Blogging, Lesson

Blogging with Doc’s English Classes

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These notes are for a presentation for Dr. Worth’s English classes and draw extensively on Chapter 8 of Reinventing Writing by Vicki Davis.

Blog is short for web log.
Blogs can cover any type of content.
Blogs are often written in first person.
Blogs and private journals are different.
Blogs are meant for an audience.

Vicki Davis, @coolcatteacher, says that blogs are similar to captain’s logs, scientific journals and Op-ed columns in newspapers.

Microblogs is a short form of blogging that limits writing/format in some way. Twitter. Instagram. Snapchat.

Elements of a blog post
-Title
-Body
-Tags
-Date
-Pictures/Video/Files/Links
-Comments
-Social Media Sharing Buttons

Do not share details about your schedule or private information like your address.
First name and last initial for Display Name Publicly.
Link to sources.
Links should be to accurate sources and relevant to text.
Cite image and video sources.
Posts with compelling graphics receive more views.
Great titles are essential.
Cross-promote blogs in Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest.

*Graphic created using Canva.com.

Additional tips from The Golden Rules of Blogging & When to Break Them by Robin Houghton.

#6 Spelling & Grammar Mistakes Will Kill Your Blog
#9 Always End with a Question
#16 Comment Regularly on Other Blogs
#18 Do Not Steal
#21 Develop Blogging Buddies

Professional Development, Software

4/7 PD Opportunities for DHS Staff

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Friday, April 7th is bursting with awesome Professional Development Opportunities!!!

Digital Learning Day: 9 – 12 in 30 min. online sessions. Register https://digitallearningday2017.sched.com/ Instructions https://www.lcpsdld.com/attendees

Q3 Grade Training: 10, 11 and 1 in room L610 (30 min. sessions)

Faculty Town Hall: 10 – 11 in Library: Addressing Student Behaviors in Common Areas

#LCPSedChat: 1:30 – 2:30 Twitter chat. Topic this month is Citizens of the World. Great opportunity for LIYLS participants to share your story with other LCPS educators. Learn more http://reynoldsrambles.blogspot.com/2017/03/april-2017-lcpsedchat-topic.html

Please let me know if you have any questions on how to participate.

Professional Development, Software

Read & Write for Windows Course

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Want to learn how to use Read & Write to help vulnerable students while earning 10 re-certification points?

Enroll in this self-paced VISION course http://vision.lcps.org/course/view.php?id=10136 and get started today!

Read&Write literacy software makes the web, documents and files more accessible. It is a friendly, intuitive toolbar that assists learners at all levels with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, researching assignments and proofing written work. It is a big confidence booster for anyone who needs a little extra help with their reading and writing, at school or in the workplace. Great for people with dyslexia and other learning difficulties, or anyone whose first language is not English.     Enablemart. Text to Speech Software – Blindness – Vision. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2017.

Read&Write is available on all instructional computers and a take home version is also available for students.

Professional Development

Dominion HS Tech Update

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During the March 29th faculty meeting,  I shared the latest in technology at Dominion. There are a number of pilots and pockets of technology integration throughout the school targeted at meeting our 2020 goals.

The library has been very successful in bringing large number of students in every day both before and after school. 500 students were counted using the library on one day.  BYOT funds have been used to bring displays for clubhouse, cameras, green screen and charging stations. The media center has a new system called Follett Destiny.

-3 New Chromebook Carts to support personalized learning – 6 all together ELL, English, Science

-A team from Ms. Nguyen’s class will receive recognition in the Loudoun Creates film festival.

-Mrs. Gusman participated in a 360 video pilot and contest.

-Makerspace: CTE, history, art, ELL. Maker Club Thursday successfully bringing in ELL girls. Starting new Fixit club. Mr. Baker presented at NoVa Maker Faire.

-Blogging Pilot: Dr. Worth, Mr. Hicks & Mrs. Glynn are participating with each class trying a different  implementation model.

-Dominion is participating in a WeVideo pilot for all students/staff. Two sessions on WeVideo were offered as part PD Thursdays. Staff are encouraged to consider video project as an option for end of year projects and assessments.

-A Google Certified Educator Level 1 course cohort will kick-off fourth quarter. Educators participating will be eligible for up to 25 recertification points. Several Dominion teachers have been experimenting with Google Classroom this year.

Blogging, Lesson

Talking Blogging with Mrs. Glynn’s 6th Block

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These notes are for a presentation to Mrs. Glynn’s 6th block English class and draw extensively on Chapter 8 of Reinventing Writing by Vicki Davis.

Blog is short for web log.
Blogs can cover any type of content.
Blogs are often written in first person.
Blogs and private journals are different.
Blogs are meant for an audience.

Vicki Davis, @coolcatteacher, says that blogs are similar to captain’s logs, scientific journals and Op-ed columns in newspapers.

Microblogs is a short form of blogging that limits writing/format in some way. Twitter. Instagram. Snapchat.

Elements of a blog post
-Title
-Body
-Tags
-Date
-Pictures/Video/Files/Links
-Comments
-Social Media Sharing Buttons

Group blogs are blogs with multiple authors.
Mrs. Glynn’s classroom blog is a group blog.
We will be using EduBlogs.

Do not share details about your schedule or private information like your address.
First name and last initial for Display Name Publicly.
Link to sources.
Links should be to accurate sources and relevant to text.
Cite image and video sources.
Posts with compelling graphics receive more views.
Great titles are essential.
Cross-promote blogs in Facebook, Twitter & Pinterest.

*Graphic created using Canva.com.

Software, Uncategorized

Dominion Blog Pilot

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Dominion High School started a small blogging pilot today. A handful of Dominion staff have volunteered to start instructional and professional blogs. These blogs support the LCPS OTTW initiative to use real-world tools to create real-world products that solve authentic challenging problems.