Highlights from the Mooresville Educator Panel...

How has the Digital Conversion changed the lives of our educators?

-opened up the world outside of Mooresville

-provides desire to furnish excellent opportunities for students

-makes things relevant and engaging to our students, empowering them

-students are educating teachers

-creates real-world applications

How did you get started with the Digital Conversion?

-step back and allow the students (and teachers!) to take risks and make mistakes

-begin small and take small steps

-support staff members and hold high expectations

-give up some control in the classroom in order to support student learning

-prepare to be flexible

How do new teachers integrate with the Digital Conversion environment?

-use mentors and fellow staff members as a support system

-attend the MGSD Summer Institute for learning

-work with Technology Facilitators at individual schools

-provide early professional development for expectations

How can students with special needs be successful in the digital environment?

-use digital resources with individualized instruction to improve deficits

-provide access for students and modify to their levels

-give students access to resources aligned with their learning needs (audio, visual, text-to-speech, etc.)

-create differentiated groups and assignments in Angel courses, DiscoveryEducation, and other online resources

-all students are given the resources to complete projects

How does the classroom management work?

-begin with being able to see all the screens

-use your regular monitoring and proximity

-set high expectations

-learn to trust the students

What does assessment look like?

-Angel offers a digital tool that automatically grades and gives data on student answers

-look at performance-based projects

-assessment is quick so that you can spend time analyzing and using data to enhance student performance

How high is student engagement?

-sky high when students are interested

-providing time to learn a new tool helps student motivation

-students' characteristics and stages of development play a part

-allow students to encourage each other

What was your turning point in buying in to the Digital Conversion?

-having supportive Technology Facilitators available

-having the trust and support of the administrators

-seeing the students take ownership

Do you filter your internet?

-yes, we have changed products over the past few years

-filtering is a process and can be modified depending on school and student

-err on what is best for students and the instructional application

How do you encourage teachers to get on board with a Digital Conversion?

-provide the support and opportunities

-give feedback and encourage teachers to give peer feedback

-deliver help for struggling teachers

-keep students first

-share encouragement through Professional Learning Communities

-empower teacher leaders who care about children