Tech Snacks
Byte-Sized Treats to Transform Learning
Learn Something New - IFL 2018
We invite you to join us for the 15th annual IFL Conference which will be held on June 7, 2018 at Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington, KY. Visit www.fcps.net/ifl for full details and to register.
EdTech VIP Challenge #3: Summer 2018 Challenge
It’s our last #EdTechVIP challenge of the year! For this special challenge, we want to encourage you to try a new tool and tell us about it. Send us an example or a link to something you or your students have created. Haven’t started yet? That’s okay. This is the perfect time to try out that tool you’ve been thinking about. Maybe it’s a Flipgrid video, a Canva flyer, a Kahoot quiz, or something else?
Just tweet a quick description with a link or picture and tag it with @fcpsoit and #EdTechVIP or send us an email at fcps.oit@fayette.kyschools.us. We will send you a badge and display sheet you can use to continue collecting badges next year. (Want to work on previous badges? Find the list here.)
Check out this example from our Chromebook Challenge.
Wes Downing (Cassidy Elementary): Student use of Screencastify on a Chromebook
Creating New SharePoint Shortcuts
After the migration, many SharePoint users have experienced gloom, despair, and agony (on me...Hee Haw!) The problem stems from the syncing of content that has left some sites and subsites with empty folders and missing links. We are working hard to make it right, but a lot of this work takes place behind the scenes and we need some more time to resolve. In the meantime, all of the links to our various SharePoint sites no longer work as they point to the old addresses where SharePoint used to live on the web. So, let’s walk you through creating some new shortcuts for SharePoint sites. First, surf to the SharePoint site for which you want to create a shortcut and then follow the directions in this short video!
Hello? Is this Thing On? Voice Typing
There’s a secret little tool hiding in your Google Docs toolbar. Can you find it? Click on TOOLS and then VOICE TYPING. Click on the microphone icon that magically appears and watch what happens. I’m trying it right now...even while I’m driving.
We’ve all used Siri and “Hey Google” for our personal use but the educational value is huge and often overlooked. Our youngest kiddos, who get frustrated by the hours it takes to peck out a paragraph, soar through voice typing. What is the goal of having them put a story on paper? Is it how many words they can type per minute or is it to witness the majestic stories they have to tell? Writers can focus on their words by brainstorming a topic orally, and then edit directly inside the Google Doc. Dictation not only captures their thoughts and feelings, but it will strengthen spelling (as they revise), punctuation (they will have to think about it), and make them feel accomplished.
What about our English Language Learners? What would it be like if they could speak their native language and translate it (with pretty close accuracy) to English? (TOOLS > TRANSLATE DOCUMENT). Switch that around if working with a foreign language class.
These are just a few benefits of using voice typing. Before you get mad, I do believe 100% in the importance of teaching typing skills along with the writing process by using paper and pencil. Consider voice typing for a variety of assignments and clearly set expectations for your students of when they may use the tools. Start simply with brainstorming, spelling lists, and vocabulary words before easing into paragraphs and full-length novels. Give it a try to strengthen your students’ communication toolbox with a variety of engaging alternatives. Mic drop….
Upcoming Technology PD
Currently posted learning opportunities offered by the Office of Instructional Technology (other than IFL which is described above):
TLC - T103: Technology - Google Level 1 Certification Bootcamp (Kelly Fischer)
Audience: K-12
Dates: 7/31/2018
A fast paced course to explore the core areas of G Suite for Education, designed to increase professional learning and leadership, efficiency in the classroom, student learning and creativity. All content is presented within the context of relevant use with students and teachers. This course is suited for teachers who are already familiar with and actively using G Suite applications and are interested in independently taking the Level 1 examination.
TLC - T104: Technology - Got Chromebooks? Get Kids Creating to Demonstrate Knowledge: Audio/Video Edition (Amy Johns)
Audience: 2-12
Dates: 7/31/2018
Are you looking for ways to increase student engagement and give students meaningful ways to demonstrate their knowledge? This session will focus on tools and resources students can use to demonstrate their learning through different types of video inspired projects that are perfect for Chromebooks. Come learn a few new tricks and leave inspired to challenge your students with something new this year.
TLC- T105: Technology - Got Chromebooks? Get Kids Creating to Demonstrate Knowledge: Visual Tools and Presentations Edition (Amy Johns)
Audience: 2-12
Dates: 7/31/2018
Are you looking for ways to increase student engagement and give students meaningful ways to demonstrate their knowledge? This session will focus on tools and resources students can use to demonstrate their learning through different types of visually inspired projects that are perfect for Chromebooks. Maybe it's getting more out of your student presentations or using new tools to let students visually demonstrate what they have learned. Come learn a few new tricks and leave inspired to challenge your students with something new this year.
TLC - W105: Technology - Go Digital with Formative Assessments! "Let the Robot Do the Grading!" (Jerry Broyles)
Audience: 2-12
Dates: 8/1/2018
Grading by hand is time intensive! Using scanning software to grade paper assessments is expensive and sometimes substandard! Learn how to create digital assessments that are easy to use and are interactive with our students! Creating online assessments is a breeze and so convenient! We will discuss best practices for assessing and choose tools which would be most beneficial. Google Forms, Quizizz and EdPuzzle will be used in this session.
TLC - W106: Technology - Google 101: Using Google in Your Classroom! (Jerry Broyles)
Audience: 2-12
Dates: 8/1/2018
All aboard the Google Train! Experience the basics of Google apps including Google Drive, Docs, and Slides. See Google Classroom in action and empower your students with Google Cast for Education. Check out the numerous applications for using Google Forms and learn how to engage your students and differentiate instruction with EdPuzzle
TLC - Th105: Technology - Got Chromebooks? Get Kids Creating to Demonstrate Knowledge: Audio/Video Edition (Amy Johns)
Audience: 2-12
Dates: 8/2/2018
Are you looking for ways to increase student engagement and give students meaningful ways to demonstrate their knowledge? This session will focus on tools and resources students can use to demonstrate their learning through different types of video inspired projects that are perfect for Chromebooks. Come learn a few new tricks and leave inspired to challenge your students with something new this year.
TLC - Th107: Technology -- Content, Collaboration, and Communication: Introduction to Using Canvas With Students (Paula Setser-Kissick)
Audience: 6-12
Dates: 8/2/2018
Kick start your Canvas courses with an introduction to this versatile learning management system. Learn how to add course content for students to access -- both in and out of the classroom -- create assignments for collecting coursework and providing feedback, and implement discussions and group collaborations to increase student interaction. To make this training even more valuable, select one of your classes, create an online folder with documents, videos, and other course materials before you arrive, and have it ready to go in Google Drive or OneDrive for this session! While we can't cover everything about this incredible tool in three hours, you'll leave knowing the basic skills needed to build a blended learning environment.
TLC - Th106: Technology - Got Chromebooks? Get Kids Creating to Demonstrate Knowledge: Visual Tools and Presentations Edition (Jerry Broyles)
Audience: 2-12
Dates: 8/2/2018
Are you looking for ways to increase student engagement and give students meaningful ways to demonstrate their knowledge? This session will focus on tools and resources students can use to demonstrate their learning through different types of visually inspired projects that are perfect for Chromebooks. Maybe it's getting more out of your student presentations or using new tools to let students visually demonstrate what they have learned. Come learn a few new tricks and leave inspired to challenge your students with something new this year.
TLC - Th108: Technology -- Keeping Parent Communication Classy with Google Sites and Adobe Spark! (Paula Setser-Kissick)
Audience: K-12
Dates: 8/2/2018
Easy? Attractive? Hmm ... easy? When it comes time to connect with parents, we know teachers are looking for that perfect blend of simplicity and professional appearance when it comes to an online tool. Well, look no further. Just gather your materials -- schedules, syllabus, classroom photos, written blurbs, etc. in a Google Drive -- and use those to build your new class website and first parent newsletter of the year during this session. It's the ultimate in killing two birds with one stone, and you'll leave feeling excited about your new communication platforms for 2018-19.
FCPS Office of Instructional Technology
Email: fcps.oit@fayette.kyschools.us
Website: blogs.fcps.net
Location: 701 East Main Street, Lexington, KY, USA
Phone: 859.381.4680
Twitter: @FCPSOIT