Want to feel like a pro with your Google docs?
Try these two tips.
/copy
1. Get the share link to a Google document.
2. Take away /edit and everything past it.
3. Add /copy
This will give anyone with which you share the link access to the document BUT prompt them to make a copy. So, they can see and edit, but it puts the file in their DRIVE automatically. They aren't editing your file.
/preview
1. Get the share link to a Google document.
2. Take away /edit and everything past it.
3. Add /preview
This change will give anyone with which you share the link access to the document WITHOUT all the editing tools shown. It will look like a PDF view with a CLEAN appearance for the viewer.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Why teachers should embrace technology in the classroom
A few months ago, I had the privilege of writing a guest blog post for Sophia Learning's School of Thought. While participating in a Twitter chat tonight, I thought of my goals for the year and the post. We should be un-thinking the way we currently see education and shaping our thoughts around the possibilities. See the full posting at School of Thought.
"We are no longer preparing workers for assembly line jobs. Technology has caused major changes in the positions available and the methods used to complete tasks. The world has rapidly changed in an effort to personalize products to individuals. Think about the advertisements you see on your social media wall. Consider the number of choices you have when ordering coffee, or “fake coffee” as I drink, which includes mostly chocolate, sugar, and whipped cream. The world has the capacity to find trends in our searches, our friends, and our choices. Although we have yet to fully embrace it, as educators, we also have this tool available to us. We can use technology to quickly assess and analyze data. Students can hear a short lecture and pause, rewind, and fast-forward whenever necessary. They can create learning artifacts that demonstrate their proficiency in content."
We can use technology to PERSONALIZE instruction for all students. We have possibilities in education that were not there before the improvements in technology.
Monday, January 5, 2015
Kahoot! - Turning the Leaderboard On and Off
Many of you have heard of Kahoot by now. If not, you need to head on over to getkahoot.com to check it out. Here's a video of its use created by Tim Smith.
Teachers can give assessments in the format of a game show. There is theme music, a timer, a colorful background with options to include text, images, or video in your questions, and even a leaderboard! It is great for review or a quick assessment, but there may be times when you wouldn't want the students getting points on the leaderboard. The points are based on time, and, as a former math teacher, I felt that there was a place for both. Some facts like multiplication might need to be rewarded for speed, while in multi-step problems, teachers would only want to know if students understand without the stress of "being the first one done."
Some people may not be aware, but you can actually turn the points off for questions. Want to see what students understand without rewarding the first one finished? Simple. Turn off the points. Here's how:
Teachers can give assessments in the format of a game show. There is theme music, a timer, a colorful background with options to include text, images, or video in your questions, and even a leaderboard! It is great for review or a quick assessment, but there may be times when you wouldn't want the students getting points on the leaderboard. The points are based on time, and, as a former math teacher, I felt that there was a place for both. Some facts like multiplication might need to be rewarded for speed, while in multi-step problems, teachers would only want to know if students understand without the stress of "being the first one done."
Some people may not be aware, but you can actually turn the points off for questions. Want to see what students understand without rewarding the first one finished? Simple. Turn off the points. Here's how:
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Plickers in the Classroom
Have you heard of Plickers yet? They are printable "clickers" that teachers can use to collect student data using only ONE device (a smartphone or tablet). The teacher simply has the app on the device and the website on a computer. The students hold their "plickers" in different directions to answer A, B, C, D (or True/False). Obviously, this isn't earth-shattering and is only using multiple choice, but multiple choice can be great for quick formative assessments to guide instruction. This simple technology allows teachers to immediately get feedback from students and alter instruction accordingly!
Need a better idea of what this is? Annette Sapp has created a great YouTube video showing instructional use. See it below.
Here are some basic technical steps I created to help teachers use Plickers:
Need a better idea of what this is? Annette Sapp has created a great YouTube video showing instructional use. See it below.
Here are some basic technical steps I created to help teachers use Plickers:
A New Year, A New Goal
A few months ago, I took a position as a district instructional technologist. It became my job to ensure that teachers had the technology skills they needed to successfully meet the needs of their learners. Being a classroom teacher, I knew exactly what teachers sometimes think (or even say) about "those people." One of my best teacher friends set me straight right away. I announced to a small group of friends that I would be leaving for a new position in a new district. I told them how I would finally be a person who could SUPPORT teachers and be a resource for their needs. I wanted to be a person teachers could reach out to when they had needs. Obviously, I knew exactly how demanding teaching was and how little support teachers sometimes have. Being the friend she is, she looked at me and said "Brittany, I know your intentions are good, but teachers will hate you. You'll be just ONE MORE THING they have to do on top of everything else. Eventually though, you will win them over, like you did me."
In that moment, I was sure she was correct. She was the one in the group who never sugar-coated things anyway. We had a rocky start a few years earlier, with teachers being shuffled to create my spot on the hallway. Over time, we became good friends (and she became quite the little techie too!).
The other day, I was remembering this moment. I realized that I now have a few months into my position and that she was right. Some teachers definitely see my visits as something extra they are required to do. However, the second part of her statement was also true. Once teachers trusted that I really wanted to help, I "won them over." The interesting part is that there is great variability in how quickly teachers trust. There are, without a doubt, many or even most, who still see me as an extra training or requirement. But I am making progress. If I can help even 50 teachers more effectively teach students this year or just inspire them to learn more, I will call this year a success.
All of that leads me to "Lighting the Fire." My goal with educators is that, just as I tried with students, I want to light the fire in them that encourages them to WANT to learn. The name comes from my favorite quote by William Yeats that says "Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire." It is never about all the content and tech tools I can fill teachers with but the inspiration to want to learn more and use tools to better meet the needs of students.
I often encourage my teachers to seek support and inspiration in learning networks online through blogs, Twitter, Google +, etc. It only makes sense that I, not only partake, but contribute to the online community. So, with the new year comes a new goal: contribute to the success of educators everywhere through a blog sharing ideas and resources.
In that moment, I was sure she was correct. She was the one in the group who never sugar-coated things anyway. We had a rocky start a few years earlier, with teachers being shuffled to create my spot on the hallway. Over time, we became good friends (and she became quite the little techie too!).
The other day, I was remembering this moment. I realized that I now have a few months into my position and that she was right. Some teachers definitely see my visits as something extra they are required to do. However, the second part of her statement was also true. Once teachers trusted that I really wanted to help, I "won them over." The interesting part is that there is great variability in how quickly teachers trust. There are, without a doubt, many or even most, who still see me as an extra training or requirement. But I am making progress. If I can help even 50 teachers more effectively teach students this year or just inspire them to learn more, I will call this year a success.
All of that leads me to "Lighting the Fire." My goal with educators is that, just as I tried with students, I want to light the fire in them that encourages them to WANT to learn. The name comes from my favorite quote by William Yeats that says "Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire." It is never about all the content and tech tools I can fill teachers with but the inspiration to want to learn more and use tools to better meet the needs of students.
I often encourage my teachers to seek support and inspiration in learning networks online through blogs, Twitter, Google +, etc. It only makes sense that I, not only partake, but contribute to the online community. So, with the new year comes a new goal: contribute to the success of educators everywhere through a blog sharing ideas and resources.
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