IHMS Tech Tips

Google Meet is yet another option for meeting during distance learning.  It is new so somewhat glitchy, but I did not find it much glitchier than WebEx Teams.  Please note that WebEx is still the district-suggested medium to use. Meet is now available for all Google Classrooms, though you choose whether or not you want to enable it and if and when you want students to have access to the meeting link.  To get to the Meet info in Classroom, first choose settings: Scroll down until you see the Meet information.  Click "generate link" and then decide if you want to this link visible to students at all times or not.  If you toggle it on, the link will appear in the banner of your Google Classroom.  If you have it turned off, you can still post the link at a later time, or even change the link each time you want to Meet.  Be sure to save your changes. If visible to students, they will see the Meet link in the banner: To start your meeting, ...

If you have students that need modified or differentiated assignments, follow the directions below to easily get those assignments to specific students or groups of students.  These modifications are not visible to anyone else in the Classroom, just the student(s) receiving it. First, create the different versions of the assignment that you will issue to students.  You can do this in Docs, Slides, Forms, whatever you like.  Try to come up with unique naming so that you will always know which version of the document you are looking at; modified or not. Next, create an assignment post in Google Classroom: Give the assignment a title, directions, and attach the needed file.  Be sure to make note of which version of the assignment you are working with (modified or not). Then you will choose which students will receive this version of the assignment.  On the right, click on "All Students".  Uncheck "All Students" and check only those students that sh...

If you have ever had your students working collaboratively, then you might have found yourself reminding them to be mindful of their noise level.  Today's tip provides several websites that you can display for your students during group work time to indicate the volume of the classroom. I can imagine it was entertaining to watch me get these sample screenshots for you. 1. Bouncy Balls This one is probably my favorite.  Go to the bouncy balls website and display for your students.  You will have to allow access to the microphone with any of these sites.  Set the sensitivity of the microphone and watch the balls bounce around.  When students are too noisy, the balls bounce higher and a notification will appear.  You can choose what item is bouncing around (eyeballs, emojis, bubbles, and more). 2. Zero Noise Classroom Go to the Chrome Web Store  and download the Zero Noise Classroom (ZNC) app.  Once you have downloaded it, it will appear ...

Webex Teams, formerly known as Spark (and still is to me), is a great tool for quick communication between teachers.  I have previously done a post on Spark, but I wanted to revisit this app again for our new teachers or teachers that have yet to jump on board.  What are you waiting for?! Webex Teams is a messaging tool that easily allows for sharing of files and communication (and most importantly, GIFs).  I find it to be much faster than email or phone and is definitely my preferred way of being contacted. ⟸Note to self To use the app, you can install it from Manager.  Go to "My Apps" and "(Re)install/Update" Cisco Webex Teams. After you open it, you will be asking to sign in.  Webex sent emails out to all staff for you to set up your account.  If you trashed it, no worries.   Open the app and type in your fullname@smsd.org (new teachers will type in their 80000number@smsd.org).  If you know your password, go ahead and sig...

Book Creator is both an iOS app and a website that can be accessed through Chrome.  It links to your Google account and is a very simple way to share content or have students demonstrate knowledge.  Here is an example book : A Collection of 6th Grade's 100 Word Stories Click to read this book, made with Book Creator https://read.bookcreator.com When creating a new book, you can add media, shapes, and comics.   Once a book has been published, the reader can choose to have the book read to them as well as the option to adjust how to view the published book. Books can be added to a library which can then be shared with students, teachers, and parents for collaborating or to view the books. The Resource library allows you to search for published books by grade level and subject to use in your teaching. Each teacher gets 1 library with 40 books for free . Subscriptions are available for more books and libraries - check out the...

If you are looking for lesson ideas or supplements to your current content, try using the Microsoft Educator Community .  " Connect and collaborate, find training and lessons, and earn badges and certificates on this personalized hub created for  educators  like you."  While you can certainly use content from the site with your students, it's really a site for teachers. Signing in is simple and connects to your Microsoft365 account.  This is the login you use for all Microsoft software (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word).  The username would be your network ID (ex. ihhuggin@smsd.org or 800001234@smsd.org for newer staff) and network password. To search for ideas, you can search by type, grade, subject, etc.   If you are interested in using Skype in your classroom, you can search by availability for guest speakers or look through their themed activities and calendar of events.  See this previous blog post for more on Skype/video ...

Shout out to Jamilyn for this amazing site!  Trello is a website for organization comprised of lists.  Think Google Keep, but better!! Signing up is free and syncs with your Google account.  Boards can be personal or shared as a team.  Anyone that has signed up for Trello can access team boards. Within the boards, you can create cards/tasks (to-do, doing, done, etc.).  You can add files, due dates, create checklists, and labels.  You can move the cards around as tasks are completed. Here is what a sample board looks like: Use Trello with students to plan research projects, organize writing, or as a homework tool. Click this link for a Trello tutorial or watch this video:

Spark is a product from Cisco that our district has recently purchased.  Spark functions as a messaging and online meeting tool.  It is already downloaded on your computer, all you have to do is install it! To get Spark: Log into Self Service Choose "Cisco" from the right-hand menu Install Spark Open Spark from your Launchpad Sign in with your fullnamelastname@smsd.org and password Begin Sparking! When Spark was first released from SMSD, you would have received an email saying, "You are invited to Shawnee Mission's messaging app."  If that doesn't ring a bell, fear not!  Click here to set up your account.  Important things to note about your Spark account: Use your fullnamelastname@smsd.org (haydenferguson@smsd.org), NOT your ih (ihhuggin) credentials If you need to reset your password, go to this site   Put your email address in and choose "Next" click "Can't access your account?" and you will receive an email ...

Many of us probably use Pinterest in our personal life, but why not start utilizing it as an instructional tool as well?  Sorry 7th grade teachers, this social media site, like most, is only for those kiddos 13 or older.   " Pinterest is a social network that allows users to visually share, and discover new interests by posting (known as 'pinning' on Pinterest) images or videos to their own or others' boards (i.e. a collection of 'pins,' usually with a common theme) and browsing what other users have pinned." There are thousands upon thousands of educational pins pinned every day, so  USC Rossier Online  has created an amazing resource with their "Guide to Pinterest for Educators." Here a few suggestions for classroom use: Creative team brainstorming Research projects Group projects Digital student portfolios Teaching self-reliance Virtual field trips Peer feedback Collaborative stories Photo journals Differentiated learning ...

I'm sure many of you are familiar with Skype, but there are also lots of other free video conferencing websites that you can integrate into your classrooms.  Soon, our district will be launching a similar site to Skype through WebEx/Spark.  This will allow you to more easily communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.   Edumemic gives some reasons why you might want to consider using video conferencing in your classroom: Use it to collaborate with other classrooms:  Whether it's another classroom across the district or across the world, use a video conference to connect with other students that have a different background.  Think about what you could do in foreign language or with a classroom that's studying the same novel.   Use it to conduct expert interviews:   Authors, philanthropists, historians, you name it.  Set up a video conference with them.  It's more convenient than finding a time that works for everyone and maybe even...