This is an article worth reading and discussing. Let me know if you want to join in the discussion.
Outside the Skinner Box
Monday, December 29, 2014
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Monday, December 8, 2014
- 31 Days of Digital Goodies
This looks like an interesting idea. Might prove useful in some form or other.
- 31 Days of Digital Goodies
- 31 Days of Digital Goodies
Three Google Drive Updates to Note This Week
Here is a link to a quick summary of the three updates to drive and docs this week. FYI
Three Google Drive Updates to Note This Week
Three Google Drive Updates to Note This Week
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Math Tech Tips: New Script that will create Google Forms from ques...
Math Tech Tips: New Script that will create Google Forms from ques...: There was a query posted in the GEG Singapore about automatically creating forms from spreadsheet questions. g(Math) kind of does this, so ...
Monday, December 1, 2014
Create Dynamic Maps, Timelines, and Infographics with ThingLink
Here is another website with a great idea for student projects or presentations.
How to Create a Multimedia Timeline - Timeline JS
An idea for projects for students or for your own class.
How to Create a Quiz Show With Flippity.net
For those of you who like to use a Jeopardy type game in class. Here is a way to create one using Google sheets. Images and videos can be used as questions also.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Google Classroom Hacks TF
For those of you using classroom, here some quick tips on how to get some additional functionality from Google Classroom. Many of you may have discovered these already, but they are good tips for those just beginning Google Classroom.
Friday, November 21, 2014
- 10 More Easy Tech Tools That Every Educator Should Have Started Using Yesterday, Pt. 2
If you are looking for some ideas on how to use technology in your classroom - especially with the advent of chromebooks - these ten suggestions are worth a look. You might find one or two things you can try in your classroom. If one of them stands out - please share with the rest of us.
- 10 More Easy Tech Tools That Every Educator Should Have Started Using Yesterday, Pt. 2
- 10 More Easy Tech Tools That Every Educator Should Have Started Using Yesterday, Pt. 2
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Turn your Gmail inbox into as ToDo List
One of the favorite ways to remind yourself of things is by sending yourself an email. This way, even if you’re away from your computer and you send it from your phone, you can be reminded of it in the morning when you check your Gmail inbox.
This is a great way to create a to-do list, but if you receive a lot of emails like I do, sometimes these important items can get pushed down your inbox and by the time you see them it may be too late. This video demonstrates how you can turn your Gmail inbox into a advanced to do list by pairing some of our favorite features.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Something New for Drive and Gmail
Last Technology Training Session we covered the basics of Google Docs and Drive. The advanced session talked about tip and techniques for Google Classroom and Add-ons for Docs.
I came across these today and thought I would share them with you. the first is about managing revisions in Drive. If you’re using Google Drive to store and edit Microsoft (or any other non-Google) files, it can get confusing if you’re uploading different versions of the same file. By managing versions in Drive, you can delete a file if it’s no longer relevant and make sure your collaborators are only viewing the correct file. This is great for those of you working with Office files, as well as PDFs, images and much more! This is a short video 2 min - but great information for those who will be storing their Word docs, excel spreadsheets, powerpoints, or pdf's in My Drive.
This second one is about an interesting way to use your gmail email address. Again, another short 2 min. video. Or if you wish, you can just read the blog entry here:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2455299,00.asp
Remember - bring in your chromebook so that it might be enrolled.
Advanced session users - please remember your assignment to select an Add-on to Google Docs and rate it here:
http://goo.gl/forms/bJB4dEG699
I came across these today and thought I would share them with you. the first is about managing revisions in Drive. If you’re using Google Drive to store and edit Microsoft (or any other non-Google) files, it can get confusing if you’re uploading different versions of the same file. By managing versions in Drive, you can delete a file if it’s no longer relevant and make sure your collaborators are only viewing the correct file. This is great for those of you working with Office files, as well as PDFs, images and much more! This is a short video 2 min - but great information for those who will be storing their Word docs, excel spreadsheets, powerpoints, or pdf's in My Drive.
This second one is about an interesting way to use your gmail email address. Again, another short 2 min. video. Or if you wish, you can just read the blog entry here:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2455299,00.asp
Remember - bring in your chromebook so that it might be enrolled.
Advanced session users - please remember your assignment to select an Add-on to Google Docs and rate it here:
http://goo.gl/forms/bJB4dEG699
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Google Classroom Updates 10-14-14
Google made some updates to Classroom on Tuesday, October 14. Here are the three we can begin using here at LPS right away.
1. Mark assignments as “done”
Not all assignments require students to submit work online — like reading a chapter or conducting an experiment — so Google added the ability for students to simply mark assignments as "done" if there's nothing to turn in. Google also gave the Assignments page a refresh, to make it easier for students to keep track of upcoming work.
2. Greater teacher controls
Google also gave teachers greater control over their class stream. Teachers can now set permissions for whether or not their class can post or comment in the stream, they can mute individual students from posting or commenting and can even view previously deleted items in the stream. To find this feature, select the STUDENTS tab of your class. Then chose one of the three choices given to you if you click the down triangle.
3. Sort by first or last name
And now teachers can also choose to sort students by first or last name, depending on their needs. Again to find this feature, select the STUDENTS tab of your class. Then chose one of the choices given to you if you click the down triangle next to students.
Here is a short video demonstration of all this:
1. Mark assignments as “done”
Not all assignments require students to submit work online — like reading a chapter or conducting an experiment — so Google added the ability for students to simply mark assignments as "done" if there's nothing to turn in. Google also gave the Assignments page a refresh, to make it easier for students to keep track of upcoming work.
 |
| Students can mark assignments as "done" if there isn't anything to turn in |
2. Greater teacher controls
Google also gave teachers greater control over their class stream. Teachers can now set permissions for whether or not their class can post or comment in the stream, they can mute individual students from posting or commenting and can even view previously deleted items in the stream. To find this feature, select the STUDENTS tab of your class. Then chose one of the three choices given to you if you click the down triangle.
3. Sort by first or last name
And now teachers can also choose to sort students by first or last name, depending on their needs. Again to find this feature, select the STUDENTS tab of your class. Then chose one of the choices given to you if you click the down triangle next to students.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Upcoming Training Session 2
On Monday, October 20th, the October faculty training session will be held. Listening to feedback, I have decided to offer two types of training this month.
Faculty Training 101 - 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm
During this session, I will slow down and go over the basics of Google Drive and the differences between it and your Windata drive or the Faculty drive you are currently using on the LPS network. I will cover similarities, differences, pluses and minus of each. Then I will make a comparison of MS Word and Google Docs.
When the session is done, everyone should be able to organize files on Google drive and create a google document as they would a MS Word document.
Faculty Training 201 - 7:45 pm - 8:30 pm
During this session, geared primarily for those who are acquainted with the basics of Google, we will go over Google Classroom techniques. We will go over new features that have been added, suggestions on giving quizzes through Google forms, and ideas on how to have students collaborate with another. Those teachers who have used Google classroom will share some of their insights into using classroom. We will also take a look at some add-ons to Google docs, forms and sheets, along with other tips and tricks. Those who would like to see how to take a pdf or a MS office document and turn it into a Google doc will also have that opportunity.
Faculty members can attend one or both of the sessions. We will again meet in room 134 - bring your Chromebook.
Faculty members, if you have specific questions, let me know so that I can research some answers for you. I would love to help troubleshoot specific concerns or questions that you might have. My request to the faculty is to think about the lessons you are teaching and try and anticipate how you might change a lesson or two per unit to take advantage of the students with the Chromebooks next year. Early next year, I will be asking you to share some of your ideas as well as provide you with some ideas.
If you are interested - watch this short clip on Gmail tips. See you Monday!
Faculty Training 101 - 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm
During this session, I will slow down and go over the basics of Google Drive and the differences between it and your Windata drive or the Faculty drive you are currently using on the LPS network. I will cover similarities, differences, pluses and minus of each. Then I will make a comparison of MS Word and Google Docs.
When the session is done, everyone should be able to organize files on Google drive and create a google document as they would a MS Word document.
Faculty Training 201 - 7:45 pm - 8:30 pm
During this session, geared primarily for those who are acquainted with the basics of Google, we will go over Google Classroom techniques. We will go over new features that have been added, suggestions on giving quizzes through Google forms, and ideas on how to have students collaborate with another. Those teachers who have used Google classroom will share some of their insights into using classroom. We will also take a look at some add-ons to Google docs, forms and sheets, along with other tips and tricks. Those who would like to see how to take a pdf or a MS office document and turn it into a Google doc will also have that opportunity.
Faculty members can attend one or both of the sessions. We will again meet in room 134 - bring your Chromebook.
Faculty members, if you have specific questions, let me know so that I can research some answers for you. I would love to help troubleshoot specific concerns or questions that you might have. My request to the faculty is to think about the lessons you are teaching and try and anticipate how you might change a lesson or two per unit to take advantage of the students with the Chromebooks next year. Early next year, I will be asking you to share some of your ideas as well as provide you with some ideas.
If you are interested - watch this short clip on Gmail tips. See you Monday!
Monday, September 29, 2014
More Google Classroom Stuff
A week has passed since our first training session. By now everyone should have had an opportunity to explore Google Classroom. I would encourage everyone to create a class, if you have not done so, just to get a feel for the teacher side of the application.
As a student in the Faculty Google Development class, I would encourage everyone to finish the two assignments. The first is to submit the worksheet answering the questions about the first training session and giving directions for the sessions to come. The second is to take the quiz that is included in the classroom assignment. Both of these give you as the teacher the opportunity to experience what your students will see next year. Your comments and suggestions will help us all use Google Classroom better.
Just a few notes on creating an assignment in Google Classroom. Look at the screenshot below:
In Yellow is the assignment title. Everyone of the documents your students hand in will contain this title name and their name.
In Green is the directions for the assignment. Be as specific as possible. Are they to read an attached document, view a video, explore a website, etc.? Are they to fill out the attached worksheet? Are they to create a new document or new sheet, or new presentation? Are they to add a file from their drives?
In Blue it states that every student will get a copy. Because this is the assignment edit mode (I clicked on the three dots in the assignment box), this lets me know that I gave every student their own copy to write on and hand in. (No more losing of worksheets!)
One clarification on assignments for students. See the screenshot below:
When a student is given an assignment and they open it up, if there is no document attached to the assignment, then the student is given two options: one to add a document of their own choosing - or to create a new document, or sheet, or presentation. When the red circled button is chosen, the document is automatically created with the assignment name and the student name appended to the document title. It is also immediately put in the right assignment folder. This would be preferred to adding a student's own document from their files.
One last encouragement for this week is to read the blog links in the right column of this blog.
Take a look especially at the three newest: 5 Potential Mistakes in Google Classroom, Grading with Zero or One, and 15 More things to do with Google Classroom.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM LINKS
As a student in the Faculty Google Development class, I would encourage everyone to finish the two assignments. The first is to submit the worksheet answering the questions about the first training session and giving directions for the sessions to come. The second is to take the quiz that is included in the classroom assignment. Both of these give you as the teacher the opportunity to experience what your students will see next year. Your comments and suggestions will help us all use Google Classroom better.
Just a few notes on creating an assignment in Google Classroom. Look at the screenshot below:
In Yellow is the assignment title. Everyone of the documents your students hand in will contain this title name and their name.
In Green is the directions for the assignment. Be as specific as possible. Are they to read an attached document, view a video, explore a website, etc.? Are they to fill out the attached worksheet? Are they to create a new document or new sheet, or new presentation? Are they to add a file from their drives?
In Blue it states that every student will get a copy. Because this is the assignment edit mode (I clicked on the three dots in the assignment box), this lets me know that I gave every student their own copy to write on and hand in. (No more losing of worksheets!)
One clarification on assignments for students. See the screenshot below:
When a student is given an assignment and they open it up, if there is no document attached to the assignment, then the student is given two options: one to add a document of their own choosing - or to create a new document, or sheet, or presentation. When the red circled button is chosen, the document is automatically created with the assignment name and the student name appended to the document title. It is also immediately put in the right assignment folder. This would be preferred to adding a student's own document from their files.
One last encouragement for this week is to read the blog links in the right column of this blog.
Take a look especially at the three newest: 5 Potential Mistakes in Google Classroom, Grading with Zero or One, and 15 More things to do with Google Classroom.
GOOGLE CLASSROOM LINKS
Monday, September 22, 2014
Faculty Training Meeting 1
A majority of the faculty gathered in room 134 for the first of monthly training meetings in preparation for the 1-1 Chromebook initiative. With Chromebooks in hand, the training began.
First topic was a review of Chromebook basics. The highlight of this portion was the discovery of the Chromebook keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl + Alt + ?. Using Ctrl + and Ctrl - to Zoom in and Zoom out on the screen is also useful.
A video review can be found here: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/08/everything-teachers-need-to-know-about.html#.VBSD_fLmpEd.blogger
First topic was a review of Chromebook basics. The highlight of this portion was the discovery of the Chromebook keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl + Alt + ?. Using Ctrl + and Ctrl - to Zoom in and Zoom out on the screen is also useful.
A video review can be found here: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/08/everything-teachers-need-to-know-about.html#.VBSD_fLmpEd.blogger
The second portion was the review of Google Drive. The review covered all the icons and the menu items. Discussion was held on importing and translating MS Word documents into Docs. Sometimes formatting becomes an issue. This is especially true when translating an outline from MS Word to Docs. The reminder was given that using the search bar to find documents is a tool that can be used often. The tip was given that a pdf document can be opened with Google Docs and thereby become editable text. This is handy when scanning a document on the copy machine and emailing it to yourself, or just when you find an pdf on the web. Finding details about documents can also be a help. Information on changes and when they were made and by whom can be useful in a classroom setting.
The third portion of the training was a review of Google Docs. Again the icons and menu items were explained. The difference between Making a Copy and Renaming a document was explained. Renaming does not create a new document with a new name. Only Making a copy creates a new document - the copy may then be renamed. Revision History does allow one to go back to previous versions of any document and restore them. Although there is a spell checker, some of the auto correct has some idiosyncrasies. (eg. lower case i will not correct to upper case I)
The final session of the training was the introduction of Google Classroom. This is a document manager for teachers to use with their students. In order for the faculty to get a feel for the student side of the application, all are to join the Faculty Google Development Class. Go to classroom.google.com. From here click on the plus sign in the upper right corner next to your login name. Join a Class. The Class code is wv4ban. Short assignments and readings will be given to the faculty to help them learn about ways to incorporate Chromebooks in their classroom next year. Short assignments will be given to give the faculty a taste of the student classroom experience. A second task for the faculty is to click the plus sign next to their login in the upper right corner and create a class. If possible once or twice a semester, teachers should try using classroom with their students. In this way the faculty will experience the teacher side of classroom.
In the right column of this blog are five links to help you review all the features of Classroom. Please review them and learn what you can do and then try it. As mentioned at the training, all the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, will have a good working knowledge of Classroom by the end of the year. They will be ready to use it effectively next year. As faculty members we also must be just as ready to use it.
Next meeting - October 20.
In the right column of this blog are five links to help you review all the features of Classroom. Please review them and learn what you can do and then try it. As mentioned at the training, all the juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, will have a good working knowledge of Classroom by the end of the year. They will be ready to use it effectively next year. As faculty members we also must be just as ready to use it.
Next meeting - October 20.
Monday, September 15, 2014
Visit to LLHS
I had the opportunity to visit LLHS and Ted Klug to see how the first month of their 1-1 Chromebook initiative was working out. It was good to see a school with students and Chromebooks in reality and not just on paper.
Ted indicated that things were going well.Everyone was getting use to the idea and implementing the use of Chromebooks at different levels. English and history departments were going full implementation while math was lagging behind. Matt Doering was the model for history and government class. He was the pilot teacher for last year, and is now in full implementation mode. I was able to visit his classroom and see him teach,using all the skills and techniques he has learned. He words of wisdom were to only tackle one prep at a time as one transitioned into Chromebooks.
Lakeside does use Moodle and Hapara. We are researching both of those for need at LPS. The strong argument for Moodle as a classroom management system was that it was used by both MLC and WLC for course management. Using Moodle at the classroom level would help prepare the students for that college transition. Most of the faculty preparation for the 1-1 initiative dealt with Moodle - a full workshop taught by Jim Grundwald from MLC last June. We will experiment with Google Classroom and see how it meets our needs first.
The faculty was trained and has received short 2-3 min video recaps to help them along the way. These were produced by Ted and deal mostly with Moodle. The faculty departments are also working together to discover the best way to proceed in each subject area.
Lakeside is down to one computer lab of about 20 computers. Each one has two monitors. the lad is used for high-end computing tasks, such as: video-editing, document publishing, and computer programming. The library still has a few computers, but there are not being used now. The study hall has tables with power outlets and extra power supplies. Students do work quietly with ear-buds when they listen to online content.
Ted has 10 loaner Chromebooks on hand. The first loan is free, each additional is $2/ day until the sixth loaner and then it is $10/day. Replacing the screen costs the students $70. (Plus the loaner fee). The screens can be replaced in about 5 minutes by the trained computer essentials class of about 8 students. They do the work and the logging of the repair during their regularly scheduled period. In the first four weeks - seven screens have been replaced. Ted keeps ten screens of each model on hand.
Their implementation model was to have the seniors use the Chromebooks that were in the pilot classrooms from last year. They will be able to purchase them for aound $180 at the end of the year. Juniors will be able to purchase their new Chromebooks for $80 at the end of their senior year. Both Sophomores and Freshmen will be able to purchase theirs for $1 at the end of their senior year. Each class will pay a yearly technology fee of $150/year. Every two years the model of Chromebook would be re-evaluated since they have a life expectancy of five years. As far as cases fr the Chromebooks, the students were to buy their own, or purchase one from the suggested offerings that Lakeside would order.
I will go back to Lakeside later in the year and do a little more observation of classes. I also want to visit Shoreland to get a feel for their implementation.
Ted indicated that things were going well.Everyone was getting use to the idea and implementing the use of Chromebooks at different levels. English and history departments were going full implementation while math was lagging behind. Matt Doering was the model for history and government class. He was the pilot teacher for last year, and is now in full implementation mode. I was able to visit his classroom and see him teach,using all the skills and techniques he has learned. He words of wisdom were to only tackle one prep at a time as one transitioned into Chromebooks.
Lakeside does use Moodle and Hapara. We are researching both of those for need at LPS. The strong argument for Moodle as a classroom management system was that it was used by both MLC and WLC for course management. Using Moodle at the classroom level would help prepare the students for that college transition. Most of the faculty preparation for the 1-1 initiative dealt with Moodle - a full workshop taught by Jim Grundwald from MLC last June. We will experiment with Google Classroom and see how it meets our needs first.
The faculty was trained and has received short 2-3 min video recaps to help them along the way. These were produced by Ted and deal mostly with Moodle. The faculty departments are also working together to discover the best way to proceed in each subject area.
Lakeside is down to one computer lab of about 20 computers. Each one has two monitors. the lad is used for high-end computing tasks, such as: video-editing, document publishing, and computer programming. The library still has a few computers, but there are not being used now. The study hall has tables with power outlets and extra power supplies. Students do work quietly with ear-buds when they listen to online content.
Ted has 10 loaner Chromebooks on hand. The first loan is free, each additional is $2/ day until the sixth loaner and then it is $10/day. Replacing the screen costs the students $70. (Plus the loaner fee). The screens can be replaced in about 5 minutes by the trained computer essentials class of about 8 students. They do the work and the logging of the repair during their regularly scheduled period. In the first four weeks - seven screens have been replaced. Ted keeps ten screens of each model on hand.
Their implementation model was to have the seniors use the Chromebooks that were in the pilot classrooms from last year. They will be able to purchase them for aound $180 at the end of the year. Juniors will be able to purchase their new Chromebooks for $80 at the end of their senior year. Both Sophomores and Freshmen will be able to purchase theirs for $1 at the end of their senior year. Each class will pay a yearly technology fee of $150/year. Every two years the model of Chromebook would be re-evaluated since they have a life expectancy of five years. As far as cases fr the Chromebooks, the students were to buy their own, or purchase one from the suggested offerings that Lakeside would order.
I will go back to Lakeside later in the year and do a little more observation of classes. I also want to visit Shoreland to get a feel for their implementation.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Math Tech Tips: g(Math) for Sheets Help
Math Tech Tips: g(Math) for Sheets Help: Thanks for installing my Add-on! g(Math) can directly input graphs and complex math into a cell in your Google Spreadsheet. All you need to...
Saturday, September 13, 2014
The Beginning
Chromebooks have been in the hands of the faculty for almost a month now. Is everyone becoming familiar with them?
That first session covered a multitude of topics - to some it seems like a tidal wave of information. Now is the time to do a more scheduled plan of instruction and training. I have blocked out a plan of training for the year. These monthly meetings will provide guidance, tips and helps for the faculty as they begin planning for the implementation of 1:1 computing in their classrooms.
I will be visiting Lakeside and Shoreland to watch and receive first-hand information on their first year of implementation. The specifics of our first year of implementation I hope to be ready to unveil in February 2015. This should allow time for parents, teachers and school to prepare for the first year of implementation.
A goal of this blog is to keep you informed of the progress of the implementation process. It is also to provide the faculty and staff with resources for designing their courses for 1:1 computing. The resources will come in the form of contacts, websites, blogs, and articles I have deemed worthwhile for our faculty. Some will be discipline specific, others will have overall use.
Comments and suggestions are solicited and desired. I need to know what questions you have to gear the training for your needs. The training will have to be differentiated to meet the varied needs of our faculty. We will work together to be better trained for teaching the students of the 21st century.
This blog and a link to my Educational Technology Website will be a resource for you to use and reference.
My goal is to blog bi-weekly, if not weekly. Take note of the date for the first faculty training - Sep 22 - 7 pm. See you then.
That first session covered a multitude of topics - to some it seems like a tidal wave of information. Now is the time to do a more scheduled plan of instruction and training. I have blocked out a plan of training for the year. These monthly meetings will provide guidance, tips and helps for the faculty as they begin planning for the implementation of 1:1 computing in their classrooms.
I will be visiting Lakeside and Shoreland to watch and receive first-hand information on their first year of implementation. The specifics of our first year of implementation I hope to be ready to unveil in February 2015. This should allow time for parents, teachers and school to prepare for the first year of implementation.
A goal of this blog is to keep you informed of the progress of the implementation process. It is also to provide the faculty and staff with resources for designing their courses for 1:1 computing. The resources will come in the form of contacts, websites, blogs, and articles I have deemed worthwhile for our faculty. Some will be discipline specific, others will have overall use.
Comments and suggestions are solicited and desired. I need to know what questions you have to gear the training for your needs. The training will have to be differentiated to meet the varied needs of our faculty. We will work together to be better trained for teaching the students of the 21st century.
This blog and a link to my Educational Technology Website will be a resource for you to use and reference.
My goal is to blog bi-weekly, if not weekly. Take note of the date for the first faculty training - Sep 22 - 7 pm. See you then.
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