Introduction

Below you will find snippets of many of the TIC TIP emails we've sent over the last couple of years. We have tried to gather tools which meet these criteria:

1) Ease of setup (i.e. Google classroom importing, etc.)

2) A variety of well developed resources

3) FREE

4) Easy to use data to drive future instruction

There are always new resources and technology tools becoming available - we encourage you to use these criteria to help inform your own exploration of new tech tools.

Email Archive Table of Contents

OERs

For this week's TIC Tip we are featuring various Open Educational Resources (OERs) - EdTech that is free, and Creative Commons licensed! Here you will find curricular materials, resource videos, virtual manipulatives, project ideas, search tools, and more! Watch this video to find out why OERs are so important to education today.

Here are a couple highlights from the OERs above:

• CC Search CC Search is a tool that allows openly licensed and public domain works to be discovered and used by everyone.

• The Kid Should See This - curated videos ready for the classroom

• Boundless Textbooks

• Classflow allows you to deliver Google Slides / PPT presentations to your students along with screen mirroring and polls - for free!

• PBS Learning Media: There are numerous free videos geared toward each grade level and subject. For example, there are 453 videos just for 7th grade mathematics. Visit https://indiana.pbslearningmedia.org/ today!

Google Keep

For this week's TIC Tip we'd like to suggest a tool that has the potential to greatly increase your personal organization - Google Keep. If sticky notes and laundered scraps of paper are an issue for you, you'll want to invest some time learning how to utilize this great tool!

Google Keep

With Google Keep, you can "capture ideas with your voice, add images to notes, check tasks off your to-do list, and... create, share, and collaborate with people on notes and lists. Keep synchronizes across all your devices, so your notes and lists go with you, wherever you are." * Detailed training guide.

25+ Ways to Use Google Keep for Teachers and Students

FREE Bonus: The Google Keep Cheat Sheet!

Google Slides

This tip focuses on a Google Sheets add-on called Slido. This Google Slides add-on will let you place questions for students directly in your presentations without the need for an outside polling or survey website.

Google Sheets Add-on: Slido

"I used the built-in Q&A function in Google Slides until I discovered the Slido Google Slides add-on. Slido's Google Slides add-on works in conjunction with the Chrome extension of the same name. Together these tools let you add multiple choice, open text, word cloud, Q&A, or rating questions to your existing Google Slides presentations. The thing that I like about Slido is that you can see your students' responses without having to toggle between presentation and editing modes in Google Slides. Watch this video to see how it works." - From Richard Byrne's Practical Ed Tech Tips Note: Once you install the extension from the link above, you still need to go to "Add-ons" menu within a Google Sheets doc to install the actual add-on. From there you'll see a sidebar where you can create an account and start creating questions. Use the green "Present with Slido" button to start your interactive Google Slide complete with your new interactive questions.

Google Sheets Audio

Inserting audio into a Google Slide - try using this tool - it records for free (as long as you want) and then you can save directly to Google Drive.

Google Sheets Add-on: Slip in Slide

Ever wanted to add extra slides into a presentation that you've already posted as an assignment to Google Classroom and shared a copy to each student? (Think Digital Notebook, Student Portfolio, ongoing notes, etc.) Now you can! Using the "Slip-N-Slide" Google Slides Add-on, you can insert new slides into an already shared presentation! Watch a great intro video here. It's free for 90 days and then there's a one time fee of $8.50 if you want to buy.

VR

This week we wanted to remind you about the class sets of VR devices available to you at each building.

You can now show any YouTube 360 video to your entire class! To search for videos that will work with the VR devices, simply go to YouTube and type in your subject line with #360. There are thousands, have fun!! When you find a video you want to use, the TICs will download and prepare the VR devices so there is no additional work on your part. Additionally, since videos are downloaded locally, there is no way for students to navigate away from the YouTube video you want them to watch.

Create Your Own 360 Content!

Additionally, we are looking for teachers who are interested in having students create their own 360 content! We will teach you how students can use Google Drawings and Google Tour Creator to create immersive learning showcases. Instead of making posters for a presentation, try having students create a 360 tour and presenting it to the class with our set of devices! Click here for even more classroom ideas. Here is a test VR Expedition we created in 8 minutes using this Google Drawing. (This template is what you would give students to get started.)

We also have 360 cameras available if you have an event you would like to record and share with students. They are easy to use and it's a blast to be able to capture and relive a moment in 360 degrees!

Go On A Google Expedition!

If your students haven't gone on an Expedition yet, check out this spreadsheet (Command+F will search) to see all the Google Expeditions available. One Expedition consists of a set of 5 to 10 curated static 360 images that you can display to your class on the VR Headsets. They include accompanying information and questions to ask your class. Go anywhere in the world within the walls of your classroom!

EdCite

This week we would like to highlight a PK-12 assessment platform for ELA and Math called EdCite. EdCite is similar to Edulastic in functionality (please reach out if you're not already using Edulastic, we would like to give you a brief tour!) but we wanted to highlight it because they have recently added a search tool which aligns their thousands of assessment items with Indiana state standards. These are high-quality questions released from assessments across the country.

Click here to check out the new filter in the Edcite Question Bank to find released state test items by standard.

EdCite is FREE, syncs with Google Classroom, and provides data reports similar to Edulastic. Additionally, you can add question types that directly correspond to the AIR testing platform. We're not saying that Edulastic is history - it's still our preferred assessment platform at the moment - but we're open to new tools, especially when they provide high-quality, free questions with easy to use, actionable data.

Try building your next assessment digitally in either Edulastic or EdCite and let us know how it goes! We are here to help you do this - please reach out and we'll create an assessment together. Make it a great week!

Let's see what this is about! --> EdCite Getting Started Video

Let's try it out! --> Edcite Basics Guide

Let's go deeper! --> Edcite YouTube Playlists

GimKit

I am not sure if you already know about this program, but I love it. It is called Gimkit, an online study tool like Kahoot and Quizlet. But this game is much more exciting. Students will work at their own pace, and answer questions in a random order so that no two students are working on the same thing at the same time. As they answer questions correct, they earn ingame money that they can spend on power ups to improve their scores or buy attacks that they can send at other players. The game requires them to answer questions correctly to use these power ups, so the students are incentivized to keep working on the problems. Check it out if you are curious!

eSpark

Have you heard of eSpark? I have heard wonderful things this year about eSpark from several teachers.

Once you create a teacher account you can immediately take a tour to explore eSpark as a Student. eSpark syncs with Google Classroom or you can manually create a class roster. When students login they take a placement quiz to individualize their adaptive learning path. There is a live monitor feature for teachers, and weekly emails provided to you with suggestions on how to help your students in small groups. eSpark is available for Math and ELA Grades K - 5, and is completely free!

Using Google Forms to send Certificates

Today's TIC Tip is a video created by Richard Byrne demonstrating how to have a certificate automatically issued to your students when they pass a quiz on Google Forms.

How to send Certificates via Google Forms

In this video Mr. Byrne explains how to add Certify'em as an add-on, set your passing percentage(to receive a certificate), and select a premade certificate or customize your own certificate template using Google Slides. If you have any questions or would like assistance adding a certificate to a Google Form please see/email a TIC!

Google Tips and Tricks

This week's tip comes from Chris Young, an educator in New Palestine, Indiana. He has compiled a list of several Google-related tips and tricks that you're sure to find interesting and helpful as you plan innovative and exciting activities for your students. This is a presentation we'd recommend Adding to your own Google Drive or Bookmarking for easy access! Among other things, learn how to

• shorten Google Forms quiz links and password protect them (slide 20)

• use a Google Spreadsheet to translate english <-> any language (slide 10)

• go on virtual field trips to art museums around the world (slide 17)

Edulastic

Hello all! I'm sending this to anyone who went to Monday's webinar, watched on their own, or expressed an interest and then wasn't able to attend...

Here is a copy of the video with better audio than the one we sent yesterday. Also, as promised, here are the links that were posted into the chat:

Edulastic 101 <-- Start here!

Live Class Board

Standards Master Report (Free Version)

Teacher Training Hub

Edulastic on YouTube

It's much easier to get started with Edulastic if you choose a quiz, test, or worksheet that you'd like to try administering digitally and schedule a time with one of the TICs to sit down together and create it. There are several tips/tricks that we can help you with that will speed up the process. Thanks again for attending and hope this tool helps you in the classroom!

Know your "Why"

Enjoy! Michael Jr: Know Your Why

"When you know your 'why', your 'what' has more impact because you're walking in or towards your purpose."

How does this idea apply to what you do on a daily basis?

How might this impact your teaching tomorrow?

Make it a great week!

ILEARN Released Items through Edulastic

Click on the links below to preview or assign an ILEARN test or discover more in the assessment library.

MATH

Grade 3 · Preview | Assign

Grade 4 · Preview | Assign

Grade 5 · Preview | Assign

Grade 6 · Preview | Assign

Grade 7 · Preview | Assign

Grade 8 · Preview | Assign

ELA

Grade 3 · Preview | Assign

Grade 4 · Preview | Assign

Grade 5 · Preview | Assign

Grade 6 · Preview | Assign

Grade 7 · Preview | Assign

Grade 8 · Preview | Assign

Google Classroom

Rubrics

Wouldn't it be nice if there was an easy way to grade an assignment in Google Classroom as you were going over it??... Well, If you haven't heard yet Rubrics are now available to all teachers using Google Classroom!

Here is a video (from Richard Byrne) on How to Use Rubrics in Google Classroom.

Also, Google's Classroom Help Center has released directions for creating and reusing rubrics.

Archiving Classes

It is hard to believe that another school year is coming to a close. In order to help prepare for end of the year tasks, we wanted to share today's TIC tip as a reminder of how to archive your Google Classroom courses.

Archiving GC Courses

As always, reach out to a TIC if you need help archiving classes or integrating technology. We are here for you!

Reusing Posts

Today's TIC tip features Google Classroom. Many teachers reuse assignments, materials, etc from year to year, and Google Classroom makes it easy to reuse the same post and save you time. Why retype your directions or explanation, or why search your computer for the document you think you remember saving? Let Google Classroom help you!

If you've never used the reuse post function on Google Classroom, please check out the attached video. As always, reach out to a TIC if you need assistance.

Reuse Post In Google Classroom

When students turn in assignments to Google Classroom and you're ready to grade - try opening Google Classroom on your iPad. You can open the student work and annotate right onto their doc, photo, PDF, or whatever they're turning in. Return the annotations to the student and assign a grade without any paper needed. Video intro here.

If you forget to select "Make a copy for each student" when creating a Google Classroom assignment, you cannot go back later and change it. Instead, start a brand new assignment in order to see his option.

3D Printing

Interested in having students 3D print an object for a class project or activity but not sure where to begin? Want a 3D object printed to help you teach a concept?

Here are some options:

Idea -> TinkerCAD -> send file to a TIC -> get printed object

Idea -> MineCraft* -> get printed object

Find a 3D file online (Thingiverse, etc.) -> send file to a TIC -> get printed object

* Rather than spending class time teaching how to use design software (TinkerCAD), you can use MineCraft as a design tool. Many students are already familiar with the interface, and most things they can make in MineCraft can be 3D printed. We have three licenses available for concurrent use.

The Science of Happiness IDOE Course

The IDOE has released a free "Science of Happiness" online course in partnership with Butler University. If you are renewing your license soon, you get 45 PGP points for completing the course. It is self-paced, research-based, and offers opportunities for self-reflection. We feel it could be a very rewarding experience especially during this time. To enroll, log in to your MOODLE account (the same one you created for dyslexia training), and scroll down until you see the Science of Happiness course.

Click here for a short promo / info video

Parent/Student Communication Ideas

1) Consider using Google Voice to make phone calls or send texts to parents. This free service allows you to select a new phone number so you don't need to use a personal cell number. Please note: you must use a PERSONAL Gmail account for this to work - your @olemiss.k12.in.us email will not work. Once you're signed up, you can text parents or call directly from a webpage in Chrome or Safari... or choose to forward texts/calls to your personal phone without actually giving out your number. If you are interested, read this document for more information. Feel free to email with any questions.

2) Remind is another free service which allows you to text parents without giving out your personal number. The catch to getting started with Remind is that parents have to sign up - whereas with Google Voice, you can "cold call'. One idea is to post the signup code to the student communication system you're already using and get parents to sign up that way - although if they aren't accessing the original system, chances are they won't be signing up for Remind. In this case we'd again recommend a cold call using Google Voice.

3) How can you most easily access parent contact information? Any guardian phone numbers and email addresses we have access to can be found in PowerTeacher PRO. Sign in to PowerTeacher PRO, click on 'Reports' on the left, select a class or multiple classes, then choose "Home Phone" and/or "Guardian Email" from Columns to run a report. You can copy/paste from this report as needed.

4) When emailing multiple parents or students, it's important to select the "BCC" option in the compose email window. This will ensure that parents do not see each other's email addresses and that when they reply, they can't reply to everyone in the email thread.

5) In Google Classroom, you can easily filter students who haven't turned in an assignment and create an email for that group of students. Select the assignment, then on the left part of the screen, select the dropdown under All students and choose "Sort by status" (#1 below). Next, hit the checkbox above the first student name labeled "Assigned" (#2 below). This will select all students who have not yet submitted work. Finally, hit the "Email" icon (#3 below) to compose a new email message with just those students who haven't hit the 'Turn in' or 'Mark as Completed' button. Notice that the new email message places all student emails in the BCC field, which is what you want.

Unfortunately, the method detailed above does not email associated guardian emails, even if they have been added to Google Classroom. You can, however, email ALL guardian emails for students in each class by going to the "People" tab, then selecting "Email All Guardians":

Personal/Professional Learning Network

It's important to connect with other professional educators, especially during challenging times. The "Keep Indiana Learning Professional Learning Network (PLN)" on Facebook is an online community that we feel you will greatly benefit from. Visit, join, and contribute today!

Video Puppet in Google Slides

Have you ever wanted to change a slide presentation into a video with some custom narration on top? How about where you don't have to record your own voice? Just yesterday we found out about a new tool called VideoPuppet which will do just that!

We created the video below in just 10 minutes - by creating a Google Slides presentation with notes, downloading it as a PPTX file, then uploading it to VideoPuppet...

Here's what we started with (Google Slides)

... and here's the completed video (Click to watch!)

WhiteBoard FI

Does eLearning have you missing out on having students "show their work?" This week we would like to share a solution to that problem with you, whiteboard.fi.

In this short 1 minute 14 second video you can see entirely how whiteboard.fi works.

click here - - - > whiteboard.fi video < - - -

From Richard Byrne:

With Whiteboard Fi you create an online whiteboard for your students to use to draw and type on. After they finish their drawings a submit button lets them send you their finished work. Students don't need an account to use Whiteboard Fi. They simply go to the URL assigned to the whiteboard. You see all of your students' work on one page.

If you would like assistance using whiteboard.fi or any other teaching/technology resources please do not hesitate to reach out to a TIC.

Review Games

This week's tip comes from Richard Byrne, who has curated five online tools to help you develop end of the year review games. Let us know if you would like additional details or help using any of these great free tools!

ClassTools

ClassTools.net offers a free service teachers can use to create their own educational games. Games made on ClassTools.net can be shared via email, SeeSaw, or Google Classroom. ClassTools.net provides more than a dozen easy-to-use templates with which teachers can make educational games for their students. Take a look at the Fling the Teacher game to get started.

Flippity

Flippity.net offers more than a dozen easy-to-follow templates for making games and other activities through Google Sheets. One activity that I like is the Scavenger Hunt. Flippity calls it a scavenger hunt but it is more like a series of trivia questions that students answer to open digital locks. Try it yourself with this demo game.

TinyTap

TinyTap is a good iPad and Android app for creating your own review games based on pictures and diagrams. You can create games in which students have to identify parts of a picture or diagram. You can also build games in which your students have to assemble a puzzle by dragging and dropping pieces into place (the puzzle does not have to follow the jigsaw puzzle format). Students can play the games you create on their iPads or MacBook Airs.

Quizalize

Quizalize is an excellent platform through which you can create and distribute online quiz games. Your students can play the games as a group in your classroom much like Kahoot. You can also have your students play the games at home. In fact, Quizalize offered the "play at home" option long before Kahoot did.

Quizalize lets you give assignments and practice activities to students based upon how they performed during a quiz game. For example, you can specify that any student who answers less than 75% of the questions correctly has to watch a video or read a review sheet. This differentiation feature isn't limited to just one score trigger. You can specify that students scoring 50-60% receive one type of review activity and students scoring 60-75% receive a different review activity.

Kahoot Challenge Mode

Kahoot is perhaps that best-known quiz game platform available today. Over the years it has steadily added features that make it easy to use in physical and online classrooms. One of those features is the Challenge Mode that you can use to have students play games individually at a time that works for them within a window of time that you choose. Kahoot, like Quizalize above, also offers a Smart Practice mode that gives students an opportunity to focus on the questions that they answered incorrectly during a Kahoot game or challenge. Smart Practice works in three phases. The first phase has students immediately try the missed questions again. The second phase is trying the questions again after 24 hours. And the third phase has students try the questions after 48 hours.

Two other features of Kahoot that I appreciate are the question bank and the ability to duplicate games. The question bank lets you import existing questions into your games. The duplication feature is great when you want to make a copy of a game then add or remove a question or two.

Kahoot Smart Practice

Smart Practice is a new feature that allows students to better retain information from a Kahoot Lesson! After completing a Kahoot lesson in your classroom students will be prompted to begin the three steps of Smart Practice.

Step 1: unlocks immediately following a Kahoot lesson, but can be taken at any time. This step takes students through any missed questions, until they receive a score of 100%.

Step 2: unlocks 24 hours after Step 1 is completed. Step 2 is a review of all the question from the Kahoot lesson in random order.

Step 3: unlocks after 48 hours, and is also a random review of all Kahoot questions.

Here is a short 21 second youtube video about Kahoot Smart Practice.

This link: Kahoot Smart Practice Website will provide you with more information on how to set up Smart Practice.

Google Templates

Happy Tuesday! Today's TIC Tip Tuesday focuses on Google templates. The link gives you access to hundreds of doc templates for various learning needs sorted by grade and interest. There are activities for math, language arts, social studies, and science. We have attached the link and a screenshot of how to sort the content. If you have any questions or want help with this or any other technology integration for your classroom, schedule time with a TIC!

Google Templates

QuietTube / SafeSearch

Are you ever worried about what "other" content will appear when you decide to show your cute little elves a YouTube video? Will it be Rudolph and his scandalous red nose? Or perhaps a tree without its lights?

Save yourself the worry, and check out today's TIC Tip Tuesday! Quiet Tube: http://quietube.com/

​Quiet Tube blocks clutter from ​Y​ouT​ube videos so that only the selected video is shown.

The second tip is a free search engine with filtered results to keep inappropriate content from showing up in searches. Visit https://safesearchkids.com today!

ReWordify

Today's TIC Tip Tuesday features Rewordify!​

Rewordify is a free site that can help students understand complex passages of text. At its most basic level Rewordify takes a complex passage and rephrases it in simpler terms. Students can adjust Rewordify's settings to match their needs. For example, students can add words to a "skip list" and those words will not be changed when they appear in a passage. Students can also use Rewordify to simply highlight difficult words instead of having them replaced.

Rewordify would be great for difficult textbook passages, in class reading, difficult word problems in math, or anywhere that vocabulary hinders student comprehension.

Schedule time with a TIC if you need help!

PocketPoints

High school teachers! Check out http://pocketpoints.com Students earn points for staying off their phone while in your class. :)

NearPod

Do you use PowerPoint in your classroom? Would you like to integrate more technology into your classroom without reinventing something you've already done? Give NEARPOD a try! NearPod allows you to search already created lessons or upload your own PPTs or Google Slides to create an interactive experience for your students with embedded stopping points for student feedback and built in assessments to increase student engagement.

Want help with NearPod or another technology project? Schedule time with a TIC! Don't forget to check out our website and Padlet pages for more technology ideas!

Khan Academy

Did you know that Khan academy allows you to:

• Import Classes from Google Classroom

• Make assignments to individuals or whole classes

  • Assignments can include videos, exercise sets, and assessments

  • Courses include K-12 math (including Eureka Math curricular resources for grades 3-HS), science, social studies, computer science, new ELA courses (in beta) and SAT test prep!

• Track student progress towards mastery

• View reports on overall student/group progress

In addition...

For those younger learners (Pre-K, K, 1), Khan Academy offers an app called "Khan Academy Kids" which you can access by going here on your iPad. The app offers audiobooks and practice on ABCs, phonemic awareness, number recognition, counting, comparing numbers, logic, and more!

The SAT is growing in importance as the state continues to reevaluate the graduation pathways starting with the class of 2023. Khan Academy offers SAT diagnostics and practices that can support your students in preparing for this test!

Start by going here and logging in with your school Gmail account. After logging in you'll find a "getting started" teacher training, welcome guide, and four videos for ideas on blending Khan Academy in your classroom. See the available courses by clicking "Courses" towards the upper left of the page. Your teacher dashboard is always accessible by clicking on your name in the upper right corner. From there you'll be able to create/import classes, make assignments, view reports, etc.

Don't want to figure it out on your own? Not sure if this is the tech. tool for you? Have an idea but want advice on implementation? We're here to help! Reach out to a TIC and we'll help you get started!

Eureka Math

Did you know that IXL has an alignment to our Eureka Math resources? Well, it does!

Under each of the links below are sublinks for each module in Eureka. When you click on the module it will give you individual skills to practice for each Topic. IXL makes this integration a breeze. Use it to remediate a previously taught skill or as practice for current skills.

Eureka Math -> IXL for Kindergarten

Eureka Math -> IXL for 1st Grade

Eureka Math -> IXL for 2nd Grade

Eureka Math -> IXL for 3rd Grade

Eureka Math -> IXL for 4th Grade

Eureka Math -> IXL for 5th Grade

Eureka Math -> IXL for 6th Grade

Eureka Math -> IXL for 7th Grade

Eureka Math -> IXL for 8th Grade

Eureka Math -> IXL for Algebra

Eureka Math -> IXL for Geometry

Eureka Math -> IXL for Algebra 2

IXL

To kick off this year's "TIC Tip Tuesdays,” we wanted to begin with a preview of newly released features and tools offered by IXL. They will make your life easier! Please take the time to watch this video if you teach language arts or math.

Apple Teacher

Today's TIC tip is from Apple Teacher. Several new skill lessons and tutorials have been added to the training center (it does not mean you need recertification) to help make your Apple products easier for use. They break down every iWork app and iPad basics. There are also some short videos on some of the badges you've already earned but on a specific skill such as adding a video to Keynote presentations.

Video Sites (other than YouTube)

BoClips

BoClips is an educational video site. BoClips hosts more than two million videos from producers that you're probably familiar with through their YouTube channels. Videos that you find on BoClips are actually hosted on BoClips with the permission of the video producers. Here's a quick overview of how to find and share BoClips videos.

Next Vista for Learning

Next Vista's purpose is to provide a place for teachers and students to share videos with other teachers and students in a safe environment. All videos that appear on Next Vista for Learning are intended to teach short lessons.

ClassHook

On this day in 1952 Mr. Potato Head was the first toy advertised on television. So much has happened in television and videos since 1952. However, videos, movies, and television remain popular to this day. Have you ever watched a movie and thought a specific scene illustrated something you do in class? Have you been 2 hours into a Netflix binge and realized one of your favorite characters just quoted the book you're reading in class? Have you ever wished you had time to find a fun video clip to show your students to help kick-off a lesson? ClassHook might be exactly what you are looking for!

ClassHook promises to "increase student engagement and retention" through using a video as a hook to a lesson. "Easily find educational videos from TV shows and movies to use in your lessons" by searching for grade level, subject, clip length, and decade. Additionally, ClassHook recently introduced a feature called Pause Prompts that allows you to embed discussion questions into the videos that you find through their service.

If you want help integrating or navigating ClassHook, please reach out to a TIC for help. We're here to support you!

ListenWise

Our first tip is the website Listen Wise. Listen wise is a website that houses "thousands of 3-6 minute stories for grades 5-12." Students are able to listen to the passages and then have access to the discussion questions (some premium features are available for a fee, but the free version allows the listening and discussion questions). This resource is great for practicing the listening comprehension skill tested at some grade levels on the ILEARN.

Would You Rather Math

The second tip is another website. Would You Rather Math is a website that gives various "would you rather scenarios" involving math as part of the activity and helps students develop their math reasoning skills. This is a great resource to use for a warm up activity or as a transition activity when waiting for other students to finish. The possibilities are endless. This math resource provides great starter questions for students in later elementary to high school. Students are presented with two options, many from real life - and students must choose which option is better for them. There is no “correct answer” in many cases. Students simply justify which choice they feel is better. Real-life problem solving, number sense, math writing, and practice justifying your answer.

Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

Today's TIC tip features your Mac's keyboard. Many teachers know some of the basic keyboard shortcuts such as "command c" to copy and "command v" to paste. However, there are so many more great keyboard shortcuts.

You can visit the Mac Keyboard Shortcuts from Apple and find more keyboard shortcuts than you probably ever wanted to know. However, you could find the very shortcut you've been wanting that you didn't know even existed.

Some of our favorites:

• command t (open a new tab)

• command z (undo previous command)

• command f (find)

• command q (quit)

• command control shift 4 (select and screencapture to clipboard)

EquatIO (Google Math Extension)

This week's TIC TIP features EquatIO, a free (for teachers) Google Extension that allows you to dictate, draw, or photograph equations and formulas and have them automatically inserted into any Google doc, sheet, slide presentation, or form! Tired of trying to type fractions? This is the extension for you. Click on this link to install the extension. Next, register for a free teacher account here. Now to see EquatIO in action, go to a new Google form. See the new blue icon next to each question line? Click this to activate the EquatIO toolbar. Note that once the math text is inserted, it can be double-clicked and edited dynamically!

Prizmo Go

Today's TIC tip features PrizmoGo. PrizmoGo is an app for you phone or iPad that allows you to capture a picture of text and have the text read to you. The following is an excerpt from their website (https://creaceed.com/prizmogo):

Aim at text. Shoot. It's yours! Prizmo Go lets you grab printed text easily, so you don’t have to retype it.

Before shooting, Prizmo Go shows lines of text directly in the camera preview to let you know what it sees, in a way similar to augmented reality but for text. After shooting, you get direct access to textual contents. It’s that simple.

Prizmo Go can read the text aloud, and it also offers a number of interactions with text contents. Or you can simply copy/paste the text to other apps or to your Mac.

Finally, thanks to its support for VoiceOver, Prizmo Go is very well suited to low vision and blind users.

Contact Groups in Gmail

AutoDraw

Today's TIC tip features AutoDraw. AutoDraw is great way to have students create (or you, too) illustrations to accompany their learning. "AutoDraw is a new kind of drawing tool that pairs the magic of machine learning with drawings from talented artists to help everyone create anything visual, fast."

ClassroomScreen

Do you ever use a timer in your classroom? Do you use a warning system (such as a stoplight) for behaviors or expectations? Have you used or wanted to use a noise monitor when students are working? What about a symbol to show students your expectations when they are working, or what if you could post a QR code that leads students to their assignment or task?

WHAT IF YOU COULD DO ALL OF THIS AT ONCE...AND MORE?!?!

ClassroomScreen is a website that allows you to do it all on one screen. ClassroomScreen is a free website that allows you to display a timer, QR code, stoplight, text, drawings, name randomizer, and other great classroom tools all at once or with any combinations. Many of your teacher iPads have apps on them that do one of these things at a time, but this website lets you do it all. Check it out today!

Symbaloo

Do you ever wish you had a quicker way to share websites and links with your students?

Do your students (or you) ever forget how to access a website you frequently use?

Do you wish there was a better way to keep track of all of the websites you use?

If you can answer YES to any of these questions then you definitely need a SYMBALOO!!!!

"Symbaloo helps you organize your web resources and deliver the right content, in the right place, at the right time, to the right person."

It is essentially a free way to create your own links page for you personally and your students. There is no limit to the amount of Symbaloo pages you can create.

You can also have a Symbaloo within a Symbaloo.

Here is the link to the Symbaloo with all of the Northview Teachers Classroom Symbaloos...

- - > https://www.symbaloo.com/mix/northviewelementary < - -

For more information watch this Welcome to Symbaloo video, and email a TIC if you would like assistance setting one up or help sharing to students.

FlipGrid

This week's tip features Flipgrid. If you've used Flipgrid in the past, one thing you will want to know about now is that all of the features (including the premium ones) are now free. If you are new to Flipgrid, you are in for a treat.

Flipgrid is a video discussion platform that allows teachers to post a question that students respond to with a video. There are various settings such as scheduling when a post is available and if you want to review a post before allowing other students to view it.

We believe the best way to get familiar with new technology and programs is to simply play around with it. Because of this, we invite you to join our Flipgrid and respond to our question.

Respond to our Flipgrid here: https://flipgrid.com/ticsmcsc

Check out this video for a great way that you can use FlipGrid for a book report!

Padlet

We've shared Padlet as a tip before, and many of you have visited the TIC Padlet page. However, we wanted to highlight Padlet again and invite you to help us create a Padlet that houses all of the information we learned at our eLearning PD day. Our hope is that you find Padlet to be easily created and edited and that you can find use for it in your classroom as a way to organize your technology resources both for you and for your students.

Please join and edit the eLearning PD Padlet. https://padlet.com/jacob_felger/ELearningDay2018

Econedlink

Today's TIC tip features ECONEDLINK! This website presents educational activities and ideas to help students explore real world applications for what they are learning. There is a focus on economics and personal finance, but there is something for every subject.

When you visit the website, you can filter the activities by grade level, resource type, and subject.

PDF Mergy

Have you ever wanted to merge several google docs (student work) or Google Classroom assignments into one PDF for easy printing or distribution? Check out PDF MERGY! This is a simple website where you can pull multiple google files at once and merge them into a single PDF. The first time you use it, you will need to sign in to your drive (you can also drag files onto the window).

Flippity

Today's TIC tip features FLIPPITY. Flippity is a fun resource that helps you easily use a google spreadsheet to create flashcards, a name picker, review games, and much more in seconds.

If you want to learn more, visit www.flippity.net or reach out to a TIC.

Apple Pages

Today's TIC tip features Apple Pages. Apple Pages has many of the same qualities as Microsoft Word, which makes it relatively easy to navigate for beginners. However, it also has some pretty amazing features that Word does not have.

Watch this VIDEO to see how you could use Apple Pages in your classroom. Make sure to look for the things you saw in the Apple badge quiz for Pages. If you haven't taken the quiz, we recommend taking it after watching this video.

Reach out to a TIC for help with Apple Pages or with anything else you would like to see happen with technology in your classroom. Let's finish strong!​

Apple Numbers

As promised from last week, today's TIC tip features the second part of Numbers, which focuses on the more advanced features of the program and using formulas.

If you haven't taken the Apple badge quiz for Numbers, we recommend taking it after watching both videos. For your convenience, we will attach both videos to this week's tip.

As always, please reach out to a TIC for help integrating technology in your classroom.

Numbers Part 1

Numbers Part 2

Apple Keynote

Today's TIC Tip Tuesday features Keynote, which is the presentation application on your Mac and iPad, and if you've never used it before, there are some interesting features you might want to explore. The TICs want to give a HUGE shout out to Chad Crews for sharing this tip with us.

Today's tip focuses on using your iPad or iPhone as a remote control for your presentation. To begin, open a PPT in Keynote. Next, in Keynote's preferences, select the remotes tab and check enable. Second, open Keynote on your iPad, and there will be a remote icon in the upper right hand corner. If you touch the remote, it will find your computer, and on your computer screen, you will select "link" and confirm the code. Then on your iPad, there will be a green play button. Push the button. Now, you have control of your computer with various view options. You can also annotate the screen and use a virtual laser pointer.

Need to see it to believe it? Watch our video with highly trained actors.

​Video​

Apple Maps

Today's TIC tip is about Apple Maps. This is great for SOCIAL STUDIES! (It obviously could be used in other areas as well, but we are most excited for the opportunities this brings to our Social Studies curriculum.)

Apple maps allows you to type in the name of major cities across the world and see a fly over view of the city. Attached are two videos explaining how to use Apple maps with both a Mac computer and an apple mobile device. ​See a TIC if you want help integrating Apple maps into your classroom.

Computer Video

Mobile Device Video

Insert Learning

Today's tip features Insert Learning. Insert Learning allows you to take any website and "insert" questions, surveys, videos, etc on the page. Students can then visit the page and interact with the learning stops you inserted. (Note: A Chrome Extension must be installed on the teacher and student devices.) One downfall to Insert Learning is that you only get five free lessons, but it is affordable at $40 for a year or $8 a month.

If you would like help with Insert Learning, please see a TIC. Below is an excerpt from an email sent from the Insert Learning team.

Create your first lesson

Learn how to create your first lesson in minutes along with how to assign and grade student responses

To help you get started we've created a YouTube channel filled with tutorials and a collection of teacher made lessons.

Find lessons created by other teachers in the Public Library. It's a great way to find a lesson to use today, get ideas from others, and find out what's possible.

ZipGrade

Have you ever given a multiple choice assessment and graded it by hand? Never do that again! Don't take your grading home! Grade it in a zip!

Do you wish you could have analytical data on the questions you ask? Do you want to easily see the questions missed most frequently? Do you want to have an instant class average? ZIP IT!!!

ZipGrade is an easy grading tool to use for multiple choice assessments. It is an app for Apple mobile devices, and using your phone (or iPad) you can take a photo and grade student bubble sheets. Teachers can scan 100 papers per month for free (unlimited access is available for $7 per year).

​Click here for a video!​

Loom

Happy Tuesday! Today's TIC Tip features LOOM, a Chrome Extension that allows you to easily create and share screencasts with (or without) your webcam. Make comments with timestamps, allow (or disallow) students to comment/post, and easily share with email or via Google Classroom. Watch the video below for more information on installing and using!

Loom | Free Screen & Video Recording Software Watch Video

http://www.useloom.com <- Visit here to install the extension

Kaizena

Kaizena

Kaizena is a Google Docs Add-on that now offers the ability to record voice messages, embed lessons, and track skills right inside a Google Doc! The release of the new Kaizena Google Docs Add-on means:

• Fewer steps for you to provide feedback - resulting in faster, more frequent feedback

• Students will be able to edit their work immediately after receiving your feedback - no need to switch platforms

• Streamlined peer feedback - any Google Docs collaborator can provide feedback

Why? Because we want to enable students to receive feedback right where they create.

Here is a short video from Richard Byrne demonstrating this tool.

Words with Friends EDU

http://wordswithfriends.edu Similar to the popular smartphone/iPad social game (Words With Friends), Words With Friends EDU is an online scrabble-like game asking students to build words with letters and place them on a board. Students are playing other students from the teacher’s classroom, or they can even play the teacher! After students play a word, the students are required to answer a question generated by the website about how the word is used correctly in a multiple choice question. This is a great way to spend some time developing vocabulary when waiting on students to finish an activity, when transitioning, and more! Setting up the classroom can be tricky, so reach out to a TIC if you want help with this fun learning game.

Google Meet / Loom

When you start a Google Meet for students, use the JOIN NOW button - not the Present button. If you choose Present, you will not be able to record your meeting or turn on your webcam. After you hit JOIN NOW, you can then use the Present button to share all/part of your screen.

Watch an introduction to Google Meet here!

Loom now offers PRO accounts for FREE to teachers (forever). You can record your screen along with/without a webcam (alternative to record straight from Google Meeting!), then trim the video and easily share with students. No time limit, easy to use as a Chrome extension. Website here. Extension here.