All Questions Required

So, you're creating a quiz using Google Forms. You get it just right, and share with students via Google Classroom. Then you notice after a few were turned in, that some of the questions were not answered. You were positive that you chose "Required question" on each item. Obviously there was one or two that were overlooked.

Wouldn't it be great if with one click of a button, *SWOOSH!* all items are immediately marked as required?

That's where this neat little add on called, "All Questions Required?" comes in. When you open up a new Google form, click on the three dots in the upper right (hamburger menu), then choose "add ons" at the very bottom. This takes you to the store where you can type in, "All Questions Required" in the search options. Download it, follow the prompts. Easy peasy!

Now... if we can just remember to click the "all questions required" button on our next activity....

Equatio, Quite Possibly a Math Teacher's BFF

Math teachers, we have not forgotten about you! My heart melted when I read Eric Curtis', "Control Alt Achieve" blog, regarding g(math)'s upgrade to Equatio. According to Eric, this fine product should be coming out today! This will be a Chrome Extension, instead of an Add On, which means hopefully it'll work beyond Google Docs.

There will be a free version for Google Docs and a premium version to use with Google Forms. How much? That remains to be seen. I hope it's doable for teachers.

G(Math), as you recall, is an add on for Google Docs that allows us to insert those math symbols onto our Docs.

With Equatio, the students will also be able to incorporate math symbols in their answer space when they fill out your assessment. It'll be an option right inside the short answer answer space or paragraph answer space.

I'm really excited about this new software, and can't wait to see how well it performs. To see it in action, browse over to Eric's blog and check out his animated examples of using the program. See what you think!

Haven't used g(math) yet? Check out the quick video tutorial to get yourself familiar with it.

The Hype About Hyperdocs

Confession time. For a while I thought hyperdocs were simply eye candy for worksheets. However, after watching a couple of videos, especially the one by EdTechTeacher, I've changed my tune. While listening, I immediately had visions of Peer-to-Peer teaching being engaging and accountable. 

So, what exactly are hyperdocs? The "hyper" stands for hyperlinks, and of course "docs" stand for documents. When you create hyperdocs for your class to work on, you're adding links to the document for students to research and learn themselves, the objective of the lesson. Then, to demonstrate mastery, the student could choose to create a slide presentation and include the shareable link on the hyperdocs, write a reflection right there IN the hyperdoc for classmates to read. Include some links for audio from either online, or from your own Google Drive (or other shareable cloud storage you use). If your class has the tools, have the students create an audio file of a report and share the link on the hyper doc.  

Not only is this eye candy for both you and your students, but it allows the students to work collaboratively.   This especially would work well for a 1:1 classroom. As students work through the different activities, they share their reusults or finished projects with their class mates via the links each student adds to the hyperdoc. This would help students who are struggling to get some ideas as to what is needed, and provides an opportunity for students to teach their peers. 

Listen to the explanation Ben gives in the video below, and observe his sample HyperDoc. I could see this being used for Florida History. What do you think? Have you used HyperDocs with your class? I'd love to hear your feedback in the comments below!

Document Cameras--not just for projecting. Flip your lesson!

So, we have document cameras in our room. Whether you're using the ladybug camera, or the aver camera, you are familiar with the idea of having the "video" on your computer screen, and projecting THAT image out to your board.

Are you aware that having that video on your computer desktop also allows you to RECORD what you're demonstrating? Why not record yourself giving a tutorial of the standard you're covering during class? Take said video and save it to your Google Drive (remember, GAFE schools have unlimited storage), then share the said video with your kiddos to Google Classroom as a file attachment, or just share with them straight from Google Drive.

This step will allow your students to have access to your wonderful teaching skills even after hours when they're working from home. It'll also allow the parents to have access to any new skills.

So think about this: next time you're demonstrating how to do a math problem, how to critque a piece of writing, why not record it?

EdPuzzle--Not Just for YouTube

So, during one of the exciting twitter chats either #fledchat or maybe it was #2PencilChat, I learned about an educational website called EdPuzzle. This allows a teacher to assign a YouTube video with some questions embedded.  With the help of Google Classroom, the teacher can post to their Google Classrooms and have the students complete the assignment.

At first I just shrugged it off, since it included YouTube. In our district, although teachers have access to YouTube, and can show to whole group, student accounts have YouTube blocked. Since I am in an elementary school, I can understand it being blocked for students. Guess what? It's not limited to YouTube.

Taking a chance, I reached out to EdPuzzle via twitter and asked some questions. I was hoping that we could upload our video to YouTube, create the questions with EdPuzzle, then download the new project to a Google Drive or something. I know, I know---it's sort of like trying to reach your belly button by going around behind your knee caps. Within the first day, I received a response. It's actually very easy to do, and one DOESN'T have to go through all of the song and dance that I eluded to. Maybe we COULD use it after all!

Test driving it, I was excited to see that it was super easy to use. With a click your google classroom was imported, and ready to go! The first video, the EdPuzzle walks you through the set up, and then you're ready to go! With the FREE version you get all KINDS of neat things to do, and the paid version gives you icing on top of that delicious cake they're already willing to serve you. The more teachers sign up within a school, the less expensive it is.

Interested in EdPuzzle yet? Take a look at the seminar that shows how to integrate this into Google Classroom and see if you're interested...

Google Templates Right in Google Docs!

So, a bit of good news for heavy Google Education users. The Templates can now be accessed right from Google Docs!

Used to, we had to go to the template gallery and start from there. However, that will be going away March 9th. To see the templates, upload your own, share with your district, etc. this can be done all within the Google Drive.

To start, go to your Drive and click "new" as usual. Scroll down to your Google Docs as usual. Next step is a bit different. You should see an arrow indicating a subgroup out to the right of Google Docs. You now have the choice to start from a blank document, or a template.

And guess what? It's not just for Google Docs. You have the same options for Google Slides and Google Sheets, Google's presentation app and spreadsheet app.

Go ahead--doll up those hyperdocs! Add some pizzaz to those Google Sheets!

Neat Add-on for Faster Feedback

If you've ventured into the world of Google Classroom, or Google ANYthing to do with education, surely you've had the chance to run into Alice Keeler. She's only the Guru of all things Google Education. For fun she writes scripts. Yes, for fun. Lucky for us. One such fun script she wrote is for Pull the Paragraph.

Working with Google Docs, when a teacher assigns "Make a copy for all students" option in the Google Classroom and "passes out" a Google Document for each child, the teacher has the option, thanks to Alice Keeler, to pull ALL of the documents into ONE spreadsheet, read each student's work by scrolling, instead of opening, commenting, closing, finding the other one, opening, commenting, closing...rinse, repeat...

With Pull the Paragraph, you read, comment and send back to student all from one spreadsheet.

Take a look at her "how to" on her blog to see some screen shots about this awesome add-on for Google Docs. (note that this works ONLY for Google Docs, not Sheets, Slides or Drawing)

If you look around Alice Keeler's blogsite, you might find a LOT of neat tricks and tips for Google Education anything. Take a look around and let us know of some great finds YOU found useful!

Flipping for Flippity!

Have you heard about the flashcards you make with Google Sheets? Richard Byrne, of FreeTech4Teachers shares this tip in his blog: TEMPLATES!! Once you create your flashcards and publish it (his video clip tells you how), then you copy/paste the link in your Google Classroom, and the kids have custom made flash cards from you!
To learn more about this, watch Richard's video clip below, and then head over to his blog for some more great tips!

Have You Met Google Keep?

Google Keep is a "to-do" option that can be utilized by both teachers and students. Anyone with a google account has access to the Google Keep. Notes created on Google Keep can be shared with others, grouped together in categories, made into a check list, or Post-It Note style. The important notes that you refer to over and over again can be pinned to the top. One of the best selling points of Google Keep is that it's cross platform.

Obviously note taking apps are a dime a dozen, and a lot of them are native apps. Create a note on your Google Chromebook, then access it later on with your IOS device. Feel free to share the note with your Android friend who also has a Google Account. Have your students turn their spelling word notes into reminders to remind them to study for their upcoming spelling test.

View the video below and see if it's something you and your students could use!

Dayboard

Hello fellow educators!
Boy howdy, this tech tip was for ME this week! Thanks to Richard Byrne, I was introduced to a to do list that helps discourage off task behavior. (ME???? Offtask? Never!) It doesn't prohibit you from going to other tabs that you shouldn't be going, but it does remind you, (Ahem, have you finished grading those slide presentations from Google classroom yet?) We all get distracted from time to time, but this Chrome extension will remind you every time you open a tab that you've got a to-do list to complete.

For me, I'll have a mental check list of what I need to be doing, and, as is the nature of the beast, something will call my attention away, and after the interruption has passed, I'd forget what I was working on. I suspect this will keep me on track.
Check out the intro video below to see what it's about.

Writing test is upon us--let technology help

For fast finishers, extra credit, tech center....here is an idea to incorporate Google Apps into a writing activity.

Have kids read two passages, then "write" their papers using Google apps.

Using Google Drawing,  students could create their "planning sheet". They could even create their own digital anchor charts. Have the kids share with you, you download as a PDF or JPG, and share via newsletter or Google Classroom.

After the students create their digital planing sheet, have them create the "paper" using Google slides. Maybe allow 1 slide per paragraph. Use a rubric to allow students one image, a specific style of font and size.

Have students share their slides with you. (And me, please!)  This will help drive home the # of paragraphs you want the students to have, and exactly what information goes into which slide.

After the slide is created, have them write the full side show out on notebook paper. Highlight some of the hard work in your weekly newsletter.

Have fun!

I need your ideas!

Today's blog post is going to be a bit different from the previous blog posts. In this post, I am inviting YOU to write!
There is a padlet created here for you to post your ideas, wishes and musings.  I never see you. I know you're out there.We never seem to talk beyond, 'Hey! Will you stop by and fix my_______?" I know there are questions of, "how can we make this better?" What ideas are there? What apps are there? Are there any tips and tricks that can make MY time more productive? Is there a way for technology to help me work smarter, instead of harder to ensure the kiddos in my classroom reach their full potential?

Click on over to my Padlet and let YOUR voice be heard! It's totally anonymous. It might take a bit for posts to show up. It's on "moderate comments" in hopes of deterring spam.
Thanks for your help!

Toontastic

Another goodie from Richard Byrne, from the FreeTech4teachers.com This little gem can help students visualize their beginning, middle, and ending of their writing piece. Using Toontastic (no sign in required) the students get to choose/customize their scenes (settings), characters, and of course, write their script. The finished product can be downloaded to the device (iOS, Android or Chrome) and shared in a variety of ways, including Google Drive and Google Classroom. (Which, BTW, have you noticed that Google Classroom can now let you pick and choose individual students to send things to? Talk about differentiation!)

Check out Richard's video below to see how easy it is to use the Toontastic Website:

Book Trailers

An alternative to the old fashion book report is creating a book trailer. A book trailer is a short video created to entice the viewers to want to read the book, without giving away the ending, or resolution of the plot.

Having a 1:1 campus, it's easy to incorporate this activity to the fast finishers, or as an extension for a student to create BEFORE taking their AR test. Doing so will help drive the comprehension home just a bit more.

Richard, over at Freetech4teachers.com, tells of two ways students can create a book trailer using their Chromebooks. Two free websites, Adobe Sparks and Stupeflix are his recommendations to get students started creating. Below is the YouTube from Richard showing how to get started using both of the sites. Enjoy!