PBS Learning Media - An Awesome Tool for Our Classroom

Today, I wanted to share a favorite tool of mine. PBS Learning Media is a program that leverages the very best of PBS programming, partnered with lesson plans, and makes it available for use in our classrooms. Find video from NOVA, Frontline, and the Ken Burns Collection to use in your classroom. Much of the content comes attached to lesson plans that you can take and adapt to meet the needs of your class.

PBS Learning Media is a form of Open Educational Resources. Open Educational Resources allow for content to freely and built upon by fantastic educators like yourself. OERs are a growing trend in education because "Free is Good." As we progress, OERs will get better and better, although, PBS Learning Media is already loaded with great features and opportunities for growth, learning, and engagement.

If you have any questions about PBS Learning Media or how to use it in your classroom, please let me know.

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Chromebook Shortcut of the Week - 10/14/2016

This weeks shortcut of the week is to help you project your Chromebook. Due to resolutions, your Chromebook will likely default to the “Extended Screen” mode. If they happens, you will see your desktop background on the screen upon plugging in your Chromebook (your Chromebook needs an HDMI connection, if you need a cable, I can get you one!). In order to change this, you will use the “Ctrl + Full Screen” button. This will quickly switch between the two modes, allowing you to switch back and forth. A quick word to the wise, the extended screen is usually to the right!

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#GoOpen Michigan Reflection

This past week, I had the opportunity to attend a REMC and MDE event on Open Educational Resources (OERs). This event was the launch of a new #GoOpen push within Michigan schools. While OERs have been a part of our school and an option, little has been done to truly push these into the classrooms. The #GoOpen Summit was put on to launch a new initiative in Michigan. Michigan will be launching a database of OERs created by and used by Michigan teachers. This is incredibly powerful. The beginnings of the site can be viewed on this MDE page . The biggest part of the website, something that has been missing from so many OER databases is the fact that these resources will be evaluated before publishing to ensure their openness and their quality. Some of the biggest takeaways from the event is the reminder that there is a significant difference between an Open Educational Resource and something that is free on the internet. The difference comes in the restrictions on use. Some resources, su...

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