Activity 6: Google Classroom

Building a Google Classroom (GC Style)is self-explanatory and easy. Just a few selection clicks and wallah! Last year I futzed around with GC a bit, and this year I feel like I may be ready to use it in 8th grade. After reading other camp nerds' blogs, it seems that I have GC support at Chippewa and that makes me feel more confident moving forward.

I struggle with a couple parts of this activity. First, I didn't understand how to act as another student and access/complete other GC teacher assignments. For example, Scott V. shared a link to his classroom, so I could access it, but then I wasn't sure how to register as a student in order to complete the assignment. Another example, I had April's class code, but then I couldn't locate her classroom... Uffda!

My second struggle, was labeling assignments under the "about" section. A main idea from one of the videos is the importance of labeling assignments. I labeled my assignment in the drive, as recommended, yet when I posted and published it in the 'about section" it just shows the link and with a generic Word.doc label. I tried to change the label, so it would be clear to students, but I could not change it. These issues, certainly will easily corrected with some GC guidance:)

So... I did complete the activities with success and the tasks helped dive in the nitty-gritty details of GC. I now have a vision and purpose for GC in 8th grade:) 

*I am not excited about assignment I created for practice, as I don't have access to my curriculum via "drive". I  need to begin uploading curriculum pronto!

Shareable Link:Shareable Link

 My classroom code is: eczmd0y 

Activity 5: Apps, Add-Ons, and Extensions- Oh my!

Apps:
I have used many apps in my classroom, but none with the Chromebook. Quizlet, Grammaropolis, and Easybib are apps I use frequently in 7th and 8th grade ELA courses. The link to the education apps "endorsed" store shares so many that it became overwhelming (it causes me anxiety too, Scott Vetter). Rather, I plan to stick with a familiar few and maximize my understanding and use. One valuable feature that I learned from this assignment is adding apps to my drive.  I linked my Powtoon and Movenote apps for easy content access.

Add-Ons: I am having some difficulty understanding what makes an add-on different from the apps and extensions. While in the Chrome Store I did not see any labels title "add-ons". Hmmm...

Extensions: For extension exploration, I tried Ad Blocker for You Tube. I freaked out at the conclusion of the connection process because the creators ask for a donation. I felt very guilty that I did not donate, so I removed the extension from my toolbar. This experience familiarized me with removing apps and extensions.
Also, I experimented with the Easybib extension, which is very helpful, by giving researchers instant linkage to the app for bibliography construction. So slick compared to my high school research bibs. that took hours to create and edit for punctuation and format.

Activity 4: Unpacking the Google Suite

I am familiar with Google Suite, and the tools for creating and collaborating a "living document". Uploading many of my ancient documents, presentations, and graphic organizers feels a bit daunting. Also, I spent a large quantity of my time trying to upload various ppts. and handouts used in class. Finding, moving, organizing the uploads became messy. While experimenting with the "zip extractor," I could upload files speedily, but then they were hiding in the drive with weird file endings. I am not trying to "hate" on Google Suite here, rather I am detailing how my time has been spent on this activity.

For the first portion of the task, I created a "quickie" formative assessment to use after introducing students to the concept and spectrum of media literacy. Unfortunately, I made the tool "doc" style rather than "form". I realize now that  form would be ideal, so I can collect and interpret the data easily. Into to Media Literacy FA...

Due to my limited experience with the forms and drawing tools, I need to practice using these. I want to try designing my graphic organizers by using the "Google Drawing" tool. While trying to upload my author's purpose graphic organizer which is an old Word Doc, the formatting was disorderly transferred. Eventually, I uploaded it successfully by using a PDF file; however, I don't think I am able to revise the graphic organizer in a PDF form. Hmmm... Author's Purpose GO

Activity Three: Screencasting with Movenote

*The link to my screencast is located over on the right under the label "Assignments and Activities".

 I need to use more screencasts in my classroom for flipping lessons on the research process. Unfortunately, many of my presentations have not been moved to my Google Drive, so I will need to do this first. This lesson, on formatting notecards for recording and organizing research, shows an ugly shot of my kitchen ceiling, which I'd like to remove, but I didn't discovered how to disable this feature until later. Also, I am going to try to get a microphone to avoid the audio echo in my kitchen.
     Movenote is an easy to use and I do like the camera feature for other purposes and lessons. I have a used Screenr.com before, but I didn't like how the screen shot was framed. In addition, Movenote connects with my Google account for easy sharing via email. Thank you, April, for sharing this option. I decided to use it after reading about in your blog:)

Comma story - Terisa Folaron

An addition to Activity Two: Communication
This is a video I use in 8th grade ELA for our "Comma Crazy" unit.  It provides another explanation and examples to the rules we teach.

Activity Two: Powtoon

After experimenting with several of the recommended suggestions, I decided to try out Powtoon. The Peardeck format seemed complex and I found it difficult to apply a content presentation from my drive. Now that I have spent significant time creating Powtoons, I believe it will be a captivating style to deliver concepts, rules, and formulas for writing and inquiry.
The example I have linked for assignment two became a bit lengthy. My estimation of the time needed to explain five questions of media literacy was inaccurate. The Powtoon could serve to review or introduce the critical thinking questions. The pace is quick and may need additional seconds added to the script.
I am enthusiastic to use this in my classroom. These questions are printed on large laminate posters in my room. We use them throughout the media literacy lessons to dissect and interpret media messages.

Activity One: Communication

I enjoyed decorating my blog and tried several new buttons and enhancements. Mostly, I find formatting my my blog to be the most perplexing. Selecting pages, entries, labels, and templates that will be easy for my audience to understand is challenging.  I have been observing my colleagues' blogs which are varied and creative. At this point in my learning, I am not confident that I'd use the Blogger app for my classroom.