Writer’s note: Sorry for the lack of newsletter last week. It just means that there’s more goodies in there this week!
In the realm of education, where information is both overwhelming and necessary, the challenge for teachers lies not only in acquiring knowledge but also in effectively managing and utilizing it. Enter the Building a Second Brain (BASB) C-O-D-E process — a transformative strategy designed to revolutionize the way educators process and organize the wealth of information that shapes their teaching journey.
Productivity Tip
The Building a Second Brain C-O-D-E process, devised by productivity expert Tiago Forte, offers educators a systematic approach to capturing, organizing, distilling, and expressing educational insights, empowering them to build a more efficient and adaptable second brain for enhanced teaching and learning.
Capture Your World: Quick & Simple
Imagine having a digital ally that not only captures your educational insights but also assists in arranging, retrieving, and applying them in the classroom seamlessly. The BASB CODE process, crafted by productivity expert Tiago Forte, presents a practical and systematic approach to empower educators in building a more efficient and adaptable second brain.
So, what exactly is the CODE process, and how can it benefit educators? Over the next few weeks we explore the four pillars of the Building a Second Brain CODE process: Capture, Organize, Distill, and Express. Together, these pillars form a powerful framework that supports educators in transforming information overload into a structured system for enhanced teaching and learning.
Today, we will cover the Capture element of the CODE process and the tools that I use to grab all the information thrown my way in my personal workflow. When you think of capturing information as a teacher, sometimes its overwhelming amounts of ideas from a variety sources: emails, web searches, discussions with colleagues, PLC meetings, phone calls, side conversations in the hallway.
This is where the Capture element comes in, aiding in the process of collecting and recording ideas as they come, without the need to process or organize them immediately. This step is all about creating a reliable system that ensures no valuable information is lost, and is ready for the next stages of the CODE process.
The tools you use for capturing information can vary widely based on personal preference. Some may prefer traditional note-taking or voice recording, while others might lean towards digital tools such as note-taking apps, email inboxes, or social media feeds. The key here is to choose tools that are accessible and easy to use, so you can capture ideas as soon as they arise.
In my personal workflow, I tend to use a combination of digital tools. One of my favorites is Drafts, a note-taking app for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, that allows me to quickly jot down ideas, regardless of where I am or what I'm doing. I also make good use of my task manager Todoist, which is a wizard at handling tasks and reminding me to do things later.
Next time, we will delve deeper into the Organize element of the CODE process, exploring how to turn this captured information into a structured and manageable system. Stay tuned!
Source: ChromeUnboxed.com
Chromebook Corner
Unlock the full potential of your Chromebook with intuitive trackpad gestures, from seamless scrolling to effortless tab switching and window management, making navigation a breeze for users of all levels.
Master Your Chromebook: A Guide to Trackpad Gestures
Chromebooks are known for their simplicity and speed, and a big part of that is the intuitive trackpad gestures. Whether you're a Chromebook newbie or a seasoned pro, there's always a new gesture to discover. Let's dive into some essential Chromebook trackpad tricks:
Scrolling: This is a classic. Two fingers placed on the touchpad and moved up and down scroll vertically, while moving them left and right scrolls horizontally.
Back and Forth: Need to navigate between webpages? Swipe left with two fingers to go back, and swipe right to go forward. It's just like using the browser buttons!
Right-Click: No physical right-click button? No problem! Tap anywhere on the touchpad with two fingers for a right-click.
Show All Windows (and Close It): Need a quick overview of your open windows? A simple three-finger swipe upwards brings them all into view. Want to close this view? Swipe down with three fingers.
Tab Magic (3 fingers!): With three fingers on the touchpad, you can also switch between open tabs! Swipe left or right to flick through them.
Search and Overview (also 3 fingers!): Feeling overwhelmed with windows? A three-finger swipe up brings you to the overview mode, which shows all your open windows and desktops (more on that later) in a visual layout.
These are just a few of the many Chromebook trackpad gestures. With a little practice, they'll become second nature, helping you navigate your Chromebook like a pro.
Bonus Tip: Want to explore further? Look for the touchpad settings in your Chromebook. You can customize some gestures or even disable them if you prefer using the keyboard shortcuts.
Happy Chromebooking!
Classroom Connection
Catlin Tucker's Blended Learning Playlist model empowers students with personalized learning options, fostering engagement and ownership of their educational journey.
Record Your Own Mixtape: Diving into Catlin Tucker's Blended Learning Playlist model!
Have you heard about Catlin Tucker's innovative approach to blended learning? Let's take a closer look at her groundbreaking Blended Learning Playlist model, which lets you build a very special learning mixtape for each student!
What is it all about? Imagine a dynamic playlist, but instead of music tracks, it's filled with learning activities tailored to students' needs and preferences. Tucker's model allows students to take control of their learning journey by offering them a menu of options to choose from.
Why is it so effective? By providing students with a range of activities, from traditional assignments to interactive online tasks, the Blended Learning Playlist caters to diverse learning styles and interests. This personalized approach fosters engagement and ownership of learning.
How does it work in practice? Teachers curate a collection of learning activities aligned with their curriculum and standards. Students then select tasks based on their learning goals and preferences, completing them at their own pace and often with opportunities for collaboration and reflection.
The beauty of Tucker's model lies in its flexibility and adaptability. Whether you are teaching first grade reading or senior Calculus, the Blended Learning Playlist empowers both educators and students to embrace the power of choice and technology in education.
Ready to transform your classroom into a vibrant learning hub? Explore Catlin Tucker's Blended Learning Playlist model and watch your students thrive in their learning adventures!
TeachBot Time
Microsoft Reading Coach harnesses AI technology to deliver personalized literacy interventions and feedback, empowering students to improve their reading skills and comprehension with precision and insight.
Unlocking Literacy Skills with Microsoft Reading Coach and AI
In the quest to empower young learners with strong literacy skills, Microsoft Reading Coach (currently in preview) stands out as a beacon of innovation. Harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), this revolutionary tool offers personalized support tailored to each student's unique needs and abilities.
The primary purpose of Microsoft Reading Coach is clear: to elevate literacy levels through personalized interventions and adaptive feedback. With AI at its core, the program analyzes individual reading patterns, comprehension levels, and fluency rates to deliver targeted support that fosters growth and improvement.
Imagine a virtual coach by your side, guiding you through the intricacies of reading with precision and insight. That's the essence of Microsoft Reading Coach. Through AI-driven technology, students receive tailored interventions, feedback, and resources designed to enhance their reading skills and comprehension.
The beauty of Microsoft Reading Coach lies in its adaptability. Whether a student is struggling with decoding words, comprehending complex texts, or improving fluency, the program adjusts its approach to meet their specific needs. It's like having a personal tutor available anytime, anywhere.
Moreover, Microsoft Reading Coach can be used for any level of reader, with passages ranging from Kindergarten to 8th grade. Plus, you can use AI to generate your own text that is relevant for any level or topic of learning. It works well for struggling readers, including EL students who may be acquiring reading skills at a different age point than others.
In essence, Microsoft Reading Coach represents a groundbreaking fusion of technology and education, where AI-driven interventions pave the way for enhanced literacy outcomes. With this innovative tool at their disposal, educators and students alike are poised to embark on a journey of literacy success like never before.