IHMS Tech Tips

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 ...

Gimkit is a gamification site much like Kahoot and Quizlet, but there's a twist!  Teams can earn cash as points based on correct answers, streaks, and speed.  Teams can then strategize what they want to do with that cash throughout the game.  They can purchase level-up bonuses or multipliers.  That means that if they buy a 1.5 multiplier for $5, every time they get a correct answer, they will get 1.5 times the original question value.  Clear as mud? Watch this video. Signing up syncs with your Google account.  To create a quiz, click "Create Kit". Give your kit a title and subject and then begin creating.  You can import from a question/answer spreadsheet or add questions manually.  You can add photos to your questions as well. If you choose "Add from Question Bank", you can search already created kits. Like Kahoot, students join using a code.  They do not need to have an account to play.  Gimkit i...

It's May! Which means that both students and teachers are on their way to burnout.  On this last blog post of the school year, I'm giving some ideas on project-based lessons to help your students hang on until the last day.  You could choose one idea and give it to all students, or maybe you present them with all five and give them the choice. 1. Show what you know Everyone has something that they are really knowledgeable about (ex. karate, knitting, singing). Make them showcase that knowledge through a presentation/speech.  Create a rubric using a Google Add-on or have students created the rubrics themselves. 2. Own a _____________ Students again become the experts, but this time they will have to do research to establish their expertise.  Have them take ownership of a football team, planet, animal and be able to present their findings to the class or in small groups.  Students can use their choice of presentation tools like Thinglink , iMovie, Prezi, or...

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...