This week's Tech 3 focuses on using technology to make student thinking visible. This is a benefit to online and blended learning. Teachers can monitor and measure student reflection through the use of web-based technologies. Keep track of student thinking through:
Of course, there are many web-based tools and apps that will make student thinking observable and measurable. The trick is to find what works for you. Joe and I can help you find the right tool for specific instructional goals/objectives.
We have made it to our tenth vodcast and this week we were focused on Google Scripts. The three scripts we focused on can assist teachers with productivity, organization, assignment management, and grading all while using the lovely Google Tools we have grown to love.
Here are the links to the Google Scipts we shared this week:
Doctopus and Goobric! No, I didn't just lose my mind. And no, these aren't SpongeBob characters.
Even though Doctopus looks like he eats at the Krusty Krab, Doctopus and Goobric are just the names of two Google Scripts that teachers should learn and love.
Doctopus
To access Google Scripts create a Spreadsheet from Google Drive and go to the Tools >Script Gallery. The script I would suggest you try with an assignment is Doctopus by Andrew Stillman. Check out this interview in which he explains why he created the Doctopus Google Script.
First develop an assignment to pass out to students. As an example, this could be a writing prompt or an "essential question" students have to answer in a Project-Based Learning (PBL) lesson. Then, with the project direction, create at least one Google Doc to distribute to students. After your assignment is ready to be distributed, create a Google Spreadsheet with student names, gmail addresses, and group names (if applicable). When the spreadsheet is completed, go to Tools > Script Gallery and search for Doctopus. Then, install it onto the spreadsheet.
Once Doctopus is installed on the Google Spreadsheet, the spreadsheet will have a Doctopus label listed in the menu--as displayed in the image below.
After that, Doctopus just walks teachers through the sharing process, which is pretty straightforward. Just click the newly installed Doctopus menu item. Then, there are four main steps to complete.
STEP 1: Set up Sharing Basics:
STEP 2: Choose the Documents to Copy and Distribute:
STEP 3: Choose Destination:
STEP 4: Copy and Share Documents:
Goobric
Goobric is an rubric extension for Doctopus. You have to download Goobric from the Chrome Web Store--as circles here in a Google Chrome Browser:
Once in the Chrome Web Store, search for Goobric and download the extension to your Google Chrome browser. When available for use, Goobric's eye will display within the web adress bar.
Goobric Walkthrough Video
The following video from Jay Atwood is extremely informative and a great resource for Goobric. It is a little on the quiet side but worth putting in headphones to hear:
Instashare is a fairly new app for your iPad or iPhone and it works like AirDrop from one Mac to another. However, many people have requested the same task on their iPad. There are several apps that can do something similar to this, but I believe Instashare is the quickest and easiest to use once you download both the iPad/iPhone app and the MacBook app.
To share files from iPad to MacBook, or vice versa, you will have to turn on the iPad app and the MacBook app. Then, just drag-and-drop files to the specified devices.
We were back in the studio this week from our "on the road edition" of Tech 3 from last week. I'm not a big fan of recording video in a car. This week we shared information on...
Daisy the Dinosaur - Since we were share information on coding and programing, I wanted to share an interesting app that can help introduce students to the basics of computer or game programming. Kindergarteners can easily pick this app up and learn how to apply commands for Daisy the Dinosaur to complete.
We were lucky enough to visit the Illinois ICE Conference, and we created our Tech 3 vodcast while on the way home from the conference. Within the video, you will find two interviews and takeaways from Joe and Dan. Sorry about the footage from the car.
