Lunch N' Learn Promotion Using Canva

After reading another blog post on Free Tech 4 Teachers, I learned about Canva.  I decided to utilize Canva as my promotional medium for tomorrow's Lunch N' Learn topic on the new iMovie on iOS 7.

FINAL CANVA PRODUCT

Positives:

• Amazing amount of advanced looking clip art which are customizable
• Drag and Drop
• Colorful
• 10 Templates
• Instant updates to published product
• Live final product sharable in multiple forms
• Live Link
• Images (jpg)
• PDF

Negatives:

• Students may find an image and it may not be free (all premium features $1 a piece)
• No Embed Code
• Only available on desktop/chromebook (no mobile device, yet)

Learn What Canva Can Do: Video Link

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It Ain't About The Device, It's The Impact That It Has

Coach My Video has so many options for physical education class. Last January, Mr. Goodness made the jump into using Coach My Video to aide in the student's understanding of a concept that was being taught. The iPad video and the drawing tools provide instant feedback to the student as to what they can improve so as to accomplish a task.

While this is great, the purpose for this blog post is the following email received yesterday from Mr. Goodness.

Clay,
I just had an amazing session with a student.  I was using the CMV app
with a student to help illustrate what he was doing and then used the
drawing tool to show what to change.  He got it!!  The best part was
that we sat down together and he was able to communicate to me via
drawing on the iPad what form was better and why.  It gave me
goosebumps.
Have a great day,
Kare

Using technology is tremendous if it's used beyond "this app is cool".  In the above situation, the student couldn't visualize what they were doing.  However, with the use of a portable tablet (iPad) the student was able to instantly visualize what was being performed correctly and what needed to be fixed.  The inspirational part was that they student and teacher were able to communicate via the drawing tools from Coach My Video.

Techcoach's need to continue to know that what they are doing is for a purpose.  The purpose is to implement the correct tool at the correct time for the correct reason.  This truly points our focus to the SAMR model.

I am so blessed to work with teachers who understand it isn't about the coolness of the tool, it's about how the tool impacts a student's life.

Video Link

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Pic Collage For European Beverage

Mrs. Brylski, World Geography teacher, challenged her students to create a beverage to sell to customers after they had learned about their culture.  Using Pic Collage on the iPad, students created a marketing tool to sell their created beverage. Upon completion, the flyer will be evaluated by the teacher and by an ad marketing agent using a Google Shared Folder.  Inside the folder will be the ads and a Google Document that will provide an area of comments for the marketing agent.  Students will take these comments and improve their add for an ultimate "winner" to be chosen.

Video Link


ITLS Strand 1
SAMR Redefinition

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Art Integration Into Content Area Through Video Casting

Mrs. Hoffman approached me last week to gain ideas of how to be in more than one place at a time.  As she  explained content area teachers want to incorporate art concepts with students and really needed her help in discussing how to draw cartoon characters.

Our solution was to use her IPEVO camera as her video device while using Screencast-o-matic to record her actions and voice. She placed her recorded video clip in Windows Movie Maker and added a text graphic. We then posted it to her YouTube channel by uploading it which serves as the vehicle to host and access the video.

Using this process, Mrs. Hoffman can be in multiple classrooms while she is still teaching her own art content.  Hear her reaction and see her production!

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Library Media and Technology Integration Specialists Raider Camp

Yesterday, was an incredible day in which educators from our district were able to meet and brainstorm!  As library media specialists and technology integrators, we discussed a number of items.

• Summer Updates:  As a group, we need to be ready to answer all of the questions that staff members will have as it pertains to technology updates.  Our IT staff has put together some resources to aide in the transition.  Because we are allowing teachers to add information they would like we provided...
• A Back To School page
• Summer Information page

• Project & Process
• The graph above is a great graph that explains the process of projects
• Will share with teachers to keep them informed of the progress
• Most Important - After imaging Information
• When teachers return, their computer desktops will look different
• We need to facilitate their transition
• Learning: We spent a great deal of time teaching each other and learning from one another

• iBooks Creator - create on Mac, read on iOS mobile device
• iTunesU - Create in Safari, read on iOS mobile device
• Google Plus - open to our staff - instant help desk with shared screen
• Chrome Webstore - our leader created this which ROCKS
• Freedom Flix & True Flix - video resource options (paid)
• NETS and ITLS 
• Discussed what we were doing well and what we needed to work on
• We needed to read 
• Transitions to Digital Media
• ISTE.NETS-S

I am so thankful to be a member of this dedicated group of individuals who have one purpose:

Serve Educators!  

We are willing and eager to help with technology integration in the all classroom settings & to find a great book for students and staff!

Day 2 begins today with another great opportunity to learn and grow!

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Lunch N' Learn End Of Year 12-13

Lunch N' Learn became a reality in the 2012-2013 because staff continued to show interest in learning new technology tools and tricks that could help them be more efficient in their personal and professional lives.  The tools also provided staff with new and engaging ideas for technology tools that could be implemented into their content area.  I huge thank you to all staff who attended, wanted to attend, or asked for the links of each tool because they could not attend.

The first semester brought 14 Tuesdays filled with new technology tools and tricks.  The second semester provided eighteen additional opportunities to share ideas for implementing technology tools.

May 28 Cleaning Your Google Drive

May 21 Gmail - Inbox Zero

May 14 Meograph - Four Dimensional Storytelling

May 7 Edcanvas

April 30 Quizdini - Quiz/Review Tool With Explanation Feature
              Movenote - Add Video To A Google Drive Creation

April 23 VideoNot.es For Syncing Google Notes With Video

April 16 Google: 3 Calendar 2 Docs & 1 Mail Tool U Need

April 9 Chrome's Three Little Lines

April 2 Thinglink - Make Any Image Interactive

March 26 MentorMob - Organizing Made Easy

March 19 Social Media Apps Students Are Using & Teachers Need To Know

March 12 SQWORL - Cluster Multiple URL into One URL

March 5 CloudClip Clipboard App For iPad

February 26 Text2Mindmap

February 19 Intro Designer iPad Movie App

February 12 Six iPad Apps For Creating

February 5 Research Tools: Some Google, Some Not!

January 29 Google: Access? Activity! Takeout

See you during the next school year as we continue Lunch N' Learns!

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U.S. History 1990 And Early 2000 iMovie Trailers

Mr. Krause recently invited me into his classroom to assist students in developing an iMovie trailer on the iPad.  The task was to create a movie trailer highlighting an assigned topic in U.S. History during the 1990's.

PURPOSE: Movie trailers are done to attract an audience to the film.  The movie trailer will be trying to do the same thing by attracting the audience to your topic by highlighting the important or interesting things about your topic.

See how students created their final U.S. History product.
View the actual documents of the project.  To create the documents to be viewed, I inserted the pictures into   a Google Drive folder, changed the viewing access to "anyone with a link".  I then copied the link to the statement above.

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App Widget Builder

I recently learned about the App Widget Builder from @Mr_Casal @tonyvincent @KleinErin

It creates a custom widget to be placed in a blog or site complete with apps you want.

Here is the process:


Here is the product:


Thrilled to have found this.

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Superimposing Photos On iPad In Calculus 2

Our calculus teacher came to me with this:

I want students to bring in an object, take a picture of it. superimpose it on a grid and take measurements.  Then develop the equation to calculate the Volume of the object using calculus.  I need you for the image capture and superimposing,

and this link.

I have never been asked this.  Off to discover I went!

1.  Explain Everything-a go to app, but not for this-can't blur one photo on top of another
2.  Visualize - used before, but not for this-can't blur one photo on top of another

Another Need: find a piece of graph paper!  Initially I was using Visualize app and it needed a specific resolution of an image.  This lead me to the Graph Paper app.

Eventually, I found this...

Superimpose App

It didn't require a specific resolution of graph paper.  Therefore, I was able to simply save an image of graph paper from a Google image search.

After one hour, this is the final solution that I have come up with...

Take picture of an object with iPad camera, store in camera roll

Save image of graph paper from Google Search to iPad

Use Superimpose App for combining two images.

Export final product of two pictures to camera roll

If the students need to manipulate the two images further, the SKITCH app will be used for annotating.

See final products:

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Linking Versus Embedding What's The Difference?

Whenever a question gets asked more than once, it's time for a blog post and video tutorial.

View the video and see a link of an example:

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It's Not What I Know, It's What The Teacher Knows

When I coach football, we always talk about "It's not what the coaches know, it's what the athletes know."

I think the same holds very true when formulating a plan to integrate technology into a teachers classroom content.

I have really grown to like using flowcharts for deciding when and how the technology is integrated.  Creating boxes with concepts and tools along with dates and responsibilities creates a seamless educational environment that the teacher can understand.

This is a flow chart which demonstrates the final creation of a two week unit which provides research for a symposium that the students will conduct.  SEE ENTIRE PROBLEM BASED INFORMATION

After discussing the information, the teacher and I determined the best process for the students to create and share.

See the pictures of the end product!  (Always take pictures with your iPad!)
The red writing is the expected dates.  The green writing is the process and tool. (some computer/some iPad). The Blue initial is the the responsibility.  Who is going to complete what!

The last aspect is the use of a Google Form to collect all of the creations from the students. VIEW IT!  As a #techcoach I always enjoy showing how to make a form, but actually creating the form.  This is an easy way for me to take some work from the teacher while still having them understand the concept.  Eventually, I will have them create it.

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Lunch N' Learn End Of First Semester 12-13

In cased you missed any one of the Lunch N' Learn's since October 2, an entire list with links can be found below.  If you haven't been to a Lunch N' Learn, consider attending next Tuesday.  We'll NEVER treat you like this:


Thank you for a GREAT first semester.  I look forward to another great semester implementing technology with you and your students.

January 22: YouTube Educator Channels

January 15: iPad Picture Apps

January 8: Promote Yourself, Promote Your Content

December 11: IFTTT - If This Then That

December 4: Why Should I Use Evernote?

November 27: Chrome Extensions

November 20: Twitter

November 13: Everything YouTube

November 6:  Google Documents Features For Students

October 30: Three Ring Digital Portfolio

October 23: Google Calendar For Lesson Plans

October 16: Change That Password

October 9: Google Drive on Computer & iPad

October 2: Gmail Filters

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Brydge iPad Laptop Keyboard

I recently received The Brydge Laptop Keyboard as I travel so much during the day. I always take my iPad as it has many apps in which I can demonstrate to our staff. I also like the calendar on the iPad as I can quickly create a meeting with a staff member! Carrying my Dell laptop had become a serious problem as it is not light.

I also decided that if I am going to have this keyboard, I should attempt to do everything I can on it to see if it is truly a viable option for our school district staff or students.

I blog at least two to three times a day and needed an app that would provide everything I need to create a blog post. I had purchased Blog Press a number of months ago. This is my first blog post using it!

See my review of the contents in the Brydge box.



It did take some knowledge of HTML code to post the YouTube video into this post. Just placing the code into the blog post worked. I needed to use Chrome on the iPad and change to "Request Desktop Site" to get the code.

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Top 5 Bottom 3 Apps Used Daily

One of the great parts of my day is listening to the Scott Van Pelt & Ryen Russillo radio show on ESPN Podcast.  A segment that they complete every Tuesday during the NFL season is the Top 5 Bottom 3.  A sort of power rankings for the NFL.

Inspiration.

I have downloaded more than 500 free & paid apps since integrating iPad/iPod apps into education in 2008.  Periodically, I will create some iPad/iPod Power Rankings known as the Top 5 Bottom 3. A sort of power rankings for the TTL, Teacher Tech League.

Top 5 Bottom 3:  Apps Used Daily on My iPad

Top 5

Mail - Generic, but with my technology integration specialist teaching position, I can always provide technology instruction support through email.  Our school district has also set up a certificate that can be installed so that all contacts can be imported.  This provides every staff members email, including groups of staff members.

Twitter - PLN. Enough Said!

Evernote - Through IFTTT, I have every favorited Tweet traveling to Evernote, Pictures of meeting notes on a whiteboard can be saved, and resources found during researching can easily be pulled up to show teachers ideas and resources.

Skitch - create bumber pages for all video tech tutorials and recording of iPad apps and tech tools being implemented with students.  Follow up videos are great for showing other teachers how teachers in their building are implementing the tech tool.

iMovie - easiest app for creating video footage of efficient tech tool implementation with students


Bottom 3

3.  Reminders - preloaded on iPad, have never opened it, would delete if I could

*No video, I don't ever use it!

2.  Messages - preloaded on iPad, this is NOT my method for communicating with staff, again, never opened it

*No video, I don't ever use it!

1.  Game Center - preloaded on iPad, would order the iPad without it if I could! Moved it directly to the last page of my iPad!

*No video, I don't ever use it!


So there it is! Thanks to the SVP & Russillo show, my first Top 5 Bottom 3 daily used iPad apps.

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Common Craft Type Videos Entirely On The iPad

Mr. Krause, Mrs. McCumber, and Ms. Wilcox informed me today that he would like to complete Common Craft type videos on the iPad because, as he states it, "I like the explanation aspect".

I immediately thought, "This could be a great opportunity to create the entire video on the iPad."

I chose a drawing app, specifically Draw-n-Share Lite because of its paper feel, and it was free!

I also chose Explain Everything because it is the tool that best provides a canvas.  I thought of Lee and his "four 750 watt  bulbs" that he uses for shooting video.  We don't have that!  Explain Everything removes the additional equipment that is needed while still providing a great production canvas. View the process!


I also liked Explain Everything, because I could write a script for each slide, thus stating clearly what was to be spoken on each slide.  I used Evernote, but any tool, including paper and pencil, could be utilized.
With ONLY one hour into the project, I was able to make the following Producing Muscles In Plain English.



In one week, I look forward to viewing what the students create.

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Google Plus and Google Hangouts

Our district is starting the process of using Google Hangouts with staff.  Since the Google Hangout requires a Google + account, our district is not ready to open this to staff just quite yet.  It will happen, and it will be great for communicating in a geographically large district, holding staff meetings with smaller groups, and helping staff with technology and lesson planning.  It will also be a positive as it works on laptops and iPads!

To start the process and test some settings, our learning support team of library media specialists and technology support teachers conducted our first hangout.

Six educators, five buildings, one Google Hangout.


While we aren't ready for complete unveiling to staff yet, we will get there, and it will be beneficial!

See some Google Hangout Resources:

What is it?

Getting Started

Google + Guide For Educators

Tutorial How To Start One & Features

Tutorial - GREAT

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Student Choice Presentation Tech Tools

Mr. Landers is culminating a science experiment by having students choose what presentation tool is best for their data.  Spending a morning with the content teacher prior to class allowed us to determine the choices that students could have.

During class, we emphasized with students that using a tech tool, "because you may have used it in the past" is not a great reason for using the tech tool this time.  Students were asked to investigate each tool so that they could decide the best tool.

The teacher took care of the content, while I, as a learning support teacher, was able to assist with some technical difficulties, mainly setting up Glogster accounts and other accounts for students.  It is always beneficial for two teachers to be present in a classroom of 26 students.

See the exact list of tools with link and document created for students.

See the choices that students had.

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Trading Cards iPad App In US History

Through this blog post, I learned about the Trading Cards app. It is a fantastic app for so many content areas.  The great thing about being a technology integration specialist is that I can find resources and share them with so many people.  Immediately after learning about the app, I contacted one of our U.S. History teachers in our high school. We quickly established how the app would be integrated and moved forward.

See app tutorial:


See the app in action with students and teacher!

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Chrome Extensions

Chrome Extensions
How to get there, and what to do!


Reading and Writing Supports for the Chromebooks

AdBlock

Readability

Quietube

YouTube Looper

CiteLighter

Cite This For Me

Google URL Shortener

Trash Can

Black Menu

Awesome Screen Shot & Annotator

Evernote Web Clipper

SpeakIt!

Voice Search

Gmail Attachments To Drive (options)

Google Dictionary

Incredible Start Up Page

Tab Cloud

Send From Gmail

Free Resource
Keyboard Shortcuts
ctrl-shift-T (reopen last tab)

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Google Voice Reading Reflection

Today, Mr. Rodal set up his Google Voice account in under 15 minutes.  His thinking was to create a different tool for students to reflect on readings that occur in his history class.  Setting up a Google Voice account allows for connection to our school phones.  Also, most students have cell phones with them and can reflect during class or after school.  We will also be able to set a deadline for the assignment as each voice mail is time stamped.  In addition, and probably the great addition, Google Voice will transcribe each message.  This way the instructor can listen or read the response.  Furthermore, the teacher can click on the TEXT link under the transcribe voice mail and send the student a quick text message to the phone in which the original student message was sent from.

Now that the initial set up and brainstorming has taken place, I can't wait for the implementation with students.  Hear from Mr. Rodal on how EASY the process was!



Additional Google Voice resources here and here.

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