April 2018

Tech This Out! (NEW)

Google Drive

(REPEAT) Google Drive is going away?! NO!!!

You may have seen or heard recently that Google Drive is going away (have you seen this notice?).  Nothing can be further from the truth.  Google will be removing “Google Drive for Desktop,” which is a standalone program that syncs your Google Drive in the cloud with a folder that resides on your computer, on May 12, 2018. Please continue to use the cloud-based version of Google Drive

 

chromebookChromebook UPDATE

Make sure your Chromebooks are updated to the latest Chrome OS! Many Chromebooks that have been sitting in carts may still be on an old operating system and will not work for testing or general instruction.

  1. Log in, click your account photo.
  2. Click the little “Settings” gear.
  3. Click Menu, click the little “hot dogs,” (the three little horizontal lines), then click “About Chrome OS,”
  4. If you are not on OS 65.0, choose  “Check for updates.” It will download automatically, and should take only a few minutes.

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Best Practices

poms

POMS: Points of Most Significance

Students reflect on the most significant point of the lesson. Reflections are used to view whether or not the key points of a lesson are perceived as significant by the students.

Consider using Padlet to collect student responses. Padlet will allow students to favorite responses, which will make polling very convenient

For more information, visit HERE

*UPDATE*: there are changes to Padlet’s FREE platform.  Educators are now only allowed 3 free Padlets. Watch this VIDEO for more info.

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Digital DooDads

Quizizz

Quizizz-Read Aloud!

New on Quizizz – a read aloud option! When using the Quizizz app (not on the website), students can select an option in their settings to have the Quizizz activity read aloud to them. Not only that, they can choose from six different languages! Quizizz will translate all text (with the exception of the actual questions and answer choices) into that language, and will read aloud all text in that language. Check out this video to see it in action!

padletPadlet

Padlet is a free application that allows users to create an online collaborative bulletin board that can shared with students and allow them to add text, images, links, videos and more.  Select a template or create your own (wall, canvas, stream, grid, shelf or backchannel). Students can use phones, iPads, chromebooks and computers to access the bulletin board. Check out this Padlet tutorial for more info. 

*UPDATE: Padlet now limits users to 3 Padlet walls (or 3 more than you currently have).  Check out this VIDEO for more info.

iMovieiMovie

Free is Fun! iMovie is still free on the Apple App Store for the iPad!  This incredible movie and trailer making tool for teachers and students to create or use video for projects is fun and easy to use! iMovie provides audio narration, sound effects, theme music, editing and filter options to make dynamic movie projects. Make sure you have iMovie added to your iPad or class set for your next lesson! Check out this article for some tips and tricks!

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Professional Resources

Professional Resource

Cool Tools for 21st Century Learners

Learn How To Become is a website created by Dr. Jessie Moon Longhurst. There are tons of resources for new teachers, veteran teachers, and everyone else in between. If you’re interested in digital tools, lesson plans, or apps, check this site out and bookmark it. Click here to view it for yourself. 

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Social Media – Who to Follow

Tanya Avrith

Tanya is the co-author of the book “The Google Infused Classroom”. She is an advocate of Digital Citizenship and is a Google Certified Innovator. She has a great website with resources for educators.

Follow Tanya Avrith

Jennifer Gonzalez

Jennifer is the creator and host of the Cult of Pedagogy Podcast. She has a great blog with tips with instruction, classroom management, and technology. Check it out here.

Follow Jennifer Gonzalez

*Interested in getting started on Twitter?  Contact your ITS!

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Professional Development

Online:

Coming soon!:

  • Redefine Learning with SAMR
  • Grading with Google
  • Stations in Secondary

TIP: you can always search for professional development opportunities offered by Instructional Technology by browsing the “Online/Web,” “Technology Services,” or “Webinar” categories in Eduphoria.

March 2018

Tech This Out! (NEW)

Google Drive

Google Drive is going away?! NO!!!

You may have seen or heard recently that Google Drive is going away (have you seen this notice?).  Nothing can be further from the truth.  Google will be removing “Google Drive for Desktop,” which is a standalone program that syncs your Google Drive in the cloud with a folder that resides on your computer, on May 12, 2018. Please continue to use the cloud-based version of Google Drive

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Best Practices

Chain NOtes

Chain Notes: These notes are “off the chain!”

Students are sorted into groups to address a question or statement that is printed at the top of a page. The page is circulated from student to student within their groups. Each student responds with a new thought related to those already written on the page and then passes it on to the next student. More than one paper can be circulating at the same time, and the chain note can be passed around as students are engaged in other tasks.

Consider using the “Shelf” feature in Padlet with the new comment feature so your students can easily link their notes, or comment, on the “chain” of notes. The Padlet only takes minutes to set up, and can serve as a great review for any unit.

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Digital DooDads

Duck Soup

Duck Soup

Create eSheets (digital worksheets) by uploading any Doc or PDF from your Google Drive or from your computer! It’s incredibly easy to set up the answer boxes and answer key, and with many different answer type options (multiple choice, show your work, math and chemistry, paragraph, text, drawing box, etc) the possibilities are endless. And the best part? It grades it for you! Check out this video to see more.

Twine

TwineTwine is an open-source tool for telling interactive, nonlinear stories. Students can create their own works and publish them right away, while learning simple coding concepts at the same time. Check it out here.

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Professional Resources

Cool Tools for 21st Century Learners

Cool Tools for 21st Century Learners

Susan Oxnevad has been a classroom teacher and an instructional technology facilitator in Chicagoland for more than two decades, providing professional development for teachers via online and in-person opportunities. She writes about ways to incorporate technology as an efficient and effective tool for learning in her own blog, Cool Tools for 21st Century Learners, and as a SmartTeacher on GettingSmart.com.

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Social Media – Who to Follow

Michael BenavidesBe sure and check our next NEISD Twitter Chat on Monday, March 5 at 7:30pm CST for “The Social Networked Classroom” hosted by NEISD ITS, Michael Benavides.

Follow Michael Benavides

Katrina Keene

Katrina Keene, EdD, is a National and International speaker and has spent the last 17 years in K-12 technology education. Currently, Katrina is the Senior Strategic Outreach Manager in Education at Wonder Workshop for the Central United States.

Follow Katrina Keene

Monica BurnsDr. Monica Burns is a Curriculum and EdTech Consultant, Apple Distinguished Educator and Founder of ClassTechTips.com. Monica was part of her school’s leadership team and was a vocal advocate for bringing one-to-one technology into her classroom.

Follow Monica Burns

*Interested in getting started on Twitter?  Contact your ITS!

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Professional Development
Online Courses (can be taken asynchronously – at your pace):

Online:

Coming soon!:

  • Redefine Learning with SAMR
  • Grading with Google
  • Stations in Secondary

TIP: you can always search for professional development opportunities offered by Instructional Technology by browsing the “Online/Web,” “Technology Services,” or “Webinar” categories in Eduphoria.