Integrate It! - Google Form Quiz Feature

Google Forms - Quiz Feature 

Most of us have filled out (or made) a Google Form to collect information. Some of you may have even used forms for quizzes with your students. Until recently, an add-on like Flubaroo was needed for grading these quizzes. This added step made it somewhat of a pain. 

Google Forms now has a quiz function that allows you to easily create quizzes that are automatically graded! What's even better is that old forms can be turned into quizzes with one click. It's perfect for quick formative assessments (think electronic exit cards).

For more information, watch this short tutorial or contact Colette and Robb. Say goodbye to correcting all those papers and hello to auto-grading! 

Integrate It! - Dotstorming

Dotstorming

Dotstorming is a cool site that I stumbled upon through Twitter. After checking it out, I was impressed! The site allows teachers to create a question for students to answer with text or images. Students join the conversation with a link provided by the teacher.

In some ways, I see parallels to Padlet. One cool thing about Dotstorming is that students can respond to other students and then vote for their favorite responses.

To see how one teacher combined Google Drawing and Dotstorming, check out this Techie Teacher blogpost.

The site is free and very easy to use. Let Colette or Robb know if you have questions!

Still Using Microsoft Word? STOP IT!

Still Using Microsoft Word? STOP IT!

We have been a Google Apps school for years now and if you haven't made the shift completely to Google Docs at this point, it's time. I know Microsoft Word is still there on your computer, tempting you to use it. But it's time ditch Word and welcome Google Docs with open arms. 

"But, Robb, Google Docs can't do everything that Word can do!"

In reality, other than a few formatting options, I have yet to find something in Word that I can't do in Docs. Plus Docs allows users to easily share, collaborate, link, integrate with Google Classroom, and organize. Making the change will also ensure you are never guilty of attaching a Word doc to an email.

Examples of Google Docs used for...

• Peek of the Week
• Hyperdocs
• Creating Tests/Quizzes
• Field Trip Permission Slips

Need help? Contact Colette or Robb and we can set up a time to meet!

Integrate It! - Explore Tool

Explore - Google Docs and Slides

The "Research" tool in Google Docs and Slides is no longer. It has been replaced by something called the "Explore" tool, and there are several cool features to be aware of. Check out this short video to learn more:

You can find our more on tech guru Alice Keeler's Blog as well.

Colette and I would love to help you with this or any other tech needs! Just contact us and we will get something scheduled.

Integrate It! - Google Classroom

Integrate It! - Google Classroom

It's our yearly reminder about Google Classroom! Any of you that use Google Apps, like Docs, Slides, or Drawings, should definitely be using Google Classroom.

Google Classroom makes sharing, turning in, and organizing digital work a breeze. With a few clicks, teachers can set up classes, assign work to students, view that work, and give feedback. Plus, all of the assignments are stored in a folder that is automatically created in Google Drive.

Check out this video to learn more and contact Robb or Colette for help!

Integrate It! - Quizlet Live

Quizlet Live is sure to engage your students. Need proof? Check out my kids actually having fun learning their fraction benchmarks...

Students join the game, on any device, with a code at quizlet.live and are randomly sorted into teams. Teams then work together to correctly match each term with the definition, all while competing with the other teams in the room.

Learn more here:

https://quizlet.com/features/live

Fostering Digital Citizens

Digital Citizenship

Teaching kids to be good digital citizens is an important part of what we do.

Need resources? Check out these lessons from Common Sense Media. Your media specialists are going to teach some of these lessons, so talk to them first about which lessons they plan on doing.

Also, try to incorporate Digital Citizenship in small ways.

• Each time you login, mention the importance of keeping passwords private.

• Talk to your class about the importance of iPad/Chromebook care.

• Do Google searches on your Activboard and begin to show them how to evaluate websites.

• Cite your sources in your presentations and talk about why you need to give them credit.