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The world needs people who are problem solvers, people who keep working and trying even when the solution is not easy to find. Educators can develop these skills in their students by using a different approach to teaching. Breakout learning is designed to engage students by presenting a scenario that requires thinking, problem-solving, and perseverance.
Session Objectives
Session Objectives
Experience a digital breakout to understand the concept from a student's perspective.
Dissect the elements of a breakout and ways to assure equitable access to materials.
Build a framework for a breakout using Google Sites and Google Forms with validation.
Explore/Curate resources to use with breakout
Focus question:
How do breakout experiences support the development of soft skills?
"..we do ourselves a disservice by using the term "soft-skills" when referring to reasoning, logic, collaboration, communication, and thinking skills. In the information technology industry, these skills are crucial and anything but soft because they are the most difficult to master and, unfortunately, fairly rare in employee candidates."
~Johnathan Magid
Rackspace Hosting
College and Career Ready: Soft Skills Are Crucial | Edutopia
Objective 1: Experience a digital breakout to understand the concept from a student's perspective.
Objective 2: Dissect the elements of a breakout and ways to assure equitable access to materials
Breakout Elements
Breakout Elements
Scenario - The story by which the breakout is framed. Should be age appropriate and engaging for the students. "The Hook"
Clues - Details revealed in a variety of ways that can include links to other sites, embedded details on the page, and the type of lock.
Locks - Google form with short answer questions that are required and validation applied to force acceptance of only one answer.
Scaffolds (Optional) - Support added to the breakout to help students as they work. Can be text on the page or additional clues added to the google form as hints.
Accessibility Tool Options/Suggestions
Chrome Extensions - Open Dyslexic, Screen Shader, Read Aloud, Read & Write, ImTranslator
Edge Browser - Use the built-in read-aloud and translator. The immersive reader option also has font type/size, page color, line focus, and more.
Objective 3: Build a framework for a breakout using Google Sites and Google Forms with validation.
Step 1. Create a Google Form
Step 1. Create a Google Form
Title the form as something that works with the breakout theme.
Customize the look of the form using the paint palette.
The eye symbol is for previewing the form.
Control the format and behavior of the form in 'Settings.'
Send the form to specific groups or get a link by clicking 'Send.'
Jellybeans provide additional controls.
Step 2. Add lock images to the Google Form
Step 2. Add lock images to the Google Form
Find an image of a lock that matches the type of code. For example, if the combination is three numbers, then add an image of a lock that requires three numbers.
From the question block, select the image icon located on the right of the question box.
Upload or search for the lock image.
Resize the image by dragging the corners.
Step 3. Force an answer and provide clues with 'Response validation' option in Forms
Step 3. Force an answer and provide clues with 'Response validation' option in Forms
Select Short Answer from the question options menu.
Make the question required by selecting the toggle.
Access the Response validation option by selecting the three dots.
Select the type of validation from the drop-down options.
Type a custom message that will appear when incorrect answers are entered.
IMPORTANT:
The correct answer will be shown if an error message is not entered.
Step 4. Form Settings
Step 4. Form Settings
Select the 'Settings' tab near the top of the form.
Expand the 'Responses' option.
Make selections based on need.
Expand the 'Presentation' option.
Edit the 'Confirmation message' and save the changes. This will be what students see when they successfully complete the form.
Step 5. Create Google Site/page
Step 5. Create Google Site/page
Log into Google Drive
Select New > Site (may have to select 'More' to see it)
Work across the top of page:
Name Site
Add Collaborators
Settings Wheel
Publish settings
Sites can be named and renamed (upper left). Collaborators can be added at any time. The arrow beside 'Publish' provides options relating to publishing the site. Publish settings is where the name of the site is created and if the site will appear in search engines. Changes made to a page will automatically save, but will not be visible online to viewers until 'Publish' is clicked. This allows changes to be made and reviewed before visible to the world. To preview, click the computer icon shown between the forward arrow and the link symbols in the upper right of the page. Other editors who are working on the site can be seen to the left of the undo arrow.
Step 6. Add Elements to Google Site
Step 6. Add Elements to Google Site
Insert
Insert
The Insert tab provides access to multiple pre-set layouts that may be applied to a page.
Other elements like text, images, table of contents, and much more can be added from the 'Insert' area.
Pages
Pages
The 'Pages' tab is where Site pages can be added. Click the + symbol at the bottom of the Pages tab to add a page. Sub-pages can be created to show under other pages. Page visibility is determined by clicking the jellybeans next to the name to reveal additional options.
Themes
Themes
Pre-set themes are available under the 'Themes' tab as well as the option to create a custom theme.
Be careful when changing a theme as this applies to the entire site, not just the page that is currently visible.
Floating Tools with Double Click on Site
The floating tools appear with a double click on the site page when in edit mode. Use the tools to quickly edit the page without using the Insert menu in the editing panel to the right of the page.
The floating tools appear with a double click on the site page when in edit mode. Use the tools to quickly edit the page without using the Insert menu in the editing panel to the right of the page.
Step 7. Publish and share the site with others
Step 7. Publish and share the site with others
Publishing the site makes the changes visible to others who have the link to the site. Changes are automatically saved but are not visible to viewers until published. This can create confusion as an editor will see something different than viewers if 'Publish' is not selected.
Share the site with others by selecting the link icon in the heading control area and copying the link. Add it to newsletters, emails, etc.
Objective 4: Explore and curate digital resources to use with a breakout.
There are many ways to deliver clues in a digital breakout. Here are a few tools that can be customized and embedded or linked to a Google site page to make the breakout more engaging for the students. Each of these has a free version and some have additional features that require an account and a fee. Click here to get a copy of a planning guide to help with developing a breakout.
Breakout Planning Guide. (requires a Google account)
Jigsaw Planet is a site that creates custom jigsaw puzzles from any image that can be embedded on most sites.
Fodey.com is a free site that generates images that can be used with most digital media. Newspaper clippings, talking squirrels, and Ninja texts are a few of the creation options.
Thinglink allows for content delivery using a dynamic visual interface. Images, videos, or 360 degree files can be edited and embedded on a site to provide interactive clue delivery. Free and paid accounts are available.
Use 360 cities virtual tours as rewards for breaking out, or as a way to deliver clues. Embed or link to a virtual tour. Create your own or use existing tours. No account is required.
Use EdPuzzle to deliver engaging clues using video with custom notes, audio, and questions. Link or embed the EdPuzzle video to a site.
Teachers must create an account to use EdPuzzle. Free and paid options are available.
Google Maps and Google Earth are great ways to deliver clues. Use links from customized maps to deliver information to students with a geographic element. Accounts at Google make customization possible and sharing easy.
Create realistic fake text messages to use as clues on a page. Control how the battery, connection, and settings on the fake message look as well as what the message says.
Create clues with a fake ticket to an event. This online generator has many fields to customize allowing many possibilities.
For more advanced grades, use a cipher to deliver a clue. This site includes Enigma options, binary, and more. Type the word or words, then select the desired code.
Hide a message in an eye chart format. Type in the words and let the site do the rest.
Share Breakouts With Others
Share Breakouts With Others
Use this Padlet to share your creations with the global community. Include details about the breakout to help participants know which breakouts will work best for their students.
Email: julie.combs@cmcss.net
I am currently a Technology Integration Coach in the Clarksville Montgomery County School System. I have been with CMCSS for over 25 years and have been in education for 30 years.
I am a Google Certified Educator and a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert and Master Trainer.
Twitter handle: @jreaderh
Experience:
NCCE Professional Learning Specialist
Microsoft Curriculum Development
Technology Integration Coach
K-12 At-Risk Coordinator
Classroom Instructor
Education:
Arkansas State University- EDS Educational Leadership
Cumberland University- MA Education
University of Tennessee- BS Elementary Education
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