Darroch's Dose
Tech Tip Tuesday for December 1, 2015
Why Participate in Hour of Code?
Hour of Code week is coming up next week, December 7-13. So the big question I have been asked lately is, "Why should my class participate in the Hour of Code?" Last year, as a classroom teacher, I signed my students up for the Hour of Code at Code.org. I thought it would be fun for my students to participate in a nationwide event. Little did I know when I signed my students up I would become a true believer in the power of code. Yes, the power of code. Last year as a classroom teacher and this year as a technology integration coach, I have witnessed children become leaders who otherwise would follow. I have seen children so excited about code, they continue courses at home offered by Code.org. I have seen children problem solve, collaborate , and persevere. After teaching a coding class I often ask the students what did they learn. Responses from children include:
- I learned to never give up!
- I love the challenge.
- I learned how important it is to review my work.
Children are curious and want to learn how to make things such as computers and robots do useful things. And while coding is fun, what really matters are the lasting benefits of building skill sets such as logical thinking, problem solving, persistence, collaboration, and communication.
This year the Hoover City Schools Foundation is sponsoring Hour of Code by providing iCode stickers to every student who completes Hour of Code. If you haven't already, please click the link below and sign up your classroom. Code.org added two fun coding activities centered around Minecraft and Star Wars. This will be exciting for your students! Contact me if you would like for me to teach an Hour of Code lesson to your students that week.
Other great coding activities for Chromebook and IPads!
Thank you Hoover City Schools Foundation for your support!
How to Share a YouTube Video Without Ads and Commercials
YouTube has some great educational videos, but the ads and commercials tend to get in the way. Here is a quick and easy way to show a YouTube video without all the unwanted extras.
2. Paste your YouTube URL
3. Use the link provided by Safeshare to show your videos or send to your students
It is as easy as 1,2,3!
Professional Development Opportunities
I will resume Professional Development the week of November 29th!
Please check out the upcoming professional development offerings at your school. I have made a few changes!
Need Help?
Tuesday - Deer Valley Elementary
Wednesday - Bluff Park Elementary
Thursday - Greystone Elementary
Link to Help Form: http://goo.gl/forms/FSrkrKVktU
Link to Frequently Asked Questions: http://bit.ly/1Lit5k3 (Content added daily!)
Sara Carpenter's Blog: http://www.techcoachtimes.blogspot.com/
Time to Share!
Great Website to find apps:
Contact Me!
I would love to come to your room and teach a lesson. Here are just a few of the lessons I am teaching in the classrooms.
- Create a digital post card using Google Slides
- Create a Mystery Number, Person, Place, or Thing with Google Slides
- Lesson on Tour Builder
- Create Student Portfolios using Google Sites
- Pick from a number of Google Projects
- Graph data using Google Sheets
- Research lessons
- Technology Playground Centers
- Code Lessons
- Google Drive lessons with the Do's and Don'ts of creating a Google Slide Presentation
- Read a Digital Book with a writing extension activity using Google Docs
- Reading Centers with iPad
- Digital Citizenship Lessons
- Research Lessons
Please email me or fill out the help form to schedule a day and time.
I would love to learn from you! Please invite me into your classroom to see all the engaging ways you are using technology in your classroom.