Teachers and Staff,

I just wanted to provide a little clarification on how we are handling in-service in August.  Traditionally, teachers have been required to attend several full days of training on campus.  This year, we are trying something new with the Flipped In-service.  This will allow you to complete one day of training at your convenience this summer (this flipped training must be completed online, it will not be offered face to face).  In exchange, you will not be required to come to campus on August 19.

I hope you are enjoying your summer and please let me know if you have questions.  Thanks!

Tracie Rose, Principal 

to the 2013-2014

Summer Professional Development Series

This unit will replace our regularly scheduled professional development day on AUGUST 19, 2013.  This means that completing this unit during the summer time, at your own pace and in your own spare time, will give you AUGUST 19, 2013 back as a day off.  You will not need to report to the school for in-service until AUGUST 21, 2013 (unless you are scheduled for Secret Agent Training on AUGUST 20, 2013).

This workshop is being presented in a Flipped Learning environment (see a short video about the Flipped Classroom here). This means that all the content that you will need will be given to you to study and complete on your own time, away from traditional sit-and-get meetings.  In exchange for completing these outside of school time, you will not have to report to school on August 19.  There are a total of four units for you to complete.  Below is a brief summary of each.  Directions on how to complete each will be given under the actual activity.

Para-professionals need to complete Activities 1, 3, and 4.
Classroom teachers need to complete Acitivies 1, 2, 3, and 4. 

1. Technology Applications TEKS Project Share Course (approximately 3 hours) - this unit will teach you about the technology apps that are a part of your regular TEKS.  There are three grade bands in the course and you will only need to take the one that corresponds to your teaching assignment.  You will need to print off the certificate of completion at the end of the course and place in Carolyn's box for documentation (DO NOT rely on them to send you one via email - I never received one when I completed the course).  DUE:  August 21
2. PDAS Online Update (approximately 1 hour) - this will satisfy your yearly PDAS Update.  If a certificate is available at the end of the course, please print and place in Carolyn's box for documentation.  DUE:  August 21
3. Video Series (approximately 2 hours) - this will lead you through watching a series of four videos and responding to some open-ended questions.  Your answers to the questions should be uploaded to Tracie.  We will conduct a group discussion of your answers on August 22.  DUE:  August 14
4. Short survey about experience (approximately 5 minutes) - this will provide us feedback about your experience using the Flipped Learning environment instead of an inservice day.  DUE:  August 21

Please make sure that you complete ALL activities prior to their due date.  Activities can be completed and turned in early but there will not be any time given for you to complete these activities during inservice week.

If you have internet issues and are unable to complete these at home, you are welcome to use the school wifi provided you take the following steps:

1. Staff internet accounts cannot be available until August 1st for use.
2. You must contact Wayne to let him know you are coming and when so that he can have the paperwork ready to release your account.
3. When you arrive to use the wifi, you will need to check with Wayne so that he can direct you to a computer to use (this is due to floors being cleaned and rooms being moved).

ACTIVITY ONE:  Technology Applications TEKS
Estimated Time to Complete:  3 hours
Must be completed by:  Para-Professionals and Classroom Teachers

In order to complete this activity, you will need to have your username and password information for Project Share.  If you cannot remember your login information, please email Wayne.

You only need to take the course that corresponds to your teaching assignment for next year.  Click on the link below and choose "Join This Course" (located on the left of the screen).  Once logged in, you will need the access code provided below.

• Grades K-2 - ACCESS CODE:  702
• Grades 3-5 - ACCESS CODE:  732
• Grades 6-8 - ACCESS CODE:  600

*If you have issues with the access code when you use the above links, try clicking HERE and selecting ESC 08 - Technology Applications TEKS PD (Self paced) for your grade level.

When you have finished the course, PRINT the certificate that shows on the screen and place in Carolyn's box.  DO NOT rely on them to email you proof of completion because I have never received one after I completed the course. 
 

ACTIVITY TWO:  PDAS ONLINE UPDATE
Estimated Time to Complete:  1 Hour
Must be completed by:  Classroom Teachers

Click on the link below to complete the PDAS Update.  When you register yourself, you will need to include the registration code listed below.

• PDAS Update - REGISTRATION CODE:  gardenhose894
   

If there is a certificate of completion at the end of the update, please print it off and place in Carolyn's box.
 

ACTIVITY THREE:  VIDEO SERIES
Estimated Time to Complete:  2 Hours
Must be completed by:  Para-Professionals and Classroom Teachers

In order to complete this activity, you will need to open up a Word document and record your answers to each question listed below.  You will need to answer the same questions for each of the four videos you watch.   You will need to upload your final document to Tracie (details below) prior to August 14.  She will be analyzing your responses in order to prepare for our group discussions on August 22.

QUESTIONS:

1. What is your immediate response to the video?
2. What in the video resonates with you?
3. What do you question?
4. What ideas for your classroom did this video inspire in you?
5. If you were in a room with the person(s) in the video, what questions would you ask or what comments would you have for them?

VIDEOS:

For each set of videos, you are only required to watch one of the two.  You may select whichever looks more interesting to you.

1. What Education needs to be focused on...  (Sir Ken Robinson - Creativity Expert)