Showing posts with label Lunch N' Learn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lunch N' Learn. Show all posts

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Congratulations to Tina Mills, PCMS communication arts teacher, for winning the 2013 App Smash Challenge!

Mrs. Mills had students combine the PicCollage app and the iMovie trailer app.  As Mrs. Mills states,
     
"In the past, students have used the iMovie trailer and had a blast with it.  The only problem is that sometimes they want to include more than one word or image (in a spot in the trailer) and can't change the templates.  I have had them use PicCollage to add multiple texts and images into one image.  They then can insert the PicCollage picture into the iMovie trailer."

Thank you, Mrs. Mills, for accepting the first App Smash Challenge!








Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Today, I learned about the iVisual info Touch iPad Infographic App through Richard Byrne @ iPad Apps For School.  We have implemented infographics in our high school Human Geography last year so I was intrigued to see if an iPad app could be used with students.

I created an infographic for Lunch N' Learn statistics.  This is the first full year of volunteer learning opportunities for our high school staff.


Positives of iVisual Touch 
  • Free Form Writing Lines
  • Multiple Backgrounds
  • Four Pages of Icons
  • Colorful World Flags
  • Color Palette
  • Seven Fonts
  • Add Pictures (Great to use with other apps such as Skitch or PicCollage)
  • Grid Lines for Creating
  • Save To Camera Roll (Great for uploading to Google Drive)
Negatives of iVisual Touch
  • No Locking Options of Objects
  • No Undo Button
  • No Automatic Save
  • Free app great to try, but limited options (I purchased the full app)
Impact On Students:
Creativity: Students can continue to use their imagination to create graphics that express their summary skills.




Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Our calculus teacher was tutoring a student on a Friday.  He forgot to mention a crucial part of the solution. He emailed the student the critical part to the solution.  On Monday, he asked the student, "Did you get me email?"  The student replied,

     "No, I never check my school email!"

Solution: Create a trigger and action using IFTTT.  IFTTT is so simple, a teacher almost can't afford to not offer it to their students.



Great thing about this was that I created the trigger and action on my iPhone in front of the teacher.  He sent me an email and the text showed up on my iPhone.  Demonstrating how it worked so quickly was a selling point!
Video Link
Saving video to an iPad from Google Drive was not possible until I found a solution courtesy of one of our IT people, @kenwestphal.

Collaborating with multiple students on different iPads or taking video with an iPhone or iPod was a difficult task because the Google Drive app only allowed downloading of images for use in iMovie.  Using the G Drive (Green) app now allows for videos to be imported into iMovie once the video is uploaded to a student's or teacher's Google Drive account.

If students are recording video using an Android device, the video will need to be converted before G Drive will import it into iMovie on the iPad.  We use Any Video Converter.

G Drive (Green) App
Google Drive App

View how it works!  Don't forget to have students log out of the G Drive app.


Video Link

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Because of a tweet by @mrbadura and his compilation of App Challenges, I decided to present the challenge to our teachers after yesterday's Lunch N' Learn topic.

The app challenge was promoted as this...
  • Combine Two Apps for a lesson in your classroom
  • Chrome/Web Based OR
  • iPad Options
  • Submit challenge USING any method (email, link, Google Drive)
  • $25 iTunes Card to the Best One (undefined)
  • All submissions combined and shared with all teachers
  • Deadline Dec 17; 4:00 PM
I also had PRINTED copies for the teachers as this was something that could be taken with them when the left Lunch N' Learn.  


Impact On Students:
Creativity:  Encouraging students to integrate two apps together challenges students to take their thinking to a higher level.  Determining the "work flow' forces students to think "how best can I make this work?"  This is a life long learning lesson.

Critical Thinking: (Similar To Creativity) Encouraging students to integrate two apps together challenges students to take their thinking to a higher level.  Determining the "work flow' forces students to think "how best can I make this work?"  This is a life long learning lesson.

*All credit for this idea needs to be given to @mrbadura and a large thank you to him for sharing!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Tired of trying to organize the plethora of Google Drive files you create or that have been shared with you?

Stop.

Learn to search with key shortcuts that will help you be more efficient.
  • Dropdown Menu Icon
  • Search Operators
    • " " Quotes
    • OR
    • - Hyphen
    • from:
    • to:
    • type:
    • before: YYYY-MM-DD after:YYYY-MM-DD
    • owner:
    • title:
Video Link


Add Apps Search To Gmail
Video Link


Search Your Google Drive

Engaging New Web Tools!
FutureMe 
Make Badges

Engaging New iPad App Tools!
Tellagami (Free)
Fuzel (Free)
Fuzel Tutorial Video Link


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Teachers don't expect or want to be absent, but it happens.  In terms of writing lesson plans, there are numerous digital options for teachers.

All options can be integrated into Aesop Online which is our online absent request for teachers. Aesop is also available through your mobile browser.

ITEMS TO CONSIDER:
  • NEVER provide your username & password to subs
    • They are provided a temporary username & password when arriving at our school
  • Writing lesson plans is ok, you just might not want to write everything out!
  • Use a Google Doc template to find the perfect lesson plan template for your content. View Mr. Mannings easy to use version. View Amy Uelmen's CCSS related lesson plan.
  • Don't worry about being perfect when you "speak to the sub" through a digital tool.
  • Include pictures or video!  This will greatly reduce your typing time when "writing up lesson plans"  
  • Include audio!  It is so much easier to speak your lessons versus writing them.  
  • If you want to use a combination of typing, voice, or video combine them all into a Google Doc for a cloud based link that can be added to Aesop Online.
  • Include a QR code created by Google URL Shortener and it would be easy for the substitute to obtain the link using their smart phone.  Use shortened link for description in sub plans.
    This picture can be 

Tools
Google Drive: Any video recording, audio recording or picture of any document can be uploaded. If the blue sharing button is clicked and the settings changed to "anyone with a link", the link can be pasted into the "Notes to Substitute" section.  Include a small note stating, "copy and paste the link below into a new tab on your web browser" and substitute teachers can view your digital documents.



Cellphone:  If you own any smartphone (iPhone/Android) you can use the camera app to either record a video or take pictures of information the sub will need to see.  Use the Google Drive app for uploading the picture/video to the cloud.  Share the link containing the content.  Don't forget that using the Skitch app can annotate the information on the picture. Get Skitch for iPhone or Android.
Video Link


iPad/iPod:  Using the camera, consider talking through the content that you want the substitute to cover during your absence.  The video below was uploaded to YouTube and unlisted.  However, with the ease of Google Drive, simply upload the video and share the link associated with the video.



iPhone/Android YouTube Capture App:  With one click, record your lesson or instructions for your lesson and send them directly to YouTube.


Flip Camera/Bloggies:  These cameras are available for checkout from the library. There are plenty to go around.  One touch record, USB connection, one hour record time, upload video to Google Drive.

Digital Camera:  Most digital cameras take photos and videos.  If you can snap it or record it you can upload it to Google Drive.

Laptop (SMART Recorder/Screencast-o-matic.com):  If you would like to be present in the classroom, but not physically there, create a video recording of your computer screen using the SMART Recorder or Screencast-o-matic.
SMART Recorder


Screencast-o-matic


Google Presentations: Similar to PPT, but so easy to share with teaching using a public link. View the three part series to making great presentations.

Vocaroo: One click audio recording only.  No username and password needed. Example

Soundcloud: A great place to store multiple recordings.  Listen to an example.



Audacity: On our computers to record audio.  Create file and upload to Google Drive.



Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Many great features have been added to the iMovie app in iOS 7 for iPad.  My Explain Everything video will, well, Explain Everything.  Providing students with a storyboard prior to creating will help in the process.

Important Features

  • Three tabs get you access
    • Video
    • Project
    • Theater
  • ? Button always has answers (use it)
    • Yellow tab has > provides more information
  • +
    • Movie
    • Trailer
  • Movie
    • Flexible, Creativity
    • Pictures/Videos
    • Add any music you want
  • Trailer
    • Set areas for pictures/videos
    • Set areas for text
    • Rigid
    • Music is provided
  • Projects Tab>Click Specific Project
    • Small Triangle Button--play video without producing it
    • Box With Up Arrow--produce video
    • Trash Can--Delete
    • Pencil--Edit Title

Video Link


CANVA--Creation Tool

Impact On Students
  • Creativity--It's all about creativity.  It's endless
  • Critical Thinking--Providing a storyboard prior to creating a video will enable efficiency while using the app
  • Citizenship--If the videos are being published to the web, consideration must be made for proper digital citizenship.
Medium--informational text

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

We have now updated our school district iThings to iOS 7.  What does that mean for you (T-Teachers) and your students (S-Students)?  There are many new features that you should know about!
  • Slide To Unlock (T & S): finger to the right if passcode is on
  • Camera (T & S): shoot in burst mode with volume up button
  • Multitasking (T & S): 
    • Double Click Home Button>quit multiple apps with swipes of as many fingers as you can
  • Control Panel (T & S): quick calculator, flashlight (only iPhones)
  • Apps (T & S): swipe backwards
  • Location Services (T): 
    • Settings>Privacy>Location Services>System Services>Frequent Locations
  • Messages (T): See the time stamp on SMS, MMS, or iMessage by swiping left
  • Accessibility Settings (T & S): Settings>General>Accessibility
  • Sounds (T & S): Settings>Sounds>Sounds and Vibrations
  • Siri (T): Hold down Home button and say, "Read my emails"
  • App Folders (T & S): No limit to number of apps in a folder
  • Apps Background Refresh (T & S): Settings>General>Background App Refresh
  • Apps Automatic Updates (T & S): Settings>iTunes  & App Store
    Source




  • AirServer (T & S): Swipe up>AirPlay
  • Spotlight Search (T & S): Swipe Down
  • Photos (T & S): Collections>Years>Months>Day
  • Photos (T & S): Edit-Upper Right, Share-Lower Left, Delete-Lower Right
    Source




  • Tuesday, November 5, 2013

    Tuesday, October 29, 2013

    Today's part three of three Lunch N' Learns focuses on Google Presentations as a tool that can eliminate the noise and focus the signal on staff presentations.

    Many teachers have used the Effective Google Presentation Tips for Students prior to having students create presentations.  Consider looking at these prior to making your next Google Presentation.
    • Five Words On A Slide
    • Tools > Research > All Google Features On Side Of Presentation
    • Insert YouTube Clip
    • Snipping Tool To Get Images
    • Text Box > Fonts
    • Arrows > Shapes > Lines
    • Single Most Important Piece of Advice --Stop The Bullet Point Madness
    Effective Google Presentations Consider Showing To Students


    Word Focus is critical!  Do NOT put what you say on the screen.  Eliminate ALL the words so that people will listen to your passion and energy instead of reading your words.


    Inserting An Image Consider rethinking the way images are presented to your students.


    Google Presentations With Speaker Notes By making a few simple clicks, you will never miss an important point, while your audience views a Focused Message!


    Effective Examples
    I am thankful for the many teachers who have shared their "this is my new presentation because of Lunch N' Learn" See how one teacher has changed her presentations.  She also commented, "students do listen more when they are not racing to write down all the words on my presentation slides."

    3 of 3 Part Series
    Part 2
    Part 1

    *Inspiration For Lessons - Resonate Nancy Duarte
    *Resonate Is Now Available Free Online

    Tuesday, October 22, 2013

    Today's Lunch N' Learn focused on how to rethink SMARTboard slides and PowerPoint Slides.  Last week, we looked at how to rethink slides that are in front of students.  This week, two teachers have graciously provided one SMARTboard document and one PowerPoint presentation that we take a look.  Our goal is to rethink how the slides and presentation may appear.

    PowerPoint:
    Allows for Presenter View that looks like this:
    What Your Audience Sees

    What The Presenter Sees

    Video Tutorial On How To Enable This


    View Rethinking Of Slides

    SMARTboard:
    • Write on Smartboard slide normally by extending the page
      • In summary, use the camera to take a picture of parts of the written text
      • These pictures will be placed on new slides
    • Write new steps on new slides
    • Extend the slide but provide a single line on the white canvas

    2 of a 3 Part Series
    Part 1
    Part 3


    Tuesday, October 15, 2013

    With the dissolving of SlideRocket, it is a great time to rethink how classroom content presentations are created.  More importantly, how do a teacher's presentations move the audience (students) to truly provide that "WAIT! WHAT?" (Meyer, 2013) thought!



    Notes are included with this presentation.  To enable them, click on the gears and open in speaker notes.



    1 of a 3 Part Series
    Part 2
    Part 3

    Tuesday, October 1, 2013

    The Chrome Web Store  provides a great resource for teachers desiring to integrate applications to enable students to efficiently learn and create.
    As more and more teachers and students use these tools, the Chrome Web Store may seem somewhat overwhelming.  To facilitate the implementation, the spreadsheet below, breaks down Chrome Web Store applications by subject matter.  Simply click on the name of the application and you will be directed to the Chrome Web Store.


    View In New Tab

    Need to access the Chrome Web Store?  View How


    Successful Classroom Practice via Kathy Schrock
    30 Ways To Use Chromebooks In School
    Chromebook Classroom Webinar
    Chromebook Classroom

    As of today, our IT sent the email below.
    On October 8th, the login screen for the student Chromebooks at PCMS & PHS will be changing.  

    Instead of the "Add User" & Profile pictures on the screen, it will be changed to a "email address & password" box.  You can see the attachment for what this box looks like.

    * There may be some Chromebooks in the morning on October 8th that will still have the old login screen when first turned on, but they will update to the new login screen later that morning.

    I will send a reminder about this along with an email to PHS & PCMS staff next Monday morning.


    Tuesday, September 24, 2013

    Chromebooks: What Are They? LINK


    Chromebooks: How Do Students Use Them
    • Flip Top of Chromebook Up
    • Left Corner - Add User
    • Chrome Sign Up Same Username/Password For Google Account
    • Choose Picture For Display of Account
    • May need to sign in with password again
    • Click App Launcher on bottom left
    • Will see same extensions from any computer when using Chrome
    • Done?
    • Log Out
    • Find Bottom Right Time Display, Click
    • Click Sign Out, Done


    Video Link
    Multiple Google Accounts

    Monday, September 23, 2013

    When: Tuesday 11:35 or 12:05 or 12:35
    Where: PHS Library Think Tank
    Why: To Utilize Tech Tools To Be More Efficient

    Topic: Chromebooks In The High School Library

    Tuesday, September 17, 2013

    To update your profile on our Pulaski Schools website, follow the directions below.  If you want to watch how to do it, the video tutorial is below as well.

    Thank you for doing this!
    • Log Into CMS4Schools
      • Log In With Username
      • Log In With Password 
    • Click on "Edit My Profile"
      • Change Title
      • Change Phone Number
      • Change Profile Picture
      • Change Bio
      • Add Links To Other Digital Documents
    • If you have a CMS4Schools Website
      • Click "My Navigation Builder Home"
      • Edit Webpages

    Monday, September 16, 2013

    Lunch N' Learn will be about updating your staff bio information on our school's website!

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