CST Bio

WHAT IS COOL? C O O L stands for Creative Online Opportunities for Learning. COOL uses current trends in technology and pedagogy to motivate and encourage quality teaching and retention of students in urban settings. COOL School Technologies’ mission is to close the digital divide one neighborhood and one school at a time.

Our training focuses on hands-­‐on and engaging low-­‐cost Web 2.0 tools that can be used to motivate students and support student learning. We are able to accommodate various levels of digital literacy for your instructional staff and equip them with digital tools they can take directly to the classroom and implement immediately.

COOL School can: -­‐ Perform an assessment of staff technology skills.

-­‐ Walk participants step-­‐by-­‐step through netbook, iPad, and mobile device usage in a 1-­‐ to-­‐1 environment.

-­‐ Introduce tools to increase teacher productivity and efficiency as it relates to instruction.

-­‐ Provide classroom management tips for technology use in the K-­‐12 classroom.

-­‐ Elaborate the connection of technology to Bloom’s Taxonomy and Marzano’s Instructional Strategies.

-­‐ Provide examples of lesson plan activities based on Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and National Education Technology Standards (NETS).

COOL School Workshop Offerings

Introduction to Prezi Guide participants step-­‐by-­‐step through the creation of a basic Prezi. Allow time for exploration and creation of a 2nd Prezi related to a current instructional lesson.

Engaging Free Web 2.0 Apps Introduction to several free web-­‐based educational apps, which are also available through a browser. Participants are introduced to tools, have exploration and discuss application, and then create lessons within content groups. Participants are also provided with sample lesson plans for each web tool.

Student Engagement and iPad Apps Introduction to several free educational apps for the iPad. Participants are introduced to tools, exploration and discussion. Participants will also connect instructional theory to the use of these applications for lesson creation.

Past COOL Workshops

EdCamp Detroit May 2013 Presented several engaging free web-­‐based tools. Facilitated discussion, presented, and shared with fellow educators on the best FREE tools.

Evaluation comments included: “Fantastic!! Thanks so much!!

“Helpful . . . got some new ideas.”

“I enjoyed it. The presenters were very knowledgeable.”

“Excellent. I can use this immediately.”

Playing With Toys: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving with Technology, March 2013 Presentation assessed individual technology skills, explored the National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) and Puentedura’s Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition (SAMR) technology integration model.

Evaluation comments included: “Presentation was outstanding. Excellent Presentation. I need one-to-one today.”

“Great information. Well explained and gave visuals I haven’t thought of.”

“Great job! Fantastic energy and I learned quite a bit!”

“Good job! I learned some apps that will be extremely helpful.”

“Great job! Very energetic; made the learning fun and provided great direction.”

Archdiocese of Detroit-­‐Oakland County, March 2013 Presented several engaging free web-­‐based tools and facilitated discussion with approximately 70 principals from the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Evaluation comments included:

“Great ideas at low cost.”

“Made me realize my staff needs MORE technology training.”

“Great job! Will share these tools with my staff.”

Timbuktu Academy of Science and Technology, August 2013 Presented free and engaging Web 2.0 applications to instructional staff for professional develop day.

Evaluation comments included:

“Great ways to differentiate in the classroom.”

“Did not know how many tools are free for me to use in the classroom!”

“Very engaging tools! These will be in my lessons plans in September.”

“I am not a techie but after this workshop I feel more confident.”

For more information visit our website at www.coolschooltechnologies.com

COOL TEAM BIOGRAPHIES

Certified Instructional Coach-­‐Michigan Department of Education

Certified Teacher

Instructional Specialist

Ashara Shepard, Ed.S.

K-­‐8 All Subjects 6-­‐8 English and Speech Endorsement K-­‐12 Technology Endorsement Coach, support, and assist teachers with the use and delivery of effective instructional strategies.

-­‐Outstanding Educator, Communities in Schools of Detroit -­‐Teacher of the Year, Bethune Academy -­‐Outstanding Educational Specialist Student, Wayne State University -­‐Michigan Champions Grant, Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) -­‐Comcast Internet Essentials Education Technology Grant

Experienced educator with 17 years of classroom instruction. Trained to assess needs and develop differentiated instruction. Focused on improving performance through the use of technology.

Counselor Undergraduate and graduate students

Instructor Educational Psychology, Computer Skills & College Survival Skills

Learning Specialist

Leah Robinson, Ed.S. -­‐Distinguished Service, Wayne State University (WSU) -­‐Educational Development Grant, Office of the Provost, (WSU)

-­‐Innovative Instructional Technology Faculty Grant, (WSU)

-­‐Medical Education Research Scholars Program (MERSP) School of Medicine, Wayne State University

Learning Specialist with twenty years of counseling and teaching experience of at-­‐risk populations and trained in project and program design, development, implementation, and evaluation. Focused on performance improvement solutions based on deliberate practice and personal learning networks (PLNs).