Winter Break Fun! Virtual Stickerboards 101

Ok, a fellow #EdTechie that I follow shared something FUN this week and I just had to share it with our readers before we all mad dash to the parking lot on Friday for our long winter's break! I am addicted and thought it might be a great 'over the break' activity to share with students that takes very little set up on your part.

🧩 If you LOVE puzzles or crafts, you have probably seen Sticker Poster Kits made by companies such as StickTogether. In my district, I most often see the giant posters in the library to engage students and provide brain breaks.

⭐️ The company StickTogether has VIRTUAL stickerboards for 🆓. That's right, you and your students can create and participate in a virtual sticker board synchronously or asynchronously. What fun it could be to see a 'surprise image' come together with your students, either in the classroom or while on winter break. 

Here is one I am working on with another group! I'm so excited to see what it will be.

🥳 So, OF COURSE, I am sharing a virtual board here with you!! Let's see if we can complete it. I have set the limit to 100 pixels per day as WE build the puzzle. Add all throughout the break and let's see if we can complete it. 

➡️ Find our puzzle here ⬅️

🎨 Creating your OWN is so easy! Follow these steps (or more information here):

1️⃣ Sign up at StickTogether with Virtual Stickerboards Platform with just your EMAIL, no password needed. Next, verify your email.

2️⃣ Choose an image and give it a title, 💡 but don't give the image away.

3️⃣ Configure your dashboard, set limits per day and get your link! That's it!!

How to create and share a Virtual Stickerboard with StickTogether.

🟩 🟥 ⬜️ 🟩 🟥 ⬜️ 🟩 🟥 ⬜️  Happy Stickerboarding! 🟩 🟥 ⬜️ 🟩 🟥 ⬜️ 🟩 🟥 ⬜️

Copy Canvas Course: 10-4 Roger That

I have a 10-17 (Urgent Business) for high school instructors who give semester credits for your course! Happy Holidays, at the end of the semester you will get the gift of a new course once the fall course concludes at the end of the semester. 

10-9: Let me repeat my message! It will soon be time to copy your fall Canvas course over to your spring semester course shell created for you! Don’t worry! Your fall course is not going away, it will just be concluded for the fall semester. You will still have access to it, but the students will not.

If that is a 10-4 (affirmative), let’s walk through how to copy your course over to your new course shell. This will include content such as assignments, modules, pages, discussions, etc from your previous course.

In your new spring semester course shell, click on your Settings link in your left course navigation.

On the right of the settings screen, click on Import Course Content link.

Under Import Content, click the drop down menu next to Content Type and select Copy a Canvas Course. When you select "Copy a Canvas Course" more options will open. 

Click in the Search for a course box and type your fall course name. Make sure to check whether you want all content moved to your new course shell or you can specifically select certain content. 

I HIGHLY recommend clicking Adjust events and due dates if you plan on copying any of the content to reuse in the spring semester.

Whatever you import will overwrite/replace any content in the new course.

Once you have all of your ducks in row, click on the blue IMPORT button! You can now continue where you left off in the fall once your spring semester has students enrolled! It could take a while to copy depending on the amount of content.

10-10: transmission complete.

Got time for a quick chat? You DO in Teams!

Two weeks ago, we blogged about using

Microsoft Teams as a virtual meeting platform  - this allows for unlimited time in a virtual meeting. If you are considering the switch from Zoom to Teams for virtual meetings, it may ALSO be a great time to utilize Teams Chat. 

So....we are following up our first post with information on Teams Chat. In Keller ISD, Microsoft Teams is a product that we currently subscribe to in our district.

Give Teams Chat a try by starting here:

1️⃣. Access TEAMS through either:

• the Application 
  From Launchpad (Mac Book) or Windows (Surfacebook), search Microsoft Teams and open the application.
  
  
• or KCloud 
  From KCloud, search Office 365 and choose Teams on the left.
  
  

2️⃣. In Teams, choose CHAT and NEW CHAT to begin a communication with an individual or group in your organization.

That's it! 🤩 Chatting in Teams is easy to start and great for a team that utilizes a communication tool throughout the work day!

For more help from Microsoft support, click here: Teams Chat. 

Microsoft Teams + Virtual Meetings = BIG WIN!

So the pandemic hit in 2020 and we all learned Zoom really fast... like crash course in a virtual platform. Zoom is an amazing virtual platform and their company offered free connection for the pandemic and beyond. 

However, Zoom has returned to providing unlimited meeting times for paying customers. Free accounts are limited to 40 minutes. If this fits your needs, great - 😍 - we still love Zoom!

It's possible though that you need longer meeting times and are simply having your participants rejoin the Zoom link over and over. If this is not optimal for your situation, you have a solution in Keller ISD. 

It's Microsoft Teams - 🤩. And you already have an account. This is a service that we pay for in our district; therefore allowing you to have unlimited virtual meetings. 

Curious to give it a try? Here is a Teams / Zoom side-by-side comparison. 

Give TEAMS a try! You are going to ❤️ it!

Teams Meetings How-To

Chrome Tabs out of control? Rein them in!

So, let's talk about the issue. You have 62 tabs open on your device at any given time in 5-10 different Chrome windows. Yes, tab hoarder, I'm talking to you. 

In fact, before I started writing this blog post, I pointedly closed every extra tab I had open just to make myself feel organized and accomplished. I don't know about you, but I struggle with closing tabs when switching from project to project... I just want to make sure I don't 'lose' anything or that I can 'pick back up' exactly where I left off when I return to that project. 

You NEED  a way to keep tabs on your tabs and Google has one for you! Tab Groups is what you are missing. 

Tab Groups let you 'group' multiple tabs together using name and color customization. These groups can be collapsed to simplify your Chrome window and help you focus on whatever task is at hand. Then when it's time to switch projects, you can simply collapse one group and open a new set keep up the productivity.

Here's how:

1️⃣. Right-click on a tab and choose Add Tab to New Group.

3️⃣. Enter a name for the group (optional) and choose the group color.

4️⃣. Add more tabs to the group by right-clicking and adding.

5️⃣. Expand or collapse a tab group by clicking its name or colored circle.

6️⃣. Reorder tab groups by clicking and holding the name of the group and dragging to the desired spot.

Just like that you have reined in those out of control Chrome tabs! Now focus on one project at a time without worry that your tabs will disappear.

Note: Chrome tabs will not hold on your device if you quit Chrome and shut down your device UNLESS you are using this setting:

➡️ 3 dots on Chrome Window > Settings > On Startup > Continue where you left off

Chrome Tab Groups Google Support

Celebrate Computer Science Week with Hour of Code

Register Now!! October is the time of year you can officially register your class or students for Code.org’s Hour of Code annual challenge during Computer Science Education Week in December! This world- wide learning event December 5-11 includes one hour tutorials & challenges in various languages showing students the basics of coding while helping them understand how easy it can be!


It is time to spotlight the impact and importance of computer science on our world today! The computer science skills learned during Hour of Code provide students with an introduction and experience that can lead to a future career in technology. Not only can students participate in the Hour of Code, but there are follow up activities to continue learning!

                                     

Students in Kindergarten and up can navigate through activities across multiple devices through coding with familiar characters from Minecraft, Cartoon Network, PBS Kids, Barbie, Star Wars, Disney, The Grinch and so much more!!

Search activities by grade level and beginner/comfortable filters. Grade ranges are pre-reader, grades 2-5, grades 6-8, grades 9+, You can also filter by what type of technology available in your classroom or no devices at all!!! Choose your subject area and the amount of time you want to spend, and get the students started!!

Self guided or Teacher led challenges open up endless possibilities for how you would like to experience Hour of Code in the classroom setting. It doesn't even have to be a school group. Any group of students and adults can take advantage of this coding opportunity!

Code.org is a non profit organization who has been promoting computer science through the Hour of Code since 2013. Their website

https://hourofcode.com/us walks you through every step from learning about Hour of Code, planning, spreading the word, and celebrating your event! https://hourofcode.com/us/how-to

Make sure to celebrate your community, school, and students completion of the Hour of Code on all social media using the hash #HourOfCode @Code.org



“The 'Hour of Code™'/'Hora del Código®' is a global initiative by Computer Science Education Week [csedweek.org] and Code.org [code.org] to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.”

It's Digital Citizenship Week - How Can You Make a Difference?

We are arriving in your inbox early this week - Monday instead of Thursday. Why you ask??? Because it's Digital Citizenship Week! 

Two weeks ago we posted about some great Digital Citizenship Activities in Nearpod - read that post here. 

Today, we wanted to bring you a few other interesting #DigCit resources that might be useful for highlighting the vital topic of Digital Citizenship. Every opportunity we as teachers, librarians, coaches, counselors, administrators and parents have to teach digital citizenship skills helps build digital leaders for the future.

Here are three free tools for #DigCit Week. Give one of them a try!

☝️  Everyday DigCit by Nancy Watson 

This resource is so easy to use and requires no copies, no student devices, and no previewing curriculum. The only thing you need as the teacher is your phone! Nancy has created questions and talking points for you and your students. 

1️⃣. Click on the Everyday DigCit link and scan the QR code on the page to get the app or use from your web browser.

2️⃣. Choose the level of your students - Primary, Intermediate, Middle or High School. 

3️⃣. Next choose a DigCit area of focus:

• Safety and Security
• Communication
• Information Literacy
• Curriculum Connections
• and more! 

4️⃣. Finally, begin a great discussion around the #DigCit questions and talking points you find!! (Think 4 corners, think-pair-share, Philosophical Chairs, etc.)

✌️  Social Media Test Drive by Cornell's Social Media Lab

This resource, targeted for middle school students, is simply amazing. Social Media Test Drive simulates realistic digital dilemmas and scenarios that students might encounter in the real social media world. Currently, there are 12 modules in the areas of Accounts and Passwords, Shaping your Digital Footprint, How to be an Upstander, and more! 

1️⃣. Start at the Social Media Test Drive Modules.

2️⃣. Choose a module for your students and share the link with them through any learning management system. 

3️⃣. Each module has 4 sections: 

• Learn
• Practice
• Explore
• Reflect 

⭐️My favorite part of this resource is that students are actually practicing skills in a social media feed. So cool!

It is important to note that there is no login or class option for Social Media Test Drive; therefore no data is stored in the platform. However, students are prompted to 'Print' (or save to PDF) their answers allowing for a turn in option. 

👌  Be Internet Awesome by Google

This resource, targeted for 2nd-6th graders, has long been one of my favorites. Be Internet Awesome includes a full digital citizenship downloadable curriculum with ready-to-teach slides, printable activities, posters, family engagement resources, certificates, badges, coloring books and the Interland digital citizenship game! 

1️⃣. Go to Be Internet Awesome

2️⃣. Check out the Units on:

• Be Internet Smart
• Be Internet Alert
• Be Internet Strong
• Be Internet Kind
• Be Internet Brave

3️⃣. Utilize the Lessons, Slides, Activities and digital Interland Game to teach amazing digital leadership to students!

 Now, go have an amazing #DigCit Week!

 

 

The Tech Tool Formerly Known as Flipgrid

Student voice and choice are so important right now. The pandemic and pandemic learning left so many students struggling and behind academically, socially, and emotionally. One struggle is the fear students have to speak up. The fear of having the answer wrong, someone making fun of them, or they feel they have nothing to contribute has created a silence reverberating through our classrooms. Let's not go backwards! We had made so much growth with the explosion of applications and web tools that made instruction engaging and fun for students. Those tools are still out there! Let’s use them to ReEngage our students using the newly branded FLIP (previously known as Flipgrid)

You can sign into FLIP with your SSO with Microsoft, Google, and Apple, or you can sign in with an email address.


Logged in you will see your dashboard with any groups or flips you have previously created. If this is your first time, WELCOME, and your dashboard will be empty.


Start by adding any groups or joining a group! In the top right corner you have the + Group option as well as Camera to just record and your profile circle with more options.



                 

Click on + Group to add a group or join a group. Create a group for your classes or small groups. You can also create groups across classes for a more varied point of view! Use this with teachers in professional development, or have a group wishing a friend Happy Birthday!

You can also click on Camera at the top right of your dashboard to record videos from 15 seconds to 10 minutes for free! There are so many options with the FLIP camera!





The amazing add ons make flip so exciting and engaging. Down the right side you can add text, write, add stickers, add gifs, add frames, change the background and so much more!!! There is also an option to upload a picture if students are camera shy. They can upload a picture and still speak their truth!


Previously known as Flipgrid, Flip has been rebranded by Microsoft and has so many cool updates coming or already here! Visit their site to read about all of the fun things here and on the horizon.


https://info.flip.com/blog/product-updates/flip-rebrand-features.html?ocid=inapp_web_fliprebrand


Want to be inspired? Ready to give students a voice and choice but not sure where to start? Flip has amazing resources like their blog https://info.flip.com/blog/tips.html, their Educators Tool Kit https://info.flip.com/about/educator-toolkit.html, and even Flip Events that are hosted by famous and inspiring people! https://info.flip.com/events.html


Ideas for utilizing FLIP in your classroom setting:

Get to Know Yous

Daily Check Ins

Response to Reading

Debates

Discussions

Explanation

Record Instrument, Vocals, Physical Ed challenges

Demonstrate a skill

Demonstrate Foreign Language

Share and Present Work

Reflections

Exit Ticket

Aha Moments

Read Aloud practice

Flip Pals (Like pen pals)

And soooooooo much more!!!



Please remember COPPA and FERPA Laws when utilizing Flip in your classroom. Flips Terms of Use states, “Student Members of any age, including Student Members who are Children, may only use the Service at the invitation and under the supervision of a School Lead who has agreed to these Terms and obtained parental consent.” Please be mindful of your district's AUP and guidelines when using web tools in your classroom.


Ready to go? Let's get this party started!

#DigCit Week is Almost Here!

It's finally OCTOBER and time for all things FALL: cooler weather, pumpkin everything, sweaters, Friday night lights, apple cider, marching band, hayrides, candy corn and... 

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP WEEK!

#DigCit Week is October 17th-21st this year. What a great time to teach about digital citizenship skills including:

• using devices safely
• becoming a responsible digital leader
• social media and your digital footprint
• cyberbullying
• information literacy
• and so much more!

Where can you go for great #DigCit content? In Keller ISD, you've got an amazing tool in your back pocket!! And if your district does not subscribe to Nearpod, you can utilize free content from Nearpod. 

Nearpod Digital Citizenship Week

Here is how you can plan some solid #DigCit activities including lessons, activities, videos and more during Digital Citizenship Week:

1) Sign in to KCloud > Nearpod

2) Search 'DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP'

3) Filter by grade level

4) Find a treasure trove of lessons, activities, games and video learning opportunities on #DigCit for your ALL students! (Some lessons can be found in Spanish as well.)

🌟Let's teach our students to be GREAT Digital Leaders!

Pump Up the Jam: Get your PD Work(out) Done!

Pump it up! Work out your brain while gaining unexpendable knowledge you can turn around and use immediately in your role in education! What if I told you, just by being staff for a school district, private, or charter school you have access to free or greatly reduced professional development from your regional service center!!!

The Education Service Center Region 11 in White Settlement, Texas has so many opportunities for learning and growth as an educator or educational support personnel. Not only do they offer in person conferences, professional development opportunities, training, and collaborations, they have so many online sessions on their website www.esc11.net. It is like a total brain workout! 

You can search by specific subject and topics or browse their upcoming sessions. Get your brain activity strengthened with virtual live online meet ups, online self paced courses, in person trainings or mini conferences, and so much more!! ESC Region 11 will even take requests! 

Along with professional development, Region 11 has so many chances for you to meet up with like minded individuals in user groups, mini conferences, and training. Find your kind of people to collaborate with and have for continued support! Group workouts are the best! 

ESC Region 11 serves 10 counties, 76 school districts, 90 charter schools, and 143 private schools, plus so much more! They serve tens of thousands of educators, school staff, and leaders! They are always looking for ways to serve the needs of their counties! Curious if you get to take advantage of all of their amazing resources, follow this link to find out more: Schools Information / Who Do We Serve?

Now that you know of this amazing resource, go get your PD on!! 

Make Scheduling SIMPLE with Appointment Schedules

So... parent conferences are around the corner. Dread the back and forth emails about scheduling? Do you want to make it SIMPLE for both YOU and PARENTS?! Yes, of course you do! Try Google Calendar Appointment Schedules. It's so SIMPLE to: 

• set up;
• send guardians a booking page; and 
• then watch your appointment schedule fill up. (It even sends one or multiple reminders to participants based on your customization.)

Google Appointment Schedules rolled out this past April (2022) and allows users to share their availability via a booking page, which can be used by external participants to schedule time. Note: Google still has Appointment Slots in place which is helpful for internal users inside your domain.

If you need this in your life, here is how to get started:

Need more support?

How to Set Up Google Calendar Appointment Schedule

Great video resource: Parent Teacher Conference Sign-Up Appointment Page in Google Calendar!

Let's Go Explore.org!

 

Experience the world through media housed on Explore.org, a philanthropic live nature cam network and documentary film organization that brings the world to you! This division of the Annenberg Foundation provides a vast range of humanitarian topics featuring animal rights, the environment, educational topics and so much more! 

Become global explorers right from your Chrome browser utilizing Live Cams to see various biomes, habitats and animals! Live cameras capture the magic of African animals, birds, coral reefs, sanctuaries and other wild life experiences. Students can truly experience playful Pandas while learning about the region the animals live in, the current weather, and even the non-profit organizations helping them and how they can support animal rights. Join in real time to engage and see first hand observations of animals like sharks, bats, horses, alligators, bears, etc  

Explore.org/education provides lesson plans and links to additional resources for you to utilize their media content! Plus, calendared events help you prepare in advance to watch Bear Cams, the African Show, Orcas and more and pair it with the amazing instruction already happening inside the classroom.

You can filter by animal types such as the page “Nestflix”,  which gives you 50 streams focusing on anything with wings. African wildlife follows animals such as tigers, elephants, gorillas and more. 

No matter what animal you are interested in and which biome you are studying, Explore.org has a live cam for you!