ClassDojo: New Messaging Feature

The geniuses at ClassDojo are at it again! ClassDojo has another update to its already awesome tool. They have added a messaging feature that will allow you to send direct messages to parents, and allow them to message you back. This works much like text messaging on your phone. There are a couple of things that have to be set up first, but it is easy and painless, and will be a great addition to your behavior tracking & parent communication in your classroom!

Set Up:

First, you must have your parents "join". You can print out sign in codes to send home (this is really important at the student level as they should be able to track their own behavior). Once parents get the code and they set up their account you can begin. You will see which parents have set up accounts in your dashboard (see the first image below). From there you can start to send out messages when needed. It works well, but does require the teacher to use the iOS or Android app in order to do (can't do it form the web interface); however, the parent can access messages from the web.

Below are a couple screen shots of it in action.

Invite parents with a code

Open "Messaging" on app start

Communicate Away! (Teacher iPad app)

Parents get an email notification

This is what the parent web interface looks like 

If you have not tried this, give it a shot. It is a great way to keep your parents informed of great achievements or issues that arise during the day.

www.classdojo.com 

DENSI 2014 Application

Well, it is off! My DENSI 2014 application is on its way to Discovery Education! I am now in that excited nervous waiting period. It is not too late for all those DEN STAR teachers out there! You have until March 24th to apply. Give it some thought! This is the best Ed Tech PD I have ever experienced. Need to know more about what the DEN Summer Institute is all about? See my DENSI 2013 blog post here (DENSI 2013 Reflection) or look at the links below. 

Important links:

• DEN Summer Institute Info
• DENSI 2014 FAQ
• DENSI 2014 Application

Important Dates:

March 24 (8am ET): Applications are due
March 31 (by 6pm ET): Acceptance/waitlist notifications sentApril 4: Confirmations dueApril 7- July 10: Waitlisted applicants notified if openings occurJuly 11-12: PreConference for DEN Leadership Council membersJuly 13-18: DEN Summer InstituteJuly 19: #napchat for DENSI attendees

Here is my Video Application

Consider applying if you are a DEN STAR teacher (as long as you don't take my spot, that is!). It is an experience you will never forget!

Tech Chat Episode 4: Padlet

We all like interactive and collaborative learning. There are many ways to do this from online Google documents to paper pencil group projects. One of the easiest collaborative planning tools is Padlet. This is a web based collaborative bulletin board. It can be used in may ways ranging in posting/sharing links, images, ideas, concepts, and others. It can also be set up for classroom team-building and other activities. The ways to use this live tagboard are limitless. The best part is that others do not necessarily have to have accounts to participate. This makes it great for elementary teachers and students. Below is a short video how Mr. Hawkins at Thomas M. Ryan Intermediate uses Padlet with his 5th graders. Head over to www.padlet.com and give it a shot!

www.Padlet.com 

Calendly: An Easy Scheduling Addition to Google Calendar

I am an Instructional Technology Coach in my district. This means that help teachers use technology (and the 2700 devices we now have) within their classrooms. I help teachers out during their planning time, before school, after school, or whenever they can fit me in their schedules. My days are extremely busy and involve a lot of running around the 2 main buildings I am assigned (K-2 and 3-5) as well as helping in the 3 other buildings (another elementary, Middle School, and High School) in the district when needed. We have about 185 teachers in the district so you can image that scheduling me can be difficult! I found a great way to help me help them. Instead of having all the crazy emails and phone calls trying to find times to schedule appointments to help, they pick time slots that are available through a great online service called Calendly. 


Here is how it works:

• Teachers click a link that I set up and choose the duration they need me (15, 30, or 60 minute sessions). 

• They Choose the Date that they can meet with me.

• The choose the time period they have available (and only those that are available show up for them to choose from. This is connected through my Google Calendar so any of my events I have made automatically close those blocks of time form anyone scheduling).

They will get an email confirming this appointment as well as a reminder a day before the session. They (or I) can cancel and reschedule if needed). In addition, after scheduling the session they have the option to have it added to their Google Calendar as well. 


Here is how it looks from "my side":

• Here is what the "calendar" feature looks like. The events are also automatically imported into your Google Calendar.

• Here are the different "sessions" I set up for teachers to choose from.

• You can select any calendars you have to block times in Calendly. 

This service eliminates the back and forth emails/call, allows teacher to pick the best time for them, and puts set events right into my Google Calendar so my phone and iPad reminders let me know when I need to be somewhere. This has been a great time saver for me and every teacher who has used it has loved it. Check it out and give it a shot if you are someone who needs to schedule events with others on a daily basis!

Go to www.calendly.com to get started!

Wordle: More than Just a Pretty Word Cloud

Word Clouds are fun tools. There are a few out there (Wordle and Tagxedo are my 2 of choice). This post will focus on Wordle. I use it every 2 weeks in my classroom when we change seats. New groups make a Wordle to show what they like and have in common and these hang above their group of desks. Another great use is writing. Before a student can submit a final draft of a writing to me, they must copy and paste it into Wordle. Then they can make sure that they have not over used any words. Wordle will make the word font larger depending on its frequency. If they have very large words in their Wordle, they go back into their document and choose better words. This is an very easy visual check to see that they have varied word choice in writing.

Check out the fun at www.wordle.net! 

Importing Student Contacts into Gmail

Google mail is one of the greatest classroom tools. It allows students to collaborate and communicate. The only issue may be sharing with others. Unless students know each other's actual Gmail address. This is where creating a contact list comes in handy. By sharing this list with students, they will all have the same contact list and just have to type in a collaborator's name and the email address will self populate. Follow these steps to accomplish this.

1. Create a CSV file within Google Contacts with your teacher account as the first contact.
2. Download this to your computer.
3. Enter in each student's full name, first name, last name, and email address in the correct columns on the CSV file.
4. Share this file with your class.
5. Import this file into your contact list.

All these steps are shown in the How-To video below. Give it a shot and start collaborating!

Text and Voice Comments in Google Drive

One of the best attributes of Google Drive is the collaboration that can take place. Sharing and editing of work makes student work even better. This allows new editors to help the author. Within documents in Google Drive there is a great tool for commenting. When allowed, readers (or teachers) can send the author comments about the piece of writing. This can be a note of encouragement, suggestions for improvement, or general comments. From a teacher stand point  this is where we would grab the red pen and scribe to the student on their printed paper. Now, the student sees the comments and can edit/change the actual publication to improve it. This is easy to do with the built in comments feature, but there is also an add-on that kicks it up a notch. Now voice comments can be added. What does this mean? Instead of just typing text in for comments, teachers (or collaborators) can leave voice messages attached to sections of the document! This is incredibly easy and very productive. Check out my video and Google Presentation below and give it a shot!

http://kaizena.com

Tech Chat Episode 2: Kidblog

Here is the second episode of "Tech Chat". This will be a series of short videos showcasing Gull Lake Community Schools teachers showing how they use technology with students in their classrooms. This one is about a third grade teacher, Mr. English, discussing how he uses Kidblog to encourage writing and peer comments.

Charts in Google Spreadsheet

I love Google Drive (let's face it, who doesn't?). It has pretty much replaced my use of Microsoft Office. Google Drive may not be as powerful and have all the toys Office does, but it is fast, easy, convenient and accessible anywhere (not to mention the best aspect of collaboration with others). I was asked recently if charts could be made in Google Spreadsheets. I was pleased to be able to say, "Yes!" and be able to show how to do it. Here is a quick screencast of how to add a chart into your Google Spreadsheet to display data. There are many different styles of charts/graphs available so play around and choose the chart style that works best to display your data.

How to Add Charts to Google Spreadsheet

Students' Sharing Google Files: The EASY Way!

Google Drive is an absolute must in any classroom. It allows student file storage, is easy to use, and  allows student/teacher collaboration. The only issue I have had in the past is when students don't share a document with me correctly and I do not have access to edit or to view a file. Remembering to type in a long email address or granting proper rights  can be problematic for younger students. There is an easy way to avoid all this. Instead of sharing each file individually, students can create a folder in their Google Drive and share that folder with teachers. Then, any file they drag/create within that folder is automatically shared with those who have access to it, and all rights granted follow all files. Easy! Below is a short video on how to do this. Check it out!

How to create and share folders to share files in Google Drive.

Fall Conference Schedule

Here is a PDF and video to help Gull Lake staff edit last year's Conference Schedule to work for this year. All that needs to be done is to change the dates to match this year's calendar. Below is a link to the PDF for full instructions if you need them.

Click Here for PDF Instructions

How to Change the Dates:

Step-By-Step "How-To" Set it All Up

Twitter Hashtags Every Teacher Should Know About

Twitter chats are a great way to stay informed of current educational trends. By following the right people and hashtags you can learn great teaching methods, techniques, resources, tools, programs, and almost anything else that relates to the classroom. Most Twitter chats are held weekly at a set time.  They are a good opportunity to chat online with like-minded educators, sharing ideas that work for you, and continue to add/gain from an endless PLC community.  Below is a collection of Twitter chats that are great for all kinds of educators.

These Twitter chats cover anything and everything in education, and represent a great jumping off point for those just getting started in Twitter education chats.

• #edchat – Talk to a variety of educators around the world through #edchat, Tuesdays at noon and 7 p.m. EST.

• #lrnchat – Every Thursday night from 8:30-10 p.m. EST, you can connect with other educators and discuss learning.

• #edbkchat – On Wednesdays at 4 p.m. EST, you can discuss educational books and topics in learning and pedagogy.

• #spnchat – Find out about successful practices in education and education reform through #spnchat Tuesdays at 9 p.m.

• #ptchat – Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST, parents and educators around the world can open the lines of communication on #ptchat.

• #urbaned – This Twitter chat for educators discusses topics relevant to urban education and beyond, every first and third Sunday of the month at 9 p.m. EST.

• #teachchat – Connect with other teachers and find out what they’re doing in their classrooms on #teachchat Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST.

• #teaching2030 – Discuss big picture education issues, strategies, and reform through the #teaching2030 chat, every third Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

• #smedu – Wednesdays at noon and 9 p.m. EST social media professionals, students, educators, and more can discuss using social media in education in this chat.

• #ntchat – New teachers can learn more about their profession with ideas, collaboration, and more for getting starting through #ntchat on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST.

• #educoach – Wednesdays at 10 p.m. EST, you can find instructional coaching for improving education.

• #gtchat – Fridays at noon and 7 p.m. EST, gifted and talented educators, administrators, parents, and students can discuss new developments in developing gifted and talented programs around the world.

• #spedchat – Follow this weekly discussion on issues for students and teachers in special education Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. EST.

Parent Email Lists

This Tech Tip will look into creating parent email lists. At Gull Lake we use GroupWise for our main email. Let’s face it, making, editing, and maintaining email group lists is nothing short of difficult, confusing, and often will not work from the web based version of GroupWise. There is an easy, yet short way to do a work-around. Create these parent email lists outside the GroupWise address book.

Parent Email Lists:

If you are like me, you want to send parents updates, newsletters, and other information easily. Parent email groups are great for this, but setting them up can be very time consuming (especially using GroupWise). In order to create email groups in GroupWise you must: 

1. Open GroupWise and Address Book 
2. Create a new group 
3. Manually enter in all your parent contacts 
4. Attach new contacts to the list 
5. …and not be using the “online” version that does not seem to like finding your set up groups (this seems to be hit or miss) 
6. Then delete these at the end of the year and start all over again 

There is, in my opinion, an easier way to do this. All you need is Microsoft Word or Google Drive and a list of all your contacts. The advantage to using Google Drive is that this list will be available wherever you are by logging into your Apps account. For those using Dropbox, Microsoft Word will work the same way.

Here is what to do:

1. Ask parents to give you their email address. I use Google Forms for this. 
2. Open up a word processor program (Word, Google Drive, Pages, etc…). 
3. Make a listing of all those parent contacts in the document (make sure to put a “,” after each contact). I make the first list all parents, then copy that list and make more for parties, newsletters, etc. I just delete from any parents that don’t need to be on that particular list. 
4. Create a new email message. 
5. When you are ready to send it to the list of parents, copy the correct list from your document. 
6. This is important: paste the copied list into the BC (Blind Copy) box. This is important as it hides parent email information for being viewed by others (privacy Issues).

Google Drive: Comments on the iPad

Let's face it, the IOS version of Google Drive has not been the Holy Grail of Google Greatness. In addition, it has not been nearly as user-friendly as it is on the Android system. It has been lacking for some time, but there have been some great improvements over the past year (we finally got collaboration on Documents and Spreadsheets). Overall, function has been quite limited but is getting better. Thank goodness Google keeps updating the IOS Drive app. In the latest update, it now supports commenting. Now, you can comment on documents on your iPad just like in your browser on your computer. All the steps are the same (highlight text, create comments). We are getting closer to the web based version. My fingers are crossed that soon the mobile version is as great as the desktop web version.

Prezi: A Great Online Presentation Tool

We all love great presentation tools. PowerPoint was the only option for a long time, but there are many now. With so many other presentation tools available, which one should you use? I like Prezi for certain presentations. It is a great tool to hold students interest as it can be animated and even have a 3D look. It is more interactive (the viewer can control the flow if you set it up that way) and it is web-based so it is accessible anywhere! There are great templates to use and it is easy to begin, and sharing presentations is a snap! You will need an account so head over to www.prezi.com to get started!

(All text below comes from the Prezi Site.)

Collaboration made easy

Prezi simplifies the collaboration process. Brainstorm and co-create with 
your team in the same prezi. Work separately or in real time so you can see others' edits instantly.


One version, no confusion
Prezi reduces the clutter of multiple emails and multiple versions. All co-editors make their changes to the same prezi. Working together in one shared space simplifies the creative

process.

Co-create Online
You don't have to be in the same room — or even the same time 
zone — to be on the same page. Work separately on your own time, 
or together in real time.




Present Remotely
After you co-create your presentation, present it as well. Invite your audience to join the presentation, seamlessly handing over the presentation lead to anyone, anywhere.

Prezi is our go-to tool for sharing complex data with clients. Multiple analysts can put together a data set in real time."

Isaiah McPeak, Analyst/presenter at 9Lenses.com

"Prezi is our favorite tool for working on cross-department topics and team-related tasks: roadmaps, project, planning, and presentations."

Joanna Funck, Teamleader at GENERATIONDESIGN ®

"Prezi helps my students work simultaneously, both in the classroom and from home in real time and the results have been phenomenal."

Jeremy Ridgeo, Teacher at North Fort Myers High School

Evernote: Storing Student Data

Evernote is one of my all time favorite tools.  I used it for a long time just for personal things: clipping web sites (Chrome Extension), saving lists, saving notes, saving images, etc.  The greatest part of Evernote is that it is available EVERYWHERE!  As long as there is internet acces, all notes/notebooks are synced.  I use the web version when I am on someone else's computer, the desktop version on my own computer, the Android App on my phone, and the iPad App while at school.  It is am amazing program, not to mention it is FREE.  I found it most useful to collect/store student data while being a classroom teacher.  Here is how I used it:

1. I created a Notebook named "Classroom" within Evernote.
2. I created 1 note for each student in my class within that Notebook (I named the notes "Last name, First Name" so I could find them quickly)
3. I used the template below to store important data on each student so I had it wherever I was (home, class, CAT Meetings, conferences with parents, phone calls, etc...)

Birthdate:

School Email:

School Email Password:

Moodle Password:

---

Observations:

9-4-13: Some meaningful observation that I might want documented

9-23-13:  More things

---

Academics:

STAR:

Fall:

Winter:

Spring:

DELTA:

Fall:

Winter:

Spring:

Others:

9-22-13: Struggled with whatever test on such a such concept

---

Others:

10-22-13: Something that does not fit in the other categories

Here is what it looks like in an actual Evernote screen. 

I know there are many uses for Evernote as a teacher.  Let me know how you use it if you have any great uses within the classroom!

Click Here for the Evernote Tech Tip

iPad on the Big Screen: Reflector App for the iPad

I am always wanting to have my iPad displayed on the LCD screen, but plugging in the VGA cable is not ideal.  First, you are locked into a single spot (and I am not a stationary teacher).  Second, if you pick up the iPad and move it at all, generally the VGA adaptor pops out and you lose signal.  All this is frustrating.  That is why I invested in a great product: Reflector.  I am by all means not trying to sell you on an app, but this is one that I can not live without.  The Reflector App from AirSquirrels is a great tool to have.  It is a little pricy ($12.99 for a single computer) but after I finally took the leap and bought it, I find the $13 not too much to have my iPad show up on the LCD without being shackled to a VGA cable.  

If you have Apple TV, count yourself lucky.  I work in a district that does not have Apple TV anywhere to use.  I am always helping teach how to integrate iPads into the classroom and doing PD, small and large group, and need to show the iPad screen.  As long as I have my Mac (the computer that Reflector is installed) plugged into the LCD cable, I can show the iPad form anywhere in the room.  It is a thing of beauty   It uses AirPlay to send the iPad screen to your compter that has Reflector App installed and then to the LCD!  It is easy, quick, and works like a charm with no issues.  I know there are other options out there, but I have really grown to love and appreciate this one!  Check it out and give it a shot.

http://www.airsquirrels.com/reflector/

Quizlet

This is a fantastic site to make, share, and study flash cards.  There is so much that this site offers.  The only way to see it all is to set up a free account and try it out.   

What is Quizlet?

Quizlet is an online tool designed to study key vocabulary terms and other concepts.  It allows teachers to create flash cards and have students practice online.  Teachers can make their own, or choose from millions of flash cards sets created by others.  But that's just the beginning - once you've got flashcards, you can use several study modes including multiple choice tests and study games. You can add images and listen to audio, and even study on the go with Quizlet-compatible mobile apps.  This is a great tool for classroom quiz/test preparation.

What Are the Benefits of Quizlet?

For Teachers: This is a very easy site to upload terms and create study tools.  It is free and offers many great tools to make studying vocabulary fun.  There are millions of already made vocabulary flash card decks already made and ready to share.  Often times the perfect card deck is already created and ready to go!  All a teacher needs to do is create a list of terms and definitions.  If these are already created in Excel they can be copied right into the web site and auto-create study cards.  Each term card can be individually created as well.  After the terms are entered they can be shared by a web link with students to study.

For Students:  This is an easy tool to use.  Quizlet will help students study terms with a few entertaining methods to help vocabulary retention.  Best of all, no student account is needed.  All a student needs is a link from the teacher and a computer with Internet access.  Perhaps the best part of Quizlet, and what sets it above many others, is the options offered for studying.  There are 5 different study formats to work with (Speller, Learn, Test, Scatter, and Space Race).  These offer different ways to practice and learn the same terms, and best of all the teacher doesn’t need to set them up.  They are part of Quizlet!

Visit http://www.quizlet.com to get started!

Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Pay Teachers is a great online resource. This is a site to find teacher created resources for novel studies, activities, calendars, workbooks, and a million other useful documents for your classroom. This is a great place to find useful documents for your classroom at very low prices.  Best of all, they are created by teachers just like you!

What is Teachers Pay Teachers?

Teachers Pay Teachers is an online marketplace where teachers buy and sell original downloadable educational materials, hard goods and used educational resources.  There are units of study for nearly anything (novels, science units, Common Core, assessments, behavior, and WAY more!).  The site is searchable by grade level and subject to make it easy to find the perfect resource you need.

So…What Does all this Cost?

As of the writing of this Tech Tip there are 59,692 free resources available for download.  Most other resources are very reasonably priced and very useful   I have purchased a few things from the site over the last couple years (a few quizzes  units for novel studies, and class management ideas).  Also, each week they send an email with a link to the 10 free downloads.  I have downloaded many of the free resources and shared with other teachers.  What a deal!

Money Maker for You?

Teachers Pay Teachers is not just for you buying resources; it also allows you to see what you have already created.  Here is your chance to make a little money for the work you ave already done.  All you need to do is upload created documents and price them.  If you have something good, others will buy it.  Sign up and give it a try!

Visit Teachers Pay Teachers to get started:  http://www.TeachersPayTeachers.com

Create your account today to start downloading and selling! 

Dropbox

Dropbox is perhaps the most used application by many teachers including myself. It replaces your “Documents” on your computer and allows syncing to any device. I have not used a flash/usb drive in over 2 years since I started using Dropbox. This is a great for working on files at school, home, and anywhere. Best of all it is FREE and easy to use!

Works On Your PC/Mac or iPad

All you have to do is download a program to your computer (and any device you want to sync files with) and log into or create an account.  You will then put all your documents that you usually store in your Documents folder into your newly created Dropbox folder located on your desktop.  This will now be your saving location for all files.

Instantly Sync Files

When you install and log into Dropbox on another computer all the files will automatically sync. In other words, whatever is in your Dropbox folder at home will also be in your Dropbox folder at school, on your laptop, or any other computer you have Dropbox installed (I sync 4 computers, 1 phone, 1 tablet, and my iPad).  Every change I make to a file at school will also be made on the documents on the other devices.

What Does This Mean For You?

As teachers we all work at school and home.  If you are like I was before Dropbox you have a flash/usb drive that you work off of or are constantly emailing files from home to school to work on.  With Dropbox here is how simple life is.  Let’s say you start a newsletter at school and realize there is no way to finish it.  You close out like normal and shut down your computer.  You drive home and turn on your home computer.  You open your Dropbox folder and there is the newsletter you started.  You finish from where you left off and save it as normal.  The next day at school you open the Dropbox folder on your school computer and “ta-da” there is the finished newsletter all ready to print.  In addition to the convenience of auto syncing and accessing files from anywhere, Dropbox acts as a web based back up location.  You can also set up “shared Grade Level Folders” to work as teams. 

With the free account you get 2 GB of free storage, but you will get more if accepting referrals and giving referrals.  Get a referral from me or another Dropbox user and get an additional 500 MB of free space!