What I Love Series: ClassDojo

I love using ClassDojo. I started using it briefly in 2014. I first heard about it at EdCamp in 2014. I thought I'd try it out on my current 2nd-grade class and then stop using it. 

I started trying it out on my 2nd-grade class. I set up positive points and introduced it to my class. My idea was to use it for one week only and then never again. Well, that is NOT how it went! My class loved earning positive points. They loved sharing that information with their parents and needless to say, we never stopped using it. 

Then I became an instructional tech trainer and did not have a class to use it with anymore. I kept tabs on their awesome updates over the years and when I returned to the classroom this year, I knew I had to use it. 

Reason #1 Why I Love ClassDojo

We started the year by introducing the tools and the positive points. Then as we began the year talking about coping skills and growth mindset, the Big Idea lessons fit in perfectly. We learned more about mindset, perseverance, empathy, gratitude, and mindfulness.

Reason #2 Why I Love ClassDojo

Many of my parents speak Spanish, however with ClassDojo I can message parents and then it will translate the message for parents and vice versa for when they message me! It's a win-win!

Reason #3 I Love ClassDojo

The Class Story feature allows me to give parents a sneak peek into the daily happenings of our classroom. Parents have stated they feel more connected to our classroom because they can see what their child is doing and learning each day. 

ClassDojo is a great classroom tool and offers so many resources, from a getting started guide for teachers to guided PD resources for school staff. These are just a few reasons I love ClassDojo. 

Catch the Fever...Flipgrid Fever

What is Flipgrid?
Flipgrid is a tool to amplify student voice. It can be used on PCs, Macs, chromebooks or mobile devices. it is a simple video discussion platform which can spark creativity and engage students in a learning community. 

How can I use Flipgrid?
1. Book Clubs - This could be used as an asynchronous discussion platform about a book. Each student reads the book and then share thoughts or answers questions relating to the book read.

2. Introductions - Making introductions and new friends can be intimidating sometimes. Why not make introductions before school or an event occurs? This would calm the nerves of some and allow for possible collaboration and rapport building before the event.

3. Number Talks - Number Talks are awesome especially when you can see the wheels turning in young minds. Flipgrid would allow you to slow the pace of the Numer Talk as well as provide an opportunity for every student to share and add to the conversation.

4. Exit Ticket - Flipgrid would allow for oral ext tickets after a lesson and allow for students to learn from each other.

Join our conversation
Share a few of your favorite lessons or activities using Flipgrid. 

There's a Bitmoji for That

Did you know you can add Bitmojis to you Google Docs, Drawing, Slides and more? Bitmojis are a fun way to personalize emails, texts and much more.

Bitmoji Chrome Extension
First, install the Bitmoji Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store. Once you add this extension, it will show up to the left of the omnibox with your other extensions.Then create an account and customize your avatar to look just like you!

Adding Your Bitmoji to Google Products

You can add your bitmoji to items you create such as Google Docs, Slides and more. 

Bitmojis can be used not only to enhance products but also to provide feedback, highlight key words/ phrases, open a discussion, reinforce instructions or even as a response on a Google Form.

Share a few ways you are adding bitmojis to learning!

Stay Tuned for Some Exciting New Blog Posts

Stay tuned for some exciting new blog posts coming soon!

Discover Discovery Education

Discovery Education (DE) helps transform the learning environment by providing engaging, standards-based content. DE provides a digital textbook series, streaming services, professional development and a professional learning community.

Streaming Services
You can search for streaming content by topic or standard. There is content for all grade levels Kindergarten through twelfth grade. 

Professional Learning Center
The Professional Learning Center allows educators to learn and grow with each other as well as connect with others. DE offers resources such as instructional strategies, webinars and learning academies. 

Don't forget to connect with DE on social media.

These are just a few resources of what DE has to offer. Log in and discover all of the resources available to engage students and create digitally engaging content.

Buncee

What is Buncee?
Buncee is a tool used to create and present content. It allows for the impactful and visually appealing design to creatively communicate concepts.

How Can I Use Buncee in My Classroom?
Are you looking for ways to use Buncee in your classroom? Check out these ideas and examples from the Buncee Blog.

Announcements - Create an announcement to engage and prepare your students for the day.


Mini Lessons - Use in your mini lesson time or send it home the day before and start to flip your classroom. 


Exit Tickets - Check for understanding with a quick activity at the end of the lesson or day. 


What Else Does Buncee Have to Offer?

• Formative Assessments Using Buncee - Check for understanding with Buncee by creating graphic organizers, templates, and rubrics. You can also use the multiple choice or free response question type or even use it as a reflection tool.
• Interactive Student Notebooks - Take you interactive notebooks digital with audio and video recording.
• Buncee Buddies - This is your chance to participate in a digital pen pal program to connect with classrooms around the world.

Back to School Excitement

We start school in 11 days...yes 11 days! Yikes! As I head back to school, I am sharing a few ed tech resources to make life easier for teachers to prepare for the year. Below are a few of my favorite tools!

1. Flipgrid - This is my new "it" tool for 2017. The reason I love Flipgrid is that it allows for equity of student voice. If you are on Twitter follow the hashtag #flipgridfever for more ideas of how to use it in your classroom.

2. Adobe Spark - I have been presenting on this tool A LOT over the last year. Spark allows you to create meaningful and visually appealing web stories and videos.  

3. Twitter - If you are still not on Twitter, you are missing out. This is where I learn about new resources, see what's going on around the world in education as well as connect with other educators. 

This year I am looking forward to sharing more great resources with teachers and campus leaders, encouraging risk-taking and personalizing professional learning!

Adobe Spark

What is Adobe Spark?

Adobe Spark is a program to create videos, images and web pages. It is a way to make your communication more impactful. 

How can I use Adobe Spark in my Classroom?

There are many ways to use this in your classroom, from school tours to science fairs to memes. Class Tech Tips has several other ways mentioned in her blog post, 5 Classroom Activities for the NEW Video Feature in Spark.

Recently our district's instructional coaches participated in PD about Adobe Spark. To learn more about how to use the tool and think about how to integrate it, they had to complete three challenges. 

There are many other ways to use Adobe Spark. Share with us your favorite ways to use Spark in the classroom in the comments section!

~Happy Learning~

SMART Notebook 16

SMART came out with SMART Notebook 16.1 this past summer. It has many great features. Below is a highlight of two of my favorite SMART Notebook 16.1 features.

Widgets
SMART has updated a few of their old flash based widgets to HTML 5. Your favorite widgets including the timer, clock and dice are still available!

To access your widgets go to your gallery, then search for widgets and they will pop up. Then you can select the one you are looking to use. 

SMART Lab
The top hat icon has been replaced with a tiny monster icon. To access SMART Labs, just click on that icon. Creating an activity takes a few minutes. Labs can be customized and are very engaging for students. 

As you are using SMART Notebook 16.1 to create fun, engaging and meaningful learning activities for your students, don't forget to visit SMART Exchange for your pre-made resources!

#ETCoach Blog Challenge Week 3

As an Ed Tech Coach, I love sharing cool new tech tools to engage students and transform teaching and learning. 

1. Hootsuite - This tool allows users to manage multiple social media networks and profiles. 

2. Canva - This tool allows you to create infographics, flyers and more. The tool is very intuitive and simple. 

3. Adobe Spark - Adobe Spark lets users create and share pictures and videos. This is a great tool for digital storytelling.

4. Plickers - This is a great tool for classrooms without a response system. Plickers require printed plicker cards and a teacher mobile device. It is great for formative assessments or exit tickets.

5. SMART Notebook - This tool allows teachers to create engaging and interactive lessons for students using the SMART board. 

Quizzes in Google Forms

In the past there has been this awesome add-on called, Flubaroo, to create self-grading quizzes in Google Forms. Now Google has added that feature to their Forms.

This feature can be used as an exit ticket or a formative assessment. It also immediately sends feedback to the teacher. The teacher can view data from the entire class or by individual. 

Here's how easy it is to set up a quiz.

If you have tried Google Quizzes, let us know how you like it!