Explore Google Classroom

Image from www.alicekeeler.com

Of the Maple Lake Teachers who filled out my spring technology survey (still available to take), many expressed an interest in learning more about Google.  

For teachers in grades 6-12 (whose students have access to their own school-based Google account), Google Classroom may enhance your teaching.

With Google Classroom you can:

*Give, receive, and respond to written assignments through Google Docs

*Post videos, images, links, or prompts for class discussion

*Give students timely feedback

Google for Education has created lessons for teachers to learn how to use Google Classroom.  

Click here to go to the Google Classroom tutorial page.  

Invest some time and learn!

Just One Thing

Image from: www.fundraisingdirectory.com.au

I have heard from many Maple Lake teachers telling me about the One Thing they are doing this summer to learn more about technology.

A few have joined Twitter, beginning a community of Maple Lake educators who are connected online.
Follow these teachers on Twitter:
@blumhoeferteach
@jost_annie
@MrMeyertheteach

Others have explored new things such as:

*creating a video to learn more about video editing 

*reading a book that is part of this year's Global Read Aloud to see how participating might help students reach academic goals and connect globally

*exploring the concept of flipped instruction for some lessons

What is your One Thing?  Reply in the comments, send me an email, text, or tweet (#shamrocktech) to let me know!

Why Incorporate Technology?

After following some great educators on Twitter, I came across a fantastic blog post about the style of teaching and learning that is made possible by incorporating technology into the classroom.  Technology does not simply enhance our current teaching, it transforms it.  It makes things possible that could not be done before.

Image from: https://twitter.com/mrswideen

Mrs. Kristen Wideen of Ontario, Canada writes, 

"Technology is used to give students a voice, give students choice, to give students a global audience, to make thinking visible and to allow me to assess and give feedback using voice and video.  It also enables my parents to see their children’s work on a daily basis through Twitter and their personal blogs."

Check out her full post about iPad Learning Stations for Elementary Grades.  (The theory behind her ideas and the purpose of technology can apply to any age group and any technology!)

Click here to view the full post.


Image from: www.mrswideen.com

Summer Tech - Try Something New!

Image credit: blog.tweetsmarter.com

Here we are!  It's finally summer!  I am enjoying the relaxation and sun - I hope you are too!

This summer, try experimenting with new technology.  The first step is to be willing to try new things, outside your comfort zone.  And . . . try it today, rather than some other time.  

I recommend joining Twitter if you haven't already, and then committing to check it 2-3 times per week for the summer.  

What Twitter will do for you:

* Show you innovative things other teachers are doing, with technology and otherwise

* Give a glimpse into a great way to communicate with parents and the community

* Connect you with other educators in our district and other districts

What Twitter could do for your classroom:

* 50 Great ideas for PreK-12 here.

* Ideas for primary grades here.

How to Sign Up:

* Use your school email or a brand new, dedicated gmail account and consider this your professional account.  Use it only for professional purposes.  On Twitter, you will find many people using the one account for both professional and personal purposes, but this is not recommended.

* Click here for detailed instructions on how to get started.

* Choose at least 5 people to follow (keeping in mind this is your professional Twitter account)

* When you feel the inevitable feeling of "I completely don't get it" as you begin exploring, commit to checking Twitter 2-3 times per week for several weeks until you get the feel for it.  Just click stuff and try things.  This is the best way to learn!

Choose at Least 5 to Follow:

From our District:

@MrsHaglin

@caseboltn
@blumhoeferteach
@jost_annie
@MrMeyertheteach
@kfynboh

@MLHSIrishHoops

@vb_ml (Maple Lake Volleyball)

@MapleFootball

From Elsewhere:

@MLLibrary

(Maple Lake Library)

@MapleLakeLakers

(Maple Lake Lakers Baseball)

@HLWWHS

(HLWW High School)

@PrincipalMix

(HLWW High School Principal)

@HumphreyElem

(HLWW Humphrey Elementary)

@WinstedElem

(HLWW Winsted Elementary)

@MrsOlsonMES 

(a 1st grade teacher at Montrose Elementary)

@jseroadrunners

(John Swett Elementary in CA, which has all teachers on Twitter)

@AWelcome

(Principal of John Swett Elementary)

@soup192

(Superintendent of Farmington Schools)

@pernilleripp

(7th Grade teacher and founder of The Global Read Aloud)

@MattBGomez

(Kindergarten teacher and leader in technology)