TEACHnology Today
Technology Integration Newsletter-October 20, 2015
Quia for Assessment and Review Games
You can also utilize this tool for quick formative assessments or longer summative assessments. The data from these assessments are compiled for you, and questions are automatically graded. You also have the ability to ask short answer and essay questions that are graded by you. Students can view their results at the end of an assessment or at a later time. As a teacher, you have quite a bit of control over the testing conditions, which ensures test security.
If you are interested in giving Quia a try, I have a few open licenses that are up for grabs on a first come, first served basis. Please email me at jocelynn.buckentin@hutch.k12.mn.us or jocelynn.buckentin@isd423.org and I can get you the information.
Migration to Google Mail (Gmail)
As you work to familiarize yourself with Google Apps for Education, please utilize the training sites that we have developed for you. These will allow you to work at your own pace and on your own schedule to learn about the variety of tools available to you in the Google suite.
We will be covering these topics in the trainings that will be offered in each building on a rotating basis over the next few months, but you are welcome to do them on your own as time permits.
Because the tools in Google Apps for Education (GaFE) all work together in a variety of ways, you may choose to extend your training beyond Gmail and Calendar to fully take advantage of the benefits of these tools.
Each training has a short 10-minute tutorial that walks you through the major features of that tool. Following the training link, you will also find a PDF that you can print as a quick reference. I am working on creating a quick assessment piece for each tool, which is voluntary. It will allow you to quickly assess your understanding to see if you are ready for the migration. The Gmail and Calendar quizzes are found at the end of the training pages for those tools. You are welcome to take them anonymously if you wish.
Gmail Proficiency Learning Targets:
I can send and receive an email.
I can organize email by filtering, labeling, or whatever method works for me.
I can save an attached document to my drive from an email window.
I DO NOT ever leave email unread; instead, I have learn how to filter it into the trash, read it, or label it for later reading.
Google Calendar Proficiency Learning Targets:
I can create a calendar event and send an invite.
I can create a calendar.
I know how to color code my events.
I can reply (RSVP) to an invite.
I can add a calendar to my list from the isd423.org collection.
- I can access and add an event to a shared calendar.
Google Drive Proficiency Learning Targets:
I can create and share a doc, sheet, drawing, etc. from Drive.
I can find a doc in my “shared with me” or Drive by using the search bar.
I can upload files to my Drive.
- I can organize my Drive by moving files into folders.
Click here to access a short 10 minute training on Google Docs. This resource will teach you how to create, share, edit, comment and review Google Docs to become proficient in this tool.
Google Docs Proficiency Learning Targets:
I can create a Google Doc.
I can share a Google Doc
I know how to use the Comments, and Chat features for collaboration.
- I know how to use the Editing, Suggesting, and Viewing features for editing and reviewing docs.
Chrome Proficiency Learning Targets:
I can manage different Google Accounts in Chrome.
I can use the Apps Launcher to explore Chrome Apps and switch between Google Apps.
I can perform a search using the Omnibox.
I can arrange and reorder my tabs and pin a tab in place.
I can manage Chrome extensions.
I can manage and organize my bookmarks in Chrome.
Click here to access a series of short 10 minute trainings including Forms, Slides and Sheets. To view the proficiency learning targets for each of the 3 tools included in this Google Apps training, visit the link above.
Summary of Slides, Sheets and Forms Proficiency Targets:
- Create and share a Google Slides presentation.
- Create and share a Google Sheet.
- Create and share a Google Form.
- Embedding content into a Google slide.
- Using formulas to sort and calculate data in Google Sheets.
- Sending a Google Form to collect data and accessing the information that is collected.
This Week In The Classroom
Nesha Withers has been working diligently with her 4th grade students to integrate Chromebooks into their classroom routine. She has been utilizing Quia for learning games and skills practice, in addition to Kahoot for in-class review and Google Classroom for the organization of learning materials and links as well as assignment submission. She has also created a Multi-Media Text Set to facilitate her students' learning about immigration using Google tools including Docs and Forms. Great work Nesha!
Rochelle Drahos wanted to take her "Build a Food Plate" assignment digital with her 7th graders this year. She utilized Google Drawings to create a template of her assignment with directions, and distributed the assignment with Google Classroom to create a copy of her template for each student. Students were able to use graphic design to create their own food plate that met the standards Rochelle had laid out. Her students were deeply engaged in the activity and excited to work on this assignment with the Chromebooks. Awesome job Rochelle!
Reviewing with Chromebooks and Kahoot in 4th Grade
Working on the Chromebooks in 7th Grade
Food Plates with Google Drawings in 7th Grade
Past Editions of TEACHnology Today:
September 24, 2015: Google Calendar Added to Google Classroom—How to Share Yours, Google Chrome Extensions Explained, 4 Great Chrome Extensions—Share to Classroom, Synergyse, Read&Write, and Fluency Tutor
October 19, 2015: Intro to Quia for Assessment and Review Games, Digital Citizenship Week Educator Guide, Gmail Migration Training Materials, Google Apps for Education for Elementary Students, and This Week in the Classroom with Nesha Withers and Rochelle Drahos