Learning and GAFE Bootcamp

I am spending a few days this week attending a two day Google Bootcamp to become a certified Google Educator and then a certified trainer along with 60+ other local educators. To become certified we need mastery of four required subjects (Gmail, Calendar, Docs & Drive, Sites and 1 elective) more detail here. I have been using Google tools for years, and now we hope to make it official by becoming a Google Educator which will recognize us for our mastery of four required subjects plus an elective.  If all goes well this month we will receive a Google Educator certificate by passing the five related exams (small fee for examination).  To pass the test you must score 80 or higher or wait a week and retake the test again.  There is more details on the testing site here https://google.starttest.com.  Once that is complete, I can then move to the certified trainer portion of the application.  

The Assabet Valley Collaborative has organized the bootcamp and we are using twitter #avcmaboot).  I took the Google Sites test, it was 60 questions timed for 90 minutes. It was a good reivew of the features of sites.  I will be back in class tomorrow for learning! The best part of the workshop is connecting with so many colleagues!  We are asked to share a tool at the end of the day and I thought I would show Smore for a flyer to showcase what we are learning!
My flyer link

Link https://www.smore.com/33wsc 

Screencasting and student creativity

Last week we introduced students to Screencasting (A screencast is a digital recording of computer screen output, also known as a video screen capture, often containing audio narration). The term screencast compares with the related term screenshot; whereas screenshot generates a single picture of a computer screen, a screencast is essentially a movie of the changes over time that a user sees on a computer screen, enhanced with audio narration.   I found a post on twitter this week that indicates "Screencasting is most powerful when it is used as a student creation tool. Screencasts take a typical presentation a step further by requiring higher order thinking skills; not only do students create the presentation, but they also have to explain their thinking." from here article and tools edudemic 

We will be using Screencast-O-Matic  a web-based program for this class.Screencast-o-matic  is an easy to use, Javascript based program  that records your screen. If you don’t have any Java issues (as I always seem to), all you need to do is click “Record” on the website, and it will begin to record your screen or webcam for you. This product offers two options: a free version and a paid version ($15/year). The free version allows users a maximum recording time of 15 minutes while the pro version offers unlimited recording time, a variety of upload options, and no watermark. All of the video editing tools, screenshot tools and a few other things are also reserved for the paid version.

The assignments are posted in our class site here 
Here are a few examples from last semester

1. Customizing your Blog link  (By Nashoba Student - Julia)
2. Organize your Google Drive link  (by Zak)
3. Using Google Presentations link (by Katie)

1. PART ONE - Saving to YouTube
   My example today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQyNf50ct90&feature=youtu.be&hd=1
   Note: Publishing Options (Screencastomatic or YouTube).  Post to YouTube.
2. With the video published to YouTube providde the link and video on your E-Portfolio as and your blog.
3. PART TWO - Using the YouTube Editor
   Link - https://www.youtube.com/editor
   With the Video posted to your YouTube Account and can use YouTubes Video Editor to provide additional details to the video.
   Watch to see techniques in the
   
4. Finish Video with Edits and screen captions
   Here is my new link with TEXT on the starting slide
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?edit=vd&v=0cDL3OI6Mf4
   

I hope you take this opportunity to challenge yourself to produce a creative screencast to teach and engage others!  A reminder all topics must be approved.

Later in the course we will work on additional video projects using the YouTube Editor.  Here is another screencast with some of the features.

Exploring Multimedia and curation with class today!

This week I am teaching students in a Multimedia class how to cruate information.  We are using a few new tools.

1. Pinterest - Curate topics of Interest (example Multimedia Board for class)
2. Flipboard - Magazines
3. Students will be making Screencast-O-Matic 
4. How to Guides using SnapGuide 
5. Smores Flyer (see below) to publish a lesson
   I created the assignment using Smores link and embedded the content below.

Quotes
Follow mmarotta's board Quotes on Pinterest 

Tips to post Pinterest to Blog Directions  to create your own widget for Pinterest, go here 
You can copy it to a Blog Post or better yet add as a gadget to your sidebar!

Flipboards is another curation tool.  I created a Multimedia Book and invited another person to co-curate with me.  Here is the link to the book on Multimedia http://flip.it/mX2DI 

View my Flipboard Magazine.

Note: When using Flipboard, I have experienced issues with logging in with my Google+ account and unable to access on my mobile device.  The tip seems to be create your account first on your mobile device and then log in using the web.

Digital Footprint - Current Event Assigment 4 - Twitter (Week ending March 28th)

This week's Digital Footprint topic is the appropraite use of Twitter and consequences.

Below is a tweet sent out by a High School Senior at
Pembrook High School.  A baseketball player stripped of an award after sending out an inappropirate this week.

As part of of our ongoing discusstion on managing your Digital Footprint, we work on this assignment in class this week.

Assignment:

1. Read the article comments and watch the video
   Note: additional article
2. Go to your blog and create a post called Digital Footprint Assignment 3 Twitter.
3. Reflect on the article on your blog.
4. Do you think the punishment fits the crime and why?
5. Be prepared to discuss in class.
6. Submit your opinion using the "Poll" on the sidebar after competing the above assignments.

Other Local Issue

Sexting in high school and the legal consequences

Digital Footprint Assignment 3 - PSA (Powtoon or Cartoon PSA)

Create a Powtoon (PSA Public Service Announcement) on one of the following topics:

Options for Topics:
- Digital Footprint / Internet Safety
   (Note: Themes, Elementary, Middle, High School and College Job Ready)
- Communication the School's new Mission Statement (ICARE)
- Promote a school club
- Propose your own idea!

1. Having a Positive Digital Footprint (Example using THINK before you post!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwFE25f50P4 



2. Cartoon Option


3. Post the PowToon/Cartoon to your Google Site and your BLOG
    On your student Portfolio - Reflect on using the tool and would you recommend or use again.
    Explain the purpose of your PSA, provide the embed the code and provide the link.

Nashoba Mission Statement and link
.

Digital Footprint - Current Events Assignment #2 - 'Upskirt' ban in Massachusetts signed into law

In your Blog please post Digital Footprint Assignment #2

Pick one of the three current events and reflect on your blog.
Respond/comment on two classmates blog and provide feedback.

1. Is the law keeping up with Technology?  What are your thoughts about the change in the MA law with 'Upskirt' ban in Massachusetts signed into law - CNN  Fri March 7, 2014Please read the following article and watch the video.
   http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/07/justice/massachusetts-upskirt-bill
2. Review the "12 Things Student Should Never do on Social Media http://mashable.com/2012/09/04/students-social-media-warnings/#:eyJzIjoidCIsImkiOiJfZnoxMnFnOXhvMnRjdmdsd294b2drYV8ifQ 
3. Is there a current event you around social media that you would like to discuss?

Adding Voice to Google Docs and Usingg voice recognition to type (beta)

Last week my daughter showed me one of her assignments from college where she created a resume and was given audio feedback from the professor.  I believe the University uses Moodle/Turnitin.  Later that day I say a tweet on Kaizena which allows you to download an app from the chrome store in order to add audio notes. I found that  Richard Bryne's had posted a reveiew on his blog  and a great screencast overview from Stacey Behmner's video .

Note: WIth Kaizen you have to authorized it to access your Google Account and allow access to your microphone, like many other applications now require.

I plan to work with a teacher this week to see if you can replicate the assignment using Google Drive, templates and Kaizena. I will update later in the week!

Note: Google is also testing  "Using voice recognition to type (beta)"
Chrome Store  learn more here.