MassCUE March News

March News Blast Check out the latest newsletter for all that MassCUE has to offer. Annual General Meeting: April 16, 2025 Classroom Grant winners Join a Special Interest Group (SIG) or a MassCUE Committee MassCUE & Me MassCUE News_ March 2025 Want to get MassCUE news delivered right to your inbox? Sign up on our Newsletters page.  

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2025 Classroom Grant Recipients

Congratulations to our 2025 Grant Recipients From Lego robotics to 3D printing to Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), educators will be introducing their students to new technology and new ways of learning, thanks to MassCUE Classroom Grants. Classroom grants were awarded to educators teaching students from elementary through high school. To learn more about this year's winners and the projects they will be working on, visit the Classroom Grants page on our website. 2025 Classroom Grants NAME GRANT DISTRICT Wendy Byrne Bridging Creativity and Careers: 3D Printing for STEM Education North Reading Middle School Daniel Cushing Bringing 3D Printing to Elementary STEM Woodland Elementary, Milford Vanessa Miller KIBO Coding Club Narragansett Elementary Meaghan Tully AR/VR & MergeEDU Dartmouth High School Therese Valente Lego Education Spike Prime Robotics Old Rochester Regional Junior High, Mattapoisett

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A Message to the MassCUE Community

Dear MassCUE Community, We are pleased to announce that an interim Board of Directors has been formed. The Board is directing all its efforts to ensure that MassCUE’s core mission “to create, share, and support visions of technology and learning that focus on uses of technology that enhance the educational environment" is front and center. The Board acknowledges the challenges we’ve faced and is committed to rebuilding trust, improving communication, and revitalizing MassCUE’s presence in the community. Each member of the Board of Directors brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this transitional period. If you are interested in joining the board, please visit the Board of Directors page on our website. In addition, the MassCUE Board has hired former Executive Director, Shelley Chamberlain, as Transition Director. Shelley will work with our Board members to ensure a smooth transition over the coming months. MassCUE is taking immediate action to reconnect with our members, vendors, and partners by reinstating committees, Special Interest Groups (SIGs), and our website to provide timely updates and resources. This transition is about creating a stronger, more transparent, and inclusive foundation for the future. Your support and feedback are essential as we work together to make MassCUE the EdTech clearinghouse Massachusetts educators deserve. There will be a general meeting on April 16, 2025, at Gillette Stadium, where we will discuss special elections and recommended bylaw changes. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns at schamberlain@masscue.org. We are here to listen and collaborate. Thank you for your continued dedication to MassCUE and the educators we serve. Warm regards, MassCUE Interim Executive Board  

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December Featured Educator – Dr. Hossam Elsayyad

For Dr. Hossam Elsayyad, language learning is more than just academics. It’s about building confidence and creating a sense of belonging. As an English Language Development teacher at the Wawecus Road School in Worcester, Dr. Elsayyad integrates culturally responsive teaching and innovative tools with the goal of creating a classroom where every student feels valued, capable, and excited to learn. “Helping students overcome language barriers, express themselves, and gain confidence in their abilities is incredibly rewarding,” Dr. Elsayyad says. “I’m passionate about teaching English language learners because I believe in the transformative power of education.” Dr. Elsayyad leverages technology to enhance language development across the core domains of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. His innovative use of AI tools has transformed language instruction. He uses Simplified AI to create engaging, visual lessons by turning written text into dynamic video content, making it easier for visual learners to grasp concepts. Pi AI gives students practice speaking in a safe, low-pressure environment through simulated real-life conversations. He creates differentiated activities with ChatGPT, adjusting task complexity to match students’ language levels. “With ChatGPT, you can simplify vocabulary and structures for beginners while challenging advanced learners with more complex language,” he says. “This ensures that all students are appropriately engaged, maintaining high expectations without watering down the content.” One of Dr. Elsayyad’s core beliefs is that learning is a collaborative journey. Involving students in setting goals and reflecting on their progress empowers them and fosters ownership. He integrates digital portfolios, primarily through Seesaw, to track and showcase student progress. These portfolios include writing samples, voice recordings, and project work, allowing students to reflect on their growth and take pride in their achievements. He uses Imagine Learning, an adaptive program that tailors lessons to each student's proficiency level, to provide the right challenge and instant feedback. “Together, these tools help me stay organized and offer families easy access to their child’s progress, fostering a sense of ownership and boosting students' confidence,” he says. “For English learners, seeing their improvement is especially motivating.” Another favorite tool for Dr. Elsayyad is Canva, which allows students to create visually compelling projects like infographics and storyboards, reinforcing vocabulary and comprehension. For group projects, he uses Google Slides. Students collaborate to create presentations on topics such as animals, foods, or family traditions, fostering creativity while allowing them to practice their language skills. He uses Google Classroom for organizing assignments, offering feedback, and maintaining communication with both students and parents. “These tools make learning interactive and give students a chance to express themselves in creative ways, turning language practice into an engaging, meaningful experience,” he says. His advice to fellow ELD teachers: build strong relationships with your students. When you understand their backgrounds, cultures, and interests, it helps you connect with them and make the material more relevant. “Embrace technology, but always use it with purpose. It should enhance learning, not complicate it,” he says. “And above all, create a welcoming classroom. A supportive environment encourages students to take risks with their language practice, which is essential for growth.” Ensuring that students feel confident and engaged, especially when facing language barriers, can be a challenge, he says. Balancing the diverse language abilities and cultural backgrounds of his students requires creativity and flexibility. The reward, he says, is watching his students grow. “Whether it’s the first time a student speaks up in class or the pride they feel when sharing a completed project, these moments remind me of why I do this work,” he says. “Their resilience and progress inspire me every day.”   Hossam Elsayyad is an experienced ELD educator and researcher, currently teaching in Worcester, MA. With a Ph.D. in English Education from the University of BathSpa, his work focuses on bilingualism, language acquisition, and the impact of working memory on reading comprehension. Hossam integrates culturally responsive teaching and digital technology to foster English language development and build intellectual agency in his students. Passionate about supporting English language learners, he focuses on creating an inclusive, student-centered classroom that respects and celebrates cultural diversity.

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Recording Available – Better Together

Watch the Recording All Hands on Deck: The Shared Responsibility of Student Well-Being When it comes to technology and student well-being, we all have a role to play in keeping kids safe. Educators from organizations across the commonwealth joined forces on Thursday, November 21 to tackle the issues and make suggestions on student data privacy, social media use and more. Watch the full recording of our November Better Together event below: This event was held in partnership with the Collaborative for Educational Services (CES), the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA), the MA Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (MASCD), the Massachusetts Educational Technology Administrators Association (METAA) and the Mass School Library Association (MSLA). Resources Discussed by Panelists VIEW RESOURCES IN FULL-SCREEN MODE Featured Panelists CES Julia Sabourin Chief Operating Officer Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office Ronna Zigmand Tech Director, Librarian Richmond Consolidated School CSTA Megan Bounit Technology Officer Buckingham Browne & Nichols School MASCD Suzy Brooks Director of Instructional Technology Mashpee Public Schools METAA Trisha Leary Director of Technology and Digital Learning Seekonk Public Schools MSLA Laura Gardner Librarian, Dartmouth Middle School Moderators (MassCUE) Jen Thomas MassCUE Brandon Hall MassCUE

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Influence and Advocacy Update: U.S. Department of Ed Releases AI Toolkit

Influence & Advocacy Update November 2024 U.S. Department of Education Releases AI Toolkit On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Ed Tech released an AI toolkit for safe, ethical, and equitable AI integration for K-12. This new federal AI resource comes as more districts look for guidance around AI in their classrooms. While many states have released their own K-12 AI guidance, this toolkit will provide a more uniform resource for developing school district AI plans. The Office of Ed Tech is committed to encouraging innovative technological advances to improve teaching and learning across the nation’s education systems in a safe, ethical and equitable environment/manner. Read the announcement here. AI TOOLKIT READ THE ANNOUCEMENT

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Celebration of Educators Kicks Off Fall Conference 2024

The 2024 MassCUE Fall Conference got off to a great start with a celebration of three amazing educators who are using educational technology to make a difference for students and colleagues. The annual President’s Dinner featured an awards ceremony for this year’s Pathfinder, Administrator and Shelley Chamberlain Community Service award winners. Michael Rubin Uxbridge High School Principal Michael Rubin knows who to carry a vision forward in the face of adversity and obstacles. This year’s winner of the MassCUE Administrator Award also finds time to share his expertise in educational technology, AI and the Pathways program. When AI first appeared on the educational scene, Board Member Jessica Brittingham pointed out that Rubin learned as much as he could about this technology so that he could be a leader in this innovative time in technology. Read more about our 2024 award winners. Beth Hughes An English Language Arts teacher in Wakefield, Pathfinder Award winner Beth Hughes is a passionate educator and advocate for all students. Board Member Chris Gosselin joined President Casey Daigle in presenting the award to Hughes, saying she is a pioneer in edtech who is always finding new ways to incorporate tech tools in the classroom. Read more about our 2024 award winners. Jared Perrine He is the Director of Technology for the Naragansett Regional School District, but his superpower is his ability to remind us all of our human connection. Jared Perrine has worn many hats in the MassCUE organization over the years. President-Elect Sarah Boyle says he listens carefully to others and approaches every idea with the question, “how will this benefit our teachers and students?” She says he earned the Shelley Chamberlain Community Service Award for his servant leadership and for being the kind of person who will always stop to ask how you are doing and always listen for the answer. Read more about our 2024 award winners.

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Classroom Grants – Open Oct.16, 2024-Jan. 10, 2025

Elevate Your Classroom with a MassCUE Classroom Grant Ready to transform your teaching and inspire your students? Apply for a…

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Join the Goosechase Scavenger Hunt at the MassCUE Fall Conference

  Make Discoveries, Win Prizes! Get ready to explore the MassCUE Fall Conference in a whole new way. Join the Goosechase Scavenger hunt! As you complete the missions, you’ll discover new areas of the conference and earn the chance to win some amazing prizes: Chromebook Gift Basket courtesy of Custom Computer Specialists New England Patriots Memorabilia courtesy of The Craft Group Celtics Tickets courtesy of The Ockers Company Goodie Bag courtesy of ClassLink One Free Course courtesy of the CES MassCUE Membership courtesy of MassCUE & more! Once you have registered for the conference, watch your email for a Join Code and a Password. Download the Goosechase App and log in to get started on the pre-conference missions right away! Need more information on how to download? Visit the Fall Conference Apps page of our website. All participants who earn at least 150 points and are present at the time of the drawing will be eligible to win. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make new discoveries and win big at the MassCUE Fall Conference.

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October Featured Educator – Mindy Murphy

MassCUE is pleased to announce Mindy Murphy as our Featured Educator for October 2024. Mindy Murphy is a collaborator by nature. So, it makes sense that she would share her interest in learning and technology with both her students and her colleagues. A fifth-grade teacher and building technology integrator at Hobomock Elementary school in Pembroke, Murphy sees technology as a way to meet student needs and encourage teamwork. “A collaborative classroom is really important when we're using technology,” Murphy says. “As a fifth-grade teacher, I’m able to give the students a bit more independence. I’ll introduce a tool and give them opportunities to teach each other and show me what they can do.” One of her favorite projects to do with her students is stop motion video. For example, in a lesson on photosynthesis, she’ll show the students how to make slides in Google Slides or Canva and then change one small element. She gives the students the vocabulary that they need to incorporate, and the students then use We Video to put it all together and narrate the steps themselves. “Stop motion is really fun to teach,” Murphy says. “Usually when they come to my room and learn it, it’s the first time they’ve seen it.” Google Slides and Google Docs are Murphy’s go-tos for collaboration in the classroom. But she says she is learning more every day about the district’s newest addition: Seesaw. She says using technology helps her provide more personalized learning. “Technology makes it easier to provide differentiation,” she says. “It helps to be able to meet students where they are and give them some independence.” Another favorite for Murphy is Canva. She and her students have been exploring the AI features such as DALL·E. She incorporated the tool into a writing assignment with students in which they wrote about a haunted house and then used the tool to generate the image they described. “The students love to see the images that come from their descriptions,” she says. “They are like something you can’t even imagine. It’s really cool.” Her advice to other teachers who want to incorporate more technology into their lessons: have patience. She says it’s important to be flexible when it comes to technology. Have a backup plan and don’t be afraid to stop and come back to something or scrap it altogether. In her role as a technology integrator for her school, Murphy serves as a liaison between teachers in her building and the technology team for the district. She enjoys troubleshooting, sharing tech tips and highlighting some of the ways teachers are using technology in their classes. “I feel like teachers can get holed up in their classrooms,” she says. “If someone is doing a really cool project, I like being able to celebrate that and share it with other teachers.” Her collaborative nature has also led her to share ideas on social media and to present at the MassCUE Fall and Spring Conferences. At first, Murphy says she did not realize that the projects she was doing in her classroom were worth sharing. But she says once she got over the imposter syndrome, she and her co-presenter found presenting at MassCUE to be a really rewarding experience. “After our session, a lot of people took our contact information and reached out later. It was nice to get that positive feedback,” she says. “Meeting people from other districts really gives you a global perspective on what other educators are doing. Just being at MassCUE and the energy that’s there and seeing all the new things, I really love the whole atmosphere.” You can catch Murphy and her co-presenter at this year’s Fall Conference on Thursday, October 17th for Tech Titans! Dynamic Approaches for Putting the Power of Technology into the Hands of Students in the Educator Showcase.   Mindy Murphy is a 19-year veteran classroom teacher and building technology integrator for Pembroke Public Schools. She has taught grades 3-5, and currently teaches 5th grade at Hobomock Elementary School. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bridgewater State University, and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching from Fitchburg State University. She has a passion for giving students a voice through Universal Design for Learning, fostering collaboration, and incorporating technology into her daily practice. She currently also resides in Pembroke and her three children attend school in the district she teaches in. She loves cheering on her kids at their various sporting events and exploring nature trails with her dog.

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What will YOU discover at the MassCUE Fall Conference?

  What will YOU discover at the MassCUE Fall Conference? The MassCUE/M.A.S.S. Fall Conference…

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I&A Update: New Safety Measures for Teen Social Media

October 2024 I&A Update: New Safety Measures for Teen Social Media Many of you may have heard about TikTok’s New Family Safety Partnership designed to create a contract-style document that allows parents to establish clear boundaries and guidelines for their family’s social media uses. As well as Instagram's decision to unveil “teen accounts” feature, where teenagers are automatically placed into private accounts with built-in privacy controls. But did you know State Attorneys General Endorse Social Media Warning Labels: A coalition of 42 U.S. state attorneys general recently endorsed a plan to introduce warning labels on social media platforms. This initiative, first outlined in a June op-ed by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, would implement tobacco-style labels on social media to highlight risks such as anxiety, depression, and body image issues. These movements are designed to protect our children and keep them as safe as possible. Visit the MassCUE Influence & Advocacy Committee page to learn more about our committee and how to get involved.

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