WW-P HS North EdTech Bulletin
Resources for Lesson Planning and Collaboration 10/14/16
This Week's Faculty PD Meeting and the Apps Formally Known as Google Apps for Education (GAFE)
Hi everyone! In last week's bulletin we posted the feedback that some of your shared in our September 16th Google Classroom survey. As you may know, Google Classroom is part of a collection of cloud based apps formally known as GAFE (or Google Apps for Education.) However, earlier this month Google announced that they were changing GAFE's name to the G Suite for Education. So as a follow up to last week, Kim & I are wondering how are you utilizing G Suite's "suite" apps? (Sorry, that was too easy.) Have you had (or are interested in having) your students work on collaborative Google Slides presentation? Are you curious about how your students can use Google Draw? Have you used Google Classroom or Google Forms in a creative way?
Let's share! On Monday's PD meeting, I'd love to facilitate a share session where we can brainstorm, share, and discuss how we can make the G Suite work for us. Please consider joining or popping in and out in true unconference form. More details to follow. Hope to see you there!
Tech Tool of the Week-Verso App
Verso: http://versoapp.com/
Looking for an easy way to stimulate conversation in the classroom even from some of your most timid students? Check out Verso!
- Verso allows teachers to post questions and content. Using a chromebook, laptop, or smartphone, students can answer those questions while maintaining anonymity with their classmates and eliminating any apprehensions associated with sharing ideas and taking risks in the classroom.
- Students cannot view other student responses until they have posted a response themselves.
- While students can't see which of their classmates posted what, teachers can. If someone posts something inappropriate, students can flag the response, alerting the teacher. Teachers can then delete anything inappropriate.
- One of the coolest functions in Verso is the ability to group students based on their responses. Teachers can then extend the activity right into a discussion, debate, or collaborative group activity.
For an overview of what Verso looks like, click here: https://docs.google.com/a/wwprsd.org/document/d/1CCD6gMCx4K1KGXY-LGU_o2etOOgQje_EuQLRH_5h3ok/edit?usp=sharing
For ideas on how to use Verso in the classroom, check out this article from Verso's blog: http://versoapp.com/blog/2015/07/10/teacher-resources-15-ways-to-use-verso-app/
Tech Update-Google Suite
Welcome to G Suite! (I guess GAFE didn't quite roll off the tongue.) With Google's new name comes some "suite" new updates. (I have no shame, I'm sorry.)
- Explore for Google Sheets automatically creates charts and summaries of your spreadsheet data. It will even write formulas for you if you say please.
- Explore for Google Docs will recommend content and images and limit image searches to those that comply with SafeSearch and are approved by Creative Commons.
- Explore for Google Slides gives you more layout and design options allowing students to get more creative with their presentations.
Read more about the updates here: https://blog.google/topics/education/introducing-g-suite-education/
Resources for PD
In our last EdTech Bulletin we told you that October is Connected Educator Month. Here are some ways that you can become a connected educator and have a connected classroom too!
- As we mentioned last time, you can start by getting connected with your WW-P colleagues on Twitter! Not on the list? Let us know, and we'll make sure you are added!
- Check out Google+ : https://plus.google.com/ to connect with educators around the world and join communities based on your content area, interests, and more!
- Have you ever been interested in doing a Mystery Skype with your class? Wish you could get a guest speaker into your classroom? Check out the Connected Classrooms community on Google+. On it, you can connect with other classrooms and invite a virtual guest speaker into your classroom. https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/100662407427957932931
Don't forget to register for EdCampNJ, coming to West Windsor-Plainsboro on November 19th. Remember, it's completely FREE. Click here to register: https://edcampnj.ticketleap.com/edcampnj-2016/
TL.DR
Verso App
Let's communicate!
Verso Overview: https://docs.google.com/a/wwprsd.org/document/d/1CCD6gMCx4K1KGXY-LGU_o2etOOgQje_EuQLRH_5h3ok/edit?usp=sharing
15 Ways to Use Verso: http://versoapp.com/blog/2015/07/10/teacher-resources-15-ways-to-use-verso-app/
Google Suite Updates
Connected Educators Month
Let's connect!
Google+ https://plus.google.com/
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/100662407427957932931
Register for EdCampNJ! https://edcampnj.ticketleap.com/edcampnj-2016/
What Our Teachers are Saying...
- Google Classroom: What a great way to communicate and distribute materials when I'm not in class!
- Google Forms quiz: This was so easy to use! I previously used Smart Response, but now I'm using this!
- QR codes: I used the QR code in place of making copies of my course syllabus!
Jessica Verrault
I can support your technology integration by:
- Collaboratively planning lessons and units
- Exploring new tools or updates
- Integrating technology into existing lessons
- Team teaching, assisting, modeling with classes or departments
- Peer coaching
- Problem-solving and troubleshooting instructional issues
- Creating and sharing resources
Email: jessica.verrault@wwprsd.org
Location: HSN Media Center
Phone: (609) 716-5100
Twitter: @jessicaverrault