ECSD Technology Newsletter

The Elbert County School District took part in Digital Learning Day on 2/27/20. Elbert County Primary Students took part in lessons about the importance of balancing online activities with offline activities. Environmental Science students at ECCHS did a live video conference with Dr. David Karoly. Dr. Karoly is one of the formost climate experts in Australia. Students in the Environmental Science and Zoology class have been learning about the Australian bush fires and were able to use video conferencing to connect with Dr. Karoly to gain first hand insight on the bush fires.

Started in 2012, Digital Learning Day has provided a powerful venue for education leaders to highlight great teaching practice and showcase innovative teachers, leaders, and instructional technology programs that are improving student outcomes. This grassroots effort blossomed into a massive nationwide celebration as teachers realized that Digital Learning Day is not about technology, it’s about learning. It’s not about laying off teachers for laptops, it’s about enhancing the role of the teacher in America’s classrooms. Digital Learning Day promotes the effective use of modern day tools afforded to every other industry to improve the learning experience in K-12 public schools.

8th Grade Georgia Studies Students at Elbert County Middle School were visited by the Georgia Public Broadcasting Virtual Reality Van. The Virtual Reality van and instructor is a free service offered by GPB that Jason Terrell and Clint Winter learned about at the GAETC conference. Bethany Boswell, a former middle school teacher, and VR leader, led students in an activity using Oculus Rift VR goggles to experience what life was like during the Civil war. Students were able to experience this lesson in 360 degrees! Students were very engaged and enjoyed the experience.

#Edcamp GA was a HUGE success. Elbert County School District was well represented with over 20 teachers. Teachers and administrators learned about a variety of digital tools, innovative programs, and had the chance to talk with teachers in other districts about their successes and struggles. Dr. Shawn Rivers, vice-principal at ECCHS, walked away with a giant gift basket from Nabo Realty. Thanks to everyone who attended!

Renee Dove's 4th-grade class took part in a "Mystery Hangout" on 3/5/20. Mrs. Dove and an Elementary school teacher in Somas, California, arranged a lesson together through the Google Hangouts in Education community. Students used Google hangouts to have a video conference and ask each other yes and no questions to try and determine where the other class was located. Students utilized Google Maps, Google Earth, and census data to find the other school's location. Once students were able to find each other's location, this led to discussions about agriculture, industry, and climate between the two school communities. A big shout out to Mrs. Dove for trying this!

Our schools have been really utlizing the Illuminate Education platform. As we are rounding the bend and getting ready for EOC and EOG tests consider using Illuminate items to prepare students for what they may see on the test. For example, for many standards Illuminate Education has next generation questions (drag and drop, reorder, etc. . ). some of these types of items may also be on Milestones and EOC tests. This may be good practice for your students.

One of the great things about Chromebooks is that the tech staff does not have to install updates. They update automatically by trying to update every time a Chromebook is powered on. Our Chromebooks are used so much during the day that often they are not powered off. We would like to start #Shutdownfridays. Please have students completely turn off their devices on Friday and turn them back on. The process should only take a minute. Please talk to your technician in your building if you have questions!

Matt Johnson - Elbert County Middle School

Sherri Rampey -Elbert County Primary School

Hector Santiago - Elbert County Comprehensive High School

Bruce Stewart - Technology Director Elbert County School District

Clint Winter - Instructional Technology Coordinator Elbert County School District

Website: elbert.k12.ga.us
Phone: 706.213.4000
Twitter: @elbertcoschools