Deb Norton Tech

September is winding down and I'm feeling energized and raring to go! Bring on October! Are you looking for an activity for your homeroom? I have a suggestion for you. It comes from a podcast that I listened to this week called “The Smart Thinking Podcast”.  The episode I listened to was Episode 58: Homecoming 2 — Who made you- you?     You might be SURPRISED to hear the connection to the Oshkosh Area School District in this episode! A student recommended that I check out (and purchase for our Innovation Lab)  one of these. What fun we could have programing this Mebo and learning a bit about what it takes to maneuver a robotic arm.  Students have the best ideas! Many of us like to use Ctrl - or Ctrl + to zoom in or out on a web page. Did you know that when you click Ctrl 0 (the number zero) it will put your screen back to normal? Or in other words, back to 100%. Here are some keyboard shortcuts all computer users should know. Smart Compos...

Use These 10 Tips Some days I feel as though email is taking over my life. It can be so overwhelming.  Especially if I see too many unread emails.  But have no fear, help is on the way!  Use these 10 tips to keep your email inbox clean, organized and manageable. Tip #1 - Create labels (folders) to place emails into so they are out of your inbox. Click on the more tab at the bottom left and then create label. Drag any email into a label to move it out of your inbox and into a safe location for viewing later. Tip #2 - Use "Nest Labels Under" to be super organized. Make one label for a main category and then nest labels under this to keep one label from filling up with too many emails. Click on the three dots to the right of the label and then choose Nest label under. Tip #3 - Put numbers in front of your label names to put them in the order you wish instead of ABC order.  This way you can prioritize and personalize to your lik...

Hello!  It's nice to be back sharing some links and loves! A few weeks ago my son, Robert, and I tested out  this DJI drone  for the first time. In  this video  you will see Robert using hand gestures to control the drone. When Robert waves his hand the drone will take off and go into the air.  The drone locks in on Robert as a target and will then follow Robert as he moves around. When Robert holds up both hands in the air, the drone comes back down and lands in his hand. The technology developed to use and control this drone is truly amazing.  I can't wait to use this with staff and students! LINK ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you read for enjoyment? Over the summer I read several novels including the books listed below. One of my favorite pastimes is sharing book reviews with students and colleagues.  Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Small Gre...

SLO - Student Learning Objective  SOURCE Each year educators in Wisconsin and other states create a student learning objective (SLO). SLOs are detailed measurable goals for student academic performance that can be achieved within a school year.  This involves collecting data and analyzing the data to show growth towards the goal. Today I'm sharing a few ideas for collecting data and data analysis.  If you're not a numbers person or if you are afraid of spreadsheets and formulas, don't worry. What I'm sharing today is something anyone can do and these tips are really helpful and can save you some time.  Tip #1  Use a Google Form to enter and track data for your students throughout the semester or year.  Google Forms can be shared among teachers if you are planning to work as a team on a common SLO. Here is an example of a Response to Learning tracking log that is shared among a group of teachers. I like how this form collect...

Here are a few ideas from the lessons I've taught this week. I've had the privilege of spending some time in various classrooms this week.  It was awesome getting to know students in some academic and non academic ways.  I incorporated educational technology, but I also focused on my teacher pedagogical knowledge and best practices to deliver the lessons. Lesson 1 - Team Building with BreakoutEDU in Homeroom I had asked some students earlier in the week what type of team building activities they prefer or don't prefer, and they made one thing very clear. They do NOT like activities where they are put on the spot to share about themselves in a group.  So, I decided to put together a BreakoutEDU escape room puzzle for the students to work on as a class. It took a very short amount of time for students to get drawn in to working on the clues and trying to break into the locked box. This activity was a huge hit and the students worked  really w...

Four Must Have Add-Ons or Extensions  for your 2018-2019 School Year! Welcome back everyone! I hope your Summer was spent with family and friends, enjoying the best things in life! To kick off the new school year I would like to share four awesome add-ons or extensions that can be used over and over again this year in your classrooms to make your jobs easier and more efficient. #1 SirLinksALot Extension If you are looking to share a Google document, presentation, drawing or sheet, this extension will quickly provide you with the link to share with your students. You have 4 options to choose from. Force a copy - When students click this link they will be asked to make a copy Preview - When students click this link they will see a preview to be able to view, but not copy what you share. Template - When students click this link, they will see a preview and will be able to make a copy by clicking on "Use Template" PDF - When students click this link, the do...

And so begins my second year at Oshkosh North High School, home of the Spartans! I've been fortunate to work with many creative and inspiring educators over the past 25+ years.  But, I can honestly say that the group of educators that I currently have the fortune of working with at Oshkosh North High School is, by far, the staff that feels most like a family. This group of amazing teachers teach whole heartedly and with so much compassion.  I love our Spartan Family!!    Here are a few of my colleagues as we captured selfies of our first day of the 2018-2019 school year.  We're ready to own this school year, to create amazing memories and experiences and to celebrate each day with Spartan Pride!