TCEA Takeaways Cont.

from Keri

After being at TCEA for three days, there is no way that I can just share one thing! While in Austin I learned SO much, from differentiation with technology to gaming in the classroom, it's hard to digest it all. However,  I would say that the most valuable thing I learned while I was at TCEA with 17,000 other educators was COLLABORATION! I'm not only talking about collaboration among other teachers, but also collaboration among students. Here's a little bit of what I learned...

One fascinating session I went to was "Sweet Googly Moogly" with Cathy Moak as the presenter. https://sites.google.com/a/esc6.net/sweet-googly-moogly-remix/ This site has all of the info that we learned in the session. It also has shortcut QR Codes that will take you to other places for more info. She is also on Twitter @edtechdoc. Here are some google tools that may be worth taking a look at...even if you can't implement them until next year! I've already got several of these tools on my agenda for next year!
She taught us about ALL things Google! WOW! It was information overload, but now that I have had some time to sift through the information, it's really quite worth it! I have an android phone (not apple), so I'm already a BIG Google fan. Here's the link

1. Google Calendar-Create a class calendar and post it on your class website or on your class Facebook page. This is a great way to remind parents of class parties, project due dates, CA test dates, etc. Instructions are on her website, but the calendar is very user-friendly. It will just take some time to go in and play around with it.
2. Google Docs-This is one of the MOST important collaboration tools! Students can collaborate by writing papers together (revising and editing), taking class notes, working on a project, etc. Google Docs can even be used as a staff. That's what Shelley uses when she sends out sign up sheets for coding, bringing treats, etc. My pod uses it in 5th grade for Marvelous Monday tutorials so that we don't have to send sticky notes around. It's a web-based document (Excel, Word, etc) that can be edited by multiple users. Just think of the collaboration that can take place with this kind of tool! Here's the link to her page on Google Docs  https://sites.google.com/a/esc6.net/sweet-googly-moogly-remix/docs
3. Google Draw-Students can create their own Venn Diagrams or other Graphic Organizers
4. Google Forms-You may have seen these being used by Donna when she wants us to complete a survey, but you can use them in your classroom, too! You can create a quiz, survey, quick assessment, or ticket out of the classroom.
5. Google Presentation-Cathy's tag line on this one was, "1990 called and wants its PowerPoint back!" LOL! The students can use Google Presentation just like PowerPoint, but they can collaborate much easier. You can also use it for daily instruction, welcome work, rubrics, etc. Visit this link for examples https://sites.google.com/a/esc6.net/sweet-googly-moogly-remix/presentation

The BEST thing about all of these???? They are FREE! Just open up your Google Chrome browser and they are right there in Google apps. I've talked with Shelley about having more training on these tools. Hopefully w will soon! Until then, go play around and see what you can use. You don't have to reinvent the wheel!

There are several teachers out there already using these and MANY other tools in great ways...check out some more helpful sites here:

• http://icafe.lcisd.org/
• iTunes U-entire system of collections from iBooks, on-line textbooks, TASA are courses created by teachers in TX (aligned with the TEKS)
• funela.weebly.com-Bringing ELA alive in the classroom-Using Technology to Improve Reading