WW-P HS South EdTech Bulletin #4
Resources for Integrating Technology into Instruction
October 14, 2016
The Suite Life
In the last edtech 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.) Earlier this month, Google announced that they were changing GAFE's name to the G Suite for Education.
As a follow-up, Jess & 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?
Share your thoughts, feedback, ideas, or questions in the High School South Google Classroom. Simply add a "class comment" on Kim's announcement.
New this week!
Tech Tool of the Week
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.
Tech Refresh
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 SafeSearchand 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 mentioned 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
EdcampNJ
Join educators from around the state and tri-state area at EdcampNJ, a yearly unconference designed specifically for teachers, supervisors, and administrators who want to take the lead in their own professional learning, development, and community.
Saturday, Nov 19, 2016, 08:00 AM
Thomas Grover Middle School, Southfield Road, West Windsor Township, NJ, United States
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/
G Suite
Connected Educators Month
Google+ https://plus.google.com/
https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/100662407427957932931
Register for EdCampNJ! https://edcampnj.ticketleap.com/edcampnj-2016/
Pirate Talk
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!
Share your thoughts, feedback, ideas, or questions in the High School South Google Classroom. Simply add a comment on Kim's "assignment."
Kim Lowden
Supporting teachers integrating technology into instruction
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
Kindly send me an email or Google Hangout, and we will work out a time that fits with your schedule to meet 1:1, with your department, or a small cohort. You can view my calendar here: http://bit.ly/KLcalendar
Email: kimberly.lowden@wwprsd.org
Website: https://www.pinterest.com/msitech/
Location: HSS Media Center
Phone: 5216
Twitter: @ms_itech