How to upload a video to Youtube

Good Morning!

Here is a link on how to add videos to YouTube!

Enjoy!

Google PD....That's free!

I just received this and thought this would be a great PD for you to enjoy!!

Getting Started with Google for Education

WHAT IS IT?

Getting Started with Google for Education is an 8-week training program that delivers bite-size training tutorials directly to your inbox. Each lesson takes less than 15 minutes to complete and provides basic, Level 0 training videos to get you started with G Suite for Education.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

• End-users can sign-up for the email series via a registration page (can also be found on the Teacher Center, here) and that will kickoff the 8-week email series. 

After registering:

• Users will immediately receive a confirmation email letting them know they’re registered, and that content will come every Tuesday at 10am PST. Note that they can sign up at any time - there’s no end date. 

• Each email will contain a link to start the weekly lesson

• Lessons cover just one product each week, are video-based with interactive components, and end with a quick knowledge check

• The content is VERY BASIC. It was built to cater to users who are just getting started using G Suite for Education

• Weekly Lesson Schedule

• Week 1: Drive
• Week 2: Docs
• Week 3: Classroom
• Week 4: Forms
• Week 5: Slides
• Week 6: Sheets
• Week 7: Drawings
• Week 8: Sites

Google Innovator

Hi All!

This is just a cool post to share a blog that I have written about my passion project,

Check it out and let me know what you think,

http://brianaspinall.com/passion-project/

Have a great day!

Kindergarten PD @ DES 9/12/19

This morning, I had the opportunity to meet with the wonderful team at Dade Elementary to share different resources for tech, specifically for kindergarten students.

It doesn't matter the age of the student, all students can learn to use the Chromebook and create some pretty awesome things.

Here is the handout I shared with them for 25+ different resources that can be used in the classroom.

Kindergarten Training Information

Enjoy!
--Jessica

Cool Websites

I ran across an article by SimpleK12 that listed and described websites that can be used, but don't require registration.  I thought it might come in handy.  SimpleK12

Nearpod-How To (DMS Training #1)

Good Morning!

Here is just a quick recap on our Nearpod from the training on 9/5/19.

Here is a step by step in how to create a Nearpod:

Here is a step by step in how to use Google Slides and Nearpod Extension/Add-On:

I hope this helps and that you enjoy this great resource!!!

-Jessica

Nearpod for RTI

This is an excellent blog post about using Nearpod as a Response to Intervention strategey in Tiers I, II, and III.  Take a minute to look at it.

Nearpod for RTI

ReadWrite Extension

ReadWrite Extension for Google Chrome

Students who have testing accommodations need to have the ReadWrite extension added to their Google account.  The purpose in ReadWrite is to read to the student.  It works on websites and inside Google Suite applications.  This short Screencastify gives you directions on how to download the extension to student accounts.

If you have questions, let me know.

Screencastify part 1

Hello ALL!

Welcome back to school and it is such a great time of the year!!

I wanted to share a great new resource with you!

Screencastify is a way to record and share information with your students and teachers. Below is a video explaining what it is and how to use it with applications.

You can use this to share information via your website or even Google Classroom to provide instructions for assignments.

I will post more about this awesome in the next post.

Have a great Friday!! 

Near-Pod

Good Morning!

As we are getting started on the school year, I wanted to share with you an awesome resource.

Nearpod is a presentation platform that you can use in the classroom. Above is a video that explains how to get started. Let me know if you have any questions.

Google End of the Year List

It's the end of the year.. and we need to make sure our Google Classrooms are cleaned out and set for next year. Below are some tips from Control Alt Achieve to get this accomplished. Check out the actual website for more in-depth details. 

Tip #1 - Return all student work
Tip #2 - Un-enroll students from old classes 
Tip #3 - Archive old classes
Tip #4 - Remove old class calendars
Tip #5 - Move old class folders in Drive
Tip #6 - Remove old class files from "Shared with me" in Drive

Have a great Wednesday!! 

What's a webquest??

Web Quest

"A  Web Quest is an inquiry-based activity where students are given a task and provided with access to on-line resources to help them complete the task. It is an ideal way to deliver a lesson over the web. Web Quests are discovery learning tools; they are usually used to either begin or finish a unit of study (Teachology)."

There are several ways to complete a web quest. You can use Weebly or Google Sites.  
Once you have chosen a web site  builder. You need to have a few different sections: introduction, task, resources, conclusion, and a teacher's page. 

The introduction shares the beginning information and the task describes what the students will be doing through the activity. The resources are any and all possible videos, stories, forms or whatever else they may need to finish the project. The conclusion is what the ending outcome will be, along with a teacher's page that shares standards and other ideas to accommodate for a variety of learners. 

On the above web quest, I used accessibility and record myself using Screencastify to be able share what I want the students to do or reading the story for my students who struggle with reading. 

A web quest could be something that you can use when you are absent for the day or creating a project that students can complete in the classroom or at home. 

I hope you enjoy and have a great rest of the week!! 

Website Resource

Using Flipgrid in the Classroom

Above is the most recent blog post I have completed for how to use Flipgrid in the classroom.

The website has a ton of resources from a variety of teachers... CHECK IT OUT!!

Padlet

Above is a video for Padlet. Padlet is a great resource that you can use in the classroom. Check it out!!

Pocket Extension

Pocket Extension

What is it?

The Pocket Extension was formerly know as "Read it Later."  The extension lets you do just that.  While surfing the internet for information, videos, lessons, or anything else you search for, you can simply click a button to save the link to your "Pocket."  The extention would be great for students to use when working on research projects and teachers to use when planning lessons.This is very similar to the old "Delicious" website many of us used back in the day.  It also keeps your bookmark bar clear of any extra bookmarks.    

What does it look like?

How do I get it?

Go to this link or simply search the Google Store for "Pocket."  

For more information

Go to the Pocket website.

Flipgrid... Just a Review

Hi All!!

Happy Monday!

I have shared a quick screen cast on how to use Flip grid and ways you can use it in your classroom.

Enjoy!

Sharing Slides in Present Mode

If you have ever wanted to share a Google Slide Presentation with your students, but don't want them to be able to edit the slideshow or see all of the slides at one time, we have a solution for you.  It is all in how you link the slideshow.  

First, you need to have your slideshow open.  

Choose Share

Click Shareable Link

Copy the link

Paste the link into Classroom, but within the link you should see the word "edit."  Change the word edit to present.

That's it!  Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

Here is an example...

Change this https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CwaJZcvRvKOgVvzZHoqQ2StVByfULYNSGX7oGtdgZuc/edit?usp=sharing

To This

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CwaJZcvRvKOgVvzZHoqQ2StVByfULYNSGX7oGtdgZuc/present?usp=sharing

You get this...

Jeopardy

If you would like to use this slideshow to edit for your own class, here is the link.

Jeopardy Copy

Stay Tuned for More Tips and Tricks

Locked Quiz Mode

Locked Quiz Mode is Now Available for All Accounts in dadecs.org

What does Locked Quiz Mode mean for me?

According to Google's website...

When students take a quiz in locked mode:

• Students won’t be able to use other apps. Some extensions, and keyboard shortcuts will also be disabled.
• If a student exits the quiz, or opens any other tab, the teacher is notified via email.

Why have we not had Locked Quiz mode before now?

Locked Quiz Mode is still in testing mode.  We had to ask permission for our domain to beta test the product.  It is not available to the public yet.  

How do I use Locked Quiz Mode?

I shared an email with the staff at Dade Middle that includes links to some directions and information. Below you will find a step-by-step direction sheet for using Locked Quiz Mode.

Blended Learning Network-Blog Post

Hi guys! It's Jessica again. I just wanted to share a quick resource for you to look and pursue sometime. There is a new teacher friendly site called The Blended Learning Network and it is full of post and information from other teachers. I wrote a blog post about collaboration. I would love for you to go and check it out!

Have a great Sunday!!

Google PD #1 @ DMS

On Thursday, April 11, 2019, Stephanie and I had the opportunity to share our knowledge about Google Classroom and how to use forms and docs in Google. Below is a Screencastify for the Nearpod that we shared with the attendees. Let us know if you have any questions!!

Teach Your Heart Out

Teach Your Heart Out is a great conference that has been held all over the United States and it is even going out to sea this summer.

The purpose of the conference is for educators who are excited and wanting to learn new and engaging ideas for their classrooms to come together in a fun and positive place with dynamic speakers.

The conference was a 2 day event that even included a dance party Friday night with 90s music to hang out with different teachers.

One of the coolest sessions was the keynote from Gerry Brooks. Gerry Brooks is a principal in Fayette County, KY.  Above is a a video to showcase his really funny humor.  He shared several key points for the presentation. One of the key points that he shared is how not everyone is going to like you and that's okay. It is up to you on how your staff climate is defined and that you can change the climate and culture of your building.

There were several more awesome speakers and it was a great chance to learn some new techniques
and ideas for the classroom to finish the year out strong. I would definitely recommend it!!

Nearpod

Nearpod

What is Nearpod?  That is what we are hearing from several of our teachers.  What these teachers don't know is that they are really missing out.  Nearpod is a great way to use formative assessments during your lesson.  Do you ever want to know if students are really paying attention?  With Nearpod you can do just that.  Watch this short video to see what Nearpod is all about.

I created a Nearpod lesson for Jessica's class on internet safety.  It was very interactive for the students and they seemed to love that aspect of it.  I think their favorite part was seeing their answers on the screen.  Below is a link to the student-paced lesson.  I taught the lesson as a live lesson.

Student-Paced Internet Safety Lesson

Nearpod Virtual Reality

Nearpod offers a wide assortment of virtual field trips.  If you can't take a field trip, you can imagine you are there.  Want to go to Washington DC, but can't?  There are many virtual field trips to "visit" the national monuments.  If you click the link, you can see an example.  Enjoy your visit to Machu Pichu.  

If you are interested in virtual field trips, the media center has 24 VR headsets that can be checked out.  You just have to have students provide their own devices, IOS or Android.  

Twitter Conference- 3/24/19

Just wanted to stop in and share this great
and easy conference that will be happening
via Youtube this weekend.

My particular part will be apart of the IGNITE video. It is a series of 5 minute activities.

I have focused on Collaboration in the Classroom and using Google.

Hope y'all enjoy and have a great week!!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfbMshNTNmkf6SOzVr_SI4xV8neNsad79

Augusta State University- SLP Conference

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to present at Augusta State University SLP Conference. It was held on Saturday, March 2, 2019.

The keynote speaker was the Georgia Teacher of the Year 2019, Allison Townsend. She gave a heart-filled key note about having positive relationships with students. It was a great speech that kicked off a super day of learning!

I attended three different sessions. My first session was by Melissa Johnson and how to effectively creative content literacy in the classroom. She shared several examples of ideas that have been working in her classroom to increase student engagement in reading.  Some of the examples were using the 4 square vocabulary graphic organizer, word maps for pre-writing, 3-2-1 information sheet, and having students complete 1-pager for formal assessments.

The next session I had the pleasure of listening to was about making connections to your students by Torben Ross from North Carolina. Torben is an elementary school principal who spoke about building relationships with your students. Torben spoke of 4 different types of relationships that teachers/ principals can have with students. They include: authoritarian (rigid and follows rules), friendly (caring but not focusing on work), aloof ( doesn't really care/just there for the paycheck), and high performance relationship (caring for students and setting high expectations). The main basis was to have effective teaching, one has to to be fair and kind, but maintain high expectations for the students.

The third session I got to experience was learning about being a change agent in the classroom by Liz Raeburn, the principal of BCMS in South Georgia. Liz gave a fantastic presentation about how to make your 20 feet of the classroom into a place the students are excited to be in during the day. One great idea she shared was providing different option for hooks for lessons. Hooks for lesson are super important because it can either keep or turn away a student's behavior. Liz definitely has a love for her school and she is someone you should follow on Twitter! Her Twitter handle is @missliz31.

The last session was the session that I had the pleasure of presenting about Google Choas in the classroom. It was a 50 minutes discussion/ presentation about how to incorporate technology into your classroom in a fun and engaging ways. I talked about how technology should be enhancing your teaching, not making you dread the work day. Some of the different tools I discussed were Nearpod, Flocaubaulry, Google docs, Google Slides, and Google Forms. It was a great opportunity to network and share my information with others.

Talking about Google

Always talking with my hands

The beginning slide

Presenting at conferences is always a fun and new experience. The SLP Conference is definitely

 something not to miss! Have a great week!!

-Jessica

EdTechTeam Southern Summit

"We are our students' wildest dreams."

--George Barcenas

This was the most powerful statement that Jessica and I heard at the EdTechTeam Southern Summit.  Our students achieve what WE believe they can. If we don't set high standards and believe in them, there's a great possibility that no one will.  We have to push our students, be their cheerleaders, and guide them through the struggle.  

Follow George Barcenas on Twitter @mvsgbarcenas.

Cool Sessions we Attended at EdTechTeam Southern Summit in Fayetteville, GA

• Brace Yourselves to Breakout-Lacey Gooch presented ways to create Breakouts or Escape Rooms for free.  Many of our teachers have bought breakouts from TeacherPayTeacher or other educational sites.  There is a free option:  Google Slides is your breakout friend.  If you are interested in templates, let Jessica or me know. Check out this Breakout.  See if you can crack the code.  The Skeptical Senator
• Projects with Purpose! Ignite Student Interest with Google's Applied Digital Skills Curriculum (I went here, Jessica went to another)-Cutia Blunt introduced us to Google's Applied Digital Skills Curriculum.  WOW!!  The curriculum is designed to teach Google G Suite skills while completing projects on the subject you are teaching.  For example, we worked through creating an If/Then Adventure that took place in the Amazon.  We pulled in social studies skills by using our knowledge of the Amazon to create our if/then scenarios and of course ELA skills were used.  The lessons have been developed for upper elementary, middle and high school classes.  Each lesson is around 3-4 hours in length and is student-paced.  Check out the Google Applied Digital Skills Curriculum website at https://applieddigitalskills.withgoogle.com/s/en/home
• 100% Student Engagement with Pear Deck-Carrie Hamilton gave an interactive demonstration of Pear Deck Premium Edition.  Pear Deck allows you to provide opportunities for formative assessments with students in real time.  The Google extension allows you to take Google Slides and insert interactive slides.  For example, you could include a multiple choice, true/false, and/or drawing questions to check for understanding.  A trial version will be available to us shortly.

• An Elevator to the Moon-Kim Pollishuke presented a keynote based on her son's desires to build an elevator to the moon.  It is our job as educators to make the impossible possible.  We learned 3 things from Kim.  1.  Don't be a flea (don't change your behaviors to avoid the struggle), 2.  Get out of your own way (stop telling yourself you can't do it), 3.  Find the value in struggle (embrace the struggle and use it to push yourself). 
  
   
• From Zero to Artist using Google Drawings-George Barcenas taught the class that everyone can be an artist using Google Drawings.  During class everyone created their own digital Minnie Mouse. 

  

  My first attempt at Minnie Mouse.  (This is created with the track pad).

Welcome!

WELCOME

Welcome to the Googly Girls Blog.  We are Jessica and Stephanie, your geeky girls in education.  The purpose of this blog is to share with you all of the interesting and fun things that can be done with technology in education, especially using the Google Suite Apps.  Feel free to contact us with any questions you have or to share something you have learned.