Monday, July 21, 2014

Google Forms in the First Days of School

Google Forms to Start the Year off Right

Who hates to fill out locker information, get email addresses, and have long lines at your open house having parents sign in (which you usually can't read anyway)?  Make your students and parents do some of the work for you.
  • locker form
    • have students fill out a Google Form with their Locker # and combinations.
    • put the form on desktops of computers in your room the day of sign up
    • put a link to the form on your team website
    • link the form to a QR code
    • when a student buys a new lock, they can simply fill out another form
    • HERE is a template for a locker form
  • open house sign in
open_house_sample.png
    • have parents sign in using electronic form (avoid long lines of parents waiting to enter the room)
    • use a form linked to a QR code (my students love to teach parents about QR codes before open house), shortened URL, or have the form on the desktop of classroom computers
  • other ideas for forms in the First Days of School
    • student interest forms (great way to get to know your students)
    • surveys (technology survey)
    • I use a form that students fill out the first day telling me how they get home

    • collect emails or other information needed

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Power Up at Region 6: BYOD Classroom

Here is the presentation I shared yesterday and today at Power Up Region 6!


Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Thursday, May 1, 2014

hAppy Thursday! Notability is free today!


Notability is free today in the App store!
  • usually 2.99
  • great note taking app
  • can take notes 
  • can import document and annotate that document
    • can import from your Google drive or documents on your computere
    • sign contracts
    • highlight or make notes to existing documents


Wednesday, April 30, 2014

hAppy Wednesday! Student Response Systems

Infuse Learning

  • students can use any device with an internet connection
  • can answer
  • you can set up classes (data stored for classes)
  • open enrollment (no need to make class lists)
  • use for quizzes, polls, or to answer questions throughout a lesson
  • has a draw response feature
    • students can draw a picture on their device in response to a question



Socrative

  • use any device with internet access to answer questions
  • there is an App for teacher and student version
  • multiple choice, true/ false, short answer
  • student joins with code
  • can prepare quizzes or just ask question and get responses





Exit Ticket

  • use any device with internet access to answer questions
  • there is an App 
  • students join class with a code or you can input list
  • multiple choice, true/ false, free response
  • can group students for particular quizzes


  • Thursday, April 3, 2014

    hAppy Friday! Adding Videos to Google Presentations!





    Spice up a presentation by adding video. Students love to watch video clips to introduce, reinforce, and provide a summary of concepts. I use short video clips in almost every presentation I give. Watch the video below to see just how easy the process is.

    Click the link below to learn more!
    Inserting Video into Google Presentation

    Here are a few reasons I love using Google Presentations for School:

    • all presentations get a URL code
      • makes presentations easy to share
      • I tie the URL for the presentation to a QR code that I display at the beginning of the presentation.  That way students can follow along with the presentation on their own devices. (great for the students that sometimes miss material)
      • edits are live, no need to re-save and send out another copy for corrections

    Tuesday, March 25, 2014

    hAppy Tuesday! Most Used Websites and Apps in My Class!

                 


    Zondle (Website and App)


    • game based learning website
    • provides assessment data
    • students love the game interface (many games can be played from one question set)
    • use already created games or make your own
    • reward system that can also be used for behaviors

    Groovy Grader (App) or igrader (App)
    • no need to use the old cardboard graders, use your device
    Edmodo (Website and App)
    • learning platform I use in my class
    • used for:
      • posting classroom materials
      • quizzes
      • used for turning in digital assignments
      • much more
    Padlet (website)

    • virtual wall where content can be shared
    • I create a unit wall with all material for a unit on one wall.  I then share the wall via qr code and Edmodo
    • walls can also be used for students to share ideas.  Privacy setting can be adjusted
    Google Drive

    • almost all of my classroom material and presentations are now created within my Google Drive because:
      • can be shared easily
      • you don't have to have microsoft word or other programs to view
      • very easy to add videos, pictures, and links
      • easy to collaborate with coworkers
      • all documents have a URL so I can turn a doc into a QR code
    Kahoot (website)
    • classroom responses system (game based)
    • create your own games or use already created games
    • easy to use
    • great for test reviews
    • my students love a Kahoot day!
    Smart Seat (app)
    • great seating chart for iPad
    • can use student pictures
    • easily create charts and move students easily
    • able to take attendance and keep notes on students 
    • costs $4.99




    Sunday, March 23, 2014

    hAppy Monday! Tips for using BYOD in your Classroom


    • Use Devices for More than Just Apps
      • research
      • cameras
      • video cameras
      • stopwatches
      • communication (polling, backchannels)
        • Today's Meet
        • Poll Everywhere
      • assessments (Edmodo, Socrative, Infuse Learning, Zondle, ect.)
      • educational games
      • qr codes
      • translator
      • calendars
    • Be Flexible
      • things don't always go as planned, have a "plan B"
      • sometimes thing work better than you planned and sometimes they don't work out be ready to adapt
    • Be Ready to Learn from your Students
      • sometimes students know more than you about devices, learn from them
    • Keep Parents and Students Informed
      • have a list of commonly used Apps for your parents and students
      • let parents know how devices will be used in your classroom
      • be aware of data plans make sure wifi is being used and students are not draining their data plans as school
    • Have clear guidelines and expectations
      • devices should not be hidden
        • I have students keep devices on their desks face up when being used and face down when not being used 
        • I have a policy, if you abuse it, you lose it.  Students will lose their device privileges if they do not follow expectations
      • make sure to teach students cell phone etiquette

    Friday, March 21, 2014

    hAppy Friday! Solar System App. Walk

    First I want to share some of my favorite free Solar System Apps and then give some ideas on how to use them in your classroom.  Here is a list of some of my favorite Solar System Apps:








    HERE is a link to a lesson I will use next week using these apps. I make sure to print of several copies of the markers associated with the apps. Please note that markers must be printed in color. While I ask my students to complete the linked worksheet, I encourage them to explore all aspects of each app. Students learn much more from this activity, than is displayed on their worksheet! I also give my students the list of apps ahead of time, so they can download onto their own devices.

    Monday, March 17, 2014

    hAppy Monday! Big Huge Labs

    Big Huge Labs is a great site for digital projects.  Students can use pictures to create a variety of projects such as trading cards, calendars, photo collages, and many others.  Educators can create individual student accounts. (no email required for students).  I have used this site in the past for several projects.  My favorite was having students create their own solar system trading cards. 

    Tuesday, February 25, 2014

    hAppy Tuesday! Biblionasium

    • online reading log
    • teachers and students can create reading lists
    • teachers can track student's progress
    • makes reading recommendations based on reading levels and interests




    Monday, February 24, 2014

    hAppy Monday! Power My Learning



    Power My Learning
    This is a new website I just learned about.  It is a great resource for teachers, students, and parents. The best part is, it is absolutely free!  You can search by grade and subject in order to obtain all sorts of online games, activities, and other multimedia resources. This is one of the best resources I have found to find online websites and activities for my students!

    • can create student and teacher accounts



    Tuesday, February 18, 2014

    hAppy Wednesday! Quick Key

    Quick Key


    • download app and scan answer documents
    • grading with your phone
    • will need to set up your classes using the website first
    • print the quick ticket 

    • students bubble in their answers
    • scan responses with you cell phone

    Tuesday, February 11, 2014

    hAppy Wednesday! Haiku

    Haiku Deck

    • great presentation tool
    • alternative to power point
    • easy to use
    • very appealing format
    • works with an app or web based