Google Slides now plays videos from Google Drive!

Yes...you read that right.  For many of us, we have the challenge of our students being blocked from YouTube.  Students and teachers in our elementary schools were not able to add videos to their presentations because there was no way to access them.  No more!

Google Slides now allows all users to add videos directly from their Google Drive avoiding YouTube altogether.  As a teacher, you can now record your video, save it to your Google Drive and insert it as part of your lesson.  Students can now use tools like screencasting or video cameras to show off their reading fluency, explain a concept, record an interview and so much more.

Check out the screenshots below to see where the option is available.  As always, contact your Ed Tech Coach if you have additional questions.

Google Docs now supports Columns!

If you have not noticed yet...Google Docs now supports Columns!  Yes, you heard that right. We have waited and asked for this feature for years and Google has finally added it.  Check it out by opening a Google Doc and choosing Format.  You will have a choice of 1, 2, or 3 Columns.

Google Help Pages - Columns

If you are not using Google Maps to teach Geography, why not?

I found this short article, "Explore Machu Picchu in Google Maps and the Google Cultural Institute,"from Richard Byrne about Google Maps and more specifically Google Street View.  If you go to Google Street View you will find 360 degree views of locations from around the World.  If you have not looked at this, it will amaze you.  There are image collections from over 65 countries including Loch Ness, Northern Lights in Finland, Taj Mahal and even under the oceans of the World.  It is a phenomenal collection and paired with Google Maps a powerful resource to teach Geography.  

3 Tools to Video Conference

As we work through the Teaching and Learning Roadmap, I am continually looking for more opportunities to connect with the outside world.  Over the past several weeks I have seen Westerville teachers and students connecting with a weatherman in Texas, Marzetti Dressing and with a classroom in China. The connections have provided students with opportunities to ask questions of experts, gain new perspectives and hold conversations with other students from around the world.
Below is a list of things to remember when connecting to an outside resource and three excellent choices in our district to support your connections. These are not the only choices but we have tested these connections and they work well within our network. 

Things to Remember when connecting outside our district:

1. Test your connection to the other site with microphone, speaker and projector before the video call.
2. On a Chromebook the microphone is built in.
3. On a desktop, an external microphone will be needed if your students will be interacting with the connection site. Contact your WCSOH EdTech Coach if you need a microphone.
4. Mute your microphone when on the conference call. Unmute when necessary.
5. Make sure the lights are on and sunlight is not behind you.
6. Position the camera at eye level.
7. Look at the camera when talking.
8. Speak up
9. Introduce yourself before talking.
10. If more than one site, give your name and location before speaking.
11. If more than one site, direct your question to a specific site.
12. Set up a backchannel to communicate with the other group you are trying to connect with.

Three Great Tools to Video Conference

1. Google Hangouts -Works with our desktops(remember to connect an external microphone) and Chromebooks.  Check out "How Educators and Schools can Make the Most out of Google hangouts," for a great description of how teachers are using Hangouts with their classroom. After reading the article join the Google Hangouts in Education Community or Mystery Hangout.  Here you will find teachers from all over the world looking for classrooms to connect with and your students.  If you need assistance setting this up, contact your WCSOHEdTech Coach.

2. Skype in the Classroom - Skype only works with our desktop computers. Again, please remember to use a microphone if you plan to have your students talk during your connection.  Start by reading "Skype Connects Classrooms with Field Trips Around the World."  The article explains how classrooms are connecting around the world and gives links to make connections with teachers.  Check out Sypke Field Trips and Mystery Skypes when you are ready to begin Skyping with other classrooms.

3. Big Blue Button in Schoology - Big Blue Button is the video conference tool provided to all Schoology Enterprise districts. It works on both desktops and Chromebooks. Using Big Blue Button allows a teacher to set up conference calls with other Schoology classrooms.  The nice part is that students can enter the call on their own using their Chromebook but cannot create their own video conference call.  This allows the teacher to create small group calls and assign students to the group call. This is great for classroom to classroom collaboration. Here is directions how to use Schoology Big Blue Button. If you need help finding other Schoology teachers to connect with, contact your WCSOH EdTech Coach.

Uploading Files and Folders into Google Drive

In Westerville City schools, we are currently in year two of our Learning and Teaching Roadmap. The Roadmap is a plan put in place by the district to create a culture of 21st Century Learning. The plan looks at teaching and instructional practice as well as access and support in the implementation of technology. One technology resource we have adopted in Westerville is Google Apps for Education.  Google Apps for Education(GAFE) is an online productivity and organization tool provided to school districts through Google Education.  As we continue to use Google productivity tools, one of the first things teachers should do is upload their previously created files and folders to Google Drive. Doing this has several advantages. First, all your files will now be saved to the Google Cloud server.  This allows you to access your files from anywhere that has an internet connection.  Second, now that your files are online, you can take advantage of the wonderful sharing tool Google provides. Every Google file has a unique URL and can be shared with students, peers, community members or the public.  Third, by uploading your files you will now have easier access to sync and combine your work with other Google tools to build web sites, blogs, newsletters or anything else to support your teaching and learning. As always, contact your Ed Tech Coach if you have additional questions about how to upload your previously created files.

Read directions from the Google Drive tutorial here.

Additional Google Apps for Education tutorials can be found here.

Upload files and folders

You can upload files, images, and videos to Google Drive on the web so you can work on them anywhere and anytime.

Upload files

There are two ways to upload files to Google Drive.

Drag and Drop

If you’re using the latest versions of Chrome or Firefox, you can drag a folder from your desktop into Google Drive. You can also drag files directly into folders or subfolders.

Upload files using Google Drive

To upload files using Google Drive:

1. Go to drive.google.com.
2. On the left, click New.
3. Select File upload.
4. Select the file you want to upload. To select multiple files, press Ctrl (PC) or Command (Mac) and click all the files to upload.
5. You’ll see a box that shows the progress of your file upload. To open the file, click the filename. To close the box, click the X.

Upload folders

There are two ways to upload folders to Google Drive using Chrome. Uploading folders is not available on other browsers.

Drag and Drop folders

If you’re using the latest version of Chrome, you can drag a folder from your desktop into Google Drive. The folder, all subfolders, and files will start uploading right away.

Upload folders using the “NEW” button

To upload folders using the “NEW” button:

1. Go to drive.google.com.
2. On the left, click New.
3. Select Folder upload. If you see "Enable folder upload," you'll need to update Chrome to the latest version.
4. Select one or more folders to upload.
5. You’ll see a box that shows the progress of your folder upload. To open the folder, click the folder name. To close the box, click the X.

Google Smarty Pins Game

Students love learning with games.  Try out the new Google Smarty Pins Game! It’s a great Geography lesson.

Go to: http://smartypins.withgoogle.com/

Click the “Start a game now” button

Optional – Click “Select a category” to filter the type of questions. (History is my favorite)                 

When the game loads, you’ll see the question on the left.  Grab the pin and drag it to the correct location on the map.

.

Click the “Submit Answer” button.

If you submit the answer within 15 seconds, you get a bonus!

After 15 seconds, a hint will appear under the question.  .You start the game with 1000 miles. If you get the answer right, you keep all of your miles;  If you  “miss”,  the miles are subtracted from your total.  See the “Miles Remaining” gauge under the question. Keep answering questions until you win or until you use all of your miles. Have Fun!

New Tools Available for Read Write for Google App

Read and Write for Google has launched two new tools! 

As many of you know, Read Write for Google has been purchased and is now available for all staff and students in Westerville City Schools.  The tool can be accessed on any device that is internet capable - either at home or at school. The tool will be accessible when anyone in the Westerville Google domain logs into a Chrome browser with their long email or student account, no downloading necessary! The first time they login, the teacher or student will be prompted to click "accept". Please do this so that the program has permission to operate. This tool will constantly run on the URL bar, as long as you are on your computer and logged in.

New Tools:

Voice Notes - it permits you and/or your students to create an audio file on a document in two clicks. This is great for teachers that are collecting classwork online. Rather than writing out their feedback, they provide a simple 1 minute audio clip. Super easy! Here is a 2 minute video to demonstrate the tool and what it looks like. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC_1zV7K0Lc

Word Prediction for Internet use!

This tool permits a student to utilize the word prediction feature that is and has been a part of Read and Write for Google. However, now students may use the tool when typing online or into a website. Here is a short 2 minute video demonstrating this tool and how it can be used for your students. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hollJRMcRO0

Contact your Technology Integration Coaches in your building if you have Read and Write for Google questions. Don't forget that the kids can use this at home and even on their mobile devices!