A few months ago I wrote a blog post titled I Want My School TV and was very surprised that it generated so much interest. Educators from around the world sent me questions pertaining to the logistics of making this possibility a reality.  Below you will find ways that we tell our school's story through this powerful device........

• Week in Review Animoto Video ~ Each week myself, our school principal Bob Mullen, and staff members take pictures of students involved various learning experiences and extracurricular activities. Often these pictures are Tweeted out or posted on Facebook. I then thought it would be a great idea to leverage the power of Animoto and stream a video summary on the TV in the main hallway. It's worked out great. In fact, parents are always walking into school and able to see their child in action on the TV screen in some way, shape, or form. 
• Google Sites is used to loop much of the content that we put on the TV such as Animoto Videos and Google Slide Presentations.
• Infinite Looper is a tool that I use to loop student and staff created YouTube videos. 
• Online Newspaper Articles that highlight student and staff achievements are enlarged and posted on the TV. Click here for an example. 
• Video Newspaper Club has a viewing mechanism for all to see their wonderful production.
• Quote of the Day: Each morning students, staff, and visitors are greeted with an inspiring quote to start their day off on the right foot. 

This is just the tip of the Iceberg in terms of what our school can do with a TV Monitor in the main entrance hallway. Please share any recommendations, tips, or questions in the comment section of this blog.

I would like to thank Becky Keane, one of our outstanding 7th grade Biology teachers, for being the inspiration behind this blog post. At least once a week Becky will call my office and ask me to come on down and visit for a Tweetable moment. As I entered the classroom I could see that the students were collaborating on a learning activity involving Legos. In fact, they were using Lego blocks to represent amino acids to build proteins. What a great moment to capture with my mobile device and tweet out to the entire world from the @BlackRiverMS Twitter handle. Each and every day I am fortunate to encounter many Tweetable moments due to the outstanding faculty and students we have at Black River Middle School in Chester, New Jersey. Over the past few weeks I was able to tweet out innovative learning experiences that infused tools like Google Drive, Blogging, QR Codes, Quizlet, Mobile Device Integration, Socrative, SmartBoards, ThingLink, Online TextBooks, Robotics, Video Curation, and many others. 

Tweetable moments are contagious. They provide a sense of pride and a "virtual archive" documenting all of the outstanding things that take place on a daily basis in your school. Not a user of Twitter and worried that you will never be able to see these Tweetable moments? No problem. Many schools provide a link or button on their website that provides access free of charge. Informing stakeholders and promoting student and staff achievements has become so easy with the evolution of Twitter in the school setting. It's imperative in this day in age to "tell your story" and promote the success of all students. What will be your next Tweetable moment?

2013 provided me and others with many opportunities to explore innovative best practices, infuse emerging technology, commence new programs, collaborate with outstanding educators, and continue the global conversation on what's best for kids. It was truly inspirational to see students, colleagues, and other stakeholders immersed in STEM, Coding, Flipped Instruction, Blogging, Expanding PLNs, BYOD, ChromeBooks, Mini iPads, Nooks, EdCamps, Web 2.0 Tools, and sound pedagogical learning experiences. Often these accomplishments were overshadowed by the continued hyperfocus on H.I.B., PARRC, and the new teacher evaluation law. It's nice to know that we have only scratched the surface with many of these tools of the trade.

As we move into 2014, I would like to see everyone, including myself, dig deeper and push the envelope to accomplish what was once thought of as impossible. Here are some examples.....

• Research and learn from others on proven and emerging methods as it relates to authentic student engagement.
• Continue to connect with all school stakeholders and provide opportunities for their #voice to be a factor in promoting student success.
• Build upon our school district's committment with providing students a learning environment that is innovative and intentional.
• Push myself and others to expand their Personal Learning Networks, share best practices, and move the conversation forward.
• Specifically speaking: Maker Spaces, Professional Growth Opportunities during the school day, fully utilize SmartTV and Chromecast to promote and inform, EdCamp Inservices, STEM Summer Camp, expanding BYOD opportunities, providing students with authentic real world opportunities to show what they know, and finally continue to tell our school's story through social media.

There is no doubt that the educational landscape in 2014 is very much exciting, yet frustrating. We must stay positive and continue focus on what's right. As Todd Whitaker once told me "focus on what you can control. Always remember it's people, not programs." So take a look at that surface you scratched in 2013 and dig a little deeper in 2014.