The Innovative Educators

This project is in the final stages with only a week remaining to complete it. I advised students on how to communicate their message effectively using video presentation (iMovie and Clips), as well as technology training on how to register to vote using the Secretary of State’s e-registration system. Students visited sophomore and senior English classes to educate their peers on how to vote with step-by-step video instructions. Others organized a two-day voter registration drive during lunches and one community drive at the Georgetown Library.                  Technology remains one of the biggest challenges for students who are aiming to communicate the project to the Georgetown community. I worked with students to set up a project website, which due to some previous challenges, had to be recreated. The website is now active and can be accessed by going to www.tinyurl.com/georgetown-votes . A group of students responsible for the social media outreach has been posting up

As part of the 9th grade Creativity course, Ms. Marchetti has been working with students in the Makerspace bringing their innovations to life while using Design Thinking and the Creative Problem Solving Process.  Students have been hard at work using a variety of Maker tools in their product design including: Tinkercad CAD software, 3D printer, vinyl cutter, scroll saw, hot foam cutters, hand tools, large format printing, cardboard cutters, wire cutters, app makers, and many more. Students have been diving into the Framework of 21st Century learning standard 2 of Learning and Innovation Skills including: Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Communication, and Collaboration.  In addition students have worked towards the 21 Century learning standard 4 of Life and Career Skills including: Flexibility & Adaptability, Initiative & Self-Direction, Productivity & Accountability, and Leadership & Responsibility. . . . .

Massachusetts Computer Using Educators (MassCUE) is the state's leading organization for educators with a passion for technology in education.  Every year the conference is held at Gillette Stadium. This year's conference took place on October 18th and 19th. The MASSCUE Conference focuses on various topics in technology, so we decided to tackle different sessions to get the most out of this experience. Ms. Marchetti’s focus this year was on incorporating an SEL curriculum into the Makerspace, tech integration and maker focus in math and world language. Ms. Marchetti attended the following sessions: Rule your School! Manage Workflows Effectively & Efficiently with Google Forms, iCREAT, Make Room for Escape Rooms, Using Research Projects to Teach Media Literacy and Digital Citizenship, Social-Emotional Learning with Inside Out, Utilizing Your Makerspace for Social and Emotional Learning, Using the Engineering Design Process to Solve Real World Problems, Coding & com

Ms. Marchetti is continuing her involvement with the MIT Edgarton’s Center with the Master Making in the Classroom.  Last year the focus was on developing a Maker Methodology. The objective of last year was to plan, implement, and reflect on Maker projects in the K-12 academic classroom.  We built a library of projects created to use the tools and strategies we developed, shared with educators connected to our community, and found the best ways for these resources to be shared more broadly. The MIT Master Making group is hosted by Diane Brancazio and Leilani Roser, the K12 Maker team at the MIT Edgerton Center.  This year Master Making in the Classroom will continue its exploration into designing and leading Maker projects as members of a community of practice. Maker/Tech leaders coach and collaborate with educators in their schools in carrying out Maker projects. Ms. Marchetti will continue her professional development in Maker tools such as vinyl cutters, laser printers, 3D

Mrs. Frangules worked with Ms. Marchetti to learn the OSMO software and equipment. We focused on three different programs within OSMO: Tangram, Words, and Numbers. Mrs. Frangules will incorporate the OSMO into her speech and language curriculum.   " I love OSMO!  I never used it before this school year and I have already seen the benefits of it for reading, spelling, and communication!  The students love it and are engaged during the whole lesson," said Mrs. Frangules.   Tangram arranges wooden puzzle pieces to match on-screen shapes, animals, objects, humans and more. You can play with a friend or challenge yourself to increasingly more difficult levels as your handiwork lights up with each victory. Words spells the on-screen image. Students can team up or compete in-person with friends or family to see who will get their letter in first. Numbers adds, counts and multiplies the tiles to match the numbers on the bubbles. The OSMO equipment was purchased through a GEF Gra

Schoology is a learning management system for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and corporations that allows users to create, manage, and share content and resources. Ms. Marchetti and Mrs. Schwarzkopf assisted many teachers throughout the building with integrating a learning management software into their classes while introducing new teachers to Schoology on how they could enhance their courses with an LMS. This will be an ongoing support role throughout the year. Teachers will need time to upload the needed course content into their online courses. Schoology is currently being utilized by 35 GMHS teachers.