The TeacherCast App Spotlight

Hapara – GSuite Management System for School Districts (2015)

Jeff sits down with Jack West to discuss why Hapara is the perfect tool for any school district wishing to properly and effectively manage their GAfE environment. ABOUT HAPARA Hapara is a Māori word for dawn or daybreak. Teacher Dashboard was first conceptualized by a pioneering group of educators and developers working together to serve an underprivileged population of students in Auckland, New Zealand. The tools were built in a collaborative fashion to solve the knowledge management challenges teachers face when going all in with Google Apps. The Hapara team has grown significantly since the inception and now has team members in New Zealand, California, Boulder, Colorado and Washington DC. Hapara’s exclusive focus on K12 education solutions for Google Apps has won the team several awards including the New York City Gap App Challenge Best Administrative App, the Texas Association of School Administrators iZone Award, and a Gates Foundation Literacy Challenge Prize. LINKS OF INTEREST * http://www.Hapara.com * https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hapara/242919002543124 [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hapara/242919002543124] * https://twitter.com/hapara_team [https://twitter.com/hapara_team] * https://plus.google.com/u/0/105010971601195484607/posts [https://plus.google.com/u/0/105010971601195484607/posts] Recorded June 2015

PeekaPak (2015)

Jeff sits down with Ami Shah to discuss how Peekapak is able to help promote child development in grades PK-2. ABOUT PEEKAPAK Peekapak aims to improve learning outcomes in early childhood by enabling teachers and parents to work as partners in a student’s education. Through Peekapak’s platform, teachers are provided digital access to Peekapak’s character development curriculum and extended home activities for families to reinforce the learning in the home. The platform will also track student progress so that both teachers and parents are able to get a complete view of how a student is developing in the class and at home. Peekapak is currently in private beta and is looking to partner with educators to test and pilot their program. LINKS OF INTEREST * twitter.com/peekapak [http://twitter.com/peekapak] * facebook.com/peekapak [http://facebook.com/peekapak] ABOUT OUR GUEST Ami Shsh is the CEO & Co-founder of Peekapak, a recent graduate of the Imagine K12 Edtech Accelerator program based in Silicon Valley. Ami is passionate about improving youth education and has previously taught in Vietnam.  She has extensive marketing experience from roles at Procter & Gamble, and most recently, as Director of Retail Marketing at a consumer products start-ups. She has an MBA from INSEAD. You can connect with Ami on Twitter: @amishahdotca or on Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amishahdotca [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amishahdotca] Podcast Recorded: June 2015

Microsoft OneNote (2015)

Jeff sits down with Mik Tholfsen and Ari Schorr to discuss how Microsoft OneNote [https://www.teachercast.net/tep171-10-ways-to-use-onenoteedu-to-keep-you-organized/] is being used in classrooms to help teachers and students stay digitally organized. ABOUT MICROSOFT Microsoft Corporation [http://teachercast.net/microsoftedu] is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, that develops, manufactures, licenses supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics, and personal computers and services. Its best-known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, Microsoft Office office suite, and Internet Explorer web browser. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox game consoles and the Microsoft Surface tablet [https://www.teachercast.net/blog/microsoft-arc-touch-mouse-review/] lineup. It is the world's largest software maker measured by revenues. It is also one of the world's most valuable companies. LINKS OF INTEREST ONENOTE Main * http://www.onenote.com [http://www.onenote.com]– Free copy of OneNote on any platform, any device Social * OneNote in Education Blog [http://blogs.office.com/onenote/education]:http://blogs.office.com/onenote/education [http://blogs.office.com/onenote/education] * OneNote Twitter [http://twitter.com/msonenote]:http://twitter.com/msonenote [http://twitter.com/msonenote] * OneNote Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/OneNote]:https://www.facebook.com/OneNote [https://www.facebook.com/OneNote] * OneNote Blog [http://blogs.office.com/onenote]:http://blogs.office.com/onenote [http://blogs.office.com/onenote] * OneNoteEDU@microsoft.com [OneNoteEDU@microsoft.com] Training * http://www.onenoteforteachers.com [http://www.onenoteforteachers.com]– Bite-sized interactive Teacher Training for OneNote in Education * OneNote and Learning Styles pamphlet [http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24895]:http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24895 [http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24895] * OneNote Toolkit for teachers [http://download.microsoft.com/download/B/F/C/BFCC69F3-B67A-4CC6-8A9C-FEE587681624/OneNote%20Toolkit%20for%20Teachers.onepkg]– an interactive OneNote notebook designed for teachers on OneNote best practices in the classroom * OneNote for School Administrators and Staff [http://onenoteforteachers.com/en-US/Guides/OneNote%20for%20School%20Administrators]– interactive training OneNote Class Notebook Creator * OneNote Class Notebook Creator blog [http://blogs.office.com/2014/12/09/onenote-class-notebook-creator-updated-top-educator-requests-new-language-support/]:http://blogs.office.com/2014/12/09/onenote-class-notebook-creator-updated-top-educator-requests-new-language-support/ [http://blogs.office.com/2014/12/09/onenote-class-notebook-creator-updated-top-educator-requests-new-language-support/] * OneNote Class Notebook Creator interactive guide [http://aka.ms/OneNoteEDUGuide]:http://aka.ms/OneNoteEDUGuide [http://aka.ms/OneNoteEDUGuide] * Install the app on O365 [https://store.office.com/onenote-class-notebook-creator-WA104371260.aspx]:https://store.office.com/onenote-class-notebook-creator-WA104371260.aspx [https://store.office.com/onenote-class-notebook-creator-WA104371260.aspx] * IT Admin instructions [https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Installing-the-OneNote-Class-Notebook-Creator-A-Guide-for-IT-Administrators-in-Schools-db064f51-ae7f-440d-a89b-5d4120d873e2?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US]:https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Installing-the-OneNote-Class-Notebook-Creator-A-Guide-for-IT-Administrators-in-Schools-db064f51-ae7f-440d-a89b-5d4120d873e2?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US [https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Installing-the-OneNote-Class-Notebook-Creator-A-Guide-for-IT-Administrators-in-Schools-db064f51-ae7f-440d-a89b-5d4120d873e2?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US] YouTube Videos * OneNote in Education: Teachers using OneNote in the classroom [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMmRud4B54o] * OneNote Class Notebook Creator: A framework for teaching and learning with OneNote class notebooks [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz_AENcK7w4] * OneNote in Education: Organizing, Note-taking, & Homework Made Easier [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_Dc8nDf_U4] * OneNote in Education: Transforming Learning Via Technology & eTextbooks [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79MfXwnFrc0] * ABOUT OUR GUESTS Mike Tholfsen started at Microsoft working as a software engineer on the first version of Outlook in 1995. He subsequently worked on the first versions of Outlook Web Access, and multiple versions of Outlook desktop. In 2004, he moved to the OneNote team where he shipped multiple versions of OneNote, while also doing exploring OneNote as a key education tool and working with many teachers and schools around the US and world. After six years on OneNote, he tried his hand at the cloud, where he worked on the first cloud iterations of SharePoint, Project and Office 365. Most recently, Mike moved back to the OneNote team as a Principal Program Manager to focus exclusively on efforts in the education space, where his true passion lies. Ari Schorr is the OneNote Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft that works closely with engineering on prioritizing and messaging features. He has been driving disclosure for OneNote as free, cross-platform, and coupled with the OneNote Class Notebook Creator for teachers to set up a powerful notebook structure in their classrooms. He is excited to be getting the word out about OneNote, especially its power in education: Organizing materials in one digital location, rather than paper copies, and empowering collaboration in a truly efficient and time-saving manner. Podcast Recorded: January 2015

Rosetta Stone: Celebrating 25 years of helping students learn a second language (2017)

On this episode of the TeacherCast App Spotlight, Jeff welcomes Global Marketing Director Tanya Mas and Sydney Harper from the Aspen Academy to discuss how Rosetta Stone is transforming the way students are able to learn and master a new language. ABOUT ROSETTA STONE Rosetta Stone is a global leader in technology-driven language and learning solutions, and for 25 years has provided educators with interactive English and World Language programs that change their students’ lives. More than 22,000 education institutions worldwide have partnered with Rosetta Stone to develop their students’ natural ability to read, write, and speak with confidence in a new language. Rosetta Stone® Foundations for K-12 is designed for beginner to intermediate students to learn skills needed for conversational proficiency. Foundations combine EdTech and proven methodologies for easy integration into a school’s language program, increasing students’ instructional access and opportunity in up to 24 languages. As students complete interactive language instruction they unlock the ability to practice their language skills through games, activities, stories, and live online conversations—leveled to their learning progress. Learn how combining Rosetta Stone Foundations with traditional language instruction complements any curriculum at http://www.rosettastone.com/K12 [https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.rosettastone.com_K12&d=DwMFaQ&c=gOrgfQB8xVH7F0lP7MQhi8CyVXMBvYqNyP3LuSSb8Lw&r=C5EhJpDQOemW-U6ZscAHfCGXMa5_VEAMLAlztaSAie0&m=o-B712jznXH5XU7HMT9hcSUuuI0DS9WHN6do-QJRdGo&s=yr5Ly8ncHLq-zJYEHTpKpymdZBaidqlCFijBFA1JRw8&e=]. LINKS OF INTEREST * Twitter: @RosettaStoneEd [http://twitter.com/RosettaStoneEd] * Facebook:Facebook.com/RosettaStoneEducation [http://Facebook.com/RosettaStoneEducation] * K-12 Resource Hub:k12hub.rosettastone.com [https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__k12hub.rosettastone.com&d=DwMFaQ&c=gOrgfQB8xVH7F0lP7MQhi8CyVXMBvYqNyP3LuSSb8Lw&r=C5EhJpDQOemW-U6ZscAHfCGXMa5_VEAMLAlztaSAie0&m=o-B712jznXH5XU7HMT9hcSUuuI0DS9WHN6do-QJRdGo&s=lI-jjII5trOQZG4pxlF3H8JEzlkLQMV4nFth-I5PNuM&e=] * YouTube:http://k12hub.rosettastone.com/video [http://k12hub.rosettastone.com/video] ABOUT OUR GUESTS Sydney Harper is pleased to be teaching for her eighth year at Aspen Academy. She holds a Master of Arts from the University of Denver in International Studies, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Translation and Interpretation from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. This will be Mrs. Harper’s eleventh year teaching in independent schools. Through her teaching career, she has taught Spanish, American History, Global Issues, Health and Wellness, World Seminar, Drama and Music to students ECE-12. She makes it her goal to integrate across the curriculum and throughout the community to provide the most enriching education possible. She has lead students on service learning, outdoor expeditionary and history based outings to Costa Rica, Mexico, Moab, Dinosaur National Monument, Flaming Gorge and Historical Route 66. On these outings, Ms. Harper wrote and utilized various curricula to provide enriching, educational experiences throughout.  In her spare time, Mrs. Harper sings professionally with symphony orchestras, local theatre and music groups, and writes and performs her own music in Denver venues. Tanya Mas is Rosetta Stone’s Global Marketing Director and is responsible for the strategy and execution of the global demand generation programs for the Enterprise & Education verticals in the US, UK and DACH region. Prior to her current position, Tanya was the Senior Education Marketing Manager for Rosetta Stone and was responsible for the overall go-to-market strategy for the K-12 and Higher Education verticals. She designed and managed the strategic development and implementation of all the Education marketing programs, including the development of sales enablement and support materials. Tanya has been with Rosetta Stone for almost 5 years and earned a Masters, Corporate & Professional Communications Degree from Radford University. Prior to receiving her Master’s Degree, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science-International Relations, as well as, a Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Languages-French & Spanish. She also studied abroad at L'Université Catholique de L'Ouest in Angers, France. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PODCAST REVIEWS Are you enjoying The TeacherCast Educational Broadcasting Network? Please share your thoughts with the world by commenting on iTunes today [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/teachercast-educational-broadcasting/id519685828?mt=2]. I enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast each week. CONTACT ME * Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast [http://www.TeacherCast.net/twitter] * Email: feedback@teachercast.net [feedback@teachercast.net] * Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail [http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail] * YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/video [https://www.teachercast.net/video] * iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/audio [http://www.TeacherCast.net/audio] Podcast Recorded April 2017

Turning Parents into Partners | Learn Why You Should Check Out @ClassTagMe Today!

Welcome to the TeacherCast Podcast. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Vlada Lotkina, founder of ClassTag and Renee Angle, a 4th-grade teacher to discuss how teachers can shave hours off of their workweek by using the effective communication struggles found in ClassTag. ABOUT CLASSTAG ClassTag is a web and mobile platform co-developed by teachers, families and parent engagement experts to specifically increase parent engagement based on research-based practices, helping teachers turn parents into partners by simplifying all communications and scheduling, motivating parents to get involved and guiding them to success. LINKS OF INTEREST * Classtag.com [https://www.classtag.com/] * Follow on Twitter @CLASSTAGME [https://twitter.com/classtagme] * Follow on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/Classtag/] ABOUT GUEST Vlada Lotkina is a co-founder and CEO of Classtag. She is a former Fortune 500 Executive and a Wharton MBA. She is very passionate about education and helping parents be a powerful force to unleash their children’s potential. Renee Angle is a 4th Grade Teacher in Idaho. She has been teaching for three years and is a general education teacher teaching all subjects. She is a National Elementary Honor Society advisor for students in grades 4-6 at her school. This is a second career for Renee after a successful 20 year management career in the retail lumber industry. Renee knows every student can learn and looks forward to discovering students’ talents with them. Renee believes student achievement in the classroom increases when parents are active participants. WHY CLASSTAG? * The ClassTag approach was co-developed by teachers, families and parent engagement experts to specifically increase parent engagement based on research-based practices and is an opinionated platform that early results show helps teachers leap over parent engagement barriers and turn parents into partners. * Specifically, ClassTag helps teachers: * Set and manage high and clear expectations with parents * Move from transactional engagement to relationship-building activities * Create simple and meaningful ways for parents to support learning * Reduce amount of effort required with automation and consistent system * Get visibility into the level and type of family engagement * Through this approach, ClassTag has a staggering 90% parent participation rate on the platform. * Game changer for what teachers expect, how they adjust their strategies and, most importantly, an amplifier for student success. CONTACT ME * Host: Jeff Bradbury @TeacherCast [http://www.TeacherCast.net/twitter] * Email: feedback@teachercast.net [feedback@teachercast.net] * Voice Mail: http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail [http://www.TeacherCast.net/voicemail] * YouTube: http://www.TeacherCast.net/video [https://www.teachercast.net/video] * iTunes: http://www.TeacherCast.net/audio [http://www.TeacherCast.net/audio] Recorded July 20, 2016