How to Utilize the new iOS 12 Parental Controls

Apple’s newest iOS 12 update is changing the way we use screen time in a positive way. These new features will provide you and your child with vital feedback about how much screen time you're actually using and makes it easy to set limits and privacy setting. Some of these features will be similar to family sharing (if you’ve set one up) but there are added features in this newest update that combine everything into one place under settings. Setting limits and content & privacy restrictions can be done in 2 different ways: set up family sharing and control the device remotely, or you can set limits directly on the kids device with a password- protected code in settings. 

How do you utilize the parental controls in Apple’s new iOS 12 update?

Step 1: Head to settings and scroll down to ScreenTime. 

Step 2: Set your Usage: This will show how much time was spent on the device and where and when (time of day) the device was being used. Most interestingly it shows information regarding your usage based on the categories (social networking, entertainment, etc.) and the specific app itself (Instagram, Fortnite, etc.). You can also see how many notifications the device received and where from.  

Step 3: App Limits: App limits can be set for specific apps or for an entire category of app (such as Entertainment or social networking). Limits can also be set for “All Apps & Categories” as well. Once a limit has been set the user will receive a notification 5 minutes before the limit expires. Once they hit the time restriction, they can request more time from you. If you set a time limit for yourself you can choose to ignore the limit for that day or set 15 more minutes.  

TIP: Limits can be set for an entire category such as social networking or can be set directly onto the specific app itself (such as for Instagram).

TIP: For older kids the goal should be for them to set their own limits. These new features allow you to start the conversation about how much time is being spent on their device and how that might be affecting the online/offline balance on their lives (i.e. the struggle to get their homework done). The Family Media Plan should also be looked at and revised if necessary with kids goals. If you allow kids to set their own goals they will have more ownership of them and less arguments about screen-limits. 

Step 4: Schedule Downtime: This feature allows you to set time away. You can specify which apps are allowed during this time (phone calls will still be available). This feature is ideal for helping to set a healthy bedtime routine. If your kid uses a sound machine app to help them fall asleep you can allow just that app to be accessed during downtime. 

TIP: Most likely if your kids are older and have their own phones you will need to have a discussion with them about why you need to set downtime and include that research suggests turning off devices one hour before bedtime to help the mind wind down. This opens up time before bed for reading. Downtime can also be scheduled at meal times or other times during the day you don't want the device being used.

Step 5: Content & Privacy Restrictions: This is similar to the previous restrictions settings. Here you can control and block inappropriate content, iTunes and App purchases can be limited. You can also set content restrictions or explicit music, podcasts & news, movies/TV Shows/ Books based on age (example you can set movies to G rated only). Websites can be limited to specific websites you set (for younger kids) or limit adult websites (for older children). Siri can have limits set for explicit language. And finally game center can have limits for adding friends, not allowing screen recordings and not allowing multiplayer games. Under privacy settings location services can be turned on as well for your child’s safety so you can see where they are. 

TIP: Younger users would benefit from limits that aren’t appropriate and they could stumble upon. With older kids the best method for dealing with privacy settings will be a continued conversation about why a limit needs to be set or a setting turned on like location services. Making in-app purchases and gaming with friends is something that older children can earn through responsible technology use. As long as the conversation regarding media use remains open and ongoing, limits can be adjusted to fit the needs of the family and of the child. There will be natural periods of heavier and lighter media use and as long as a balance is reached then it shouldn’t be a problem.  

NOTE: I’d like to leave a quick note that although these parental features are helpful and will hopefully create less tantrums when device time is over, it is still important to mentor and provide guidance to our kids. As long as your kids use devices, ongoing conversations between you and your child will be necessary so that they can become competent digital users. As parents and educations we want our children to have the tools to navigate technology and become technological literate and good digital citizens. 

Creating a Family Media Plan

Children today are using technology and social media more than ever before. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents and caregivers develop a family media plan that works with your family values and parenting style. But you might be asking yourself what is a Family Media Plan? 

A Family Media Plan is a set of guidelines customized to your family values that establishes how, when and where technology is used. It can include screen-free times, screen-free zones, device curfew, safety and digital citizenship. The simple act of having a discussion about media use in your household will hep your family identify the purpose of using technology (work, school work, social interactions, communication, games, etc) and create a balance between your online and off-line lives. 

To create your own Family Media Plan head to https://www.healthychildren.org/English/media/Pages/default.aspx. The recommendations to families from the Pediatrics article published in November 2016 includes: 

• “Avoid digital media use (except video-chatting) in children younger than 18 to 24   months.
• For children ages 18 to 24 months of age, if you want to introduce digital media, choose high-quality programming and use media together with your child. Avoid solo media use in this age group.
• Do not feel pressured to introduce technology early; interfaces are so intuitive that children will figure them out quickly once they start using them at home or in school.
• For children 2 to 5 years of age, limit screen use to 1 hour per day of high-quality programming, coview with your children, help children understand what they are seeing, and help them apply what they learn to the world around them.
• Avoid fast-paced programs (young children do not understand them as well), apps with lots of distracting content, and any violent content.
• Turn off televisions and other devices when not in use.
• Avoid using media as the only way to calm your child. Although there are intermittent times (eg, medical procedures, airplane flights) when media is useful as a soothing strategy, there is concern that using media as strategy to calm could lead to problems with limit setting or the inability of children to develop their own emotion regulation. Ask your pediatrician for help if needed.
• Monitor children’s media content and what apps are used or downloaded. Test apps before the child uses them, play together, and ask the child what he or she thinks about the app.
• Keep bedrooms, mealtimes, and parent–child playtimes screen free for children and parents. Parents can set a “do not disturb” option on their phones during these times.
• No screens 1 hour before bedtime, and remove devices from bedrooms before bed.
• Consult the American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Use Plan, available at: www.healthychildren.org/MediaUsePlan.”

I’ve also attached a sample Family Media Plan below that I use with my family. I started with the AAP’s media plan and customized it to fit my family and our goals of using Media. I have young children therefore my plan reflects their ages in regard to media use. It is also important to remember the ages of each child, their ability and developmental level and have a specific media plan for the child that reflects those differences. There is not a one size fits all with media use and as the parent you know yours child’s abilities, strengths and areas of concern. I personally watched how my sons respond to various media platforms and adjusted when I noticed a negative behavior. Certain shows caused more hyper and aggressive behavior so those were eliminated. Media use can have an enormous positive effect and is a powerful learning and communicating platform for growth. As the parent we can provide guidance navigating media, modeling positive behavior and act as a resource when things make them uncomfortable or confused. 

Sample Family Media Plan

Screen-Free Zones: These are areas in our home where screens are not allowed.

• Mobile devices and TVs are not allowed in the boys bedroom, bathrooms, dining room and the playroom. 

Screen-Free Times: These are times throughout our daily routine where screens are off- limits.

• Mobile devices & TVs are not allowed in the stroller, playroom, bedroom. 
• We will not use mobile devices or other screens during the following times: meal times, family time, while in the car (except for long periods of time), one hour before bedtime. 

Device Curfew: 

• We will not use mobile devices or screens one hour before bedtime and all devices must charge in the kitchen overnight. 

Types of Media Used: We want to use media that promotes creativity, learning, and connection. 

When we have screen-time, we will: 

• Co-Play (we use the game or app together)
• Co- View (we watch the media together)
• Use media to connect to others (via FaceTiming, etc.) 
• NOT Spend lots of time watching fast-paced shows/apps with lots of distractions 
• Watch “educational” shows/ app that have been reviewed and vetted by trusted      sources to be educational such as PBS or Common Sense Media
• Use media to be creative 
• NOT visit new websites or video sites without permission and having a parent check it first
• NOT download apps, movies, or games without permission and asking an adult if they are age-appropriate  
• NOT play video games that are against our family rules (at home or at someone else's’ house)
• NOT use inappropriate/ unfiltered sites such as YouTube  
• Screen-time is limited (during the week) to 2 hours a day. It usually includes a show, some game time and time for educational apps/videos. 

Balancing Online and Off-Line Activities 

By decreasing screen time, we will have more time for: 

• Being with my family
• Playing blocks, LEGO’s, puzzles, and board games 
• Playing with friends 
• Playing outside
• Being creative and imaginative
• Creating a healthy lifestyle of movement and play (riding bikes, climbing, etc.) 

Digital Citizenship 

• We will be good digital citizens by telling a parent if we get messages or photos the make us uncomfortable 
• We will think about our comments, posts and social presences and the consequences of those actions and use constructive language and tone. 

Online Safety

We will follow these digital rule regarding safety: 

• Do not befriend, chat with or virtually game with someone without a parent’s permission
• Review Privacy Settings on ll sites with our children 
• Do not share private photos online without content from every person in the photo
• Do not give out personal information online 

Sleep & Exercise

We will get enough sleep & exercise by not having screen-time 1 hour before bedtime and trying to get 10-13 hours of sleep (including naps). 

*As parents we agree to model the behavior we want from our children regarding digital citizenship and screen free times/ zones around family time and meals. When we need to use devices we will narrate what we are doing so our children understand the purpose (i.e.Daddy needs to send an email out to a client and will play as soon as he's done.)  @TeachingDigitalLiteracy

1 American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on Communications and Media. Media and Young Minds. Pediatrics. 2016: Volume 138/Issue 5. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/5/e20162591 

End of Year Reflection

It's that time again when teachers and students are anxiously awaiting summer and the end of the year is in sight. Even though this can be the busiest and most exhausting time for some teachers, it's important to take some time and reflect on the school year and look to the fresh beginning that is around the corner. Charlotte Danielson's 4th domain includes a subcategory on reflection within 4a, reflection on teaching but I think that reflection on your goals from the school year is also essential. Reflecting after lessons and at the end of each school year regarding my yearly goals is one of my favorite things to do (not only because it means summer break is almost here but because I can see how far I've grown over the course of the teaching year). I find it allows me to focus on what was most effective and productive lessons and changes within the year and what I am still continuing to work on. It also gives me a vision of where I am headed. I have to admit that I'm a bit obsessed with reflecting and every unit (and most lessons within) I have an ongoing digital list of reflective thoughts that I review before I reteach the unit or lesson (since I teach the same units four times a year to four different groups of students I can easily make changes from semester to semester).

I also am obsessed with having my students reflect on their work and give them the opportunity at the end of the unit to offer me suggestions and feedback on the unit. Some of the best ideas to revise and restructure lessons to make them more meaningful and engaging have come from students.

Some of the questions that I usually ask at the end of each year are:

• Do I need to take additional professional development over the summer months to enhance a certain aspect of my teaching and learning?
• Do I want to learn about a new program or application? 
• Do I want to do research on a specific topic, lesson or curriculum idea? 
• Have I met my goals this year and what can I do to prepare and meet an ongoing goal? 
• Or do I just need a break to prevent myself from becoming jaded and burnt out? (Part joke, part serious)

As you are looking towards the end of the school year, I wish you a happy and healthy summer. Have fun reflecting!


I would love to hear how you reflect on your curriculum and if you are as interesting in reflection as I am. Please leave any comments or questions below. 

Teaching Plagiarism and Proper Citation

In schools today one of the most important skills students will learn is how to properly research using citations and to avoid plagiarism. Almost every high school senior in the country has some sort of "senior thesis" paper that demonstrates they can utilize these skills effectively before leaving for their secondary pathway. In most colleges, the student handbook contains the 'rules for plagiarism' with specific consequences that includes a college judicial hearing that could have devastating consequences.   Colleges have also started utilizing plagiarism detection resources such as Turnitin.com and MyDropBox.com which have students electronically submit their work to be scanned for any digital footprint linked to the Internet, newspapers and encyclopedia archives as well as any peer submitted work.

The main problem I have found with students and plagiarism is that students were never properly taught how to research and document sources and create proper citations. Most students plagiarize unintentionally because they were never properly taught how to paraphrase and summarize, directly quote using their sources or create a works cited page. As an educator I want my students to be prepared with essential 21^st century research and citation skills.

In teaching students about proper citation and plagiarism I have found the following resources to be helpful:  

1. Cornell Universities resource on ‘recognizing and avoidingplagiarism’ has an overview and includes three main sections: principles, logistics, and exercises. Olin & Uris Libraries also provides “5 Criteria of EvaluatingWeb Pages” which provides a simplified view for student to evaluate a website based on 5 criteria to ensure the site authenticity and validity. The five criteria are Accuracy, Authority, Objectivity, Currency and Coverage.

2. Monash University has an online tutorial on academic integrity that includes a short quiz. This is a great resource for ELL and middle school students that is simple yet effective.

3. Plaigiarism.org, sponsored by iParadigms LLC, is a resource that has information on plagiarism, types of plagiarism, tools, helpful sites, student’s materials as well as facts and statistics on plagiarism.

4. Indiana University School of Education provides a short quiz as well as how to recognize plagiarism, real world cases, practice tests and even a recognizing plagiarism certification test

5. The University of Mississippi Library has a ‘Plagiarism Tutorial’ that provides a pre-test, information, resources, post-test, and quizzes for students to indicate whether the sources are acceptable or plagiarized.  The tutorial is an adaption from Robert A. Harris's book The Plagiarism Handbook : Strategies for Preventing, Detecting, and Dealing with Plagiarism, Los Angeles, CA : Pyrczak Publishing, 2001.

6.  This interactive module from the 21^st Century Information Fluency Project has students try to make the distinction between paraphrasing and plagiarism. This is a great tool to have students test their understanding of paraphrasing and plagiarism.

7.  The University of Minnesota ‘Teaching with Writing’ has multiple resources and ways to approach teaching students about proper citation and avoiding plagiarism. It also provides handouts and online tutorials for preventing plagiarism.

8. NoodleTools and NoodleBib is a tool that students can use for note-taking, outlining, citation, etc. NoodleTools recently became integrated with Google Docs so when students are finished they can do more than just export their works cited to Google Docs – they can create a new document linked to their NoodleTools account. 

9. Citation Machine is another tool that helps students put sources into proper works cited format. This helps students properly credit their information and respect intellectual property.

For teachers who want to utilize Plagiarism detectors within their classroom, I have found ‘plagium’  or Dupli Checker are both helpful tools to ensure students are putting resources into their own words.

Common Core and Technology Integration

What is Common Core?

The Common Core State Standards is a state led and coordinated initiative from the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA) and the Council of Chief of State SchoolOfficers (CCSSO) that creates benchmarks for learning from kindergarten through 12^th grade. There are two sets of standards for English Language Arts (include History, Science, and technical Studies) and Math. A total of 45 states, District of Columbia, 4 territories, and the Department of Defense have adopted these standards. On April 9, 2013 a companion set of Science Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards, were introduced.  The standards seek to address developing students in the areas of content knowledge, communicating effectively, analyzing and evaluating complex texts, finding and demonstrating the use of evidence from a number of sources with proper citation, and using technology and digital media purposefully and competently.   These were developed with the support of the National Research Council. For those of you like me, the addition of technology into the standards was a welcome and refreshing addition that’s shows its significance within education. The standards also are set up in a Backwards Design way in regards to the fact that they are telling us where students should be by High School graduation. Being a fan of backwards design in the way I plan units, I find the flexibility and high expectations of the Common Core to be positive (and I like to stay positive about changes that occur within the Education sector and try to see how they will make my students better prepared for the future.)

How does the Common Core Integrate Technology?

Technology is a constant in the education sector today which means teachers need to understand how to best utilize the many technological tools, resources, and devices at their disposal. Specific standards within the Common Core call for the use of technology and digital media. For example within the Anchor Standards for College and Career Readiness for Writing students should be able to “use technology, including the Internet to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.” (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.6) The standards are written in an open- ended manner that allows teachers to teach using different ways of incorporating technology.

Another key Anchor Standard states that students should be able to “gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.” (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.8) Technology and ELA teachers and Library Media Specialist have already been stressing to students (and other teachers) the importance of analyzing different forms of content (print and digital forms) and how to integrate that information properly using proper citation but with the incorporation of this standard within the Common Core all teachers no matter what subject- area should be teaching and reinforcing this valuable technological skill that students need. In the past education technology has had separate standards so many teacher’s didn’t feel the need to integrate technology because it was specially outlines in “their standards.” The integration of technology benchmarks within the Common Core emphasizes the importance of students learning specific technological skills and outlines a cohesive implementation plan that all teachers can see what students should be able to know, understand and do.

Resources on Teaching Common Core:

Below I have listed some resources for implementing technology within specific subject areas.

General Common Core:

• Achieve the Core
• Getting Started Guides and exemplars for Common Core and NewYork
• Standardsfor the 21st Century Learner Lesson Plan Database
• LearnZillion

ELA:

• Libraryof Congress
• TeachingThe Common Core Standards in Language Arts & Literature 
• 11 Tipsof Teaching Common Core Critical Vocabulary  
• Ideas forImplementing Literacy Common Core in the Non-ELA Classroom 
• CommonCore in Action: ELA
• Literacy Design Collaborative 

Social Studies:

• SocialStudies Resources from Common Core Conversation
• SocialStudies Central (Includes lessons, additional sites, and tools)
• Guidesand checklists from Achieve the Core

Science:

• National Science Digital Library
• CommonCore Tips- Literacy in Science
• ScienceStandards 2.0- Thomas B. Fordham Institute
• SupportingScience and the Common Core 

Math:

• IllustrativeMathematics
• Classroomexamples and tools for mathematic instructors
• Research-Based professional development for math Common Core Implementation
• EduCore
• KhanAcademy
• MathematicalAssessment Project
• MathCommon Core Coalition

Reading Intervention Highlight: Read Naturally Live

Do you have struggling readers in your class? Do you want to create an individualized, differentiated reading curriculum that addresses each student at their reading and comprehension level?

What is Read Live?

The strategy of Read Live is “structured intervention programs combine teacher modeling, repeated reading, and progress monitoring — three strategies that research has shown are effective in improving students'  reading proficiency.” (Read Live) This program supports the National Reading Panel’s five essential components of reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension). 

How It Works

The basic principle behind Read Naturally is teacher modeling, repeated reading, and progress monitoring.

Teacher Modeling

An aspect of Read live is that students reads along with the recording of a fluent reader. This helps model for students proper pronunciation, expression, and phrasing.

Repeated Reading

This strategy has been shown to improve fluency so in Read Live students re-read text until they reach a predetermined goal rate. This allows students gain confidence and ultimately master the story before moving on. 

Progress Monitoring

Students become engaged and active within the learning process through daily monitoring in the Read Live program. Students can see in graphs the increase in words correctly read through the process of practicing then re-reading. 

How much does it cost?

Read live cost $149 per student for a 12 month subscription. The cost go down per user the more seats purchased. For instance a 30 seat subscription goes down to $15.38 a student ($1999.00 total). With your 12 month subscription, you also have the following services:

Pros: 

• Lower implementation Costs: Read Live only requires a web browser with Adobe Flash support which means no hardware or software is required to set up, install, maintain or update. 
• Pricing: One price for access to all 13 Sequenced Series Levels and all 6 Phonics Series Levels. The price also decreases when purchasing more than 6 seats so it's an efficient use of funds for struggling readers. 
• Assessment tool included: For each seat purchased, 30 seats of Benchmark Assessor Live is included. This means that for the price of enrolling one student, you can screen an entire class of  30 students. 
• Teacher Management: It has a easy to use teacher management system that can adjust student reading levels, analyze and graph various components of reading, etc. to share with teachers, parents, and administrators. 

Cons: 

• Student's can become frustrated with re-reading text and some students will read faster just to reach their goals (which can influence fluency and expression). With teacher- supervision these can be avoided. 

In summary, for struggling reader Read Live is a helpful interactive program that an be adjusted specifically to the student. This program is also great to improve confidence in reading and comprehension, broadens vocabulary and monitors progress. This program gives insightful information on students to share with teachers, administrators, parents and the student on their reading, fluency and comprehension. It also offers tiered, individualized learning based on the students level.

If your interested Read Live offers a free 60 day trial:  http://www.readnaturally.com/products/readlivetrial.htm#trial

For a video tutorial on Read Live check out: http://www.readnaturally.com/howto/videos_readlive.htm. 

Beginning of Year Technology Integration

The beginning of the school year is a time to get to know your students and establish your classroom environment. As a teacher I always liked to have the students share some information with their classmates and myself and because I’m a technology teacher I love to use technology for meaningful learning outcomes. One tool that is great for creating introductions is creating word clouds of information about the students. One such tool is Wordle, which is a great visualization of text that can create discussion and insight within the classroom. By understanding the patterns in text, students can have meaningful discussions.

How Wordle Works?

After going to the website (Wordle), you copy any text from a Word file, the web, or any other source, and then by pasting the information you can create the word cloud. This site requires no login or membership. The larger words indicate the main and important ideas. This site also allows the user to enhance and change the font, layout, and colors.

                           This is an example of a Wordle of my blog. 

For more information on Wordle, check out the Wordle groups on Diigo, which can be a valuable source of ideas on integrating Wordle into the classroom.

For some other innovative uses of meaningful ways to integrate Wordle into the classroom, check out the following sites/ blogs:

1.     Tech Savvy Educator

2.     The Ultimate Guide to Wordle

3.     The Top 10 Ways to Use Wordle in School

4.     Teaching History + Wordle

5.     Why Wordle?