FETC Video Reviews

There are many resources that can be found at our fingertips to help us grow as individuals. Quite frankly there isn’t much you couldn’t learn about by simply doing an online search. The reality is that for most the vastness is almost overwhelming. I want to take a few minutes to review a couple of videos from the 2015 FETC - Future of Education Technology Conference that may help us narrow the search online and perhaps provide resources that can be used right now. Both videos reviewed below focus the use of tools powered by Google. If you didn’t already know Google is more than just a search engine.

The first is a video entitled Three Ways Google Tools Can Save Teachers Time. Rushton Hurley, the lead speaker for Next Vista for Learning, share ways teachers can save time using technologies. In reality, the video talk almost as much about the appropriate mindset and philosophy of a 21st century educator. Key points from this 41 minute presentation include: 1) don’t reinvent the wheel, 2) use tools to be more efficient with understanding student understanding, 3) use collaboration in your classroom for notes and shared learning. If you are familiar with Google, you will be well aware of the tools they have to do these very things. Let’s take a closer look at Mr. Hurley’s ideas through a list of ideas.

If you design lessons with videos or powerpoints, consider using the vast collection online instead. By using “filetype:” you can narrow your search to just the types of things you are looking for. For example, “technology leadership filetype: ppt” will get only powerpoints about the area of technology leadership. This is certainly a handy tool to narrow your search.

Google Drive contains a wonderful collection of tools to help us streamline our processes. Google Forms could help complete a quick check for understanding, while Google Docs allows us to share and collaborate on document at the same time. These are all at your fingertips just by creating a free Google account. Most school are even using this tool as a Google School. You can register your school with a gmail domain to give access to students and teacher to utilize all these tools for free.

Finally, we can’t forget about the power of Youtube. There are so many video showing how to do almost anything. Mr. Hurley suggests adding “tutorial” to the search when you want to know how to get visual steps on a process. For example, if you want to learn how to use Google Forms just type “Google Forms Tutorial.”


A second video is Hidden Secrets of GAFE (Google Apps for Education). Within this 47 minute video Mindra Wise, a Technology Facilitator, digs deeper into some of the finer points of the Google Apps and explains a little more about tools Google has to offer. Again, let’s list a few of the points Mindra talks through.

In Google Docs, Sheets, Forms and Slides there are number of features that to assist learners. One is the share feature which allows the owner to invite other to become editors with them in the document and make it public. Additional these editors can go back to previous versions to restore deleted text or check the history of edits. Using the “Explore” tool allows you to add research information and automatically adds the reference for you.

There are many other Add-on features within the Apps that allow you do more than the basics. Using these add-ons is as simple as clicking and searching what you are looking for.

Google Classroom continues to grow in and it is a wonderful way to connect classrooms together while staying connected to all the tools of Google. It is available only if you have a Google For Education Member.

Google Calendar also offers a variety tools beyond just a schedule. You can invite and schedule appointments.

In addition there are a number of Extension that you can add to Google Chrome. These extensions allow you to do more with Google. Some featured items include Tab Scissor and Tab Glue. This allows you to split your tabs into two screens. Screencastify allows you to video your screen as you go.

As I reflect on the presenters work here, I consider how I might implement them at my school. As a leader for my school in this area, I first want to gain some experience with these tools. I hope that connecting with this blog or through Twitter Chats I can learn more about their applications in schools. Then as I grow, I will look for opportunities to share the skills I have acquired through both formal professional learning and informal gatherings. As a Google School for Education we have access to these tools. Some of them mentioned here where a part of a day long technology training I did with staff in August. Many of the staff have begun to experiment with these tools. I am excited to see that they are impacting our daily routines.

References

[Fetc - future of education technology]. (2015, February 8). Three ways google tools can save teachers time. Retrieved October 28, 2016 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMZQr8kT4zs&list=PLIgAnl6l23ewfWL_oHYRFSBqwZ9ITfQqf&index=36

[Fetc - future of education technology]. (2015, February 8). Hidden Secrets of GAFE (Google Apps for Education). Retrieved October 28, 2016 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XESMFoH-IHU&index=24&list=PLIgAnl6l23ewfWL_oHYRFSBqwZ9ITfQqf

(n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/

(n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=google+forms+tutorial+2016

(n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=google+docs+add+ons+tutorial

@. (n.d.). Google Forms – Easy to create surveys and forms for everyone. Retrieved October 28, 2016, from https://gsuite.google.com/intl/en_us/products/forms/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=na-US-all-en-dr-bkws-all-all-trial-b-na&utm_content=text-ad-none-any-DEV_c-CRE_146186022706-ADGP_BD - Google Forms - Broad-KWID_43700008720983935&utm_term=KW_google forms-ST_google forms

About Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2016, from https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/answer/6020279?hl=en

Google for Education: A solution built for teachers and students. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2016, from https://eduproducts.withgoogle.com/?lb=edu-registration&_ga=1.73577937.2115190911.1477683854&__utma=173272373.2115190911.1477683854.1477683854.1477683854.1&__utmb=173272373.4.8.1477683868267&__utmc=173272373&__utmx=-&__utmz=173272373.1477683854.1.1.utmcsr&__utmv=-&__utmk=14652151

Mindra WiseTechnology Facilitator. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2016, from http://www.mindrawise.com/

Next Vista for Learning. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2016, from http://www.nextvista.org/

B. (2014, February 15). Introducing Screencastify. Retrieved October 28, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfucb1gy8VA

G. (2009, November 18). What is Google Chrome OS? Retrieved October 28, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QRO3gKj3qw

License, B. 3. (n.d.). What are extensions? Retrieved October 28, 2016, from https://developer.chrome.com/extensions

L. (2013, August 15). Google Calendar tutorial: Creating appointment slots | lynda.com. Retrieved October 28, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ97hx8-mdA

ISTE Standards for Students

Unpacking The ISTE Standards for Students (2016)

As the new standards are rolled out this year, I will take a moment to unpack each one and make some suggestions of how schools might consider giving students learning opportunities related to the standards.

1. Empowered Learners - The essence of this standard is that student use technologies to grow in their knowledge and skills.  It is at the core of instruction and the main reason we should have technology as a part of our educational process.  The best way to have students demonstrate this is by giving them frequent opportunity to engage in the learning with technology.  One key item is to give students choices in how to present their knowledge or skill.  For example, a teacher assigns a presentation activity.  A discussion could be had what technology might be appropriate for such a task, but leaves the final choice to the students to decide individually what to use.  In lower grades it could be simply the integration a variety of tools in learning to help students see the uses of different technology tools.

2. Digital Citizen - This is likely the most discussed area around the nation in the area of technology.  Students need to learn appropriate use of technology in a world that is so vastly interconnected.  I think most school would recommend or have done seminars or assemblies on this issue.  Most schools have policies that are articulated to students at the beginning of each year.  I believe this is a good first step and is critical in continued effort to get the message out.  Other ideas to promote this concept is to do follow-up communications with student throughout the year.  Processes like mass emails and homeroom activities are great ways to remind students about ethical issue.  Additionally, I think parent education is important.  Many school have added technology news to their newsletters and communications with parents.  I also know many student are given a survey in our area from Bright Bytes which helps schools determine student level of literacy for technology.  The local high school designed an online course for all freshman to take regarding this topic.   It engages parents in the discussion and provides a strong backbone of expectations for students.

3. Knowledge Constructor - Technology should be used for its awesome power to shrink the world.  It provides access to so much information.  Student need to learn to take the vast information and apply it to their own learning.  Teachers should be supplying student with multiple resources and having them summarize the learning.  A great place for  this would be on a debated issue.  Have student gather information from opposing viewpoints to create their own perspective.  This can be done a varied levels depending on student age.  Younger students, obviously, need more parameters.  Also using tools like Google Docs would help students take information from a variety of sources in one spot.  There is also a citing feature on Docs which makes crediting sources much easier.

4. Innovative Designer - This standard is closely related to the idea of Rigor and Relevance.  The ideas is that technology can be used to solve authentic problems.  The key here is that educators provide some open-ended activities.  I think one of the great example of this is the Lego and robotics leagues that have grown over the last decade.  Student are asked to problem solve real issues that our world is facing along with the design and construction of robotic tools to accomplish tasks.  Many STEM units also work on the similar principals.  PLTW in Iowa has promoted this learning with their programs.  I also think this is where coding instruction can be used.  Schools should consider how students are learning at least the basics of coding, perhaps through a computer class or exploratory.

5. Computational Thinker - The element most noteworthy in this standard is the use of technology to simplify work that can be tedious.  Excel or other spreadsheet applications are great examples of tools students should be learning to use.  Teachers can use these programs to have student test formulas or develop graphs that demonstrate information quickly.  They can also evaluate data points or reports that change with new information utilizing technology.

6. Creative Communicator - At the center of this standard is authentic student work.  Student need to develop and create original work using technology.  Educators should give students opportunities to express themselves as they demonstrate mastery of learning.  Video blogs, website design, iMovies and 3D printings are just a few mediums that could be used to allow students to creatively express their knowledge and skills on objectives.

7. Global Collaborator - How students work with others can be greatly enhance with digital tools.  There are many great opportunities for students.  Consider using Google Doc to share notes from class or write a group project.  Another great option is connecting with on an author via a video conference.  A Spanish teacher I know connected with a Spanish teacher in Brazil where the native language is Portuguese.  They had students video chat in Spanish as it was the only shared language  Even the idea of teaching student the basics of email etiquette and and texting skills can help promote communication with technology.

There you have a little bit about the standards and some examples to consider.  Do you have other ideas?  Please share and don't forget to visit the ISTE website for more resources.