Noel Erskine, Technology Coordinator Norris Schools

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Free apps, awesome web tools, great new Google features and tips... all in this weeks article!

Thursday, September 4, 2014


Misc web sites and tools:

12 Good Tools for Gathering Real-time Feedback from Students via Free Technology for Teachers.

I love Remind 101!  If you have not used it, this is a great resource to get started. Videos to Help You Get Started Sending Text Message Reminders Through Remind (101)

Interesting, but not shocking... The Big Picture: a heat map of the 'entire' internet

Seven Web-based Tools for Delivering Flipped Lessons 

BEST Back to School App for ALL Teachers! goo.gl/ZvTFP4 (Hint... I have mentioned this one several times before!)


Turn your Phone into a bubble sheet scanner. (I have used this one, and it works great!) Back to School with Quick Key Mobile - Free Fast Formative Assessment

Quick Key turns your mobile device into a scanner and eliminates hand-grading of formative assessments, even for teachers working in paper-based classrooms without a computer or an internet connection. Analytics and data exports are fast and easy, so you can focus on your students. SET UP YOUR FREE ACCOUNT, AND START SAVING TIME RIGHT NOW!

Google Classroom:

The verdict is in at Norris... I am getting a lot of great feedback from teachers that love using the new Google Classroom product. If you have not looked at it... now is the time!   From Jill Elswick's Twitter feed: If you're unsure about trying Google classroom, do it!  A great way to interact and communicate w/students while I'm away presenting today.  Nicole Boon says... I love it, and it's easy to use. Now is the time to give it a try!

10 Ways to Use Google Classroom | via Brilliant or Insane


Google Apps and tools: 
This is a great list of Google Docs tips and tricks, however it has some dead links.

Now You Can Customize Background Images and Themes in Google Forms - Here's How via a short video.   And... How to be Notified When Someone Completes Your Google Form

Let Gmail do the work for you. @MsMagiera walks through the ABC's of Gmail in less than 5 minutes: goo.gl/hEQXt0 -This past elementary teacher has some great tips on using labels and other gmail features.  Worth a watch if you are not currently using gMail labels (folders). 

5 Awesome Google Spreadsheet Formatting Tricks <--- Wow, I like these tips!

Posted: 02 Sep 2014 03:57 PM PDT
We have launched a new publishing interface for Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The interface makes it easier for people to understand how document, spreadsheet and presentation content can be published as a webpage or embedded in their own website(s). In the new Google Sheets, the new interface also provides the ability to publish specific sheets and charts without publishing the entire document.

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Cool use of Google Drawing tool: 
Shared by Veronica Tadeo via Google+:
Google Drawings has to be by far one of my favorite GAFE. Every day I find new and creative ways to integrate this app in my class. Not only can students make mind webs (brainstorm), storyboards, posters, flyers, and brochures, students can also use this app for graphic organizers! 

Do you use the burger method to teach students paragraphs? Well, what if students can collaborate on a burger or better yet, what if the graphic organizer is dynamic so students can rearrange their details! Imagine the power of being able to move details around without having to rewrite an entire draft!  :) 

In the video attached, I quickly demonstrate how a dynamic graphic organizer works. I also included a copy of the burger GO I made for my students. Feel free to copy the template for your use. 


Templates:

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Google Sites:

How to Embed Remind (101) Messages Into Google Sites.

How to add a Google Drive folder to Google Sites - Short 2-3 Minute video on "how-to"

YouTube:

YouTube Video Clipper - Pretty cool Google Doc template for accomplishing this!

Chrome:

New to Chroembooks - this one is for you.... Everything Teachers Need to Know about Chromebooks (9 short video tutorials) ~ Via Educational Technology and Mobile Learning

Some great Chrome tips ...from our very own Becky Wilhelm: 
If you type "timer" in the the omnibox in the Chrome browser, you get a timer. I don't know how long this omnibox shortcut has been around, but I don't think it was there a year or so ago. I love the omnibox shortcuts in Chrome. I can't remember the last time I used a calculator, dictionary, etc. while near a computer or device with Chrome.

IOS Apps:

Free for several days - Algebra Touch is a math app that presents you with a number of mathematical problems to solve, and in a no-frills, easy to understand environment. I have not tried this app, but it gets great reviews.  Here is a short video here, about the app. 

TIMEMAPS U.S. History App - Historical Atlas by EMSE EDAPP, S.L. Price: $FREE   Taken from the iMums list.  (I subscribe to this one via their email list.  It features a lot of Elementary and PreSchool apps.)

GET 'EM WHILE THEY'RE FREE: $48 worth of awesome paid iPhone apps that are free right now bit.ly/1q7wQx6  Not sure if they are worth $48... but they are free to try anyway.  One or two are back to being paid apps. 

An Excellent Free Graphing Calculator for Your iPad – Desmos wp.me/p2XL8j-C0

Tip: How to save a web page as a PDF in iPad Safari; great for students w/out Internet at home:ly.tcea.org/vkzrm

IOS 8 is coming out- September 8th!  BUT ... The one big reason you may want to hold off on upgrading to iOS 8 bit.ly/1q8y2jP (Main reason... not all of your apps may be compatible!) 

An infographic guide to Google apps for the iPad -via @tcea

Android apps & tips:

Five apps to get your new Android device off on the right foot.

Two Free Android Apps for Creating Flipped Lesson Videos via Free Technology for Teachers.

5 more awesome Android apps you may not have heard of. Including the Algeo graphing calculator app. 


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