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