Just For Fun...

Are Google Chromebooks a Good Fit for your Classroom?

There has been a lot of buzz about the Chromebooks being piloted in one of our 3^rd grade classrooms!

A Chromebook is a small, quick notebook computer that utilizes Google’s web based features and applications.

Chromebooks rely heavily on the cloud and Google Drive for storage and productivity.  There are no “programs” on a Chromebook.  You can access websites, and download Chrome Apps (which are really shortcuts to websites).

Visit this site to see  some of the differences  between Chromebooks and laptops.  Looks Like a laptop, feels like a laptop but….  

In order to use a Chromebook in your classroom you must…

• Understand the basics of “The Cloud”
• Be proficient in using and teaching Google Drive  (Google Drive becomes your X Drive in the cloud.  You will not have access to save anything on your X Drive, the Teacher Common or the Student Common.)
• Be adept in using and teaching Google Docs, Slide, Forms…. (Students will use these features to comment on, grade, create and share their work.)
• Become skilled at using and teaching the Chrome Browser.
• Have an interest in becoming a “paper-lite” classroom.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY and THE COOLEST PART…Be an independent learner with a curiosity to explore and learn new technologies.  You will need to discover new ways to assess, edit pictures, create slideshows, draw, create graphics, produce meaningful lessons and publish how your children demonstrate knowledge they learn in your classroom!

Social Networks and Our Kids

As technology evolves it is important for teachers and parents to try and understand the different ways in which the internet is playing a role in our children’s lives.   Social networking is quickly becoming a way the world is communicating, interacting and socializing.  It is only reasonable to assume that our children want to explore this medium, so we as adults need to educate ourselves on how we can assist them to do so in a safe way.

Most social network sites such as FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram are designed and intended for adult use.  These sites collect information about their users and often sell or use that information for commercial use.  These sites clearly state that they are not intended for use by children under 13.  If a website knowingly collects information about users under 13, they must adhere to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (aka COPPA).  One stipulation of this law is that sites intended for use by children under 13 MUST get parental permission.  This is usually done by sending an email notification to the parents email address and requiring verification.

There are social networking sites that follow the COPPA law and cater to children under the age of 13.  The most ideal sites have security features that:

• ·         Encourage positive and appropriate interactions between members.
• ·         Create very strict privacy settings so that only friends can see information your child posts.
• ·         Filter and monitor content for age appropriate material.
• ·         Provide parents the ability to monitor their child’s account.
• ·         Provide internet safety tips and resources for parents.

All social network sites must have a privacy policy.  It is very easy to click on the policy and check if the sites mentions compliance with COPPA and explains what they will be doing with the information the collect about your child.

The decision to allow your child to use social network sites at home is yours as a parent.  If you deem it appropriate for your child to be a member of a social networking site, please consider the following alternatives to sites intended adult use.

• ·         YourSphere- https://yoursphere.com/welcome
• ·         KidzWorld - http://www.kidzworld.com
• ·         FanLALA- http://www.fanlala.com/club  

Advanced Image Search

Have you ever found the perfect picture for a lesson but can't seem to enlarge and/or print it without getting blurry,grainy mess?

 vs. 

Most image searches have  "Advanced Search" functions.  If you choose to look for Large images, you won't have the blurry enlargement problem!

In Google Images, click the "Search Tools" Button.Then Choose Large under Any Size.

Yahoo's Image Search tags each large picture with a "HQ" for high quality.

Ask.com's Image Search has a a size dropbox available.

Bing's Advanced functions are right below the search bar.

Google Drive - 3 Quick Tips

1.  Download the Google Drive App to your iPad and you can edit Google Docs on the fly!

2.  Make PDF's editable using Google Docs!  With the correct Upload Settings, Google Docs will convert a PDF into a document you can edit/add your own text/ add your own images!

3.  Don't start from scratch!  Google has plenty of pre-made templates for you to use!

Diigo

Need a quick and easy way to collect links to share with your students or colleagues?  Try out a
social bookmarking site called Dijjo.  Instead of saving your favorite websites to your Favorites, use Dijjo as a Favorites Bar that you can open on any device with an internet connection.  You can also easily share lists of your favorite websites with students and friends.  Dijjo is like pinterest for your links!
Diijo Video Overview 

Using Diigo in the classroom...

Would you like to join my Diigo Group?

3-13 Staff Meeting Tips

1. The folder icon on your desktop's bottom task bar is a shortcut to your My documents, My Pictures, and My Videos folders.

2. You can change the look of  a folder you are viewing by choosing different options from the Folder View menu. If you choose list view, you can sort by date or file type.

3. When viewing documents in a folder, you can print multiple documents at once without open each one individually. Just select all the documents you want and click print!

Windows Button Shortcuts

Most PC keyboards have a special “Windows” button that looks something like this...

When some programs like KidPix or Kidspiration run, they take up your whole screen. There may be
times while using these programs that you want to get back to your desktop without quitting the program and losing your work. Clicking the "Windows" button activates your bottom task bar. From there you can view other files or programs on your computer.

Here are some other shortcuts:

+ Space Bar = peek at your desktop
+ D = minimize all windows and show the Desktop
= M = minimize all windows
+ 1 (or 2,3 etc) = open the task bar program of the corresponding order
+ Down Arrow = minimize current window
+Up Arrow = maximize the current window
+Plus Sign or Minus Sign = zoom in, zoom out

Quadblogging

Looking for a authentic audience for your students' blogs?  QuadBlogging sets you up with 3 other classrooms around the world so your students can share their blogs in a safe environment!  Here is a video that explains more... http://youtu.be/w8J8Jrr_eq4 

Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Apps

Whether or not you are googly-eyed over Google or bewildered by it, it is important to know the difference between Google's Drive, Docs and Apps

 - Storage in the cloud!  Upload, save and share files, pictures or video and access them from any device that connects to the internet.  This home/storage for Google Apps, is free with your Google Account.  Access through any web browser or through a smartphone or tablet App. (It's like your own personal X Drive, accessible anywhere, sponsored by Google.)

Create and share documents, presentations, spreadsheets, drawings and forms.  Access your Docs from any device with an internet connection.  Docs are automatically saved to your Google Drive. 

 Applications to make your life more enjoyable.  Apps include, Gmail, Picassa (picture editing), Google Maps, Google Earth, Chrome.  Google Apps are browser based, but some can be downloaded directly to your computer, tablet of smartphone.

Educreations

Educreations is an easy to use, free app that records your voice and the iPad screen while you are explaining a concept.  Teachers can use it to teach concepts to children who need repeated instruction or leave lesson instructions for substitutes.  Students can use the app to demonstrate understanding of a math concept, vocabulary word or science experiment.

Find My iPhone/iPad

Worried about losing your iPad, iPhone or iPod? Apple has a free app that can locate your missing device. The app locates your device and provides you a street address! (It will not tell you which classroom you left it in. However, you can have piece of mind knowing it is somewhere in the school!)

If you device has been misplaced, and you have the app activated, you can log in from any computer  at https://www.icloud.com  

For help setting up Find My iPhone please visit http://www.apple.com/support/icloud/find-my-device/