Why haven't you tried Google Drawing yet?

Google Drawing gets no respect. First, it is not listed as one of the first applications available in Drive. Users need to click the New button in Drive and More to find it.  Second, we tend to think of Docs and Slides as the go to productivity and presentation tools. I believe this comes from the years of working in Microsoft and making the transition from Word and PowerPoint. Third, users do not realize the tools available in Drawing. It does so much more than simply provide users with rudimentary drawing tools.

From Google Support: A list of things users can do with Drawing.

1. Edit drawings online in real time with others and invite people to view your edits in real time.
2. Chat with others who are editing your drawing, from within the drawings editor.
3. Publish drawings online to the world as images, or download them in PDF, JPG or PNG formats.
4. Insert text, shapes, arrows, scribbles, and images from your hard drive or from the Web to enhance a diagram or painting.
5. Lay out drawings precisely with alignment guides, snap to grid, and auto distribution.
6. Insert drawings into other Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides using the web clipboard.

Here are a few examples users can use in their classroom.

1. Use Drawing as a digital whiteboard.  Create the Drawing, share it with your students and use it to create a Sticky Note board, a graphic organizer, a timeline, or whatever you and your students can think of.
2. Use Drawing to annotate a screenshot.  Capture a web page or diagram from the web, insert it in Drawing and use the text, shapes and arrow tools to annotate the captured photo. 
3. Create hyperlinks on a photo or diagram.  Insert the diagram or create a drawing. Using the Polyline or Shape tool, draw a shape around the area where you want the hyperlink. Insert the link to the webpage you want to add. Change the shape color and line color to transparent. You have now created an invisible hyperlink for students to click on to find more information. Even better, your students can create hyperlinks to connect web sites and additional Drawings to present their work on a topic.

There are an endless number of ideas that can be created in Drawing. I hope you find Drawing to be as cool as I do and it becomes a valuable tool in your classroom. 

Supporting Communication in your Classroom and School

In the last post about communication with parents and students I wrote about reasons to have a webpage.  This post is going to showcase another great communication tool called Remind. Remind allows a teacher or school to contact their students and parents through texts.  One of the important features to know about Remind is the teacher sending the text does not see the student cell number and the student does not see the teachers cell number. Another great feature is the ability to schedule posts in advance for a future date or time. These along with a few more features are available for free for teachers and schools and only takes a minute to set up.

Top ten messages to send through Remind:
1. Remind students of an upcoming test or quiz.
2. Remind students about a homework due date.
3. Send positive life messages to students.
4. Send event updates including sporting, drama, club, etc events.
5. Send schedule changes to teams and clubs.
6. Ask parents to volunteer for events or activities.
7. Remind Staff about meetings.
8. Send messages to cancel an event.
9. Send a quick voice message.
10. Send professional development opportunities to your staff.

Westerville Teacher Web Pages

As I meet and work with students at the beginning of the year I am reminded how important it is for teachers to spend time creating and supporting communication in their classrooms. There is no substitute for a teacher to meet and interact with a student or parent face to face but I would like to offer suggestions how we can support this process using a few technology tools. 
The first tool I would like to offer teachers is the creation of a teacher webpage. In Westerville City Schools we have the choice to create a webpage using the district teacher webpage creator or an outside creation tool like Google Sites. Either way, creating a classroom webpage is an excellent way to support communication with your students and parents. 
10 reasons to host a classroom web page:
1. About Me - Create a paragraph or two about yourself.  Students and parents love to know a little bit about you.
2. Contact Information - At the minimum every teacher can provide their email account.  Email accounts are already posted online so placing it on your webpage makes it a couple clicks easier for students to reach out for help.
3. Calendar - Using Google Calendars gives teachers a place to post due dates and classroom events as well as a link for parents to follow the calendar.
4. Classroom Expectations - This should be posted in the classroom and on your webpage.  Communicating to students and parents our expectations is vital to maintaining open communication.
5. Homework Policies - Do you specific ways your students need to turn in homework.  Post the process to your site.  This helps parents understand how the classroom operates and allows them to support your classroom.
6. Forms and Handouts - This can be beginning of the year Forms that need completed and returned to newsletters to homework sheets.  
7. Announcements - Announcements should be a summary or description of upcoming events and can be linked in your Calendar.
8. Class News - Post items about your classroom.  What we did today, topics we are working on or anything positive about the classroom and your students.  This is another great way for parents to feel more in tune with what is going on in the classroom.
9. After School Care information or Homework Help Lines - Information for parents about district provided after school programs including care and homework hotlines.  This can also include community programs.
10. Links to technology and digital resources - We all have our favorite web resources.  Give students and parents an easy place to find the resources we use inside and outside our classrooms.

This is a short list and there are more reasons to maintain a classroom webpage but this is a good start.  What are your reasons for maintaining a teacher webpage? Over the coming days I will continue to offer additional digital tools to support teachers communication process.  As always, contact your WCSOH EdTech Coach for more information.

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!