Waffle Bytes

Guest post by Kerry Guiliano at Monroe County ISD: Image of Tello Drone  A new trend on the horizon in education are drones in the classroom. Drones in the classroom, you say? Why and how could this even be possible? First of all, I’m not talking “50-pound cost thousands of dollars” type of drones, I’m talking about small drones that weigh roughly 12 oz, fly no more than 30 feet in the air (if that), have a short battery life, and do not cost an arm and leg. Drones that can be used INSIDE the classroom. But why drones? We’ve seen some pretty cool things happening in the drone community. In my neck of the woods (Monroe County, Michigan), both Sylvania Minerals Quarry and Stoneco Quarry use a drone to measure and keep track of their stockpiles . Farmers are using drones to monitor crops , assess soil, and spot invasive plants that they can then target in certain areas instead of treating their entire crop, saving time and lots of money. Amazon recently stated that they are look...

The REMC Association is gathering data to inform us on which projects Michigan educators are using, along with what future project topics would be of value to you.   Please take 2-3 minutes to fill out this brief form - REMC Association Survey -  to help inform our work.   Please share with other educators in your district.  If you have questions, contact me at wafflem@calhounisd.org.

P eople L earning and A sking wh Y Interacting with Minecraft: Education Edition for the first time can be overwhelming. Surround yourself with other educators, self-identify your comfort level, and then attend break-out sessions that meet your needs! Learn with and from others and by the end of the day, you'll be teaching others! Come join us and learn more about how Minecraft: Education Edition can positively impact student demonstrations of learning and you'll leave ready to integrate it into your classroom the next day! There are two dates/locations available, see the Promotional Flyer for those details at  https://www.smore.com/kmepv . There are 2 locations: December 11, Kalamazoo RESA December 13, Genesee ISD

From the REMC/RITS PLAYDATE team: The 2019-20 P.L.A.Y.D.A.T.E. schedule is now available! In addition to the traditional Playdates, there are a few theme focused events. Please share with other Michigan teachers.  General  P.L.A.Y.D.A.T.E. flier Information on Themed PLAYDATEs: New Teacher Playdate Assistive Technology Playdate Counselor Edition Playdate 2019-20 PLAYDATES REGISTER FOR A SESSION HERE REMC 6, Bay Arenac ISD,  Focus: Counselor Edition , September 25, 2019 REMC 14E, Genesee ISD, October 4, 2019 REMC 5, GIRESD (Winding Brook), October 18, 2019 Battle Creek Math and Science Center,  Focus: Assistive Technology , November 15, 2019 REMC 12W, Lenawee ISD,  Focus: New Teacher Academy , January 29, 2020 -  Flyer REMC 20, Wayne RESA, February 12, 2020 REMC 12W & REMC 8, Kent ISD, May 4, 2020 Sincerely, -the PLAYDATE team (Anthony, Keith, Justin, Joe & Kellie) New to ...

REMC is providing FREE PD via Virtual Courses for Michigan educators!  Information below -  Looking to integrate emerging topics into YOUR classroom?    REGISTER for REMC Virtual Courses today! Click Here for October 2018 Course Registration! Below are the sessions beginning October 8, 2018 Click each box for more info! - REMC Virtual Courses are FREE and open to all Michigan school personnel  - You can take courses "just to learn" or you can complete all assignments  (SCECH credits are available for successful course completion) - Sessions take place over a three week period Use the  REMC Virtual Course FAQ  for answers to often asked questions. Register Here

A powerful, new resource for K-5 educators Introducing   MiTechKids , a new   resource for integrating technology into activities in the classroom, preparing students for real world success. The  MiTechKids site was formerly known as 21Things4kids.net and over the summer, received an easier-to-remember new name. MiTechKids  was developed by a team of Michigan-based education technology and media specialists from ISDs and local school districts to provide important technology learning and lessons for K-5 students. The resources are organized by grade level and support the  Michigan Integrated Technology Competencies for Students (MITECS)  competencies and the International Society for Technology in Education ( ITSE ) standards.  MiTechKids  is provided by the  REMC Association of Michigan , and free to everyone. MiTechKids  provides short activity lessons (20-30 minutes) created for teachers that provide ideas and resources fo...

Data from Project Tomorrow's recently released  Speak Up Survey  shows teacher preferences for face-to-face professional learning conferences declining from 47% in 2010 to 40% in 2017,  according to eSchool News . The same survey found that teachers aren't comfortable with new practices like using digital tools for student collaboration, personalizing learning for each student, or creating project-based experiences. REMC is here to help! Check out out free Virtual Courses, open to all Michigan educators. September and October session topics include: Inquiry and Questioning with Technology, Google for Learning, Literacy and Technology, Social Media, Open Education Resources (OERs) and more. Sessions take place over a three-week period. Free SCECHs available.  Register here . Still have questions?  Contact us !

Free webinars offered on September 28 , 2016 at 10:00 am OR 2:00 pm   Register NOW for this LIVE event to learn how to find ALL products fast & stretch your schools dollars by using the REMC SAVE Bid Project. Registration:  10:00 am session: http://goo.gl/YP51Kl 2:00 pm session: http://goo.gl/wyb0am Each attendee will be entered to WIN 1 of 2 Gift certificates from School Specialty and Office Depot for a REMC SAVE Bid project item. For regions who attend as a team, attendee lists must be emailed to remcbids@remc.org to be entered for a gift certificate prize drawing.  

Upcoming PD Opportunities - Coding, Makering and Tinkering Workshop Join us for a morning of coding, makering & tinkering to learn what these movements are about and how they can positively impact classrooms.  The majority of the workshop will be spent exploring in hands-on stations. When:  8:30-12:30 March 3, 2016 Where:  Gifford-Schultz Building; 17111 G Drive N, Marshall Cost:  FREE for REMC 12E Educators; $10 for those outside the REMC 12E area Credits:  no SCECHs are available for this workshop More Information: more information, including a link to the morning's agenda can be found here Registration link :  fill out this quick Google form to register for the workshop. A completely online, self-paced course where you practice skills as you learn them.  YouTube videos and blog posts are used to walk you through features, then you apply this to your own Google Sites. When:  March 7-April 20, 2016 Where:  Online Cos...

REMC 12E Sponsored Professional Development Opportunities January - June 2016 The following is the current list of REMC 12E sponsored professional development opportunities.  What does it mean to be REMC 12E sponsored?  The PD cost is either significantly reduced or FREE for educators that work for REMC 12E school districts (Branch & Calhoun counties).  Educators that work elsewhere may participate, but with full course registration fees. 21 Things for iPads - Online, self-paced More Information February 3 - April 28 4-50 SCECHs available, depending on completion items Blended Learning in the Classroom - Blended (mostly online) More Information January 11 - May 23 62 SCECHs available Build a Website with Google Sites - Online More Information January 11 - February 26 March 7 - April 22 May 2 - June 17 Discovering with Technology for Learning - Blended (mostly online) More Information January 13 - February 24 30 SCECHs avail...

From Mike Souden, project manager - If you are an educator that has utilized MI Learns Online (MLO) materials, could you please fill out this quick survey to provide some feedback? https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MILearnsOnlineSpring2015 Not sure what MLO is? There is an upcoming webinar to introduce you to it - Learn to use the REMC MLO Portal Webinar       The REMC MLO Portal contains resources that support online learning. The participant will learn how to use the REMC MLO Portal to find resources that support exceptional online learning, and how to access online learning courses, units and lessons. Date: On May 6, 2015. Time: 4:00 – 4:30 PM Registration: Go to http://tinyurl.com/learnmloportal Requirements: a computer with Internet connection These Webinars are live facilitated web based learning opportunities that are easy to participate in.   Connecting information will be sent to you when you register. For more informatio...

    Look for the best rated sessions from the annual MACUL conference to be repeated at these sites around the state between July 22 and August 13. Partnering with the REMC Association of Michigan, a variety of 60 minute sessions will give those who were not able to attend the 2014 MACUL conference the opportunity to participate in timely topical presentations by exemplary presenters. Registration is now open. Cost: $45; Includes lunch. Visit MACUL website for specific program information and registration. Best of MACUL Schedule: July 22 - REMC 6 - Bay Arenac ISD, Bay City registration deadline July 14 July 23 - REMC 10 - Tuscola Tech Center, Caro registration deadline July 9 July 24 - REMC 12E - Calhoun ISD, Marshall registration deadline July 17 July 29 - REMC 5 - Clare Gladwin ISD, Clare registration deadline July 17 July 31 - REMC 22 - Eastern UP ISD, Sault St. Marie registration deadline July 29 August 5 - REMC 7- ...

This edition - Google Timer, iPad Storage management, free Moodle course, organizing with LiveBinders, using interactive whiteboards, MACUL speaker proposals... View this email in your browser ...