The Art of Tech

In this episode we continue our monthy theme of PLCs and specifically focus on data collection.  Cindy Viall, special education teacher, and Kim Kellstadt, special education instructional coach, join the converstation to discuss data collection methods, tips, and ways to use digital tools to streamline data collection in the classroom. Links: How to Use Google's QR Code Generator PLC Data Analysis...

In this episode we continue our monthy theme of PLCs and specifically how our essential standards work fits into our PLC discussions.  Angela Minick and Kendra Vaught, instructional coaches in our district, join the episode to talk about our essential standards project so far, why it's so important, and how it fits into the bigger PLC picture. Links: How to Hide and Unhide a Shared Drive Current D...

In this episode we kick off our new monthy theme of PLCs!  Two of our district's directors of instructional leadership, Luke LeCount & Travis Drake, join our discussion on how to set up and run a successful and streamlined PLC with the support of various tech tools.  We also connect our PLC work to some bigger picture district ideas. Links: How to Hide and Unhide a Shared Drive Current District Es...

In this episode we close out our monthy theme of debunking tech myths.  Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, and Alex Gordon, occupational therapist, join the discussion on some common responses to resisting the use of assistive technology and accessibility features in the classroom, specifically that those tools can amount to cheating or giving an unfair advantage. Links: Assistive Technology My...

In this episode we continue our monthy theme of debunking tech myths.  This episode includes two interviews with a special education teacher, Cathy Butler, and with primary teachers, Kim Hoffmann and Teresa Taylor, to discuss the common myth of "my kids can't handle that" or "that's too advanced or complicated for my class" that we encounter when using technology with students, especially with you...

In this episode we continue our monthy theme of debunking tech myths.  Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, and Sarah Rhodes, 8th grade teacher, join the discussion on some common responses to resisting the use of tech tools in the classroom.  We discuss some classics like "you won't always have a calculator in your pocket" and "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," as well as other responses like "t...

In this episode we continue our monthy theme of debunking tech myths.  We discuss whether or not teachers need to be experts in the various technology programs before using them with students.  Lucinda Bancroft, instructional coach, and Katie Reed, 5th grade teacher, both from PVM join the discussion.   Links: Going Online Resource Hub Website Going Online Students Resource Hub Website BGPS EdTech...

In this episode we kick off our new monthy theme of debunking tech myths.  We discuss the misconceptions around screen time, specifically the differences between passive and productive screen time.  We also discuss how important it is to take a deeper look at studies beyond headlines.  Mandie Thompson, instructional coach, joins the discussion. Links: Mayo Clinic - Screen Time and Children CNBC -...

In this episode we highlight tech tools that help streamline the grading process.  We take a look at features in Google Classroom, Kami, EdPuzzle, Pear Deck, Skyward, Google Forms, and Google Sheets.  Mandie Thompson, instructional coach for LMS, and Sarah Rhodes, teacher at AMS, join the discussion and share some tips and tricks for grading smarter not harder. Links: How to Use Conditional Format...

In this episode we connect with last week's episode on demonstrating mastery to discuss the use of rubrics in the classroom.  This month's theme is on assessment and in this episode we highlight the use of Google Classroom rubrics and how that can help streamline the process and make rubrics easier to navigate for you and your students.  Mandie Thompson, instructional coach at LMS, and Cindy Viall...

In this episode we finish our month-long discussion on Teacher Clarity and the Teacher Clarity Playbook with module 9 that focuses on demonstrating mastery and designing meaningful assessments.  Joining the discussion are Mandie Thompson, instructional coach at Laurin, and Kendra Vaught, instructional coach at Amboy. Links: Teacher Clarity Resource Website Teacher Clarity Playbook Teacher Clarity...

In this episode we continue our discussion on Teacher Clarity and the Teacher Clarity Playbook with module 8 that focuses on lesson planning through designing meaningful learning experiences for students.  We highlight some tech tools to support this step in the process and our district's lesson plan that connects with Explicit Instruction.  Joining the discussion are Mandie Thompson, instructiona...

In this episode we continue our discussion on Teacher Clarity and the Teacher Clarity Playbook with modules 6 & 7 that focus on building and communicating relevance and creating assessment opportunities in your lessons.  Joining the discussion are Mandie Thompson, instructional coach at Laurin, and Gene Fritz, culinary arts and hospitality teacher at Battle Ground High School. Links: Teacher Clari...

In this episode we continue our discussion on Teacher Clarity and the Teacher Clarity Playbook with modules 3-5 that focus on goal setting with learning intentions, language expectations, and success criteria.  Joining the discussion are BJ Rush, instructional coach at Pleasant Valley Primary, and Stephanie Welniak, our district's English Language Learner program coordinator.   Links: Teacher Clar...

In this episode, Mandie Thompson returns and David Kennedy, our district's Executive Director of School Improvement joins us to talk about Teacher Clarity.  We discuss how Teacher Clarity fits into our district's mission and why it's so important to our work and our PLCs.  We also connect to the Teacher Clarity Playbook by Doug Fisher, Nancy Frey, Olivia Amador, and Joseph Assof and the first two...

This episode closes out Cybersecurity Awareness Month and we are joined by one of the district's middle school teacher librarians, Ron Wagner.  Ron helps us discuss ways to introduce cybersecurity topics to students to help them build good digital habits and stay safe online.  We connect cybersecurity with digital citizenship to help make both topics relevant and meaningful for students. Links: IS...

In this episode we discuss definitions and what to look for with social engineering and phishing.  We also discuss tips for staying safe with different devices like phones and with various accounts. Links: KnowBe4 Training CISA Cybersecurity Awareness Tip Sheets Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks Password vs. Passphrase Comic

This episode continues our series of episodes for cybersecurity awareness month.  We are joined again by Ian Moore, Washington's Cybersecurity State Coordinator/Advisor for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland Security.  We discuss cybersecurity concerns for schools districts and future trends in this episode.   Links: Cybersecurity & Infrastruc...

This episode kicks off our series of episodes for cybersecurity awareness month.  We are joined by Ian Moore, Washington's Cybersecurity State Coordinator/Advisor for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland Security.  We discuss cybersecurity essentials and why it's important in this episode.   Links: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency...

In this episode, Mandie Thompson, the instructional coach at Laurin Middle School, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of modeling technology in the classroom.  We discuss ways to streamline modeling to reach all learners. Links: Student Tutorials Going Online Student Resources

In this episode, the instruction coach team from Pleasant Valley joins the podcast, BJ Rush & Lucinda Bancroft, and we discuss the importance of setting and maintaining high expectations for students and some ideas for how to help with student buy-in and integrating technology. Links: Technology Expectations Poster/Wallpaper District Technology Expectations Chromebook 101 Video District Technology...

In this episode Jordan Osborne, 6th grade teacher, joins the podcast to discuss tips and tricks for setting up your Google Classroom for a successful year. Links: Little SIS Teacher Review Little SIS Teacher Review Resources How to Accept Classes for Google Classroom Using Teacher Review How to Reuse a Post in Google Classroom   New in Google: Schedule Posts Across Classes

Check out our first episode where we discuss some tips and tricks for including technology in your first few days of the school year including using video to help create engaging ways to share classroom routines.   Links: In case you wanted to check out The Waster vs. Art Power videos: Art Room Clean Up 101 Art Room Clean Up 102 The EdTech YouTube channel:  bit.ly/edtechchannel