program in Educational Leadership, Bill led a National Study of School Principals, Knowledge Management, and Organizational Learning. Dr. Brennan continues to teach, write and speak on building digital age learning organizations. He challenges school leaders to re-design organizations to better cultivate human and social capital in the Digital Age.

• Farmingdale School District
• What is a Lead Innovator?
• Growing a Social Media Presence in your School District and Community
• How do you Unlearn something?
• Public Speaking: Keynotes / TEDx etc
• Professional Development Opportunities in the NYC area
• Long Island

• @DrBillBrennan
• BrennanLearning.com

Jeff sits down with Will Lenssen and Sam Patterson to discuss some amazing opportunities for high school students worldwide to get a great online education.

• Canadian High School Online: www.canadianonlinehighschool.com
• https://www.facebook.com/canadianonlinehighschool?ref=ts
• https://twitter.com/CdnOHS
• http://www.pinterest.com/CdnOHS/
• http://instagram.com/canadianonlinehighschool
• http://www.cohsresources.com
• http://cdnohs.com
• https://www.youtube.com/user/CdnOnlineHighSchool

Will Lenssen: Canadian Online Higih School

Born in the Netherlands, Will Lenssen and his family came to Canada in 1950, settling in Oakville, Ontario. He graduated with his BSc (Honours Kinesiology – Coop Program) at U of Waterloo and his  BEd (Faculty of Ed) at U of Toronto. His teaching career (1973-2006) was with the Wellington Catholic District School Board of Guelph, ON. Will is married and proud father of 2 young men and also owns and manages a Muskoka Vacation Rental Property. Upon Retirement in 2006, he became a Licensed Real Estate Agent. Late in 2010, the idea of the private Canadian Online High School was started with a colleague and equal partner, Mr. Jim Mombourquette.www.canadianonlinehighschool.com

Twitter:    @willlenssen

Sam Patterson

Poet, Writer, blogger, teacher of students: Sam has taught in independent Jewish schools for the last 12 years in the subject of English, writing, darkroom photography, algebra, algebra 2, and pre-calc and he currently teaches K-5 technology. Sam is a innovator on campus and he uses his blog to reach out to his campus environment and to reach beyond into the community of connected educators. There are many things that edtech can do, Sam looks at the pedagogical opportunities and helps teachers find the best tool for the job.

Recorded September 2014