Activity 4-Google Suite

Here is a link to a document that I created and used at the end of the school year.  It is a selection of projects for WWII.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uo-iMLm074ep1xzGojZYpP9S89dO-GwL0GBy-Nvbqhw/edit?usp=sharing

I uploaded my entire folder from the home drive for History Alive.  Many of these documents in the folder were uploaded individually previously but for the purposes of this assignment I just did the whole thing.  This has been shared with Emily and a couple of other campers.

• How will you use your Google Drive in your teaching practice? I love google classroom so I actually use google drive all of the time. Google classroom is obviously google based so drive is essential to classroom functioning. It is super easy because all students have google accounts and google docs. This makes sharing and editing really simple and the students and I both understand how to do it.

• How could cloud computing be a useful tool in your classroom?  I think first and foremost it saves paper...not even trying to be funny, it's true. You can have multiple people using multiple documents at the same time. It does not hog up computer memory space on servers and it is easy and quick to organize. You can assign multiple students to different docs so it is useful for groups, projects or differentiated learning.

• What are the pros and cons of using it with students? I see no cons. Honestly nothing is lost, you can see editing history to know who has done what, you don't have to make tons of copies, you can assign different collaborators and it is super convenient.

Activity 3-Screencasting and MV Youtube.

I created this for the End of Year assignment in Social Studies.  This is not one of the choices listed for screen-casting but I feel like Movenote fits the bill as a screen-cast.  I like this because you can record only your voice or your lovely face along with the voice.  The documents or whatever you are talking through with the students appears on the right as you record directions or even a mini-lecture.

I am super excited about using Movenote next year.  I am thinking I could use it as a review video showing the study guide or classwork that would help the students prepare for the test, a visual demonstration on how to access class materials, how to guides for various different things we do in class, flipped instruction, assistance for long term absences, directions for group work and finally it would be great to use to create differentiated activities within the classroom.

Once I get over my fear of being on video I am sure I will use this tool quite a bit.  (Here is the Youtube link for the video on MrsBerthiaume218 youtube channel  https://youtu.be/E5ilmrZvx6A)

Activity 2-Engagement

Peardeck...Civil War -please click this link to view the Peardeck.  The Peardeck meets the requirements for this assignment.

I have used Peardeck on multiple occasions this year.  The students love it and I love it too.  Peardeck keeps the students engaged in what is being talked about in the classroom.  They view the slides on their chromebooks and the responses are shown on the large screen in the front of the room along with the presentation.  This tool helps to keep students on task and paying attention through the lesson.  I like to use this when lecture is necessary.

Peardeck also allows for student participation in a variety of ways.  They can respond using multiple choice questions, short answers or even drawings!  This is great for student engagement :)

Activity 1-Communication

I love this rap!  I would use this (and have used this) when introducing the Declaration of Independence to my students.  I would show this twice, once to intro and then once again at the end of the unit for analysis.


How could a blog be useful in your classroom?

I think that a blog would be a great place to communicate with parents regarding things happening in the classroom.  I also think that a blog would encourage all students to participate and add to a classroom discussion.  Blogs would also work for gathering student input about what activities they enjoyed or what activities we should try in class.  The final way that I see a use for blogs is a place to store videos and links that are important for class but this is one of the ways that I use google classroom so I am not sold on the idea of doubling up.  I have to admit that blogs seem like a bit of extra work because teachers would have to monitor the comments and content of the blog.

Kickoff

• What motivated you to become a tech nerd this summer?

                        I was motivated to become a tech nerd this summer because I enjoy  being nerdy.  Actually, I have a classroom set of chromebooks and I am always looking for ways to enhance the use of the chromebooks in the classroom.  I hope this camp will help.

• What you hope to learn about in Tech Nerd Camp 2.0?

                        I am hoping to learn some creative ways to incorporate the use of chromebooks in my classroom next year.

• How would you describe your current comfort level with technology?  What tools do you use already in your classroom (if any)?

                       I have had a classroom set of chromebooks for one year.  My comfort level is pretty high regarding tech....at least I think it is but I may be wrong.  This camp will let me know :)