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NETA News
News February 2018
A Publication of the Nebraska Educational Technology Association
What
Were They
Thinking?
Teach It:
Be Internet Awesome
Digitized or Blended?
http://netasite.org February 2018
1NETA News
NETA Newsletter In this issue
Published four times yearly.
Contributions are welcome. What Were They Thinking?........................................................... 3
PO Box 484, Gretna, NE 68028 Teach It: Be Internet Awesome...................................................... 4
Phone (402) 540-1904
e-mail: executivedirector@netasite.org Vote Online! 2018 NETA Officers and Directors.................................... 6
http://netasite.org
NETA’s Technology Grant Program Midterm Reports............................. 10
NETA Officers and
Board of Directors ISTE 2018 Chicago, Illinois........................................................... 11
Jackie Ediger.............. Past President Nebraska Fall Ed Tech Conference Recap......................................... 12
ESU 9
jackie.ediger@netasite.org Digitized or Blended?................................................................. 14
Matt Lee.......................... President
Westside Community Schools Nebraska Technology Integration Specialist Group.............................. 16
matthew.lee@netasite.org
Heather Callihan......... President Elect New! Virtual Field Trip Mini-grant Program....................................... 17
Northwest Public Schools
heather.callihan@netasite.org Calendar of Technology Conferences & Seminars................................ 18
Darci Lindgren...................Secretary
Lindsay Holy Family School 2018 Spring Conference Infographic............................................... 19
darci.lindgren@netasite.org
NETA Spring Conference Preview................................................... 20
Rich Molettiere.................. Treasurer
Omaha Public Schools
rich.molettiere@netasite.org
Invited Speakers...................................................................... 21
Craig Badura...................Board 2018 Conference and Registration Details............................................... 23
Aurora Public Schools
craig.badura@netasite.org Conference Workshop Titles and Descriptions.................................... 24
Ann Feldmann.................Board 2018
Bellevue Public Schools Conference Registration Form...................................................... 27
ann.feldmann@netasite.org
Patty Wolfe....................Board 2018 NETA Membership Form.............................................................. 28
Cozad Community Schools
patty.wolfe@netasite.org
Nick Ziegler....................Board 2018
ESU 5 If you can share a success story related to technology in the classroom, or a
nick.ziegler@netasite.org software solution review, we’d love to print it in a future newsletter.
Nate Balcom...................Board 2019
Grand Island Public Schools Contact Julie Moore, phone (402) 540-1904 or e-mail executivedirector@
nate.balcom@netasite.org netasite.org with a short summary to see if your story can be included in a
Peg Coover.....................Board 2019 future issue!❖
ESU 10
peg.coover@netasite.org
Tina Sauser.....................Board 2019
ESU 8
tina.sauser@netasite.org NETA is an affiliate of ISTE—The International
Jason Schmidt.................Board 2019 Society for Technology in Education.
Bennington Public Schools
jason.schmidt@netasite.org
Abby Fitzgerald...............Board 2020
Bennington Public Schools
abby.fitzgerald@netasite.org NETA Executive Officers and Coordinators
Wendy Loewenstein..........Board 2020 Julie Moore............... Executive Director Lynn Behounek......... Site Coordinator
Omaha Public Schools executivedirector@netasite.org Ralston Public Schools
wendy.loewenstein@netasite.org Tom Rolfes.................. Executive Liaison lynn.behounek@netasite.org
Becky Miller....................Board 2020 Office of the CIO-NITC Lynne Herr..........Contest Coordinator
Norfolk Public Schools tom.rolfes@netasite.org ESU 6
becky.miller@netasite.org Eliu Paopao............ Exhibitor Coordinator lynne.herr@netasite.org
Kent Steen.....................Board 2020 Chadron Public Schools Lucas Bingham........... Web Coordinator
Lincoln Public Schools eliu.paopao@netasite.org Papillion LaVista Public Schools
kent.steen@netasite.org lucas.bingham@netasite.org
February 2018 http://netasite.org
2NETA News
Message from the President
Matt Lee,
What Were They Thinking?
Westside
Community “It looked like smoke was ready to retrace their students’ steps and
Schools come out of his ears.” enables them to offer corrective
feedback on the process as needed.
“I could just see the gears turning.”
“All of a sudden, it seemed like the Screen recording software such as
lights went on.” what is built into iPads, Camtasia
Paul Lindgren, on Macs or PCs, or the Screencas-
Westside But nonverbal cues just don’t tify Chrome plug-in, can be used by
Community provide us with enough informa- students to capture their learning
Schools tion. Very few concepts or products process and showcase their ability
are simple or come into existence to use a variety of tools. These
fully developed. They are nearly recordings can then be used to
always the result of a complex, create tutorials that students can
When Marty McFly first messy, human process of combina- share with others. The learning
shows up on the 1950’s Doc tion, evaluation, and repeated process is exposed for the benefit
Brown’s doorstep in the 1985 modification. This process is what of all students.
classic Back to the Future, the we want to capture in an evident
eccentric inventor immediately way so that we (educators) can Physical education and music may
launches into a mind-reading become a positive influence in this not be the first disciplines that come
session wearing an elaborate iterative learning loop; providing to mind when you think about
electronic and pneumatic contrap- corrective and affirmative feedback. technology integration. However,
tion. After several failed attempts these fields can benefit tremendous-
Doc exclaims: “Do you know what Technology to make ly from tools that help capture
this means? It means that this thinking visible evidence of students’ thinking.
#$*$@ thing doesn’t work at all!” Fortunately, there are technological Nearly every device now has a
tools that can go beyond aiding webcam that can be used to docu-
Wouldn’t we, along with all other students in research, review, ment and evaluate the evolution of
educators, love to peer directly into writing, and product creation. a student’s performance over time.
the minds of our learners during These tools can also provide a Instead of only viewing the final
instruction? We could see what detailed view into the progress performance at a band concert, the
they understand and what they of our students’ thinking. Let’s take teacher now can see how the
don’t understand. We could see a look at a few of these that might student progressed in her mastery
both their flashes of intuition and help take us closer to our goals. of that particularly difficult section
their stumbling, naive misconcep- of music. Using a camera with tools
tions. With that ability we could Traditional written exercises are like Hudl and Explain Everything,
immediately diagnose problems common instructional staples. physical education students can
and formulate remedies when When antiquity’s first mathematics document and critique their weight
needed—greatly streamlining student used her angled stylus to lifting techniques. Documenting in
the instructional process. mark her cuneiform answer in that this way allows students to focus on
tablet’s wet clay, we imagine that refining their technique, rather than
This ability still eludes us (and her teacher’s immediate response simply trying to lift more.
we imagine the FERPA parental was: “You need to show your work!”
permission forms for this would With technology today, that’s The thinking involved in the design
truly be a pain). Unfortunately, especially easy! Tools such as and creation of physical objects can
we still must rely on other means. Explain Everything on iPad and also be captured with digital tools.
Chromebook devices allow students Technologies such as relatively low-
Observed non-verbals may give us to create richly detailed recordings cost 3D printing allow for rapid pro-
an indication of what is going on in of their process as they solve math totyping. Bytes can be transformed
the minds of our students... problems. This allows a teacher to (Continued on page 11)
http://netasite.org February 2018
3NETA News
Message from the President Elect
Teach It: Be Internet Awesome
Heather
Callihan,
Northwest home, and as part of learning in
Public Schools almost any setting. Many schools
have devices for students and many
of them have a device for each
student. Not only does this provide
Recently I had the privilege access to so many resources, but
of attending Google’s Be Internet also opportunities for students to
Awesome training at the Google connect, collaborate, create and
headquarters in Chicago. Not only think critically. Edtech is creating
was this an opportunity to learn, opportunities to transform teach-
but also a check on my bucket list ing and learning. Students do not
of AWESOME things to experience. need teachers to deliver all infor-
Google tools and resources have We are in this together. As educa- mation as so much is at their
become a huge part of many tors, we need to embrace the fingertips.
schools. They are constantly add- teachable moments regarding
S
ing, updating and listening to digital leadership and building a ecurity: Security is not
educators as they work to improve positive digital presence. According always on the top of the list
and meet the needs of educators to the Family Online Safety Insti- with students, but as parents
and students. Besides all of the tute, educators are the most trusted and adults we often think and
tools in their Suite, they have many source to maximize benefits and wonder about security with ac-
other awesome things to offer. minimize harms of technology for counts, devices and social media
Speaking of AWESOME... children. It is important to remem- use. One thing I learned during my
ber Digital Citizenship IS citizen-
A
Be Internet Awesome day at Google
ccess: This is the first time ship! Google has done an amazing was that security is priority. Wheth-
in history that a generation job with their NEW: Be Internet er you are using a Chrome enabled
is growing up with constant Awesome curriculum. Aligned with device or account, Google is on
Access to the Internet. In fact, 79% the ISTE standards for students, Be point with security features. Did
of teens (and younger) have their Internet awesome creates opportu- you know they even offer $100,000
own smartphone. Students (and nities to learn and explore the if you can hack a Chromebook?
adults) have access to information fundamentals of digital citizenship
O
at their fingertips. Today technol- and safety in an interactive environ- pportunities: It seems
ogy is being used both personally ment. Be Internet Awesome (https:// as if we always talk about
and educationally. Schools across beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com) all the opportunities our
the country are purchasing and is a FREE online resource with no students have when it comes to
providing devices for students. login or account required. With devices, apps, tools and extensions.
With this access, many are thinking easy access students and families These opportunities are only as
about digital citizenship and how to can learn together. Together WE good as the purpose. Google has
reach and teach the importance of can be a team and promote, model nailed it with Be Internet Awe-
being a digital leader, managing and teach digital citizenship. some. Not only do they have
digital identity, engaging in positive,
E
specific lessons focused on Being
safe, legal and ethical behavior and dtech: Edtech Defined: Internet Awesome, they break it
understanding/respecting the rights Education technology, or down into five key parts associated
and obligations of using and sharing “edtech,” is the study and with being a responsible digital
intellectual property. practice of teaching and learning citizen. Students learn the impor-
processes and strategies that
W
tance of Being SMART, ALERT,
e: When it comes to incorporate devices, apps, pro- STRONG, KIND and BRAVE.
Digital Citizenship and grams, and media. Edtech can be Included in the curriculum are
being Internet awesome, used in traditional classrooms, at (Continued on the next page)
February 2018 http://netasite.org
4NETA News
(Internet Awesome, continued) So many great things were shared LEAP Innovations
lesson plans for the five topics, with and discussed at Chicago’s Be http://leapinnovations.org—
activities and worksheets that were Internet Awesome event. Of all Within the LEAP personalized
designed to complement Interland. those things, a stand out to me was learning framework there are
Kids can play their way to being partnering with parents. Whether samples of contracts to have with
Internet Awesome with Interland, we bring them in, share resources, students about good digital citizen-
an online adventure that puts the or have conversations to learn ship and rules to keep them safe
key lessons of digital safety into together, we need to be a team. online. There are also strategies for
hands-on practice with four chal- Below are some of the amazing being a learner connected.
lenging games. resources shared by some of the
presenters. I would love to chat Be Internet Awesome
M
e: Being Internet Awe- more and work with others who are https://beinternetawesome.
some is for adults too. So on a similar mission to collaborate, withgoogle.com—Games and
many times we focus on educate and create digital leaders curriculum to help teach students
what we are telling our kids and we in their communities. Together to be internet smart, alert, strong,
forget that they are watching our we are better! kind and brave! Kids can play their
online actions too. It is important way to being Internet Awesome
to reflect on these questions: Are Connect Safely Guides with Interland, an online adventure
you Internet Awesome? Do you http://www.connectsafely.org/ that puts the key lessons of digital
portray yourself as a digital leader? guides-3—This is a collection of safety into hands-on practice with
Have you Googled yourself? What short guidebooks (downloadable as four challenging games. Teachers
does YOUR digital footprint look PDFs to print and share) for parents can download the curriculum to
like? How secure is your password? about popular apps, services, and use with students.
These are just a few things to platforms that are popular with kids
consider when reflecting on your from Connect Safely who host Safer Digital Citizenship & Safety
digital presence and what you Internet Day. Course for Educators
model for kids. After all, they http://bit.ly/citizenship-safety—
learn from both our successes How Secure Is My Password Learn why we teach digital citizen-
and failures. https://howsecureismypassword. ship and safety, online safety on the
net—Check your password go, savvy searching, how to stay safe
E
ducation: Education is key! strength and how long it will take from phishing and more in this
There is no other way to put for your password to be hacked. short certification course.
it. Assuming because stu-
dents are “digital natives” that they Family Online NEW: Family Link
can appropriately operate and Safety Institute https://families.google.com/
navigate a device is a false assump- https://www.fosi.org—Resources familylink—for Android devices—
tion. The access and possibilities and toolkits for talking to parents Create a Google Account for your
related to technology cannot be and students about digital safety. child that’s like your own and lets
underestimated. IF we can get Schools may request a free presen- parents manage apps, keep an eye
teachers and students excited about tation to share to help you have on screen time and set timers on
what access to technology can do positive digital parents. the device. ❖
for learning, the safety and digital
citizenship will come along with it.
In education when our kids do not
know how to read, we teach them,
when they do not know how to
write, we teach them, when they
do not know how to practice online
safely…we NEED to teach them.
We need to partner with families,
be a model, and together teach and
promote digital leadership and
online responsibility. Test your password strength at https://howsecureismypassword.net
http://netasite.org February 2018
5NETA News
Vote Online!
2018 NETA Officers & Directors
It’s time for election of officers and directors for the NETA board. Read a little information about
each candidate and then cast your vote by February 14. Voting will ONLY be done online.
➤ Choose the link at the NETA web site at http://netasite.org
➤ Use your unique membership ID# emailed to you.
President Elect
This officer serves for one year in this position and then moves into the role of the President. The President Elect is
responsible for helping to plan the spring conference.
Stephanie Dannehl No other candidates at this time.
Bertrand Community Schools No other candidates for President Elect were nomi-
I am the tech integration specialist and nated. There will be an opportunity to do a “write-in”
school librarian for Bertrand Commu- vote for another candidate if you wish.
nity Schools. In this role, I lead, educate,
and support students and staff with the
purposeful use of technology. I am
passionate about technology integration and how it can
engage and empower students. I served on the NETA
board for two years and would be an advocate for the
vision and goals of the NETA organization.
Secretary
This officer is elected every two years. The Secretary keeps records of the meetings of the Board of Directors, tracks
Director attendance at meetings and files and distributes changes in policy issues adopted at board meetings.
Dana Fontaine Darci Lindgren
Fremont Senior High School Lindsay Holy Family School
I would like to serve on the NETA board As my second term comes to an end, I
because I am passionate about technol- would like to continue supporting NETA
ogy, literacy, and new ideas. I like as its secretary. In addition to regular
challenging, new tasks and striving for note taking and secretarial duties, I also
the best outcome. I think my input is stay active in many other ways. It would
important because I have been in the elementary be an honor to help continue to provide learning and
sector, the middle school sector, as well as the high sharing opportunities for all NETA members. I have
school sector. I have a unique point of view that is been the computer technology coordinator at Lindsay
described as thinking outside of the box. Holy Family school for sixteen years, and digital
citizenship is my passion. @dalindg
NOTE: Watch for the email with your unique membership ID# for voting. Contact Julie Moore at
executivedirector@netasite.org if you need to have the number resent to you.
February 2018 http://netasite.org
6NETA News
Directors
Directors serve for three year terms. They attend four board meetings per year and one working retreat. Directors
serve on planning committees and have special conference duties. Four positions need to be filled.
Lisa Bohaty Karen Dux
Campbell Elementary—LPS Fairbury Public Schools
My name is Lisa Bohaty and I’m a K–5 Computer I am the Technology Integrationist for Fairbury
Science Teacher and building tech leader at Public Schools, adjunct faculty member of Doane
Campbell Elementary in Lincoln Public Schools. University and a member of the ESU 5 Leaders Of
This is my 16th year in education. Each day I teach Technology group. I love to share what I learn with
my kids problem solving, collaboration and educators through collaboration, professional
persistence. I strive to make them innovators as they learn to create development and conference presentations. My passion for educa-
using technology. As a member of the NETA board I will inspire tional technology and attendance at almost every NETA conference
teachers to step outside their comfort zone and reach learners in new would make it an honor to serve as a member of the NETA board.
ways using technology.
Andrew Easton
April Bridwell Westside Community Schools
Westside Community Schools Currently, I serve as a district-wide personalized
I have been teaching for 24 years and would love to learning coordinator, which is a unique role in
represent classroom educators on the NETA Board. education as I collaborate with educators K-12 on
Elementary school is where it all begins and I spend the implementation of personalized practices;
my time engaging 6th grade students, allowing them personalization is only fundamentally possible
to take risks and developing problem-solving skills, through the power technology has to differentiate nearly all aspects of
all through the use of technology! It would be a wonderful opportu- the learning experience. Having served as Nebraska’s 2016 PBS Lead
nity to be a NETA Board member where I could encourage other Digital Innovator, I want to continue to passionately advocate for
educators to be as enthused about learning as I am! public schools and ed tech statewide on the NETA Board.
Tracy Bye David Evertson
Deerfield Elementary—Blair Cozad Community Schools
My name is Tracy Bye, I am the media specialist NETA has been a valuable professional resource
at Deerfield Elementary in Blair, NE. I also have and has provided an amazing peer-learning network
teaching experience in middle school math, science throughout my 30+ year career as an educator. I
and language arts. I am very passionate about believe that the true strength of NETA lies in the
technology. My ongoing goal is to integrate relationships developed among and between
technology into education. I would like to be a NETA board member educators. I would like to give back to the organization in a way that
to learn about new technology, contribute my knowledge of technol- supports all educators in developing these connections as we all face
ogy to other educators throughout Nebraska, and expand my the many current and future challenges education provides.
professional network.
Martonia Gaskill
Matt Carley University of Nebraska Kearney
Shelby-Rising City Schools I am an Assistant Professor of Education at UNK
I am Matt Carley, the Technology Director at currently teaching graduate courses in general
Shelby-Rising City Schools. I have always been education and instructional technology, and
a risk-taker whether designing online courses as undergraduate classes in pre-service teacher
a Social Studies teacher or the curriculum for education. My interests include teacher education,
computer classes. I have implemented and sup- technology integration, online and mobile learning, collaboration in
ported 1-1 initiatives at four different schools in my career. The most virtual learning and digital cheating. I have been attending and
recent has been a full K-12 1-1 initiative at Shelby-Rising City where presenting at NETA for over a decade and I look forward to serve the
we use iPads, Chromebooks, and MacBook Airs. I enjoy helping organization, learn from new colleagues and make a contribution
teachers and students with their use of technology. through engaged service.
Jay Cecrie Natasha Gault
Adams Central Norris School District #160
When I started teaching, essential classroom My name is Natasha Gault and I have been a STEM
technology included a chalkboard, overhead educator for the past sixteen years. As a teacher at
projector, and VCR. VCRs required checkout from Norris #160, I am an ardent proponent of integrat-
the media center! Classroom technology today helps ing meaningful technology into classroom learning.
create a fun and engaging experience for students I am also experienced and passionate about
and teachers. I want to serve on the board as a way to give back to empowering and challenging students to use technology to solve
NETA and continue to guide it as a teacher-centered organization community and world problems. It would be a pleasure to find and
that seeks to create a collaborative culture that helps make us better share those opportunities with all NETA members.
at our craft. (Continued on the next page)
http://netasite.org February 2018
7NETA News
(Ballot nominees, continued)
Eileen Heller Kortney Sayers
Omaha Public Schools Creighton Community Public School
I thrive on getting teachers excited to incorporate I am an educator from Northeast Nebraska who gets
technology and to push their students towards to spend the day integrating technology into the
gaining success skills for life. I serve as an Instruc- classroom. I have worked in technology for the last
tional Technology Trainer for Omaha Public 17 years. I currently work at Creighton Community
Schools. As a board member, I would love to explore Public School. Serving on the NETA board would
the idea of learning pathways members could follow and connect with allow me to aid in pushing technology further in the state of Nebras-
others. I would look at an online strand of the NETA Fall/Spring ka. The NETA organization has helped me become a better educator
conferences for those that can’t attend. Follow me on Twitter @ and kept me informed on the various technological skills; I want to
eileenheller. pass on these same skills to others.
Brenda Hirchert Nikki Schafer
Wood River Rural Schools Millard Public Schools
NETA has been an important part in my growth My name is Nikki Schafer and I would love to be
as an educator. When I was a first grade teacher to able to serve on NETA’s Board of Directors. I am
now as a Tech Integration Specialist at Wood River. currently an Instructional Technology Specialist
I have grown in many ways and am thankful for with Millard Public Schools. I would appreciate your
NETA being part of that journey. I am passionate vote, and pledge to serve the students and educators
about technology and would like to take that to the next level by of our state by finding, organizing and delivering the most engaging
helping the NETA Board in reaching other educators and sharing my and up-to-date technology tools. Supporting teacher and student use
passion for technology! of technology is truly my passion. Thank you for considering me!
Cameron Hudson Rob Uchtman
High Plains Community Schools Brownell Talbot School
As principal at High Plains Community Schools, My name is Rob Uchtman and I currently serve
and a classroom teacher before that, I have felt that as the Technology Director for Brownell Talbot.
technology has a place in every classroom. I am a My career has been dedicated to technology in the
strong advocate for teachers to challenge students education sector, from overseeing one-to-one
through technology use and to educate themselves programs, to curriculum implementation, to media
to be a better educator by bringing technology into their classrooms. services. I hold multiple certifications including JAMF, Microsoft,
As a NETA board member I would work hard to provide Nebraska Google, Cisco and Apple. I am excited for the opportunity to serve as
educators with every opportunity possible to grow through NETA. it will allow me to continue to grow the NETA community. Thank you
for your consideration.
Jenna Krambeck-Reeh
Elkhorn Valley View Middle School Jason Wiese
As the media specialist at Elkhorn’s Valley View Arlington Public Schools
Middle School, I have promoted the maker I have been a techie and early adopter for the last 20
movement, digital citizenship, creativity, and years as a social studies teacher at Arlington Public
life-long learning. The opportunity to serve on the Schools. I believe strongly in the vision of NETA to
NETA Board would allow me to give back to an prepare learners for life in an ever-changing global
organization that has given me so much over the past eight years and technological society. I believe by serving on the
of teaching. By lending my skills of collaboration, communication, NETA Board I can bring new ideas of professional development to the
organization, and creativity, I hope to be an asset on the NETA conferences and build strong business connections.
Board of Directors.
Dr. Nick Ziegler
Bonnie Kramer ESU 5
Riverside Community Schools I’m Dr. Nick Ziegler, ESU 5 Tech Integration
As a 30 year veteran educator, I have seen many Specialist. As a Board Member the past four years,
changes, with technology being at the forefront. I I served on the Governance Committee when we
am currently K-12 gifted coordinator/PK-3 general moved to a FREE membership model. I have also
music instructor. I am a member of ISTE, NAGC, helped to establish partnerships between NETA and
ASCD and PEI and serve on our district leadership other statewide associations, and helped to create the Technology
team. I have presented at our AEA 21st Century Learner Conference Integration Specialists NETA-sponsored group. I’d like to help NETA
and for our local summer PD options on a variety of technology continue to grow these partnerships. Working together we can most
topics. I am also currently Flipgrid and Symbaloo certified. effectively enhance education through technology integration. ❖
February 2018 http://netasite.org
8NETA News
http://netasite.org February 2018
9NETA News
NETA’s Technology Grant Program
Midterm Reports from 2017 Winners
it to the classroom management • December 6, 12:30 pm.—1st
system so that the absent students Grade —Author Connection,
can watch the lessons they missed “Winter’s First Snow Flake”
and still receive the material.
• December 5, 2017—Kindergar-
Terry Arnold and
ten —Santa Claus Connection,
Stacy Hennerberg We are still exploring the uses and
ESU#7
Diller-Odell Public School students have commented that they
appreciate how we have used these • December 11, 10:00 a.m.—
Swivl Grant
to enhance their education. 8th Grade Earth Science Class
Mrs. Hennerberg and I applied for
• December 13, 10:00 a.m.—
a $1500 grant so that we could have Bob Bednar
Anatomy and Chemistry
a total of four Swivl robots in our Pleasanton High School
Students—Virtual Knee
district. We wanted two at the
Virtual Field Trips and Beyond Replacement with COSI
secondary building and two in the
Organization
elementary building. These new The following is a mid term report
pieces of technology have proven regarding the 2017 NETA Grant • January 11, 2018, 1:00 p.m.—
to be wonderful for various reasons. awarded to our school. The grant’s Grade 1—Omaha Henry Doorly
proposal focused on facilitating Zoo’s Penguin Exhibit
The Swivl machines were introduced distance learning connections to
• January 16, 2018, 1:00 p.m.—
to the elementary teachers in August authors, curriculum specialists,
3rd Grade—Henry Doorly
and are kept in the computer lab or career professionals with our
Zoo Aquarium
where any teacher may check them students.
out. In the short time that we have • January 17, 2018, 10:00 a.m.—
had them, teachers have used them To date, the classroom 5th Grade—Omaha Henry
to record student behavior so that connections have been: Doorly Zoo Lied Jungle
the Special Education department • October 17, 2017, 9:45 a.m.—
• January 23, 2018, 10:00 a.m.—
can help give guidance on how to Grade 1—Author Connection,
6th Grade—Omaha Henry
work with individuals. That will have The Three Bears and Goldilocks
Doorly Zoo Desert Dome
a direct impact on several individual
• November 8, 2017, 10:45
students to meet their educational • January 24, 12:30 pm—4th
a.m.—5th and 6th Grades—
needs. Also, they have been used to Grade—Author Connection,
Developing Creative Writers
record group work/oral readings for “Scrambled States”
with Author Janie Lynn
evaluation at a later time, allowing
Panagopoulos
the teacher to move about freely to Crystal Bolamperti
different groups. • November 15, 2017, 10:00 Westside Middle School
a.m.—5th Grade—Author
Robot Exploration Using
At the secondary level, the Swivls Connection using the book
Ozobot 2.0 Bits
have occasionally been used to “Don’t Feed the Bully”
flip classrooms giving the teacher Ozobots presented a natural transi-
• November 21, 12:30 pm—2nd
opportunity to work with students tion from my students utilizing
grade—Author Connection,
during the time that they have Scratch visual programming to their
“Turk n’ Run”
together. However, the biggest use firsthand experience with a robot.
of the Swivl machines at the sec- • November 29, 2017, 10:00
ondary level have been to record a.m.— Author Connection, Initially, students viewed a brief
a lesson when some students are “Traders in Time” by Janie Lynn video, Ozobot Imagination in Play,
absent from class and then upload Panagopouous (continued on the next page)
February 2018 http://netasite.org
10NETA News
(Mid-term grant reports, continued)
at http://bit.ly/1lrd0gN. Next, ISTE 2018 Chicago, Illinois
students learned general tips about Special NETA Member Registration Options
drawing codes with the markers
(importance of line thickness, no
open space gaps between marker Welcome to ISTE 2018! Mark your calendars, and plan now to
colors, no overlapping of marker attend ISTE 2018 in Chicago! Join more than 16,000 educators from across
colors, not placing colors on a the United States and several foreign countries to participate in the largest
curve and keeping colors away educational technology conference of its type in the U.S. The conference
from intersections and adding them will be held June 24–27, 2018, at the Chicago-McCormick Place West
further down a line). Then, students Building.
learned to calibrate the Ozobots
followed by using directions to code The NETA Board is again providing an opportunity for a Midwest States
by numbers to create their own code reception while at ISTE for NETA members to expand their professional
for an Ozobot. learning network.
Students progressed by intertwining NETA Super-earlybird Registration
their previous knowledge of Scratch Complete your conference registration using the ISTE 2018 website online
visual programming and their registration. Register through March 1, 2018 to qualify for the Super Early
learning with Ozobots by bringin Bird rate.
their coding to life through OzoB-
lockly. Self-paced levels from novice Go to: https://conference.iste.org/2018/attend/ and click Register Now.
to master at http://ozoblockly.com. Begin by logging in if you are a current ISTE member or create an account.
Resource: All-inclusive educator’s NOTE: It is important that you select Yes, I am a member of an ISTE
guide! http://bit.ly/2AQqcr6 ❖ Affiliate and choose NETA: Nebraska Educational Technology Associa-
tion from the Affiliate list while registering. Identifying yourself as a
NETA affiliate attendee makes it possible for us to communicate with you
(Thinking, continued from page 3) before the ISTE conference with any additional up-to-the-minute infor-
quickly into atoms for real-world mation about NETA social hours or other events you won’t want to miss.
analysis at multiple stages of the Conference registration is at the super early bird price, $550 ($425 for
design process. These models can be ISTE members less than one year and $395 if you’ve been an ISTE mem-
examined by peers and by teachers ber for the past 12 months or more at the time of registration), through
with the student quickly making March 1, 2018.
modifications based on feedback.
International Networking!
Until a real-life Emmett Brown National conferences, although perceived by some as a luxury, can
develops a working brain-wave provide an opportunity to exchange ideas with educators from other
analyzer for us to use we will be states or countries, learn from national educational technology leaders,
forced to utilize our more mundane and preview a wide array of technology solutions through the massive
technological means to help our exhibitor area.
students learn. Ironically, the 1950’s
Doc would likely be astounded by You may want to consider sharing a room to reduce travel costs. Chicago
what our students can develop and promises to be an interesting conference city and we do hope that you can
put on display today through the travel to take advantage of this
cognitive tools available on their summer learning opportunity with
PC’s, Surfaces, iPads, Androids, other NETA members.
Chromebooks, or Macbooks.
If you have any questions about
Along with the time-tested “Show registration for ISTE 2018 in
your work!” we now have many Chicago, please contact Julie Moore
more avenues for our students to at 402-540-1904 (executivedirector
leverage when we challenge them @netasite.org). We hope to see you
with “Show your thinking!” ❖ at ISTE in Chicago! ❖
http://netasite.org February 2018
11NETA News
Nebraska Fall Ed Tech Conference Recap
The Nebraska Council of Over 350 people attended the
School Administrators (NCSA) and Nebraska Fall Ed Tech Conference
the Nebraska Educational Technol- at the Younes Conference Center.
ogy Association (NETA) continued Attendees were able to choose from
their partnership to provide anoth- more than 50 sessions and visit
er successful comprehensive and more than 25 exhibitors on Friday,
informative conference on tech- November 3rd. Thank you to all
nologies available and utilized in who helped make the conference
Nebraska schools. The Nebraska a success!
Fall Ed Tech Conference was held
November 2–3, 2017 at the Younes For more information regarding the
Conference Center in Kearney. Science Fundamentals for Elemen- Nebraska Fall Ed Tech Conference
Pre-conference workshops were tary, Ed Tech for Administrators: and for presenter handouts, please
held on Thursday, November 2nd, Hands-on Workshop, Engage and visit http://www.fall.netasite.org ❖
including: Code.org Computer Inspire with Seesaw in Your Class-
room, and Makerspace Makers
Making Magic. Thank you to those
who lead the beneficial pre-confer-
ence workshops for your hard work
and preparation!
The conference kicked off Friday
morning, November 3rd, with a
keynote presented by Jimmy Casas.
Jimmy Casas currently serves as a
Senior Fellow for the International
Center for Leadership in Education.
He spoke on “Start. Right. Now.—
Moving Beyond the Status Quo.”
February 2018 http://netasite.org
12NETA News
http://netasite.org February 2018
13NETA News
Digitized or Blended?
“My teacher hands us a worksheet, opens up
Ann Feldmann,
Bellevue Public her computer and sits there. We use the online
Schools book and fill out the worksheet. It’s so boring.”
Stories like these make me cringe. So often students experience a digitized assignment rather than a
blended learning experience while they are at school. What is the difference between digitized and blended?
Let’s look at an example.
Digitized Assignment Blended Assignment
Read pages 69-79 of the online textbook. Station 1: Students take video notes over the
topic. The interactive video lesson is created
by the teacher and available to students
through a learning management system
(LMS) such as Schoology.
Teacher lectures to the whole class while Station 2: Students present their iBook on
students take notes. Students answer ques- the Apple TV via airplay to a small group of
tions on a worksheet. Students can print the peers. While one student presents, other
worksheet from the class website, if needed. students take notes and learn from each
other.
Create vocabulary flash cards with markers Station 3: Students create paper slide videos
and notecards. with a group to explain a concept. Videos are
shared via the discussion board in Schoology.
Students view and comment on the content
in each other’s projects.
Create a slide show over key points in the Station 4: Students work in a small group
chapter. Each person will present their slide with the teacher to take notes over the new
show to the whole class. topic. The teacher uses Nearpod or Classkick
to provide information and gather instant for-
mative feedback from the students to guide
the lesson.
Simply taking the physical world and making it avail- since the materials are available online, anytime.
able in the digital world is not best practice and is not Blended learning occurs when teachers implement
a blended learning experience. In a blended learning blended classroom models, such as a station rotation
environment, there is a clear path for students to access model, to design the learning environment that engages
materials and collaborate in an online space. This students in online and face to face learning activities
blended learning workflow enables students to have that are directly tied to the curriculum.
choice in the pace, path, place, and time of the learning (Continued on the next page)
February 2018 http://netasite.org
14NETA News
(Digitized or Blended, continued) Teachers create short video lessons (less than 10
A four station rotation can look like this: minutes in length), share them in Schoology, and teach
students the expectations of how to view and learn
from a video lesson. The goal of the repur-
posed class time is to create conditions for
every student to learn.
Pairing the in-class flip with the
blended learning station
rotation model affords the
teacher the ability to work with
small groups of students every
day as they rotate through the
stations. The station rotation
workflow enables the teacher to
personalize the stations and
provide opportunities for
student creation and choice in
how they want to demonstrate mas-
tery of a concept. When students have
choice over how they can work with the mate-
When we start our classroom coaching in our iPad rial and learn the concepts, they begin to look at
Academy, we begin with developing a blended learning their own formative data, set their own learning goals,
workflow. Once students and teachers know how to and work with the content in a variety of ways that help
push and pull content to the iPad, we introduce the them learn best and gain deeper meaning of the
in-class flip. The in-class flip duplicates the teacher and concepts.
allows them to strategically repurpose class time. (Continued on the next page)
http://netasite.org February 2018
15NETA News
(Digitized or Blended, continued)
When students learn in a blended learning class- Nebraska Technology
room, engagement increases because students have Integration Specialist Group
more control over the time, pace, place and path of
their learning. Blended learning models break the Nebraska Technology Integration Specialist is a
old cycles of sit and get lecture based instruction NETA sponsored group that meets three times a
and transform it to an engaging student focused year. Join them for their second meeting at ESU 7
environment. in Columbus, NE on February 15th.
See blending in action! This group consists of educators across the state
To see the blended that are assigned to assist students, teachers, and
learning station rotation staff with successful uses of technology to en-
model in action, take hance learning. The meetings focus on the
a little time to listen to appropriate and effective ways to incorporate
our iPad Academy high technology into the everyday curriculum and how
school social studies NTIS can best support teachers and students.
teacher, Sara Fjell, talk
about what learning The group also stays in touch and can collaborate
looks like in her 1:1 through our listserv listed below. Just go to the
blended classroom in link and enter your name and address.
this four-minute video. http://netasite.org/tisgroup ❖
Video of Mrs. Fjell—http://bit.ly/Fjell-stations ❖
February 2018 http://netasite.org
16NETA News
NEW!—Virtual Field Trip Mini-grant Program
The NETA Board is excited to announce the launch of a brand new mini-grant opportunity for Nebraska public
and private school teachers.
It is called the Virtual Field Trip Mini-grant Program and it allows
for teachers to be reimbursed for the purchase of Virtual Field Trip
program experiences for their students, when procured from either
Nebraska non-profit content providers, through an ESUCC Nebraska
Virtual Instruction Source (NVIS) Virtual Field Trip provider
(https://nvis.esucc.org/VFTList.aspx), or any national content provider
listed within the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration
(https://www.cilc.org/Interactive-Content/Search-Content-Provider-
Programs.aspx).
Applications will be “continuously rolling”, which means that teachers
can submit requests at any time. However, each teacher is limited to
a maximum of five VFT programs per academic year, or $500 of
reimbursement per academic year, whichever comes first.
More information about the program and a link to the grant
application is located here: http://netasite.org/vft
If you have additional questions, feel free to contact: Julie Moore,
NETA Executive Director, executivedirector@netasite.org
and/or Tom Rolfes, NETA Executive Liaison, tom.rolfes@netasite.org ❖
Set up a free account and search the CILC site for
keywords, provider or cost. The results will show a
description, grade level, ratings and other details.
The NVIS site highlights mostly program providers
from Nebraska. Click the link to any program to see a
complete description and scheduling information.
http://netasite.org February 2018
17NETA News
Calendar of Technology
Conferences & Seminars
Events of every type for educators, technicians & administrators
Infotec (by the AIM Inst.) ISTE Conference
March 27, 2018 The Epicenter of EdTech
February 2018 Embassy Suites June 24–27, 2018
La Vista, NE Chicago, IL
Texas Computer Education infotec.org www.iste.org
Association (TCEA)
February 5–9, 2018 April 2018
Austin, TX
www.tcea.org National School Boards
Midwest Educational Association (NSBA)
Technology Conference April 7–9, 2018
(METC) San Antonio, TX
annualconference.nsba.org July 2018
February 12–14, 2018
St. Charles, MO
NETA Spring Conference Great Plains Summit
metcedplus.org
Share Your Story featuring Google
NDLA (Nebraska Distance April 18–20, 2018 July 12–13, 2018
CenturyLink Center Omaha Southwest High School
Learning Association)
Omaha, NE Lincoln, NE
Digital Change: Beyond
netasite.org gpsummit.org
the Device
February 22–23, 2018
Omaha Marriott (Regency) October 2018
Omaha, NE
ndla.org iNACOL Symposium
October 21–24, 2018
Nebraska Association for the Nashville, TN
Gifted (NAG) Conference United States Distance www.inacol.org/symposium
February 22–23, 2018 Learning Association
(USDLA)
Omaha, NE
April 29–May 2, 2018
November 2018
www.negifted.org
Indianapolis, IN
http://www.usdla.org
Nebraska Fall Ed Tech
March 2018 Conference
November 1–2, 2018 (tentative)
CoSN’s School Networking June 2018 Younes Conference Center
Conference Kearney, NE
March 12–15, 2018 Nebraska Career Education fall.netasite.org
Washington, DC Conference (NCE)
www.cosn.org/events/ June 4–7, 2018
Younes Conference Center
Kearney, NE
nceconference.com
February 2018 http://netasite.org
18NETA News
http://netasite.org February 2018
19NETA News
NETA Spring Conference Preview
April 18–20, 2018
CenturyLink Center Omaha
455 North 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68102
As a NETA member, you have the benefit of receiving advanced
Spring Conference information and the registration form in
this newsletter before the information goes out to the public.
Keynote/Featured Conference Highlights
Speakers: Venue
The Spring NETA Conference will again be held at the spacious
Keynote Speaker Thursday: CenturyLink Center Omaha, near Omaha’s vibrant Old Market.
• Sabba Quidwai
190+ Breakout Sessions
Session topics will be listed on the NETA web site by mid-February.
Keynote Speaker Friday:
• Joe Sanfelippo Poster/Playground Sessions
Casually visit poster/playground displays and ask questions about
Featured Thursday: successful projects.
• Michael Cohen
Strands
Back by popular demand! A technical strand of sessions for Technology
• Leslie Fisher
Coordinators and Support Specialists, a strand for 1:1 implementations
(device for each student), a digital citizenship strand, a leadership
• Sabba Quidwai
strand, a library media strand and a Google spotlight strand.
Featured Friday:
Conversation Sessions!
• Michael Matera Come and learn from the group, not from an individual presenting.
• Mark Ray Innovation Lab
(Sponsored by Nebraska Explore and learn at an Innovation Lab!
School Librarians
Association) Graduate Credit
You can earn graduate credit for attending both days of the conference.
• Joe Sanfelippo
Vendor Exhibits
• Tony Vincent Your favorite exhibitors will be showing all the latest and greatest tools
and solutions!
(Learn more about keynote
and invited speakers on the Win Big Prizes
next pages.) Attend our prize drawings after the closing sessions on Friday!
Workshops
Workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 and Thursday,
April 19, 2018. (Workshop information located on pages 24–26.)
February 2018 http://netasite.org
20NETA News
Invited Speakers
Dr. Joe Sanfelippo
Superintendent, Fall
Sabba Quidwai Creek Schools, WI
Apple Education Keynote Speaker Friday
Keynote Speaker
Thursday Telling Your School’s Story
When is the last time some-
Raising The Bar for thing amazing happened in your school? How many
Learning with Technology people knew about it? The work done in schools all
How do we help our students learn today and across the globe is spectacular. Kids gather, learn,
prepare them for a rapidly changing world? A leave and make the world we live in a better place.
driving force behind this change is technology. So…amazing things happen all the time. Telling the
It affects the way we communicate, the way we story of schools helps create a narrative that builds
work, the way we live day-to-day. It also empow- culture and gives everyone in your community an
ers every individual—and every learner—to identity. Utilizing social media and being the chief
create amazing things and make a difference in storyteller in your district is a great way to celebrate
the world. But first, we need to raise the bar for the success of students with parents and the
what’s expected, and what’s possible, for learning community. FIND YOUR AUDIENCE…BUILD
with technology. YOUR BRAND…CELEBRATE KIDS!!
Featured Speakers
Michael Cohen baud modem, jumped on the Internet (before people
Michael Cohen, The Tech Rabbi, is called it the Internet) and started looking for music
a designer and technologist turned resources. She soon realized she was spending more
educator. As an Apple Distinguished time exploring technology than playing music so she
Educator and Google Certified changed her major and tried to find what geeky thing
Trainer, he advocates, speaks, writes, she could do for the rest of her life. After graduating,
and facilitates workshops on creativ- Leslie worked for an Apple subsidiary before joining the
ity and innovation. Michael works Apple team as a Senior Systems Engineer in K–12
with schools on a local and national level to help them education and became one of the first Apple employees
develop a creative mindset to influence and empower to study Internet growth and implementation.
individuals in becoming confident and passionate
problem solvers. Michael’s story of creativity and innova- In 1997, Leslie was roadkill on Apple’s road to recovery
tion is shared through social media and conferences, and part of their massive lay off. She planned to spend
such as Apple Education Events, EdTechTeacher Sum- most of her huge severance package golfing and waiting
mits, iPadpalooza, ISTE, and SXSWEdu. He is the host a few months to look for a job. The day after her layoff,
of the “Educated By Design” Audio Experience Postcast, her phone began to ring with Apple customers request-
featuring experts who share how they ideate, plan, and ing consulting, training and presentation services.
implement creative solutions to solving complex prob- Before she could say fore, Fisher Technologies Inc. was
lems. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and created to help educators with their technology imple-
four children, and is an avid skateboarder. mentations and decisions.
Leslie Fisher Michael Matera
Leslie Fisher’s interest in technology Michael Matera is an engaging,
began while studying music at the fun and inspiring national speaker,
University of Southern California. delivering keynotes, workshops and
She quickly realized the value of small group professional develop-
utilizing computers for music mixing ment to teachers and administration.
and recording. She grabbed her 300 (Continued on the next page)
http://netasite.org February 2018
21NETA News
(Featured Speakers, continued) digital learning and innovative librarian programs. His
He is an innovative Social Studies teacher at University TEDx talk, “Changing the Conversation About Librar-
School of Milwaukee, and the author of Explore Like a ians” explores how librarians can support the strategic
Pirate, a highly-practical book on incorporating work of schools and districts. In addition to blogs, he
gamification and game inspired course design into any has also written for numerous professional magazines.
classroom. He ignites both his classroom and profes- A former instructor at the University of Washington
sional development audiences with interactive play, and Washington State University, Mark has recently
passion and purpose-driven learning. Michael trans- presented at SXSWEdu, ISTE, TCEA, CUE, and FETC.
forms the traditional classroom into a high-energy
environment where active student engagement is Tony Vincent
paramount. He is an energetic trainer, who broadly Tony Vincent does what he can
shares his research, teaching methods and technologi- to empower students and teachers
cal applications for the advancement of all learners. As with technology awesomeness.
a consultant, he works with educational institutions Since 1998 he’s been a pioneer
and businesses to define needs and build solutions that in digital learning, having a
inspire and lead to effective change. Visit his website, class website for his fifth graders
explorelikeapirate.com, have a look on his YouTube before Google became a popular
channel, or connect with him on Twitter @mrmatera. search engine. In 2001 he had a 1:1 classroom full
of Palm Pilots, and in 2004 he started one of the first
Mark Ray podcasts by kids.
(Sponsored by the Nebraska
School Librarians Association) Today, Tony Vincent works as a self-employed consul-
Mark Ray is Director of Innovation tant and lives in Council Bluffs. He has traveled to
and Library Services for Vancouver just about every U.S. state, Canada, Australia, England,
(WA) Public Schools and Future and the Caribbean to facilitate workshops and to make
Ready Librarians Lead at the Alli- presentations to K–12 educators. He has authored
ance for Excellent Education. books, produced videos, co-developed an iPad app,
Named 2012 Washington State Teacher of the Year taught online classes, and blogged about learning
and an NSBA “20 to Watch” in 2015, he has developed and technology—all in an effort to support great
and led 1:1 programs, professional development, teaching and deeper learning. ❖
February 2018 http://netasite.org
22NETA News
Conference and Registration Details
Posters, Playgrounds and Innovation Lab! For non-registration questions, contact:
On Thursday afternoon, explore and learn at an Julie Moore, executivedirector@netasite.org
innovation lab. phone 402.540.1904
On Friday watch for the gallery of Poster/Playground
Reserve Your Hotel Room
Sessions. The sessions will highlight the teachers who
Don’t Forget to Reserve Your Hotel Room! NETA
received NETA grants last year along with additional
has negotiated discounted rates at the Hilton Omaha
poster and playground sessions addressing a variety of
(connected to the CenturyLink Center Omaha),
topics. Stroll freely through the gallery of poster/
Embassy Suites by Hilton Omaha Downtown and the
playground sessions where all presenters will informal-
Hilton Garden Inn—Omaha Downtown Old Market.
ly display projects in one session room and be on hand
For more information on how to reserve your room
to answer your questions.
please visit www.netasite.org. Click on Spring Confer-
ence Information and then on Housing and Logistics.
Student Attendance
Full-time college students must submit proof of full-
Food Choices at the Conference
time enrollment at check-in to be eligible for a student
• Gourmet Coffee Cart
pass. High school students must meet the following
• Alexander’s BBQ
guidelines in order to attend: students must be directly
• Taco Cart
involved in a presentation and supervised at all times
by an adult. Student presenters are considered guests
Concession stands located in Exhibit Hall A:
of the conference and their names must be submitted
• Smoked Andouille Sausage
to Julie Moore [executivedirector@netasite.org] by
• Chili Cheese Coney
April 1, 2018.
• Nacho Grandeo
• Jumbo Hot Dog
Back in 2018! Barcodes on Name Badges
• Nachos, Pretzels & Popcorn
This year your name badges will again have bar codes
• Beverages
on them. This will allow exhibitors to easily scan your
name badge and you won’t need to complete forms to
give them your information. When the exhibitors scan
your badge, these are the fields of information they will
receive: your name, organization, address, phone, and
Volunteers Needed!
e-mail. At this point we do not know how many exhibi- Volunteers are a vital part of the
tors will participate in badge barcode scanning. We NETA Conference each year. They help attendees
anticipate quite a few since many have suggested that find their way around the conference floor, help
we add this option. with registration, and they add a friendly smile to
the busy hallways. It doesn’t take a lot of skill, just
Registration Discounts a willingness to give up a small portion of your
Register with the form on a later page in this publica- conference time and an eagerness to help others.
tion or online at http://netasite.org. Groups of ten or
more participants qualify for a $10.00 discount off each If you are willing to volunteer, sign up on the
full conference registration or a $5.00 discount off each conference registration form when you register
one-day registration. All qualifying registrations for the 2018 NETA Spring Conference. If you
must be on the same check, charge card or purchase have questions, contact Jackie
order and mailed together or entered under the Ediger, NETA Past President
same group name online. Register online at and Conference Volunteer
http://netasite.org. Coordinator, at jackie.ediger@
netasite.org.
Direct questions about the processing of registrations to:
1.800.280.6218 toll free We are looking forward to seeing
541.346.3537 direct (M–F, 8am–5pm PT) you at the conference in April! ❖
netareg@ce.uoregon.edu
http://netasite.org February 2018
23You can also read
