#BRESA Tech Tips
December 2024
Bring on the Snow...Days?
Where has the time gone? 2024 has been a huge year of change in our area and we are excited to see where 2025 takes us!
We don't know about all of you, but we feel the momentum of innovation in our area has hit the expressway and shows no sign of stopping. While innovative ideas and resources have been available at every turn, it is important to remember that trying "all the things" may not always be the best choice. Too much information may feel overwhelming. This may be true for your students, too! As we head toward Winter Break, remember to be kind to yourself. Consider pacing your responsibilities or saving that "to-do" list for tomorrow. You may also wish to try GoNoodle or another mindfulness tool to help promote balance and feel grounded.
Looking ahead, we are quite confident that artificial intelligence and computational thinking aren't going away in 2025. The number of tools/programs that are being released hourly is astonishing but as with all technology, only the best will stand the test of time. As educators, it is time for us to move past being consumers of this technology and becoming producers WITH this technology.
We hope all of you have a great December!
John & Megan
"Once a new technology rolls over you, if you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the road" - Stewart Brand
Technology is always changing and improving. AI in particular is growing and changing and if we are not trying to understand how it works and how it can help us, we will be left behind.
Promoting STEM Through Literature Kits (PSTL)
We have so many great resources that are available to be checked out from REMC 11!
This month we highlight the books that we have available from the Promoting STEM through Literature (PSTL) program.
Each book comes with a book card/lesson plan that includes a maker-STEM connection, pre, during, and post questions, and a design challenge that incorporates materials that we have available here at RESA. The initiative of the PSTL program is the help educators use literature to get students excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by actively involving them in the design thinking process. Currently we have 28 different titles available, and new ones are added every year!
To check out items, you MUST sign up as a member on the new platform (only once). Additionally, items will only be delivered via REMC truck once per week OR you can come pick them up if needed sooner.
St. Joseph, Fennville, Berrien Springs, and Comstock made the State Finals!
If you or your school are interested in participating in the Spring season, please reach out to esports@berrienresa.org.
_______
Contact John today if you would like more information.
Elf Yourself
🎅 Bring Holiday Cheer to Your Classroom with ElfYourself!
Looking to add some festive fun to your lessons? ElfYourself is the perfect tool to bring holiday cheer to your classroom. With ElfYourself, students can create personalized videos by uploading their photos and transforming themselves into dancing elves. It's a fun, interactive way to engage your students and spread holiday joy. Encourage creativity and laughter as they watch their elf avatars groove to festive tunes. Visit ElfYourself and let the holiday magic begin! 🎄✨
Hour of Code
Santa Tracker
Want a fun holiday site for your students to play on after days on end of inside recesses? Check out Google's Santa Tracker!
Discover Holidays around the world, show your creative side while building with ice blocks, or listen to a sweet story.
Game-based Learning to Build Student Understanding & Engagement
Games have been used as a learning tool for centuries. Chess was used to teach strategic thinking as far back as the Middle Ages. The genesis of Kindergarten in the mid-1800s was Friedrich Fröbel’s ideas of learning through play. Game-Based Learning (GBL) can help students learn content by reviewing content and practicing assessments. Explore the power of GBL beyond content reviews and board game creations. Design powerful GBL experiences to increase student engagement and understanding. This PD is available through REMC for free. Registration closes January 2.
Empowering Student Voices: Leveraging AI to Enhance Student Expression
Preventing Cybersecurity Attacks: Stolen Identity
How can we help?
We would love to hear your suggestions on how we can best support you. Please complete this form if you have some ideas regarding content you would like to see in our newsletter or specific needs in your district. Also, please feel free to share this newsletter with others and if you are interested in subscribing, simply email info@berrienresa.org with the subject line "Tech Tips".
Finally, as always, feel free to contact John Phillips or Megan Roth directly for all of your educational technology needs.
The District shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other legally protected category in its programs and activities, including employment.