In Other News...
Leadership Lessons, Successes and Challenges
A cohort of 35 RI Leaders participated in RIASP's Leadership in Blended and Digital Learning program building principal capacity across the state. "I'm excited, I'm rejuvenated, I'm modeling, I'm sharing and we're learning together with the teachers", said Colleen Mercurio, Principal at Cedar Hill Elementary in Warwick...
Rhode Island to Offer Computer Science to All Students by 2017
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo plans to bring computer science courses to every school in the state by the end of 2017.
Raimondo Visits Middle School to Discuss Computer Science, Technology
EAST PROVIDENCE – Three days after she launched a new computer science initiative for all public schools in Rhode Island, Gov. Gina M. Raimondo visited Edward R. Martin Middle School to talk with students about computer science and technology.
Cracking the Code to Student Engagement
Classmates recently videotaped fifth-grader Ian McLellan articulately describing his problem-solving methods for coding, which schools try to develop through a program that uses popular games such as Minecraft as educational tools. The effort is a reflection not only of how the Bristol Warren Regional School District has been integrating the use of technology in the classroom, but of how that district and 32 others in Rhode Island will use a new "Future Ready Dashboard" to develop a unified vision that enables not just delivery of technology tools and content but content creation...
Students Take To Writing Computer Code
Warwick students joined more than 100 million students from more than 180 countries in the Hour of Code, an hour-long coding tutorial teaching students the basics in computer programming through easy to learn and fun online games. Hour of Code is a global initiative started in 2013 by Code.org, a non-profit striving to expand participation in computer science, making tutorials and programs available for free online for educators. Last week was Computer Science Education Week, and Code.org’s goal was to have millions of students become exposed to coding in hopes that one day their interest in computer science can lead to a career....
Middle School Students Take Part in Hour of Code
SMITHFIELD – Full of excitement and energy, students at Gallagher Middle School were clicking away on their Chromebooks last Friday during an hour-long crash course in computer science. At 12:30 p.m., half of the 7th-grade class paused their usual schedule to make time for the “Hour of Code,” an international event hosted by the website Code.org, a nonprofit which teaches students the basics of computer programming. Kids can create online games and...
In North Kingstown, Coding in the Classroom
Students at Stony Lane Elementary hone their tech skills through Code.org initiative, Hour of Code. A red bird flaps across the screen of Hannah McHaile's Stony Lane Elementary School laptop. With a quick switch of coding commands, the 10 year old makes the fowl yellow and flying through snow covered brick chimney stacks. Scratch that...
Rhode Island School Makes Learning "Personal" for Students
The U.S. Department of Education PROGRESS blog recently reported on our ambitious plan to become the first state to adopt blended learning statewide. The post focuses on one school, Village Green Virtual Charter School, created with the express goal of “personalizing” learning for every student through a “blended learning” model of online curriculum and in-classroom teaching. The online curriculum allows students extra time to work on some subjects if they need to and it allows teachers to work with groups of students who all need help on a particular skill.
Sarah Rich: Finding the Right Piece
Having such a small amount of confidence and not having teachers who truly, genuinely believe in you can really interfere with your education. Students have to have life lessons to help them survive in the world. "I became a teacher because I was a struggling learner. I needed to hear things at least three times for them to really click. Back then, there wasn't a lot of differentiated learning -- certainly not a lot of technology or blended learning...
Warwick 2nd, 3rd Graders Shine at Statewide Technology Conference
Taylor Tatarian, a 2nd grader at Warwick Neck Elementary was on a student panel for the 2015 Innovation Powered by Technology Conference, and was stunned to find out she had spoken in front of more than 1,000 educators last Sat...
Raimondo Impressed by Blended Learning at Kindergarten Level
When Governor Gina Raimondo visited the full day kindergarten classes at Hoxsie Elementary, she was so impressed with the students’ progress in only three days of school that she began offering students jobs in...
Barrington High to Introduce New Technology in the Classroom
Barrington High School Principal Joseph Hurley will be introducing a number of new programs, including one he’s calling the “1 to 1 Initiative,” bringing one Chromebook laptop for every student at his school....
Chariho Students Ready to Hit the MacBooks
Students and parents gathered at the Chariho Middle School this week for the distribution of the MacBook Air laptop computers they will be using in the coming school year. As part of the expansion of the district’s 1:1 initiative, students entering Grade 8, Grade 9 students and all elementary school teachers are receiving...
Jason Appel: Blended Learning Boosts RI Students
As Rhode Island teachers representing all corners of our diverse state, we are excited to share our perspectives on blended learning. As we prepare for the upcoming school year, we are increasingly turning to blended learning models to help us address many of the challenging questions that we ask ourselves at the start of each year...
On You-Tube
West Warwick 4th Grade Blended Learning
Chris Allen talks about blended learning in a 1:1 classroom.
President Obama Speaks at a ConnectED Conference
President Obama Speaks at a ConnectED Conference and highlights West Warwick.
RI Digital Learning Champions Initiative – Call for Nominations!
Digital Learning Day may only come around once a year, but RI educators work hard all year long to engage and inspire students by using technology to personalize learning. These educators champion high-quality digital learning opportunities in their schools and communities by
- finding innovative and resourceful ways to leverage digital tools in classrooms and youth programs;
- advocating for students to have better access to technology that can help support deeper learning outcomes;
- inspiring, mentoring, and coaching other educators; and
- using digital tools to make learning relevant and meaningful for students who are traditionally underserved.
A Growing List of Rhode Island Digital Learning Champions
Sheri McCue
|
Rachel Salvatore
& Hilary Lundgren
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Bill Black
 
|
Sp. Ed. Teacher
Richmond Elementary
Chariho |
5th Grade Teachers
West Broadway Middle
Providence |
Principal
West Broadway Middle
Providence |
Mrs. Rothburg
 |
4th Grade Students
|
|
|
Library Media Specialist
Captain Isaac Paine
Foster
|
Mrs. Ramm's Class
Sarah Dyer Barnes School
Johnston |
|
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It takes great courage to be a champion!
There are many champions in our schools and districts across the state who demonstrate how great teaching, combined with effective technology, can positively impact Rhode Island’s schools. We want to celebrate their talent, their ideas, and their passion!
With a short, creative video clip and 250 characters or less, tell us why your Digital Learning Champion inspires you!
You will receive a copy of Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown, if your video and champion are featured on the RIDE web site. Brené’s 2010 TEDx Houston talk, The Power of Vulnerability, is one of the top five most viewed TED talks in the world, with over 25 million viewers.
RIDE will showcase and recognize education leaders and student champions at the State Innovation Powered by Technology Conference on September 17, 2016. Special awards will be given out at that time.
Use the form below to submit a short video explaining why and/or how your digital learning champion inspires educators and students in your community.
Get To Know RI (#EmpowerRI)
Podcasts created by Steve Sposato.
Steve Sposato is a Modern Languages teacher (Spanish and Italian) in the Westerly Public School system, Westerly, Rhode Island. He serve as a tech liaison for the district and is a member and professional development trainer for RISTE. He has a passion for leveraging technology in creative ways to improve student engagement, learning, and innovation. He launched the Get To Know Rhode Island podcast with the primary goal of creating a space where fellow Rhode Island educators can get to know one another, connect, and share ideas. Visit Steve's web site to learn more!
EPISODE 6 - Jon Rollins - February 4, 2016
In this episode of GTKRI Steve interviews Mr. Jon Rollins. Jon is a 7th grade Science teacher at Ponagansett Middle School. He shares some of his teaching experience, best practices, and advice.
Steve also shares the tech resource themespark.net. This is a great online resource for creating rubrics. In addition, Steve recommends the book 'The Road to Reinvention' by Josh Linkner and the GROWTH MINDSET Edutopia article.
EPISODE 5 - Jen Romph - January 21, 2016
In this episode of Get to Know Rhode Island, Steve interviews Mrs. Jen Romph. Jen is an instructional technology specialist for the Jamestown school district. She shares with us some background, some teaching experience, and last but not least, her 3 favorite movies. They are not Gladiator, Saving Private Ryan, and Rambo! GTKRI also plays This or That and uses Garageband for the first time. Our tech resource for the week=blab.im. Our teacher thought=One Word.
EPISODE 4 - Tracey Kareemo - January 13, 2016
In this episode Steve shares with you an interview with Mrs. Tracey Kareemo, 4th grade teacher in Pawtucket Rhode Island. Tracy is a 'reach-your-students-no-matter-what-the-obstacle' ninja! She shares her insights and experiences, and in addition chats with me regarding her role as a FUSE fellow with the Highlander Institute. We also hear about what kind of cereal her husband thinks she is like! Enjoy this week's episode of Get To Know Rhode Island.
Episode 3 - Tom Driscoll - January 6, 2016
In this episode of Get To Know Rhode Island, Steve interviews Mr. Tom Driscoll. Tom is the Director of Educational Technology in Bristol Warren. Tom shares with us some great ideas, resources, and tips, and we also learn what type of cereal he likes to eat!
EPISODE 2 - SUSAN SABELLA - January 6, 2016
In the second episode of Get To Know Rhode Island, we meet Mrs. Susan Sabella, first grade teacher at Narragansett Elementary School. Susan has a wealth of wisdom and practical ideas to consider. Enjoy this episode!
EPISODE 1 - THE PILOT WITH JEN THOMAS - January 5, 2016
In the first edition of Get to Know Rhode Island, we meet Ms. Jen Thomas, librarian and Digital Media Specialist at Paul Cuffee High School and Middle School in Providence, Rhode Island.
Subscribe to Get to Know RI Podcasts
The Blended Chronicle quarterly e-publication is dedicated to documenting and sharing experiences and raising awareness of the blended educational movement occurring in Rhode Island. The theme of how technology is changing and improving the educational landscape for both student and adults is woven throughout the articles found in the first edition.
In this issue:
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Call for Submissions!
If you are an educator, consultant, parent, or policymaker engaged in work around blended learning please consider submitting a piece to The Blended Chronicle. Public schools in Rhode Island are making amazing strides in the integration of technology and we want to showcase those efforts!
Submit Your Article For The Next Issue
Please keep your submission piece to between 500 - 800 words. Feel free to include a headline and biographic details. The deadline for the third edition of The Blended Chronicle is December 18, 2015.
Special Thanks!
A special thanks to The Village Green Charter School for initiating this joint effort in producing the state's quarterly e-publication dedicated to showcasing blended learning in Rhode Island.