Tech Snacks
Byte-Sized Treats to Transform Learning 10.1.19
On the Horizon: Syncing Canvas Grades to Infinite Campus
Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego?
It's the ultimate vintage to virtual experience for those gumshoes looking for a mystery to solve. Some of us can probably still sing the “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” theme song, but now, thanks to Netflix and Google Earth, students today can experience an evolved version of Carmen. Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego? plays like the old Carmen Sandiego game where you visit different landmarks, talk to the locals, and decipher clues to figure out Carmen’s next destination but the game utilizes Google Earth to do so. Check out the three that are currently available on any device: The Crown Jewels Caper, The Tutankhamun’s Mask Caper, and The Keys to the Kremlin Caper.
You can also find these and more games by:
Go to Google Earth
Click on the Voyager wheel on the left
Click on Games
Read&Write for Google Chrome
Looking for a way to have a student’s Chromebook read Google Docs, Google Slides, PDFs, and web pages to him or her? Then check out Read&Write for Google Chrome, an extension installed from the Chrome Web Store which offers a free lite version that you may want to explore. When the extension is first installed, the user will have access to the premium version. After 30 days that version expires, but the free version is still very robust. It gives the user:
Text to Speech
Read the Web/Hover Speech
Some PDF features: text to speech, translator, commenting, save to Drive, classroom integration
Translator (single word)
Practice Reading Aloud
Localized language support for French, Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch
Want to learn more? These resources may help:
Quick Reference Guide, Sept. 2018 (includes premium features)
Read&Write for Google Chrome - Screenshot Reader (Video 1:06)
Read&Write for Google Chrome - Practice Reading Aloud Overview (Video 1:44)
Give Your Keep Notes an Upgrade
Do you love to make to-do lists? Do you already use Google Keep to organize your notes/lists, but yearn for something more visual to stay organized? Check out this fun hack that @SlidesMania recently tweeted to create header graphics for your Keep notes. This could also be a useful tool for students to help keep them organized. They could create a different header for each class/project with reminders and notes. Check out the tweet from @Slides Mania at https://twitter.com/SlidesManiaSM/status/1170657679741718528?s=20
Instructional Technology PD
Ready for engaging professional development sessions geared towards implementing technology into your classroom? We have over 40 sessions ready for you! Just hop on over to mylearningplan.com, and click on ACTIVITY CATALOGS and DISTRICT CATALOG in the left hand menu. Type the word TECHNOLOGY in the search bar to locate and register for your choices.
Would you like to work toward your Google Educator Level 1 or Level 2 Certification? This year the Office of Instructional Technology will be offering a series of trainings for both Level 1 and Level 2 certifications to help prepare staff. Individuals can choose which sessions to attend, based on their individual needs, including a two-day boot-camp. A common testing opportunity will be available in the Spring for those who want to test with the group. Visit 2019-20 Google Certification Opportunities for details.
Level 2: Classroom, Forms, Sheets, Drawings, YouTube 10.10.19 with Kelly Fischer
Go beyond the basics! During the first half of this session, you will learn more about intermediate features of Google Classroom, Forms, Sheets, Drawings, & YouTube. During the second half of this session, you will work to complete various tasks and respond to instructional scenarios in a simulated Google Testing environment. This is session is part of the Google for Education Level 2 Certification.
Go, Go, Gadget! 10.14.19 with Josh Rayburn
Coding is not as hard as it seems. We will learn how to use different coding opportunities that can be used in the classroom. Robots, Games, Gadgets, and More. You can code and so can your students!
Sphero in the Elementary Math Classroom 10.17.19 with Ashley Faulkner
Introducing coding and computer science in the elementary classroom can be scary. Why not utilize an easy robotic ball into your math curriculum in order to teach concepts like geometry and sequencing? Join us for a hands-on professional development using a robot every student will love in order to engage or extend students' math understanding. Geared towards 3rd-5th grade teachers but could be adapted for any grade level. Check out a set from your Digital Learning Coach and let the good times roll!
Google Forms and Sheets 10.23.19 with Jerry Broyles
Google Forms are great for creating digital formative and summative assessments as well as survey and questionnaires. Autograded quizzes are the best! Explore question types from short or long answer to multiple choice, rubrics and advanced branch logic and question skip logic. Moving on to Google Sheets, we'll format, organize and filter data and explore data validation.
Canvas Online Classrooms for Beginners 10.24.19 with Julie Gaskin
Explore how to use Canvas, our district online course space, with your students. Participants will be introduced to setting up a course and creating content in an engaging space where students can continue their learning outside of classroom hours.
A Pear a Day, Keeps the Students Engaged 10.28.19 with Ashley Faulkner
Have you mastered using Google Slides in your instruction? Ready to spice up your boring old slide decks or engage your students in your presentation? Peardeck offers a fun and engaging way to formatively assess students or engage them with the content being presented. Use it as an add-on to Google Slides where students can use their Chromebooks to not only see your presentation on their screen, but they can engage by answering questions, drawing their responses, or using the drag and drop slide to fill out a diagram. Grab your device and join us for an interactive session.
Google Slides 10.30.19 with Paula Setser-Kissick
From presentations to ebooks to digital notebooks, Google Slides is a powerful, versatile tool for both teachers and students. Instruction will include how to create and organize Slides; insert and arrange text, Word Art, and Shapes, add videos and graphics; crop and adjust images; and create linked text. Although not required, this session may prepare attendees for the Google Level 1 Certification exam. If you are interested in certification, please visit the FCPS Google Certification site for related sessions and detailed information.
FCPS Office of Instructional Technology
Email: fcps.oit@fayette.kyschools.us
Website: http://blogs.fcps.net/
Location: 1126 Russell Cave Road, Lexington, KY, USA
Phone: 859.381.4680
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fcpsoitlexky/
Twitter: @fcpsoit