TED-Ed Ignites a DTL's Journey to Bring Coding to Girls

It is a definition that tells the story of our teacher spotlight this week. Tobye Ertelt, Digital Teacher Librarian at Oberon Middle School embodies the definition of flexible: "characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements".   It is the combination of adaptation, innovation and flexible exploration that led Tobye to be the spotlight of today’s blog post. Over the past year, Tobye was motivated to explore innovation after meeting retired lawyer Reshma Saujani, who took a chance to pursue a passion and as a result, inspired thousands of young ladies around the world. Additionally, Tobye found herself moved by the story of Logan Smalley, a TED Fellow, who is the brains behind TED-Ed (TED's youth and education initiative). These two inspiring stories incited a passion for exploration and innovation leading to new opportunities for Oberon students today.

In the spring of 2016, after a visit to a TED-Ed conference, Tobye filled out a feedback form and applied to become a TED-Ed Innovator. The questions posed in that feedback form opened a door to share a topic that has been core to Ms. Ertelt's heart,  "What is ethical behavior in the 21st century?" She inherently believes that we, as educators and adults, have done a great disservice to our students separating digital behavior from everyday behavior. And so it is with this essential question that a new door opened for Tobye, leading her to become 1 of 30 educators from 11 different countries selected for the honor of joining the third cohort of TED-Ed Innovative Educators. Our own Tobye Ertelt is one out of an initial group of over 1100 educators who took a chance to challenge each other to collaboratively find solutions to questions and issues facing today's students.

Tobye's TED-Ed adventure has included a wide array of experiences. The process has evolved from the initial stages of video conferencing with an array of outstanding educators to defining, refining, and brainstorming solutions.  This led to the culmination of presenting those completed projects on the TED stage in New York City.  As Tobye expressed, it has been humbling and energizing work. Collaborating with such an extraordinarily diverse group of educators with a passion for innovation has allowed differing perspectives and ideas to grow one another's initial concepts.  This synergistic energy led to the creation of Oberon's  TED-Ed Club for students.  It is a weekly opportunity for students to creatively explore ideas and interests of their own, following that same model of collaborative problem solving that inspired the club's creation.

At the TED-Ed  Conference, Tobye attended a session on coding that captivated her - Girls Who Code. She met with the founder Reshma Saujani and after hearing her passionate story and desire to even the playing field in technology for girls. Tobye was immediately inspired to begin a Girls Who Code club at Oberon.  Knowing her middle school audience, Tobye was well aware that the boys would want to have the same opportunity.  She modified her original pursuit of a Girls Who Code club to create Oberon's own Guys & Girls Coding club (G2 Coding Club). Students meet once a week with Ms. Ertelt & fellow teacher Mr. Waalkes during their lunch period to engage in various levels of coding: creating apps, games, programs, and exploring with robotics.

Leading by example, Ms. Ertelt has not only modeled the struggle and discomfort that comes from challenging oneself and trying new things, she carries that passion forward to inspire students to take on that process themselves.  Tobye shared with the TED-Ed community her reason for teaching, "I was born to be an educator. I love watching people find value and inspiration in learning, and I love being a part of that experience. I think it is very satisfying when you are a part of the productive struggle to create a new learning, experience or product.” Not only is Tobye a positive component of that intellectual struggle for students, but she has fostered supportive pathways for each to engage and grow themselves.

Albert Schweitzer said it best when he said, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.”  Great job Tobye, setting that example and providing opportunites for students to engage in the thinking and learning.

Jefferson County Public Libraries Offer a Wealth of Free Resources and Services

Summer Reading is Right Around the Corner!

Did you know Jeffco schools has a strong relationship with the Jefferson County Public Libraries? Each year JCPL runs a Summer Reading School Contest and they provide schools the opportunity to win cash prizes. Now is the time to sign your school up, get cool t-shirts for student helpers, and schedule time to have JCPL come to you to help you get the ball rolling. All you have to do is sign up at the link below. This will give the library the information they need to help your school get started.
Summer Reading Sign Up 

School Newsletters

JCPL also has a newsletter that has valuable information that goes out monthly to schools letting them know different resources that are available and upcoming activities that are happening at the library. If you would like to be on their mailing list please sign up at the link below. This is a great way to stay connected to your local library.
Mailing List Sign Up

Homework Help

One other amazing resource to highlight is their Homework Help. The library offers intuitive, engaging homework help for all ages and all levels with Brainfuse’s Help Now. All you need is your library card number and you can sign in for this resource.

 

Culture Passes

If you like museums, parks, art, etc… be sure to check out the Culture Pass through JCPL as well. They offer free passes to different institutions to sign up for and use anytime of the year. Click the link below for more information:

Culture Pass Information

Contact Information

If you have any needs, questions, or concerns about the public library or the summer reading program, please contact Arra Katona at JCPL, she can be reached at:  arra.katona@jeffcolibrary.org

We hope you take advantage of these amazing resources and get your school signed up for the summer reading program, this is a competitive opportunity for all schools to get involved in reading. There will be prizes for the elementary, middle, high, and option/charter schools. Get started now and don’t let this opportunity pass you by!

Bits, Boxes, Bases... Oh My!!

Why Chrome Devices?

Chrome devices run on Google’s Chrome operating system, and they deliver applications over the internet. This means that software is primarily web-based and does not need to be installed. They provide easy access to all the G-Suite tools so work can be collaborative, apps can be integrated and work is saved continuously to the cloud. Chrome devices boot up quickly so very little class time is wasted waiting on a device. Chrome devices, unlike Windows devices, actually get faster with age as new operating system updates get installed.  But let’s face it, the best thing about Chrome devices is the budget-stretching low price.

Which Chrome Device?

Jeffco is now offering many different flavors of Chrome devices for purchase, so how do you match the right device to the right instructional purpose? The key is to begin with your learning goals and teaching vision in mind, and then choose the device and tools that can help teachers and students achieve those goals. Look through the slide deck for details about each device type.

What are some other considerations?

What do you need to know if you are making a change to Chrome devices from Windows devices or iPads?  Chrome devices do not run “installed software” like Microsoft Word or Smart Notebook and they also do not print. This can be a shift, especially for teachers currently using a Windows laptop as their primary device.  For students or teachers moving from iPads, the new touchscreens on Chromebooks and flips can ease the transition. Not all iPad apps are available for Chrome devices. Although this might take a little exploring to discover a Chrome app, extension or web tool that has a similar functionality, new apps are added daily.