Google Tips and Tricks

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.

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.

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: