The EdTech Connection
Making the connection between ed and tech: 10 Feb 2020
Chrome Extensions for FCS Teachers
Remember that you need to log in to Chrome for these to work best!
New Holiday Backgrounds for ClassLink
Last week, I decided that it was time to add some new festive backgrounds to our "Custom Background" offerings in ClassLink, just in time for Valentines Day. There are at least to six to choose from, so feel free to change your background each day! The images below are just a sample!
To change your background, follow these steps:
- Right-click anywhere in ClassLink
- Choose "Change background."
- Select "Change image."
- You'll first be taken to ClassLink's standard wallpapers. To change to our FCS-curated images, change the dropdown to "Custom wallpapers."
- Find an image you like and click "Select."
Happy Virtual Valentines from DMS!
Lacey Gooch, ITS at DeSana Middle School, has been adding to a Google Slide deck with Virtual Valentine tools for her teachers! Check out what she's sharing using this button!
Learning Path Best Practice: Tests
Learning Paths are great, aren't they? If you haven't tried one in your class yet, you definitely should. Not only are they perfect for online learning days (Wasn't last week's weather crazy??) or sub days, they are also perfect for in-class blended learning.
However, as with everything, there are some best practices that you need to consider when building your learning path.
- Start by building a folder, adding in everything you need (files, links, videos, assignments, tests, etc) in the order you want students to complete them.
- Decide if and how you will differentiate based on student performance on Tests. Remember, you can only send students DOWN a path, not back up.
- Decide how many attempts students have on Tests. My recommendation is that they have either ONE or UNLIMITED. If you set it at a different number and then have problems where students are unable to keep going, try changing the number of attempts to one of these options and have them try again.
- Once everything is in the folder exactly as you want it, go to the three dots in the top right of the folder and select "Make Learning Path." From there, you will be able to select certain options for students.
- I recommend that Assignments be set at "Submitted" and Tests at 70% minimum score (I use 80% as my baseline, most of the time).
- Remember to click the "Complete path" button at the bottom and slide the "Visible to students" button when you're ready.
Questions? Be sure to reach out via email or Twitter!
Nearpod News
Looking for some more ways to include Nearpod in your lessons in a meaningful way? Check out some tips and resources from them below!
- 6 Genius Ways to use Student-Paced Nearpod Lessons
- Check out Current Events Lessons
- Find different learning strategies for your students (like navigating tests and the benefits of reflection)
How are YOU using Nearpod with your students? What questions fo you still have about how or why to use it or even how to get started?
Angela Burgess
District ITS for Middle & High Schools
Forsyth County Schools, GA
Check out previous newsletters on my profile page!
Email: aburgess@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/forsythk12.org/mmeburgess/home
Location: 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, GA, United States
Phone: 770.887.246 203371
Twitter: @MmeBurgess