Digital Portfolios as Evidence of ICT Proficiency

As the technology integrator for the middle school and high school, one of my roles is to work with teachers to integrate technology into their curriculum in order to deepen understanding for students on content topics.  Each teacher is at a unique spot on his/her technology journey so the assistance that I provide is personalized.

Usually, when a teacher delivers an integrated lesson, there will be a digital artifact as an output for the lesson.  This digital artifact then ends up in a student's digital portfolio.

At the end of 8th grade, the digital portfolios are assessed for basic ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) proficiency.  If the student's digital portfolio is assessed as proficient, then that student has met the criteria for technology and is able to register for the required 1/2 credit advanced technology course in high school.

There is a reflection component that occurs with major digital projects.  These reflections will become part of the digital portfolio as well.

While students don't always enjoy the reflecting process, it is a valuable experience.  It's very eye-opening for teachers as well to see how students reflect.

One of the reflection questions is often about one of the "habits of mind" (HOM) adopted this year by KRMS.

There are 3 key areas for the HOM:  Being Responsible, Being Respectful and Being Resilient.

On a recent combined project for Language Arts and Science affectionately known as the "Human Body Project," students were required to reflect on the HOM of being a responsible learner.

Here is the specific question:

Q3:  One of the KRMS Habits of Mind is “I am Responsible for my success as a learner.”  This includes being dependable, which is defined on the poster as “being on time, being prepared for class, staying on task, owning your actions and being honest.”  

For this reflection question, offer an honest assessment of whether you exhibited the habit of mind of being responsible or not. Give one specific example of how you did or didn’t exhibit this HOM and one specific piece of advice you will give yourself for your next research project.

Student 1
After nearly 1½ months of research and work, I believe that the Habits of Mind helped me work through this project. “Being on time, being prepared for class, staying on task, and owning your actions and being honest.” These character traits help create the ideas that make up who I am.

Student 2
I think one way I didn’t exhibit HOM was using my time wisely. I got pretty far ahead of my friends, so some of the classes I wouldn’t take full advantage of to finish my project but, to talk to friends. Advice I would give myself next time would be to utilize the time given and try not to exceed time.

Student 3
I believe that I was sort of dependable but I really need to improve on always staying on task. Even though the due date seems far away you still have to put in a lot of work and effort into your presentation. I think next time I do a project I should work on using my time wisely and not wasting time. Some days I would talk a lot with my friends and I have to decrease that time to put more energy into my project.

Student 4
I think that I could have been more responsible with my research. We were given plenty of time in class and I feel that I didn’t appreciate it enough. Next time I am given research to do, I will use my given class time to do as much as I can.

Student 5

I did not exhibit the habit of mind of being responsible. I procrastinated and did not use my class time well most of the time. In the end, I pulled it together really well. For my next research project, I will make sure I do not talk as much and get my work done instead. I am going to try to do better when I do my science fair project.

Ask your child to show you his/her digital portfolio.  It's in your child's Google Account in the Google Sites App.  Some of the students have been collecting artifacts since kindergarten and the portfolio showcases an excellent collection of technology proficiency evidence.  

Check out the reflections as well.

I hope you are impressed with the skills that your child is exhibiting with digital technologies such as completing online research, effectively communicating new information in creative ways, thinking in a computational fashion, and being an innovative designer.  If your child has tech ed for a special, then you will find a dream bedroom design using an online CAD program.  Many students have a collaborative website that they made in 7th grade science class on the water cycle.  Students might also have a video that they created using a greenscreen application.  Some students created a Minecraft world to demonstrate their understanding of their 8th grade reading of The Outsiders.  There is some impressive learning happening with technology.  

Once you look at the digital portfolio, come back and comment on what you have seen.  Ask questions.  Give shout-outs to your kids.  Compliment a teacher.  Give yourself a pat on the back!

Winter Fun!

What a winter we have had!  Below freezing temps for extended periods of time, a ton of snow, and then warmer temps and rain!  That’s New Hampshire!!!  

I thought it would be nice to have some safety reminders, and some fun links to things going on in NH to keep our minds and bodies happy till Spring!

We are so fortunate in NH to have so many outdoor activities to take advantage of.  We have lakes for ice fishing, and skating.  Trails for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and hiking.  Of course downhill skiing, snowmobiling, the list goes on.

As our children get older, they seem to know what they need, or don’t need when they go outside.  If we suggest a coat, they think we are nuts, but if a friend suggests that a coat is needed, boy do they listen!  Lately I am not sure if kids need coats or rain jackets, but always check the weather and make sure you and your children are prepared for the day.

*When going out to enjoy the weather, base layers are key.  Dry, moisture wicking clothing is available at most clothing stores, and are needed to keep our core warm.  Wear a hat!  Ears are easily damaged by frostbite, not to mention that most of our body heat is lost through our heads.

*Stay hydrated.  Dehydration can happen any time, summer or winter.   

*Be safe with any outdoor activity you are planning.  Helmets for skiing, skating, snowmobiling or sledding.  Monitor the wind chill, and check the ice thickness before heading out.

*Sunscreen is a great thing to use even on cloudy days in the winter.  Besides it’s obvious skin cancer prevention benefits, it’s a wonderful frostbite deflector.  It is a barrier that needs to be reapplied during outdoor exposure.   Keep a small tube in your pocket!      Tips for Healthy Winter Safety!

Of course there are a bunch of fun indoor activities too.  One super fun experience that my family enjoys has been ESCAPE ROOMS! Talk about needing to work as a team and getting your brain power on!

Have fun this winter…try something new, and be safe!  

Happy Winter!

       Visit NH!                                                                                      Printable Fact Sheet

Got Common Sense?

Riding on the popularity of the "Got Milk" slogan, I want to introduce parents to an excellent resource for all things digital.  Common Sense Media is a tremendous resource used by the district librarians, technology integrators and teachers for lessons and guidance on navigating the digital landscape.  My hope is that after reading this blog post that parents will begin to use this resource as well.

My first piece of advice is to scroll to the bottom of the page on the Common Sense Media website and locate the area for subscribing to their newsletter.  Now, important new information will come directly to your inbox.  The articles are well written and offer excellent advice.

This is the Mission Statement for Common Sense Media:

"Common Sense is the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. We empower parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives."

The Common Sense Media website has a full section dedicated to Parents.  The Parent section has a range of topics including reviews of apps, movies, and games.  It also has a Family Guides section that includes information on topics such as Device-Free Dinner, Essential K-5 Guide, Essential Apps and Special Needs Apps.

The Parent section also has a comprehensive Parent Concerns section that includes information on Youtube,  Character Strengths & Life Skills, Technology Addiction,  Screen Time and Cyberbullying to name a few.

What I love most about this information is the positive nature of the website.  Common Sense Media recognizes (as we do at Kearsarge) that technology is important to the life of the 21st-century learner and worker.  The goal is to educate learners and workers on the best practices and safe use of technology.  The goal is not on blocking and withholding access.

Technology allows learners and workers to innovate, create new ideas and products and communicate with a globally connected world.  Technology represents an amazing collection of tools that when used safely and appropriately can truly improve the world.  Education is key and Common Sense Media is a go-to source for timely information that is practical, unbiased and appeals to our common sense!

If you find a resource on Common Sense Media that resonated with you, please share this in the comments section below for others.

Smartphone Use in Schools

Kids and smartphones: This combination is a topic ripe with questions and concerns. Add to

that, kids and smartphones in schools, and the conversation can get even more complicated.

However, with the research beginning to catch up with the ubiquitous use of devices by children,

we can rely on some data to help guide us with helping students to manage these amazing tech

tools.

In my last blog post I referred to the Tech Talk Tuesdays blog as an excellent resource for

updated information on student/technology use issues. Recently, this blog addressed school

policies around phone use during the school day, and the results of a survey were shared in an

Op-Ed written by Delaney Ruston, the Screenagers’ filmmaker. Please follow this link to read

the Op-Ed, as well as to view the CNN interview with Jean Twenge, PhD, author of IGen: Why

Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy -

and Completely Underprepared for Adulthood.   CNN.com Op-Ed 

Our school’s policy on the use of phones currently reads,

Personal Electronic Devices – In special circumstances determined by the classroom teacher,

students may be allowed to bring in a personal electronic device to be used for specific

educational purposes. Students may not take photos or videos without explicit permission from

their teacher. All use of electronic devices, personal or school, is subject to the KRSD

Responsible Use Policy.

Personal Electronic Devices may not be used at any other times during the school day (7:35am-

2:32pm), including in the hallway and cafeteria.

Students are encouraged to make all after school social plans at home so their plans can be

discussed with parents. Students are not allowed to use their personal devices to send or

receive phone calls or messages during the school day.

Our Responsible Use Policy is always evolving to reflect current research and best practices,

and KRMS welcomes parent feedback. We try to maintain a healthy balance in regards to the

use of technology in our school - wanting to utilize the amazing educational tools available to

us, while preserving rich and dynamic face-to- face interaction. Please add your voice to this

conversation and let us know how you feel about the current use of Personal Electronic Devices

in school.

Effective Study Skills

From time to time we will share guest authors with you. This is one of those posts. We asked Rachel Carney and Willow Smith to share their ideas with you, and your students. Enjoy, and please let us know what you think, and as always share your questions and ideas.

We are excited to be guest bloggers for Symbiosis. Many of the skills that we teach to

students with special needs are tools that all students can learn to help them be successful.

We went through and picked out our favorites. Please comment below with strategies that

may work best at your house. We are always adding to our bag of tricks!

1. Agenda- finding a way to organize what you have to do is an important middle school skill.

Agenda skills start in 6th grade when students are given an agenda book. They learn how to

write down homework, upcoming assignments and events. We find that teachers are good at

reminding students to write down assignments, but students are not so great at actually

looking in their agenda to see what they have to do. Please take time each day to help your

child look at their agenda and discuss what is due and upcoming assignments and

assessments.  

2.  Although we provide and teach students how to use a paper agenda, more and more

students by 8th grade are using their Google Calendar. There are many different tools to

use in this calendar to help organize your child. Here is one of our new favorites:

Video on How to Use Tasks on Google Calendar

3. After school schedule- being moms ourselves, we understand that it can be crazy after

school. This is why it is important to have an after school routine, especially with

co-curricular activities. This routine will look very different from house to house but most

should  include some of these: time for a snack, homework, free reading, tech time, outside

play and any other organized activities your child has. We have found if you don’t plan in

the homework, study and read time, they might not fit in! Make sure to actually schedule

this into your child’s routine.

4. How do I learn? The middle school years are when students start to understand who

they are as learners and to develop strategies that what works for them. Please take a

few minutes to watch this video offering some study tips: 5 Effective Study Tips. It is

important to help your child figure out what does and does not work for them. Some kids

work really well late at night doing homework and reading. For others, the work will never

get done and they need to complete it right after school. It is important for your child to

start to recognize who they are as a learner.

5. Goal-Plan-Do-Review- This is a great skills to help students who are weak with

organization and executive function skills. We teach kids to stop before they get

overwhelmed and make a plan. We write down, what do I need to do (goal), plan the steps

needed to finish the goal (plan) and then sit down and start working (do). At the end, we

have them review it. This helps to imagine the steps, creating a concrete amount of time it

will take to complete the task, and problem solve.

Click Here for Goal, Plan, Do, Review Template

These strategies help all students develop stronger executive function skills. These are

important skills for both school, and career readiness success: organization, decision

making, impulse control, project management, time management, adaptability, and goal

setting.

Thank you for allowing us to be guest bloggers. We enjoy sharing our knowledge of helping

students develop effective study skills and sharing them with everyone. Please feel free

to contact us: wsmith@kearsarge.org rcarney@kearsarge.org

Vaping in Schools

I will admit, being a parent can be scary at times.  Alcohol, drugs, bullying, peer pressure, dating, and today's topic…vaping.  This is new for me, but recently there is a lot of talk about E-Cigarettes that are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, they almost look like flash drives, so this appeals to students, as they are easy to conceal.  The use of an e-cigarette basically heats a liquid into a vapor, which can then be inhaled. The liquid could be a flavored water type mixture, liquid nicotine or even THC, the active element of marijuana.

There is a product called JUUL that is being used.  These devices are introducing teens to nicotine use.  Besides their sleek design, the pods are flavored, so the taste is desirable to adolescents.   Kids are calling it ‘Juuling’, as it sounds better than ‘vaping’, and kids don’t associate it with becoming addicted, because it's not a cigarette.  What they don’t think about is that a single pod of a Juul has roughly the same amount of nicotine as one pack of cigarettes.  Studies are stating that using E Cigarettes, like JUUL, is leading adolescents toward more risky behaviors.  Students are able to do it in class, they quickly take a ‘hit’ and exhale into their sweatshirt hood.  Because there is a sweet mild smell, it is not detected.  Its easy to do in class when a teacher turns around, and equally easy to do in the bathroom.  I explored the JUUL website a bit.  The flavor pods are certainly made to look desirable.  They are cute in size, and advertised with lovely pictures of brightly colored fruit, depending on the flavor.  Certainly, the website clearly states you have to be 21 or over to purchase, and that this device os for adult smokers looking for an alternative to smoking.

Please see the links provided.  Articles from New Hampshire Public Radio as well as an article from the Boston Globe.  Boston Globe article      NHPR article

What can we do?  Communication is always key.  Ask your child if they have heard of “Juuling”, or if they have tried it?  Share your concerns with your child, why this is not a healthy choice, and what it could lead to.  

I have found, even if the conversation is a tough one to have, its better to have it, than not at all.

Find other helpful  links below:

https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/about.html

https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/teens-e-cigarettes

Blizzard Bag Days the KRMS Way

KRSD has been utilizing Blizzard Bag Days for at least 7 years now.  The idea came about by a prior superintendent (Jerry Frew) based on Kearsarge being the largest geographic region in NH.  The idea was that students would work from home and it would count as a school day.  The program has evolved over the years and KRMS has created a unique way to manage these days.

Our goal at KRMS on a Blizzard Bag Day is for students to learn some important Habits of Mind skills such as persisting, creating, imaging, innovating and remaining open to continuous learning.  We have used a book over the past several years so that all students and staff would have a common experience for future discussions.

This year, we are using Newsela.  This is their motto:  Our motto is “Read closely. Think critically. Be worldly.”  We use daily news to help every student become a better reader and critical thinker.

Students read a variety of articles, submit a written response and take a short quiz to check for understanding.  Students also watch videos related to the theme of the day and submit a brief response.  

We strive for students to learn about a digital citizenship topic on each Blizzard Bag Day in order to enhance their understanding of a specific topic such as online safety or how to set a strong email password.

Each day has some element of student voice that allows students to contribute to the topic of the day.  A new element this year is adding in a global perspective.  Students are participating in what is called The World's Largest Lesson.  This is a link to the KRMS website that has the most current Blizzard Bag Day assignment.

When students return to school, they spend some time in their Blizzard Bag Community Group discussing the readings, activities, and topics that were part of the assignment.

We understand that this is a unique school day so that is why we established the KRMS BB Learning Objectives.

We know that students are learning how to be self-directed and self-motivated to participate in this distance learning model.

We know students have to use their critical thinking skills to figure things out from home.

We believe that these are important skills that will serve students well over the course of their educational endeavors as most students will participate in some sort of distance learning such as VLACS or an online course in middle school, high school, college or in life after school.

What are your thoughts regarding Blizzard Bag Days at KRMS?  Please feel free to share your experiences.