360 Degree Videos + Geoguessr

Immersive Video Hooks

The 360 degree video is gaining popularity as the technology develops. YouTube even has a dedicated 360 degree video channel. As the name suggests, you are able to view the scene in all directions. You don't need eyes in the back of your head to accomplish this. On a computer click and drag your mouse around the screen to see other angle. The experience is even better using a Google Cardboard viewer because you can turn your head to see all around you. It feels more natural.

These unique new videos would fit well into any curriculum as an engaging introduction to a new topic. Post a set of pre-viewing questions ahead of time or explain to students what you want them to look for as they watch. After watching the video, gather feedback in a large group discussion. Since they can move around the scene in the video, almost every student will have had a different experience while watching. After discussing what they saw, give students the opportunity to go back and view the situation from different perspectives (quite literally).

Check out all of the 360 videos that YouTube has to offer. Sharing these with your class is as easy as pasting a link!

Geoguessr & Geosettr

Geoguessr is an online game that leverages Google Street View technology. Players are shown a random scene from anywhere in the world. They can explore the area around them before dropping a pin on a world map to guess where they are. The closer your guess is to the actual location, the more points awarded. This game is fun for everyone to play, but teachers could use it to engage students in critical thinking as players are forced to find clues in the environment and use that to make predictions as to where it is. 

Instead of being dropped in a random location, use Geosettr to create your own custom game for students with locations that you choose.

BrightBytes Survey + 4C's Mentoring + YouTube Webcam Capture Alternative

Brightbytes Survey Coming Soon!

In past years we have taken the BrightBytes survey twice. This year we are only taking the survey once You will receive access codes on Wednesday January 13th. The survey will be open through the end of January.

Please plan to complete the BrightBytes survey and make time for your students to complete it as well. Your feedback is extremely important and the closer we can get to 100% participation, the better job we can do of serving your specific needs.

4C's Mentoring Program

The 4C’s mentor program is a differentiated professional development opportunity that honors the work you are already doing with your students and provides a structure to increase your impact while focusing on the use of the 4C’s and technology in your classroom.

The goal is to increase specific 4C’s (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity) capacity and spread innovation through the use of technology. Click here for more information and click here to sign up. After signing up you will be paired with a mentor who will contact you.

YouTube Webcam Uploads No Longer Available

  

YouTube is no longer supporting their webcam upload and as of January 16th, the tool will be unavailable. This tool allowed students to record themselves speaking with a webcam such as the one available on the Chromebooks. 

Students are still able to record video with another device and upload to YouTube. We suggest that students use a smartphone or tablet to capture their video and then upload the video to YouTube with the device used for capture.

For help finding alternatives, please contact Matt or Cassie. 

Two Helpful Keyboard Shortcuts (inspired by my most common mistakes)

Control + Shift + t will open the last tab you closed - say goodbye to accidentally closing tabs and having to navigate back to them.

Control + z will undo your last action - say goodbye to having to undo something you accidentally did.

New Dell Deals

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YouTube Playlists and Free Editor in YouTube (March 4, 2014)

Good morning colleagues!

Here are your Tuesday tech tips! This week we are focusing on how YouTube can be used in the classroom as an educational tool.

Tip #1: YouTube Playlists: Like A Mixtape For Education

Making a YouTube playlist is a great way to sort and organize videos that you want to watch later or that you want your students to watch. After you create a playlist you can share it with a single link. This is perfect for sharing videos with students that are all related to a certain topic of study.

Just click the 'Add to' button underneath any YouTube video to add it to a playlist.

Click here for more information on making playlists.

Tip #2: No Video Editing Software? No Problem.

Free Movie Editor in YouTube

With YouTube's free video editor you can create and publish video projects online. After uploading clips to YouTube you are able to add your clips to the same project, add transitions. apply filters, add text or add an audio track. YouTube has also included a nice collection of Creative Commons licensed videos and audio tracks that are free for you to use!

The great thing about this editor is that you can access it from anywhere. Whether you are editing your screencasts on the go or students are at home working on a project, the YouTube editor is an easy way to create videos without spending money on software.

If you want to learn a little more about the editor click here.

If you'd rather jump right in and try it for yourself click here.