May 16, 2017

Google Calendar

I use Google Calendar all the time, especially during the summer. With all of the baseball games, sports camps, different work schedules, and everything else, it is vital to have a calendar that is easy to use and access but can also be synced with everyone in the family....like Google Calendar! 

Here are 5 Google Calendar Tips for New Users by Richard Byrne: https://goo.gl/thvVCw 

May 16, 2017

Record Video Directly Into Google Classroom? 

Yep! Now You CAN!

A new update has just been announced to Google Classroom and this could be a game changer!

If you are using a mobile device, you can record video directly into Google Classroom. 

Here is a good explanation of how this works from Alice Keeler: https://goo.gl/3cD46k

But that is not all.....students can submit video from their mobile devices as well! 

May 16, 2017

How to transfer Google Drive documents

When you leave Chapman High School, your Google Account will be deleted during the summer. If you want to take your stuff “with you”, then you need to follow these steps:

Open up your Google Drive Account and make sure you are logged in. There are TWO different ways to transfer your data.

Google Takeout

• Visit Google Takeout and create an archive of your account data.

(https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout)

• unselect all of the boxes
• select only the boxes you need
• click next
• download as a zip file
• send download link as a file to email
• open link - convert zip file and upload into your personal account

Old method - Google Drive transfer

• Open up your school Google Drive account
• Select all of the files by holding down the shift key and highlighting OR
• Create a new folder and move all of your folders and files into this new folder
• Click on the three dots at the top right-hand corner
• Select Download
• All of the files will be downloaded as a zip file. Save it to your desktop
• Double-click on the zip file so it will easily be “unzipped.”
• Log in to your Personal Google Drive account
• Select all of the files in the zip drive and move them over into your personal Google Drive Account. or…..Click the upload button and select all of the files in the recently unzipped folder.

HINTS:

• you can only download 2GB at a time. If you have many large files, such as video’s or pictures, you may want to download them separately if you are using the old method. (with Google Takeout, it will break it up into 2GB for you).
• Be prepared to wait as the larger your files, the longer it takes.
• it is best to unzip the files before you transfer them into your new account. If you don’t, you can use an add-on but it is not as easy to actually open up your files.
• if you do not want to create a new personal google doc, you can always save your zip file onto a thumb-drive.

May 2, 2017

Free Technology Curriculum from Google!

Earlier this year, I spent countless hours creating lessons and guides for a high school tech essentials class. At the time I was creating them, I was wondering why Google didn’t have an online curriculum site for students like they do for teachers (i.e., the education training sessions for getting your certifications).

Well....now they do! And the best part? It is FREE!

Google has created a site that contains video-based lessons for grades 7-12 over different G Suite applications. As a teacher, you can sign up to create an account by simply using your google login. Students can join your class using a special code just like with Google Classroom.

Each unit is over one theme but as students work through the lessons, they will learn how to use the different applications such as slides, sheets, docs, and more.

Check it out: https://goo.gl/ wucZH1 

May 2, 2017

G Suite Updates

Every month, it seems like Google comes out with more and more updates to all of its apps. Some of this updates apply more for the business world than education and others apply more for those that handle Administration of the site than teachers.

However, there does seems to be a few updates every time that applies directly to teachers and students. Here are a few of them:

• Google has a search feature called Google Cloud Search. This is an app you can download on your phone that will search across all of your G Suite applications to find the exact file you want. Before, this was only available for android phones but it is now available for iPhones and iOS devices. For more info: https://goo.gl/RfbtHU
• Google Classroom is now available through personal accounts (i.e. you don’t have to have a Google Account to create and use Google Classroom). For more info: https://goo.gl/KMBsp4
  
• Google Accounts login page will have a new look at the end of this month. For more info: https://goo.gl/sh7sss 
  

April 25, 2017

I have found myself multitasking more and more as the school year winds down. This is the time of the year when I am either running on full-stress ahead mode or find myself doing tasks that are mind-numbing such as scanning in every single book and item to complete inventory.

To help break things up.....and to use my time as wisely as possible, I have started to listen to webinar podcast while I work. When I am scanning in books or driving long distances, listening to podcast helps keep my mind active and I find myself learning while I work or drive. I have my guilty pleasure podcast that are purely enjoyable (looking at you Hardcore History and Working by Slate) ....but I wanted to share one designed specifically for educator’s.....YouMediaNetwork Learning Labs.

YouMedia Learning Labs is “an open community of educators & mentors who share knowledge, questions, and collaborate with colleagues... across the network.”

They have several webinar podcast you can listen to that range from 5 to 30 minutes long. Some of the topics include Makerspaces, student engagement, prose/ poetry, and more.

Click here to listen:

https://goo.gl/QUW0YW 

April 25, 2017

The Not So Sexy Google Apps

by Gail Ramirez

Earlier this year, I attended the wonderful M.A.C.E. conference in Manhattan Kansas. One of the workshops I attended was by Gail Ramirez who is a Google Educator Trainer and works for the Topeka School District. Her presentation covered all of the Google Apps that don’t get as much attention as the big five (Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms).
In her presentation, she talks about the lesser known Google Apps and how they can be used collaboratively within a class curriculum. She shared a presentation that breaks down each one of these apps into a brief summary of what they do and a tutorial video of how to use it.
I would encourage everyone to take a look at her presentation and discover one or two Google Apps you can use in your classroom.

The presentation can be accessed here:
https://goo.gl/lfXTHv 

April 18, 2017

This summer, why not sign up for FREE professional development webinar’s offered on edWeb.net? 

edWeb is a place where teachers can sign to create a personal learning network. On this network, teachers and educators collaborate, share ideas, and more. Many of these are through webinars. Each day, there is a new webinar that is usually an hour long over technology and best practices for education.

All webinars are free and many are hosted by experts in the field. After attending one, you will receive a CE certificate for attending. 

Some of the upcoming webinar’s include:

• “Fake News” and the Case for Media Literacy Across All Grades
• Making the Most of Math Models
• Strategies for Encouraging Reading Readiness in Young Children 

For more information: http://home.edweb.net/ 

April 18, 2017

Become a Google Certified Teacher

You are already familiar with the Google Apps tools, why not show everyone what you know by getting your Google Certified Teacher level 1 and level 2 badge?

Here are the steps:

• Login to https://goo.gl/LhEfpC
• Take the Fundamental’s Training sessions. Each session is broken up into many small lessons with a short quiz to check for understanding at the end. You don’t have to go through them all to take your final certification test but I STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU DO....even on lessons over topics you have a high comfort level.
• When you are done, sign up to take the Educator Certified Level 1 exam. This exam cost $10.00.
  
• When you finish level 1, repeat to take Level 2. The level 2 exam cost is $25.00.
  

• The exams will take around 3 hours. You will be asked permission for Google to use your camera - this is how they check to make sure you are in fact the one answering the questions. Feedback on how you did is very quick.

For more information:
https://goo.gl/t5Nwlr 

April 11, 2017

Team Folders in Google Drive!

As the school year winds down to a close, it is time to start thinking about ways to store and save all of our wonderful files, video’s, pictures, forms, and more for next year.

In some cases, there may be a PLC in which a member may be leaving.....or a Parent/Teacher organization who will have new leadership.......or a technology committee that will have different members next year... or even a new student lead activity group.

Whatever the case may be, it is important for all of the files for the committee/team to be accessible to both incoming and past members. This is why everyone is so excited Google Apps recently announced the addition of TEAM DRIVES.

What are Team Drives?: “Google Team Drives are shared spaces where teams can easily store, search, and access their files anywhere, from any device. Unlike files in My Drive, files in Team Drive belong to the team instead of an individual. Even if members leave, the files stay exactly where they are so your team can continue to share information and get work done.”

For Information on how to set up and use Team Drives:

https://goo.gl/bjvk1g 

April 11, 2017

Getting Going With G Suite -

An Online Course for Teachers

(graduate credit is available).

From Practical Ed Tech for Teachers and Richard Byrne is an opportunity to earn PD points and/or College Credit while learning all about G Suite (Google Apps).

This is a webinar series so you can attend while sitting at home in your pajama’s. The cost is only $147.00 to participate ($450 with college credit). There are four different sessions so you can pick which one works the best for you.

This online course will cover:

• Basics and Tips over Google Drive

•Google Calendar

• How to create a Google Sites (website) & use it as a blog

• Basics and Tips over Google Classroom

For more information:
https://goo.gl/jGqqrf 

March 14, 2017

Google Drawing:

One of my favorite Google App.

When people think of G Suite and the Google Apps, they think of the big three: Google Sheets, Slides and Docs. Today though, I want to talk about one of my favorite apps that often is overlooked.....Google Drawings!

Google Drawings reminds me a little bit of using Apple Pages and/or Publisher. It’s a place where students can be creative in designing posters and so much more.

Recently, I stumbled upon a blog post by Matt Bergman, technology leader extraordinaire, who provides a cheat sheet over Google Drawings as well as ideas on how to incorporate Google Drawings into your own curriculum. Here are a few of his ideas:

• Create and share graphic organizers
• Create interactive worksheets
• Infographics
• Provide screenshots of computer instructions
• Explain complex concepts with images and captions
• Create, collaborate and share visuals and diagrams
• Create, collaborate and share timelines • and many more.

All of these activities could be created by the teacher OR you could have the students create to show their understanding of the unit or subject. 

March 14, 2017

PrepFactory is a website that provides help for those who are about to take their ACT or SAT test. The best part? It’s FREE!

Go to https://www.prepfactory.com/

Sign up takes about a minute, quicker if you use your Google account. You can sign up as a student or as a teacher.

The website is filled with games to help practice those pesky questions, content maps full of video’s to help refresh knowledge, test-specific strategies to use, and practice sets to give you an understanding of the tests. 
There is even a Middle School section!

As a teacher, you can create a class and have your students join. PrepFactory walks everyone through a step-by-step system complete with a pre-test in one or all of the core subjects. After the assessment, PrepFactory provides video instructions to help brush up your knowledge.

If you don’t want to access the website but would like to use the video’s as a refresher, visit the PrepFactory Youtube Video playlist at: https://www.youtube.com/user/prepfactory 

March 7, 2017

Google Keep + Google Documents

Together at last

Okay, I admit I am slightly old-fashioned when it comes to making list &/or notes. I have a pile of scrap paper on my desk in which I like to grab to jot down a note or two while I work. In most cases, this system works very well as the notes serve only a temporary purpose. Once I am done, there is something intrinsic about throwing this scrap paper away. But there are times when I find myself hurriedly stuffing these small pieces of paper in my computer bag or purse as time runs out or the days become hectic. This results in a huge mess as these small single pieces of paper just beg to get lost. Enter Google Keep....

Google Keep is an easy to use platform designed by Google as a way to store your lists, notes, doodles, and much more. For some, it was useful but having to open up a separate browser or app wasn’t that convenient. Today, that’s no longer a problem. Google Keep is now integrated within Google Docs with a Keep tab in the Tools bar. This allows you to seamlessly add notes to Keep while you work or vice versa.

To find out more, watch this short video:

https://youtu.be/59A8PFj-boU

Great tip on using Google Keep instead of Comments for Grading: https://youtu.be/FgV1ypW6ZL8 

March 7, 2017

PBS Kids Video

Did you know you could watch videos from PBS Kids television series for FREE at anytime or anyplace as long as you use the app?

PBS KIDS Video” features more than 1,000 videos from over a dozen top PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS GO! television series, including Curious George, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That, Dinosaur Train, SUPER WHY!, Sesame Street and Wild Kratts.” New videos are added every week.

For parents, the app allows them to add favorite shows to a child’s app or learn more about a series.

Children have access to all of the shows in a vertical and visual menu on the right-hand side with their favorites at the top. The format and graphics of the app make it super easy to use.

The app can be downloaded on any device. Check it out at: http://pbskids.org/apps/pbs-kids-video.html 

February 21, 2016

NEW! Use Gradient Colors on Google Slides

Google Slides just keeps getting better and better!

You can now choose gradient colors for your background or shape in Google Slides.

It's very simple, just select Background, click Color and then select the Gradient tab on the right. When you’re happy with your color hit Done.

You can do way more with Google Slides than a simple presentation. Here is an article from Tony Vincent on how teachers can get creative using Google Slides in their classroom.

Get Creative With Google Slides

• Some of the ways include: • Narrations

• Connect Four

• News Letters

• Math Manipulatives • Graphic Organizers • E-Book Creation

• and many more 

February 21, 2017

VocApp - Multimedia Flashcards on iOS and Android

This article comes from Richard Byrne’s excellent blog Free Technology forTeachers.

VocApp is a tool that allows you to create digital flashcards complete with audio.

“To create flashcards on VocApp you need to create an account and sign-in. Once you're signed-in you can click "create flashcards" and begin writing out a list of words. Choose the language that you want to learn and VocApp will automatically translate words from English to the language you've selected. On the flashcard creation screen you can add an image to represent the words you're entering into your flashcards. The case of common words, VocApp will automatically add images to your flashcards. To help students learn how to pronounce words, VocApp offers audio support.

VocApp does offer some pre-made flashcard sets for sale, but you don't have to purchase anything in order to use the service to create and study your own flashcards. There is also a large gallery of public flashcards created by other users and made available for free.”

February 14, 2017

NEW UPDATE:

You can now insert video from Google Drive right into Google Slides!

Before, the only way you could insert a video directly into Google Slides was if it was on Youtube. The problem? There are many great video’s online that are not available on youtube. Plus, if a student creates their own video using something such as iMovie, there was no easy way to add it into a Slide presentation.........until now.

All you have to do is upload the video directly into your Drive folder. (in some cases, it maybe easier to download onto your desktop and then upload into Drive). Once you have the video into your Drive account, open up the Slides presentation you want to insert the video into. Next, click on Insert - Video. There is now an option to select video located in your Google Drive. Navigate to the right video and viola! - you have it inserted! To make it play automatically, you will need to right- click the video to designate a start and stop time.

To watch a short video on how to do this, click here:
https://youtu.be/q4nbJjxIFxM

This new update will be slowly rolling out so if the feature is missing from your Drive account - please be patient. 

February 14, 2017

Google EDU Google Tips

This site was created by Google Edu as a way for teachers to share how they are using the features available on G Suite for Education. It is updated with a new “slide” every Tuesday.

Much of the tips revolve around using Google Classroom efficiently and effectively but occasionally, there are tips for Docs, Slides, and more.

Today’s tips include:

• Integrating current events into Classroom by use of third-party apps
• Why setting up a class just for all of the Seniors in your school can be extremely useful
• Ways you can use rubrics within classroom.

Check out the site yourself at:

goo.gl/7UH8vB

February 7, 2017

Three Android Apps for Creating Whiteboard Video’s.

From the blog: Android 4 Schools comes this post about android apps that can be used to create whiteboard videos.

Know Recorder is a free Android app for creating whiteboard-style instructional videos. In only four steps, you can create a video on the app and upload it to youtube to share with your students.

To watch an video how to use Know Recorder, click here: https://youtu.be/2f_VnLvi1qI
Know Recorder also uses what it called a Know Lounge in which you can store and share your videos. Here is Richard Byrne show you how to use it: goo.gl/83NwnH

Clarisketch is a very easy to use app that has been around since 2014. You simply take a picture, highlight the details while recording your voice, and share it with others.

To watch a video on how to use Clarisketch, click here: https://youtu.be/njKSAu2ilDY

The last one is one that has also been around for a while but is till good to mention
and that is Explain Everything. The problem with Explain Everything is that is it really good.....but does cost. However, it might be worth the $3.99 if you use it over and over again. 

February 7, 2017

Reminder about Thinglink and Haiku Deck

After reading the post about apps for Androids....I started thinking about other apps/websites that have been around for a while that we forget to use. In particular, two of my favorites: Thinglink and Haiku Deck.

Thinglink is so very easy to use. You simply start with a picture and then you can layer on text, video, graphics, links, and more.

To find out more, please watch this video: https://youtu.be/SlEAmtuR4Do

What is great about Thinglink is there are so many already created by other educators. All you have to do is remix to add in your own content or edit what is there. Here is how: https://youtu.be/SbhdEXZ_Jkw

Another one that I absolutely love due to how easy it is to use is Haiku Deck. Haiku Deck lets you add pictures and text to create an amazing presentation. It is now available on the web as well as an iPad app.

To see how to create a Haiku Deck, watch this video: https://youtu.be/5crVTsJk9QE 

January 31, 2017

Is this website/ online source CRAAP?

An easy to way to check to see if the source you found online is trustworthy is to use the CRAAP test. This acronym was developed by California State University Meriam Library and is a sure way for students to remember. It stands for the following:

• C - Currency: what is the timeliness of the information?
• R - Relevance: does it fit with what you need?
• A - Authority: who is the author/ publisher/organization. Can you trust them?
• A - Accuracy: what is the reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content? Can it be verified by other sources?
• P - Purpose: Why is the information online? Is it to sell, inform, or persuade you?

For more information: goo.gl/fBQub7

For younger students, have them use the F.A.R.T. test: goo.gl/p2j5F7 

January 31, 2017

FAKE NEWS!

Lesson to use to teach students how to detect it.

Think critically!

There has been a lot of talk lately about the effect fake news has on people’s opinions and all aspects of their life. It is important to teach students how to detect fake news and to think critically about the sources they use online.
There are many wonderful lesson plans already made to help combat this trend. Below are some of my favorites:

C-Span Classroom: Lesson Idea: Media Literacy and Fake News

goo.gl/K7vqGj

Ted Ed Lessons Worth Sharing: How to Choose Your News

goo.gl/KHvF5M

SLJ Article: Truth, truthiness, triangulation: A news literacy toolkit for a “post-truth” world 

(Full of great resources) by Joyce Valenza

goo.gl/QspB8I 

January 24, 2017

CK-12 Foundation is a FREE open-source website that provides teachers and students with many resources to use in Science and in Math.

There are science and math stimulations, study guides, lesson plans, videos, and even Flexbooks (digital textbooks that can be customized).
CK-12 was designed to work anywhere on any device. It is interactive with Google Classroom and Edmodo as well as other platforms. Although the site is free to access, teachers and students will gain even more by signing up for a free account. It’s easy to do as you can sign in with your Google account.

Take a look at ck-12.org

To learn more about CK-12 and Google Classroom, watch this short video: https://youtu.be/2aF8gqhEYxs

To see a more detailed video on how to use the features, CK-12 has created a series of video’s. You can access them here: https://www.ck12info.org/about/ck12-webinars/ 

January 24, 2017

From BetterCloud Monitor:

5 Secret Google Drive Shortcuts To Impress Your Friends With

To get the most out of Google Drive, there are a few little-known keyboard shortcuts you can use. Here are five shortcuts for common tasks that’ll power up your productivity (and impress your friends).

n – Rename a file/folder
The typical way to rename a file in Drive is to right-click on it and select Rename. However, you can do this with a single keystroke instead. When you have a file selected, just hit the n key and the rename window will automatically open.

. – Share a file/folder

If you’re sharing a file, you usually click on the Share icon up at the top, or right-click the file and choose Share. But again, you can do this with a keyboard shortcut instead. This time, just select a file or folder and hit the period button. Then, the share dialog window will open and you can share it with others.

z – Move a file/folder

Moving a file or folder in Drive is an important tool for staying organized. Select the file or folder and hit the z key, and it’ll open up a window where you can decide where you’d like to move it.

s – Star a file/folder

Another organizational tool is starring items in Drive so that you can quickly pull up a list of the most important files you have stored. Typically, you’d right-click on the file and click Add Star. (These files are then easily accessed by clicking on the “Starred” list on the left-hand side of the screen.) You can star files even more quickly by just selecting them and then hitting the s key. To unstar the file, hit s again.

qq – Adjust the display density

Do you like seeing a lot of space between your files? Or perhaps you like a more compact view? To adjust the display density of your Drive file list, just hit q and then q again. You can toggle through the settings (just hit qq again) to choose the display setting that you like best.


Click here to watch this video on YouTube.

January 17, 2017

Using the Highlight Tool Add- On in Google Docs

There are many wonderful add-ons available to be used within the Google Suite. One that is making a lot of news lately is called the Highlight Tool.
What this tool does is provide a way to highlight different text within a Google Doc using a variety of colors. But what makes it such an asset comes afterwards.... you can export the highlighted text into a separate document by either sequence or color.

This may sound familiar as there are other add-ons that do the same but the difference here is the Highlight Tool is FREE!

To see how it works, watch this short 6 min. youtube video from Josh Harris: https://youtu.be/tGRRCvbY3kw

There are many ways this add-on can be incorporated into Language Arts, Social Studies/History, or anywhere else that requires research and using information. But that is not all, Eric Curtis shows how youcan use this add-on for Math problems.

Be sure to check out his blog post to see how using the highlight tool add-on can help students solve story problems in math:
http://www.controlaltachieve.com/2017/01/math-highlights.html 

January 17, 2017

Google Classroom....now with Differential Learning and Better Teacher Notification.

Recently, Google released some new updates to Google Classroom that teachers all over are celebrating. The changes were:

• Individual assignments—Teachers can post work and announcements to individual students in a class.
  
• New teacher notifications—Teachers receive email and mobile notifications when a student submits late work or resubmits work.
  
• Classroom user metrics— Administrators can view Classroom usage reports in the Admin console.
  
• Coursework improvements for third- party developers—Third-party applications can programmatically create questions, modify coursework, and add materials to coursework.
  
• New Android feature: Teachers can edit the class description and add materials to the About tab.
  
  One of the new updates teachers are raving about is the new ability to differentiate classroom instruction right within the same class by utilizing individual assignments. For more information on this new feature, please watch this very short video: https://youtu.be/PsdnF6-gJyk
  
  Another update to make life easier for teachers is the email notifications for when students submit late work or resubmits work. No longer will teachers have to constantly check past assignments. YEAH! 
  

January 10, 2017

Recap: a free student video response app

“Recap provides teachers with new, creative ways to gather evidence of student thinking using video. It helps create new learning connections between students, parents and teachers, and foster more transformative dialogue by everyone. Great for any age!”

Recap is designed to have students provide their feedback in a fun and easy manner by recording their own responses and/or capture their thinking on video.

It can be used to provide: 

• Formative Assessment
• Reflection
• Class Management 
• Parent Communication

Recap is multi-device which means it can be used on an iPad, Laptop, Chromebook and more.

To learn more, click here: https://letsrecap.com/