Getting More Out of Canvas -- Announcement Feature

September 11, 2018

Announcements in Canvas

The bell just rang and you have things you need to tell your students so that they can get started but you also need to take attendance, answer one student's quick question, and, and, and.... It's a wonder class ever gets started!

Let's make this problem worse! You've made the same announcement in all six classes, or have you? Have you ever noticed that by the time you taught something three times, your are getting faster at it? Is that because you are getting better or leaving important information out?

Let's let the "Announcements" feature in Canvas help. This can be a place that students go to as soon as they get to class. You can put important information via text, videos, and links in an announcement that students need that day so that you can take attendance. This can also be helpful for students that absent from your class, in the recovery room, or just new to your class. Below is a video on how to use the "Announcements" feature in Canvas. If you have any questions, stop by the library and we would be glad to help.

Online Books -- Too easy not to use!!

April 17, 2018

Online Books -- Too easy not to use!!

We have access to two easy to use online book resources that you can use over the Summer and not worry about fines or fees!

GALE Resources -- Mostly Non-Fiction & Profession Development (the good ones)

Here's a short video on what you can do with the GALE resources. You can research, highlight, take notes and save it all to your Drive. 

OverDrive -- Mostly Fiction

Here's a short video on how to check out a book from OverDrive. Most of the books can be read from a Kindle, Kindle app on your phone/iPad, or in a browser. If you don't see the book that you want, there is a way to make request. Those request go to my email and if I have funds available, I can get those in a timely fashion. 

 

Creating Twitter Post -- Too Cool Not to Share!!

April 10, 2018

As a new librarian I am constantly looking for ways for my Library Science students to produce a book report without doing a traditional book report. This quarter my students are reading a biography. I had read a blog from Matt Miller, author of Ditch That Textbook that demonstrated how to create comic strips using Google Drawings. I made the lesson plan and was all excited about it, and then I found a Twitter simulator! In walked CHOICE!

Now I am giving my students a choice to create a comic strip about the book or tweets as if they were the person they are reading about using Simitator.com. For their assignment, they had to create at least 25 tweets that they put in a Google Slides presentation so that I could read through them in a chronological order and they only submitted one file instead several images. I selected Slides because of the ability to present the tweets as opposed to Docs and scrolling through them.

When you go to Simitator.com you have many choices of social media to choose from as well. Facebook, Snap Chat, Twitter, etc.

How could you use this in your classroom? Below is an idea, but oh the possibilities.

What if a historical figure had a Twitter account? What would they have tweeted?

Think how students could show various levels of understanding using a tool like this. Notice that they can change the date.

The filter at my school would not allow me to use the "Download Tweet as JPG image" so I just took a screenshot.

HyperDocs -- Delivery, Collection, & Feedback

HyperDocs -- Delivery, Collection, & Feedback

March 13, 2018

I decided to lead by example in this section of HyperDocs, so I've created a HyperDoc on the delivery, collection, & feedback of a HyperDoc using Canvas or Google Classroom.

You need to understand, to reduce time and frustration in creating your HyperDoc, you need to have the end in mind.  What do you want the end product to look like? How are you going to provide feedback? How are you going to collect it? Those questions can help you determine how you are going to deliver the HyperDoc.

In the HyperDoc I've created for you, I used a Google Form but I'm showcasing another HyperDoc using Google Slides. As always, if you would like more information or need help creating your own HyperDoc, stop by the LMC or send me an email.

HyperDoc on HyperDocs

The Hype about HyperDocs

The Hype About HyperDocs

March 6, 2018

You may have heard teachers talking about HyperDocs and thought, "That's sounds interesting. I would like to try that." Chances are that you have already created one and didn't even know it. This month the 10 Minute Tuesday is going to focus on creating HyperDocs using Google Slides, Forms,  and Sites.

HyperDocs replace worksheets and uses technology to teach and engage students. Before we begin creating a HyperDoc we have to have a plan. Below you'll find a template for planning a HyperDoc.

https://goo.gl/Hjc5CM 

Looking over the above HyperDoc Planning Template will help you create the best HyperDoc for your particular lesson. Next week we will using our knowledge about Google Slides and Forms to create a HyperDoc. 

If you want more information check out: 

• Highfill, Lisa, et al. The HyperDoc handbook: digital lesson design using Google apps. EdTechTeam Press, 2016. (We have a copy available in the LMC)
• https://hyperdocs.co/

YouTube and Closed Caption

January 30, 2018

In order to make your website compliant, if you are posting a video, you need to have closed captioning (CC) and a transcript of the closed captioning. I had made Geometry instructional videos when I had a deaf student in class. Closed captioning in mathematics is very difficult, so I had an interpreter signing the video in the corner of the video. When I asked if that was good enough (I honestly thought it was above and beyond), I was told it wouldn't work.

I don't know about you, but my ability to do dictation, is not good. Thankfully YouTube can help. Below is a short video on how YouTube can help you add closed captioning to your videos with minimal effort on your part. (HINT: When you record your video, speak clearly and slowing for less editing later) 

Time Slots -- Parent's Night Scheduling Made Easy

Time Slots -- Parent's Night Scheduling Made Easy

February 6, 2018 (Posted Early)

Do you dread trying to schedule parents for Parent's Night? Have you tried sending times home only to find out that the time wouldn't work? Do you feel like you're working harder that this than your students? If so, it's time for a change!

I used Google Time Slots to simplify scheduling conflicts and put the responsibility on my students. This video is about 5 minutes and that's all it will take you to set this up. The rest is up to your students. I also used this to schedule study hall so that I wouldn't say yes to too many students on the same day.

If you have any questions or need help setting your time slots up, send me an email.