Online platform going districtwide for 2015–2016 school year
HISD’s online teaching and learning platform, known as the HUB , is moving from its pilot phase at a group of schools to full districtwide implementation during the 2015–2016 school year. To assist with the transition, K–12 teachers have been or will be attending a variety of training sessions this summer to learn how to use the online platform for classroom instruction and for collaboration with their colleagues.
Online platform to go live districtwide at all K-12 schools this fall
Summer camp may be traditionally for students, but during the first two weeks of June, nearly 1,000 HISD elementary teachers and campus instructional technologists attended “HUB Camp” to receive training and learn more about the district’s online teaching and learning platform, known as the PowerUp:HUB, or “HUB” for short. During the 2015–2016 school year, the HUB will be transitioning from the pilot phase at 48 schools to full districtwide implementation at all 283 HISD schools. The implementation is part of the district’s larger efforts to digitally transform instruction and integrate technology into content development and classroom instructional practices.
[su_vimeo url=”https://vimeo.com/130157138″ width=”500″ height=”280″ responsive=”no”]
HISD’s efforts to digitally transform teaching and learning in national spotlight during digital learning day
At Burbank Middle School, students are creating videos about their future and life goals using Adobe Voice. At Herrera Elementary, students are using tablets and digital programs such as iMovie, Animoto, Prezi, and Roxio to produce digital book trailers instead of a standard book report. And at Austin High School, teachers are using the HUB, the district’s new online learning platform, to create online discussions and group activities.
Every day, students and teachers across the district are using digital tools and resources to transform teaching and learning inside their classrooms. Recently teachers and students from nearly 50 HISD campuses gathered in the lobby of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center to showcase their efforts at the district’s first ever Digital Learning Expo.
HISD’s efforts to digitally transform teaching and learning in national spotlight for #DLDay
At Burbank Middle School, students are creating videos about their future and life goals using Adobe Voice (see video below). At Herrera Elementary, students are using tablets and digital programs such as iMovie, Animoto, Prezi, and Roxio to produce digital book trailers instead of a standard book report. And at Austin High School, teachers are using the HUB, the district’s new online learning platform, to create online discussions and group activities.
[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaDRw5MUDyY”]
Every day, students and teachers across the district are using digital tools and resources to transform teaching and learning inside their classrooms. On Thursday, March 12, from 4 to 5 p.m., teachers and students from nearly 50 HISD campuses will gather in the lobby of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77018) to showcase their efforts at the district’s first ever Digital Learning Expo.
Students can access 24-7 via the HUB
Every student in Texas must pass five end-of-course exams in order to graduate, and HISD has created a series of online tutorials to help students prepare for the state exams. HISD high school students can access the tutorials — including videos, handouts, and helpful links — through the HUB, which is the district’s online teaching and learning platform. Students can click here (.pdf) for a tip sheet on how to access them or they can go directly to the HUB at www.houstonisd.org/hub and use their district login and password.
The tutorials were created and designed by a team of HISD teachers, teacher developments specialists, and representatives from curriculum, academics, and the schools’ office. They are designed to be self-paced and can be accessed by students 24-hours a day—at school, home, or anywhere with an Internet connection through a computer, tablet or smartphone. The material can also be downloaded and viewed offline. Quizzes are also provided to assess mastery of the coursework.
Volunteers spend afternoon at Milby HS learning more about the HUB
Houston community members and local businesses are supporting PowerUp, the district’s effort to digitally transform teaching and learning in the classroom. Recently a group of volunteers spent the afternoon side-by-side with teachers at Milby High School learning more about the HUB, the district’s new online teaching and learning platform.
HISD Instructional Technology Program Specialist Diana Bidulescu came up with the idea of having a support group of volunteers at Milby assist with the school’s recent distribution of laptops to students and its ongoing transition to digital learning. She hopes to expand the program to other HISD high schools in the future.