Bird-Cast! Empowered, Innovative Learning: Recent Episodes
Birdville Nest
Welcome to the Bird-Cast! This is the audio version of different discussions, videos, and interviews that are done by the Birdville Nest Digital Learning team from Birdville ISD in Fort Worth Texas. Our mission is to empower teachers to develop innovative lessons that create powerful learning experiences for every student that walks into a BIRDVILLE ISD school. We are excited to share our training and learning that we have developed in this podcast! So come and join us on this podcast journey! Find out more at www.birdvillenest.net
You can do WHAT with Canva for Education? And did you know that Canva is for more than just a design tool?
Check out this week's episode of the Birdcast to learn what's on the Secret Menu!
Plus, find out what our Digital Learning Specialists can come up with as we app-smash Genially + Cosmo Buzz + Wakelet!
You can do WHAT with Microsoft Flip? And did you know that Flip is for more than just recording funny faces?
Check out this week's episode of the Birdcast to learn what's on the Secret Menu!
Plus, find out what our Digital Learning Specialists can come up with as we app-smash CosmoBuzz + Google Forms!
You can do WHAT with a Google Form? And did you know that Google Sheets is for more than just adding up numbers?
Check out this week's episode of the Birdcast to learn what's on the Secret Menu!
Plus, find out what our Digital Learning Specialists can come up with as we app-smash Padlet + Google Sheets!
Join the Nest as they dive in to the secret menu of different tools! This week Taylor leads through the secret menu of Google Slides and Google Sites.
In addition a new segment has been created called App Smash!
Heather and Caitlyn discuss ways that Wakelet and Flip can be smashed together to support and enhance student learning!
Don't forget to subscribe to the Birdcast and get a new episode, ever other week!
Jump into the 12 Days Early Again! Listen to clips from Thomas Murray, Dr. Catlin Tucker, Marcus Painter, and James Varlack! These are small bits of what the 12 Days of Innovation will bring, starting December 1st!
Register now at www.12DaySummit.net and get your spot in the best innovative learning experience in December!
Curious about the 12 Days of Innovation Summit?
Check out these clips from Andre Daughty, Jimmy Casas, Dr. Jennifer Klarner, Tammy Pope, and Charlie Lokey. All featured guests of this year's event!
Register now for the full sessions at 12DaySummit.net
We have special guests!
Today Matt Miller and Marcus Painter join the Birdcast to debate Canvas Vs. Google Classroom!
Check out this episode where we will pit the titans of online tools together to see who can come out victorious!
Join us for the next showdown between Lumio and Seesaw!
We are excited to hear a great debate between Lumio and Seesaw with April, Caitlyn, and Ashly!
In this episode, you will hear the titans of communication go head to head. The well-established, foundational tool of email comes head to head with the new kid on the block, Teams.
Who will win in this pursuit of communication greatness? Listen and find out!
Calls from the Nest:
- Roni Tarver and the Education and Training Practicum students for coming to the RHS roadshow
- Fred Vertrees Choice Boards Birdville Elementary
- Chanda Haney from Mullendore is great at jumping in and trying new things. We looked at Lumio last week, but she also dove into trying some new things on Canvas, Aware, and Seesaw.
In this episode you will hear April and Heather debate, inform, and pound the table for both PearDeck and NearPod. Listen as different scenarios and questions are brought up about each tool and the impact that they can have on student learning.
For more information about the Bird-Cast please follow us on Twitter! @BISDBirdCast
Calls From the Nest:
Shannon High School Office Staff
Smithfield Elementary Campus
Melissa Taylor of Smithfield Middle School
Background music: Bite Me (Clean Version) by NEFFEX through Youtube Audio Library
We are back!
After a great summer we are here with new ideas and new members! Join us for this first episode where we get to know Caitlyn Latham and Heather Tysor, our newest members of the Nest!
In addition listen into what we have planned for this season as well as our Calls from the Nest featuring:
-North Ridge MS, Birdville HS, Foster Village Elementary, and Green Valley Elementary
-Josh Huff of WMS
-Diana Martinez of HMS
-Michele Gallagher of GVES
Curious about what AMAZING events are happening this summer from the Birdville Nest? Check out this episode to find out more!
Call from the Nest:
Kelly Campbell- Academy at C.F. Thomas
Liz Griffin- North Richland Middle
Rebekah Beaver- Smithfield Elementary
Have you heard about App Smashing? Do you know what it is? This is a great strategy to dive into with a few weeks left. Like combining odd ingredients into a dish to make a new creation, app smashing can create some incredible learning!
Curious about what PBL is? Heard of a passion project? Jump into the conversation with the team about how this could completely change the way you approach your lessons.
What is flipped learning and how can it make an impact in your classroom? Join the Nest team as they discuss the reasons why Flipped has worked and the impact it could have on your classroom.
Have you thought about differentiation in a way of mastery paths? Join the Nest crew as they discuss how to develop and use mastery paths in Canvas!
Join the Nest as they think about Minecraft as a tool to experiment within these final weeks of school. What could be done to engage your students and tap into the creativity of Minecraft?
May the Fourth Be With You! Join the Digital Learning Team as we discuss end-of-year student engagement strategies with a few of Birdvilles GATE teachers and academic coaches. In this episode of the Bird-Cast Dr. Ashly Spencer and Green Valley GATE teacher, Tug Benham, discuss the CPS (creative problem solving) strategy and the pringle potato chip challenge. Andrea Gray sits down with Stephanie Woodard, GATE teacher at Smithfield Elementary, to share the CSI (color symbol and image) strategy and student-created products. We also have Charles Creasy and Ryan Pabor visit with Mary Hadley, Academic Coach at Smithfield Middle, about taking risks and the impact of student passion projects. Be sure to check back next week as the Bird-Cast will be releasing a series of mini-episodes to continue sharing ideas and encouraging teachers to take risks!
Data should be the primary guide to every educational decision teachers make. This episode of the Birdcast dives into the importance of utilizing data to create meaningful lessons. Dr. Uphoff and Andrew Lawver discuss using data not as a single viewpoint but as a longitudinal process used from the beginning of the year through the end. The DLS team follows this interview by discussing 5 Key Discussion Points for effectively looking at data and how we personally struggled with this in the classroom.
The STAAR tests will be here before you know it, but the copier is down (AGAIN!). What are some ways you can avoid the dreaded STAAR Review packet and ensure students are prepared for the end of year tests?
In this episode, we'll talk to CaraBeth Fuhrmeister from Watauga Elementary and Kristen Leidolf from North Ridge Middle School about how they approach STAAR Review and find ways to keep kids engaged, on-track, and prepared! Welcome to the Bird-Cast
Welcome to a 12DaysFlashback where we bring the audio version of one of our speakers/groups from the 12 Days of Innoovation.
This group is the Elementary Coaches Panel from the 2021 12 Days of Innovation!
Birdville ISD is full of experienced and knowledgeable instructional coaches that guide teachers through their daily instructional practices. In this session, we will spotlight just a few of those instructional coaches from all over the district! Listen to our Elementary Instructional Coaches to hear more about their innovative ideas, processes, and effective strategies they've implemented on their own campuses.
Elementary Instructional Coaches Panel:
Laura Bean
Jennifer Kimbrough
Becky Lynch
Emily Sauerwein
Jamie Upthegrove
In this episode, The Nest team interviews Shea Dean, 1st grade teacher at North Ridge Elementary School as she shares her classroom management tips and ways to make the station rotation model work in all classroom settings.
In this episode, the Nest team interviews Meredith Bolton, an English teacher at North Oaks Middle School about her technology integrated lesson using Adobe Creative Cloud Express.
Also, don't forget our Calls from the Nest in this episode:
- Maria Johnson from Haltom Middle School
- Megan Holycross from Snow Heights Elementary
- Pamela Wright from Haltom High School
In this episode, the Nest team will break down elements of the Workshop Model (mentioned in previous episodes) and talk about strategies and ideas that they used in their classrooms. Perspectives from secondary math, computer science, and elementary classrooms are shared.
Also, don't forget our Calls from the Nest in this Episode:
Kylie Cranford- North Richland Middle School
Students and Teachers of the BCTAL (Birdville Center for Technology and Advanced Learning)
The Elementary BISD Instructional Coaches
Jennifer Kimbrough and Rosa Burato- WT Francisco Elementary
The Bird-Cast interviews Catlin Tucker on ways to incorporate Blended Learning into your classroom!
Intro - 00:14
Catlin Tucker Interview - 00:50
Whats Happening In the Nest - 33:24
Call from the Nest - 34:22
Monthly Principal Meeting
Shannon High School
Angie Magana
Meredith Jones
Rick Sanford
Outro - 36:20
We have a great show where you get to meet Charles Creasy, our newest Secondary Digital Learning Specialist.
April and Ryan help everyone get to know Charles while having some fun!
Also, get introduced or re-introduced to the workshop model and how BISD is using it by Dr. Julie Hyman, the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction and Advanced Academics. Join Ashly and Andrea as they enjoy an awesome conversation with Dr. Hyman.
Also, don't forget about our Call from the Nest, where teachers around BISD are highlighted for their innovative and excellent practices in their classrooms!
In this episode, we reached out to many different leaders around Birdville ISD to have some fun with the 12 Days of Christmas...not to be confused with the 12 Days of Innovation!
Enjoy our adventures in challenging our guests below as we chronicle their responses to the challenge of singing and stay tuned at the end to hear the final countdown of the 12 Days of Christmas!
The 12 Days of Christmas Order:
Frankie Norris-AP North Ridge Middle- Day 1
Jennifer Canizares-Elementary Coordinator of Digital Learning- Day 2
Kelli Montgomery-Director of Digital Learning and Library Services- Day 3
Teresa Lawson-Elementary Coordinator of ELAR- Day 4
Ann Marie Trammell-Secondary Coordinator of ELAR- Day 5
Keith Morrison- Secondary Coordinator of Science- Day 6
Travis Irish- AP North Oaks Middle-Day 7
Tammy Pope- Principal of Birdville Elementary School- Day 8
Angela Limon- Principal of W. T. Francisco Elementary- Day 9
Danny Detrick- Director of Fine Arts- Day 10
Kyle Pekurney- Principal of Smithfield Elementary- Day 11
Jeff Samuelson- Supreme Elementary Digital Learning Specialist- Day 12
Carrie and Lindsey are the creators of the Canvas for Elementary Teachers Facebook Group. The group's goal is a space for teachers to connect and share ideas about using the Canvas Learning Management System with elementary students for successful remote learning. Currently, the group has grown to over 118,000 members with multiple posts each day. An overwhelmingly large number of teachers worldwide have connected, collaborated, and benefited from the dynamic virtual “team” started by Carrie and Lindsey. Although they support elementary teachers in using the Canvas tool, Carrie and Lindsey’s focus is always on the best Remote and Blended learning experiences for students. Also, check out the Canvas for Elementary with Carrie and Lindsey Facebook page for a deep dive into using Canvas.
Get to know Sarah Upchurch, the Coordinator of Professional Learning for Birdville ISD as she takes us through her vision of professional learning, working with teachers, and Santa!
Also stay on to hear our Call from the Nest this week to Travis Woody, aIT Tech Specialist as he talks about our district rollout of new devices.
Curious about the 12 Days of Innovation? check out 12DaySummit.Net and get registered! The Event starts December 1st!
Dave Lambson has been in Birdville ISD for almost 10 years working to create a culture of excellence in the technology department. IN this episode, join Ashly and April as they dive into the future of learning, the power of technology, and the leadership of the Chief Technology Officer of Birdville ISD, Dave Lambson.
In this episode we are going to get to know our newest members, April Couch, Ashly Spencer, and Ryan Pabor. Enjoy fun conversations about teaching, experiences, and favorite snacks!
Episode Breakdown:
What's Happening in the Nest
Getting to Know Ryan, Ashly, and April
The Lightning Round: How well do you know the DLS Team?
Calls from the Nest
Welcome back! Join Ryan, April, Ashly, Andrea, and Taylor as they discuss the plans for Season 2 as well as hear some highlights from EmpowerED21, an innovative learning conference put on by the Birdville Nest.
Join Andrea and Taylor as they discuss how an encounter on the playground inspired some illustrations of teaching, learning, and moving into the next school year.
Sometimes we run around the tire swing, doing all of the work, but nothing is happening. It's only when we reposition ourselves and let the tire swing's inertia do the work are we truly giving the rider the full experience.
Check out the book studies that we are doing this summer! Get engaged with your Summer Professional Learning!
Don't Ditch that Tech by Matt Miller
Innovate Inside the Box by George Couros
Balance with Blended Learning by Catlin Tucker
The Chromebook Infused Classroom by Holly Clark
Flashback a few years to a great discussion between DLS Michael Hanson and incredible science teacher Cliff Moran. Blended Learning, Gamification, and teacher passion are all explored in this awesome episode!
Join Andrea Gray and Taylor Williams as they discuss the impact of a Digital Learning Specialist on learning.
What is a Digital Learning Specialist? What could you have done in the classroom if you had one?
Check out the ideas and thoughts on this episode!
A first-time event of the 12 Days of Innovation, the Innovative Learning panel is made up of leaders and educators from around the United States, coming together to discuss COVID responses while still looking into the future of learning. 2020 has brought some incredible challenges in all areas of life, and this panel discusses some of the bright points and potential that we are seeing in classrooms in the US. Join this session and take time to reflect on what 2020 has been, with an excitement of what could be in the near future!
Our guests:
Aaaron Eisberg
David Smith
Jessica Alexander
Dr. Becky Odajima
Rashel Larson
Kelli Montgomery
Jennifer Canizares
Taylor Williams
Catlin Tucker is a Blended Learning expert with multiple books and resources that she has created devoted to making learning better. Find out more about Catlin by going to her website: https://catlintucker.com/