Tech Tidbits
Instructional Technology Resources for Education
Tech Tools in the K-12 Classroom
**If you have trouble getting the links to work in the email version try clicking on "view it in your browser" at the top of the email.**
Here's What May be New to You!
Exporting Grades from Google Classroom and Importing into Gradebook
I have had quite a few questions lately about the ability to import grades out of Google Classroom into Progressbook's Gradebook so I decided to share these guides for those who are wanting to do this. **If someone has figured out an easier and more effective way to do this please share with me so I can share with others.** :)
If you have regular assignments please click here for step-by-step instructions.
Use this guide to pull student ID's out of Gradebook (you need these for the import).
Interested in Using Online Badges?
"Badges both online and printed, offer feedback and self-assessment opportunities, making the process more interactive and game-like. They help students to share their accomplishments and achievements with the outside world." (Tech & Learning, Özge Karaoglu, 02/29/16)
31 Google Drive Tips You Can't Afford to Miss
1. Collaboration - this is the entire reason I use Google Drive - it's ability to easily and seamlessly allow you to collaborate with others (up to 50 simultaneously!)
2. Sharing - another feature that keeps me coming back is the ability to easily share any Google document (i.e. sheet, slide, form, or Doc) with others. No need to email an attachment or print out a hard copy just simply set the access level (i.e. edit, view, comment) and share the link...tada!
3. Revision history (suggest edits) - being able to go back to previous revisions is something that any teacher would love but did you know that you can actually click on "suggest edits" and view tracked changes much like you would in MS Office??
4. Add-Ons, Extensions, and Apps...OH MY! - EVERYONE NEEDS THESE! - These are some of my MOST favorite features of Google. Much like "there's an app for that" there is an "add-on, extension, or app for that"! If there is something you think you can't do in Google be sure to check out the Add-ons, extensions, or apps before giving up all hope. (Note: Add-ons are different for each Google App you are working in...sheets, docs, etc. (i.e. orange slice, movenote, table of contents, doctopus, etc.) Extensions are for your Chrome browser and "extend" an application (i.e. bitly, diigo, goobric, extensity, etc.). Apps are from the Chrome Web Store and provide a link between an online application and Google (i.e. Gliffy, geogebra, wevideo, class dojo, study stack, etc.). There can be overlap.)
5. Converting Documents to Google Documents - you can load all types of documents to Google and either keep them in their original format (i.e. MS Office..typically) or convert them to Google Documents. OCR Images/PDFs into text - there once was a time when saving something in .pdf meant it was not editable BUT that has long gone by the wayside. Not only are there web applications for this there is also the Google option "convert text from uploaded PDF".
Click here to read about all 31.
Interested in Creating Your Own Digital Online Content?
"St. Petersburg College and Smart Sparrow have partnered to launch the Learning Design Starter Kit, a free tool designed to help faculty create their own digital learning resources." (Campus Technology, Joshua Bolkan, 03/08/16)
Google Releases New Templates
- Reading Rainbow created a lesson plan and a book report template in Docs.
- The Google Science Fair (GSF) offers template in Slides
- New annual business budget template by QuickBooks in Sheets"
(Tech & Learning, 03/02/16)
Access article here.
Teaching Children How to Code Without Screens
"The starting point was a challenge to help young children be creators not just consumers of technology," Yacob tells Co.Create. "The response was to digest programming and present it back to them in a physical format they could easily understand." (Co.Create, Meg Carter, 03-08-16)
Google Science Fair
"The Google Science Fair is an online science and engineering competition open to students ages 13 to 18 from around the globe. It encourages them to change the world through scientific inquiry and problem solving. They’ll learn about their chosen topic and develop key skills along the way."
"Every year, teachers and mentors play a huge role in the Google Science Fair. Many past finalists and winners credit their teachers with telling them about the competition in the first place and supporting their participation. We’ve put together some resources so you can involve your own students, build on existing classroom learning and contribute positively to their experience."
Assignment application for 1-to-1
"Easy-to-use, real-time monitoring of student work for 1-to-1"
Read full article here.
Learning to Code from Scratch
"Coding isn’t just about video game development or programming scientific equations anymore. Kids across the country are creating interactive projects with themes as varied as fashion design, storytelling, art, and music. The Scratch Foundation was founded in 2013 to promote this different approach to coding and provide financial support for free university-based research projects including Scratch, ScratchJr, and ScratchEd from MIT, Tufts, and Harvard. T&L talked with Lisa O’Brien, director of the Scratch Foundation, about how coding can enhance the student experience and how teachers can implement it in the classroom." (Tech & Learning, Sascha Zuger, 02/24/16)
About Me!
Kalin Wilburn - NCOCC
Professional Development CoordinatorEmail: wilburn.kalin@ncocc.net
Website: www.ncocc-k12.org
Location: 1495 W Longview Ave, Mansfield, OH, United States
Phone: 419-747-8660
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ncoccitc/
Twitter: @edtektrainer