Noel Erskine, Technology Coordinator Norris Schools

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πŸ’₯ T𝗲𝗰𝗡 π—Άπ˜π—²π—Ίπ˜€ - Soundboard, templates, K-6 tools, NEW math whiteboard, updates and more. Some great tech tools in this weeks update!

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

 Make your own sound board- great for games and classroom use!  Grab this pre-made one here! Check it out.  (Note published slide, and different sounds on each slide.) You can make a copy of it here




Graphic from Tony Vincent - @tonyvincent (Great resource to follow!) 


Attention Math teachers!  - Math Whiteboard is a fantastic free interactive whiteboard tool designed specifically for teaching and learning math 6-12.

  

About Math Whiteboard

You can check out the tool at: https://www.mathwhiteboard.com/

This free webinar will give you a great overview of the tools! (You have to watch the video to see what it does! Playing around with it, you will not see the many functions of this product.) It will have a learning curve, but looks like it may be well worth it!

Key features include:

  • Totally free!

  • Collaborative - Share the same collaborative math work space with your students

  • Write or type math - Math entry is easy with handwriting recognition or you can just type your mat

  • Runs in your browser - No installation required, it just runs in your browser on any device, Chromebook, iPad, Windows Tablet, etc.

  • Computer algebra system - A full computer algebra system enables calculations from arithmetic to calculus

  • Import pdf files - You can make your pdf assignment files your background




An exciting update to Scenes in GoGuardian Teacher! - Their most requested GoGuardian Teacher feature is here! Now, teachers have the ability to personalize digital learning environments for students individually and in groups — even when they’re in the same class. Watch the video to see it in action. (More info here in their help article.)  With this new GoGuardian Teacher update, they've made it easier to tailor your instruction to individual student needs, providing a more engaging learning experience for every student.


7 Ideas for Collaborative Video Projects – And a New Video Editor  -Check it out here.   Remember Canva is free for teachers and students! (More info here.) 


Did you know Google Chrome has a QR code generator built in? 



Misc. tech tools and updates:

Google Docs gets a new insert tool to make life even easier -  As you write, type the @ symbol and the popup menu will appear.  More info here!

The 10 Best Google Sheet Quick Hacks You Probably Didn't Know -  Article here. There were a few new ones for me in this list! 

Create Custom Maps With the National Geographic Map Maker 5 minute how-to video here. 

Great sound board for classroom games, review and more! - Check it out here!  (Scroll through the slides to change the sounds on the board.)  Here is the version to make a copy if desired.


Virtual Labs for Interactive Science - Want a handy list of virtual labs for science?- There are several free ones in this list as well.  Take a look!

What Is Google's Interactive Periodic Table? - More info here

Here's a great tip from our very own Erica Twarling for the IS & ES students:  I just wanted to share a great website that I learned about yesterday from Amber Vlasnik at the ESU for Cooperative Learning. It is called https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/  They have some really great Kagan like structures and strategies and show videos and have templates for both lower elementary and upper elementary classrooms. Check it out!  Thanks Erica! Our staff rocks here at Norris! 

Power User tip- It's a good one!   Search Google Drive and Gmail from the Chrome Omnibox! Checkout the video or blog post to get you started. 

Do you need some "edutainment" activities for the K-5 kids? Over 150 activities for kids! Perfect for those times when going outside for recess just isn't an option! "RoomRecess.com" is dedicated to providing children with free learning games that are fun.

6 Crazy Google Sheets Formulas That Are Extremely Useful Check them out. 

Updated - An Overview of Google Forms Quiz Settings - Checkout this short video here. 

How to Find and Manage Google Slides Add-ons -  Checkout this short article and video here.

How to Use Google Books - tip by Richard Byrne @rmbyrne in one of the best! Google Books is one of my favorite search tools. Unfortunately, students often overlook it as a research tool unless they've been shown how it works. In this short article/video I provide a demonstration of the key features of the current version of Google Books. 


Get Your Free Copy of The Practical Ed Tech Handbook - More info here.  Download it here.  Richard Byrne @rmbyrne in one of the best! 


Feeling the CANVA LOVE!  -This is a must-have tool and account for all teachers! 

How to Create a Google Classroom Header with Canva - There are hundreds of FREE templates for teachers in Canva for Education! There are even templates for your Google Classroom banner or header. Here's how to customize and upload to Google Classroom. Watch this quick video to learn how!  Bonus tip- Canva has added the ability to make and publish websites.  (We still recommend Google Sites for our staff and students.) 

We just love Canva, here is one more reason How to Use Canva's Image Background Remover

How to Use Canva Templates in Google Slides -  Quick tutorial video here

They give educators the pro version for free!  Super simple! It's the best online graphics program for teachers. (And now for video, websites and more!)  Sign up for an educator account here to get the paid features for free.  100% free for educators and their students! 


Awesome free templates in Canva! A nice free Keyboard Shortcuts poster is available for teachers here. DLFedder Designs has a ton of free posters, printouts and more... Check them out here!


Google Arts and Culture app is worth checking out! Want to go on a field trip

to MOMA? The Louvre? You CAN! Use Google Arts and Culture and this handy
teacher guide to get started. "Google Arts & Culture is a rich, interactive
digital resource that invites users to explore the arts, science, history, technology, and the many ways those disciplines intersect with each other. "

Google Docs add watermarks - NEW feature.  Want to add a watermark to a Google Doc? It just got easier! Go to Insert - Watermark and upload your image. Set the size and auto fade! Super way to keep your brand present OR to make all users aware of "draft" status of a Doc!

Educational and Online Games for K-5 Kids - TurtleDiary! An award-winning educational website offers tons of fun, learning-based activities for children in grades K to 5

Use Mote to Share Voice Notes via QR Code Short how-to video here using this great free tool! 


"What I Am Thankful For" Turkey with Google Slides -  Fun project for creativity, tech skills, and practicing gratefulness! 



Thanksgiving Template for Google Slides or PowerPoint Presentations checkout this impressive template over at SlidesMania! 





Did you know?  Sketchup (CAD like drawing program) is free for schools.  We have it installed and ready to use at anytime.  Click on the waffle menu and scroll to the bottom to find the Sketup icon to get started. 




Introduction series: Sketchup for Schools Part1: Orientation https://youtu.be/-UoI9vTg5rs Part2: Navigation https://youtu.be/fCSSY4xuc0I Part3: Modelling https://youtu.be/NRdd7VT-Qi8

They also have a few curriculum lessons already for you. 

Remember to think outside the box with Google Slides!
(Some great tips from DLFedder) Adjust the page size to vertical for newsletters or change the size to be 1080 x 1080 for the perfect Instagram post! Or have your students design your Google Classroom Banners and adjust the size to 1600 x 400! Just go to File - Page Setup and choose custom to get started!!




Here are some sizes for other projects: 




Edit PDF files in Canva! - Checkout this short how-to video here. 


Did you know you can publish your Google slide shows to the web?

Want to create a slideshow and share it publicly so anyone can click and view? Super easy with File -  Publish to the Web! You can even set it to auto- advance or get the embed code and embed it into a website! This is great for creating photo slideshows, review tools, or a platform for showcasing student work.







K-4 teachers - This one is a winner!  Toy Theater has so many great tools.  Spend some time taking a look at what's here!

Just one example and quote from an elementary teacher... There are SO MANY amazing virtual math manipulatives available! I'm still partial to those that help with fractions like this Toy Theater one.