The Digital Harbor Foundation will be providing a free 3D printer and multi-day training to one educator from each state. They will be accepting applications from interested educators throughout the summer. For more information and to apply, visit their Innovation Access Program page. [Read more…] about Grant: 3D Printer and Training from Digital Harbor Foundation
Blog
Featured Resource: Google My Maps
Google My Maps is a map creation and publishing tool integrated into Google Drive. Users can create, share, publish, and collaborate on custom maps, as well as save maps in their Google Drive as they would any other type of Google Doc.
The mapping tool allows students or teachers to:
- Create custom placemarks at any location in the world
- Associate web links, images, and other information with any placemark created on the map
- Draw lines and shapes that automatically measure distance and calculate area
- Import spreadsheets of geographic data (place names, addresses, or latitude-longitude coordinates) to instantly populate a map with placemarks and additional data
- Add multiple layers of information that can each be separately styled and toggled on or off
- Choose from various base map views, including terrain, satellite, city roads, and political
- Keep a map private, or collaborate on a map with others in real time, as with other types of Google Docs
- Embed custom maps on a web page, share via a permanent link, print, or export as a KML file
Featured Resource: Smithsonian Learning Lab
The Smithsonian Learning Lab (https://learninglab.si.edu/) is a new visual search and curation tool that makes it simple for students and teachers to explore the vast digital collections and resources of the museums and research centers of the Smithsonian Institute. [Read more…] about Featured Resource: Smithsonian Learning Lab
Goodbyes and Welcomes
This summer we say goodbye to many wonderful members of our team, but also welcome new faces into the Educational Technology department. [Read more…] about Goodbyes and Welcomes
Featured Resources: The Scale of the Universe
The Scale of the Universe 2
The Scale of the Universe 2 is an app that will help students better understand the size and relationship of objects within the universe. From Quarks and Neutrinos to distant galaxies and star clusters, this web application gives students an amazing visual representation of things that can be difficult to comprehend. The app can be viewed in twenty different languages.
[Read more…] about Featured Resources: The Scale of the Universe
Highlights from the Utah Google for Education Summit
Last week our department had the opportunity to host the Utah EdTechTeam Summit featuring Google for Education here in the Granite Education Center offices. Educators from Granite School District and all over the state convened for hands-on breakout sessions on improving student learning through the use of educational technology tools. The resources shared by the presenters are available by clicking through the schedule. Below we share some highlights, ideas, and resources from the conference shared on Twitter by some of the attendees.
I'm ready to spend two days geeking out and learning at the Utah #gafesummit @EdTechGSD
— Brandi Gollinger (@bmgollinger) June 16, 2016
[Read more…] about Highlights from the Utah Google for Education Summit
Technology Tip: Google for Education Training Center
Have you heard about an exciting new Google program? Do you want to learn everything about your favorite tool? The Google For Education Training Center has collected help, training lessons and educator-created materials for all of Google’s products. Below are just a few of the Google Tools and Devices you can learn more about.
Visit the Google for Education Training Center for even more information.
Post Creator: Teresa Bruin, Granite District Educational Technology Specialist. This originally appeared in our Granite EdTech Monthly Newsletter.
Summer Reading / Summer Learning 2016
Looking for great resources for summer reading and summer learning? In this post we round up programs from Granite School District, our friends at the Salt Lake City Public Library and Salt Lake County Library systems, and other resources from the web in general.
Granite’s OverDrive
All K-12 students in Granite School District (as well as all staff members) have access to Granite’s OverDrive Digital Library, where they can choose from thousands of ebooks and digital audiobooks to read or listen to throughout the summer.
You can access Granite’s OverDrive from any web browser by visiting http://granite.lib.overdrive.com. You can also access our library via the OverDrive app, which is available for a whole range of mobile devices and operating systems (see http://app.overdrive.com.) Students log in with their regular school login (student number and whatever password they have at the point school ends.)
For more information and help with Granite’s OverDrive, please see this post or download these more detailed instructions.
The Salt Lake City Public Library System
Our friends at the The City Library are hosting the Super Summer Challenge 2016, encouraging all in our community to “read, explore, make, discover, and do more this summer.”
The city’s summer challenge goes through August 20, and they provide an exciting variety of challenge goals, activities, and events for Kids, Pre-Readers, Teens, and Adults. Participants can win a variety of prizes.
Salt Lake County Library Services
Our friends at the Salt Lake County Libraries are also hosting an exciting 2016 Summer Reading Challenge: On Your Mark, Get Set…READ.
Special events include a teen online short story contest, ToshoCon Teen Anime Convention, Teen STEM Camps, and a special admission discount at the Natural History Museum of Utah for the library’s summer reading participants. Prizes are available to participants. Many other library events are happening on a daily basis. Visit or contact your local branch of the county library system to find out more information.
Additional Summer Learning + Reading Resources
- Several school libraries in Granite School District open their doors periodically during the summer for book checkout and other programming. Contact your school to find out if they offer this service.
- Check out our list of free Digital Resources and Tools for Reading and Literacy. (It is collaborative so feel free to comment or add to it.)
- You can download and listen to the free YA audiobooks provided weekly by Audiobooksync.com all summer long.
- The Edutopia blog post, “Fun and Free Summer Learning Resources,” provides many more ideas.
Introducing Granite’s Battle of the Books
Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, Granite School District’s elementary library media program is sponsoring a Battle of the Books reading incentive program. Students at participating schools will be challenged to read as many books as possible from the book list assigned to their grade level. Participating students will form into teams to engage in a “Family Feud” style competition at the school level, testing their knowledge of the books. Winning school teams will move on to a district-wide battle. So far, 15 elementary schools have committed to field teams and participate in the battle.
More details are forthcoming, and the following page will serve as the main location for updated information and resources: https://www.granitemedia.org/granite-battle-of-the-books/. If you wish to get your school involved or have any other questions, please contact Nikki Gregerson, Granite School District’s Elementary Library Media Specialist.
Here are the 2016-2017 reading lists:
2016-2017 3rd-4th Grade Reading List
2016-2017 5th-6th Grade Reading List
Introducing Granite’s New Teacher Tech Training
This year the Educational Technology department debuted an online learning course on classroom technology for all new teachers in Granite School District. Working with teacher mentors and school technology specialists, new teachers complete modules and earn badges as they master a few of the learning tools available in the district.
[Read more…] about Introducing Granite’s New Teacher Tech Training
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