Collecting Files With Google Forms + Globally Collaborative PD

Collecting Files With Google Forms

Google Forms just got even more powerful. Users now have the ability to add "File Upload" questions to their Forms to collect things like images, videos, audio files, PDFs or Word files. This addition gives teachers another way to collect student work and check for understanding. This will also be useful for office staff looking to collect files from building staff or parents. 

First, add a "File Upload" question to your Form. Respondents will attach their files when filling out the Form. Files that are submitted are organized within a folder in your Drive and a link to each file is posted in the responses spreadsheet for your Form.  

You can read more detailed information on how this works here.

Education On Air

This weekend Google is hosting Education on Air, an online conference featuring speakers from all over the globe. Tune in to participate in sessions on a range of topics designed for teachers, school leaders and IT professionals. Check out the video below to catch a glimpse of what last year's event was like. 

"Share with and learn from other educators. Hear from inspiring speakers. Get tips and tools to help boost student engagement, collaboration and productivity and in the classroom."

REGISTER HERE

(FREE)

Recap, Free coding class, Symbaloo links to tech tools

Let's Recap

Recap is a free student video response and reflection app. It gives teachers and parents insight into students’ learning and progress. Recap provides evidence of critical thinking, improves formative assessment, and supports personalized learning. It is fun and easy to use.

Free Coding Class

Are you interested in learning how to code? There is a free workshop in St. Paul on December 3, 2016 from 9:00 - 3:30. Click here for more information and to register.

Tech Tools for your Classroom

Here is a Symbaloo webmix with links to some of our favorite digital classroom tools.

Please contact your Digital Learning Specialist if you would like additional information on any digital tools or have questions about the 4 C's.

Padlet + Inforgraphics w/easel.ly + Quizlet Live

Padlet

Padlet is a versatile and easy to use tool to promote collaboration among your students. Think of it like a virtual wall that allows users to share their thoughts using text, images, videos, documents, and more. It is easy for teachers to set up, share out and can be used on any device.

Book reviews, topic summaries, question walls, and student reflections are just a few ideas on how Padlet could be brought into your classroom.

Click here to view the example below from a 5th grade discussion on the different types of conflict in literature. It was used as a reflection piece for the students to think about their own reading.

Click here for a YouTube playlist on how to get started using this tool.

Infographics with easel.ly

Infographics are a visual representation of data. They can be a visually effective way to deliver content to your students, and for students to share their learning. Easel.ly is a tool that makes creating and sharing infographics easy. Start from scratch or use one of their many templates.

Take a look at these examples. Content is visual and engaging for learners.

Here is also a quick video that shows the benefits of using infographics in your classroom.

Quizlet Live

Quizlet has an engaging in-class team-based learning game called Quizlet Live. Use study sets that you create to have students work together to correctly match the set’s terms and definitions. It's a blast for students to play and can make reviewing concepts a can't wait experience.

Click here for a guide on how the game works. There is also a live demo you can try out here to get a feel for it yourself.

Please contact your Digital Learning Specialist if you would like additional information on these digital tools or any other digital learning tools.

New Google Features, 3 Chrome Extensions, Pear Deck and Learning Spaces.

Creating Interactive Google Slides

This video shows how to create a Google Slides presentation with clickable hyperlinks.  A hyper- linked slide presentation allows students to go to different slides based on their choices.  This has many applications for differentiation, literacy, assessment and more.

Alice Keeler also has a great tutorial and lesson ideas.  Click this link for her website.

3 Text-to-Speech Chrome Extensions 

great for supporting struggling readers and English Learners

Find these in the Chrome Web Store

• Speak It!
• Announcify
• Read and Write for Google

Pear Deck

Pear Deck is an interactive presentation application. Pear Deck can be found in Google Drive.  Our district has purchased this application.  This link contains video and explanations of how to get started with Pear Deck and the new features that were added this fall!  If you want additional information or PD on Pear Deck please make an appointment with your Digital Learning Specialist.  Shannon Treichel says, " this is my favorite tool by far!!!!"

Classroom Design around the 4 C's

Here are some great resources for design and implementation ideas for your classroom spaces.  November's DLS focus is on classroom space.  Brainstorm with your DLS on how to create the best space for student learning and the 4 C's classroom.