This episode wraps up our monthly theme on accessibility. Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, returns to discuss the importance of ensuring all content is accessible for all students. We connect the importance of accessibility and accessible content with Universal Design for Learning and the UDL framework. We also discuss how that connects to our district curricula and remembering to ask "what are the barriers?"

Links:

• UDL Tips for Accessible Educational Materials
• Going Online Kami Resources
• Kami & Curriculum Resource Guide
• SLIDE for Accessible Content
• POUR Principles for Accessible Content
• UDL Guidelines
• Accessible Content Guide
• Live Captions in Chrome
• Helpdesk Support Portal
• Literacy Hub
• Middle School Social Studies Hub
• SEL Hub

This episode continues our monthly theme of accessibility. We discuss some of the new updates throughout Google in terms of accessibility over the past year. Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, joins the discussion. We talk about some accessibility apps and features within Google, Android, and Chrome systems. We specifically highlight image to text, reading mode, and the ability to extract text from a PDF for Chrome and Chromebooks as well as some newer exciting apps and what's coming.

Links:

• What's New in Google Accessibility Video Series
• Texthelp Resources
• Lookout Video
• Magnifier Video
• Envision App
• Live Transcribe
• Google Lens

This episode is a replay of last season's excellent conversation on accessibility features and their importance for our students.  We connected with a special education teacher in the Camas School District and a mother of a student with disabilities from the Evergreen School District, both of whom are members of the state's Inclusionary Practices Project and Special Education Support Center, now called the Inclusionary Practices Technical Network.  We discuss the importance of accessibility features to give students the ability to access content and tasks as well as build confidence and independence both inside and outside the classroom.

Links:

• AEM Center: Access to Learning
• Accessibility Features Video Tutorials
• Chromebook Accessibility Features Document
• Accessibility Features Resource
• Chromebook Accessibility

This is a replay of our great conversation with Anna Leeper and Felicia Barkell with special services on what accessibility means and how it applies in school settings. It kicks of this month's theme of accessibility in the classroom.

Links:

• AEM Center: Access to Learning
• Disability Discrimination and Employment Decisions
• About IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
• Section 508 Compliance
• WAC 392-172A-02015
• RCW 49.60.030
• RCW 70.84.010

This is our first mail bag episode! We answer questions from the district and talk about the helpdesk. Scott McDaniel returns and we are joined by our helpdesk heroes: Cheryl ODell and Aaron Kabat to talk about a range of topics from moving hardware to favorite keyboard shortcuts.

Links:

• BGPS Helpdesk Support Portal

This episode continues our monthly theme of becoming future ready. We want to be future ready educators embedding valuable future ready skills in our classrooms to prepare our students for an ever-changing future. We check in with Andrea Smith, K-12 science coordinator, and Vicki Campbell, a 3rd and 4th grade teacher, to discuss problem solving skills in the classroom and how they help prepare our students to be future ready.

Links:

• Future Ready in BGPS

• Pacific Education Institute 

• Wild Washington Lesson Plans - Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife 

• What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada

• What Do You Do with a Problem? by Kobi Yamada

This episode continues our monthly theme of becoming future ready. We want to be future ready educators embedding valuable future ready skills in our classrooms to prepare our students for an ever-changing future. We check in with Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, and Sherah Campbell, a high school health and AVID teacher, to discuss collaboration skills and the future ready skills that connect with working with others. We also highlight the SEL connections with some of these future ready skills.

Links:

• Future Ready in BGPS

• Classroom Expectations Matrix

This episode continues our monthly theme of becoming future ready. We want to be future ready educators embedding valuable future ready skills in our classrooms to prepare our students for an ever-changing future. Andrea Smith, K-12 science coordinator, joins the discussion as we focus on future ready skills related to creativity and critical thinking.

Links:

• Future Ready in BGPS

• What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada

• What Do You Do with a Problem? by Kobi Yamada

• Example Genius Hour Pear Deck Presentation

This episode kicks off our new year and new monthly theme of becoming future ready. We want to be future ready educators embedding valuable future ready skills in our classrooms to prepare our students for an ever-changing future. Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, and Andrea Smith, science coordinator, join the discussion as we highlight our district's list of skills and what it means to be future ready.

Links:

• Future Ready in BGPS

This episode close out our monthly theme of streamlining workflow with technology tools.  Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, joins the episode. We discuss the Google Sheets extension/add-on called Autocrat that can be used for automating and streamlining various tasks. Autocrat can connect Google Form data (or any data in a Google Sheet) with Google Docs or Slides templates.

Links:

• Autocrat Video Tutorials

• Autocrat

• Going Online Resource Hub