TCAPSLoop Podcast

New Google Tools and More!

Episode 123
We’re Back! for another potentially useful episode of the TCAPSLoop Podcast!! I’m joined, not in the studio, by the Master of the EdTech Arts Danelle Brostrom and her partner in Pedagogical Mysticism, The TechNollerGist,, David Noller!  
 
Moment of Zen
Don’t confuse aptitude with mastery
 
We took a short break but the edtech world kept spinning so it seems like we should attempt to catch the listeners up on the most potentially useful tools for their classrooms.
Google Updates:
(graphic courtesy of @jrsowash)
Tech Tool of the Week 
Experiments with Google - The Creatability Collection is my favorite :)
 
Blooket
 
KenKen Puzzle
 
 
Thanks for listening and inspiring!

Tech Tools of the Year!

TCAPSLoop Episode 122: Tech Tools
Hello and Welcome to another potentially useful episode of the TCAPSLoop Podcast!! 
We all know that January through March is the meat of our educational year. It’s where we see some amazing gains in our kiddos learning and where we settle into the rhythms of our classrooms. It can also be where we get stuck in old habits and mired in repetition. So this week we are sharing past "Tech Tools of the Week," to spark creativity, inspiration and fun through these winter months. Enjoy and thank you for listening and inspiring.
 
Moment of Zen
“Tools for survival are all around. Those with a calm heart and mind ,will recognize these tools and use them for the greater good. Quiet the noises inside and outside of you, so you can use the tools too.”
― Christine E. Szymanski
 
Potentially Useful Links
Should This Exist Podcast
Specific episode: https://shouldthisexist.com/deepfake-detective/
 
New York Times Whats Going On In This Graph?
 
Wheel of Names
 
TCAPS Elementary Libraries Facebook Page
 
Accessibility in GSuite
EDU in 90: Accessible Docs and Presentations 
EDU in 90: GSuite Accessibility Features
Dennos Museum site
Dennos Museum YouTube Channel
 
Occupation information, including videos of people doing the work, for thousands of careers
Career Exploration videos in the Learning Express Library on MeL.org
NearPod
Socrative
Formative
Mentimeter
Pear Deck
Kahout
EdPuzzle
TeachingBooks.net - Author Name Pronunciation
News Literacy Project
Animated video you can share with students
News Literacy Quiz - Take the quiz. 
 

The Future is Brightspace

Episode 121
Hello and Welcome to another potentially useful episode of the TCAPSLoop Podcast with the "D" in D2L, Danelle Brostrom! 
 
Moment of Zen
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” –Walt Disney
 
Potentially Useful Info
Find the latest Brightspace D2L tips and tricks on the TCAPS EdTech Help Site.
 
Tech Tool of the Week: 
MACUL is doing a teaser book study with Liz Kolb’s new book: Learning First, Technology Second in Practice: New Strategies, Research, and Tools for Student Success.  After signup, they will send you chapter 5 to read (which showcases 12 authentic lessons designed by K-12 teachers that meet all three elements of the Triple E Framework, with suggestions on how to improve lessons with technology).  There is also a virtual chat this Saturday to talk about it.  SCECH are available!
 
Thanks for listening and inspiring!

Children's Book Awards

Episode 120
Hello and Welcome to another potentially useful episode of the TCAPSLoop Podcast! Joining the pod today is our favorite ALA Awards Red Carpet Correspondence team, Danelle Brostrom, and Stephie Luyt to discuss Stephie's pick for the 2021 Caldecott and Newberry Book Awards! 
 
Moment of Zen
 
The unread story is not a story; it is little black marks on wood pulp. The reader, reading it, makes it live: a live thing, a story. —Ursula K. Le Guin
 
All the Books and Links!
Caldecott contenders:
Honeybee, Candace Fleming, ill. Eric Rohmann
Packs: Strength in Numbers, Hannah Salyer
The Blue House, Phoebe Wahl
My Best Friend, Julie Fogliano, ill. Jillian Tamaki
Outside In, Deborah Underwood, ill. Cindy Derby
A Girl Like Me, Angela Johnson, ill. Nina Crews
A Polar Bear in the Snow, Mac Barnett, ill. Shawn Harris
Exquisite : The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks, Suzanne Slade, ill. Cozbi Cabrera
We Are Water Protectors, Carole Lindstrom, ill. Michaela Goade - Stephie's Pick!
All Because You Matter, Tami Charles, ill. Bryan Collier
Your Place in the Universe, Jason Chin
 
Newbery contenders:
King and the Dragon Flies, Kacen Callender - Stephie's Pick
From the Desk of Zoe Washington, Janae Marks
Fighting Words, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Echo Mountain, Lauren Wolk
Here in the Real World, Sara Pennypacker
Prairie Lotus, Linda Sue Park
 
Watch the Announcements Live!
 
Battle of the Books Grand Traverse 
 
Tech Tool(s) of the Week: 
TeachingBooks.net - Author Name Pronunciation
 
News Literacy Week (January 25-29, 2021)
News Literacy Project
Animated video you can share with students
News Literacy Quiz - Take the quiz. 
Follow the hashtag #NewsLiteracyWeek and educate yourself  
 
Thanks for listening and inspiring!

TechNollerGist EdTech Tools

Episode 119
"Hello and Welcome" to another potentially useful episode of the TCAPSLoop Podcast! The only way he could get on was by Meet Bombing the show, we're joined by the TechNollerGist, David Noller! 
 
Moment of Zen
It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.
 
TechNollerGist Tech Tool(s) of the Week: 
Tools to get instant formative student feedback in the classroom or remote.
NearPod
Socrative
Formative
Mentimeter
Pear Deck
Kahout
EdPuzzle
 
Tutorials and Updates:
TCAPSTECH Help Site: Staff Support
TCAPS247.com for Student and Parent Support
 
Thanks for listening and inspiring!

Mastering MeL.org

TCAPSLoop Podcast Episode 118: Mastering MeL.org
Hello and Welcome to another potentially useful episode of the TCAPSLoop Podcast! We are so excited to have Ann Kaskinen from MEL.org joining us for this "very useful," episode. 
Moment of Zen
Reading is an act of civilization; it’s one of the greatest acts of civilization because it takes the free raw material of the mind and builds castles of possibilities. —Ben Okri
MeL.org Highlights
eBook collection for K-12 - 70% nonfiction, unlimited users and access
NoveList - Readers’ advisory tool, search by themes, genres, etc.
Britannica - vetted, authoritative sources for K-12 with a user friendly interface
Pebble Go - great for younger learners, read aloud, visual format
Britannica Chrome Extension
 
MeL.org tutorials from Ann Kaskinen
WIRED TC MeL.org for Elementary
WIRED TC MeL.org for Secondary
 
Tech Tool of the Week
Occupation information, including videos of people doing the work, for thousands of careers
Career Exploration videos in the Learning Express Library on MeL.org
 
Thank you for listening and inspiring!
 

Holiday Gift Guide

Episode 117
Hello and Welcome to another potentially useful episode of the TCAPSLoop Podcast with Larry Burden, Danelle Brostrom, and Stephie Luyt. It's the most wonderful time of the year which means the irreplaceable TCAPSLoop Holiday Gift Guide!
 
Moment of Zen
“Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers.”
 
TCAPSLoop Holiday Gift Guide
Danelle's List:
http://tinyurl.com/holidaystemlist20 from METS Group
Engineering Gift Guide - INSPIRE - Purdue University
Raspberry Pi
Kazoo Magazine
 
Stephie's List:
MAME MISelf in Books List
MeL.org Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center
Loom (lots of options, but this is the one we have)
Ink set
Dip pen
Screenagers 2020 Non-Tech Holiday Gift List
Gingerbread decorating kits at Moomers (and ice cream sandwiches)
 
Larry's List:
Tech Will Save Us Synth Wave Kit, Electro Dough Kit
Design and Drill See-Through Creative Workshop
Magna Tiles
 
Tech Tool of the Week
Dennos Museum site
Dennos Museum YouTube Channel
Tutorials and Updates:
TCAPSTECH Help Site: Staff Support
TCAPS247.com for Student and Parent Support
 
Closing:
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
@tcapsloop
@brostromda
@stephieluyt
Subscribe to the Podcast on Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher, Tune In, Downcast, Overcast, the Google Play Store, Spotify or wherever else you get your ear candy! Like the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes, It really helps get the pod to show up on aggregators and we also love hearing from you.
 
Thanks for listening and inspiring!

TCAPSLoop Podcast Episode 116: School Leadership 2020

Episode 116
Hello and Welcome to another potentially useful episode of the TCAPSLoop Podcast! We went deep sea guest fishing and caught a whopper as we welcome TCAPS Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner. 
 
Moment of Zen:
“Anyone can hold the helm when the sea is calm.”
—Publilius Syrus
 
Stuff We Talked About:
 
How has the idea of school leadership changed over the past year?
 
Having lead two districts in attempts to ramp up remote learning under tight timeframes, what have you learned? What has worked? What hasn't?
 
What gains do you believe we will see from adopting and LMS? Short-term? Long-term?
 
We often discuss Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy on the Pod. How do you feel we can best incorporate these topics into the curriculum and the public conversation?
 
What makes you hopeful looking forward to 2021?  
 
Tech Tool of the Week: 
Accessibility in GSuite
EDU in 90: Accessible Docs and Presentations 
EDU in 90: GSuite Accessibility Features
 
More Support:
TCAPSTECH Help Site
TCAPS247.com
 
Get in the Loop! 
@tcapsloop
@brostromda
@Jvanw
 
Thanks for listening and inspiring!

TCAPSLoop Podcast Episode 115: Virtual Reading Resources

Episode 115
Hello and Welcome another episode of the TCAPSLoop Podcast! In this episode Danelle and Stephie share some great tips and literacy resources you should embrace while teaching and learning remotely. 
Before cutting into the meat of the show let’s spend some time researching this weeks Moment of Zen.
“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
-Albert Einstein
 
Pod Topic: Virtual Reading Resources
Michigan eLibrary (MeL.org)
International Education Week Read Alouds
Live from the Opera House: It’s Storytime! Read Alouds and Activities
Virtual Book Bags: Science
Virtual Book Bags: Social Studies
ASL Stories and Resources  
Kate Messner’s Read Wonder and Learn
 
Tech Tool of the Week: 
TCAPS Elementary Libraries Facebook Page
Tutorials and Updates:
TCAPSTECH Help Site
TCAPS247.com
Colby Sharp video on why picture books are great!
 
Great Tweet by @MrsAGilliam
"Recently, I changed my wording from what questions do you have to what questions do you think someone struggling to understand might have. It has been a game changer. The student struggling doesn’t have to be the one asking but their question is usually covered."
 
Closing
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
@tcapsloop
@brostromda
Subscribe to the Podcast on Podbean, iTunes, Stitcher, Tune In, Downcast, Overcast, the Google Play Store, Spotify or wherever else you get your ear candy! Like the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes, It really helps get the pod to show up on aggregators and we also love hearing from you.
 
Thanks for listening and inspiring!
Thanks Loop Team!
 

TCAPSLoop Podcast Episode 114: Remote Teaching Tips from Teachers!

Episode 114
Hello and Welcome another episode of the TCAPSTechLoop Podcast with Larry Burden and Danelle Brostrom. Also joining us on this special episode are TCAPS UpNorth Virtual Live Expert Educators sharing some hard won wisdom they have earned over the past months of Remote Teaching.
Moment of Zen
I will not follow where the path may lead, but I will go where there is no path, and I will leave a trail.
 
Useful Links
Assigning "Journey's" leveled readers in Think Central
Teacher Tips from Katie Simons
 
Tech Tool of the Week
Wheel of Names