In a world where education is constantly evolving, the need for innovative tools that ignite students’ creativity and passion for learning is more important than ever.

Night Zookeeper, an interactive online platform, is revolutionizing the way teachers inspire imagination in their classrooms.

In this post, we will explore how Night Zookeeper can foster creativity in the classroom.

Unleashing Creativity in the Classroom: How Night Zookeeper Sparks Students’ Imagination

What is Night Zookeeper?

Night Zookeeper is an educational online program for children aged 6 to 12+ (Grades 1 to 6) that uses gamified learning to help them develop reading and writing skills.

It offers a full language arts curriculum while transforming “boring school work” into fun and engaging games, challenges, interactive lessons, and collaborative projects – children often don’t even realize they’re working!

Night Zookeeper also provides a safe space for all children, including awesome community and blog pages which they’re free to explore and use to further improve their reading and writing skills.

A team of highly qualified tutors reviews all content shared within the program.

Are you ready to make reading and writing fantastically fun for your students?

*Related: 3 Essential Guides for Teachers: Adapting Instruction to Every Student Ability

At its core, Night Zookeeper is designed to make learning fun and engaging. The platform revolves around a captivating world where students create and interact with magical animals, embark on quests, and engage in creative writing challenges. It’s this blend of storytelling and interactive gameplay that captures the imagination of young minds, making them excited about learning.

One of the most significant ways Night Zookeeper sparks creativity is through its focus on creative writing. Students are encouraged to write stories, poems, and reports about their unique magical animals. This not only helps improve their writing skills but also allows them to express themselves in a safe, imaginative environment. As they create their narratives, they learn the power of language and storytelling, skills vital in all areas of education and life.

Another aspect where Night Zookeeper shines is in its ability to personalize learning. Every student’s journey is unique, with the platform adapting to their specific learning pace and style. This personalized approach ensures that students remain engaged and motivated, as tasks are neither too easy nor too challenging. It’s in this tailored learning environment that creativity flourishes – students feel confident to explore, make mistakes, and learn from them, which is essential for creative growth.

*Related: Say Hello to FigJam: Your Jamboard Alternative with Endless Possibilities

Check out Night Zookeeper’s downloadable learning resources, great for getting your child excited about reading & writing.

Night Zookeeper for Schools and Teachers

Teachers are not left behind in this creative journey. Night Zookeeper offers a suite of tools for educators to track student progress, provide personalized feedback, and integrate the platform’s resources into their lesson plans. This ease of integration means that teachers can effectively use Night Zookeeper to complement their teaching methods, making lessons more dynamic and impactful.

Night Zookeeper is more than just an educational platform; it’s a catalyst for creativity in the classroom. By blending the art of storytelling with interactive and gamified learning, it provides a unique space for students to explore, imagine, and create. For teachers looking to spark imagination and foster a love for learning in their students, Night Zookeeper is a valuable resource worth exploring.

Get the FREE Trial!

Classroom Reading & Writing Program

• Make reading & writing fun for your students!
• Boost their vocabulary, spelling, and grammar!
• Save yourself hours of grading time!

*Please note that this post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. This helps support the maintenance of this blog and allows me to continue sharing valuable content.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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In this episode, Kasey chats with Shawn Young, a former teacher, and CEO of Classcraft.

When so many teachers are struggling with behavior management, student engagement is at an all-time low.

Teachers are burnout.

We need tools and strategies to help. 

Shawn shares the importance of building relationships with students (Ted Lasso style) and managing behavior with positive reinforcement through gamification.

He also shares the importance of formative feedback and tracking actionable data.

This episode is full of great ideas to help teachers and schools!

Listen to this article.

Strategies and Tools to Improve Student Behavior and Engagement

Shawn stumbled into teaching when he substitutes taught in a high school physics class while earning his undergraduate physics degree. After weighing the life of a laboratory researcher and the life of a physics educator, Shawn enjoyed the interactive classroom setting much better. Deciding to stay in the classroom meant furthering his education for certification. This led to a thesis on building student community through digital platforms.

A Scientific Approach

In 2008, there weren’t too many options for a digital platform to ask students to interact outside class. Shawn utilized Moodle as a way to encourage students to provide support and help on assignments. He measured how student interaction inside the classroom increased and raised morale. 

Once Shawn witnessed the positive impact this was having on his students he wanted to take it a step further. All the fun projects and hands-on activities didn’t seem to be enough to build a strong community among students. With the experience and skill set for building an app, Shawn landed on an idea to gamify his classroom. 

Gamification 

With the knowledge to build an app and a passion for gaming, Shawn put it all together to create Classcraft. Students design their own avatars within the app and earn points for mastering skills. A few examples include: being organized, managing emotions, including others, and respecting others’ opinions. All of which are lifelong skills teachers want to see their students growing in as they interact. 

It’s also possible to include classroom management-type behaviors like turning work in on time or being seated at the start of class. Students gain points that allow them to level up and earn swag for their avatars. Points can also be earned for real-life powers like eating a snack in class or turning in an assignment one day late. 

The goal then is to show students that when they behave in a way that is favorable to their education and those around them they will gain more control over their experience. Ultimately, this builds trust between students and teachers. 

Students are also participating in this game alongside their classmates. This means that when the group works together more effectively they all win bigger. Think Ted Lasso. When a group with lots of different personalities can come together to collaborate and support one another it’s a win in everyone’s book! 

Related: Power Up Your Classroom with Game Play

It’s All About the Relationships

If you are a fan of the Apple TV+ fictional show, Ted Lasso, you’ve seen how Ted puts relationships above everything. He connects personally with everyone and builds a great soccer team.

“If you care about someone, and you got a little love in your heart, there ain’t nothing you can’t get through together.” – Ted Lasso

Even if you’ve never seen the show, as teachers, we know relationships are the foundation for everything in the classroom!

The power of relationships is something many teachers have experienced. Every educator’s why is about impacting a student’s life. In the past few years, the pandemic and major changes to education have in many ways kept teachers from fostering relationships with their students. Shawn explains how Classcraft allows teachers to notice students for their positive behaviors and reward them. 

Of course, the expectation is not to be perfect every day but to be seen for the ways they are meeting expectations in the classroom. Shawn makes the point that for students the value of being at school has a lot to do with socializing. Most kids have discovered by now that they can learn to do pretty much anything from a YouTube video. 

Creating schools that are safe physically and emotionally is the only way to ensure learning is truly taking place. Shawn asks, What can we do to make school a place where kids want to be? He believes that establishing a more positive social aspect can help make school a place where kids want to be. 

Social Incentive

An aspect of Classcraft that helps to foster relationships among students is the kudos option. This is a way for a student to send another student a positive message. Of course, all messages are teacher approved! These might be a thank you for the help or you were a good friend today. The students are earning points for these encouraging messages, which in turn teaches them to choose a positive social interaction. 

As this behavior becomes normalized within the app it begins to happen more organic in everyday interactions. Many of the behaviors teachers award points for within Classcraft become habits for students. 

Why Use a Game

Shawn shares how playing video games cater to several human fundamental needs. He points out that video games develop intrinsic motivation. The reason people play video games is that they want to. They are motivated to play because it’s a situation where the gamer has control. As humans, we are also motivated to achieve mastery and then share that with others. 

Because these are universal truths Classcraft can work in upper elementary, middle, and high school. These are age groups who might also be drawn to the gaming experience because of their own exposure to video games. 

At a time when many teachers have been drowned in technology, Kasey asks why use an app to manage face-to-face relationships. Of course, it’s not necessary to use tech for gamifying classroom management. However, the tech makes it a whole lot easier. Shawn explains that Classcraft is one of those technologies that exists and gets out of the way. To award students points it takes about five minutes and then teachers can move on with their day. 

Shawn also points out that students receive, on average, very little feedback from their teachers. He also brings up that two-thirds of the feedback given by teachers during class is negative feedback. This is why at its core Classcraft is about letting students know they are seen. The majority of our students are well-behaved and generally don’t hear much feedback, whether positive or negative. Awarding them points for their positive behaviors within the app let them know they were noticed and appreciated. 

The other reason for using technology for these purposes is to capture the data. It’s always a good idea to reflect on and evaluate our teaching practices. By using Classcraft it’s possible to record how often praise is being given to students. The data can also help to point out any bias or imbalance of feedback. 

Leveling Up

Another positive mindset shift that takes place with Classcraft as a management tool is the fact that students are always progressing. There is only the option to level up. Rather than having a label as a student who gets by with passing grades, this system allows students to gain confidence in themselves. Classcraft provides more specific feedback than a letter grade can provide. 

The data points collected with the use of this app can lead to interventions for students who may need more help with social-emotional skills. When these SEL skills are addressed with intentionality students can show growth academically as well. While these data points are important for individual classrooms they can also be incredibly important for whole buildings or districts. This data provides insight into the culture within the school. 

Generally, schools collect behavioral data based on referrals and suspensions. This highlights which students are not behaving as they should and this group is usually a small group. That means most of the students in the school are not being noticed. Utilizing a technology system that can collect specific positive behaviors about students develops engaged learners and can help build the relationships students need, along with the community schools are meant to provide.

About Shawn Young

Shawn Young is the co-founder and CEO of Classcraft, an innovative platform that helps educators make learning meaningful and motivate students through gamification. Since its launch, it has been a force to be reckoned with in transforming behavior and classroom cultures, having been successfully implemented by educators in their pedagogies worldwide.

In alignment with his mission to improve teaching pedagogy and students’ motivation in learning, Shawn co-chairs UNESCO’s MGIEP Global Collective for SEL and Digital Learning, serves as the President of the Edteq Association, and is an Ambassador for the Education Faculty of the University of Sherbrooke.

Shawn has an extensive experience in professional education, having taught 11th-grade physics for nine years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and a master’s in education from Université de Sherbrooke. In addition, he is also a seasoned web developer, combining these skills and experience to start Classcraft.

School and district leaders are some of the many types of listeners that will definitely benefit from Shawn’s insights on motivation, education, skill development and culture, and leadership. He can’t wait to get booked to talk about creating a sustainable community in the classroom and the role of playful principles in teaching the whole child!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

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Let’s talk digital badges with the experts: Cate Tolnai and Jen Gibson!

Digital badges can help us engage students (even remote learners).

Learn what digital badges are, when to use them, and how to implement them in your classroom.

Yes, you can do this in your remote, online, or blended learning environment!

These two creative ladies will help us learn how we can use digital badges in the classroom to engage and motivate our students.

Listen to this article.

Shoutout

Thank you, Lisa Scumpieru, for all of your support of Shake Up Learning and the new Blended Learning with Google book!

Blended Learning with Google Book Study information can be found here.

Learn more here: BlendedLearningwithGoogle.com

Quick Tip

Did you know many of your favorite Google apps have built-in TEMPLATES for things like lesson plans, reports, contact forms, and more? ALL FOR FREE!

Watch this quick video to learn how! 

Digital Badges in the Classroom (What, When, & How)

You may happen to notice that the URL for this post looks a little different. The post that originally appeared on this page in 2014 was completely out of date. I needed to find new and fresh information about badges, so I called in some help from my friends, Cate Tolnai and Jen Gibson!

Related: Power Up Your Classroom with Game Play

What Are Digital Badges?

Digital badges (aka micro-credentials) are images that represent an accomplishment or skill achieved by the student or stakeholder. They can be displayed online, and many also have connected data that shows how the badge was earned.

Think digital versions of those patches we used to earn in scouts!

They can range from a simple, digital sticker to something much more complex like passing an assessment or competency.

Cate has a ton of professional learning badges in her email signature! (Show off!)

Cate Tolnai’s email signature badges

Badging has grown a lot in popularity for professional learning, higher education, and career and technical education classes (CTE) at the high school level.

But there are so many ways that K12 classrooms can take advantage of digital badges!

Using Digital Badges in the K12 Classroom

Digital badging is at its heart, a student-centered strategy. It’s empowering for students of all ages.

By connecting the play environment to the classroom, “the learning bridge,” can help students see that failing is part of the learning system. You can have multiple attempts and multiple lives, like in a game.

If we are using technology more, how can we use these to demonstrate mastery of skills and knowledge in our classrooms?

Classroom Badges – Backwards Planning for Authentic Assessment

Start with your content standards! Then deconstruct it into bite-sized pieces–what Cate call’s micro-tasks.

STEP 1: Determine your unit of study.

STEP 2: Plan the lessons of learning (sub-standards).

STEP 3: Identify the measurable objectives (micro-tasks).

STEP 4: Assign the task aligned with a master badge or micro badge.

STEP 5: Students submit evidence.

The infographic below will walk you through the steps!

CLICK HERE to Download Cate’s PDF

Badges are Great for Choice and Differentiation

When we give students more voice and choice in their learning, that flexible learning path to the learning goal, we can easily align the badge with the competency or mastery.

Tools for Creating Badges

Many of the tools you are already using may already have badges or creation tools available.

Tools to design your own badges:

• Google Drawings
• Canva
• Adobe Spark

Badging Systems

• Badgelist.com
• Canvas (Badgr is integrated)
• Add-On for Google Sheets: Magic Digital Badges

How can you use digital badges to increase engagement with your students?

About Cate Tolnai & Jen Gibson

Twitter: @BuoyConsultants

Website: BuoyConsultants.com

Podcast: BuoyCast

Cate Tolnai: In her 18th year in education, Cate Tolnai’s professional experience spans online and blended professional learning design and implementation, strategic social marketing and communications, K-12 education, and both district and county level administration. As co-founder of BUOY, her deep interest in professional learning and development coupled with her communication skills positions her to successfully partner with a wide variety of teams. Author of Power Up Your Classroom with Game Play.

Cate’s website: CateTolnai.com

Jen Gibson: With more than 25 years of experience in education, public policy, edtech, and K12 business development, Jen specializes in strategic thinking and unique approaches to work on behalf of BUOY’s clients. Jen is a partner with a passion for learning, combined with innovative strategies that provide growth opportunities, powerfully designed programs, future visioning, diagnostics and analytics that drive success.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Digital Badges in the Classroom (What, When, & How) – SULS096 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this post, we are going to explore how BreakoutEDU is more than a time-filling game!

Think of BreakoutEDU as an escape room game for your classroom, aligned with your learning goals.

While there are many iterations of this idea, including digital breakouts, and DIY games, this post will focus on the BreakoutEDU platform.

Jump in on the conversation in the Shake Up Learning Community and ask questions or share your favorite ideas!

The guest post below was written by Susan Vincentz. Susan shares her journey into BreakoutEDU, her skepticism, and lessons learned.

If you are looking for a way to breakup the mundane, breakouts will change everything!

BreakoutEDU: More Than a Time-Filling Game

Guest post by Susan Vincentz

“Gamifying” our classrooms is a buzzword that seems to be flying around the education world these days. Much of the population sees kids on a screen or playing games as a waste of time, but “gamifying” our classrooms can prove to be beneficial if done carefully and appropriately.

When I talk about games in the classroom, I am not referring to online learning drill programs (or a.k.a “drill and kill”) on which students get bored very quickly. I’m talking about games that encourage students to think critically and use problem-solving skills for completion and success.

This brings me to BreakoutEDU.

What is BreakoutEDU?

“Breakout EDU is the immersive learning games platform that brings the challenges of an escape room to the classroom.”

These activities are designed in the style of the “Escape Room” concept that many of us have experienced. In the education version, participants have to use clues to solve problems and break out of the box.

To complete an activity, students are typically given a large box secured by several types of locks, a small box secured by a lock, and various puzzles and clues that that come with a scenario that has to be solved. 

These scenarios are aligned with content standards as well as the inclusion of team building activities. Teachers can create a class and monitor progress as students work together to break out. These activities are not only used in the classroom with students but in professional development sessions for teachers.  

My Journey with Breakouts

I have been on somewhat of a journey with BreakoutEDU. I had access to the program for the first time just a year ago when I took a job as a K-12 Technology Integration Specialist in a new school system. Before that, I had heard of the programs and had always been a bit skeptical. My skepticism consisted of what is the value of this, really, and it just takes up extra time getting everything set up.

Even my first couple of experiences of setting up a game with the boxes and having trouble resetting locks, I felt like throwing in the towel. However, I was persistent and continued reminding my teachers that we had these kits, and we needed to implement them with content they were covering in class. Their interest motivated me to stick with it, and I have truly found a new passion for the BreakoutEDU concept.

All of that initial frustration is now well worth it to see our students so engrossed in these activities.  I am here to tell you, “Don’t be afraid of it!” I have now worked with teachers and students in implementing BreakoutEDU from 1st grade through high school.

Just as in my struggle to learn and get comfortable programming locks and organizing games, our students struggle with quick frustration often in the classroom setting. BreakoutEDU gives students a chance to experience real-world situations, think critically, work collaboratively, and appreciate the result after hard work, dedication, and persistence. The 4 C’s (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity) at their best. 

Getting Started with BreakoutEDU & Digital Breakouts

Most games require a BreakoutEDU kit that you can purchase online or DIY.

“Included in the purchase of the kit is 12 months of full access to the Breakout EDU Platform with over 1500+ Breakout EDU games covering a wide array of subjects.”

Each Breakout EDU kit includes the following physical items…

• 1 Large Breakout EDU Locking Box
• 1 Small Breakout EDU Locking Box
• 1 Hasp
• 1 Alphabet Multilock
• 1 Directional Multilock
• 1 Color Wheels for Multilock
• 1 Shape Wheels for Multilock
• 1 Number Wheels for Multilock
• 1 Three-digit lock
• 1 Four-digit lock
• 1 Key lock (with three identical keys)
• 1 Deck of 4C Cards
• 1 Red Lens Viewer
• 1 UV light
• 1 Invisible ink pen
• 1 USB thumb drive (blank)
• 2 Hint cards

Or you can opt to go completely digital and try a Digital Breakout.

“Breakout EDU Digital games come fully loaded and ready to play – no setup required.” All you need is Internet access and a device.

PLAY a sample Digital Breakout here.

You can also use the BreakoutEDU Tags app on your mobile device to play games and scan codes.

Anyone can create a FREE account and access the free games here, but there are even more games available with a premium license.

Becoming a BreakoutEDU Authorized Trainer

I recently applied and was honored to be chosen into the BreakoutEDU Authorized Trainer Program. I did this, not because I am an expert by any means, but to gain more experience for myself in my journey as I use what I learn to encourage teachers and students who may experience those same struggles and not know how to get assistance.

Staying organized in setting up and implementing a Breakout game is very important, and I am excited to share my process and techniques with other educators who want to bring innovation into their day to day instruction.

I would love to talk with you more about BreakoutEDU and how I have worked with teachers, organized setting up games, and to learn from you what you have done.  Feel free to contact me via Twitter at @sv314dws.

About Susan Vincentz

Born and raised in Kentucky, I have been an educator for over 20 years as a classroom teacher in grades 4-8, library media specialist, and Tech Coach. Currently, I am a Technology Integration Specialist at the Christian Academy School System. I serve grades K-12 on four campuses in Louisville and Southern Indiana. I love instructional technology and learning about new tools. I am passionate about helping other educators effectively use these tools in their classrooms and seeing them realize how much time they can save to become more efficient and organized.

Personally, I enjoy our family time with my husband, thirteen-year-old son, and sixteen-year-old niece working on our property, taking care of our garden, as well as traveling to and discovering new places. My husband, David, and I also serve on our church’s production team, where I am also the Director of Communications.

Susan Vincentz

K12 Technology Integration Specialist

Christian Academy School System

Louisville, Ky / New Albany, In

Google for Education Certified Trainer 

BreakoutEDU Authorized Trainer

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post BreakoutEDU: More Than a Time-Filling Game appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Google Classroom is a fantastic tool for teachers and students in the K12 classroom.

But did you know, Google Classroom is also a great learning tool for adults, too?

Today, I am going to share with you 15 Ways to Use Google Classroom in Professional Learning.

I’ve touched on this idea over the years and included it in a blog post and infographic, 20 New Ways to Use Google Classroom. If you haven’t explored these ideas, be sure to check it out!

If you are in a position where you deliver training and professional development to other educators, this episode is for you!

If your school has “Gone Google,” and especially if your teachers are using (or encouraged to use) Google Classroom, you MUST find a way to embed Google Classroom in your professional learning experiences.

Whether you are delivering PD face-to-face, online, or blending the two, Google Classroom is a robust tool to help you streamline your content and communicate with participants.

...

Shoutout

Before we get started, I want to give a huge shoutout to Carly Black, who took Lisa Johnson’s Fake Instagram Template (from episode 32) and modified it for Google Slides!

You may remember Carly from episode 10, where we did an on-air coaching episode together.

Thank you, Carly! The template links are below. You can also check out Carly’s guest post here.

Make a Copy of the Fake Instagram Template | View the Fake Instagram Template Link

15 Ways to Use Google Classroom in Professional Learning

It is essential that our professional learning experiences help model both the tools and strategies that we, as leaders, want to see in our classrooms.

Google Classroom is now used by millions worldwide, so we must find effective ways to use this tool in professional development for teachers.

I also want to mention that this topic has been widely discussed in the FREE Shake Up Learning Community on Facebook. (You can join us here.) And I will be sharing tips from members of the community throughout this post and episode.

Below are 15 Ways to Use Google Classroom in Professional Learning.

1. To Demonstrate Google Classroom as a Tool for Teachers

When teaching Google Classroom as a classroom tool, USE Google Classroom, if at all possible.

Teachers need to see how the tool is used to communicate and distribute assignments.

Create a class and invite participants to join using class code as a student, so they can see what the platform can do and what it will look like for students. Then have them create their own class.

This is your opportunity to show teachers what the student side looks like and help them better understand the tool.

2. To Organize and Blend Teacher Workshop Assignments

Google Classroom is a great way to organize your face-to-face teacher workshop materials and assignments. This also allows you to model what blending learning will look like in the classroom.

If the workshop is multiple days, especially if they are spread out, you can stay connected through Google Classroom, distribute homework assignments, discussions, and more.

Liz Dolan: “Yes. In a 30 hour [2 credit] course, we might have 3 two hour meetings with assigned work in between that’s distributed through classroom. We have individual assignments and group discussions through that platform as well.”

Google Classroom is also a great companion for new teacher training!

Use Google Classroom to facilitate and share all the school information, technology resources, policies, etc.

Mark Gerl: “For two summers, I’ve done an orientation to Design Thinking and Project Based Learning for our staff (new and returning but who need reminders) that is all on Google Classroom, with videos and discussions to make it interactive.”

3. Conference Resources (Don’t Mess with Google Classroom)

Consider using Google Classroom as a location for conference attendees to get all the resources for each session, participate in session activities, connect with other attendees, and more. We did this a few years ago at the “Don’t Mess with Google Classroom,” conference I co-hosted with Alice Keeler.

We used Google Classroom to host all of the resources for the conference, assign activities, and collaborate.

Every presenter was given access ahead of time so they could add their session resources and activities.

This is great for experienced users, and a great way to get newbies acquainted.

Marquita Stottern Fleming: “I have used it in face to face PD sessions to both store resources and to guide participants through the learning process for the last two years. I have also used it in session at TCEA in 2018 to demonstrate methods that can be used in the classroom for Student Choice/Blended Learning. Participants chose the technology method they wanted to use to show their learning and selected the activities they wanted to do.”

4. To Teach an Online Course

Yes, you can facilitate a fully online course through Google Classroom!

My friend, Tony Vincent, uses Google Classroom for his online PD courses.

Here’s what he has to say about it: “Professionals from around the globe can join the same class and learn online. The instructor can post videos, slideshows, documents, and links from which participants can learn. Then the instructor can post assignments, quizzes, and discussion questions. Even when the class is over, it can remain online as a valuable resource.” (See his full post here.)

Tony uses Google Classroom to facilitate his Classy Graphics and Classy Videos courses online. (Highly recommend these courses!)

Jamie Lee: “I’m currently running PD in my district using classroom and flipgrid to host. Running the course on Graphic Design in the classroom – Canva, Lucidpress, and Adobe Spark.”

Inside your own school or district, this idea becomes even more powerful to support reluctant teachers and give them reminders.

Encourage participants to turn on Google Classroom notifications for your online course, so they don’t lose track!

5. As a Follow-up to Face-to-Face Training

Often, the biggest missing piece to great PD is the lack of follow-up.

As a teacher, I have experienced so many days of PD with high expectations from my administration. But without the follow-up, those days of learning often fell flat and were never implemented. One-and-done!

Google Classroom is the perfect companion to face-to-face training, whether you used it in the actual training or not.

Be sure to get all the participants in the class before they leave the session, so they know how to access Google Classroom and the follow-up resources and implementation guide.

Create a safe environment to share their struggles with implementation and streamline communication and expectations.

Constance Limback Hallemeier: “I delivered a PD presentation about embedding tech in math classes using Google Classroom. Then I could continue to add ideas to the classroom as I found them so they can continue to learn ideas.”

6. Ongoing Support and Coaching

Google Classroom can help instructional coaches, tech coaches and specialists, and other support positions better support teachers.

As a coach, it can be challenging to keep those communication lines open with your teachers and meet all of their needs.

You may already be sending email newsletters, creating resource documents and sites, but a lot of teachers are reluctant to ask for help.

Using Google Classroom to support your teachers, collaborative teams, department or grade-level teams, can help you better understand their needs and offer support at any time.

And don’t forget to use your class to share victories and accomplishments!

7. To Facilitate Online Book Studies

No matter what topic your book study covers, you can use technology to facilitate a fully online or blended book study.

What’s great about posting the discussion questions online through Google Classroom is that this allows participants to post answers at a time that is convenient for them. We call this asynchronous, meaning everyone doesn’t have to meet at an exact time.

However, you could add some LIVE online video conferencing to spice things up! Invite the author, share accomplishments, and wins.

An online book study could get more participation than face-to-face meetings because of the flexibility.

Ashley Boatwright Fort: “We are doing a book study of Shake Up Learning right now using Google Classroom. I love how I can schedule assignments ahead of time! We are using the question feature for “assignments” so teachers can see each other’s work and have meaningful discussions. They also seem to like it because it’s a platform they are use to from in-person PD and with their students.”

By the way, the Shake Up Learning book was created with book studies in mind! It includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter and an entire website full of additional resources. I regularly facilitate my own book studies. You can get the latest info here.

And if you want to learn more about how to plan an effect book study, check out this post and podcast episode: The Teacher’s Guide to Professional Book Studies.

8. To Share Resources and Templates

You can easily create a Google Classroom class that serves the purpose of being a resource site.

Post links to templates, blogs, podcasts, websites, apps, and more on Google Classroom for your teachers.

Depending on the group, this could be for the entire staff to communicate and share. Or setting up classes for collaborative teams to share and post.

If these are resources you want a response to, or required reading, post as an assignment so you can track. If this is just a place for teachers to find resources, post as materials. Use topics to organize the resources into categories. Enable comments to encourage discussion. Enable posting to allow teachers to share their own ideas and resources.

Beth Heller: “I use the materials option to share agendas, templates, and other resources for PD. I also used the question post as we got started to find out what my staff wanted linked on the page. I’m thinking about using the comment feature as a back channel in the future.”

9. Online Group Discussions

Use Google Classroom to set up online discussions. Maybe your group needs to make some decisions, discuss curriculum, or school initiatives.

You can use the question option on the Classwork page, but keep in mind that they will not see any answers until they post their own. Or you could post the question as an announcement to encourage more conversation.

10. Virtual PLCs/Blended PLCs (Professional Learning Communities)

Professional learning community (PLC) An ongoing process in which educators work collaboratively in recurring cycles of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve. Professional learning communities operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous job-embedded learning for educators.

Google Classroom makes the perfect companion to blend your PLC collaboration, or make it virtual!

Every school approaches PLCs a little bit differently. Consider using Google Classroom to organize your materials, discuss, post videos, links, and collaborate.

Jessica Kings: “Ann Rose and I are facilitating a virtual PLC via Google Classroom using Shake Up Learning as an anchor text! Kristin and Samantha ate actually sharing out this upcoming PD day about their experiences!”

11. Assign and Discuss Podcast PD

Using podcasts for professional learning can be a great resource for your teachers. Some teachers are familiar with podcasts, and for some, it will be brand new.

There are podcasts on just about any topic you can think of! By offering podcasts as a resource, supplement, or even an option to listen during face-to-face PD could be a game-changer.

Using Google Classroom to support Podcast PD is a no-brainer. You can make it really easy to help teachers learn more about podcasts, give them a selection to choose from, and related assignments through Google Classroom.

If you are your teachers are new to podcasts, use this Teacher’s Guide to Podcasts to learn more.

Laura Cahill: “I’m wrapping up a five-week Podcast PD where each week we listen to an episode independently and then having discussion in Classroom…I am so shocked by the level of discussion!”

Here’s how Laura Cahill sets up Podcast PD.

I love this idea! So much so, I even have a Podcast PD Choice Board that you can use or modify the FREE template for your teachers.

12. Support and Track Challenges & Badges for Teachers

Gamify your PD! By taking elements from games, like challenges and badges, you can engage your participants in new ways.

By issuing a challenge like creating a Dynamic Learning Experience (using the template here), you could award the accomplishment by creating a digital (or printable) badge that allows teachers to show-off their accomplishment.

Google Classroom is a great platform for assigning challenges, submitting evidence, and sharing success!

Laura Cahill: “And I’ve been running a ten-week G Suite Challenge in Classroom where participants have to complete a task in an app after reading the directions and watching the videos I post.”

13. Streamline Announcements & Communication with Staff

Many schools are using Google Classroom to improve communication with teachers and staff. You can set up a class for your campus to push out announcements and other communication.

This is a great way to avoid things getting lost in email.

14. Self-Paced Tutorials

You can create a Google Classroom class specifically to share self-paced video tutorials for teachers.

I would recommend creating a class based on the topic or application that you are teaching, let’s say, “Getting Started with Google Classroom,” for example. In this class, you can post a series of short video tutorials to help teachers learn the program on their own.

15. To Support Absentees

Teachers are always busy! Life happens, and sometimes teachers will miss a face-to-face meeting, training, or other professional learning experience.

If we are already using Google Classroom to blend the experience, this makes it even easier for teachers to “make-up,” what they may have missed.

Keep this in mind as you create your class and give detailed information and directions for those that may have been absent or need to leave early.

Carly Black: “I went through some technology PD in this way. I couldn’t make it to any of the in-person training so I watched the videos on Classroom and completed the quizzes through Forms. I finished during my prep periods in about a week. It was the best way to get some last minute CEUs and there were great ideas for my classroom.”

Remember to always create opportunities for learning in alternative ways to support your teachers!

What do you think? What would you add to this list? Please leave a comment below.

Podcast Question of the Week

“How can Google Classroom help us learn and grow together as professionals?”

See all the podcast questions for each week’s episode on this page.

Google Certification Courses Open Nov. 19th!

Online Google Boot Camps–BUT BETTER!

All 3 Courses Will Open on November 19!

Mark your calendars! These courses (Level 1, Level 2, and Trainer) will open for limited enrollment on Nov. 19, 2019, and will close on Dec. 3, 2019. (It will not open again until May!)

Work on certification during your summer break!

What’s Included in the Google Certification Courses?

Google Certified Educator Level 1 Academy

Everything you need to know to pass the exam and become a Google Certified Educator Level 1!

• 50 Video Lessons (hands-on learning with Kasey Bell)
• 20+ PDF Downloadable Study Material
• Lesson Checks
• Private Community & Study Group
• Testing Tips
• Level 1 Challenges (testing scenarios)
• BONUS: Includes the ENTIRE Google Classroom Master Class!
• and much more!
• Learn more and see the course curriculum

Google Certified Educator Level 2 Academy

Everything you need to know to pass the exam and become a Google Certified Educator Level 2!

• 40+ Video Lessons (hands-on learning with Kasey Bell)
• 20+ PDF Downloadable Study Material
• Lesson Checks
• Private Community & Study Group
• Testing Tips
• Level 2 Challenges (testing scenarios)
• and much more!
• Learn more and see the course curriculum

Google Certified Trainer Academy

Completely updated and redesigned for 2019!

All You Need to Know to Prepare for the Trainer Skills Assessment and Application!

Becoming a Google Certified Trainer was one of the best decisions I ever made, and it transformed my learning and my career! This self-paced, online course includes EVERYTHING you need to know to pass the Trainer Skills Assessment AND complete the application requirements, including:

• 18 Video Lessons
• Private Community and Study Group
• The Ultimate Google Certified Trainer Planner and Checklist
• Exam Tips
• Application and Video Tips
• PD Credit Certificate (12 hours)
• BONUS 1: How to Design Google PD That Works
• BONUS 2: How to Market Yourself as a Trainer
• Learn more and see the course curriculum

Pricing & Bundles

Below are the prices for individual licenses for each course. (Payment plans available.)

• Level 1 Academy: $329 (or two payments of $179)
• Level 2 Academy: $329 (or two payments of $179)
• Trainer: $329 (or two payments of $179)

Campus and District licenses available! (Click here to inquire.)

Request to pay with a purchase order.

BUT WAIT…THERE’S MORE!

Opening all of these courses at once also gives you another advantage–bundling! If you want to purchase multiple courses at once, you can save BIG TIME!

I’m also introducing some new bulk licensing options, so you can find more affordable ways to meet the needs of your campus or district.

NOTE: To purchase a bundle, you must purchase from the bundle page.

Here’s how it works (click on the links to purchase a bundle):

• Level 1 and Level 2 Bundle: $558 (SAVE $100)
• Level 2 and Trainer Bundle: $558 (SAVE $100)
• Level 1, Level 2, and Trainer Bundle: $737 (SAVE $250)

Request to pay with a purchase order

Check out all of the FREE Google Certification Resources from Shake Up Learning!

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post 15 Ways to Use Google Classroom in Professional Learning – SULS034 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode, I got to talk to Cate Tolnai and Lindsey Blass about their new book Power Up Your Classroom! They share their passion for gamifying the classroom with game-based learning and teaching through play. We discuss what types of classroom environments are appropriate for gamification and ways you can incorporate game-based learning today!

For those of you who don’t know, Cate is a passionate fan of learning, coaching, and connecting. She works as the Director of Member Engagement for California’s ISTE Affiliate, CUE. She also serves as Adjunct Faculty at the Krause Center for Innovation at Foothills College. Cate has spent over seventeen years in education and is committed to supporting educators as they integrate technology in the classroom.

Lindsey spreads her love of learning as the Personalized Learning Environments Program Manager for San Francisco Unified School District. She reimagines learning through empowering teachers and administrators as designers of flexible learning environments that leverage technology to personalize instruction. She too serves as Adjunct Faculty for Foothill College/Krause Center for Innovation where she teaches courses on blended learning, assessment strategies, game-based learning, and more. 

This episode is jam-packed with inspiring nuggets that will get you started with gamification today. Listen as Lindsey and Cate share their passion for gameplay in the classroom and how you can use game-based learning to teach above the test. You won’t want to miss this episode and you will definitely want to read their book after you hear about all of the passion and love they poured into its creation!

...

In This Episode:

[00:29] – Welcome back ya’ll! Kasey is chatting with Cate Tolnai and Lindsay Blass about gamification in the classroom.

[01:50] – Shout to Kim Nowak for her wonderful email regarding Kasey’s masterclasses.

Join the Google Classroom Master Class

Join the Google Slides Master Class

All courses: https://shakeuplearning.teachable.com 

[03:18] – Listen to our Speakpipe message from Susan Noake and her idea for using duty time to build relationships.

Leave you own speakpipe message for Kasey here.

[05:01] – Cate and Lindsay say hi and share some information about themselves.

[08:21] – Learn more about Power Up Your Classroom: Reimagine Learning Through Gameplay, who the book is for, and how it will change your classroom.

Buy the Book on Amazon

Gamification v. Game-Based Learning

[13:43] – What’s the difference between gamification and game-based learning? 

From the book: Power Up Your Classroom by Cate Tolnai and Lindsey Blass

The 4 C’s of Game-Based Learning

[15:38] – Learn the 4-Cs in game-based learning.

1. CHOOSE: Learners experience choice in process and product
2. CLARIFY: Learners reflect on their progress in an iterative growth process
3. CONNECT: Learners build relationships through common progress, skills, interest, and goals
4. CELEBRATE: Learners have opportunities to celebrate both process and mastery of learning

[19:14] – What is one simple way to incorporate gamification in your classroom? 

[22:03] – Learn why you have to start with the culture in the classroom regarding failure before starting any type of gamification in the classroom.

[25:44] – Cate and Lindsey share specific topics in the book they are really excited to present.

[32:33] – Hear how Cate and Lindsey respond to the issue of time in the classroom and teaching to the test.

[38:36] – How to find Cate and Lindsey to connect!

www.powerupclassroom.com

Cate on Twitter: @CateTolnai

Cate on LinkedIn

Cate’s Website

Lindsey on Twitter: @LindseyBlass1

Lindsey on LinkedIn

Lindsey’s Website

Podcast Question of the Week

[41:31] – Kasey shares the podcast questions of the week: 

How can you empower your learners with gameplay in your classroom? Name two takeaways.

Post your answer to your favorite social media platform using the hashtag #ShakeUpLearning, or share it in the Shake Up Learning Community on Facebook!

[42:35] – Thank you for listening! Please subscribe to the podcast, and leave a review on iTunes. (Bonus points if you use  the word “y’all” in your review!)

Links and Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

The Shake Up Learning Show

The Shake Up Learning Community on Facebook

Join the Shake Up Learning Book Study!

Shake Up Learning: Practical Ideas to Move Learning from Static to Dynamic by Kasey Bell

Shake Up Learning Summer Book Study Facebook group

Power Up Your Classroom: Reimagine Learning with Game Play by Cate Tolnai and Lindsey Blass

Yu-kai Chou

Cate Tolnai’s Website

Lindsey Blass’s Website

Caine’s Arcade Concept

Ron Berger

Bill Marsland 

Andrew Rothman

The Shake Up Learning Show episode 19: Top 10 Secrets of an Awesome Tech Coach

Questions & Comments

Do you have a question you would like me to answer on the show? I’d love to hear from you!

I also love to hear from students!

Leave me a voicemail and your message could be played on the podcast!

Do You Want to Be on the Podcast?

To learn more about our process for selecting guests, please visit our show page here.

Sponsorship and Other Inquiries

If you have other questions or inquiries about the podcast, please use this contact form.

© Shake Up Learning 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Power Up Your Classroom with Game Play [interview with Cate Tolnai and Lindsay Blass] – SULS022 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Using G Suite in Special Education (Episode 4 of the Google Teacher Tribe Podcast)

In this episode, Matt and I interview Carrie Baughcum, a special education teacher from Illinois, who share her favorite Google tips, how she gamifies her class–Star Wars style, and a fabulous lesson plan! We also have some Google news and updates to share, and some great resources from our blogs.

You can play the first episode using the player below, or subscribe on iOS, Android, Stitcher or RSS.

Show Notes and additional resources and links are below.

Download Episode

[Tweet “G Suite for Special Education with @HeckAwesome! Episode 4 of the #GTTribe #googleedu #edtech”]

Subscribe to the Podcast

You can subscribe to the Podcast on iOS, Android, Stitcher or RSS.

[Tweet “I just subscribed to the Google Teacher Tribe Podcast, and YOU should too! #gttribe #googleedu”]

Episode 4 Show Notes:

Google News and Updates

Google Voice Updates – Long awaited and needed updates have been made to this popular Google product. Updates start with a facelift to the desktop and mobile apps along with some great new features!

Tour Petra in Google Cardboard

Quickly open NEW docs in browser

• Docs: docs.google.com/create
• Sheets: sheets.google.com/create
• Slides: slides.google.com/create
• Forms: forms.google.com/create

TIP: Command/Control+click on a bookmark bar folder to open all bookmarks at once

Interview with Carrie Baughcum (aka Heck Awesome)

Carrie Baughcum is a self-described inspiration junkie, idea spreader, and learning enthusiast! Most importantly, she is a passionate believer that all children can learn, we just need to find out how.

Baughcum is currently the 6th, 7th and 8th-grade Extended Resource Special Education class in Arlington Heights School District 25. In her classroom, Carrie integrates technology, creative thinking, a fearless attitude, the power of gamification and endless doodles to enable her students to access information and materials, enhance their learning and empower them to achieve things they never knew they could do or be a part of.

Carrie is also the mother of two daughters, 9 and 11 years old. At home, she encourages them to explore, learn and try anything their imagination can think up. She works hard to create and involve them in activities and experiences with exploration, creativity, problem-solving and making.

She shares her experiences from her classroom, adventures, experiences and time with her husband and daughters with other at conferences and at carriebaughcum.com.

Follow @HeckAwesome

Shared by Carrie:

• Using Google Calendar as an Assignment Notebook
• Gamification Resources from Carrie
• Lesson: Argument Paragraph and Speech (Want your own copy? Go to File>Make a Copy in the Doc)

[Tweet “Check out how @HeckAwesome does Star Wars #Gamification with her students! #edchat”]

On the Blogs

Matt – How to get parents on board with your big changes

Kasey – How to Differentiate Assignments in Google Classroom

Mailbag from Our Listeners

Kevin White, The Learning Choice Academy in California, wrote in:

Matt, I love your site! Need to spruce mine up. I like the new Google Sites (been using Classic Google Sites), but it seems a bit limited. What do you use for your Ditch That Textbook site? Did you design it yourself? I hope you do not mind, I will be presenting and sharing some of your blogs at our next teacher tech training in Feb! Keep up the good work, I find your passion for educational technology to be exuberant!

Tracey Nangle, ELA/Geography teacher, North Smithfiled Schools in Slatersville, RI

Keturah Rush, Monticello School District in Monticello, AR

Thank You Pam Q for your 5-star iTunes review!

“This podcast was easy to listen to: clear, concise and useful for teachers and administrators. Kasey and Matt include current information for any educator who is integrating technology in their classrooms and schools. Can’t wait for the next episode!”

Submit Your Questions to the Podcast

We would love to answer your questions on air! Please feel free to submit your questions here and leave us a voicemail so we can play your question for our listeners.

https://googleteachertribe.com/feedback 

Leave Us a Review!

We would love to hear what you think about The Google Teacher Tribe Podcast. Please leave us a review in iTunes and help other teachers find this free resource! Here’s how to leave a review on an iPhone or iPad.

Don’t have an iDevice? Leave a comment below to let us know your thoughts!

Become a VIP Member of the Google Teacher Tribe

Are you a VIP??? Become a VIP and join our exclusive email list! This list will give you VIP access to early information about our podcast when the episodes will air, and special resources just for our Google Teacher Tribe!! Just fill out this form.

Follow Us on Social Media

• Follow @GTeacherTribe on Twitter
• Follow the Google Teacher Tribe Podcast on Facebook
• Use the #gttribe hashtag to share with The Tribe!

Sponsor The Google Teacher Tribe Podcast

The Google Teacher Tribe Podcast has some spots open for sponsors and advertisers. If you are interested, fill out this form, and we will contact you with more information.

Connect with Shake Up Learning

Email me directly: Kasey[at]ShakeUpLearning.com

Click on any of the icons below to connect with Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning on social media.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post G Suite for Special Education | Google Teacher Tribe Podcast Episode 4 with Carrie Baughcum appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Bring the fun of Jimmy Fallon into the Classroom with Word Sneak!

Teach Like The Tonight Show with the Word Sneak Game

 

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post Teach Like The Tonight Show: Google Chrome Word Sneak Game #GAFE appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Prosper ISD Google Badges

Here’s an update on using badges in teacher professional development with new ideas and resources. Gamification with badges can be a great motivator for teachers and students! I posted in the fall on this concept, and it was one of the most popular posts ever! Thanks to my friends in Denton ISD for letting me share their awesome website. The team in Denton sparked a lot of interest in the idea of using badges and self-directed learning to help teachers learn new about using digital tools in the classroom. Then teachers receive a badge to represent their accomplishment and learning. These badges can be used digitally online, or printed out and posted on the door. See the original post for details on their website and program: Take PD to the Next Level with Badges.

Kyle Pace, Lee’s Summit School District (Lee’s Summit, MO)

Lee’s Summit Google Badges

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Screenshot of the Google Form

Kyle’s Words of Advice

Always keep the end goal in mind; always thinking about what you want teachers to accomplish by earning the badge. Also, getting buy in from administrators helps a lot because they need to be earning badges too! – Kyle Pace

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• CLICK HERE to see the Lee’s Summit Badging Website.
• Be sure you follow Kyle on Twitter! (Everybody else is!)

Michelle Phillips, Prosper ISD (Prosper, TX)

Michelle’s Words of Advice

Start with the badges you really want everyone to have experience with then add more as you go. Competitions are a great way to get teachers engaged in the program. Have lots of badges ready to hand out before you start. Teachers like to see their badges right away. Don’t wait too long to hand them out.

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• CLICK HERE to see Prosper ISD’s Badging Website.
• Follow the awesome Michelle Phillips on Twitter!

Do you have a badging site you would like to share? Please share in the comments below. I’d love to see and share with others!

Want to Shake Things Up in Your School or District? Bring Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning to You!

Ready to shake things up in your school or at your event? Email me at Kasey[at]ShakeUpLearning.com, or submit this PD request form to bring Shake Up Learning to your 2016 event.

• Change is the New Black: Embrace the Digital Learning Revolution(keynote)
• The Teacher’s Guide to Google Classroom (workshop or presentation)
• Digital Differentiation with Google Apps (workshop or presentation)
• The Golden Treasures of Google! The Fabulous Tools You Don’t Know About! (presentation)
• Blended Learning with Chromebooks (workshop or presentation)
• The Social Media Secret Sauce (presentation)

Testimonials

Here is what others have said about Kasey Bell’s presentations:

“Thank YOU for an outstanding presentation this morning. I received so many wonderful comments about your keynote at our conference. These attendees didn’t just say they “liked” it; they each offered a specific point from your presentation to share with me that impacted their thinking about “change” or the integration of technology & instruction. Now that’s an effective presentation!” – Jane McKinney

“Great session. Loved the ‘treasures’ theme throughout. Great, quick overview of tools and classroom applications for Google Apps.” – Chad Kafka

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

The post More Ideas for Badges in Professional Learning appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

[Tweet “16 Things for Teachers to Try in 2016! #edtech #gafe #googleedu”]

[Tweet “16 Things for Teachers to Try in 2016! #edtech #gafe #googleedu”]

What are your goals for 2016? There are so many new and exciting things to try both in and out of the classroom. So I put together a list of 16 Things for Teachers to Try in 2016 to help inspire educators to try something new this year. What will you try? What would you add to this list? Please add to the comments below.

1. Google Cardboard: This year you will see both virtual and augmented reality take-off in 2016! Google Cardboard makes virtual reality accessible to the masses and with the advent of Google Expeditions, Google has made virtual reality not only cheap and convenient but also focused on using it to engage students in the classroom. Google Cardboard has also been making the news a lot lately! Did you see how a doctor used Cardboard to save a baby’s life? Virtual reality, or VR, is a game-changer across the board, and it will revolutionize learning. Get your own Google Cardboard now, or build your own. Be sure you get version 2.0, both versions work, but version 2 is a much better design. Look for more blog posts on Google Cardboard coming soon! Curious about VR? Search “VR,” in your mobile app store. You will find tons of virtual experiences! (See also Google Cardboard Comes to iOS, now 52 Google Apps for the iPad!)
   

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2. Sketchnoting (or Visual Note-Taking): Research has shown that drawing your notes, even doodling can help anyone learn and remember information better (See research: The Pen is Mightier Than the Keyboard). I am not a sketch artist like some of my friends, Sylvia Duckworth (click to see Sylvia’s fantastic sketches) and Matt Miller, author of Ditch That Textbook (click here to see Matt’s awesome sketchnotes), but I’m trying to learn! I also greatly admire the work of Brad Ovenell Carter . Follow Brad on twitter: @braddo.Two mobile apps to try with sketch noting: Adobe Illustrator Draw and Paper by FiftyThree. I’ve been dabbling with Paper for some time, but my sketches are not ready for primetime. But that’s not the point! You don’t have to be an artist to use this method for learning. I also have been using the Pencil stylus by FiftyThree. Look for me on Instagram sharing my sketches soon and #failingforward. Also, be sure to check out these excellent books on sketch notes: Show Your Work by Austin Kleon, The Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rohde, and The Sketchnote Workbook by Mike Rohde. Below is a great introductory video to the concept of visual note-taking:
   

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   [Tweet “Try sketchnoting with your students this year! Great way to help them learn and remember!”]

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3. Blogging: The power of sharing your voice cannot be overstated! I started blogging just under two years ago and it transformed my career and my learning. Blogging with your students will give new meaning to their writing and their work! The power of sharing your voice, your learning and your passions online cannot be overrated. (See my post on The #ShakeUpLearning Challenge: Share Your Voice.) Start simple! The bottom line is just to get writing and posting on a regular basis. Don’t get caught up in trying to choose the perfect platform. Perfect is the enemy of done! Already blogging? Maybe you need to re-commit to blogging regularly or offer to mentor someone else who has been putting it off for far too long, and by all means get your students blogging! Here are my 5 Tips for New Bloggers.
   

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4. Podcasting: If blogging isn’t for you, maybe you should share your voice through a podcast. Podcasting has continued to grow like wildfire, and educators across the globe are sharing through this medium every day. If you don’t want to podcast yourself, be sure you take advantage of the all of the phenomenal podcasts that are available online across many different platforms like iTunes, Stitcher, and Overcast. Here is a list of some educational podcasts to get you started.
   

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5. Live Streaming: Live streaming is about to take over everything whether we like it or not! My opinion is that teachers should always model a positive social media presence for your students. Find ways to try one of these rapidly growing apps: Periscope, Meerkat, Blab.IM or soon…Facebook! Yep, Facebook is piloting its own live streaming application. THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING! Follow @ShakeUpLearning on Periscope.
   

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6. Wearables: While maybe everyone doesn’t need an Apple Watch, wearables will soon be everywhere. If you don’t quite get it yet, or maybe some of these gadgets don’t fit your teacher’s budget, it’s worth paying attention! Your students will soon be walking in with wearables, and not just watches. Eventually, even our clothing will be connected. Investigate the possibilities of wearables and ALWAYS think about how devices can be used FOR LEARNING, not just a distraction. Check these out: Moto 360 Sport, Apple Watch, Google Glass 2, and this list: 50 Wearable Tech Game Changers for 2016.
   

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7. Start a YouTube Channel: You may already have one and not realize it, but everyone needs a YouTube Channel. Even if you only use it as a curation tool to create playlists of your favorite videos, and playlists for your students. Video content is dominating now that we can stream on just about any device. Click here to learn how to set up your own YouTube Channel. And here are 20 YouTube Channels for Educators to help you find great content, and follow Shake Up Learning on YouTube!Oh, and as a side note, Facebook video is also an excellent way to share your voice. It is now one of the fastest growing mediums for video. Remember the days when we thought Facebook would never have a place in the classroom or the workplace? That is all changing! Check out Facebook for Work.
   [Tweet “Everyone needs a @YouTube Channel! Create, Curate and Share Videos!”]

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8. Google Classroom: Google has made this application specifically FOR students and teachers! Google Classroom is a free application designed to help students and teachers communicate, collaborate, organize and manage assignments, go paperless, and much more! It is a must if you are 1-1 with Google Apps for Education. Not 1-1? No problem, Google Classroom is great for any classroom that regularly uses Google Apps for Education, and for any grade level that has the skills to log into their Google Account. Ready to get started? Check out The Teacher’s Guide to Google Classroom eBook (now available on Amazon), which is loaded with step-by-step directions, screenshots, tips and tricks, and shows both the teacher view and the student view. FREE BONUS: The Student’s Quick Guide to Google Classroom is included for free with this eBook, which includes printable directions and step sheets for students to follow. Get the eBook now! Also check out the 6 Tips for Getting Started with Google Classroom Infographic.Speaking of Google, did you know you can get a FREE Google Cheat Sheets eBook when subscribing to this blog? Get your copy today!
   

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9. Join a Google+ Community: I have been singing the praises of Google+ for a while now, and despite what many think, it isn’t going away. In fact, it just got a major overhaul. But one of my favorite features is Google+ Communities. These communities can be private or public, and offer a fantastic way to share, connect and learn online. I’ve used communities to support blended learning experiences with my students.(13+). You will find a community on just about everything that interests you, and every subject and grade level imaginable. Find the Google Educator Group in your area, and Google Apps for Education communities. There’s something for everyone. Check out my post on 5 Reasons Educators Should Use G+.
   

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10. Gamify a Lesson or Professional Development: Gamification isn’t going anywhere just yet. It is not a fad; gamification is proving to be a viable way to learn. If you haven’t tried it yet, start planning a lesson in 2016. And if you are in a position to deliver professional learning, try gamifing your PD! Take PD to the Next Level with Badges like Denton ISD. Also, check out my gamification Pinterest board for resources.
    1. Create a badge for your students: Speaking of gamification, badges have also become a great motivator for both teachers and students to reach learning goals and show off their accomplishments. You can create badges with a variety of applications, including Google Drawings. I’m also a fan of Credly for the 13+ crowd just because it is fast, clean and easy-to-use. I also have a post on Badges here: 5 Awesome Resources for Badges in the Classroom; and check out one of the most popular posts of 2015 on using badges in professional development!
    2. Create an avatar: Another great way to add a layer of gamification is to have students create avatars for their profiles. Using avatars online help protect student identity and model good digital citizenship skills. Check out this post: 6 Fun and Free Avatar Creators for the iPad.
       

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11. Breakout EDU: Breakout Edu is a way to bring the escape room type of games into the classroom and teach teamwork, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Each game is a puzzle for the students to solved to unlock the box. This unique and engaging way of learning is great for all ages. Check out the Breakout Edu website for more information on how to get started. The video below explains the concept in more detail.
    

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12. Participate in a Voxer Chat: It seems everyone is on Twitter now, but many have not experienced Voxer. Voxer offers a unique way to connect, collaborate and learn with other educators. It is a walkie-talkie app for smartphones that allows you to have not only one-to-one chats but also group chats. You can use the voice feature, or even text message. The messages are all saved so you can listen/read when you have a chance. It can be overwhelming at first, so start small! Follow the #eduvoxer hashtag to see what’s shaking on voxer. It’s also great for family communication.Sarah Thomas created this great Voxer 101 Video:
    

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13. Brand Yourself, Your Work, Your Class and/or Your Campus: Branding is not just for companies anymore. It is becoming a necessity to brand yourself and your online presence. It will especially be important for our students entering the workforce. To get started branding yourself, your work, your classroom or your campus, begin with your website. Choose a style, logo, font and colors that you use consistently. Create social media cover images using tools like Canva to give it a consistent look. Canva has tons of templates that make design and branding easy!
    

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14. 3D Print Something Awesome: Yep, 3D printers are everywhere and are so much fun! If you haven’t experienced one, find one in your district or your area to try. A lot of high schools have them now, and a lot of school maker spaces are investing as well. There are also a lot of local maker spaces popping in cities across the country. Even if you don’t find a 3D printer, find out what the fuss is all about. Maker Spaces are AWESOME! Check out all of the cool things you can print from Makerbot’s Thingiverse.
    

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15. Let Your Students Teach You: I say this ALL THE TIME! In fact, it’s on my Top Ten Tech Tips poster. Don’t be afraid to let your students teach you, especially when it comes to technology! There is no way to know it all these days, and technology changes so quickly that it is no exception. I learn something every time I teach a class, no matter the age group! Be open to letting your students show you a few tips and tricks. Looking for an app that does something specific for your students? Ask them! I bet they know something awesome you can use, and if they don’t, they will be excited to find one for you. Make them a part of the planning process.
    [Tweet “Don’t Be Afraid to Let Your Student’s Teach You in 2016! #edchat”]

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16. Jar of Awesome: Celebrate and remember you and your students’ success and accomplishments with the Jar of Awesome. Every time you reach a milestone, a learning goal, or receive recognition, simply add a slip of paper with the accomplishment to the jar. When you or your students are having a bad day, revisit the jar and how far you have come! See more ideas for the Jar of Awesome here.

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