TCEA Explosion

After spending all week at TCEA virtual, I have acquired some really cool tools to implement within classrooms for numerous purposes. Some of these tools, extensions, and applications I instantly thought, "Where have you been all of my tech life!?" and I am certain you will find at least 1 that you can feel the same about too! I thought this week I would share these out with the many ideas that were shared among participants. 

EquatIO extension for Google : 

Awesome Math extension that offers ease of writing math equations digitally. EquatIO also can use speech to text for students to read math equations to and will ignore non-math words. This extension can be used will all G-suite products! 

Jamboard:

This application will allow you to create an interactive space for students to collaborate, share work, and create. Many features are similar to Google Slides, but my personal favorite is the ability for students to add post-it notes to add thoughts or ideas. Essential you can use it like Padlet, but it's free and works with our G-Suite features! Free is good! 

Here is a link to the official Google Edu information page with some cool lesson ideas:

https://edu.google.com/teacher-center/products/jamboard/?modal_active=none

Here is the presentation link to what I attended with even more ways to use Jamboard in your classrooms (in person or virtually):

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1biH2W3vGvgWL5AwVBWYt2AuuzsP-aExN3S2dLeBGOMk/edit?usp=sharing

TextGiraffe:

Want cool fonts to jazz up your presentations and handouts? Check out this free platform to create amazing headers! Super easy to use and easy to apply within documents and slide presentations or even websites! Simply go to TextGiraffe , choose a cool font (the hard part), then type in your heading or phrase, download and save, apply as a picture within the document of your choice....yes, that's it! Here are a few of my favorites:

Slides, Slides, Slides (The kind that won't burn your bum in summer!)

In case you have the desire to make your slide presentations more attractive or eye catching there are several places you can visit to cut your work down by downloading fun slide themes and backgrounds. Don't forget to share these with your students as well, they deserve the ability to hype of their slideshows and add their creativity as well! 

SlidesMania has a ton of FREE and fun slide themes for you and your students to use. 

Slides Carnival is another site that has plenty of downloads to add pizzazz to your Google Slide presentations.

Gmail Groups, FlipAnim, Icebreakers, Google Educator Certification, Google Classroom Training Center

Create an Email Group in Gmail

Back to School Night is just around the corner, and it offers an awesome opportunity to acquire email contact information from parents. Perhaps you've created a Google Form to collect information. Access the spreadsheet that accompanies the form and copy the data in the email address column. Use the video below to help you set up a Gmail group. (Remember when you email a group of parents to put their addresses in the BCC section to retain their anonymity.)

(animation created using Explain Everything app on iPad)

FlipAnim for .gifs

GIF's aren't just for social media. They're for your classroom, too. Create a .gif (animated picture) to show a process, re-cap directions, or send feedback to students in a digital classroom. Even better, ask your students to create a .gif to demonstrate their problem-solving process!

FlipAnim fast and easy to use. Create your animation, upload it, and then click .gif under the completed animation to access the link to the finished product. HERE is a short tutorial from Richard Byrne of Free Technology for Teachers for using the tool.

Richard Byrne's blog is one of my go-to places when I need technology help or inspiration. There is a "subscribe" link at the bottom of his blog.

Google Classroom Training Center

Google recently updated its Google Classroom training materials. If you are new to Classroom or are looking for a solution to a particular issue, check out the Google Classroom Training Center. This site is AWESOME!

Icebreakers for the beginning of the year

The TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association) has an incredible blog that highlights integrating digital learning into your classroom. Last week, Dianna Benner posted several creative icebreakers to start the year. In the post is a link to a similar post from last year with additional ideas. 

Considering acquiring your Google Educator certification?

Google provides free online support to brush up on the skills you need to pass the $10 Google Educator Level 1 exam. Kasey Bell of ShakeUp Learning has published a matrix that lists the skills that you need to pass the exam. If you are considering become Google Educator certified, download Kasey's matrix so you have a checklist to work from.

Kasey has a subscribe button at the bottom of her blog. She posts regularly on Google-related issues.

If you subscribe to several blogs, you may want to consider using an RSS feed/blog aggregator like Feedly or Newsify so that your email box isn't filled with blog posts.