I watched the webinar and wow! Heidi does a lot for advocacy and connecting with students, parents, and staff.
One item I connected with immediately was how she used Smore on her Destiny home page. I am still using the status quo with standard links on my home page. Smore looks a lot more interesting and easier for students, especially the younger ones.
Also, she seemed to really love Powtoon video. I think these might be the items I check out for Thing 27.
There also were many great articles and idea in the AASL PDF file of the issue on school librarians.
My connection with parents is an introductory news letter in September and two other brief letters advertising the book fair in the fall and June. I also will periodically put short blurbs in classroom weekly newsletters to parents. My connection could definitely use a facelift. I like the idea of using Publisher and email. I know that there is a PTO parent email list and Facebook I may be able to use for more frequent updates.
Another avenue may be the district Parent Connect technology. Parents can log in and check grades and communicate with the classroom teacher. I may investigate our parent usage to decide whether this would reach a wide audience.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Thing 25: Power up your browser!
I decided to look into apps and extensions for Google Chrome. My district is moving to this browser and I have recently been using Google Classroom with my students in the library.
I installed the Read Write app but wasn't able to get it to work. It said it was a free trial and I had to register as a teacher, but couldn't make it work. It was supposed to read documents for students. I can ask my IT advisor next week if it is compatible with our district.
I also added the highlighter extension and the icon showed up in my toolbar, but it didn't seem to work either. I am wondering if there are restrictions for installing things because it is a district computer. I was able to delete the extension.
I'm going to try these two items on my home computer and see if they work there.
I did install the app Typing Club which did work. I liked it and am going to share it with my teachers. I'm wonder if the student accounts will be able to install it though.
I watched a few of the instructional videos and learned how to have two windows open in Google Classroom. When students are reading and answering questions that are in two different windows it will be helpful for them to see them both at the same time. I have a 4th grade lesson I will use it with after break.
I was also able to change the theme for my browser and reset the home page. I am writing this on my district laptop, so I wonder the same theme and homepage will display when I use the desktop that is attached to my Smart Board in my library.
The add-on that I am most excited about is the EasyBib for Docs. I just completed a bibliography unit for my 6th graders and I wish I would have known about this - it is so much easier than what I did use. Just input the ISBN number of the book or copy the URL and it creates the bib entry. I'm going to show it to my students and my teachers.
I found this topic very useful!
I installed the Read Write app but wasn't able to get it to work. It said it was a free trial and I had to register as a teacher, but couldn't make it work. It was supposed to read documents for students. I can ask my IT advisor next week if it is compatible with our district.
I also added the highlighter extension and the icon showed up in my toolbar, but it didn't seem to work either. I am wondering if there are restrictions for installing things because it is a district computer. I was able to delete the extension.
I'm going to try these two items on my home computer and see if they work there.
I did install the app Typing Club which did work. I liked it and am going to share it with my teachers. I'm wonder if the student accounts will be able to install it though.
I watched a few of the instructional videos and learned how to have two windows open in Google Classroom. When students are reading and answering questions that are in two different windows it will be helpful for them to see them both at the same time. I have a 4th grade lesson I will use it with after break.
I was also able to change the theme for my browser and reset the home page. I am writing this on my district laptop, so I wonder the same theme and homepage will display when I use the desktop that is attached to my Smart Board in my library.
The add-on that I am most excited about is the EasyBib for Docs. I just completed a bibliography unit for my 6th graders and I wish I would have known about this - it is so much easier than what I did use. Just input the ISBN number of the book or copy the URL and it creates the bib entry. I'm going to show it to my students and my teachers.
I found this topic very useful!
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