Tech This Out! (NEW)
Padlet UPDATE
Did you hear? Padlet has changed their subscription structure. If you already have an account, you can keep all your existing boards and are allowed to have up to three more than what you currently have. The basic (free) account will also display ads. If the changes to Padlet are enough to have you looking for other options, check out this article for five alternatives to Padlet.
(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.
Best Practices
20 Simple Assessment Strategies
Looking for a different way to assess your students? Here are 20 Simple Assessment Strategies You Can Use Every Day. Create engaging assessments, practical formative strategies, and learn how to assess instead of just grade! Learn more HERE.
Digital DooDads
Insert Learning
Insert Learning is a Chrome extension that lets you turn websites into interactive lessons. A toolbar is loaded when the extension is added and clicked. Embed questions, content, video instructions and even discussions. Simpy sign in with your Google account. Google Classroom, Google Docs and Youtube integration. Teachers can sign up for free and create up to 5 lessons. https://insertlearning.com/
Brain Buffet
Looking for free media? Here is a one-stop shop for getting stock photos, free video clips, and background music for your creative creations. Visit Brain Buffet for more information.
EquatIO – Math made digital
Easily create mathematical equations, formulas and quizzes. Intuitively type or handwrite, with no tricky math code to learn. Made to help mathematics and STEM teachers and students at all levels, EquatIO lets everyone create mathematical equations, formulas, Desmos graphs, and more on their computer or Chromebook. For more information, watch this video.
BBC Sound Effects
The BBC corporation has now made more than 16,000 of its FX sound effects available for free download. These are being released under the RemArc licence, which means that they can be used for “personal, educational or research purposes”. See the article and links HERE.
Kaizena
Augment what you are doing in the digital classroom by giving verbal feedback on work submitted by students. https://kaizena.com/
Quizalize
You can play quizzes as fun, competitive team games in class, or set them as engaging homework. All the results go into dedicated dashboards that help you track each student’s progress towards mastery of TEKS standards.
Professional Resources
ASCD Learn. Teach. Lead.
ASCD is a nonprofit organization that supports the global community of educators dedicated to excellence in learning, teaching, and leading. Following ASCD is like taking an instructional multi-vitamin! You can also reach out to your amazing Librarian to access the available books and resources from ASCD. Follow ASCD on Twitter!
Google 20% Time
“Google’s “20% Time” is a philosophy and policy that every Google employee spend 20% of their time (the equivalent of a full work day each week) working on ideas and projects that interest that employee project you saw on his resume. They are encouraged to explore anything other than their normal day-to-day job. As a result 50% of all Google’s products by 2009 originated from the 20% free time, including Gmail. Real break-through happens when we are free from others’ expectations and driven by individual passion.” Read this teacher’s experience with 20 time HERE.
Social Media – Who to Follow
Caitlin is a Google Certified Innovator, International Trainer, Keynote Speaker, Blended Learning Expert & Bestselling Author.
Follow Caitlin Tucker
Jennifer is currently a Teacher-Librarian in Aurora, Ontario Canada, and author of the book, Social LEADia, published by Dave Burgess Consulting. Before this, she spent six years at the District level as a Program Resource Teacher for Literacy and Literacy Consultant.
Follow Jennifer Casas-Todd
Mason, M. Ed. is an Education Technology National Instructor with EdTechTeacher, Inc. and an Ed.D. student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He is passionate about helping educators transform teaching and learning through technology integration and closing the digital divide through equitable access to technology for all students.
Follow Mason Mason
*Interested in getting started on Twitter? Contact your ITS!
Professional Development
Save the date! Tech Camp is coming June 11, 12, & 13 at Lopez MS. Classes will be 1.5 hours, 3 hours, 6 hours, and even online evening courses will be available! If you would like to present at Tech Camp, please reach out to your Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS).
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.