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ALEX Navigato r & Insights CONDENSED End-User Training
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ALEX Navigator &
Insights
CONDENSED End-User Training
What’s our purpose?
• Get to know ALEX, ALEX Insights, and Thinkfinity• Integrate 21st Century skills into the learning
environment effectively
Module OverviewThis module provides participants an opportunity for exploration and analysis of the ALEX and Thinkfinity websites. The participants will learn how to effectively integrate 21st Century resources in the classroom by learning about a variety of resources available on the ALEX and Thinkfinity websites.
Module Objectives
The participant will: • infuse 21st Century skills throughout session.• identify the importance of project-based learning.• examine resources found within the ALEX website.• explore various websites from Thinkfinity.• know how to create a Learning Asset using an ALEX or
Thinkfinity resource and submit it to ALEX.
Alabama Quality Teaching Standards (AQTS)
Standard 1—Content Knowledge: AQTS_1.A.2A. Academic Discipline(s)2. Knowledge of ways to organize and present content so that it is meaningful and
engaging to all learners whom they teach (pedagogical content knowledge).
Standard 2—Teaching and Learning: AQTS_2.D.5, 7D. Instructional Strategies5. Ability to select and support the use of instructional and assistive technologies
and to integrate these into a coherent instructional design.7. Ability to evaluate, select, and integrate a variety of strategies such as cooperative
learning, discussion, discovery, problem based learning, and direct instruction ‑into a coherent lesson design.
Standard 3—Literacy: AQTS_3.D.1, 3D. Technology8. Knowledge of available and emerging technologies that support the learning of all
students.3. Ability to integrate technology into the teaching of all content areas.
Modules/Add-ons
• Module 1: ALEX Navigator Training• Module 2: Podcast Camp• Module 3: Exploring ALEX and the Web via Group
Projection Tools• Module 4: Professional Social Networking Tools for
Educators• Module 5: Web-Based Tools for Teaching &
Learning• Module 6: Incorporating Video into the Classroom
• The Alabama Learning Exchange, or ALEX, is the state’s official education Web portal.
• ALEX provides a one-stop shop for education resources for Alabama teachers. And it directly links with Thinkfinity resources!
What Is ALEX ?
Quality for every facet of learning…..
Best of ALEX
Worksheets
Interactives
E-Sheets
Podcasts
Printable Maps
Course of Study
Rubrics
Web Resources
Virtual Museums
Graphic Organizers
Photographs
Lesson Plans
Online ManipulativesQuizzes
Audio Clips
ALEX/Thinkfinity Resources at Your Fingertips
What is Project-Based Learning?
http://www.commoncraft.com/project-based-learning-explained-custom-video-project-bie
http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-introduction-video
Highlights of Project-Based Learning?
• Project-based learning (PBL) asks students to investigate issues and topics addressing real-world problems.
• By creating bridges between subjects, students view knowledge holistically, rather than looking at isolated facts.
• PBL promotes understanding, which is true knowledge.• Students explore, make judgments, interpret, and synthesize
information in meaningful ways.
Appendix C
http://alex.state.al.us/lesson_view.php?id=31048
Project-Based Learning & ALEX Lesson Plans
Courses of StudyThrough Courses of Study, teachers can access digitized, printable Alabama Courses of Study with over 38,000 aligned Thinkfinity and Alabama Teacher-developed lesson plans, podcasts, and Web resources for all K-12 subject areas.
After clicking the Courses of Study button on the home page, click on the subject area. As an example, let’s choose Math.
On the next screen, select the grade level or course name. Let’s continue our example by clicking grade 6.
Locating Resources Using the Courses of Study
Stem
Examining the Course of Study
Graphics Depict the Tagging of Critical COS Standards
1. ARMT, AHSGE, Direct Assessment of Writing
2. Hard to Teach/Learn
3. Typical Achievement Gaps
4. New- Alabama Science Assessment
Lesson Plans
Visit the Lesson Plan section to find panel-reviewed, “best practices” technology-infused lesson plans!
Web Resources
Web Links quickly connect students, teachers, parents, and administrators to exemplary, high-quality resources that ignite learning at all levels.
Nouns Mix-up
http://alex.state.al.us/podcast_view.php?podcast_id=308
One Way ALEX Supports Project-Based Learning…
gallery360o
Visit gallery360o to access a treasury of Alabama’s engaging, educational podcasts through a special partnership with Apple’s iTunes U.
SearchTeachers, Search all of ALEX to find Courses of Study Standards that are Frequently Tested, Hard to Teach/ Learn, and typical
Achievement Gap Areas. Find a variety of innovative, learning resources selected by a panel of National Board Certified Teachers.
Search through ALEX and be able to BOOKMARK your resources!
Use the ALEX Search Engine
How do you find additional Resources?
Personal WorkspaceTeachers can create, find and save lesson plans, and bookmark favorite resources in their Personal Workspace.
ALEX Personal Workspace
• Any resources you bookmark or create and save on ALEX can be found here.
• Simply click the section you want to view, and it will expand to show you your resources!
Introducing YourALEX Personal Workspace
Create a Learning Asset
ALEX Learning AssetSubmission Process
• Once you have created and saved a Learning Asset, you will be able to delete, edit, view, or submit it in the Current Learning Assets section.
• Remember, once you save your Learning Asset, you must find it under the Current Learning Assets section and click Submit before it will be submitted to ALEX for review!
ALEX Learning AssetSubmission Process
• Once you have submitted a Learning Asset, you will be able to view it in the Learning Asset Entries Submitted for Approval section.
• You will receive an email from ALEX letting you know whether your Learning Asset was approved or returned for edits.
• If it is approved, you will then be able to view it from the Approved Learning Assets section.
Professional LearningIn Professional Learning, educators can find many resources, rich instructional. tools, and “grab-it-and-go” professional development ideas.
ALEXvilleVisit ALEXville, ALEX’s social network, to communicate with your colleagues, keep up with the latest ALEX news, and follow the ALEX Professional Learning Communities!
The website (www.thinkfinity.org) contains thousands of free lesson plans and student materials for every core subject, designed by the
leading educational organizations in the United States.
Tens of thousands of FREE educational resources
Accessible from school or home!
A partnership between the Verizon Foundation and the nation’s leading educational organizations
FREE professional development
What is Verizon Thinkfinity?
ALEX|Thinkfinity Content Partners
What Does Thinkfinity Provide?
• Interactives• Lesson plans• Podcasts• Video Clips• Multimedia Explorations• Primary source documents• 1,200 print friendly maps• Student e-sheets• Virtual museum activities• Data links
READING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM – SOCIAL STUDIES
ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
READING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM – SCIENCE
ARMT – MATH EXPOSITORYTEXT
READING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM – HISTORICAL FIGURES
READING CAREERTECH
READING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM – ECONOMICS
Engaging the 21st Century Learner
WOW Resources
AGRISCIENCE ENGLISH/LITERACY ARMT – MATHActivity
READING ACROSSTHE CURRICULUM – SCIENCE
READING ACROSS THE CURRICULUM – HISTORY
CAREER TECHTool
ARMT – MATH CURRENT EVENTS – ELECTIONS
EXPOSITORYTEXT
Engaging the 21st Century Learner
WOW Resources
Explore Partner Sites
How Do You Find Additional Resources?
• learning new concepts
• reinforcing school lessons
• helping with homework
• exploring the world!
Use ALEX/Thinkfinity for…
*No subscription/membership fees!
Monthly NewsletterSubscribe
Now!
Stay up to date!
Tour Thinkfinity’s Content Partner Websites
ALEX Insights – CCRS Unpacked
ALEX Insights – Another Way
ALEX Insights –Searching for Standards
ALEX Insights – A curriculum guide electronically!
Closing
• Questions and Comments• Complete the End-of-Module Survey
