The Power of Screencastify

Screencastify is a great video screen capture extension for Chrome that gives you the power to create videos for your classroom. Teachers can use Screencastify to flip their classrooms or share pertinent information with students and parents. Students can also use Screencastify to produce digital presentations. Screencastify is easy to use, and with one click, you can save your video to the Google Drive and YouTube.

Click here to install the extension and watch the included video in order to learn how to get and use Screencastify.

Parent Teacher Conference Slam

Wow...it is already December! As with any school year, time is flying by, and we are already gearing up for final exams. November was a crazy month due to numerous professional conferences, parent teacher conferences, and Thanksgiving; however, we did some great things at Neuqua Valley High School that I wanted to share. 

Parent teacher conferences can be a stressful time for teachers. While it is always wonderful to meet the students' parents, it can take time to properly prepare for each conference if a teacher plans to share student artifacts from class. In an effort to help save teachers some time, frustration, and stress, we sent out various tips and tricks in order to help teachers DOMINATE their parent teacher conferences in our Parent Teacher Conference Slam video series.

What is a slam you might ask? A slam is a quick, fun, and energetic tutorial of some sort of app, skill, or idea. The goal….learn something awesome and use it in order to make your life easier! SLAM!

Video #1: Searching the Google Drive  

Video #2: Using Google Forms = Student Ownership

Video #3: Navigating Google Spreadsheets

Video #4: Becoming a Chrome Ninja

Video #5: Creating a Timer

Geeking Out

Life is good….Google released even MORE updates yesterday to the tools we all know and love. (Yes…I am geeking out) #Googledomination

Now for the updates….(Here is a quick preview list. Click on the links below in order to read more about the updates and see them in action)

1.   Voice typing in Google Docs

2.      Easily see new changes in Google Docs

3.      Revamped Google Forms (You have to opt in to try the new Google Forms)

4.      Google Fonts preserved in Microsoft products

5.      The new Explore option in Google Sheets – analyzes your data and automatically creates charts and surfaces based on the information (Seems pretty powerful)

6.      Partial cell formatting in Google Sheets

7.      Templates in Docs, Sheets, and Slides – Numerous options in order to help you focus on content and not formatting (Some really great options available)

8.      New themes/color schemes in Google Slides

Click here for more information about these awesome updates.

In addition to the Google Drive/productivity updates, Google rolled out a new Chrome extension called Share to Classroom, and it is a wonderful tool for classroom use! Teachers can push websites directly out to students, and it will automatically open up in the students’ Chrome browser. (Students must have this extension downloaded and enabled in order for it to work) If you are interested in using this new extension, click here to read more about its capabilities.

I will leave you with this…If you are looking for a great daily bell ringer activity, just Google Search Fun Facts.

Finding the Goods...

Now that we are one week into the school year, I am starting to get myself organized and actually have time to tackle my long list of things I would like to do as a teacher and instructional technology coordinator. With the constant updates and improvements to many of the IT tools that I find valuable for the classroom, it can be hard to keep up; therefore, one of my goals is to get better about staying in the loop and sharing what I can with different departments at my school. 

Yesterday, as I sifted through all of the tweets I favorited this summer so that I could come back to them as needed, I was extremely impressed with the resources shared by my PLN. As an educator, it is so refreshing to know that there are people out in the world who are willing to share all of their wonderful ideas with others thirsty for knowledge. Not only do they share this wonderful information, but many of them also include images and make instructional videos in order to make the learning experience more enjoyable and meaningful. In our digital world, the overabundance of information we can find online is overwhelming; however, if you know what you are looking for, it can be a wonderful resource in your professional and personal life. 

My classroom continuously evolves due to the knowledge I gain from others. I feel grateful for my colleagues and PLN who supply me with endless tips, tricks, and suggestions to make my classroom environment more student-centered. Ultimately, it is not about the tools that I am using, it is about WHY I am using them in order to enhance my instruction and the students' learning experience.

Isn't it wonderful to know that we can rely on each other in order to share the goods that can and will transform the classroom environment? Step one...find the goods! 

It Will Be Fine...

School has officially started, and my colleagues are all eager to get through the first two days of meetings in order prepare for our first day with students. While everyone, including myself, is disappointed and sad that summer is over, there is that same buzz of excitement that I always appreciate at the beginning of the school year.

As new teachers enter our district, they have to complete a few days of new teacher camp. As an instructional technology coordinator, I have the opportunity to present to new teachers about the technology we offer in the district. Despite the overwhelming amount of info we have to present, it was a wonderful afternoon of learning. I was so impressed with the new teachers' enthusiasm and passion for their new positions in the district. The excitement in their eyes reminded me of the excitement I had as a new teacher. What a wonderful feeling! My goal this year is to hold onto this excitement and use it in a positive way in my classroom.

I have adopted a new motto this year about all of the other work, besides teaching, that takes up a majority of the day and causes stress in the workplace:

"It will be fine!" 

The most important part of my day is the time I spend with my students, and it is my job to create a safe, creative, collaborative, and insightful environment for them to gain success as learners. Everything else will get done when it gets done. It will all be fine. 

Friendly Faces

Today, I attended a conference about digital learning. While I enjoy attending conferences and learning from others, I think the best part of the whole process is the opportunity to chat with friends and colleagues. I always walk out of conferences feeling recharged, but that is large in part to the conversations I have with other teachers. Today was no different. One of my friends and colleagues was also in attendance, and we finally got the chance to catch up after a busy year and summer. As I rattled off all of my thoughts and concerns regarding going back to work and different parts of my job, he listened and offered new insights that I have never considered. The 30 minute conversation gave me an entirely new outlook on the year and my role as a teacher, technology coordinator, and most importantly, mom.

Today was a great reminder of the power of conversation. We are all guilty of always looking at difficult situations in the same way, and it was so nice to talk through some situations with a friend and hear a different outlook and perspective that challenged me, yet helped me move forward with clarity and excitement.

Returning to Reality

Well...it happened. I have officially turned into the new mom I never thought I would be. I am smitten with my baby boy but also constantly worried about what to do in every situation. I never imagined I would be this way, but sure enough, and just like my mom said would happen, I have transformed into a typical new mom. Luckily...I don't mind one bit. 

My newest problem becomes the balancing act that all working moms must try to maneuver: being a great mom and a great teacher. As a teacher, my "kids" have always been my students and a top priority in my life. Nothing like 150 high school "kids" to keep me on my toes. Now, in addition to the students that take over my classroom, I will come home everyday to my little guy that needs love and attention. As I return to work this August, I am anxious about how I will tackle all of my roles: teacher, instructional technology coach/coordinator, and most importantly, MOM. 

As all teachers know, our work never stays at work. It is impossible. In addition, our emotions about all parts of our job never stay at work. Teaching young people has to be one of the most rewarding professions; however, it can also be overwhelming and consuming. This is not a complaint...it is the truth. In my opinion, the fact that we bring our work and emotions home with us at the end of the day means that we are good teachers. We care....and that is what our students need in order to gain success. 

So now...how does this passion and dedication to my job continue when I have new obligations at home? This is my new reality and a challenge I am excited to accept. 

As return to work in two weeks to start my seventh year as a teacher, my goal is to find a balance between being a great mom to my 6 month year old son and a motivating teacher and colleague at school. Stay tuned as I continue to share my experience and what I learn along the way! 

So Happy Together....Google Drive and Microsoft Office Edition

While we know and love that many teachers are going Google, there are still plenty of teachers who prefer Microsoft Office and worry that due to their differences, the two cannot work together. While people can upload Microsoft files to the Google Drive, it often becomes tedious because if any changes are made to the Microsoft files, the user has to re-upload them to the Google Drive in order to store the most current file. 

Extra work = more time = frustrating

Well...the good news is that there is a new Google Drive plug-in for Microsoft Office. What's up!

This plug-in allows Office users to open their Microsoft files that are stored in the Google Drive and then save any changes they make right back onto their Drives. Also, if a person is working on a document, spreadsheet, or presentation on his/her computer, the plug-in gives the option to save the file directly to the Google Drive from the Office apps. 

Microsoft Office and Google Drive users, rejoice! 

Click here to download the plug-in
Official Google Release (My Resource)

Privacy in your Google Doc - DocSecrets

Privacy is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to teachers and students collaborating in the Google Drive. As Google Apps for Education continues to improve their security, numerous apps, extensions, and add-ons can help do the trick. DocSecrets is a new add-on that allows users the option to keep certain parts of a Google doc private to other collaborators, even if these collaborators have editing privileges. 

DocSecrets places color over certain parts of the doc that are password protected by the owner. After the owner installs and clicks on DocSecrets from the add-on bar, he/she is asked to create a password and then gets to choose what needs to be private from other users. When other users open up the document, the privileges granted by the owner will stay the same, but the text that was marked as private by the owner will not be viewable. The owner can then decide to make this text viewable as needed. 

Click here to learn more about this new add-on. 
Google Guru's overview and video 
Get DocSecrets

Kaizena - Authentic Feedback for Students

Teachers spend countless hours grading student work in order to provide feedback for improvement. One of the most frustrating parts of this process is watching the students stuff their graded work into their overflowing backpacks, or better yet, throw their work out as they leave the classroom. While feedback is crucial to their academic journey, it is important for teachers to provide authentic feedback that students understand and can actually use in order to improve their skills.

Kaizena is a free resource that allows teachers the ability to track and rate skills in student work, while providing feedback in different ways. Users can sign in with their Google Accounts and even take advantage of the Kaizena App for Google Docs or Kaizena Mini Google Add-on that makes it easy to utilize the tool directly in the Google Drive. Kaizena provides the following options for feedback:

• Track/rate skills and rubric criteria - Kaiziena creates a summary for the teacher/student
• Provide voice comments directly in student work 
• Two-way, real time conversation in order to promote collaboration and communication 

Kaizena gives teachers the opportunity to provide fast, authentic feedback to students. In turn, it gives students the opportunity to hear directly from their teachers and communicate as needed in order to improve their skills. 

Try Kaizena

Kaizena App for Google Docs 

Kaizena Mini Add-On (Chrome Web Store) 

Kaizena YouTube Channel

Pump It Up

Get students moving in your classroom! Sitting all day is exhausting, and this is a reason why students lose focus during the school day.

Move It is an impressive Chrome Extension that encourages physical activity, and it can easily be used in the classroom. Click here for more information about Move It and to download the extension.

• Movement and Learning...Read More
• Focus in the Classroom...Read More
• Shadowing a Student...Read More

Movenote

Movenote is a wonderful Google App that allows teachers and students the ability to create presentations for others to view. With its recent updates, Movenote provides the option to create audio presentations and video presentations. Users can upload docs and presentations from their Google Drive or computer and then record their presentation with or without a video of the user on the screen. In addition, a recent update allows the presenter to draw on the slide in order to enhance the presentation and draw attention to what is most important.

Teachers can utilize Movenote by creating presentations that students can view at home while working on class work. In addition, if a teacher has a planned absence, he or she can record their lesson and have the substitute play the lesson for the class.

Students can utilize Movenote by creating presentations for class assignments. It promotes speaking skills and allows students to be creative with their presentations. Also, Movenote provides an outlet for sharing presentations, thus promoting communication and collaboration in the classroom. As with teachers, if a student has a scheduled absence during an assignment that requires them to present, Movenote is an option in order for students to still complete the assignment.

In order to utilize Movenote, go to www.movenote.com and sign in with your Google account on the top right hand corner. If you want to utilize Movenote right from the Google Drive, click on New -> More -> Connect More Apps -> Search for Movenote.

Visit the Movenote Channel on YouTube to find more tutorials for this beneficial classroom resource.