In Tech Integration class my students used Infogram to create basic infographics to demonstrate their learning of a TedEd video. By using infographics as a final product my students were able to demonstrate their knowledge of a topic in a much more varied and interesting way than by typical means. For more information watch this short video tutorial on using Infogram. Let us know if we can help support this project in your classroom.
Our Technology Integration Class evaluated the school district’s new Virtual Reality Goggles last week. If you want to learn more about using the VR equipment let us know. Jonny Fender wrote this review on his findings:
This week in Tech Integration we got the opportunity to go a few virtual field trips. We used a program called Google Expeditions to go on these field trips all over the world. We used a Nokia cellphone that was placed in a Virtual Reality headset to see these amazing places. The places that the […]
By creating short informative videos on your chromebook teachers can help students access information in a variety of ways. Whether you are flipping classroom instruction or simply providing students another pathway to content, screencasting is simple and can be reused in the future.
Watch this short video to learn about how to use Nimbus to create screencasts which are videos of what is on your computer screen narrated by you. Screencasts can also be student-created to demonstrate knowledge and understanding and then shared with future classes.
Screencastify is another App that can be used for this purpose as well. Let us know if we can help!
Student and Teachers at WHS have had an interesting year. The introduction of 1:1 with the chromebooks has significantly changed the way we teach and learn.
Students have had to make adjustments to their learning and organizational styles. Most teachers have embraced Google Classroom to help students stay on task with what is going on in their classes. Offline mode has helped close the digital divide by allowing students to work on projects from home. 
Teachers have had to re-evaluate the way they present materials to students. In several subjects new textbooks provided online resources and the ability for students to access textbooks on their chromebooks. Students are using email and checking progress book much more frequently meaning the connection to teachers has increased.
All in all the introduction of 1:1 Chromebooks here at WHS has been quite successful. While it has come with its share of challenges, the benefits have far outweighed any negatives. We have many resources available for those who need support in any of these areas.
1:1 Resources:
Cane Tech Squad – The CTS Help Desk students are always willing to help students or teachers with any tech related issues.
Ext: 7236 Email: techsquad@wilmington.k12.oh.us twitter: @CaneTechSquad
Library Books – We have quite a few new books (yes, books) about chromebooks and 
EdTech. Teachers should check out Classroom Management in the Digital Age for tips on keeping students on task while using the chromebooks. Stop in the library to browse these titles.
Watch this replay of our CTS Jeopardy Live Twitter Game Show. The purpose of this show was to help educate students on the use and care of their chromebooks. We are working on the restricted mode issue so for now students might have to watch from home or another account.
Congrats to Parker on winning our first CTS Jeopardy Game.
Make sure you follow us on Twitter @CaneTechSquad to join us LIVE next time.
Teachers – Would you like CTS members to host a Live Jeopardy event with your class? Maybe you can challenge another class in your content area? Let us know!
There is no better way than text sets to broaden a student’s perspective while at the same time deepening their understanding of a topic.
Newsela provides a searchable library of current, relevant text sets across the curricula which can be narrowed down and even altered by reading level. As a result, students at different levels can be reading about and discussing the same topic. Newsela releases new text sets daily and allows for teachers to create their own that are available to users as well. There is a feature called binder which allows teachers to create classes, make assignments, and access quizzes. All of which is part of their free suite of products.
Now that WHS is in a 1:1 learning environment we encourage you to check out Newsela as a resource for you and your students. Already using Newsela? Please give us feedback in the comments below and let us know how you use it in your classroom.
Sharing Google files with other students and teachers has made collaboration here at WHS the norm. Now Google allows us to assign Action Items to collaborators in the comments section of Google files. Give it a try and let us know if you find this tool useful.
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Teachers – Now more than ever there is an expectation to communicate with not only our students but their parents in a timely and detailed manner. Communicating with the parents and guardians of your students just got easier with Google Classroom’s Guardian Email Summaries. Don Sutton just turned on our access to this important feature so you can now use it.
Simply go to the ‘students’ tab in Classroom and then turn on Guardian Email Summaries on the left-hand side. You will then “Invite Guardians” by adding the email addresses or adding from your contacts. Parents/guardians will have the option to see a daily or weekly summary of posts from your classroom. This will also allow you to email the guardian directly from Google Classroom.
Try it out tonight as you meet with parents at Report Card Fair. As always give us feedback so we know if this becomes an effective way of communicating with your parents.
Mr. Wallingford turned me on to the Quiz feature in Google Forms. If you are looking for a way to give quick feedback to students give this a try as an alternative to Flubaroo.
Getting started with Quizzes in Google Forms is simple. Open a new form from Google Drive and click on settings.
Choose the Quizzes tab and follow the prompts.
It appears that while Flubaroo might be a bit more powerful, Google Forms is simpler. Mr. Wallingford also told me that he found it was more accurate in grading student responses.
Give it a try and send feedback.
Teachers –
Try keyboarding or typing apps as a quick filler activity or when using the chromebooks. Cane Tech Squad will provide a full review of keyboarding apps soon but here are a couple to try out in the meantime:
If you try these or know of any other keyboarding apps or websites let us know!
WHS Library Learning Commons 