Tag: education

READWRITETHINK

A GREAT RESOURCE FOR K-12 EDUCATORS

ReadWriteThink (RWT) is a free online resource to assist in improving reading and writing skills for K-12 and adult learning. The RWK app allows students to engage in literacy-learning using tablet devices. No internet connection is needed for the app once it’s downloaded. There are materials for math, science, life skills, and history.  RWT has classroom-tested online resources including student interactives and games, lesson plans, timelines for teaching objectives, classroom resources, and downloadable printouts. These resources are a helpful tool for educators looking to extend their student’s reading and writing skills. There are also professional development opportunities for educators and afterschool resources for parents and students.   

Lesson plans and activities are well-designed by reading and writing experts and encourage depth of learning. Many of the games have integrated content matter. There are hundreds of engaging activities, lesson plans, and printouts for educators to use in designing lessons for their students. This site is easy to navigate and information is easy to access. There is an abundance of information including resources in Spanish available for both educators and parents. All of the lessons correlate to reading and writing standards. There is even a literacy calendar that includes literacy history with resources added so students can always find something special about any day to read about.   

READWRITETHINK USING GOOGLE CLASSROOM

http://www.readwritethink.org/

VIDEO CONFERENCING IN BLACKBOARD

Blackboard Collaborate is a video and web conferencing tool used for virtual classrooms in Blackboard. Sul Ross uses Blackboard for its Learning Management System (LMS). With the importance of using online video and audio conferencing during COVID, Blackboard Collaborate is a beneficial addition to the Blackboard LMS that is available for use in the course design itself. It was specifically designed to provide synchronous learning using live video and multimedia. There are many features including two-way audio, multi-point video, interactive whiteboard, application and desktop sharing, breakout rooms for group work, polling options, and session recording. Blackboard Collaborate provides all the online tools for learner engagement, academic effectiveness, and education insight. With more educators teaching online, Blackboard Collaborate can help with using effective teaching practices that have students collaborating, creating, communicating, and critically thinking.  An advantage of using Blackboard Collaborate includes improved security and packaging on content within the LMS or Blackboard course.

VIRTUAL CLASSROOM TUTORIAL USING BLACKBOARD COLLABORATE

Blackboard Collaborate makes it easy to reach your students wherever they might be. After you record your lessons, they are stored in a default room in the course so students can go back and view at any time. Recently upgraded it is convenient and simple to use. Everything you might need for your flipped classroom is quick and easy to design. Your students will find that a huge benefit is it is mobile-friendly. 

There are many learning resources online to help understand the features in Blackboard Collaborate. Available resources are also found on the Sul Ross State University website. 

FOR FACULTY:

https://www.sulross.edu/page/3286/faculty-e-learning-resource-center

FOR STUDENTS:

https://www.sulross.edu/sites/default/files//sites/default/files/users/docs/gradcenter/student_access_collaborate.pdf

MASTER OF EDUCATION – EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

Educational Instructional Technology is a field of study that investigates the process of analyzing, designing, developing, implementing, and evaluating the instructional environment and learning materials in order to improve teaching and learning. 

The use of technology in every area of education is only increasing and the skills needed to effectively integrate technology into learning environments are in HIGH DEMAND. There is no better area to specialize in if you wish to prepare yourself for a future where knowledgeable and technology savvy specialists, instructors, and administrators are highly valued and much needed.  

Learn more about this degree program and how to apply by going to the website below.

https://www.sulross.edu/page/4805/master-education-educational-instructional-technology

BEST PRACTICES FOR PASSWORD SECURITY

It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Creating strong passwords, different passwords for multiple accounts, and changing your password frequently prevents others from stealing your information. Using a password manager is an easy option for keeping your passwords protected and accessible to only you. Keeping your password secure is your digital responsibility. Read more about it here:

NCAM Message 2 – Password Management

POLLING IN ZOOM: CRITICAL THINKING AND THE 4C’S

Using Zoom for incorporating the 4C’s (communication, creativity, critical thinking, and communication) into discussions and virtual lessons present an opportunity for increased engagement with students. Keeping students’ attention can be difficult, but using the features in Zoom for engaging your students is easy.

Create a poll to interact with students! Feedback and reflection are excellent ways to keep students engaged. Everyone likes to know what people think about their work. Giving student’s a chance to respond in a poll supports critical thinking skills and gives them self-efficacy.

ZOOM POLLING TUTORIAL

TEACHING AND INSPIRING FUTURE LEADERS IN EDUCATION

Dr. Rebecca Schlosser-Professor of Education -Alpine Campus

Dr. Rebecca Schlosser teaches Educational Leadership and Principal Preparatory courses and Educational Law at Sul Ross for the last 15 years. Originally from Houston, her first teaching job was in 1977.  Beginning in the 1980’s she practiced school law and represented districts all over Texas. She attributes her law experience as an asset to her career in Educational Leadership which is her passion. Known as a “legal educator”, she tries to close the communication gap to what is dictated by the legislature and what educators need to do and holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University and a J.D. from the University of Houston.

Dr. Schlosser loves being a professor and is invested in her students’ success, engagement, and persistence throughout their educational career. With optimism and a caring heart, she believes everyone has a right to a college education. She recently submitted cycle four of the Principal Residency Grant which could financially support certified teachers attending Sul Ross State University aspiring to become principals.

Living in Alpine holds fond memories for Dr. Schlosser. Of those, she remembers volunteering as a parent for the high school Alpine Band while her son was in school. She was a member of Lion’s Club and was a judge for the municipal court here for a period of 3 years. She now lives in Houston with her husband and is proud to be a cancer survivor. Her favorite hobby while in Alpine was walking with her husband and was nicknamed “the walking people” in Alpine. “We walked every day. Did the loop twice a day, 10 miles a day”, she says. She also loves animals. She represented a no-kill animal shelter, The Lone Star Animal Shelter in Midland. Her favorite memory at Sul Ross State University is the staff Christmas parties. “They were happy and festive”.  Dr. Schlosser is happy that President Gallego is providing a fall celebration for faculty and staff. “He is a mover and shaker, very supportive, and invested in the university and community.”

Sul Ross State University is proud to have Dr. Rebecca Schlosser belong to our faculty community.

FRONTIER SPOTLIGHT

Professor
Kimra Rogers

Professor Kimra Rogers has a history at Sul Ross State University. Along with teaching Reading and Literacy for our Education Department, she is also an elementary school counselor at Alpine Elementary School. Serving now for 27 years in education, she has taught 2nd grade, kindergarten, and was even a music teacher for one year. She is now in her 16th year at Alpine Elementary School as a counselor.

She received her Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree in M.Ed. Reading and Counseling certification from Sul Ross State University. Her career in education began in Lorenzo, Texas then taught in Mansfield, Texas, and Fort Stockton, Texas. Kimra comes from a strong family of educators. Her father was a professor and chair of Industrial Technology at SRSU for many years. Her mother was a professor of education and director of field experiences at SRSU. Her sister is currently a second grade teacher in Alpine.

“My favorite memory of Sul Ross is growing up around the Industrial Technology building with my dad. Sul Ross had a very active Industrial Technology Club. We participated in parades and cookouts at Kokernot Lodge. I also spent a lot of time with my mom in the Education Dept. They both made a tremendous positive impact on my life. I hold Sul Ross near and dear to my heart!”

Sul Ross State University is very fortunate to have Professor Kimra Rogers here to serve our students.

INTERACTIVE ZOOM AND THE 4C’S

Over the next few weeks, we will provide suggestions on how to integrate technology into your lessons using Zoom.

Using Zoom for incorporating the 4C’s (communication, creativity, critical thinking, and communication) into discussions and virtual lessons present an opportunity for increased engagement with students. Keeping students’ attention can be difficult, but using the features in Zoom for engaging your students is easy.

Use the Zoom Chat Feature (Communication)

Putting directions and links into your chat will send to all your participants immediately. Maybe it’s a link to a slideshow or additional resources. By putting links into the chatbox, the entire class can simply click and copy. Instructors can also require a response from everyone during a lecture to keep them engaged.

Explore How To:

ZOOM FEATURES

Sul Ross Future Leaders

Ana Carroll, a Fall 2017 graduate from the Sul Ross State University Educational Leadership Program has recently received a new assignment as Assistant Principal at Del Norte School, Socorro ISD, El Paso, Texas, Home of the Jaguars. Del Norte School is a K-8 school on the far east side of El Paso with over 1200 students. Congratulations, Ana. 

Ana carroll