The EdTech Connection
Making the connection between ed and tech: 16 Mar 2020
Chrome Extensions for FCS Teachers
Remember that you need to log in to Chrome for these to work best!
Tip of the Day
Every day (for now), I'll be sharing a tip on Twitter for using itslearning in this extended online closure. I started this on Friday, so you can see what has already been shared by going to the slide deck. Bookmark it and come back every day for a new tip!
Online Learning Ideas
In a physical classroom, it can be hard to see how (or even WHY) to use technology to allow students to have some control over what, where, when, and how they learn. When you suddenly have to start teaching online, it can be hard to see how to take those things that make you a GREAT teacher in the classroom and translate them to an online platform.
So how can we combine the best of both worlds and make our classes even more engaging during this unprecedented time? Here are some tips below, using tools and platforms already available to us in Forsyth County (and many of which are available to you outside).
- Learning Paths in itslearning: If you haven't heard me say it enough before now, I absolutely love Learning Paths and they allow plenty of opportunities for students to have control over time, place, AND pace (you still control the path).
- Nearpod Student-Paced Lesson: When you hover over any Nearpod lesson, you will see the option for a live lesson or a student-paced lesson. Click Student-Paced and then share the link with your students in itslearning. This is also true with PearDeck. If you have both options (like me), I find it good to sometimes switch it up to avoid "tool fatigue."
- Newsela: Even if you are not an ELA teacher, I guarantee you can find a great article to assign to your students, along with writing activities, a quiz, and the ability to create your own assignment.
How do you practice blended learning on a regular basis? Share your ideas for tools or strategies on this Jam so that we can learn from each other.
Recording Tools
Last week, I shared some tips for filming and was asked by several teachers what they could use to record, so I thought I'd share four easy ways to record yourself! Yes, it's hard. Yes, you should just do it. :)
Using a Chromebook
- Flipgrid Shorts: Flipgrid announced last summer a new way to record a short video that you could then use anywhere (not just in Flipgrid). Check out the Jan 2020 Flipgrid blog with instructions and ideas.
- Screencastify: Screencastify is a Chrome extension that will allow you to record your screen, to record just your webcam, or to record both. The free account limits you to 5 minutes, which is PERFECT! Check out the Master the Screencast course for basics, tips, and tricks.
- Loom: Loom is another Chrome extension that allows the same features as Screencastify, but they just announced that they are making their Pro version free to educators. Just use your FCS Google account when signing up!
Using your phone or tablet
- Snapchat: No, don't laugh OR scream. I'm not saying that you should connect with your students using Snapchat. However, you can record a video of up to 1 minute (or longer, if you string them together using something like iMovie) using fun filters, download it to your device, and then share wherever. Check out this example from Meredith White, a Spanish teacher at Peachtree Ridge HS.
- Just use your phone or tablet! The video doesn't have to be super-professional with all of the bells and whistles! Just record a short intro with instructions or explanation and upload it to itslearning!
Angela Burgess
District ITS for Middle & High Schools
Forsyth County Schools, GA
Check out previous newsletters on my profile page!
Email: aburgess@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/forsythk12.org/mmeburgess/home
Location: 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, GA, United States
Phone: 770.887.246 203371
Twitter: @MmeBurgess