Reading Across Broward is now digital through the Beanstack App!  Beanstack is a digital tracker for independent reading which replaces the paper and pencil version of the Reading Across Broward reading log.  Students earn badges for each book read.  Media Specialists can also set up challenges for reading competitions.  Beanstack has increased the power of reading in Broward Schools through its ease of access and badging system.  Students now have access to read any time they choose. Students should contact their media specialist or School Beanstack Administrator for more information. 

Broward students now have options to access ebooks and audiobooks for any time anywhere reading.  Through the Library Media partnership with the Broward County Library, books are available from Axis360. Ebooks are also available in Destiny if the school has purchased ebooks. eBooks and audiobooks are also available using the Axis360 app. See flyer below.  Students can find out more from their school's library media specialist.

 

Interactive Classrooms Project

With the increase and availability of student devices through the SMART Bond and other District initiatives, many schools have identified a need to update the classroom learning environment.  In 2016, the district selected the Recordex Simplicity Touch interactive flat panels to begin the process of standardizing the classroom presentation system.  In phase I, all K-12 media centers received the interactive system.  

The original Recordex Interactive Classroom system came with a microphone and the NovoPro Wireless collaboration system.   Schools had the choice to receive a document camera and slate. The Recordex system can be used for hands-on interactive lessons, independent student stations, or with teachers in Professional Learning Communities. Built with a smart TV interface, students and teachers can easily access and share interactive media, browse the Internet, present content, and wirelessly collaborate. Up to ten students can annotate on the screen at one time, and up 64 students can wirelessly connect to the system with mobile devices using the NovoPro wireless collaboration system.

In February 2017,  phase II of the Recordex Interactive Classroom initiative began with the Information and Technology Department installing 1,000 Recordex systems in classrooms.  Schools received approximately 1 system for every 200 students.  Principals selected the classroom teachers that received the equipment.  Media Specialists played a key role in modeling the use of the system and supporting the classroom teachers that receive the equipment. Micro techs were also instrumental in supporting classroom teachers in using the board. 

Currently, there are two Interactive Classroom Systems supported by Innovative Learning and the Information and Technology Departments.  They are the Recordex Interactive Flat Panel and the Promethean Interactive Flat panel.  Professional Development opportunities for each panel are discussed below. 

Interactive Classroom Project Professional Learning

Classroom teachers receiving the Interactive Classroom system are required to attend 2 full days of Professional Development.  Day 1 of PD focuses on the system and peripherals and integration into the current instructional process.  Day 2, which occurs the following week, focuses on effective teaching and learning using the Interactive Classroom system in a blended learning environment.

Professional Learning for the Interactive Classroom is ongoing. Teachers can log onto Learning Across Broward (LAB) to register. Training for the following Interactive Flat Panels will begin again in the 2019-2020 school year:

• The  Interactive Classroom Teacher Recordex
• The Interactive Classroom Teacher Promethean
  

Interactive Classroom Project YAMMER Group

The District has a Yammer Group for Interactive Classroom Teachers to collaborate, share ideas and ask questions. Yammer is a private social network available through Office365 and only visible to Broward Schools employees.   To join the Interactive Classroom Yammer, click on your Office 365 waffle or 9 square and select the Yammer tile.  Complete your profile and click the Discover More Groups link to look through all of the groups in BCPS, or use the Search box and type Interactive Classroom Initiative-Recordex. Click the Join + button and request an invite.

The Vision

Each school in the district will receive a Recordex IFP and various peripherals to create an Interactive Classroom. The number of Recordex IFPs is based on the number of FTEs at each location. Professional Development will be available to train Interactive Classroom teachers on the use of the Recordex IFP in their classrooms. Teachers receiving the board will be selected through an application process at each school.

Innovative Learning staff will deliver ongoing support to teachers in creating digital content and developing appropriate blended learning pedagogical practices to transform the learning environment in our quest to Reimagine Learning.

Learn More >

(Download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view or print PDF)

Library Media offers many educational resources that can be accessed anywhere anytime from our Canvas or Destiny Library Manager portals.  Click this link to download a pdf with the steps.  See your school's media specialist for more information. 

Reading	Research
A Series of Unfortunate Events AR Bookfind Arthur Barnes and Noble online Caldecott Medal Winners Children's Storybooks Online Coretta Scott King Awards Winners Create Your Own Short Graphic Novel Find a book/ Lexile level Highlights Online Stories Junie B. Jones Kids Reads Magic Tree House Newbery Medal Winners Online Stories Pinkalicious Robert Munsch Books Scholastic Kids Series and Sequels Seussville Starfall Story Line Online Teachers and Families Teachers and Families Read Together Toon Book Reader Word Families	Ask Kids Bib Me Copyright Info Cyberbee Cyberbee Citing Info Google Search Lesson Plans Internet Safety and Responsibility Note Taking Website Evaluation What is Copyright Online Dictionary
Dictionary	Social Studies/History
Root Words Webster's Dictionary/Word Central Word Games	Ben's Guide - US Government for Kids Florida Memory Kids in the House Smithsonian for Kids State Facts State Map Outlines States
Science	Math
American Museum of National History Animal Websites Bill Nye the Science Guy Biology 4 Kids Chem 4 Kids Cosmos 4 Kids Discovery Kids Exploratorium Learning Science Miami Zoo NASA Kids Club National Geographic for Kids National Wildlife for Kids Physics 4 Kids Rainforest San Diego Zoo Science Kids Experiments Science Fair Ideas Science Fair Projects Sea World/Bush Gardens Animals Smithsonian for Kids St. Louis Zoo Time for Kids	A Plus Math AAA Math Cool Math Create a Graph Illuminations Kids Numbers Math Cats Math Challenge Math Chimp Math Playground Multiplication Starfall Visual Fractions