Weekly Tips and News for June 3, 2016

The end of the school year is sooooo close! If you are interested in preventing that "summer slide" yourself, I'll continue to post tech related information to help you further develop your tech skills, and hopefully inspire you to try new things over the summer to use next year. Keep in mind, if there's a new skill or project you'd like to try over the summer for next year, but need help figuring out or refining - please contact me. I'm working all summer, and will happily take a break from the summer maintenance tasks to help you out!

Articles included in this week's blog:

• Deep Dive into Google Drive
• 6 Features in the Gmail Compose Window You Didn't Realize Were There,
• 6 Steps to Transition to Digital
• How to Create a Word Cloud in Google Docs
• 13 Ways to Create Unforgettable Multimedia with Adobe Spark
• 3 Reasons You Should be Using PBS LearningMedia
• Poke a Stick at It:  Being a Lifelong EdTech Learner
• Taming Twitter

Deep Dive into Google Drive

Refresh your Google Drive skills so it's less of a mystery and mess. Organize your My Drive over summer break so you can start the next school year organized and able to find your files.

6 Features in the Gmail Compose Window You Didn't Realize Were There

6 Features in the Gmail Compose Window You Didn't Realize Were There from the BetterCloud Monitor

Highlights from this include adding a block quote to an email, attaching Dropbox files, Bitmoji emojis, attaching files directly from Drive, using the built-in spell check tool, and canned responses.

6 Steps to Transition to Digital

6 Steps to Transition to Digital, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller

If you are searching for ways to integrate technology into your classroom, there are so many things to consider. Replacing a task you already do using pencil and paper with technology - without leveraging that technology to enhance the activity - is using technology for the sake of using technology. Here are some things to consider.

How to Create a Word Cloud in Google Docs

How to Create a Word Cloud in Google Docs, by Better Cloud Monitor (formerly the Google Gooru)

Word clouds are not only fun to create, but are also useful to see what words you use the most in your writing. By using a Docs Add-on, word clouds become a breeze.

13 Ways to Create Unforgettable Multimedia with Adobe Spark

13 Ways to Create Unforgettable Multimedia with Adobe Spark
from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller

Unlike Adobe Voice, Spark is usable on iPads, Chromebooks, PCs and Macs because it is accessible via a website. There are three parts to Adobe Spark:  Post to create graphics like posters and memes (like the memes at right and at the top of the page, which I created in about 3 minutes), Video, and Page to create simple web pages that include images, videos and text.  A word of caution: according to the Terms of Service, users must be 13+ so students will not be able to create their own accounts. Instead you would need to create one generic account for all students to use, and refrain from using the online social components.

3 Reasons You Should be Using PBS LearningMedia

3 Reasons You Should be Using PBS LearningMedia from Learn Lead Grow by Matt Bergman
There are so many amazing media resources available at PBS LearningMedia! This site has so much more than just videos, there are also other tools, such as Lesson Builder, Quizmaker, Storyboard, and Puzzle Builder, as well as also professional development resources. Read on and explore.

Poke a Stick at It:  Being a Lifelong EdTech Learner

Poke a Stick at It:  Being a Lifelong EdTech Learner from Control Alt Achieve, by Eric Curts
Have you found in your class that it's much better if students learn how to figure out the answer to a problem, rather than memorize it? The same is true with technology. Here's some insight on that thought.

Taming Twitter

Taming Twitter from Control Alt Achieve, by Eric Curts

Twitter can be a wonderful resource for professional development and and creating a personal learning network, but it can also be overwhelming. Here are some tips for getting Twitter under control. If you've never used Twitter before, here are some tips to teach you how it works.