Schoology's New Assessment Tool is Here!

Schoology has launched a new feature - Schoology Assessments! This tool includes a variety of setup options and question types that will help you design effective, interactive, and easy to use assessments for your students. In addition to the introduction of new question types like Highlight Text and Image Label, the basic question types that have always been a part of Schoology have received a facelift. The new Assessment tool allows you to go beyond just tests. It offers you a plethora of possibilities for engaging your students in innovative, creative ways. Find out more below!

See Schoology’s New Assessments and Enhanced Questions

Key Features

• There are now 15 question types, including Math Short Answer, Highlight Image, Number Line and Chart, as well as increased options for Fill in the Blank (drop down, drag and drop) and Multiple Choice (multiple correct answers), and opportunities to create alternate correct answers in a variety of question types.
• Questions can be created that reflect the style of Ohio State Test questions, including using calculators, protractors, highlighting, drag and drop, choice elimination, and flagging for review.
• The rich-text editor allows you to create stylized questions and allows students to format short answer and essay questions.
• There is a new, user-friendly setup.

Check out Schoology’s detailed guide to the new Assessments tool for help setting up an assessment and creating questions.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your building's Technology Integration Coach!

#WestervilleWay

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.

SAVE TIME! Create your own Dropbox(Work Collector) for all your students' assignments.

Have you ever wanted your students to submit work to you directly on your Google Drive?

Watch this 2 minute video shows you how to create your own DROP BOX for your students to use from any digital device, whether they are logged in or not. Learn how by watching the video or follow these step by step directions at this link:

How to create  your own dropbox

Add a QRCODE to your dropbox link and students can submit via the QRCode.

http://www.thetechieteacher.net/2015/11/the-work-collector-students-upload.html

Click the Work Collector picture to see how one teacher integrates it in her classroom using QRCodes displayed around her room with her Google Dropbox.

Free Online Courses Through ITSCO for Westerville Teachers

Westerville City Schools has partnered with ITSCO to provide a choice of six online courses covering a range of topics including Google Docs, Google Apps and Extensions, supporting a Blended Learning classroom using G Suite, Google Forms and creating a collaborative environment in your classroom. The courses are free and provided on a first-come, first-serve basis through ITSCO to all Westerville City School teachers. 

Please complete the Westerville Online Course Request form to reserve your free class(es).

Please note that the courses are self-paced and competency based. This means that if you already know the content, you may jump straight to the assignment to receive credit for the course.

Graduate credit is available for an additional fee through Ashland University. Participants must complete three online courses to receive one semester hour of graduate credit OR complete five online courses to receive two semester  hours of graduate credit.

All course work must be submitted by May 1, 2017.

Digital Learning Day - Thursday, February 23, 2017

Participate in Digital Learning Day

Digital learning is any instructional practice that effectively uses technology to strengthen a student’s learning experience. Each year, states, districts, schools, and classrooms across the United States and around the world hold thousands of events to celebrate Digital Learning Day. DigitalLearningDay.org Join the Twitter conversations:   #DLDayOhio / #DLDay

As a part of the event, a collaboration of cultural, science and educational institutions throughout Ohio is providing access to…

Program and Resources partners include:

Ohio History Connection

Cleveland Museum of natural history

COSI

Capital Square Review and Advisory Board

Hopewell culture National Historic Park

LEARNnco

SOITA Learning Technologies

YouTube Playlists

I have been playing with YouTube Playlists recently and I have found it to be a useful tool in creating and saving a series of videos.  For example, I found the Schoology Channel, subscribed to it and saved their "Schoology Knowledge Base" Playlist.  In doing so, I now receive updated videos from Schoology and I can share the Playlist with others through Social Media, email or embedding the link on our web site.

Creating a Playlist is a great tool allowing you to easily direct your students to a series of videos supporting a topic.  If you are interested in creating and saving Playlists to your YouTube account, check out these directions.  Click our Playlist to view what we have saved.