New for 22-23 Tech Bytes 🍪🥧🍴

Keep an eye out in your faculty rooms this year!  Instead of filling your inbox, we will fill your belly! 

Take a treat, but don't forget your Tech Byte Flyer to take back to your desk! 

Missed out? While I cannot provide the extra snack on the blog, I can give you forever access to the tips! Come back here to find past information from the 22-23 Tech Bytes!

¡Buen Provecho! 🍴

ABS Students? Classroom Android App to the Rescue

 I don't know about you, but when I am taking attendance in eSD I often see a splash or two (or 6) of red.

Not even the "Google Queen" has all of her items available for digital distribution.  

#paperhappens

Then, there is nothing worse than spending your entire prep making that one paper worksheet or note outline accessible for the one or two students who were unable to be in class.

1:1 Chromebooks have given us a quick life-saver solution to this problem through the use of the Google Classroom Android App.

On the taskbar of student Chromebooks, you will notice 2 similar icons for Google Classroom. 

SMASD Ts and Ss alike are most familiar with the Chrome web browser version of Classroom. Based on its ease of use, I still strongly recommend this version for daily teaching and learning. 

One benefit of the Android App is the ability to annotate a PDF assignment. This may be perfect for those now-and-again scenarios when you have one or two students absent. 

Annotation tools are also great for showing your work in math and as an accessibility option for students with special needs!

Check out the video (appropriate for teachers and students) to see how a student can use the pen, marker, and highlighter tools in the app to complete their notes or exercises when absent.

Want more information on what the Google Classroom Android App has to offer? Check out this blogpost by fellow Google Trainer Eric Curts. In this post, he covers in detail ways for teachers to use the Android App (on phones or Chromebooks) to: 

• markup student work with a digital pen
• quickly add videos and images from your phone to Classroom posts
• adjust your notification settings

Getting annotated PDF attachments of Docs or Slides when you want the students to edit the file directly?  Students are accidentally using the app instead of the browser. Look at this throwback post to see what I mean. 

Finding other ways to make the most of the Google Classroom Andriod App? Share below!

Rich-Text Editor Arrives to Classroom

 Utilize text formatting in Google Classroom to improve communication! With the rich text editor at the bottom of your assignment and announcement text entry box you can... 

• bold
• italics
• underline
• create a bulleted list

... and, better yet (for you keyboard  🐱‍👤 ninjas out there) feel free to work the Ctrl B, I & U! 

(looking forward to a shortcut that starts a bulleted list 🤔)

Enjoy formatting your directions in Classroom!  

Don't forget to check out the "Featured Post" on Chromebooks as we begin our 1:1 rollout!

Snow Day & Semester Change Tips and Ideas

 Check out the video and/or slides below to find out more about: 

• 
  Quickly changing due dates in eSD after a snow day
• Copying Assignments from class to class in eSD
• Copying Classes in Google Classroom
• Creating a new Google Classroom for the new quarter

Do you have experience with these tips? -- Share your successes and fail-forwards in the comments! 

Click HERE for the slides or HERE
for the video. 

3 Small Steps to Help Students and Parents in Google Classroom

 

eSD Google Classroom Import & Sync

 

If you are a heavy Google Classroom user & like to update grades as assignments come in, check out the new eSD Google Classroom Import and Sync options! 

• 📓Import assignment titles, point values, descriptions and due dates from Classroom to eSD 
• 📓Option to have grades auto-synced at 7pm daily 
• 📓Option for manual real-time syncing of scores

Learn how to Import Assignments & Sync Scores by: 

• Watching the following video 📼

• Clicking HERE for the slide deck instructions 📋

• Attend the "live" demo at 1pm today 💻

• meet.google.com  nickname: esd

Have you already tried the eSD Google Classroom Sync?   What tips and tricks can you share? Comment below!

Give me your best One-Liner: for Google Classroom Rubrics

Today we aren't talking about these one-liners... 

 

 I changed my password to "incorrect". So whenever I forget what it is the computer will say "Your password is incorrect".

My email password has been hacked. That's the third time I've had to rename the cat.

My mom said that if I don't get off my computer and do my homework she'll slam my head on the keyboard, but I think she's jokinfjreoiwjrtwe4to8rkljreun8f4ny84c8y4t58lym4wawt4mylt4amlathn...

CAPS LOCK – Preventing Login Since 1980.

Source onelinefun.com 

Instead, we are going to put a twist on a post from earlier this year, "I love Google Classroom Rubrics" .

As teachers we are fans of using rubrics for efficient grading and feedback. However, we can sometimes cringe at the thought of developing them.  

What if I told you that not every rubric had to be 5 columns by 5 rows? 

Google Classroom Rubrics can be one-liners! Quickly assess the "little" things while staying consistent with point values.   By adapting this one-liner rubric, you will save time "counting errors" and quickly communicate to the student if he/she is on the right track.  You will also have more time for the real-specific, personalized feedback that they need.

Check out this rubric I made for some quick "I can" checks in Google Classroom! 

It is 5 option multiple choice that quickly lets me assign the grade of  "0" "60" "B" "A" or "100%"

Make a copy of the one-liner rubric HERE.  Make your changes in Google Sheets, then add the rubric to a new or existsing Google Classroom Assignment. + Rubric > Import from Sheets

Have you heard about the single-column rubric? 

This is a great place to start for assignments that are multi-step or have several elements that need evaluated separately. Click HERE for a template that you can edit to get started. 

Or, for all of you go-getters, click HERE for a customizeable 5x5 rubric in Google Sheets.  Remember that your rows and columns do not have to have the same quantity of descriptors, nor do they have to have the same point values. (E.g. Content can be worth way more than design or spelling.) Simply delete cells that you aren't using.

This is now my 5th post to the TechSpot about rubrics.  If you don't see what you are looking for in this post, check out the archives.  Included in these posts is a link to roobrix, a tool to help you give numerical grade values to your rubrics.

Join the Google Classroom Rubric trend with others from our #GoDutch family!

Need help with your first one? - Send me your criteria and I will get you up and running to see if you like it! 

Keep it techie!

Jen

Copy a Direct Link to an Assignment

The three dots are magical!  

Anytime you see 3 dots you know that awesome options are just a click away!

The 3 dots on Google Classroom posts lead you to a menu with the option to 

Copy link.

When could this assignment url be useful for teachers and students? 

1. Remind - For teachers who push out communication reminders you can add the direct link to the assignment in your post! 

2. Email - Keep the message clear. Include the url of the missing work right in the message to take them directly to the assignment! 

3. eSD - Use the description textbox to insert the link to the assignment.

4. SeeSaw - Have an awesome Googley assignment that you need collaboration or a copy for each student?   Make it in Google Classroom, but post it in SeeSaw! (tip: post the link in the instructions - not under multimedia)

4. Hyperdocs - Yes! This one is brilliant.  Hyperdocs offer a variety of learning activities for students, but as a teacher it can be hard to keep track of where all these great assignments are, designate sharing permissions and make each student a copy of files.   Hyperlink each activity and ta-da kids have the pedagogical benefits of the Hyperdoc and the organization Google Classroom simultaneously.

Managing Make-Up Work - Teacher Showcase

 Here at SMASD we are very fortunate to be able to see our students 5 days per week.  Our face to face instructional time is valuable, and we still do many activities in class, not on a device.  

That said, we want to provide assignments digitally for students when they need it.  Many times students are absent and/or they left the work in their locker. 

Posting every activity that we have done in class online, is no small feat.  It can also clutter up your Classwork page, making true digital assignments hard to find. 

Mrs. Erich and I are brainstorming and piloting a new approach to make-up work for tasks that would typically be done in class. 

The approach involves a Resource Doc full of links to activities that she uses in class.  However we have hacked the urls of these files to "force a copy". 

This document is listed under her Resources topic in an assignment called "Make-up Work".

I then, in a demo student account,  created a How-To video to help students use this resource, and submit Make-Up work for prolonged absences.   Students only access and submit what they need.  You as a teacher have 1 place to check for makeup work. You can see, share and use this tutorial below.

 

This will also create a communication space in the private comments for students who are absent.

We all as teachers are unique. Certainly workflow systems are something that inevitably vary from teacher to teacher. 

What system do you use for providing make up work?  

Are there any aspects of this process that could be useful for you? 

Add to the conversation in the comments below. 

I love Google Classroom Rubrics!

Normally in Google Classroom or eSD your students see this:

46/50

But, what does that actually mean?  Where is the feedback?  Teachers have been solving this problem for years with rubrics, and now Google Classroom has joined in!

Imagine if your student now saw this descriptive rubric instead!

Google Classroom Rubrics Feature: 

• Customizable Criterion
• Customizable Point Values - Per Criterion!
• Easy Click & Assess
• Points Automatically Add Up
• Ability to Duplicate Criterion & Reuse Rubrics

STUDENT SIDE OF RUBRICS

TEACHER SIDE OF RUBRICS

Check it out, and let me know if I can help you create your first rubric!

Already tried it?  Share the love in a comment below!

Explain Yourself! Over, and Over Again

 Ever feel like you are wasting time explaining directions over and over again for students?

Today's Techspot may have a solution for you!

Solution #1: Screencasting 

This morning, I had a question from a student in our virtual academy on how to complete and submit a particular assignment.  After already hitting the point of frustration, the last thing this student would have wanted was an email with a narrative set of steps of what to do.  Faster than I could have typed it out, I used my Screencastify Chrome Extension to create a video that she could pause, rewatch or fast forward as needed with the automatically produced url.  The best part is now I have a video to share, if/when another student has a similar issue. See the Techspot's past blogpost on screencasting by clicking HERE. 

Solution #2: Interactive Image Tutorials

On Friday I assigned a multi-step assignment where students would be figuring out if it is cheaper to make empanadas at home, or to go out and buy them in a restaurant. I formatted the tasks, links and reflection questions into a table on a Google Doc.  Instructions were given in class, but as you can imagine many things get "lost in translation" here in room 409.  Instead of typing a narrative of directions to reference in Google Classroom, I recalled a post that I had saved from Alice Keeler, of Teacher Tech on creating Interactive Graphics with Genial.ly  In just a few minutes I had the interactive tutorial below linked to the assignment in Google Classroom. 

For teachers already familiar with Thinglink, you may want to create your interactive image there.  The only difference I can see is that you may have a limited number of "views" with the free plan of Thinglink.(e.g 1000)  Also, a paid account is required for students to create content.  Click HERE to the same interactive image on Thinglink.

Like Genial.ly? 

Genially offers a variety of projects that students can create as well!  They can embed interactive images and videos into their current presentations, or create stand alone interactive projects.  Send one of your students who is seeking something more to genial.ly to see what they come up with!

The Google Classroom QUESTION

The Google Classroom Question feature is quick, easy and versatile.   If you have a written assignment that involves only a paragraph or two of text, it is worth looking into. 

Teachers can easily scroll through responses, assess and give feedback without opening 30 documents.









Teachers at SMASD are also using the Question feature to provide a platform for classroom discussion.   Simply turn on the "Students Can Reply to Each Other" switch.   Note: Cool thing is that students can only see peers' answers AFTER they themselves have provided a response.

• History teachers have had students make comments and ask questions while watching a video. 
• Language teachers have used questions and replies for interpersonal speaking tasks.  
• ELA teachers have used the discussion board as a place to post presentations/projects.  Classmates are required to view 2 projects, and post reactions and questions to them.  Great alternative to having every student present in front of the class! 

See how our own Mrs. Meeker is having her students peer review presentations via Google Classroom Questions.  Students answer with a link to their project.  Peers reply with 2 things they learned and a question they have. 

Google Classroom Questions are a great no-prep solution for quick responses, feedback and discussion boards.  

How have you used Questions in your classes?   Comment below. 

Want a helping hand setting up your first question? Contact jtamburlin.youcanbook.me

Google Classroom Update: Filter Topics & Post to Top

Last week Google Classroom rolled out a few updates that will help both students and teachers access the posts as well as associated information they need. 

You will notice in the Classwork Tab that all of your topics are listed in the left side panel. 

By filtering the view to one particular topic, each post expands for you to see the full description, attachments as well as the number of students who have completed the assignment already. 

Don't see any topics?

Go to the "+ Create" button to add some topic folders to organize your content.  Remind students to always go to the CLASSWORK tab first to see their assignments in an organized fashion.  The STREAM is just a feed of notifications. 

Below is a screenshot of the Google Classroom Help Center describing how to use topic filters. 

Wish you could just go straight to the CLASSWORK tab?  

Here is a work around by adding the classwork tab for each class to your bookmark bar, just click and drag! 

Need a 10 min tutorial on how to organize your Google Classroom in preparation for next year?   

Let me know, I would love to visit! jtamburlin.youcanbook.me

Or... check out this VIDEO!

Google Maps, Tours & More!

Google My Maps: 

This week in 8th grade Spanish we are mastering phrases that help us tell the weather.  To demonstrate learning with an added bit of geography and culture, we head to Google My Maps.  

My Maps is an application located in your Google Drive > New > More > Google My Maps. Here you can create and store maps just as you would other Google Files such as Docs, Sheets, Slides & Forms. 

For this assignment I created a template that included directions and a sample "pin". 

I created 5 copies of the map and assigned it to 5 groups on Google Classroom, allowing them editing rights. Students will spend time this week dropping pins in different parts of the Hispanic world.  Students are able to add a title, a text description and an image to any pin.  For me they are adding the location name in Spanish, the current weather and a picture of an iconic place in that country. 

Easy to share, easy to collaborate & easy to review. 

Google Tour Builder

Do your students have a story to tell with their map?  Do the pins have relationships or a chronological order?   Try Google Tour Builder!   It is similar to Google My Maps, but it connects the pins to create a story. Photos and text can still be added to each pin.  The tour then has a cronolgical presentation.

Check out this blogpost from Eric Curts of controlaltachieve.com to learn more about Tour Builder and to see more examples of tours for history, literature, science, art and more!


Google Tour Creator

Do you have some students who desire an extra challenge in their map projects?   Have them take it one step further with VR and Google Tour Creator!

Students can create a Virtual Reality Experience with their tour by adding 360 images found from Google Street View.


Sra. Wensel's Spanish classes have already immersed themselves in the streets of Spain.  Students created tours of prominent cities in the country and presented to their peers.

Tours are created by adding "scenes".  Each scene gets a 360 image, a title and a description.  You may also add hotspots with an overlayed image and a detailed description.

Click HERE to see some examples of tours that can be used on your board, student devices or with VR goggles.

If you can map it ... you can build it!   With Google My Maps, Google Tour Builder and Google VR Tour Creator the options are endless!

How do you see yourself using Google Maps in your classroom?  Comment below.

Interested in using Maps and Tours in your class?  Let me know, and I will help you through the process!