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Google Classroom integrates Google Apps for Education (GAFE) tools such as  Google Docs, Gmail, and Google Calendar to name a few. It then allows the teacher to distribute and collect assignments paperlessly. Google Classroom with iPads too Google Classroom is not just for Chromebooks, it's a useful management tool for other platforms such as iPads as well. For instance, one great way to collect student creations and manage the workflow on iPads is through Google Classroom. What is Google Classroom and how does it work? Why should I consider Google Classroom? Here are a few reasons why Google Classroom should be considered: It helps organize discussions, assignments, projects, or assessments online. Classroom helps students organize their projects, assignments, tasks, etc. and keep track of upcoming assignments, or assignments already turned in and teacher feedback or grades. Classroom could foster communication. Classroom saves time, especially when working with Go...

QR (Quick Reader) Codes are like bar codes to quickly connect you to text, websites, audio clips, videos, etc. QR Code Reader The device will need a QR Code Reader. My current favorite is still i-Nigma   because I've found that audiences typically do not need to leave their seats to scan the QR Code from the screen I'm presenting from, while other readers have not been as reliable. i-Nigma Available on IOS Available for Android Available on Blackberry Available for Windows   There are also QR Code Readers for Chromebooks and other devices that have cameras. QR Code Generator There are several ways to create QR Codes, however my current favorite is GOQR.me . Below are the instructions for two different ways to use it: Using QR Codes in the Classroom There are many ways QR Codes can be used in the classroom beyond quickly viewing a website. Some ideas and more resouces are listed below: From Tom Barrett's work,  40 Interesting Ways to use QR ...

How does a teacher start to use iPads in the classroom? This post will include the basics for getting started. Part 1 focuses on the hardware fundamentals with iOS 7, while Part 2 focuses on iPad integration in the classroom. Hardware basics Turning on / off the iPad : Hold the sleep button for five seconds until you see the apple appear on the screen to turn it on. To power down, hold the sleep button for five seconds, then  "slide to power off." Putting the iPad to sleep : Press the sleep button . To wake it up, press either the sleep button or the home button . Use this feature to save the battery or to have students' full attention. Open an app : Tap once on the app you would like to open. If it is not on the first page, you can swipe through the pages with your finger to look for it. If you have many apps/pages, then you can find it with the Spotlight search . Just go to your Home screen by pressing the home button , and swipe down from the middl...

What type of thinking does the Common Core ask of students when it comes to Craft and Structure? Analysis. Analyzing the author's craft and structure is a shift for students to do, and a shift for teachers to design tasks and questions that require analysis.  This is the critical thinking we want students to engage in. Shifts The big shift in this is the analysis. What does that look like at the elementary level? How do you teach Craft and Structure? There are many ways to teach craft and structure . Make sure students are analyzing the text , not just identifying the answers . Craft structure close read questions from tracywatanabe Every spring, our school district uses Title IIa funds to pay teachers to attend training. This year, our Spring Academy focuses on various aspects of Common Core... and teaching Craft and Structure is one of the sessions. I was charged with creating a training module for the K-6 sessions. Training Document: ...

Digital storytelling is an art form conveying a message. It uses images and voice narration to convey emotion with the message, and to ignite empathy from the audience. It incorporates storyboarding and writing a script. It is created with digital tools and published on the Internet. I often think of digital storytelling as something done in first person because it creates that personal connection. Whereas, I think of a digital story as an anecdote or story typed or narrated in third person. Image attribution: Lyn Hilt's Slideshare , used with permission. Original work: "Writing- Pen & Paper" CC-by Laurie Richie Benefits Here are some of the many benefits of digital storytelling and digital stories: The 21st century skills and ISTE's Standards  applied are critical and creative thinking; written, oral, and digital communication; collaboration; authentic learning; digital fluency...

In Close Read Complex Text, and Annotate with Tech--Part 1 , the focus was how to do a close reading . In Part 2, the focus is how to annotate with iPads , and insights gained from a lesson done with students in first through third grades. iPad apps for annotating Many apps can be used for annotating. I'm listing a few apps that can be used for close reading, and will go into detail on the one I've used the most with students. App Tutorial Links Learnability Cost PaperPort Notes PaperPort Notes Tutorial Tips listed below Easy Free Educreations Educreations Tutorial Tips listed below Easy Free Notability Notability YouTube Tutorial Medium $1.99 Skitch with Evernote Skitch for iPad tutorial by the Edublogger Medium Free Lessons learned through annotating in Educreations On the first day of close reading, it was easy to use Educreations to annotate. For each new page, we'd add a new page to the presentation. We took screen shots to keep a ...

Students need to be taught how to read complex texts. One of the strategies for learning how is close reading . It slows the reader down to notice and ponder more. It also connects meaning and builds systems of thought . Text complexity with close reading Complex text requires a close reading. So what makes a text complex ? There are three "ingredients" to text complexity: It's important to understand text complexity to build students' literacy skills. As they become more skilled, they will read more complex text on their own. Introduction to close reading Here's an overview of close reading: What does close reading look like in the classroom? Here are some examples of close reading at different grade levels and content areas (or components of it such as annotation): 9th-10th grade -- Thinking Notes: A Strategy to Encourage Close Reading by the Teaching Channel 10th grade, Close Reading with nonfiction 6th grade, Teaching Annotation ...

Digital storytelling is a first person story, where the narrator is digitally sharing his or her story; while a digital story is narrated in third person and shared digitally. Both can include imagery, background music, or motion. They also incorporate storyboarding, writing a script, revising, and publishing (the elements of writing). Benefits Here are some of the many benefits of digital storytelling and digital stories: The 21st century skills and ISTE's NETS applied are critical and creative thinking; written, oral, and digital communication; collaboration; authentic learning; digital fluency; informational fluency; and project management. It is great differentiation for all students including ELL, gifted, and special needs. It increases student engagement in a meaningful and relevant task . It can be used as an authentic assessment. Common Core Standards Many specific content standards ca...