Challenge #9-Drive

Challenge #9-Drive

One of my summer goal was to try and work with my Chromebook. In my mind Chromebook and google drive were the same. I separate the two and then seeing the challenge I knew I had a chance to better learn and use it.  It was difficult for me in the fear of loosing material - files and folders. If you have Dropbox, then Drive is very similar to it.

Through the challenge which for me took longer than for probably most I realize that Drive is like the "cloud" people talk about but that you can do more with it. I feel I only just understood how it works in doing and reading the exercises. I feel less fear of it now and know:
1. You can store items there and not loose them from your laptop when you upload them.
2. You can get items from  there (download) and save them onto your computer or laptop.
3. Yes to create folders and put in and take out files from them
4. Googles terminology for what corresponds to Word.
5. Experimented getting and using, downloading, switching, uploading and creating within the drive and putting files from different sources- Mac computer,  iPad, and Chromebook. This really helped to see how Drive interconnects with them all. iPhone is left to explore.

One disadvantage I thought of is that while I can work on something on my laptop if store there without internet access, I do need it to get to Drive.  I've yet to explore offline work. Along those lines the share where we all work together on a document at the same time.  What I want most is to master this so to use it with collaborating with fellow teachers. Like all things it is practice that will make it easier and me more confident.

So if you are hesitant about using the new system start here.  Docs may be my next challenge since it is with Drive and what we may as teachers be using frequently.

Yomaira

Challenge 4:Padlet

Challenge #4-Padlet

I started to play with this a couple of days ago. I am a big fan of Pintrest, and Padlet seems very similar-it is a way to keep images and ideas that I like in the same place, and accessible anywhere there is a computer with an internet connection. Padlet lets me do this, but allow others to collaborate with me. I like the idea of having students answer questions via visuals and words. It is really easy to add pictures and words. 

I created three different padlets, two of which are for my classroom. 

• "Special Education"--http://padlet.com/ayork3/quuf2aha3rki            I created this page so that I could share this with my co-workers. The plan is that I would create a place where they could go to get suggestions about accommodations they could use in the classroom and info about some learning issues. It is not done in any stretch of the imagination. 
• "Real World Math"--http://padlet.com/ayork3/2x74bi0c6etq. I created a place where students in my basic math class will have to come up with 2-3 examples of real world math that they can find pictures about and explain why they picked that example. 
• "Community"--http://padlet.com/ayork3/4kokga166vu3. I also created a place where students in my basic social studies class will have to describe what they feel makes a community. This is to start working on doing some work around family and portland history. 

I worry that once a student comes on to the pages, that they might mess up the whole thing by accident, or take credit for other student's work. I don't really know how to combat these issues.

Challenge 7: Chrome (Second Try)

Challenge 7: Chrome--2nd try

So I tried to do this again, and I am glad that I did. I was able to go through the lessons on teaching online skills. What I really liked about this lesson was what it can offer students--a way for them to practice some critical thinking skills and a way to be a more astute researcher. The big take away for me was the "rule of 3" where students should be able to find 3 different sources that have the same information before believing it.

How would I use it in the classroom? In teaching social studies this year, I will ask students to do research. They will have to provide some of the "proof" that their sources are good ones, such as the rule of 3, using websites that are reliable sources, such as one with a .gov or .edu ending. 

I might also have them do some scavenger hunts on-line as well.

Challenge 4-Padlet

I heard about Padlet through another blog that a teacher loved how it worked to get her students involved in collaboration and viewing their work at the same time.  I downloaded and that was it until I saw it as a challenge here.  It really is quite simple and acts like a bulletin board, at least I can see this now. I hope you will go to it an pin your ideas or ideas to see how it works.

I would like to use it with my students to give them a "thought" question and see their responses whether in a team setting or individual.  I think this would also start them to build confidence on using the computer to address their work for later writing. Hmm actually if I can get them to write and post that be so neat for my 2nd graders even just to start with one sentence as they familiarize themselves with the keyboard.

It can also be used by surveying or request by parents.  I'm sure you can come up with items.

The instructions on the challenge are very well laid out. Here is the url to reach it and post:

padlet.com/ylampi/bienvenidoslist .

You can also use the QR code I created with the url to get there. You will need a QR scanner that is an app you can get free. My kiddos use them for self-correcting their math. So if they can do it so can you. The Padlet challenge tells you where to go and how to do it too.

Enjoy! Yomaira

Challenge 7: Chrome

I have been using Chrome as my web browser for quite some time now.  I am continually impressed with the number of extensions that make my time spent on the computer simplified.  However, the sheer number of extensions can be overwhelming!  I appreciate that within Chrome everything I am working on is saved.  My students have been pleasantly surprised by this too, and are relieved to know saving is no longer a step they have to remember.

A few noteworthy extensions for Chrome are:

Speakit- it will read websites to students

One-click Timer- Visual for students while they work

Skim-it- shortens text into a summary (useful for students who are checking to see if a resource is what they think it is)

Smart QR code Generator- QR codes are a great way to give students access to information without needing a url

Google has done a wonderful job of integrating everything I need and use in one place.  

Challenge 6: Add-ons

Today, I explored many of the add-ons and extensions available within Google Docs, Sheets, and Forms.  I have added a few that I feel will be very helpful in the classroom.  There are so many add-ons to choose from.  The trick is to locate those which are easy and fairly intuitive, so as to not overwhelm your students.

The first add-on I chose was EasyBib.  EasyBib will be a helpful tool for my students when it comes to citing their resources.  I have been working really hard on teaching my students how to be good digital citizens.  I require students to give credit where credit is due and share the importance of this with them.  With a tool like EasyBib citations become much easier.  Students don’t have to search for all the information needed for a proper citation.  

The second add-on I will use is Kaizena.  This add-on allows you to add voice comments and links that will be helpful during the revision and editing steps of the writing process.  I find that my students like to hear recordings rather than read the comments I leave them.  It is another great way for me to interact with my students and provide meaningful feedback on their work.

The third add-on me students will use is Thesaurus.  In fourth grade, students need to start using more descriptive words in their writing.  I encourage them to try at least four new words during a writing assignment.  Having a built in thesaurus will make this suggestion easily achievable.  

Finally, I will use the Translate add-on when it is necessary to communicate to parents and students in another language.  I don’t always have time to send something off to translation services.

Challenge #7 Chrome

Chrome Selfie

Challenge #7 Chrome

Ironically, this post begins with reflecting on my recent MIE training. I have just finished a (voluntary) two day Microsoft in Education (MIE) PD. For two days I Binged and navigated a browser other than Chrome.  This was accomplished while traversing a different operating system (Windows 8.1 long time no see!) through an unfamiliar device (Microsoft Surface). 

During the last two days my mind kept going back to the Chrome Challenge and working through Unit 9: Teach Students Online Skills . The MIE training gave me a real chance to experience working around technology challenges in a safe environment. This is how my own classroom should be everyday.

Because of the Challenge and my MIE PD I was really able to think about the advantages of Chrome. The support of the Google Community is free, more importantly: easily accessible and available for ALL regardless of devices and browsers.  Chrome/Google works to function as a universal platform that embraces BYOD.  The price point of “free” for add-ons & productivity tools helps narrow the digital divide.

As a learner and an educator I want my time spent on constructing knowledge, creating and sharing. Chrome/Google allows for this by connecting your curated content within the framework of Google’s productivity tools.  I downloaded the additional resources on this challenge page for future instruction.  I am thinking some kind of webquest or scavenger hunt can be created out of the slides. Or even just share the slides and see what kids come up with on their own. 

I like Microsoft products.  I still use them.  They are the workhorses that built the world we live in today.  The trainers at MIE were great and very helpful.  We laughed and learned together.  I connected with friends and made a new one.  After chatting she joined GEG:Oregon and signed up for Camp Chromebook...

Challenge 6: Add Ons

Challenge 6: Add Ons

So I played with some add ons. 

Some great add-ons that I can use with docs:

• Highlight Tool--this tool would allow someone to highlight certain parts of a text in a variety of colors. The colors are coded. Later the different colors can be imported onto a different document so the same colors go together. So, if students color coded an essay to show specific items or categories they need to have in their assignment, such as description of a character as being purple, the add on then puts all the purple colored highlighting together in the new document. This would be great when doing a text analysis or finding evidence to support their thinking. They could color code, and then have a handy list of all the color codes together!
• Translate--I could send home emails in home languages. (Too bad not all languages are there.)
• Mind Meister--It takes my writing and creates a mind map. 

I found some (that I have talked about before) that would be great with forms: 

• Form Notification-I can get email notifications when people submit a form. (No more lurking!)
• Choice Eliminator-This basically makes it impossible for someone to duplicate a response. I could use this for: 
• project topics--students are unable to pick the same topic.
• setting up meetings--parents can book appointments, but can't pick times that have already taken by other families. (Maybe for IEP meetings?)

I found some for sheets:

• Email range--I can send out emails straight from a sheet. This would be great as I use google forms (and the resulting sheets) to get information from teachers on how my students are doing in class/how I can help them. This can then be sent from parents--without the cutting/pasting that I had to do before. 
• Add reminders--This could send out emails to those listed in the email on a specified date. I love the idea of this (sends the emails out automatically), but when I sent an example to myself, it just came as a copy of the spreadsheet--I didn't like the formatting. I don't know if I would use this a lot.

Challenge #6 Add-Ons

I felt as though I was in a paint store with thousands of color swatches to choose from. I have dabbled with extensions yet I still am amazed at what creations are available for FREE!  During this task I downloaded many Add-ons but I will focus on the ones used for the Challenge.

I created a google form for student conferences:

This is actually a revision of a form I created last year but it needed tweaking and the Add-ons helped.  Add-ons for this form included:

Choice Eliminator - to avoid double booking of a time slot - Excellent!
Form Notifications - simultaneously notifying the parent and myself of the appointment
Color Pick Eye Dropper - for easy color customization
Awesome Screenshot  -  the jury is still out on this one I need to work with it more...

The challenges were in configuring the form and tweaking the graphics but my beautiful visual customization of the form is not yet supported in gmail (ironic), you just get the simple draft version. Pretty Form is viewable via a link or embedded in another application.  

I enjoyed the process and satisfaction of finishing the form, its functionality and the creativity of the visuals.  I want to do more such as see how I can link to my calendar.  In Youtubing for tutorials I found an Add-On called Online Rubric it may be a good resource.  Last year we created rubrics as a class.  An aha that came out from the kids was the lack of graphics on rubrics. They added emojis, colored backgrounds, different fonts etc. They discussed how this made the rubric more interesting and they were definitely more engaged.  So I see a big benefit in learning about the aesthetics of forms & docs. 

So now I have a form for scheduling conferences without using paper!  With a simple email parents can schedule their time!  I get a spread sheet of appointments booked.  Trees, time and lots of energy is saved. Now I just need to find a reminder extension. On a side note I noticed I used my Chromebook & my iMac together to get the work done. Double monitors are in my future...

Challenge 14: Kahoot!

Challenge 14: Kahoot!

I really enjoyed making a quiz for my students. I created a quiz about real-life math mistakes based on pictures I found on the internet. I really liked Kahoot because it was easy to set up for me, and my students would be able to play from their phones or Ipads. It would also be good for students to compete against each other, possibly for prizes? 
Some things that I think would make this extra engaging:

• embedding videos and pictures so my students don't need to read so much.
• the fact that the students can see how each other are doing
• it is fun, like a game.

I think that this would be great for PD with staff. It would also be great to use to support watching a video--students could watch for a couple of minutes, and then have to answer questions to make sure they are getting what is going on in the video, and paying attention. Super cool site!