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Many of us were focusing too much on the technology at first and not the curriculum and instruction. Gradually the pendulum swing in the other direction.

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Students were looking to their friends for connections which was provided through groups. Parents and faculty needed support through the uncertainty of constantly changing expectations.

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I learned so many more things in technology and how to engage the students from home

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I learned so many more things in technology and how to engage the students from home

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Collaborated with colleagues more frequently. Special education students had many challenges with learning and retaining concepts using the online platform.

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My learning curve was huge and so much more was exptected... found it physically exhausting to be sitting in front of a screen. I was also shocked on how students became more withdrawn rather than more engaged... the older the got. Sixth grade seemed to be a sea of avatars.
I reached out to parents a whole lot more than I do on a regular day in school; but less via phone and more via email.

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Communication with my fellow teachers and sharing ideas and working together.

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Frequency of collaboration increased amongst varying groups. New forums provided new opportunities to "check in" with greater regularity for shorter periods of time. We all were asked to become curators of information to share, regardless of role.

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I learned about and utilized so many new technology tools, resources, and platforms. I was able to work closely with my colleagues in order to provide targeted small group reading instruction for my struggling readers. Partnering with parents during this time was (and always is) extremely important and valuable as they supported their children at home.

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I worked with my English 8 colleagues to develop a real-time, authentic learning project having the students create "Wear a Mask" PSAs when  Gov. Cuomo made the announcement that he wanted them.

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I learned so many new technology tools and was able to effectively use them!

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Successes:

✮ Using Google Slides transitions to create Screencastify lessons that were similar to Smart Notebook lessons
✮ Implementing many of the apps and tools provided by the tech team on a weekly basis rather than sporadically within math units
✮ Implementing creative ways to keep students accountable while also providing rich content and differentiated options for all through the computer

Insights:
✮ Things I feel should be a focus for student growth: mental health, communication skills for positive relationships, independent problem solving

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The spring created a sense of urgency to rethink what is most important for students to learn -- all of the learning behaviors that contribute to success in a changing world - over and above the content areas.

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-trying to encourage my students to be better at self advocating and "learning for the sake of learning"
-explored some new technology that can be used for informal assessment such as goformative and google forms

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Successes:
Watching my students learn and grow during a very difficult time. This was possible due to their hard work and also the expectations community we built during the first 6 months of school.

Having teachers work together and help each other. Being able to ask for help.

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.  Needed to learn some new technology to better instruct my students with.  The BEST success was having a textbook that was linked to with step by step instruction videos for my students.  They were able to pre-watch the lesson and fill in their workbook with the guided notes from the video.  I was able to continue instruction for all my students in this fashion.
The most difficult aspect was how to provide all the needed help during resource room.

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I used IC to mass email the parents of my students to let them know what their kids were doing in class and what the upcoming week would look like in terms of schedule and activities.  Parents seemed very appreciative of the information.  I expect to continue this practice regardless of pandemic status.

I also used screencastify on a regular basis and became much more GoogleSuite savvy.

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-Use of screencastify for instruction videos for students vs. are typically presentations
-General increase in technology tools used for parent and student workshops, orientation programs, and updates. We actually saw increased participation at parent and student virtual workshops.
- Collaboration with teachers, counselors, psychologists, and administration to help support students, families, and each other.
-Understanding of social/emotional difficulties during this time for students, families, and staff.

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An insight: We don't do enough to foster independence and persistence in our students. We do too much of the work for them.

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I was amazed that we, both teachers and students, could do a lot more than I thought we could!
- There was more access to literature and helpful materials on line than I had had reason to explore before.
- Students were very willing to help whenever I had technical/technological difficulties!

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Successes: using screencastify, Nearpod
I found that planning a lesson took much more time than I expected.

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- I felt I was more closely aware of my students' progress and everyday learning because I was checking all their work.
-  I feel my Screencasts were a success; I kept checking for feedback from my students about my Screencasts.
- I felt comfortable in front of the webcam - I watched some YouTube videos about how to present yourself while online (look directly at the camera when possible, e.g.)
- I copied Jonathan Hansonbrook's idea of emailing the parents/guardians periodically (although not as often as I would have liked) to keep them abreast of our progress.

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Successes:
- Screencastify using Edpuzzle
- Daily lesson plans with engaging activities
- Kahoot for math
- Seesaw for student work (was great, but also overwhelming).

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Using screencast videos and then reinforcing similar concepts/solution methods during live instruction. Using interactive platforms like Desmos. I found it was helpful to be very transparent with students about my own unfamiliarity with new learning methods.

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Successes:
-Collaborating among grade levels to create robust, differentiated lessons.
-Creation of student-centered learning activities where students were able to self-pace and focus on the process of the activity, instead of just the product.
-PD specific to needs to different teachers/grade levels

Insights:
-Focus should be more on process over product (assessing students in a variety of  modalities instead of just high stakes assessments)
-Use technology to help foster student independence and give them access to resources they wouldn't normally have,

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Successes : Adding short previews to generate student interest and increase traffic to office hours.
:Integrating EdPuzzle into curriculum
:Adapting old lessons to Nearpod

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Our success this Spring: was taking a very difficult situation and working together to meet the needs of all learners, to the best of our ability - given the very crazy and unprecedented time that it's been.
I improved: my use of technology, such as creating a Seely Place admin website, and becoming much better versed in the Google suite and educational websites.
My insight: I am really meant to be working in a school building with students and teachers.  University of Phoenix is not where I should be working.