Doing more with Google Classroom, Assessments and Engagement!

As we prepared for our NEASC visit in a few months I have been working with teachers to collect information especially using rubrics for assignments and grading.  Last spring I worked with a colleague to use Doctopus and Goobric and it was rather a complicated process.

Now with Google Classroom (Doctopus + Classroom + Goobric = :) ... checkout the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0NXeDKPyls )  it works so much better! I have a half dozen teachers using this month and hope to get more on board next month.

Several Social Studies teachers attended a conference last month and came back very excited about Flipping the Classroom techniques and provide me a link to explore to explore a new app called Videonot.es it allows you to split the screen putting the video on the left and the ability to take notes on the right.  You can then share the notes or sync to Drive.  We are exploring using Screencast-o-matic however, teachers would like students to also record and provide feedback as well using  Chromebooks so I plan to test out (Screencastify) to record Google/Presentations in Spanish.

I learn so much connecting to other teachers online using Twitter and I am so grateful for all the screencasts and sharing from my PLN!  I am now excited to see several of my colleagues using Twitter and inquire about many to the techniques they are seeing at conferences and online!

During a PD session last month we did a Google/Web 2.0 Demo Slam.  After teachers seeing first-hand the success of their colleagues I have seen more teachers will to explore ways to streamline their classroom workflow and bring in new interactive tools, like Kahoot to engage students.

Computer Science Classes take on Hour of Code

Mrs. Clark's Computer Science students are programming daily in their course.  Check out course along with the class link here

Check out some of the student reflections
Matt link http://youtu.be/hSvLTyMRNjc

 

 DJ link http://youtu.be/CD_sLxYevbg

Hour of Code at Nashoba this week!

This week Nashoba High School students in several classes participated in the #HourofCode including our new Gaming course using GameMaker Studio. We used code.org, Scratch and Tynker.com
Approximately 12 classes/300 student in Business/Tech Ed) were exposed to block coding which is a drag and drop introduction to coding and programming,








 During the week teachers tweeted out their success using #hourofcode and the sites they used.  We even received a "G'Luck" from Tynker this week!

Other areas that participated were  Mrs. Clark's and Dr. T's Computer programming classes, totaling approximately 400 students were exposed to The Hour of Code at Nashoba this week.

In addition, Sue Allaire from our Career Center/Guidance department will be hosting a "Career Spotlight Session" on Friday December 12th during activity period with professionals to discuss the role coding connected to jobs and careers!

Hour of Code (Dec 8th-12th) - Participate with us!

"The Hour of Code" that will take place during the week of  (Dec. 8-12th ). Last year, 15 million students tried computer science in one week. We live in a world surrounded by technology and we know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly hinge on understanding how technology works. But only a tiny fraction of students are learning computer science, and less students are studying it than a decade ago.

That’s why we would like encourage your participation and we will offer our help. There are many simple activities available on the Hour of Code website, designed to be completed in one class period.

1. Watch this motivational video (2 minutes) "Code the New Literacy"
   link to video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwLXrN0Yguk 
2. Learn more here http://code.org and click on the "Angry Birds" maze game.

Contact us to plan and thanks for joining us in this important STEM initiative!

Follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/codeorg #HourofCode

This week is - Digital Citizenship Week (10/19-10/25th)

Next week, in conjunction with October’s Connected Educator Month, Common Sense Media is sponsoring Digital Citizenship Week from October 19 -October 25th. Teachers can find ways to get connected, activities to do with students. Really, the week is a perfect time to discuss digital responsibility, safety, and citizenship with students, and there are plenty of valuable events and resources for educators and students to use.

What is a digital Citizen? It's one who knows what it is right and wrong, and exhibits intelligent technology behavior and makes good choices when using technology. With recent events in our school concerning Yik Yak along with iCloud and SnapChat recently being hacked, it's a good time to remind you that what you put online is permanent. Here are some videos made by students on the topic.

Video 1 Your Digital Footprint link 

Video 2 - Cyber Bullying link 
Video 3 - Bullying is Bad link 

Digital Citizenship is an important topic that students should consider whenever posting online.
Here are some additional resources.
Infographics and Site

Upcoming Google Demo Slam (Nashoba PD Day) and Christa McAuliffe Conference

I am thinking about putting together a Google Demo Slam for a PD Session in my District next month. 

A Google  Demo Slam is a high energy, geek out kind of session. We are going to have a half dozen presenters share their most used or tip and trick using GAFE. Participants will be encouraged to jump in and share! What do you want to learn and share with your colleagues? 

Some of the topics I am thinking about are:

•  Creating Assessments with Google Forms/ Flubaroo (Add-On) to grade assignments/DDM’s.
• Audio Correcting in Google Drive with Kaizena Google Classroom Tips for Assignments
• Google Classroom users. Looking to benefit from the popular Goobric extension (rubric) grading fed to a spreadsheet right from your browser? Want the ability to send merged emails to students providing them personalized feedback on their assignments? Look no further;)
• Doctopus now offers rudimentary integration to make these important Doctopus features available for Google Classroom assignments. 
•  Creating E-Portfolios using Google Sites to showcase student work Classroom 
• Kaizena · Give Great Feedback
• Back Channel Today’s Meeting and Google Accounts Assessment with Kahoot learning! 
• Open Mic – What would you like to share? 

Update: The Google Demo Slam was a great hit with Nashoba Staff this month.  The survey results indicated teachers loved collaborating and learning from each other.  Did I mention it was also a lot of fun!  What a great group of teachers that shared their favorite tips and techniques. Many of the teachers loved Kahoot  a game-based learning tool for assessment.  We hope to offer more in the future and the session gave me more ideas for an upcoming Demo Slam later this month!

I attended the  Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference 2014 and presenting another  Google Demo Slam with a few of my former graduate students and colleagues

If you want to follow me on twitter me or the conference use #NHCMTC. I will be sharing the demo slam link Bit.ly/nhcmtcSLAM .
A special thanks to Nicole @nicoletomaselli and Craig @csheil. It's always great to reconnect with my NH colleagues!

The Keynote on Wednesday @k_shelton topic “The Art of Iteration: Embracing Failure for Learning” #nhcmtc Emphasized how important it is to take risks and show your work as outlined in Austin Kleon's book.  It's always a great learning experience to work outside your comfort zone and continue to learn!

Meet Anastasia. Her Hand Came from a Printer

A great article/link in this weekends Globe "Meet Anastasia. Her Hand Came from a Printer".

How 3-D Printing is Transforming Everything from Medicine to Manufacturing .... Last spring a Hudson High School teacher used 3-D printer to make prosthetic hand for middle schooler see article he worked with another school for inspiration here.  It always impressive reading about the impact of technology but I love the fact it's in our own backyard!