RESOURCES !
The word of the week seems to be "resources". I just returned from a technology meeting in Macon yesterday and received notification and reminders of several resources that I would like to make you aware of.
Good News!
The state has negotiated a new contract that will greatly enhance the bandwidth to the schools. Hopefully, this will speed up some of our connectivity issues in the future. This is also in preparation for "online testing" and increased online class opportunity mandates that are coming soon.
TRL in the LDS:
The DOE is really excited to roll out teacher resources in conjunction with the LDS (Longitudinal Data System) that you have access to through PowerSchool. We have previously given you information about accessing your students' test data (CRCT, EOCT, etc.) using the Georgia LDS link in the menu on your PowerSchool screen. NOW, you can access the TRL (Teacher Resource Links), which is an application that aligns digital resources to Common Core Standards, Georgia Performance Standards, and National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NETS-S). Using TRL, teachers can assign digital resources to students based upon the student’s performance on an assessment or by searching for aligned resources by standard.
A Google search on a particular topic might pull up a million hits (many of which are of no use to you). Using this tool you can click on your course, select a standard, and immediately find a list of aligned resources that have passed the vetting process to be listed as a valid resource.
Here is a link to the Teacher Resource Links user guide in LDS:
http://slds.doe.k12.ga.us/SiteCollectionDocuments/TRL-User-Guide.pdf
To access the actual resources, sign in to PowerSchool, click on the Georgia LDS link in the menu, click on the Resources Tab at the top.
Georgia Virtual School
http://www.gavirtuallearning.org/Resources/SharedLandingPage.aspx
But we're not done! The Georgia Virtual School is sharing their resources with Georgia educators. They have shared everything except for the assessments that they are currently using for their online classes at the virtual school. You could, theoretically, FLIP your classroom (or a single unit or lesson), or create a blended learning model with ease by sending students to the proper links found at the Georgia Virtual School. Over 70 courses are shared.
Statewide Learning Management System
We are also very close to launching a statewide learning management system (you may be familiar with Blackboard, D2L, or Moodle) that will also be embedded in the LDS system, allowing you to assign the digital content and individual learning to individual students (if they have access, of course). This could possibly be in place by next year. By this summer districts should be able to upload system-level training materials, units, etc. for access by teachers.
In the fall semester, I took a class on distance education. We talked about Georgia Virtual School and actually evaluated a course for Henry County. Talk about an authentic learning experience. I had no idea that GVS was out there, ready to offer courses to home institutions who would then give credit (or recovery credit) to students in grades 8 and up. Free. I had heard of Georgia Virtual Academy, but that's totally different. I'm fascinated with the way this is going, along with USG's recent partnership with Coursera http://www.usg.edu/news/release/usg_part_of_national_partnership_to_explore_mooc_based_learning_and_collabo. Could it be true that education will become more accessible affordable for all? Maybe one day students can take courses at the high school level not otherwise offered except through distance learning with teachers at RHS as facilitators of online, student-centered learning.
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