Assistechknow Roundup

In case you missed Assistechknow last week, or if you have no idea what it is, this is a roundup of Kent ISD’s two day conference on assistive technology and Universal Design for Learning. Ron Houtman, Kindy Segovia, and a host of others once again organized everything, and hundreds of educators from many places came to share and learn.

One key point to keep in mind: assistive tech can help everyone, not just those for whom targeted supports are designed. Take a look at these links to see if there is anything you can use in your work.

• Keynote speaker Mike Marotta’s website – featuring resources on Google Chrome as assistive tech
• Downloads/links from all presentations and workshops

#assistive-technology, #kent-isd

Come View, Think, and Discuss With Us

Kent ISD is partnering with Celebration Cinema North to bring you a screening of the film Most Likely to Succeed. We want people to explore what is happening in the world of education as well as what is possible. To do so, we are inviting the community to view the film on October 20 at 6:30 pm.  After the screening, we will shift to a panel of local educators, business leaders, and students. They will be sharing their experiences and responses to the film, and the audience will have an opportunity to chime in and ask questions.

See the flyer below for more details. Click this registration link to sign up or click on the flyer to go to the registration page. The event is free, but we are requiring people to register so that we can ensure we don’t exceed capacity. Check it out, clear the calendar, and join us for an entertaining and thought-provoking night.

#film, #kent-isd, #mlts, #pbl

Kent ISD Services Open House – September 16

Please join us at the Kent ISD / REMC 8 Open House on September 16 from  2 PM until 5:30 PM!  

We have a ton of resources that you can use in your teaching and learning practice and we’d love to share them with you.   We’ll have our entire team of consultants available to help you learn about how we can serve you, your school and students.

Come see the Assistive Technology Playground, experience our Media Center resources and make-it and take-it examples, and learn about our 3D printer and Quadcopter in our STEM Playground.  We’ll share how our Early Childhood, Special Education and Special Populations teams can help in your school.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to learn how we can help you and your diverse learners.

#kent-isd, #kisd, #openhouse

Shift Mich: Learn and Contribute

July is a month in which the education world gets sleepy. Most people are either not working or are taking vacation, so the action is limited. It is an ideal time to explore some new ideas or share some of what you are doing. Shift Mich is a recently formed educational concept/group which seeks, in their words, to “empower educators to innovate their teacher practices…”. Go to the Shift Mich site to explore more (note that this is still in its infancy so the content is somewhat limited).

Why You Should Care:

1. Learn how some other teachers are shifting their instruction to reach students (link to Practices page)

2. View statewide conferences, workshops, and other learning opportunities in one place (link to Events page)

3. Submit an article about what you or someone you know is doing. It doesn’t have to be something mind-blowing; just something that is different and effective. (link to Submission page)

As you continue your summer, think about how you could learn from or contribute to Shift Mich. At the very least, consider what new methods you can introduce to increase your impact as an educator.

#educational-technology, #kent-isd

Kent ISD Assistive Technology & REMC Open House – Sept 17

For you and your staff – don’t miss the Kent ISD Assistive Technology & REMC Open House, from 2:00-6:00 pm, Sept. 17:

• Come to explore the Lending Library of technology, equipment and software available to educators throughout Kent ISD
• Discover the variety of REMC materials and services available – die cut, waxing, poster-making, video loan, online resources and more
• Experience the StarLab – portable planetarium, available for your classrooms to borrow
• Browse the ‘free’ garage sale for older or discontinued equipment and software
• Enjoy popcorn and cookies, leave with “low tech” classroom goodies
• And of course…..Win some terrific door prizes! Yes, including iTunes Gift Cards, iPad cases, Time Timers and more!

Register for this free, drop-in-when-you-can, event, or just pop in!

#assistive-technology, #kent-isd, #remc

Tablets with Google Play for Education Workshop –

Kent ISD along with CDW-G and the Google for Education team will be hosting a “Tablets with Google Play for Education Workshop” on Monday Oct 13th from 11am-3:30pm. Lunch will be provided.

Google will give an overview to the tablets program, show a live demo, give you a chance to hear from your peers, and play around with the tablets and some apps.

The event is designed for technology and curriculum directors and administrators, so please feel free to forward this invite to others in your district.

Please see the attached invite with RSVP link to register. Please let your CDW account manager know if you have any questions..

Register here —  http://goo.gl/OCpk5N

#assistive-technology, #kent-isd, #pd, #professional-development, #remcam

Creating Digital Rich Classrooms – The Kent ISD Digital Learning Summit

This one is filling up fast even though it’s not until October 23rd!

The Kent ISD Digital Learning Summit will draw together the Kent Learning Collaborative, Kent Technology Advisory Committee and the Kent Technology Integration and Media Specialists.  Participants will explore how to promote learning using technology.  Come and experience interactive classroom technology in hands-on sessions that will help you increase student engagement and achievement.

Please see the attached PDF for details on how to register for this free event: Digital Learning Summit Flyer 2014

#kent-isd, #pd, #summit