Tech Tips: Socrative Updates

Tech Tips

Issue 19

This Tech Tip will look into the new updates possible in Socrative.  Many of you are already using this instant assessment tool, but there have been some improvements to the program.  You are now able to import images into questions and create short answer questions!   

Socrative added two new FREE features. These features are:

1. Allowing images in questions
2. Enabling graded short answer questions.

Enable New Features:

In order to access these new features, you will need to complete the Socrative teacher profile survey:

https://www.socrative.com/plans/teacher-profile

  

Adding Images:

To add images to quiz questions (both multiple choice and short answer):

1. Select the question type you want

2. Click the “Add Image” link under the question text

3. Choose the image you want to add. The images must be 1MB or less.

4. Save your question

Add Short Answer Questions:

To add graded short answer questions to quizzes:

1. Select the question type “Short Answer”

2. Add question text, image (if wanted), and answers.  To add multiple correct answers add a comma (,) between each answer.  

3. Save your question

Hopefully these will be helpful for teachers creating quizzes!

Here is a great "How To" video of the new features created by Richard Byrne (freetech4teachers.com).

Learn.ly: Adding Voice Comments in Google Documents

I love the ability to add comments to a student's document in Google Drive.  Not only does it help students edit their work   before a final submition, but it it is also a great way and give  positive feedback at any time.  I found the following video on FreeTech4Teachers.com and think it is the next step to commenting on a student's work directly from Google Drive.  Teachers can add their own voice to a Google Document by adding an application from Learn.ly to their Google Drive account (see tutorial below). The following tutorial was made by Jennifer Roberts. 

ClassDojo Parent Report Updates

I make it no secret of the fact that my absolute favorite classroom management tool is ClassDojo.  It is such an important piece of my classroom management system.  They have just release the following Parent Report update.  The information below was emailed to me from ClassDojo.  Check it out. If you have not tried ClassDojo, sign up and see what you have been missing.  You will love it!  Your students will love it!  Your students' parents will love it!  Start DoJo'ing!

The Exciting New ClassDojo Reports

We've listened to your feedback, and built a beautiful new ClassDojo reports experience for you - check it out!

Here's what's new:

• Easier-to-use than ever before - and lightning fast
• Sorting options so you can easily spot trends and improvements
• Engage parents and students with just one click - with the all-new 'Connections' section

We hope you love the new reports experience as much as we loved making it for you. As always, if there's anything we can do to help, just let us know. :)

Cheers,
The ClassDojo team

Never miss another update!

Connect with ClassDojo and be first to get new features:

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The "To Do" and "Reminder" Lists I use: Google Keep and Any.Do

What Note Taking, To Do, Reminder List To Use?

 

Google Keep is a great organizational "Note Pad" tool.  It syncs with your Android phone and Google Drive.  I have been using it for a few weeks now and find is easy to use and nice to have.  I am still a huge fan of Evernote, but Google Keep is more of a "List Making" app for me.  The app on the phone is easy to add lists and ideas (even with the voice command) and the convenience of having access to it through Google Drive just seals the deal for me.  There are tons of other options out there, but I really like this one for simple "things I need to remember to do or have lists of".

Google Play Link for Google Keep

My other new favorite (even used more than Google Keep in my life) is Any.Do.  This is a "To Do" list that can be used on your IOS/Android/Chrome Extension and they all sync well together.  I like that with Any.Do you can add a reminder, detailed notes, and put them into folders.  There are different ways to view within the app as well.  It also plays well with Gmail and allows you to set up notes directly from a email while you are reading it.  I access this app numerous times each day.  I highly recommend looking into it if you need reminders and lists for planning.

Google Play Link for Any.DO
iTunes Link for Any.Do

I use both these tool on a daily basis and recommend them to anyone!  I don't know how I could get though my busy days without them both!

Merge Multiple PDFs into a Single PDF

Have you ever wanted to post something online as a PDF but you already have it created in more than 1 file?  Wouldn't it be great if you could put all those individual PDFs together as 1 single file...for FREE?  Well, you can!  Log into http://foxyutils.com/mergepdf and in 2 simple steps you have  multiple PDFs merged into 1 PDF.  It is that easy!  

1. All you need to do is click "Browse" and upload your selected PDF files.
2. Then click "Merge PDF" and click the button to download.  You are all set!

Give it a try!  It is easy and FREE!

http://foxyutils.com/mergepdf

EasyBib: Cite a Source

Need an easy site for kids to cite a book source?  Try EasyBib!  Enter the required book, newspaper, journal, website, or database information in and it generates all your citations for you.  Give it a shot. 

This can all be done with just a couple of easy steps:

1.  Go to www.EasyBib.com and type in your resource title:

2.  You will often get a list of options for your resource.  Choose the one for which you want a citation created.

3.  You will be asked to check/modify any missing/extra/needed information before creating your citation.

4.  Click "Create Citation" and you will have it ready to copy and paste.

Ta Da!  Give it a shot!

www.EasyBib.com 

Socrative Updates: Insert Images and Short Response

Many of you are already using this instant assessment tool, but there have been some improvements to the program.  You are now able to import images into questions and create graded short answer questions! 

Socrative added two new FREE features. These features are:

1. Allowing images in questions
2. Enabling graded short answer questions.

Enable New Features:

In order to access these new features, you will need to complete the Socrative teacher profile survey:

https://www.socrative.com/plans/teacher-profile

  

Adding Images:

To add images to quiz questions (both multiple choice and short answer):

1. Select the question type you want

2. Click the “Add Image” link under the question text

3. Choose the image you want to add. The images must be 1MB or less.

4. Save your question

Add Short Answer Questions:

To add graded short answer questions to quizzes:

1. Select the question type “Short Answer”

2. Add question text, image (if wanted), and answers.  To add multiple correct answers add a comma (,) between each answer.  

3. Save your question

Hopefully these will be helpful for teachers. creating quizzes!

Here is a great "How To" video of the new features created by Richard Byrne (freetech4teachers.com).

Tech Tips: 25 Ways Google Can Help You Become a Better Teacher

Tech Tips

Issue 18

This Tech Tip will look into the many uses of Google in the classroom.  I am sharing the list below (25 Ways Google Can Help You Become A Better Teacher) to remind teachers of all Google can do.  I did not create the following list, but wanted to share it with others.  It came from the blog www.TeachThought.com.

25 Ways Google Can Help You Become A Better Teacher:

1. Identify YouTube channels to provide daily writing prompts, activity modeling, and out-of-the-box content area expertise that students find interesting.
2. Use Google Drive for cloud-based storage.
3. Aggregate videos for learning via a YouTube channel.
4. Use Google Search to identify exemplars of project-based learning, blended learning, or mobile learning.
5. Source curricula, apps, and other pedagogical tools.
6. Find curated collections of resources currently tucked away in the dark recesses of some obscure web page using expert keyword search tactics—gold mine!
7. Use Google Search to find new professional opportunities as your education interests and expertise in education evolve.
8. Have students analyze emerging cultural trends using Google Trends.
9. Use Google Search to see how what other schools are doing in regards to BYOD policies, technology in the classroom, or unpacked and prioritized Common Core academic standards.
10. Have students use a combination of YouTube and Google Drive to save digital portfolios.
11. Communicate with learners and families via Google+.
12. Use Google Reader to create a feed of your ten favorite blogs as a persistent source of learning resources.
13. Have students trace a fictional character’s journey through Google Earth.
14. Have students manage and communicate project-based learning work on Google Calendar.
15. Sync your browser tabs, search history, and extensions between devices with Google Chrome sync. 
16. Use Google Search to locate PD conferences.
17. Hangout with author experts via Google+ Hangouts—and have students do the same.
18. Have students collaborate and published work to closed circles of peers on Google+.
19. Download learning Android apps from Google Play.
20. Use Google Drive to respond to student writing via comments, or collaborate real-time with distance learners.
21. Join Google+ communities and participate in a persistent professional learning community.
22. Find webinars, eLearning courses, and other professional development resources to self-direct your own educator training.
23. Source MOOCs to extend the learning of students.
24. Use Google Scholar to review research on learning trends and strategies.
25. Use Google Search to find a blog–like teachthought.com–to do all of the above for you.

Source:  "25 Ways Google Can Help You Become A Better Teacher". TeachThought. 3/9/13. www.TeachThought.com.

     

My ClassDojo Story

http://www.classdojo.com/stories/badiner

How Jeremy Badiner Uses ClassDojo to Encourage Student Ownership for Behavior

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By Jeremy Badiner, Instructional Technology Coach

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Hi, my name is Jeremy Badiner. I have taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade for 15 years. This year I am currently an Instructional Technology Coach for Gull Lake Community Schools in Richland, MI. Today I want to tell you about how I am using ClassDojo to track positive/poor behavior, reward for positive behavior, and ultimately increase student ownership of their own behavior.

As teachers we all have our easy groups and our difficult groups of students. Last year I had a very challenging group of 4th graders. They were all great kids, but as a whole group they had little ownership of their own actions. I was desperate for something to help reinforce positive behaviors in and outside my classroom. We all know how we spend too much time with the misbehaving students while the well behaved kids who are doing just what they should be doing seem to suffer. I wanted a means to reward kids for, basically, doing what they are suppose to be doing. ClassDojo was my savior!

I first heard of ClassDojo at a technology conference. As soon as I discovered it I knew I found my solution. I was so sure that this was going to change my teaching that I uploaded my kids’ names into ClassDojo during the session (I am sure I missed another great application, but I knew this was something special). I was so excited to get back to my class and see what this new tool would do. The Monday after the conference my class ditched the morning routine and spend a long time (different than the long conversations we usually had about poor behavior and discipline) discussing the program and how we were going to implement it into the classroom. I showed them how I can track each student’s behavior (good and poor) and how I can print reports for parents to see (this is where I had them!). I told them that the first week was nothing more than practice to see how it all played out. They were like kids in a candy store. Suddenly they wanted to know how they were doing! I try to give at least 10-15 whole class rewards each day. I set up the behaviors to match our school expectations and my classroom rules and basic procedures.

Positive Behaviors

Negative Behaviors

As the day progresses I give everyone a reward (positive or negative) for how they did at that moment according to my expectations. This could be transitions, following directions, being prepared, etc. Those who are following expectations get a positive, and those who are not following expectations receive a negative. At recess time (middle of the day) anyone who has a negative score total (more negative than positive) must stay in and “chat” with me about their behavior. I don’t keep them in the whole recess time, just enough to discuss a plan for the rest of the day. In addition to ClassDojo I also have a classroom economy. At the end of the day I pay everyone who was in class for over half the day; however, anyone who is at a negative total at the end of the day does not get paid. Now kids saw the effects of their behavior on their class pay! Also, I show the whole class the class average on the LCD screen before we leave. Our goal is always 90% or higher. In addition to paydays, we also choose new seats in class every 2 weeks. I use ClassDojo scores to do this. I have everyone stand around the room and work my way down from 100% to 0%. When they hear their name they choose what desk to sit at for the next 2 weeks based on classroom behavior (something they all have control over). The higher the two week positive score the sooner they choose a seat.

I have seen a HUGE change in my room. We did start out a little rough. The first couple of days were very low. Here is the first week of using ClassDojo:

Day One

As the year went on, each week improved. The best part was when kids wanted to know how they were doing. This was the first step in taking ownership for their actions. I then gave out student and parent log-ins and created a quick link to ClassDojo on my homepage. The students were checking their scores multiple times each day! I also began receiving emails from parents with positive comments to pass on to their child during the day when a student was improving. This has opened a wonderful line of communication and awareness between parents and school.

Last Year's Overall Average

This year I am an Instructional Technology Coach and am spreading the success I had with ClassDojo among the teachers in my district. I have many teachers using it from Kindergarten to 5th grade. Every teacher that has begun using ClassDojo has loved it and will continue to use it. We are keeping data in many ways with this program: regular classroom behaviors, Special Education data for IEPs, and looking into some type of school wide use for building behavior expectations.

In short, ClassDojo saved my classroom last year and has been a great addition to our district for data collecting and behavior reinforcement. It is easy to use, helps collect accurate data, and the kids love the feeling of knowing they can improve. I don’t think I could ever teach without ClassDojo again!

Collaboration with Google Spreadsheets

Here is my miGoogle presentation about using Google Spreadsheet with student collaborativly.  It was originally a PowerPoint that was converted so some features were lost (you will get the main idea).  I LOVE Google Apps and use it daily in my classroom with students.  It is the perfect tool for collaboration!  

Student Audio and QR Codes

Ever wanted to have your kids voices actually read their own work on a mobile device?  You can do it with QR Codes.  This is great for having your students read one of their pieces of writing and then post the writing and QR Code for others to scan with iPads.  Works great and the students really have some ownership of their work.  Check out the "basic" how to.  This is how I have been doing it with staff using our SchoolWires class sites and a QR generator site.  There are many other ways to do it, but this was pretty simple.

Spring 2013 Staff PD Sessions

What great PD we have had over the past week.  The K-5 staff has been working on using Planbook.com for lesson plans.  This tool will allow online lesson planning and sharing with teachers, substitutes, and administrators.  What a great program this is.  Planbook.com allows National Common Core Standards, as well as state standards, to be attached to any lesson.  There are many staff members already using this planbook and many more excited to begin.  Check out Planbook.com for more details.

Tech Tips: SchoolWires Update

Tech Tips

Issue 17

Schoolwires Update

During our Tech PD in April, we will review changes to Schoolwires Site Manager.  In the meantime, here are some things you should know:

·        Any changes made within the last two weeks are NOT SAVED to your teacher website. 

·        Use the “old” URL (emailed to you from the tech department) to view your “old” teacher site.  NOTE: this URL may only be available until the end of March.

·        If links and files are missing, you will need to re-attach those to your teacher website.

·        You may also copy and paste the HTML code to update an entire flex page (see tech coach if you need help).

·        NOTE: the URL of your teacher site has changed, so if you created links to your site you might need to re-do those links. For example, if you created “shortcuts” using tinyurl.com those URLS no longer work.  You will need to make new ones.

Schoolwires Site Manager: A New Look

·        Section Workspace – click here to see a list of all pages on your teacher website.

·        New Page – click green button to create a new page (flex page or link library, for example).

·        If adding/embedding a Google or Planbook calendar, create a new flex page and copy and paste HTML code.

We are sorry if you have lost any work over the past few weeks.  As the email from the tech department stated, you can access your old site for 2 weeks but then the old site will no longer be available.  If you have not made any changes recently, you will not need to do anything.  If you use a URL shortener you will need to make a new one as the old one will no longer work.