This blog focuses on the effective integration of technology in K-12 schools with special emphasis on Sonoma County. It offers ideas and resources to support purposeful use of technology in relation to the Common Core Standards and 21st century learning.
Author | Rick Phelan | Email | Follow on Twitter
Guidelines | SCOE Blog Protocols (pdf)
California’s New Accountability System Taking Shape
09.28.16
California’s State Board of Education took action to approve the Local Control Funding Formula’s initial evaluation rubrics on September 8. The rubrics set the foundations for California’s new local, state, and federal accountability system. This blog post shares information on the State Board of Education’s decision and how it reflects a new system for California public schools that supports districts in a process of continuous improvement.
Read More...
Fall Sonoma County Google Apps for Education Bootcamp
08.02.16
The Sonoma County Office of Education, working in conjunction the Ed Tech Team, is pleased to present a Google Certified Educator Bootcamp. Bootcamps are preparatory courses for teachers who want to move forward and become officially certified in Google App skills.
Read More...
Help Managing Smart Phone Use
07.28.16
Is it OK to text message during a family meal? This is one of the questions Sherry Turkle studies looking at evolving norms for behavior with technology. As an MIT professor, she is excited by technology but cautions that it may be taking us in places we don’t want to go. Turkle’s ideas are shared widely through a TED Talk with over 3 million views and numerous books presenting her insights: Life on the Screen, The Second Self, Alone Together, and Reclaiming Conversation. This blog post outlines some of Turkle’s observations about mobile technology specific to American society, parenting and how we can moderate some of the negative effects of mobile technology.
Read More...
Ten Technology ‘Takeaways’ from the 2016 ISTE Conference
07.06.16
Over 14,000 educators gathered in Denver, Colorado from June 26 to June 29 at the 2016 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference. Featuring hands-on workshops, keynote speakers, poster sessions, interest group meetings, technology playgrounds and vendor exhibits, representatives from 72 countries were present along with seven educators from Sonoma County: Patricia Amend-Ehn, Bob Bales, Patrick Daniels, John Magnoli, Rick Phelan, Christy Riddell, and Tracy Whitaker. This post shares my view of 10 significant themes with resources for follow-up from the 2016 ISTE conference.
Read More...
5th Grade Connections from Russia
06.09.16
Petaluma High School’s Julia Fox is an American Field Service exchange student. For most of the 2015-16 school year, Julia has lived in Krasnador, a large city in southern Russia. She leveraged her experience to support 5th grade students in Sonoma County learning about world geography and other cultures. Over the course of this year, Julia has been in communication Geri Brown’s 5th grade class at Olivet School. This blog post offers insights into communication between Julia and the 5th grade class where technology has supported real time interaction and learning.
Read More...
2016 Smarter Balanced Assessment Reporting
05.26.16
Over 37,000 students in Sonoma County took the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) tests this Spring. The tests measure progress with California State Standards for grades 3 through 8 and 11. The annual state tests are one measure districts, parents, and communities can use to check school achievement. This blog post offers information on 2016 SBAC reports including report elements, types of reports, and timelines for release of information.
Read More...
New Technology Audit Service Offered
05.15.16
Technology is an essential component of the modern classroom, requiring school districts to have the proper devices for students and teachers, a reliable infrastructure, maintenance and technical support, as well as training for staff. The Sonoma County Office of Education is offering a new service that can assist LEAs in this important area. Called a, “technology audit,” this service helps schools review their existing technology capabilities highlighting strengths and needs.
Read More...
2016 Sonoma County Robotics Challenge
04.16.16
Over 350 elementary and middle school students from grades 4-8 will take part in the 2016 Sonoma County Robotics Challenge on May 7 at Elsie Allen High School. Incorporating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), Maker education, and 21st century thinking, student teams from 26 schools will compete in seven events that require skill in robot design and programming.
Read More...
Sonoma County Google Education Summit
03.31.16
Over 300 educators are slated to attend the first annual Google for Education Summit on April 9 & 10 at Windsor High School. The summit is a collaboration between the Sonoma County Office of Education, Windsor Unified School District, and the EdTechTeam.
Read More...
2016 SBAC Summative Test Administrator Supports
02.26.16
As districts and schools prepare for the 2016 Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments, district and site assessment coordinators need support materials to help prepare test proctors. This blog post offers manuals, scripts, and videos to help support test administrators with 2016 Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments.
Read More...
21 to 30 of 135 Prev
Next
