ScratchEdYYC Meetup

It is Scratch Meetup Time! 

Our Scratch Meetup groups explore how the programming language Scratch can be used to support learning in our classrooms.  Scratch (scratch.mit.edu) is a free web based programming environment developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at MIT.  Scratch is an easy programming language to learn and everyone experiences success right away, but it also has a very high ceiling and can be used to create complex projects!

Whether you are new to coding in the classroom or are very experienced with Scratch and looking to challenge and extend your understanding, we definitely want you at our meetup!  Let's learn and grow together as we help our students learn computational thinking and coding in our schools using Scratch!  Our group works with anyone who is interested in Scratch, from Kindergarten and Grade 1 teachers exploring Scratch Jr. to people who want to write their own extensions in Java with High School students and important them into Scratch as an extension . . . and everything in between!

Check out the meeting information and sign up link below!  We hope to see you there!

Steve Martin and Loralee Martin - Founders of ScratchEdYYC!

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Here are some possible topics that you may be interested in that we can look at during the meet-up. However, meetups are driven by the participants so if there is something you want to share or something you want to learn about, let us know!

Introduction to Scratch through the HOUR OF CODE  (Beginners)

Thinking of using a programming language in your classroom as part of Hour of Code and Computer Science Week (December 5th - 11th)? Come to our ScratchED YYC Meetup and we will walk you through using Scratch in your classroom and the Hour of Code resources!

WeDo and Machines . . . The CHAIN REACTION (Intermediate)

Our grade 8 Design and Computer Science class has created a WeDo chain reaction!  Bouncy balls will travel from station to station in our Learning Commons, each ball launched into the real world by a Scratch program.  This will be a great demonstration of Scratch with huge opportunities to integrate with Grade 4 and Grade 8 machine science units!

The Unofficial Scratch Extensions (Intermediate)

Looking to take your Scratch skills to the next level?  Learn about Scratch X . . the secret extensions to Scratch that can run Arduinos, track the International Space Station . . . follow Twitter Hashtags . . . create games where Scratch tracks movements through the Microsoft Kinnect and so much more!

See you at Meetup: ScratchEdYYC - Coding in our Classrooms

ScratchED YYC -Meetup Group for Scratch Educators

Invite a friend

Simply forward this invite to a friend and have them join the Meetup.

	Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 4:30 PM
	Captain Nichola Goddard School Learning Commons 405 Panatella Blvd NW Calgary, AB Directions

Calling All Teachers and Students: Google Show & Share Webinar

Through the ongoing feedback and ideas from our networks we are evolving the concept of the Google Show and Share and taking it to a new level by including student voice in our May 29th webinar (10:30-11:30 am). We are so excited! Tomorrow three CBE educators and their students will be sharing how they are using Google Apps for Education in their classrooms and schools.

Here is a sneak-a-peak of just some of the "GAFE in action" ideas being shared by students and teachers tomorrow:

• learning through juicy questions
• sharing learning
• formative assessment through Google Forms
• collaboration on group projects
• how Google Drive has impacted the use of iPads
• increasing awareness of learning
• maximizing productivity

We are hosting this webinar during school hours in order to create an opportunity for teachers and students across the CBE to come together to learn and share online. We encourage you to join the webinar with: your students, your colleagues, other classrooms in your school, students in your learning commons. It can be projected on a SmartBoard for a large group to gather round and take part in the learning. There will be opportunities to ask questions throughout the session using the chat feature or your mic. 

Access the webinar room:  http://eduadvisory.adobeconnect.com/iltpl/ 

Support

The session will be hosted using the web conferencing interface, Adobe Connect. If you have never attended an Adobe Connect webinar before, the following resources may be helpful:

• Test your connection beforehand (allows you to test your connection but does not give access to the webinar room)  
• Attending an Adobe Connect Meeting (2 minute video tutorial on joining a room and the communication tools)
• Audio Setup in Adobe Connect (2 minute video on setting up audio)

Important Notes

• If possible, please access the webinar room at least 15 minutes before the start of the session to provide time to go through the audio set-up wizard (located under the "meeting" menu when you are in the webinar room)
• For best performance it is recommended you use a hard-wired connection (blue cord) if possible and turn off your wifi connection
• If you think you will ask questions using audio during the session, an external microphone is recommended (questions can also be submitted through the chat interface)
• Please make sure you connect your headset/microphone to your computer prior to entering the webinar room.

Can't Attend? No Problem!

If you are unable to attend this session the recording will be available later in CORE. We have a variety of ways to stay connected and to find out when resources are available. Choose the one(s) that work for you!

• Follow us on Twitter
• Join the ILT Google+ Community
• Follow this blog
• Like us on Facebook

Looking forward to seeing you online tomorrow morning!

Tannis Emann

on behalf of the ILT team

Today's Webinar: Getting Started with Google Apps for Education (GAFE)

Join us today at 4:30-5:30 for a webinar in which we will share tips for getting started with Google Apps for Education (GAFE) for you and your students, and explore the collaborative elements of Google Drive.

The session will be hosted using the web conferencing interface, Adobe Connect. To access the webinar room, click on the following link: http://eduadvisory.adobeconnect.com/iltpl/ 

If you have never attended an Adobe Connect webinar before, the following resources may be helpful:

• Test your connection beforehand (allows you to test your connection but does not give you access to the webinar room): http://eduadvisory.adobeconnect.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
• Attending an Adobe Connect Meeting (2 minute video tutorial on joining a room and the communication tools) http://www.connectusers.com/tutorials/2010/11/c8_attending_a_meeting/index.php
• Audio Setup in Adobe Connect 9 (2 minute video on setting up audio) http://youtu.be/EAJ88K9xWIM 

If possible, please access the webinar room at least 15 minutes before the start of the session to provide time to go through the audio set-up before the session begins.

For best performance it is recommended that you use a hard-wired connection (blue cord) if possible and turn off your wifi connection. It is also recommended to have a headset with microphone if you think you may ask questions using audio during the session. Questions and comments can also be contributed by typing into the chat interface. Also please make sure to connect your headset to your computer prior to entering the webinar room.

If you are unable to attend this session the recording will be available later in CORE. We have a variety of ways for you to stay connected and to find out when resources are available. Choose the one(s) that work for you!

• Follow us on Twitter @cbeilt 
• Join the ILT Google+ Community www.bit.ly/googleilt 
• Follow the ILT blog http://cbeilt.blogspot.ca/ 
• Like us on Facebook www.bit.ly/iltfbook 

Tell a friend – we still have space left for the webinar so please spread the word and pass this blog post along to others.

We look forward to you joining us today at 4:30pm!

The Networks Have Spoken

On February 20th we officially launched our networked approach for professional learning in Innovation and Learning Technology (ILT). Since then we have been excited to be a part of the sharing, discussions, and connections that are taking place between educators online and face-to-face from all across the CBE. 

The ILT Google+ community (bit.ly/googleilt) has become an ever-growing hub for questioning, sharing, and conversing around many ed tech related ideas and concepts. Just some of the engaging topics currently being discussed in this community include: iPads in the classroom, growing your professional learning network (PLN), design thinking, Google Apps for Education (GAFE) in action in the classroom, and the flipped classroom model. 

During our first face-to-face networking session educators from across the system came together to share ideas and artifacts, meet others with similar interests, wonders and passions, and be inspired by the work of their colleagues. Conversations during this face-to-face session ranged from building a learning commons to GAFE for collaboration to ed tech in the K-3 classroom and beyond.

In response to all the richness that is occurring in the networks, we have created additional professional learning sessions to both meet the requests for additional face to face networking sessions as well as topic specific sessions. Please see below for a listing of our upcoming offerings.

Connect in 3D with You Ed Tech PLN: Face-to-Face Networking Sessions

Are you looking for:

• face to face time with educators
• a chance to share and connect around topics of interest to you
• a session close to where you teach and/or live

Then the face-to-face networking sessions are for you!

Professional Learning Networking Sessions:

Thursday May 8 4:30 - 6:00
Harold Panabaker School

Tuesday May 27 4:30-6:00
Tom Baines School

Register here for the above sessions

The Google Series

Are you looking for:

• tips for getting started with Google Apps for Education (GAFE) for you and your students
• opportunities to build understanding around the collaborative elements of Google Drive
• ways to connect with others in an online environment
• examples of GAFE in action in schools and classrooms shared by fellow colleagues

Then the two upcoming GAFE webinars are for you!

Tuesday April 15 4:30 - 5:30

Webinar: Getting Started with Google

Tuesday April 29 4:30 - 5:30

Webinar: Google Show and Share

Register here for the above sessions

Living the Learning Commons

Are you looking for:

• ways to develop your learning commons
• ideas for how to introduce makerspaces into a learning commons
• time to explore using task design to help students learn to be innovative
• hands-on discovery of 3D printing and rapid prototyping

Then the following sessions are for you!

Tuesday, April 22 4:30-5:30

Transforming Your Library: Building Community Through Making with Sue Considine

Webinar

Register

Wednesday May 14 4:30 - 7:30

Designing for Learning: 4 Rapid Prototyping and 3D Printing

Career and Technology Center

Register

Stay connected with Innovation and Learning Technology:

Google+ Community

Twitter @cbeilt

iltatthecbe@gmail.com 

Thanks for Joining Us! And Here's More...

We're sending a huge shoutout to the educators who just joined us for our professional learning kick-off webinar, Create Your EdTech Network! Here's what we did:

• Used Google Docs to facilitate a dynamic real-time brainstorm about how informal learning networks shape our professional learning networks (PLN).
• Brainstormed our wonderings, explorations, challenges, and ideas around leveraging educational technology in learning.
• Got our community excited about combining social media like Twitter, blogs, Google+ and more, with face to face sessions lead by community members and supported by the ILT team.
• If you haven't yet filled our our quick post-event survey (we used Google Forms to create it), please click here! Your feedback will help shape our direction!

Want more? We've got it!

If you missed the webinar, not to worry! Not only will we post a recording in the next few days, but we have provided you with the following resources that you can use immediately. Click here to find:

• PPT slides with visuals explaining how we plan to connect existing and new networks through face to face and digital means
• Clips of CBE teachers discussing how they currently use networks for professional learning
• Google Docs that all of our participants used to brainstorm during the webinar
• Links to additional resources

Coming up next

We've planned a face to face session that will help to build our connections across existing and new professional learning networks. We don't have all the answers, so we will discover them while learning and problem-solving together. The questions, wonderings, solutions, and innovations that you bring will be the basis upon which we facilitate and plan professional learning opportunities with and for you. 

What: Connect in 3-D With Your EdTech PLN! - Face to Face Session
When: Tues, Feb 25, 2014, 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Where: Career & Technology Centre 2336 53 Ave SW
Resources: Check back soon for a link to our session resources in CORE
Audience: All educators. Register now.
We will:

• Participate in engaging activities by connecting with your colleagues, and work on your questions, wonderings, experiments, challenges, and ideas around leveraging educational technology for learning.
• Discuss ideas for your next steps and explorations. How can ILT support your work? What questions do you have for the networks?

Questions? Email us at iltatthecbe@gmail.com or Tweet us @cbeilt


See you online and in person!

EdTech Professional Learning Networks Online & Face to Face - Join us!

You're invited to our kick-off professional learning webinar and face to face event, to support your EdTech Networks!

We're approaching professional learning a bit differently in Innovation & Learning Technology (ILT). We want to help you harness what students and teachers are doing across the CBE and beyond, and collaborate together on the professional learning topics that are most important to you.

We're taking a networked approach because we know it works. We don't have all the answers, so we discover them while learning and problem-solving together. The problems, questions, solutions, and innovations that you bring will be the basis upon which we facilitate and plan professional learning opportunities with and for you. 

What: Create Your EdTech Network - Kick-off Webinar
When: Thurs, Feb 20, 2014 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Where: Online in our Blackboard Collaborate session - click here when it's time to join!
Resources: Webinar link & Google Doc that we'll use live 
Audience: All educators. 

What we'll cover:

• Exploring how formal and informal networks shape our professional learning networks (PLN). How do you use your existing networks to support your learning? What have you learned from your networks?
• Time to discuss your questions and inquiries around educational technology. What questions, wonderings, experiments, challenges, and ideas do you have around leveraging educational technology for learning?
• Getting you set-up with the social media of your choice, such as Twitter, our blog, and Google+ to enhance and build upon our synchronous, digital, and face to face learning together. What type(s) of social media would you like to try in order to extend, delve deeply, and stay connected to your colleagues and professional learning communities?

Don't worry if you're unable to join us! We'll post a recording afterwards. You can attend either or both events. Everyone is invited!

What: Connect in 3-D With Your EdTech PLN! - Face to Face Session

When: Tues, Feb 25, 2014 from 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Where: Career & Technology Centre 2336 53 Ave SW

Resources: Check back soon for a link to our session resources in CORE

Audience: All educators. Register now.

What we'll cover:

• Time to connect with your colleagues and work on your questions, wonderings, experiments, challenges, and ideas around leveraging educational technology for learning
• Exploration and discussion of your next steps. How can ILT support your work? What questions do you have for the networks?

Questions? Email us at iltatthecbe@gmail.com or Tweet us @cbeilt

See you online and in person!

Professional Learning - Lead the Way!

Networking isn't just meeting people; it's about connecting on a level that brings people together to make things happen. We want to connect existing networks and create new ones online and face-to-face!

We don't have all of the answers. We learn the most when we're learning and problem-solving together.  So we're launching the ILT Professional Learning Networks, which are designed with you in mind. Here's how it works:

1. YOU will bring your questions, plans, wonderings, and crazy experiments!
2. WE will help to support community-led digital and face-to-face opportunities that bring colleagues together to support each other through opportunities like:
• design workshops
• informal hack-a-thons and problem-solving sessions
• interactive webinars
• bring a lesson; share a lesson times
• sharing symposiums
3. TOGETHER, we'll connect and grow your communities, organize and provide venues for community meet-ups, and share the great work that comes out of them.

We want you to bring your most creative experiments, thoughts and questions! Examples could be:

• How can I design tasks that effectively infuse technology in every step of the learning process?
• How are people leveraging social networks with colleagues and students for maximum value?
• How can I find the best learning resources for my specific programming needs?
• Why would I use a flipped classroom approach with my students?
• How do I use educational technology to bring the world into my classroom and make learning relevant?
• How can I select and leverage the most valuable Web 2.0 tools as a means to engage and assess learners?

Sign up for our kickoff events!

• Introductory webinar on Thursday, February 20, 2014 @ 4 pm
• Face to Face session at the Career and Technology Center on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 @4:30 pm

Let's build together as we grow! Questions? Email us at iltatthecbe@gmail.com or tweet us @cbeilt