Thing 14.2 -- Productivity; Google Calendar

So why a shared class calendar? Keep students and parents up-to-date with all your classroom happenings.  Standardized test dates, field trips & guest speakers, assignment details & due dates, and, most important of all,  VACATIONS! You can also link files and class resources via Google Drive. You could create one standard (school) calendar that links to all your calendars and then a separate one for each class or content area as needed. 

I created and shared a Google calendar for my Website. I've used shared calendars via 30 Boxes. I like a lot of the features in 30 boxes; it seems more robust. But the Google calendar is more convenient as it comes with the whole Google package and if you check out the google calendar labs you can see how to add 'flair' (event icons) and access other gadgets to beef up your calendar items. I'll have to return to this after exploring more. 

The West Mi Ed Tech calendar is public on google. Follow this link to access the html version.

Thing 14.1 -- Productivity; File Conversion

Converting files helps students access them regardless of the software they may be using. Putting them in .pdf format ups the security on your files as users can’t readily make changes to .pdf files. I often post items to district-wide shared drives which literally 1000s of users access and it’s reassuring to know that I have a secure paper trail in the event a rogue copy gets loose!:) 

Word allows you to do this quite easily. Simply choose .pdf as your file type when saving a document. I tend to keep duplicate copies of items I share with others; one .doc & one .pdf. This may seem extraneous, but by keeping an editable version, I can quickly update a rubric, newsletter or other doc and always know that I have the final available. It’s kind of like having a template. Plus I always know that the pdf is the official—best version. 

File conversion tools such as zamzar and media converter give you many more options and not just for working with text documents. The ability to convert to various audio, video and image files means anything you create can easily be viewed by any user. Here are just a few examples: tiff, thumbnail, html, pdf, jpg. A quick trick like this is especially useful as you consider multi-platform delivery. Students (and parents) access materials from a variety of endpoints devices; computers, phones, tablets etc. The ability (or willingness) of each individual manufacturer and operating system to support various file types can be frustrating. File conversion gives you a way to speak the language of each user. 

I really like the thumbnail option. Sometimes titles just aren’t enough. If you have a variety of resources for a particular unit of study, displaying thumbnails helps your students select what they’re looking for without having to click back and forth.

Thing 13.2--Interactives; Flashcards

In my former life I was a Spanish teacher and I used a Website called Quia. This fantastic tool is quite similar to Quizlet. I created flashcards that students used for a variety of games & practice. Quia is a bit more robust than Quizlet in that I could create different classes, with calendars, grading etc. 

One important thing to note about using online flashcards is that there is a learning curve. Students have to be taught HOW to effectively use flashcards. It isn't enough to learn just one side. They have to be able to go both ways. Adding voice, image and making other differentiations may be useful for many students, but remember that how they learn and study the terms is how they should be expected to recall them. So make sure your assessment matches. If they have to be able to match or define terms, learning / recalling a picture won't be of much use to them. If they need to simply understand a term to demonstrate it in a project, that allows for more flexibility in creating the set. 

Either way, flashcards provide a quick, concise way for students to become literate in any discipline and represent an priceless addition to their strategy toolbox. 

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards

Thing 13.1 -- Interactives; Google Earth

Loving Google Earth! This is one of those tools that truly crosses all content areas. As a tech specialist, I strive to find resources that work in multiple areas. This assists staff in collaboration, and helps students envision how tools apply in multiple areas, rather than 'this is a [fill in content area] resource only'. Placemarkers are especially useful for this in establishing location for history, literature, famous figures--and their lives, discoveries, etc. Here are my two examples. 

 

 

 

Lake MacDonald in Glacier Natl Park. The exact spot we got married at last summer!

 

Princess Juliana Airport beach in St Maarten. Look for the placemarker -- we weren't actually on the beach, but in a catamaran off shore -- which is why I missed the Adobe session! ;)

Thing 12.3 - Data Warehousing Reflection

In my district, we have two main systems of data warehousing that are tied. Our onsite SIS, created specifically by / for our district links to the KISD warehousing systems IGOR and INGA. We also use TieNet to support tracking / maintaining IEP and other special ed data.

With a greater push for data-driven instruction, school improvement data and expectations for transparency in general, data-warehousing has become an invaluable tool for staff and administration in targeting instruction, filtering results, and sharing useful information with others. 

These and other tools make it much easier for teachers, counselors and parents to get feedback that goes beyond grades. Everyone involved in the education of a student can look at various factors that inform the process. Item analysis, demographic data and demonstrated trends in between classrooms and buildings assist everyone in identifying best practices and areas for improvement. 

We also use a few CMS tools, such as edmodo, Moodle and E2020. In each of those, teachers and students can easily monitor usage, course completion, and success rates etc. Parents and students see the same data allowing them to participate more actively in the educational process. 

With all the online options, and the growing availability of student data in more public spaces, teachers and staff need to have a more active awareness of FERPA / HIPAA guidelines. Gone are the days of paper files that got photocopied and mailed. Now, anyone with the right username / password can access student records. As teachers take a more active role in setting up online course resources, they need to be keenly aware of who has access to something as simple as a student last name.

Thing 12.2 -- Rubistar

link to complete rubric

I created this rubric using Rubistar.  Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to test it out on a live audience. I intend to share it with colleagues district wide, as well as post on my Website which has been somewhat neglected as of late! 

At any rate, as with all the tools I've been learning and practicing via 21 Things, going through this process has helped me create a permanent resource for my students. 

 It's good to be 'forced' into the opportunity to create and share in this way. While this use of a rubric won't really give me any direct feedback, it will help me share valuable insight and process with them.

Thing 12.1 -- Google Forms for Assessment

Google forms makes it easy to collect, store & analyze data. I use it primarily for formative assessment and reflection. I get valuable feedback from my students that directs my instructional practice. I tweak my presentations, follow up with individuals and choose what future PD to create all based on information gathered in Google forms.

I especially like the live form updating. Projecting the live results as users take the poll really helps my students become comfortable. Tech PD intimidates a lot of people. As they complete the Google form opening survey, they see they really aren't the only ones who aren't 'tech gurus'. Smiles, shared chuckles and self-acceptance instantly create a much more relaxed atmosphere.

Google forms also gives me an easy way to create district-wide polling tools on topics such as Internet safety, student access to technology etc. I create one form, share it with staff who can then customize it for themselves. By requiring students to include their name & class information on the form as one of the 'questions' it allows teachers to easily filter results as needed. 

Here's an example of a Google form I created on Internet safety.