Technology News and Tips August 18, 2016

Child Care students enjoying the new Chromebooks.

Just that fast, the 2016-2017 school year is upon us! I still have quite a list of things to do before the first day of school, and I'm sure you do too. Maybe we can keep each other from panicking about that. A few things that are ready include the middle school computer lab moving to room S5. It is now called the TLC (Technology Learning Center).  All the chromebooks are in locking carts, and must be locked each night. At the elementary, the old PCs were swapped out for shiny new Chromebooks, and it makes a huge difference in the visibility of the students in that room. We've also added GoGuardian, which will allow all teachers at both campuses to monitor and interact with their students' screens in real-time. GoGuardian is not limited to the lab, and can be used by any teacher with any group of students. The child care staff has been using it for about a month now, and love it. I'm still working on changing printer names to match the rooms they are now in, updating Google student groups, and adding accounts for new students and updating the lunch terminals.  You can expect information about these tasks to come next week (barring any unforeseen breakdowns). Here are some new tech tips and news:

• Tips for New Chromebook Users
• Google Apps for Littles
• Back to School Google Updates
• 10 Sites for Students With Free Time on Their Hands
• 10 Reasons to Try Genius Hour This School Year
• A New Lesson Plan Tool for Google Docs
• Hi My Name is Karen and I Play Pokemon Go - what you can expect from students

Tips for New Chromebook Users

Tips for New Chromebook Users from Practical Ed Tech Tip of the Week by Richard Byrne

With the new Chromebooks at the Elementary, this will not only help those of you in that building begin using them, it will also be a good refresher for everyone in the Middle School building. Topics covered include changing the background picture, finding files on the Chromebook, accessing files when there is no internet connection, finding your apps and adding new apps.

Google Apps for Littles

Google Apps for Littles from Teacher Tech by Alice Keeler
Renowned Google Innovator shows that kids as young as 4 can independently sign into a Chromebook and use Classroom to independently work on assignments. This reinforced with our students in tech class with Jeff - he has used Classroom with all students, including our 1st-3rd graders for the past two years. This blog is full of tips and templates to use it in a way that makes it easier for our littlest students.

Back To School Google Updates

Check out these back to school Google updates, which include keeping parents in the loop with Google Classroom, annotating documents in Classroom mobile app, and exploring inside the human body with Google Expeditions. Just a reminder that Google Expeditions uses Google Cardboard, but in a guided class setting, to immerse students in the situation using Virtual Reality. See me if you'd like a demonstration of Google Cardboard. It will blow your mind.

10 Sites for Students With Free Time on Their Hands

10 Sites for Students With Free Time on Their Hands, From Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Here's a great list of go-tos in a wide variety of subjects. 

10 Reasons to Try Genius Hour This School Year

10 Reasons to Try Genius Hour This School Year from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller

What is Genius Hour, you ask? Back in the day, when you had taken all the courses your school offered on a particular topic (art, music, etc.) you were able to take independent study to pursue something in that area of study that interested you. Although there was an advisor, all the research, problem solving and execution and presentation of the project you selected was up to you to work through on your own. This is basically how Genius Hour works - without the prerequisite of taking all the courses offered on that topic. Read the blog to discover sharing the joys of passion-based learning with your students.

A New Lesson Plan Tool for Google Docs

A New Lesson Plan Tool for Google Docs from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
This Google Docs add-on allows you to search a huge catalog of standards-aligned lesson plan resources from other teachers and add them to your Google Doc.

Hi My Name is Karen and I Play Pokemon Go
(What you can expect from students who play)

I know, I know, I don't quite fit the demographic of the average Pokemon Go player. I started playing out of curiosity after some local urchins were caught climbing the St. Jude Church walls while playing. I wanted to see what might be in store for our campuses in the upcoming weeks, as well as when school starts. Although it started as a "take one for the team" effort, I actually enjoy playing - although I'm not as addicted as the title would suggest. After playing it for a few weeks, I still don't understand why the local kids felt they needed to climb anything to play - I can access everything without leaving the parking lot.

Pokemon Go is actually a pretty fun game with some redeeming qualities. First, you actually have to walk around to collect Pokemon, and hatch eggs, so it is getting players out for some fresh air and exercise. When I take my walks at Millenium Park, I always see entire families playing. I've also learned quite a bit about the history of the areas where I've played. Pokestops, where you fill up on supplies, tend to be at historical markers or statues. I certainly never knew there was a battle of Charlevoix in 1853 between the local fishermen and the Mormons of Beaver Island until I started playing while on vacation. The game also requires strategy and problem solving as you progress through the levels, manage the supply levels in your "bag", and determine which Pokemon to power up and use in training. The down sides are basic behavioral and safety issues for which the game pops up warnings, such as not trespassing, being aware of your surroundings, and not driving and playing. Of course, there's the obvious temptation to be a distraction if players don't possess any self control.

So what could some potential problems be for the school year?

• Both of our campuses are attractions to all Pokemon players. Both churches are gyms where players (called Trainers) train and battle their Pokemons. This will be a big attraction to both our students, as well as random strangers who come on the property to play. 

  

  Middle School Pokestop

• Both campuses also have Pokestops where Trainers restock supplies - also very attractive to players. At the elementary the Pokestop is the front entrance to the church, and at the MS it's the St. Francis of Assisi statue at the North end of the building. 
• To combat the temptation to play during school, as well as the non-essential use of our bandwidth, the Pokemon Go app has been blocked from our Guest WiFi, but I can't block it when students are using their own data connection. 
• The only other caution I can think of would be Pokemon obsessed drivers trying to tap the Pokestops while driving through the campuses. If we see this happening in our parking lots (drivers looking down instead of at the road), those drivers should be encouraged to park the car and walk to the Pokestop. Sometimes a little voice of reason is necessary to remind people about basic safety practices.

If you are curious as to how the game works, but aren't interested in playing - I'll be happy to show you on my phone. Your students will either think you're cool enough to know how to play, or will be horrified that "old people" are playing.