Time, Time, Time.....and Need More Time

Below are some TIME SAVING tips and tricks.  These tips and tricks will save you time.  In today’s society, having time to do the things you want or need to do is hard to come by.  

Time Saver 1

Q1: Do you need or want to convert a pdf to an editable document and don't have TIME to type it?

A1: Yes! Google Docs can convert a pdf to an editable document.

Ask DeeAnn if this saved her tons of time.

Tutorial - Youtube Video By Jessica

Written Instructions

Time Saver 2

Q2: Do you want to manage TIME in the classroom more efficiently? Do you want to students stay on task?

A2: Yes and Yes! Using Google Classroom and the Google Classroom Extension will do just that!

Check Out Alice Keeler’s Blog Post on Google Classroom Share Extension.

Google Apps Support Page - Classroom Share Extension

If you are using Google Classroom.... you WANT and NEED to USE this.

Note: The tech office has “Pushed Out” the Google Classroom Share Extension for EVERYONE!  You will need to have your students logging into their chrome vs gmail. See Time Saver 5 for details.

Time Saver 3

Q3: Do you need TIME to write a paper and don't have the typing skills to get it done fast?

A3: Yes! Google Doc has a new feature called Voice Typing. (Speech to Text)

Time Saver 4

Q4: Do you have a document, spreadsheet, and/or presentation due and don't have the TIME to start from scratch?

A4: Yes! Check out Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides and their New Templates they have to offer.

Document: docs.google.com

Spreadsheet: sheets.google.com

Presentation: slides.google.com

Drive: https://drive.google.com/a/atlanticiaschools.org/templates?view=domain

Time Saver 5

Q5: Do you wish you can save TIME logging students into their Google Apps Account?

A5: Yes! Having your students log into Chrome instead of Gmail does just that. It keeps them organized and they have the feel their own "personal" browser. It is like logging into a Chromebook.

Instructions below.

New Ways to Log in Google Apps -- Log into Google Chrome

****Challenge -- Please post your favorite time saver you plan or have used.****

POST HERE

A small token of my appreciation will be given when you make a post on the link above.

By: Jessica Fincel

@jfincel32

14-15 Reflection -- WOW!!

Well it is official!! This reflection is now an annual tradition.   After receiving very positive responses from the 2013-14 reflection,  we thought we should keep a good thing going.  The ACSD tech team wants to once again say GREAT JOB!!!  As we stop and reflect on the past year, we are amazed at all the things we have seen in various classrooms and in the district as a whole.  #ACSDTECH  Keep up the good work!!

Here are great examples of technology and learning that have been done this school year:

• Rolled Out 1 to 1 at AHS
• Successful Apple PD for AHS Staff
• Creative Glogsters created
• Online JMC - Standard Based Report Cards for Washington (Successful Trial)
• Google Classrooms used by many throughout the district
• Digital Citizenship taught through IBooks
• Launched Online textbooks for Math and Science (AHS)
• Sumdog, Sumdog, and More Sumdog
• Augmented Reality  -- Aurasma App
• OSMO was here and Back Again
• Hour of Code
• Scratch program used in STEM classes
• We now have 104 Members on “ACSDTWEEPS” Twitter Use -- Thanks AB
• Integrated new apps “Letter for School”, “Raz Kids” and many more
• Online P/T Conferences (AHS, Schuler, & Wash)
• Word Clouds created with Wordle
• Lego building online
• AIW Lessons VIdeotaped and Uploaded to Google Drive/Youtube
• Poetry Videos created on  WeVideo
• News Articles posted on Fodey
• Student created animated videos with Moovly
• Flippity use for Test Review
• Real Life technology used at AHS Career Day
• Moby Max, More.Starfall, and Facts 4 Me
• AHS Students updating RAM for Staff Computers
• Saving Interactive Whiteboard Math problems on the IWB and sharing it with absent students
• Flubaroo used at FFA Contest
• Successful online testing -- NWEA and IEOC
• Great uses of Interactive Whiteboard
• Awesome Webfolios created
• Teachers with an online presence (Blog or website)
• 2nd Grade Team finding great uses for their Chromebook Cart
• BrainPop Jr and BrainPop
• Google Apps used all over the place! =-)
• Implementation of Khan Academy for many new users
• Summer School TenMarks Initiative
• Mr. Northwick, Mr. Yates, and Mrs. Dickerson Presidential Campaign (iMovie)
• Great back channels with websites such as: Today's Meet, Padlet, and Twitter
• Google Hangout with Yemen Students
• Eye of the Needle Episodes
• Faculty loving their Point 2 Views
• Iowa Area Online
• Various videos uploaded to Youtube and Google Drive
• Symbaloos used for all buildings
• Online Assessments with Kahoot
• Students working on their writing skills through Kidblog and other Blogging tools
• Administrators modeling technology use through Google Forms, Google Docs, Google Calendar, Camtasia, Google Sites, Appointment Slots, and much more
• QR Codes posted throughout the district

.......................................and the list is never ending....................................

WHAT AN AMAZING JOB YOU HAVE ALL DONE!!!  

KEEP IT UP...

IT WON’T BE LONG BEFORE THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS!

“The education of a man is never completed until he dies.”

― Robert E. Lee

“We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn.”

―Peter Drucker

Come join the learning this summer.
2015 Summer Professional Development

THANKS -- TECH TEAM

No More 3 Ring Binder -- Online Portfolio

Are you in the following scenario??....It is April...Your teaching artifacts are due and you need to create a professional portfolio for your administrator....You wish there was an easier way than printing all your documents out, hole punching each one, organizing them, and then placing them into a three ring binder. Well, there is!  Now is the time to set up an Online Portfolio.  I  have an easy template that you can use. All you need to do is add your own content.  

https://sites.google.com/a/atlanticiaschools.org/portfolio-template/home

All you need to do is add your own content...

Objective 1: Create a Google Site from a Template

Step 1: Log into your Google Account

Step 2: Go to  Google Sites (You will find it under your Grid drop down in your Email - See Screen shot below.)

Step 3: Click “Create.”

Step 4: Click on “Browse the gallery for more” (I know I always say “avoid templates”, but I promise you this one is a good one and easy to use).

Step 5: Click the “Teacher Portfolio Template” and then click Select. (Or you may click on HERE and use this template -- especially outside ACSD domain.)

Step 6: Name your site.

Step 7: Click “Create.” (It is on the top of the page.)

Objective 2: Get your Content Organized on your Computer

Now it’s time to find all YOUR AWESOME content.  Get it organized and ready to upload to your website.

Click HERE to watch a quick tutorial on how to save files to pdf and organized them on your computer.

Other tips: Screen Shot of your content

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201361

Objective 3: Content, Content, and More Content

Standards 1 - 8 are File Cabinet Web Pages

What is a File Cabinet Page?

A file cabinet page is designed to store and organize files from your computer, web (link), and/or Google Drive.  

You may also organize the files into different folders on your site.  

Click HERE to watch a quick tutorial on how to update your file cabinet page.

Objective 4: Update the Home Page

Click the Pencil Icon and update the home page.

Suggestions:

Bio

Picture

Family Picture

Favorite Quote

Why you love teaching

Personalize this page

Objective 5: Share the Site

STOP AND THINK BEFORE SHARE...

Some of your content that you put on this document is Sensitive Data... So only share this site to people that you want to see it.  IE: Administrators

Step 1: Click on the Gear

Step 2: Click on the Sharing and Permissions

Step 3: Share to the appropriate personnel (I suggest you use VIEW ONLY).

Objective 6: Personalize your site

Idea 1:  Change the Header

Idea 2: Change the Theme

Idea 3: Customize the Fonts and text

Idea 4: Add more pages....

Idea 5: This is your site... do what you want with it.  
Happy Creating!!

Google Site Resources:

https://sites.google.com/a/atlanticiaschools.org/acsdtech/google-apps/sites

By: Jessica Fincel

@jfincel32

Happy Saint Patrick's Day -- Lucky Tips

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!

I am sticking with my Holiday themes this year as it reminds me to create and post to the tech blog.  My goal is to post once a month in the hopes all of you read it :)  So, here it is....

The following two websites demonstrate progress.  I received an email from an administrator and a teacher to make sure I tell teachers about them.  I think that is just AWESOME.  It goes back to one of my favorite sayings... “The best resource is each other” so THANK YOU to the people who brought these sites to my attention.

GetKahoot

A great website to create a quiz, survey, and discussion. A game-based classroom response system.

Teacher Side: https://getkahoot.com/

Student Side: https://kahoot.it/

Step 1 Create a Quiz Video

Step 2 (Optional) Create a Quiz Video for a Class

Khan, Khan, Khan

Do  I  really need to to say more... Khan is endless.

https://www.khanacademy.org/

I  also had the privilege to witness 6 sections of math this month set up with Khan Academy.  Thank you Mr. Baier.  

Resources:

Khan Academy Knowledge Base Presentation

Khan Academy Math Badge Program Presentation

Also, do you know Khan and Bank of America are trying to help students and adults be better with their money? This is a great tool to understanding Financial Literacy. It is free curriculum at your finger tips.

https://www.bettermoneyhabits.com/index.html

The next website should not be a new one to you, but we have a unique and great opportunity until March 31st.  SUMDOG is temporarily open for both Reading and Writing and advanced Reporting for all subjects until March 31st. Check it out.

SUMDOG

Math (K)-8, Reading (Gr 1-5), and Writing (3-8)

Washington Sumdog Info

Schuler Sumdog Info

AMS Sumdog Info

Reminder:  All the students are set up and ready to go.

Friendly Apple Tip....

Having troubles with scrolling!!  

Tip 1: Two Finger Scrolling (Up and Down)

Tip 2: Change and Play with Track Pad Settings

Instructions: Go to Apple, System Preferences, and Trackpad

Tip 3: Turn your Scrolling on all the time

Instructions: Go to Apple, System Preferences, General and in the Show Scroll bars, Select--Always

By: Jessica Fincel

@jfincel32