Tuesday Tech Tips
October 7, 2014
In this issue: FlipSnack, IFTTT, Symbaloo, Graphing on a Google Doc, Scratch, Guest Teacher, Assistive Technology Tool/Webinars, MACUL Journal, and Remind
Upcoming School Visit Dates
North Huron - October 15
Owen-Gage - October 16
Lakers - October 21
Bad Axe - October 22
I am constatnly scheduling schools for full/half day visits. During these visits, I can sit down wtih individual teachers or a group of teachers at times convenient for you. This could be prep time or I could sit in on a lesson in your classroom. Sitting in on a lesson would allow me to give you suggestions and tips to better use technology with your students. Either way, I look forward assisting you.
FlipSnack - Create Flip Books
Here is a great eight minute YouTube tutorial on how to create and embed your flipping book.
Classroom Uses
-Have students take their Microsoft Word or Google Doc essays, book reports, notes, research papers, etc., and make a flipping book. Share the link with the teacher and classmates to view it on any device.
-Take the class syllabus and embed it to the classroom webpage.
-Embed students work on the classroom webpage or the student's blog.
Examples
I took a math game PDF file (below) and made a flip book out of it really quickly. Click on the attachment below and it will take you to the flipbook version.
Simple flipbook on snakes which has a YouTube video embedded.
IFTTT - If This Then That
What is IFTTT?
IFTTT is a service that lets you create powerful connections with one simple statement: "If This Then That." With this app, you are able to set up unique triggers that set off specific actions. This allows your apps to work together and simplify your workflow.
Examples
* IF you take a picture in a set GPS location (such as a local school district) THEN it will save it automatically to a specific Google Drive folder or in your Dropbox.
* IF tomorrow's forecast calls for rain, THEN it will send you an email.
* IF you arrive at your place of work, THEN mute my phone and vise versa.
* IF new free apps come out on the App Store, THEN it will send you an email of that app.
There are thousands of "recipes" already created. Visit IFTTT to create your own actions.
Symbaloo
g(Math) - Graph Formulas and Plot Points in a Google Doc
To get this tool, open a Google Doc (which is found in your Google Drive) and choose the "Add-ons" tab. From there, chose the "get add-ons" and search for "g(Math)." Install it by clicking the +Free button. Installing this does not take administrative rights. Once installed, click back on your "Add-ons" tab and you will see "g(Math)." Click on it to get started.
Scratch - Learn How to Code/Program Interactive Stories, Games, and Animations
Do you have any advanced students that are looking to learn how to code? Scratch is a MIT created program offered for free and would be a great advanced project or after school program/club.
The ability to code computer programs is an important part of literacy in today’s society. When people learn to code in Scratch, they learn important strategies for solving problems, designing projects, and communicating ideas.
Listen to this Ted Talk on why it is important for students to know how to code.
Guest Teacher - Kelli Johnson - How She Flipped Her Classroom
Kelli utilizes Screencast-O-Matic to record her videos. This website allows her to record videos off her computer screen for up to 15 minutes per video. It also allows her to upload and store videos on the site if necessary. She uses a tablet computer with a stylus pen along with a PowerPoint to create and present her information. This allows her to work out various math problems on the screen and, together with her explanation, everything is captured in a video for her students to watch at home. Once the videos are created, she uploads them to her Google Drive and shares the link with her students through her online lesson plans. The extra time required to flip her classroom has been minimal since the PowerPoint presentations are the same presentations she was using in the past on a daily basis with her students. Thus, the only extra time has been recording the videos which are anywhere from 10 - 20 minutes in length depending on the material, as well as the necessary time to upload them to share with her students.
Kelli's Algebra II students are required to watch the videos on their own and in return are given time in class to do homework. Students spend most of their class time in small groups completing their work as well as helping one another when needed. Kelli also is available to her students and spends her time working with the groups - guiding, reassuring, or redirecting when necessary. Kelli believes the student/teacher interaction and the student engagement during this time is one of the most important features of flipping her classroom.
Kelli's students have commented that they like the fact that they can stop and rewind the video while taking notes and are much more focused taking notes at home than in the classroom. In addition, athletes find it much easier to take notes after a sporting event than to come home and have to work through their math homework problems when they are tired. Parents have commented that having the teacher available in class to help with the homework rather than their student asking them for help or just giving up is a major benefit they see. Most of her students have internet access at home, and if they don't, they are directed to the media center to catch up on the videos.
So in conclusion, Kelli feels that flipping her classroom has been a win-win situation for all involved.
The following is the link to my Section 1.1 Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_JtP2gfGPjSYlBJMnZNbHoxOTQ/edit?usp=sharing
Assistive Technology Tool - Turn a Battery Toy into a Switch
There are devices out there which are inexpensive (I have found some for $13) that can turn battery operated toys into switches. These devices are called "Battery Device Adapters."
Why use a switch for a toy? Many disabled individuals cannot use toys in their original form. Their only satisfaction with a toy would be seeing it being used by another individual. Using a battery device adaptor connected to a switch will allow a disabled person to turn it on/off themselves and use the toy to its fullest potential.
Visit this site for more information.
Free Assistive Technology Webinars in October
Get Connected with Me Using Remind
Remind Groups - Click on the group you wish to follow to get set-up directions:
6th -12th Grade Social Studies
Remind Facts
*Always free
*It takes an average of 15 seconds to sign up
*One out of five teachers in America use Remind
*Over 60 million messages are sent through Remind each month
MACUL Journal - Free
1) Go to the MACUL site and download the PDF (if you read about FlipSnack, then you will know how to turn this into a flipbook).
2) On your device, download the Issuu App (IOS, Android, or Windows). Search for "MACUL Journal" and get present or past issues. You may also save the journals to your device for offline viewing.