January 23-27  2023

Tech Tip of the Week:  Have you accidentally closed all your tabs and freaked out?  Well, don't worry!  Just use the keyboard shortcut "Control/command + Shift + T and all of your tabs will reopen.

Classroom Ideas:  Has anyone ever used Canva in the classroom?  If so, click the link and let me know how you have used it.  Today I want to talk about a couple of things you may not know Canva could do.    

1. Record a Presentation or Lesson: This is great for creating asynchronous lessons that students can watch over and over again. It frees you up during class time to facilitate, answer questions, and give feedback to students.  Here’s how it works. Go to the top right corner of your presentation and select “Share.” Then you should see the option to “Present and record.”

2. Text to Image: Text to Image is an app inside of Canva that uses AI to help you find the ferfect image for your projects.  Using the words you input, Text to Image will find images to match your description.  It is only limited by your creativity!

   1. How to make AI-generated images

1. Launch the Text to Image app
   Start a design project from scratch or with a template. On the editor, go to the sidebar and click More. Then, click on the Text to Image app.

2. Convert text to image
   Enter your text prompt on the text-to-image generator to convert it into an image. Get creative and descriptive with your prompt. You can choose any available image style like Photo, Drawing, or Pattern. Or use the “Surprise Me” option to get a random style. Then, click Generate Image.

3. Enhance your AI image or art
   Click on the AI-generated image to add it to your design. You can enhance the photo with our built-in photo editor. Adjust the image setting sliders, add depth of field with Autofocus, or apply exciting filters. Crop images, resize, or flip as needed.

4. Explore the media library
   Spruce up your AI-generated images or design project with fun graphic design elements from the free media library. Add stickers, illustrations, and borders to your AI image. You can also put text on your image and play with different font styles.

5. Download and share
   Download your unique AI-generated image in a high-resolution image format. Or save your design project that contains the converted images. You can also share your work online via social media and email.

Resource is from Kasey Bell (Shake Up Learning) 4+ Thinkgs You Didn't Know Canva Could Do!

January 16-20 2023

Tech Tip of the Week:  Youtube is a great resource for sharing educational videos, but, with that comes the dreaded unwanted ads. Some are fine, but, some can also be distracting and borderline inappropriate. Here a few tips you can easily use to dramatically decrease the potential of your students seeing these ads.

1. Embed Youtube videos into a Google Slide. This requires some prior work and planning, but it works great

2. Add the Chrome Extension Adblock for Youtube This works well as I have it installed, on my browser. But, I have heard that it stops working after a while and it could cause other issues with your browser, but I haven't experienced anything yet.

3. You can get the embed code from the Youtube video and just copy a certain portion that is within quotes and link it to any document. This gets rid of the ads, it is a bit cumbersome, but it works. I found a video that explains how to do this on a Google Slide. This would also work for a Google Doc, Sheet, etc.

4. You can also use Viewpure

Ideas That Don't ...  I'm not sure if any of you subscribe to Common Sense Education, but I receive email updates and articles all the time.  I'll be honest, I don't always read all of them, but if I find a title interesting I'll take a look.  On January 10th, I took a look at "What does "cancel culture" have to do with conflict resolution".  To briefly summarize the article, I would say the message was to have a goal to help students understand that social media can be a great tool to raise awareness about issues that are unacceptable, but it shouldn't become a weapon.  Here are some great SEL activities to use for your respective grade level.

Grades K–2:

• Use Your Heart When You're Online (SEL Activity)

Grades 3–5:

• The Words We Choose (SEL Activity)

Grades 6–8:

• Dealing with Digital Drama (SEL Activity)

• How to Be an Upstander (Social Media TestDrive Module)

Grades 9–12:

• What Is Cancel Culture, and Does It Change Things for the Better? (Civics Activity) 

January 9-13 2023

Tech Tip of the Week: I honestly cannot think of anything I have done in the past 7 years that I didn't Youtube how to do :D Who is with me?  Let me know one thing in education that you have Youtubed by clicking the link to my brief one question survey.

Ideas That Don't ... How about 5 ways to use Edpuzzle!  I know many of you used Edpuzzle during Covid times, as it was a great tool to use during Virtual Learning.  However, did you know Edpuzzle can still be used in various effective ways today?  Check it out below!

1. Use Live Mode (Here are some ideas) (Video 6:00)

   1. Watch a read-aloud

   2. Go on a virtual field trip

   3. Warm up or close a lesson with an Edpuzzle Original

   4. Review a video lesson that students completed as homework

2. Use Edpuzzle Student Projects (Let the students do the talking and learning) (Video 10:30)

   1. Complete a video lab report for science fairs

   2. Students prepare and present their own TED talk

   3. Create a video escape room

   4. Create a video book review or trailer

   5. Analyze a Poem

   6. Demonstrate a math problem

   7. Do something with a green screen

3. Use Images to Increase Engagement (Create your own or use a pre-existing image) (Video 15:00)

   1. Insert a GIF

   2. Use an EMOJI

   3. Use Custom Images

4. FTW: Edpuzzle Originals! (Edpuzzle creates their own videos, so use them!) (Video 20:15)

   1. Vetted by Edpuzzle

   2. Created by Edpuzzle Teachers

   3. Aligned to standards

   4. Academically rigorous

   5. 1,800+ videos

   6. Ready to use, but you can also modify them to meet your needs

5. Next Level Notes (Video 26:24)

   1. Creating Your Video Lesson: add notes

Check out this 31 minute video to get more details. Top 5 Favorite Ways to Use Edpuzzle

December 12-16 2022

Tech Tip of the Week: Check out this great podcast by John Sowash Chromebook Classroom and Tech Director Eric Griffith that explains how students are finding ways around web filtering and classroom management tools similar to Dyknow.   Listen: chrm.tech/podcast 

December 5-9 2022

Tech Tip of the Week: It's Computer Science Education Week!  Please fill out this Google Form real quick and let me know what you are doing with technology to celebrate!

Ideas That Don't ...  Worksheets!  I hate them!  Sorry, hate is a strong word.  I really just don't like them.  There boring, I think of busy work, not engaging, uncreative, and basically just not a great tool to use in the classroom.  Yes, they are quick and easy and they provide students repetitions, but kids are not fans either.  When have you ever heard a kid say, "Oooh a worksheet!  Yes!  You're the best teacher EVER!!! Never!  Matt from Ditch that Textbook has a few amazing ideas to take your boring worksheets and upgrade them to something way better.  Checkout his free Google Slides Interactive Mapping Worksheet here and make it your own.  Or, check out his template library for all sorts of awesome ideas.

November 21-25 2022

Tech Tip of the Week: Last week I talked about not being that person with a bazillion tabs and pinning them so they automatically open when you open your Chrome browser.  To add to this, you can also group your tabs so you can keep your browser looking clean and organized.  Read below to find out how.

Ideas That Don't ...  You can group tabs to keep related pages together in one workspace.  To create a tab group, just right-click any tab and select add tab to new group.  

1. Right-click a tab

2. Click Add Tab to new group

3. Click New Group or click the name of an existing tab group

Click the link for more ideas on keeping your browser tabs organized for Google Chrome.

November 14-18 2022

Tech Tip of the Week: Are you that teacher that has 30-40 open tabs and never turns their device off?  Well, stop!  That's not good for the device. 

Ideas That Don't ...  This is a continuation from the Tech Tip of the Week.   I imagine the reason you have that many tabs is because you need them on a daily basis to quickly access what you plan to share with your students.  That's understandable and I would do the same.  

I bet you don't turn your device off, because you are afraid you will lose your tabs.  What if I told you there is a way to prevent that from happening.  Would that peak your interest?  All you have to do is open the tab you need, hover your mouse over it, right click, and "Pin" it.  Boom!  Now you can have all your tabs you need and turn your device off because when you turn it back on and relaunch the Chrome browser, it will open your 5 default tabs along with all of your "Pinned" tabs.

November 7-11 2022

Tech Tip of the Week:  If you want your students to have full access to the Loom extension so they can share their understanding through video, they will need add the extension from the Chrome Web Store and then complete this request form in order to get verified for an educational account.  But, if you are like me and want to keep things simple, just use the Chromebooks native built-in screen recorder.  Watch this video to learn how.

Ideas That Don't ...  In 2018, roughly 7% of adults in the U.S. were veterans.  Although they represent a small part of our population, veterans' experiences are an important part of our history.

In this Edpuzzle Original video lesson, students will be able to identify why it's meaningful to learn and share veterans' stories as a way to honor them on Veterans Day.  Click the link for the video lesson.

October 31st - November 4 2022

Tech Tip of the Week:  If you have a student teacher or somone similar that needs an account.  Please go to the Staff Portal and complete the "New Account Request Form" 

Ideas That Don't ...  Use a Google Slides Template for creating a Storyboard to have students recall things they've learned, summarize a video, or to create their very own video.  Here are some ideas on how to accomplish this.

1. Summarize or Recap video with Storyboard Template: Find a video that supports what you're learning in class, either from Youtube or Edpuzzle.  To get images: have the students pause the video and take screenshots of important moments and add those screenshots in the slides.

2. Create own videos with Storyboard Template: Remember, they are creating a storyboard, so have them take screenshots or use the camera app on their Chromebook to snap photos to insert into the slides.

October 24-28 2022

Tech Tip of the Week: The tech department was made aware that if teachers enforce the Common Distractions Block Only Plan in Dyknow, it also blocks all sites.google.com (All CFAUSD Sites including library research pages).  We are currently in the process of having Dyknow's development team create a district-wide blocking plan that blocks all Common Distractions, but not sites.google.com.  Once I hear from Dyknow that this is done, I will make everyone aware.

Ideas That Don't ...  This may not fit with the theme I've been going for, but I thought this was a pretty cool feature to share.  Loom now allows users to blur text and images to keep information in your browser hidden from your recordings.  It might not sound like it's a big deal, but you would be amazed at how often people record and without knowing display their emails or vital information that could detrimental to them (ie passwords, names of students, etc.).  Note: Blur only works on websites that are built with elements that Loom can easily identify and separate information from.  Click here to see how it works!

October 17-21 2022

Tech Tip of the Week:  Mrs. Bowe, HS English teachers have noticed the Spelling and Grammar Checking tool in Google Docs has not been working well for students.  The Tech Coaches recommend the students follow these steps (All students should complete steps 5-7 regardless).

1. As silly as it sounds, make sure the Language setting in the File menu is set for English United States.

2. If the students have the free version of Google Read and Write installed, this may be the issue and should be removed.  If they have the premium version, have the students use the "Check it" feature in Google Read and Write.

3. Check their personal dictionary to see if any incorrect words have been saved there.

4. Sometimes students ignore the suggestions and Google will adapt to this and just begin ignoring them as well

5. Check the Chrome settings page make sure spellcheck is turned on.

6. Completely turn their device off and back on again

7. Clear their Cookies and Cache (Browsing History)

8. Run the Chrome Safety Check that will automatically update the browser (If you clear cookies and cache, the next window will bring you to the window to run the Chrome Safety Check, just click the blue button.)  Otherwise, click the 3 dots in upper right hand corner, settings, privacy and security, blue box that says "check now".  Note: The Acer C740 Model (The old gray model) will not update Chrome OS past 91-97 depending on when Google shut down the ability to update these devices.

9. Turn off all extensions as many times extensions like Grammarly and Loom will cause issues.

10. Reset Chrome Settings (3 Dots, Settings, Reset and Clean Up, Restore settings to their original defaults, reset settings).

11. If the problem persists, please have them bring their device down to the library to have it powerwashed (Factory Reset).

Ideas That Don't ...  Google Slides is great, but it is incredibly basic and simple.  Have you ever thought about switching it up and trying something different?  Well, if you are interested, check out Canva!   Canva allows you to set up a free educator account.  Once you create your account, you can start designing presentations, videos, infographics, comic strips, graphic organizers, and so much more.  You can create assignments and invite your students to design their own projects as well. 

Back to presentations!  Like I said above, Slides is great, but can it do a mic drop or curtain call?  Nope!  Canva allows you to add these elements to make your boring presentations into something way more engaging. 

October 10-14 2022

Tech Tip of the Week:  I have seen 3 different issues that are possible when a Windows user's microphone is not working during a Google Meet.  There may be some driver issues, but these three things should be checked first.

1. Make sure the audio settings in the Google Meet has the correct microphone selected. (Video)

2. A user at some point may not have given Chrome access to the microphone and this will need to be switched. (Video)

3. An update from last year seemed to break connection with the microphone and will need to be re-established.  (Video)

If none of these troubleshooting techniques fix the issue, please complete a QuickFix located in the Staff Portal.

Ideas That Don't ...  I remember playing jeopardy back in the day when I was in school. Wait, never mind, that never happened. I only remember playing bingo during the Christmas parties. Which was great, but back in the day, you know, the 80s and 90s, teachers just never used gaming to amplify student learning. To give my teachers credit, gamifying their classroom was probably very difficult. They didn't have the types of resources (Quizizz, Kahoot, Quizlet, Lumio, Gimkit, Class Dojo, Classcraft, and so many more) that we have today. Unless they could draw a Jeopardy board on the chalkboard or create and reuse a massive Jeopardy poster, gaming wasn't going to happen.

With all the resources we have to spice up our classroom, there is no reason we can't implement gaming in the classroom. But, if you are sick of using the resources I listed above, give these a try.

Click this link to not just gaming templates for Google Slides, but search through various templates for Social Media, interactive activities, graphic organizers, feedback and exit tickets. All of these are free and available for download or added to your Google Drive.

Escape Room Lovers at the High School

Ever done an Escape Room or Breakout Box? Well, what if I told you could create an escape room using Canvas? Yes, I said Canvas! Just follow these steps:

1. Create a story

2. Map out the game using Modules

3. Design your activities

4. Create a virtual environment

5. Track student progress using Badges

Checkout further details here, "5 Steps to Gamify Your Canvas Classroom".

Non-High School Teacher Escape Room Lovers

Not a Canvas user, check out Matt from Ditch that Textbooks Digital Escape Rooms Resource Page which has dozens of free digital escape room activities.

October 3-7 2022

Tech Tip of the Week: Click this link to the Chi-Hi Media's Cardinal TV Youtube Channel to like and subscribe.  Turn the notification bell on and you will be notified every time Chi-Hi is streaming an afterschool activity.  Go Cards!

Ideas That Don't ...  Here's a creative way to use Edpuzzle in the classroom and make video viewing as a class a more dynamic interactive experience.  

Throughout the week, I'm all around the school district supporting teachers, students, and administrators with technology.  As I walk the hallways I notice many teachers use videos as part of their instruction.  And I'm not saying they throw on a video, go back to their desk in the back of the room and start sippin their coffee.  No, I see them use video as a great tool for their lesson.  Whether, it might be an intro or the heart of the lesson, videos are being used in a constructive way.  But, sometimes we get caught up in doing the same thing over and over and it becomes boring and unengaging for students.  So, try this idea from Edpuzzle.    Use their "Live Mode" that will allow you to project a video lesson for the whole class while students answer on their own devices in real time!  Some ideas to try it with could be experiencing a poetry reading, going on a virtual field trip, or reviewing the class syllabus.  Just don't be afraid to change it up a bit and try something new to keep your lesson interactive and engaging.  Click the link to learn more about Edpuzzle's Live Mode

9/26/22 through 9/30/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Google for Edu has launched their next "Teach and Learn with Chrome" Webinar series that starts October 5th.  In case you are unfamiliar with these amazing Events, Google invites all educators to attend a free webinar hosted by customers, experts, and partners that run demo-based training on various topics that include: "How to Drive Impactful Instruction with Screencasts" and "Chrome for Career Readiness".  Checkout the complete lineup and register for one or all the webinars for free at: Teach and Learn with Chrome.

Also, Chi-Hi Teachers and Guidance Counselors: Xello just launched their Xello Academy and this is a great tool to use at your own pace to get more familiar with using Xello.  Once you login, you should see the link to access the academy.

Classroom Ideas That Don't...

Inspire creativity through video!  Did you know students can create their own screencasts using their Chromebook?  Yes, ok great!  But, did you know since Chrome OS 89 launched its very own screencast app, students all over the world have been creating videos to creatively share their ideas and understanding with their educators, classmates, parents, and the whole world.  I know we've been pushing students to use the Loom extension, but that's not needed anymore.  Student can simply use the built-in app on their Chromebooks to display what they know or create something amazing with screencasting.  Feel free to checkout the video explaining how below.

9/19/22 through 9/23/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  This Sunday or whenever you plan to work on lesson plans, take one lesson and supplement it with a fun, interactive, and engaging way to use technology.  If you're stuck or not sure what to do, contact Luke Short #2216 or shortlc@chipfalls.org

Classroom Ideas That Don't...

Lesson planning is tough!  I remember sitting on my couch every Sunday morning typing out weekly lesson plans with an attempt to make them fun, engaging, and as possible.  After a while, this like anything got old and my lessons slowly became for less of a better word, blahhhhhh!  It wasn't until I found a couple of celebrity educators I'd follow on social media sites that would post amazing tips, tricks, and activities that would revive my lessons into an incredible experience for my students.  Granted, I worked with 5th graders and anything out of the ordinary could be considered COOL!  But, years later, I see my old students at the high school and within minutes they would mention how they miss 5th grade and all the fun things we did with technology and how some of the stuff we did has led them to the field they want to pursue.  Most of them don't plan to go into the IT or Tech Ed world as the implementation of technology in the classroom is not meant to do so.  It's a tool to enhance the classroom experience.  With that said, here are some great activities to add to your lesson plans next week from Google's Applied Digital Skills.   

1.   If-Then Adventure Story

2.   Create an Infographic

3.   Make Pixel Art

9/12/22 through 9/16/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  This is actually not a tip, but a DEMAND!  All teachers do the following ASAP with your devices and student devices:

1. Clear Browsing History

2. Run the Chrome Safety Check (after you clear history have the kids look for the Blue Button that says "Check Now"), but you can also follow these instructions.

   1. Click 3 dots 

   2. Settings 

   3. Safety Check

   4. Click Check Now. (This checks for updates and a few other things. If the browser updates have the students restart their device.)

   5. Do not miss this step!  HAVE ALL KIDS RESTART THEIR DEVICE!

Classroom Ideas That Don't...

Scared of technology? Well, try these great low tech Classroom Ideas That Don't...

Add and Pass Activity: Every student has a sheet of paper. They start writing a story. Then, after about a minute, they pass the paper to the person behind/next to/in front of them. Keep adding and passing! With a couple turns left, I'll tell them to start wrapping the story up.

Add some movement by keeping papers on the same desks. Students move from desk to desk instead.

Row Wars (click the link and scroll to #4): Students form teams of three or four. Teammates sit in a row (column) of desks. I give the front person a paper with five questions (teams of four: seven questions).

Then calamity ensues.

First person answers a question -- any question -- and passes it behind them. Next person continues. Back person answers and passes it up. When all questions are finished, front person puts the paper on a chair at the front of the room. Points are awarded for correct answers and fastest finishers.

Trashketball (click the link and scroll to #3): I'd take this review game over Kahoot! any day of the week!

Put an empty trash can on the floor. Add lines for one point, two points, and three points.

Assemble students into three teams. Ask everyone a question. A correct answer gets your team a shot at the basket to add more points. All of the wacky rules and "lifelines" are in the how-to article linked above.

Flyswatter Game (click the link and scroll to #5): This is another fun one to practice vocabulary or quick questions. Display a grid of terms on a projector screen (or write them on sticky notes and put them on the board).

Click here to view/copy a flyswatter game grid! (Click File > Make a copy …)

You’ll need two flyswatters, just in case one is misplaced or if one breaks during an exceptionally lively game.

Ideally, this is a two-team game, where a student from each team stands on opposite sides of the projector screen. When you call out a definition, the first player to swat the term gets the point. (In Epic Review Olympics, just rotate the teams at the screen … Team 1 vs. Team 2, Team 2 vs. Team 3, Team 3 vs. Team 1 and on and on and on …)

When a team swats the correct term, it gets a point. Print a sheet of the terms and use it for two things — to cross off terms as I call them AND to tally score for the teams. (If you want to go through the terms twice, put a line through the word the first time and then put an X through it the second time.)

5/16/22 through 5/20/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Use the font Lexend with your shared docs, slides, etc.  This font has been scientifically proven to improve reading comprehension up to 20%.

Classroom Ideas That Don't ... 

I'm going to keep this one simple.  Contact me or Cara if you are looking to incorporate more technology into your classroom.  If you have an idea or saw a cool project or EdTech platform that you think your students would really benefit from, let us know.  We'll find a time to partner up, co-teach (if you want), or just be there to support your needs during this endeavor.  Or, in case you were not aware, I was once a teacher and really miss it.  I'm always available to come and teach a lesson or inform students in any way dealing with technology.

Maybe you are out of time for this year, let's hook up and make a plan for next year!

 #2216 or shortlc@chipfalls.org

5/9/22 through 5/13/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  

There are 2 tips this week.  The first tip is to not click the Phish Notify Extension when you receive a Cisco Voicemail Email.  These emails are legitimate and are and sent to your email to notify you when someone leaves you a voicemail on your district phone extension.  Tip #2: You will not need Calendly to set up your Parent/Teacher Conferences anymore as Google Calendar basically stole the great things about Calendly and upgraded Calendar to just what we need.

Classroom Ideas That Don't ... 

Do a class debate with a twist!  When I taught 5th grade, the students debated with each other based on a topic they had studied from the Word Generation Curriculum I adopted for the classroom.  The program covered many topics from scarcity of water to homeland security and privacy.  The students would learn about various views that presented, and would choose a side to defend.  For the most part, students would be divided evenly and have an excellent discussion.  

Well, after the 3rd or 4th unit, I decided to change it up.  I had the students choose their side, and, as always, they researched the opposing sides views so they were equipped to argue/rebuttal their opposing view.  When it came time to debate, I threw them a curve ball and told them they had to defend the opposing viewpoint.  The students went wild and the class erupted!  Not so much with distaste, but more shock and awe!  I loved it, and we had an amazing discussion.  Granted, there were a few students who remained silent and did not speak much or at all, but my high flyers ran with it and did amazing.  

Fast forward 5 years as I sit here at my desk.  It dawns on me how I could have gotten the quiet students to take part and give them a voice, rather than a backseat.  I would still have done the debate and many students would have taken part and it would have been amazing.  But, for my shy kids, or, the ones that were not comfortable with debating, I could give them an alternative through technology.  For instance, they could type up a report on the topic and record themselves using Flipgrid or any other recording program on their Chromebook and submit it into Classroom or Canvas (High School). 

This is a great way to not only differentiate, but it gives students the opportunity to stay within their comfort level, while highlighting their understanding of the content.  I mean, the ultimate goal was for the students to understand the content and have the ability to analyze the topic and express what they learned.  With

this, I eliminated the barriers.

5/2/22 through 5/6/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  

Guess what, you don't need Calendly anymore!  That's right, Google Calendar added some amazing features that we have been looking for when scheduling Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Unfortunately, I haven't had time to create a video explaining these features or how to use it, but I found a quick 7-minute video by one of my favorite EdTech Heros, Kasey Bell from "Shake Up Learning" that should suffice for the time being.  Check it out! Parent Teacher Conference Sign-Up Appointment Page in Google Calendar!

Classroom Ideas That Don't ... 

Adobe Creative Cloud has put on  a Challenge, however, I'm not worried about that.  I just like the idea they have that provides teachers and students the ability to design a colorful image capturing the many diverse and unique qualitities you and your students possess beyond their test-taking abilities.  Check out this quick tutorial video for step-by-step directions  and check out my You Are More Than a Score Creation.

I know this is nothing mind blowing, but it's a simple project you can do with your kids to let them be creative and add words of affirmation to remind them of how unique and important they are.  Please share your creations with me as I'd love to see them.  

4/25/22 through 4/29/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Checkout the Chromebook Simulator website Google created to help support your students in getting to know and understand the device.

Classroom Ideas That Don't ... 

When I was working on my Masters, I had to put together a multi-disciplinary project.  My whole entire Masters focus was integrating technology into the classroom, so I decided to use the technology theme and connected every single subject to it.  This took some time and loads of energy, but it was absolutely worth it.  The results went beyond the grade, and my students experienced successes beyond my imagination.  Fast-forward 5 years and my little 5th graders are now flagging me down in the hallways of the high school talking about this project and how it motivated them in some way shape or form to embrace the process of learning as it was their first true project-based assignment they ever had.  

Without spending too much time, I want to share work done by Dan Ryder, the Education Director at Success & Innovation Center at Mt. Blue Campus in Farminton, Maine.  A 20-year veteran English teacher turned consultant to provide mentoring and design solutions  for anyone willing to listen.  I did not hear of Dan back when I put together my project, but after listening to his Edpuzzle Live: Projects that Matter Webinar it definitely would have gave me the support I was looking for in piecing it together.  Check out this article on his 3-tiered  framework on how to up your project-based learning game.

4/18/22 through 4/22/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Did you know that you can join a Google Meet from a Google Doc, Sheet, or Slides?  Yes, it is possible!  Here is how:

1. On your computer, open a file in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.

2. At the top right, click Meet .

3. Choose an option:

   • To join a scheduled meeting, click the meeting name you want to join.

   • To join a meeting with a meeting code, click Use a meeting code  enter a code.

4. To bring the meeting into your document, spreadsheet, or presentation, click Join the call. On the right, a side panel shows your meeting. 

   • If you’ve only clicked “Join the call,” it doesn’t present your file or change how other participants view the meeting.

Classroom Ideas That Don't ... 

Use the Flipped Classroom Method to dig deeper and extend your lessons with your students.

1. Use Edpuzzle

• Use a video from their library or create your own.  Add questions and whatever else you want and assign the video for homework.

• The Edpuzzle video will be graded, which will show you who understood or needs further support on the concept.

• Design your next class period around the Edpuzzle data you recieved using differentiation.  For the students that struggled or did not understand, plan to meet with them as a small group.  For the students that understood the majority of the lesson, but may have missed a thing or two, plan or find a resource that will support their individual need.  For your students that understood the lesson, have a plan for enrichment.

4/11/22 through 4/15/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Ever wondered how to create a "Make a Copy" link to a Google Doc, Slides, Forms, etc.?  It simple just do this...

1. Go to your Docs, Slides, or Forms file.

2. In the address bar, delete "edit" and replace with "copy".

3. Copy the url and share that however you want, Gmail, Canvas, Classroom, Website, etc.

Classroom Ideas That Don't ... 

Don't assign math homework!  Instead, assign challenges.  Here is what I mean:

• Give the students a problem, have them write it down to discuss at the dinner table, car ride, or any activity they partake with an adult or older sibling.

Resources:

•  How to Assign Challenges Instead of Math Homework

• Table Talk Math

• Would You Rather Math

4/4/22 through 4/8/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Ever wonder why your Dell Laptop or Desktop computer doesn't work the way you would like it to?  Well, there may be an update waiting to be installed, so, here's how you run the update. Go to your search bar in the lower left hand corner (Windows Device).  Type in updates and click check for updates.  Yes, it's that easy.  However, if you haven't ever updated your OS, you may have to restart your computer and run multiple updates to get it caught up.

Classroom Ideas That Don't ... 

Formative Assessments are used to inform our instruction as it tells us where the students are at and what they need.  Many of you like to use some amazing tools like Kahoot, Quizizz, Quizlet Live, and Plickers.   These are great tools, but they are very one-dimensional and limit the students.  I challenge you to spice it up a bit and let the students choose which way they want to express their understanding of the content to you by trying the following:

• Draw what they learned (on paper or use Google Drawing, Jamboard, Paper by WeTransfer, Pear Deck, or Formative

• Choose to create a quiz with Kahoot, Plickers, Quizlet, Quizizz, or Flippity

• Use one of the following tools to write about what they learned: quick blog with Google Slides, Backchannel chat, Make Beliefs Comix, Padlet

• Have them use their voice with Flipgrid, Anchor, Synth, Garage Band (if you have access to an iPad), Vocaroo

There are many other tools to use and if you are more familiar with one, please use it.  For instance, Class Dojo has many tools teachers and students can use for assessments.  Kidblog and Class Kick are some others to check out as well.  Please click the link to find more information from my resource, Matt from Ditch That Textbook.

3/14/22 through 3/18/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Use the Windows 10 Clipboard to paste up to 25 separate copies including pictures and text.  This is a great feature to use when copying and pasting in a Google Doc, Slide, or creating a quiz with Forms or Canvas.  Watch this video, "How to Use the Windows Clipboard" to learn how.

Classroom Ideas That Don't ... 

Checkout Brain Dumps: The idea is to get everything you've learned out of your brain.  Put it on paper, tell it to a friend, or record it on video.   Try this, have your students write out everything they remember about the lesson on paper and then use Flipgrid, Edpuzzle, Loom, or whatever recording program to read and record what they learned.  Resources to check out:

Sticky Learning: Digital Brain Dumps with Flipgrid and Socrative

Jamboard Exit Ticket-Brain Dump

Google Form Brain Dump

3/7/22 through 3/11/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Use Smart Chips with Google Docs to create more efficient and collaborative meeting agendas.  Checkout Mobileminds Smart Chips course to learn more.

Classroom Ideas That Don't ... 

Have you ever heard of Hyperdocs? If not, well, it's exactly what it sounds like. It's a teacher created document, that has a bunch of hyper links attached to it. Each document is unique in the content you add to it, but all of them have the same goal. That goal is to replace a worksheet and usher in "Blended Learning" opportunities for students to engage, explore, explain, apply, share, reflect, and extend their learning.  Checkout Hyperdoc's Youtube Playlist and sign up with Hyperdocs for a free educator account and start turning your boring out of date classroom worksheets into a more meaningful digital experience for your students. 

2/28/22 through 3/4/22

Tech Tip of the Week: Use Ctrl + A to select all text on the page or in the active window.

Ideas to try in the classroom:

• Elementary teachers and anyone with a Smartboard, if you haven't signed up for a Lumio account (formerly Smart Learning Suite), please do so and check out their Ready-Made resources to enhance your Smartboard lessons and engage your students with the following:

  • Activating Prior Knowledge

  • Questioning and Reflection

  • Manipulatives

  • Graphic Organizers

2/21/22 through 2/25/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Do you have too many tabs on your browser?  About a year ago Chrome added a feature that allows you to create Tab Groups to help you manage your tabs.  Watch this video for directions.

Ideas to try in the classroom:

• If you have a Smartboard and you are looking for ways to use it.  Check out my video on Edpuzzle, "A Seriously Smartboard and the Suite Life of Lumio" that will provide you with what you need to get started with Lumio by SMART.

2/14/22 through 2/18/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Are you tired of assigning Google Docs to your students?  Well, try and spice it up a bit with Hyperdocs.  A hyperdoc is a digital lesson plan that allows for a Blended Learning experience using Docs, Forms, Sites, Slides, Drawings, or Maps.  Check out this video and try creating your own or sign up with HyperDocs to find hundreds of free templates and ready-made assignments.

Ideas to try in the classroom:

• End the School Year with Epic Olympic Review Games (Free Templates)

• Winter Olympics Activities Students will Love

• Winter Olympics Hyperdoc  (Make a copy)

• Pixel Art Activities for any Subject with Google Sheets

2/7/22 through 2/11/22

Tech Tip of the Week:  Use the Feedback tool in Google Forms!  It's great for reteaching and allowing students to dig deeper.  The tool will even allow teachers to create a video or add a Youtube video.  That's pretty cool!

Ideas to try in the classroom:

• 40 Ways to Use Canvas LMS in the Classroom

• Celebrate Black History Month from Flipgrid

• 10 Things you didn't know you could do with Google Arts and Culture

1/31/22 through 2/4/22

Tech Tip of the Week:   Use Gmail Templates feature for Canned Responses and save time when sending the same email over and over again.

Technology Platform Updates  for 1/31/2021 through 2/4/2021

Flipgrid:

• Live Events

  • Feb. 23rd: Amplify Voices/Pete Carroll (Register)

Ditch That Textbook

• The Ultimate Google Slides Teacher Resource

Tech Tip of the Week:  Use the "Send Later" or "Schedule Send" feature in Gmail for reminders or goal setting.

Technology Platform Updates  for 1/17/2021 through 1/21/2021

Flipgrid:

• Live Events

  • Jan. 26th: Mind Up & Goldie Hawn (Register)

  • Feb. 23rd: Amplify Voices/Pete Carroll (Register)

• Flipgrid Fresh Updates

Lumio by SMART:

• #Oneword lesson

• Winter Lesson Library for SMART Boards

Ditch That Textbook

• Creative Chromebook Activity Ideas

Tech Tip of the Week:  Use the "Send Later" or "Schedule Send" feature in Gmail for reminders or goal setting.

Technology Platform Updates  for 1/3/2021 through 1/7/2021

Add the Edpuzzle Screen Recording Extension for taking your video lessons from passive to active with questions and audio to hold your students accountable.

Dyknow now has a faster thumbnail refresh that is around 5 seconds when the teacher is classroom view.  This is a huge improvement from 60 seconds.  Dyknow also allows teachers to block the Google Snake game without blocking Google's Search engine site.  More games will have the ability to be blocked soon.  Teachers can also create their own class, but, don't worry, Mike Buhrow will continue to create your classes for you.  This new update is great for specialists and ISS teachers.

Click the link to view the upcoming Flipgrid Live Events for January.

Tech Tip of the Week:  If you are looking for a way to gamify some of your lessons, add some differentiation to assignments, or get your students to collaborate with extremely high engagement, check out Gimkit.  Gimkit was created by a student with the goal to bring the game show environment into the classroom.

Technology Platform Updates  for 12/20/2021 through 12/22/2021

Google Meet: Automatically move breakout room participants back to original meeting 

Loom: Share Looms with transcripts and closed captions

 Google's Applied Digital Skills: New Coding Collection with Applied Digital Skills 

Technology Platform Updates  for 12/13/2021 to 12/17/2021

Google Docs: New Ways to Customize Tables

Google Meet on iOS Devices: Hosts and Co-Hosts can now lock all participant's audio and video

Flipgrid: Did you miss a Flipgrid Live Event?  Now worries, click on this link to access all their recordings

Tech Tip: Maybe you haven't heard, but the Tech Department has hired a company to make staff more aware of phishing and other malicious ways hackers try and scam you.  If you receive an email that may seem phishy, please click the phish hook extension in your extension bar to report it.  

Technology Platform Updates  for 11/29/2021 to 12/3/2021

High School Teachers, check out this video on how to add your Canvas Quizzes to BYOC

Edpuzzle: Here is a great interactive video to share with students about the upcoming Winter Olympics.  Winter Math: Angles in the Winter Olympic Games - Grades 6-12

Dyknow: Teachers Can Create Classes  & Combine and Uncombine Classes 

Tech Tip of the Week

Tech Tip of the Week & Updates: 11/22/21 through 11/26/21

Tech Tip of the Week & Updates: 11/15/21 through 11/19/21

9 Ways to Keep Spam Out of Your Inbox

1. Delete junk emails before opening them, and disable automatic image download.

2. Use your Email's Built-in Spam filter.

3. Choose a less-guessable email address.

4. Be cautious when giving out your email address.

5. Get a throwaway email address.

6. Use Anti-Spam and Antivirus software.

7. Train your spam filter

8. Unsubscribe from mailing lists

9. Never reply to a spammer.

Tech Tip of the Week & Updates: 11/8/21 through 11/11/21

Edpuzzle: Elementary teachers, check out the Veteran's Day video from Edpuzzle.  It's a 6 minute video, supported with questions and a great way to touch on Veteran's Day.

Calling all TechEd and 5th Grade Teachers: CESA 10 College and Career Readiness is hosting the Western Wisconsin Preliminary Engineering Machine Design Contest.  This is open to grades 5-12 to design and build a complext machine using everyday objects with the guidance of a coach.  Click the link for more information and if you are interested please email Luke Short at shortlc@chipfalls.org

Pear Deck: Social Studies teachers, check out this article from Pear Deck "4 Tips for using Pear Deck in the Social Studies Classroom"

Flip Grid: Check out the Flipgrid Live Events for November

Tech Tip of the Week & Updates: 11/1/21 through 11/5/21

A word to the teachers who use wireless keyboards and mouse.  Please turn them off when you are not using them.  

Dyknow just announced the following, sorry no specific dates yet: 

• Teachers will be able to create classes and uncombine classes

• Fast thumbnail refresh rate (They didn't say how fast, but it will be faster)

Remember to keep using the Default Blocking Plans.

Tech Tip of the Week & Updates: 10/25/21 through 10/29/21

Editing in classic Google Sites will no longer be available starting December 1, 2021 and classic Sites will no longer be viewable beginning January 1, 2021.  

Use the universal @menu to easily add people, content, and events to a Google Doc. 

Add a page break before paragraphs in Google Docs 

Click the link to Luke Short's schedule for October 28th & 29th.  If you'd like to set up an appointment with Luke Short, click the link to schedule.

Tech Tip of the Week & Updates: 10/18/21 through 10/22/21

If you use Shared Drives, check to make sure everyone in your group has access to your group's Shared Drives.

It is a good idea each year to check the permissions on Shared Drives that you use with your department or team. With changes in positions and staff coming and going, I have been getting a lot of requests for permission to files.  Usually it is because a new or different staff person now needs access to a small group Shared Drive that was created previously. 

New users will get access to the district-wide shared drives because they are a member of all_staff or all_teachers or something similar, but if you added people to shared drives individually, then you will have to do that for the new staff in your department or group.

Tech Tip of the Week & Updates: 10/11/21 through 10/15/21

Using technology is a great way to capture your students attention, why not start the lesson with a bang.  Check out Ditch That Textbooks "Captain of a Hook: 10 Engaging Lesson Introduction Ideas" and try it with one of your lessons.  Like always, if you need support, contact Luke Short CFSD Tech Coach at shortlc@chipfalls.org or #2216.

Google Meet Updates:  Coming soon...

1. Refreshed Interface that will allow the teacher to view their screen and students at the same time.

2. Multi-Pinning: Students and Teachers can pin what tiles they want to view.

3. Multiple Moderators: Share host controls, Hand Raising Improvements: If your hand is raised and you talk, Google will give a notification “It sounds like you’ve said something, so your hand will be lowered or keep it raised.

4. Video Lock: Turn off everyone’s video at once to quickly prevent distractions.  

5. Breakout Rooms: Moderators can have breakout room safety settings match the safety settings from the main meeting. Ending Breakout Rooms: Participants will no longer have a choice and will be forced back to the meeting. 

MobileMind Update: Added a “Difficulty” filter to the micro-course library. This means you can now filter by basic, intermediate, or advanced when searching for learning opportunities to match your skill level (for any category of micro-course!)  Leaderboard Filter: Yet another awesome idea that came directly from our districts… When viewing the MobileMind leaderboards, you may notice a new feature! You can now view leaderboards by week, month, year, or “all time”. We’re hoping this will help if your school / district has a weekly or monthly contest going, or if you’re just a little competitive yourself. 3 new Mobilemind Certificates: Slides Fu: Beyond Presentations, Virtual & Hybrid Learning Whiz: Thriving (K-3) & (4-12).  Apply to become a Mobilemind Mastermind! 

Tech Tips of the Week: 10/4/21 through 10/8/21

Dell Laptop Users: If your devices microphone is malfunctioning, watch my "How to Fix Dell Laptop Microphone Issue" video.  High School teachers, Cara and I are aware of the Canvas External Tool issue.  We have contacted them and are waiting for their reply and assistance.

Dyknow Update: Default Blocking Plans will now allow a teacher to assign a blocking plan that will be automatically enforced when you start a monitoring session.

Flipgrid Updates: Check out Flipgrid Live Events and take your students on a virtual field trip.  Flipgrid also added custom backdrops & background blur, 6 new lenses, and a Hispanic month backdrop to increase student engagement.

Loom Update: New Fall Camera Frames, Embed a linked GIF in email, Canvas Recording Backdrop 

Tech Tips of the Week: 9/27/21 through 10/1/21

If you are having issues with students connecting to your Flipgrid click this link: Fixing the domain access error

Google Meet Update: Mute everyone will be rolling out to mobile platforms starting Sept 22.  It could take up to 15 days after for it to reach your account.

Google Calendar Update: Adding option that makes it easy to chat with meeting attendees. Just go to your Google Calendar Event and if you hover over one of the attendees you will see the Google Chat icon to start a chat.

Canvas Update: New Quizzes now allows teachers to print a paper copy of their quiz.  If you have not migrated your Classic Quizzes to New Quizzes, you will need to do that soon.  Click here for directions on how to Migrate your Classic Quiz to New Quizzes  You will also need to do that if you need to print a Classic Quiz.  Watch this video that explains how to print from New Quizzes.

Tech Tip of the Week: 9/20/21 through 9/23/21

Connecting with Remote Students and using the 3 screens when teaching.

With the Extend Screen feature built into Windows, you can extend your screen so that you can work on your laptop, external monitor and projector screen all at the same time with different things on each screen.

For example: The Dell laptop screen would have whatever content is being shared to students to teach/display to the students in the Google Meet, the external monitor could have Dyknow running, and the projector screen could have the Google Meet so you can easily see all the students.

When you are in a Google meet, you can share a tab or window and still see the students in tiles.  This document has all the details of the updated Google Meet interface.

Remote Learning

If we have to go to Remote Learning, teachers have the ability to use all three screens (Dell Laptop, external monitor, and projector) to assist them.  Teachers will need to use the “Extended Screen” feature built into Windows, basically what they would do when teaching to remote students in quarantine while teaching to the rest of the class (See the example above).

The only real difference would be that the teacher will need to unpin the screen they are sharing on their Google Meet in order to view all the students in the class.  If the teacher doesn’t unpin, they will only see the screen they are sharing and 9-10 students if they are using the “Tiled” layout view.

There is no need for a second device

Tech Tip of the Week: 9/13/21 through 9/17/21

Dyknow Update: New feature that allows teachers can quickly and easily block 300+ of the most distracting websites/apps with their new Common Distractions Blocking Plan bundle. 

Loom Update: There is a new feature allowing for virtual and blurred backgrounds coming soon for desktop apps, chrome extensions and Loomsdk

Google Forms Update: Google Forms is making it easier to customize with a visible settings tab and improved settings layout.

Google Sites Update:  Can now restore a Google Site Page from the Version History.  Use to only be able to restore an old site version.

Google Meet Update: Google Meet is introducing a new settings panel in Google Meet for access to effects such as background blur, background images and styles, and video background during Meet calls.  

Tech Tip of the Week: 9/6/21 through 9/10/21

Dyknow Updates: New feature that allows teachers to see all student open tabs and close them ;)  YESSSSS!!!!

Google Meet Updates:  New Host Controls allow teachers to add co-host, mute all, and closed captioning in different languages.

Edpuzzle Update: Edpuzzle now has a new screen recording feature similar to Loom built in.

Pear Deck has changed their interface, please contact Luke Short if you need assistance. #2216 or shortlc@chipfalls.org

Tech Tip of the Week: 8/30/21 through 9/3/21

Middle School, Jim Falls, Hillcrest, Halmstad, and Stillson teachers.  Chris Perri has shared an amazing "How To Guide" to operate your new technology.  Please use that as a tool to further your knowledge of your new technology.  It was placed on your desk and can be found in the Tech Guides as well.  And, as always contact your Tech Coaches for any questions you may have.

Tech Tip of the Week: 5/24/21 to 5/28/21

Did you know Chrome OS is full of handy keyboard shortcuts for things like reloading a page or going to your home page in the browser? In fact, there are so many that it's almost impossible to keep track of them all. Finding out just what you can do so you know which ones to remember is easy. Press Ctrl + Alt + ?, and you'll see an overlay of the keyboard with all the key functions and shortcuts. Soon you'll be a pro and Shitf + Alt _ L -ing and Alt + Shift + B-ing all over the place. 

High School Teachers Who Teach Freshmen: Please spend a class period or two getting the freshmen up to speed on using Canvas.  

• Canvas Student Guide 

• Canvas LMS - Student Orientation Tour Video

• Add the Canvas Tutorials for Students Course from the Commons into your Canvas Course

Click the link to the May CFSD Technology Update

Tech Tip of the Week: 5/10/21 to 5/14/21

Did you know Google has rebranded?  G-Suite for Education is now called Google Workspace for Education.  What does that mean for you and the district?  Nothing.  Companies rebrand all the time and some more than others.  

Tech Tip of the Week: 5/3/21 to 5/7/21

Always be aware of email PHISHing scams!  Use these tips to keep yourslef protected:

1. Do NOT use the same password for everything. Just don’t. We also put students at risk for a compromised password when we ask them to use their CFAUSD password for another website. As a rule, teachers should not be asking students to create accounts on other websites.

2. Do not share your password with anyone. That includes logging in for someone, which is not only bad practice but also a violation of the district’s acceptable use policy.

3. Use a complex password. A good example of this is thinking of a sentence and use the first letter from each word of the sentence. Such as The floor at Korger-Chestnut has squeaked since 1923. The password would be Tf@KChss1923. I don’t think anyone would guess that password… (PS, I don’t use that password for anything.)

4. Use “Sign In With…” when you can for 3rd party sites. MyFitnessPal cannot see your Facebook password if you use to sign in with Facebook. MyFitnessPal uses Facebook as a credible authentication of your account. In this scenario, you still have to be able to trust that your Facebook password is secure.

5. Use Two-Factor Authentication. This is the technology that will send you a text message to verify that you are who you say you are when you are signing into an account. This is not hack-proof, but it will slow hackers down.

Tech Tip of the Week: 4/26/21 to 4/30/21  

Dyknow is the district's cloud-based classroom management software that monitor's students' Chromebooks.  This a great tool to use when giving online assessments, managing classroom behavior, and allowing you to teach without worry the students are being distracted online.  You can view Luke Short's Youtube Playlist to learn Dkynow basics. 

Tech Tip of the Week: 4/19/21 to 4/23/21

When using Google Forms and Sheets.  If you have one column of data in a spreadsheet and you wished it was in separate columns.  For example: in a Google Sheet, your Form results has the first and last name in one column and you need to split the names into separate columns.  Click Data, then click "Split text to columns".   If you have Spreadsheet questions, contact Cara Schueller at #5555

Tech Tip of the Week: 4/12/21 to 4/16/21

Youtube is a great resource for sharing educational videos, but, with that comes the dreaded unwanted ads. Some are fine, but, some can also be distracting and borderline inappropriate. Here a few tips you can easily use to dramatically decrease the potential of your students seeing these ads.

1. Embed Youtube videos into a Google Slide. This requires some prior work and planning, but it works great

2. Add the Chrome Extension Adblock for Youtube This works well as I have it installed, on my browser. But, I have heard that it stops working after a while and it could cause other issues with your browser, but I haven't experienced anything yet.

3. You can get the embed code from the Youtube video and just copy a certain portion that is within quotes and link it to any document. This gets rid of the ads, it is a bit cumbersome, but it works. I found a video that explains how to do this on a Google Slide. This would also work for a Google Doc, Sheet, etc.

4. You can also use Viewpure

I wish I could tell you there is an easy way around this, but, there really isn't as Youtube is a platform that offer monetary value to content creators via ads, views, likes, subscribers, etc.