In part two of this enlightening episode, Sarah Kiefer continues to share her invaluable insights on maximizing the potential of Google Sheets in the K12 classroom.

I often refer to Google Slides as the Swiss Army Knife of the Google suite of tools.
But an often overlooked tool that can really super-power your classroom and your lesson plans is Google Sheets.

This is the secret sauce, y’all!

In the second part of this series, our very own Shake Up Learning team member, Sarah Kiefer, spills the beans on her top Google Sheets templates, nifty lesson ideas, and some seriously cool ways to team it up with Google Forms.
You don’t want to miss this gem!

And don’t forget to check out Sarah’s awesome Google Sheets presentation that she created WITH Google Sheets!

Did you miss Part 1 of this amazing series? CLICK HERE

Listen to this episode:

Google Sheets in the Classroom (Part 2)

Google Sheets has evolved far beyond being just a spreadsheet tool; it’s a dynamic platform packed with potential for educators. In part two of Sarah Kiefer’s insightful podcast interview, we explore some of the ways Google Sheets can revolutionize the classroom, empower students, and enhance learning experiences.

Throughout this podcast series, we are exploring Sarah’s Google Sheets presentation that she recently shared with CyFair ISD.

Below is Sarah’s presentation.

Use the template link below to make a copy and save it to your Google Drive. (You can thank us later!)

Get a copy of Sarah’s Google Sheet! Template Link

Making Data Less Daunting

While Google Sheets might appear overwhelming, especially for students, Sarah emphasizes the importance of understanding the basics before diving into complex tasks. When students can grasp the essentials like creating a pie graph to show how many classmates prefer the color blue, the true potential of Google Sheets becomes more apparent.

*Related: New Smart Canvas Features in Google Docs and Sheets

Versatility of Google Forms

Google Forms are a versatile tool for education. They aren’t just for data collection; they can facilitate a wide range of tasks. From collecting basic student information to enabling surveys and applications, Google Forms can be a teacher’s Swiss Army knife. We can use Google forms for a myriad of purposes, from gathering parent information to tracking behavioral incidents.

Collaborative Data Collection and Sharing

Sarah also delves into how Google Sheets can aid in collaborative data collection. By creating a log of parent-student interactions, teachers can record and share important information with colleagues, counselors, and other relevant parties. This collective approach eliminates the need for hallway or lunchroom conversations, ensuring that vital information is shared effectively and efficiently.

*Related: Get Started with Conditional Formatting in Google Sheets

Digital Checkbooks and Financial Literacy

One practical example shared is the use of Google Sheets to teach financial literacy. A fourth-grade teacher came up with a brilliant idea to replace the traditional paper checkbooks used in a city simulation activity with a digital version. The experiment involved students learning to record transactions, calculate balances, and understand the basics of personal finance. Sarah shows us how Google Sheets can make learning practical life skills more engaging.

Encouraging Research and Source Evaluation

An important aspect Sarah highlights is the need to teach students how to conduct proper research and evaluate online sources critically. While technology advances rapidly, the importance of source vetting remains unchanged. A collaborative Google Sheet activity is introduced, where students contribute links to credible sources and provide justifications for their choices (Curation with Google Sheets). This activity is a great way to foster critical thinking, as it encourages students to explain why they believe a source is reliable.

Versatility and Depth of Google Sheets

Sarah acknowledges that the capabilities of Google Sheets extend far beyond what can be covered in a single podcast (or even two!). Its depth and versatility make it a tool that can grow with educators and students as they become more comfortable and proficient. Users are encouraged to explore the full potential of Google Sheets, recognizing that it offers so much more than what initially meets the eye.

Resources and Further Exploration

Don’t forget to explore the wonderful resources, templates, and examples available on Sarah’s websites, techyoucando.com, and templatesforteachers.com.

Whether it’s using Google Sheets with little learners or collaborating on projects with colleagues, there’s something for everyone. It’s all about gradually integrating these tools into your teaching repertoire as you become more familiar and comfortable with them.

Google Sheets has the potential to be an indispensable educational tool. By mastering the basics, teachers can gradually explore more advanced features and open up endless possibilities for creative and effective teaching methods. Sarah shows us how Google Sheets can transform the learning experience, making it more engaging and efficient while preparing students for a tech-driven world.

About Sarah Kiefer

Sarah Kiefer is a classroom technology teacher in a new district. She has spent the last 7 years supporting students and teachers use technology in meaningful ways and 14 years in the classroom before that. Sarah is a wife and mom to three daughters and blogs at www.TechYouCanDo.com.

Current Certifications: Google Certified Educator Level 1, Google Certified Educator Level 2, Google Certified Coach, Google Certified Trainer, Google Certified Innovator, Wakelet & WeVideo Ambassador; Mote Certified Educator; Master Screencaster.

Sarah’s most popular presentation topics: Google tools, Schoology, WeVideo, Wakelet

Work with us!– Bring Sarah or one of the Shake Up Learning Trainers to your school or event.

© 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 Empowering K12 Classrooms with Google Sheets (Part 2) – SULS0207 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode, join Shake Up Learning team member Sarah Kiefer and me for Part 1 of an in-depth discussion on Google Sheets.

We dive into innovative approaches to harnessing the power of Google Sheets in K12 education.

We explore Sarah’s outstanding Google Sheets presentation, a tool crafted to enrich educators and students by strengthening their foundational grasp of Sheets and elevating their classroom learning experiences.

And stay tuned for Part 2 of this jam-packed series!

Listen to the full podcast episode:

This episode is sponsored by Kognity.

I’m so excited to take part in Engage by Kognity happening on November 9th! This full-day online event is packed with inspirational speakers and great sessions. Engage is created for anyone and everyone involved in High School Science Education and offers three different session tracks. The Science Pedagogy track, the Elevate Teaching track as well as a Leadership track. Make sure to catch my session: The Teacher’s Guide to Choice Boards: Empower & Engage Students! Also, don’t worry if you can’t attend live, you’ll get access to the recordings as well. If you sign up at kognity.com/engage using my code SHAKEUPLEARNING you can attend completely for free!

Empowering K12 Classrooms with Google Sheets (Part 1)

Google Sheets is often overlooked by educators and students, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we approach teaching and learning. In this episode, Sarah Kiefer shares her passion for using Google Sheets in the classroom and how it can be a game-changer. This blog post will take you through some key insights from the podcast and show you how to harness the full potential of Google Sheets in your teaching.

*Related: FREE Templates for Teachers: Where to Find Them and How to Create Them

Redefining Google Sheets

Google Sheets often conjures images of data collection and number crunching, which may not seem very exciting to most educators and students. However, Sarah Kiefer believes that Google Sheets can be a versatile and engaging tool for all ages. It’s not just about data; it’s about how you use it.

Sarah Kiefer had the opportunity to present on Google Sheets at a recent conference. Instead of creating a traditional slide deck, she decided to build her presentation entirely within a Google Sheet. This choice allowed her to showcase the versatility of Google Sheets beyond data collection. With this unique approach, she demonstrated that Google Sheets can be a dynamic tool for creating engaging classroom activities.

Get a copy of Sarah’s Google Sheet! Template Link

Creating a Google Sheets Presentation

The presentation Sarah created within Google Sheets is a testament to the application’s capabilities. She started with a cover sheet that resembled a typical presentation slide. She merged cells, inserted images, and added links, showcasing that Google Sheets can be as visually appealing and functional as other Google applications.

Mastering the Basics

Sarah understands that not everyone is familiar with the terminology and features in Google Sheets. That’s why she dedicated a tab to the basics, offering a comprehensive glossary of essential terms, toolbars, and tabs. This resource can serve as a cheat sheet for those new to Google Sheets or as a reference point for students.

*Related: 15+ Ways for Teachers to Use Google Sheets in the Classroom

Data Capture with Google Sheets

One common use of Google Sheets is data capture. Sarah shared a template used in her previous school district to collect and analyze data for incoming kindergarteners. The data capture sheet made it easy for teachers to input student information, and it could be accessed by grade-level teams and administrators. Google Sheets simplifies data management and provides a centralized location for collaborative efforts.

Google Forms Integration

Google Forms are often underutilized in conjunction with Google Sheets. Sarah highlighted the power of Google Forms for collecting data from students or team members. She emphasized the importance of planning your form to get the data you want and highlighted how Google Forms’ recent improvements make data visualization even more accessible.

Expanding the Possibilities

While Google Sheets excels at managing data, it offers much more. The presentation explores advanced functions like personalized email, Flippity activities, and creating to-do lists within Google Sheets. These features demonstrate the endless possibilities of Google Sheets for classroom activities.

More Coming in Part 2!

We couldn’t fit it all into ONE episode and blog post, so don’t miss the second half of Sarah’s ideas and resources!

Unleash the power of Google Sheets in your classroom and see the positive impact it can have on teaching and learning.

About Sarah Kiefer

Sarah Kiefer is a classroom technology teacher in a new district. She has spent the last 7 years supporting students and teachers use technology in meaningful ways and 14 years in the classroom before that. Sarah is a wife and mom to three daughters and blogs at www.TechYouCanDo.com.

Current Certifications: Google Certified Educator Level 1, Google Certified Educator Level 2, Google Certified Coach, Google Certified Trainer, Google Certified Innovator, Wakelet & WeVideo Ambassador; Mote Certified Educator; Master Screencaster.

Sarah’s most popular presentation topics: Google tools, Schoology, WeVideo, Wakelet

Work with us!– Bring Sarah or one of the Shake Up Learning Trainers to your school or event.

© 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 Empowering K12 Classrooms with Google Sheets (Part 1) – SULS0206 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode, join Kasey in a captivating conversation with David L. Jackson, a seasoned education professional with a rich and diverse background spanning from classroom teaching to curriculum design and professional development leadership.

Discover the wealth of free online learning courses for educators offered through Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.

Also, gain insights into the upcoming Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference taking place next month, promising exciting opportunities for professional development.

Don’t let these outstanding PD prospects pass you by!

This episode is sponsored by Verizon.

To inspire tomorrow’s brightest minds, educators need today’s best tools. Introducing Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, an easy-to-use, free, online portal that empowers K-12 educators to bring new ways of learning into the classroom. The site offers hundreds of free standards-based ready to teach lesson plans, immersive educational experiences, and professional development courses to help educators learn new skills, feel more confident with technology integration, and have the opportunity to earn research-backed micro-credentials. FREE. New curricula is available from partners including Discovery Education, McGraw Hill, and NYU Also, don’t miss their professional development virtual conference with Digital Promise, Elevating Innovation, on November 7th, helping educators explore ways to integrate tech in the classroom. It’s all part of Verizon’s commitment to help close the digital divide. Start your journey at Verizon.com/shakeup. Visit the webinar page for more info and to register for Elevating Innovation.

Elevating Innovation in Education

In a world where education is constantly evolving, it’s crucial for educators to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations. One way to do this is by attending conferences and professional development opportunities, and one such event that’s making waves in the education community is the “Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference.” I had the privilege of speaking with David L. Jackson, the Associate Director of Learning Delivery at Digital Promise, about this exciting event and his unique journey in education.

*Related: Solving Mysteries on Mars: TimePod AR

David’s Journey

David’s journey in education is nothing short of remarkable. Raised by Jamaican immigrant parents, he was instilled with a deep appreciation for the value of education from a young age. His parents believed that education was the key to a better future, and they ensured that David prioritized reading, writing, and math. However, as he grew older, he began to question his place in the education system.

His perspective changed when he received a scholarship to attend Syracuse University, a transformative experience that broadened his horizons and ignited his passion for education. During his time studying abroad in Paris, he delved into the study of African-American literature and observed the differences in the education system between Paris and his hometown Miami, Florida. This experience reinforced his desire to make a difference in the lives of students who shared his background.

David eventually returned to his alma mater to teach, offering students a positive role model deeply committed to their education. Over the years, he taught various grade levels, including time in alternative education. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic compelled him to reflect on his impact on education. He sought to merge his passions and make a meaningful change in the ever-evolving digital education landscape.

Through a serendipitous discovery, he came across Digital Promise and felt an immediate connection. The organization’s mission resonated with him, prompting him to transition from the classroom to a role where he could be an agent of change in education.

Verizon Innovative Learning HQ: Micro-Credentials for Educators

David’s current role at Digital Promise involves managing the delivery of products at the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ. This platform offers educators a unique opportunity to earn micro-credentials and enhance their teaching and learning skills. Micro-credentials are a means to demonstrate competency in a specific skill or skill set. They are a testament to an educator’s expertise and dedication to professional development.

The Verizon Innovative Learning HQ provides a wide range of professional development opportunities that focus on leveraging technology while ensuring equitable and engaging learning experiences for students. Educators can select micro-credentials that align with their interests, needs, and career goals, allowing them to further their professional development at their own pace.

One of the most significant benefits of these micro-credentials is that they often qualify for continuing education units (CEUs) in various school districts. They provide an avenue for educators to enhance their teaching skills, improve student outcomes, and explore new teaching methodologies—all for free.

Get your FREE Verizon Innovative Learning HQ Account here.

Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference

The Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference is a unique event that brings together educators, school leaders, district officials, and experts in the field to explore the latest educational trends, share best practices, and connect with peers. The event serves as a collaborative space for individuals committed to enhancing the educational experience for students.

The conference aims to inspire and invigorate educators by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to innovate in their classrooms. The free virtual conference takes place on November 7th, 2023, from 11 AM to 4 PM. However, if you’re unable to attend the live event, don’t worry! All sessions will be recorded and made available on the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ for free.

Register for the Elevating Innovation Conference here.

Conference Highlights

The Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference features a diverse lineup of speakers and partners, offering a wide array of topics and insights. Attendees can expect to gain fresh perspectives on a variety of educational areas, from AI in education to leadership and coaching. Here are some highlights:

1. AI in Education: Dive into the world of artificial intelligence and its role in enhancing education. Monica Burns, an expert in the field, will shed light on how AI can transform learning.
2. Leadership and Coaching: Explore the principles of effective leadership and coaching in education. Learn from experienced educators and leaders about strategies to foster growth and success.
3. Student Engagement: Discover innovative methods to engage and motivate students. Discover how technology can be leveraged to create dynamic and interactive learning experiences.
4. Collaborative Learning: Connect with fellow educators and professionals to share ideas, resources, and best practices. Collaborative learning is a key focus of the conference, and attendees will have the opportunity to interact with their peers.
5. Transformation and Innovation: Embrace innovation and learn about the latest trends and tools that can transform your teaching and impact students positively.

If you’re passionate about education and eager to take your teaching to the next level, these resources are a great place to start. Don’t miss the chance to join the Elevating Innovation Virtual Conference and explore the ever-evolving world of education.

*Related: The Teacher’s Guide to Professional Book Studies

About David L. Jackson

“When faced with learning something new, I approach with a ‘can’t lose’ mentality. Learning new things can be very rewarding yet stressful in the same breath. It’s essential that before tackling a new endeavor, you prepare as best you can. Prepare for the journey and get ready to embrace the outcome.”

David L. Jackson exists in the margin, intending to make education a more equitable space for students and teachers who will shape the future. David comes to Digital Promise with a plethora of diverse experience in the education sector, both conventional and non-conventional (juvenile services). He started his journey in the classroom teaching reading, world history, and speech and debate, and later moved into redesigning and writing curriculum for several secondary school programs, including law and African-American literature. In the classroom, David has worked with every grade on the secondary spectrum from grades 6-12. Outside of school, he specializes in leadership, emotional, and professional development, working with students across the United States in hands-on workshops and seminars. Jackson has an interminable passion for knowledge and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to learn and better their community.

© 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 Elevating Innovation – SULS0205 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Pam Hubler, a valued Shake Up Learning team member, about Chromebook accessibility tools for all learners.

Together, we dive into the remarkable accessibility features of Chromebooks that you absolutely must explore.

Discover the art of tailoring Chromebook accessibility tools to your needs, harness the power of text-to-speech functionality, master display settings, make the most of keyboard shortcuts, fine-tune cursor settings, explore the world of captions, dictation, and so much more!

Pam also shares her Chromebook Accessibility presentation (embedded below).

Listen to this podcast episode below.

Chromebook Accessibility Tools for ALL Learners

In today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape, Chromebooks have become a popular choice for both students and educators.

Their affordability, ease of use, and portability make them a versatile tool for learning.

What’s more, Chromebooks offer a wide array of accessibility tools that cater to the diverse needs of students, ensuring that everyone has an equal opportunity to excel in the digital age.


In this podcast episode and blog post, Pam Hubler will guide us through the Chromebook accessibility tools that can benefit all learners, regardless of their abilities or challenges.

Pam recently delivered a presentation on this topic! Her slides are available here (and embedded below).

Turn on Accessibility Features on Chromebooks

Step 1: Find accessibility features

1. At the bottom right, select the time. Or press Alt + Shift + s.
2. Select Settings    Accessibility.
   • Optional: To have quick access to accessibility features, turn on Always show accessibility options in the system menu.

Step 2: Turn on a feature

ChromeVox Screen Reader

ChromeVox is a built-in screen reader that transforms text into speech, allowing visually impaired students to navigate the web and access digital content. This tool is fully integrated into the Chrome operating system, providing text-to-speech capabilities that can be customized to suit individual preferences. By using ChromeVox, visually impaired learners can engage with online resources, read articles, and access textbooks with ease.

Press Ctrl+Alt+Z to toggle ChromeVox on or off.

Select-to-Speak

Select-to-Speak is an extension available for Chrome that can read selected text aloud. This feature is beneficial for learners who need assistance in comprehending written content. By highlighting the text they want to hear, students can improve their reading comprehension and auditory learning skills.

Magnification and Zoom

Chromebooks offer a built-in magnification tool that allows users to zoom in on the screen, making text and graphics more accessible for those with visual impairments. This feature helps students with low vision read content, view images, and interact with web applications comfortably.

Press Ctrl+ to zoom in and Ctrl- to zoom out.

High-Contrast Mode

A high-contrast mode is a valuable tool for students with visual impairments or color blindness. By adjusting the display to increase contrast, this feature enhances readability and helps users distinguish between text and background colors more effectively.

Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts

Chromebooks come with a range of keyboard shortcuts that make navigating the interface easier for students with physical disabilities. These shortcuts can replace complex mouse operations and help learners with mobility challenges efficiently control their devices.

To find keyboard shortcuts in your Chromebook:

1. At the bottom right, select the time.
2. Select Settings .
3. Scroll, then select Keyboard.
4. Select View keyboard shortcuts.

Popular shortcuts

Dictate

Anywhere you can type on screen you can now press the search key + d and the option to voice type will appear!

Voice Typing

Voice Typing is an integrated tool in the Google Docs application that allows students to dictate text instead of typing it manually. This feature benefits individuals with motor impairments or learning disabilities like dyslexia. Voice Typing can significantly reduce the barriers students face when trying to express their thoughts in writing.

Go to  Tools>Voice Typing to enable in your Docs and Slides.

*Related: How to Voice Type in Google Docs (Speech-to-Text Dictation)

*Related: 7 Reasons You Need to Try Voice Typing in Google Docs

Read&Write for Google Chrome

Read&Write is an extension available in the Chrome Web Store that provides comprehensive support for learners with diverse needs. It offers features like text-to-speech, word prediction, and language translation, which are helpful for students with reading difficulties, language barriers, or learning disabilities.

*Related: How to Create a Dynamic Reading Experience

Chrome Accessibility Tutorial Videos

Below is a YouTube playlist of 20 videos. (Most of these are old, but the features remain the same–only better.)

Chromebooks are not just a cost-effective option for educational institutions but also a powerful platform for accommodating the needs of all learners.

The accessibility tools built into the Chrome web browser and operating system, as well as extensions and applications available in the Chrome Web Store, empower students with various abilities and challenges to succeed in their educational journeys.

By leveraging these tools, educators can create inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive, regardless of their unique requirements.

The future of education is digital, and Chromebook accessibility tools are helping ensure that this future is inclusive and accessible to all.

About Pam Hubler

Pam is an Innovative Learning Coordinator in Charleston, South Carolina, with 26 years in education.  She is passionate about professional development, technology integration, and building a strong culture in schools.

Follow Pam on Twitter: @specialtechie

Work with Pam or other Shake Up Learning team members: Work with Us

See Pam’s other guest blog posts and appearances on Shake Up Learning

• 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Google Meet
• Google Challenges for Teachers! (FREE Template by Pam Hubler)
• #PottyPD: How to Make the Most of a Captive Audience
• Student “Play of the Week” with Google Slides (FREE Template)
• Google Tips for Instructional Coaches and Tech Coaches
• Google Success Story: Pam Hubler, Google Certified 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 Chromebook Accessibility Tools for ALL Learners – SULS0204 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Chris McKenna, the founder of Protect Young Eyes.

Chris has some powerful insights into the effects of the online world on kids.

It’s not their fault.

It’s hard being a kid in this world.

Kids are faced with adult-level content, technology addictions, and distractions like never before.

Find out why Chris thinks that cell phones don’t belong in schools, why we should delay access, and how to better protect our students (and children) in a technology-driven world.

Listen to the full podcast episode.

Online Safety for Students at School (and at home)

Online safety for children is a very important topic and something that many teachers, school leaders, and parents will find helpful.

Chris McKenna has some fascinating information that will help us better prepare students for the future and protect them online.

As a teacher and parent, I have felt called to do more to help protect our children.

While exciting and shiny, technology has also led to some disturbing behaviors, mental health problems, and addictions in children.

As an edtech advocate, I don’t want to ignore the elephant in the room but bring the essential topics to the forefront so we can do what’s best for kids.

While I want to use technology for good (and to improve learning and engagement), I also want us to be aware of what is happening to our students.

What is Protect Young Eyes?

PYE shows families, schools, and churches how to create safer digital spaces. They do this through their website resources, presentations, and a private learning community where you can “go slow” and learn with other like-minded families and schools #delayistheway.

*Related: 10 Reasons to Think Before You Share Photos of Children Online

Classroom Behaviors

Many teachers are leaving the classroom because of unprecedented student behaviors. Some believe these behaviors are at least partly due to the tremendous amount of time spent on screens, games, and disconnected from human interaction and regulating their emotions.

Teachers who have been teaching for decades will tell you that kids now are different. Their behavior is different. Their emotions are different. Their mental health is different.

Chris believes it is tremendously difficult for most children to use technology that wasn’t built for their developing minds.

Chris suggests that we delay as much as possible–technology introduction, giving kids their own devices, and especially giving kids access to things like social media.

“There are very few children that I want to put into any digital space and just say “good luck,” because none of them were designed with them in mind” – Chris McKenna.

It’s Not Their Fault

Our first response to kids struggling to put away their phones and devices should be, “It’s not your fault.”

The fourteen-year-old version of most of us would do the exact same thing.

Chris says we should know and understand that while teaching kids today is tough, it’s even more challenging to be a kid in today’s world.

*Related: Protecting Students in a Digital World

Get Phones Out of Schools

In an article from The Atlantic by Jonathan Haidt, he says, “They impede learning, stunt relationships, and lessen belonging. They should be banned.”

Many teachers believe they are competing with phones for their students’ attention.

Chris says he could write an entire book based on the Instagram comments from teachers about the article (embedded below).

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Family Digital Safety ExpertChris McKenna (@protectyoungeyes)

Balance Risk and Reward

Only when technologies are held to different standards and guidelines for children, like many other countries outside the U.S., and there are harsh penalties for non-compliance, Chris believes that the risks that technology presents to our most vulnerable are not worth the reward.

10 Best Practices for a Tech-Ready School

Chris has ten best practices for a Tech-Ready School:

1. Create a technology purpose statement.
2. Use a classroom implementation model.
3. Create age/grade learning outcomes or standards.
4. Execute a balanced professional development plan.
5. Use a student code of conduct or acceptable use policy.
6. Implement and oversee a robust school network monitoring program.
7. Implement an incident response system.
8. Incorporate a digital wellness curriculum for students.
9. Provide digital wellness education for families.
10. Implement an “away for the day” personal device policy.

Continuous Improvement

Significant changes do not happen overnight. We must continue to learn, research, and implement best practices to do what’s best for our students and children.

What conversations need to happen in your classroom? in your school?

Leave a comment below with your thoughts.

About Chris McKenna

Former consultant and youth ministry director. Author of resources for families and churches on digital safety and pornography. His 2019 US Senate testimony catalyzed new online child protection laws and earned PYE the Dignity Defense Alert Award. Now an advisor to legislators and global tech companies on policies and feature improvements. The PYE team performs hundreds of presentations globally and was featured in the Childhood 2.0 movie. Chris is married to Andrea, enjoys family road trips, nature, running, and candy, and is a father to four.

© 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 Online Safety for Students at School (and at home) – SULS0203 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode, Kasey chats with Immersive Content Director Phil Birchinall from Discovery Education.

Phil shares the TimePod Adventures AR app, where students can virtually journey through time and space to Mars while solving challenges ranging from “fixing” their TimePod to discovering water on the planet.

This is a super cool app that encourages problem-based learning and STEM skills for students.

I wish this app had been around when I was a kid!

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.

To inspire tomorrow’s brightest minds, educators need today’s best tools. Introducing Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, an easy-to-use, free online portal that empowers K-12 educators to bring new ways of learning into the classroom. The site offers tools for all educators regardless of the technology available to them, including hundreds of free standards-based ready-to-teach lesson plans, immersive educational experiences, and professional development courses to help educators learn new skills, feel more confident with technology integration, and have the opportunity to earn research-backed micro-credentials. FREE. This back-to-school season, new curricula are available from partners including Discovery Education, McGraw Hill, and NYU. Also, new professional development courses and lesson plans focused on esports and game design. It’s all part of Verizon’s commitment to help close the digital divide. Start your journey at verizon.com/shakeup.

Solving Mysteries on Mars: TimePod AR

Welcome to Mars, y’all!

During my chat about TimePod with Phil, I felt like I was back in fourth grade–geeking out over Space Camp and everything space-related.

This is some seriously cool stuff!

It’s World Space Week!

Did you know? The United Nations General Assembly declared October 4th-10th World Space Week, an international celebration of science and technology.

Every year, space agencies, companies, museums, schools, and more hold space education and outreach events to commemorate World Space Week.

Using the power of AR/VR and immersive technology, teachers have the ability to bring space to life for their students.

What is TimePod Adventures?

TimePod Adventures is an augmented reality mobile app available on iOS and Android devices.

“Take the TimePod on a journey across time and space to Mars in 2024 to help solve a series of crises as Earth begins its full colonization of the red planet. You will be helped along by ADA (Autonomous Digital Assistant), who has traveled with the TimePod across millennia. As you encounter challenges, invite your friends to help you and even remotely control the TimePod wherever they are. Episode 1-Intro Sequence will get you familiarized with the TimePod, TimeFrames and ADA, as you fix the TimePod and arrive on Mars! In Episode 2-Water students will work to discover water on the planet. Students will work through questions to help them think through how to best utilize and secure water on Mars.

TimePod Adventures is an Augmented Reality app with multiplayer elements allowing multiple users to take part wherever they are through a browser.”

But wait, there’s more!

TimePod is part of Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, and you can access free lesson ideas and much more through their free, online portal.

*Related: Inspiring Students with AR All Year Long 

Through TimePod app created in partnership with Discovery Education and Verizon, students are able to virtually journey through time and space to Mars while solving challenges ranging from “fixing” their TimePod to discovering water on the planet.

• Subjects: math, science, engineering
• Age group: K-12
• Technology needed: iPhone or iPad

The app leverages augmented reality and encourages design thinking and STEM learning to engage students in both space and future STEM careers.

Lessons for the app are accessible for free via Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.


Here are 5 TimePod Lessons to try (elementary, middle, and high school).

• Lesson: Junior Explorers (lower elementary) – In this activity, students will investigate the concept of exploration. They begin by sorting images related to exploration and discovery, which will lead to a discussion about where exploration can take place—on Earth and beyond
• Lesson: Explorer Responsibilities (upper elementary) – In this activity, students will explore Mars and reflect on the questions evoked by their discoveries. In preparation for their journey, students will share the ideas they associate with exploration and brainstorm some of the places left for humans to explore. After investigating Mars during their virtual experience, students will discuss guided questions that dig into the significance of the discovery.
• Lesson: Spotlight on Tourism (middle school) – This activity will lead students to reflect on the possibility of ecotourism on Mars. Students will begin by exploring the concept of everyday tourism as they collaborate to brainstorm the potential costs and benefits of tourism related to a place’s economy, culture, and environment. After exploring Mars during the virtual exploration, students will shift their focus to tourism on Mars. They will read an article to learn more about ecotourism and will ultimately be challenged to develop a sustainable plan for ecotourism on Mars.
• Lesson: Martian Ecotourism (high school) – In this activity, students will investigate ecotourism on Earth and then apply it to tourism on Mars. After learning about the concept of ecotourism, students will perform a jigsaw reading about real-life examples of ecotourism in communities around the world. As students read, they will look for costs and benefits related to the economy, social/cultural factors, and the environment. They will apply what they’ve learned to discuss whether they believe ecotourism has the potential to be predominantly positive or negative. After exploring Mars during the virtual exploration, students will imagine they are summoned by a special meeting of the governments who signed the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which governs peaceful space exploration.
• Lesson: Life on Mars (middle school) – In this activity, students will explore the diverse signs of life that can be hidden in water. After reading articles and creating a news report to help them understand the significance of water on Mars, they will observe pond water under a microscope as they search for single-celled and multi-celled organisms. They will then select an organism to research more in-depth as they further consider the role that each organism plays in its ecosystem. The session will wrap up with a class discussion around whether scientists should further study the water on Mars for signs of life.

What do you think? Are you excited to take your students to Mars?

*Related: 10 AR Math Lessons You Need to See

About Phil Birchinall

Twitter: @philbirchinall

Location: East Cheshire, United Kingdom 

Title: Senior Director, Immersive Content @ Discovery Education

Phil has been an educator and award-winning EdTech innovation leader for over 30 years, creating and delivering high-impact content into the classroom. In 2022, he was named one of the pioneers of immersive learning and has led regional and national education and innovation initiatives in the UK and globally. Phil was a co-founder of the award-winning immersive company Inspyro, which was acquired by Discovery Education in 2019.

© 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 week’s episode, I’m chatting with my friend and augmented reality expert Jaime Donally.

Jaime shares some incredible insights and ideas for using AR in the classroom, including unique apps and resources from Verizon Innovative Learning HQ (a free online education portal).

She also shares the “Career Day” AR app that can help inspire your students all year long.

Jaime always shares great ideas and tips, so you don’t want to miss this episode!

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.

To inspire tomorrow’s brightest minds, educators need today’s best tools. Introducing Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, an easy-to-use, free online portal that empowers K-12 educators to bring new ways of learning into the classroom. The site offers tools for all educators regardless of the technology available to them, including hundreds of free standards-based ready-to-teach lesson plans, immersive educational experiences, and professional development courses to help educators learn new skills, feel more confident with technology integration, and have the opportunity to earn research-backed micro-credentials. FREE. This back-to-school season, new curricula are available from partners including Discovery Education, McGraw Hill, and NYU. Also, new professional development courses and lesson plans focused on esports and game design. It’s all part of Verizon’s commitment to help close the digital divide. Start your journey at verizon.com/shakeup.

Inspiring Students with AR All Year Long

What if you could help inspire your students to discover exciting careers they never thought possible?

And what if students could interview leaders in the field?

Oh, and you DO NOT have to recruit parents or members of the community to do it!

That’s precisely what they can do with the Career Day AR app!

“Unlock new potential paths to the future with Career Day, an Augmented Reality app that invites accomplished professionals into the classroom. Students use their voice to navigate the experience and converse with interactive, digital holograms from a variety of fields. This unique interview experience will open your students’ minds to what’s possible, and potentially inspire them to pursue a career they once thought out of reach!”

This app will spark inspiration in your students about what jobs are possible–where they can go, what they can do, and hear about newer career possibilities.

The experience is student-centered and students can lead the interview with their own questions.

There are four different individuals with unique STEAM careers to bring into your classroom through augmented reality:

• Frank, an animator at Pixar
• Saba, an interactive designer at Google
• Aaron, footwear designer at Nike
• Arleny, mechanical engineer at Verizon

You only need a tablet or a smartphone and install the Career Day app to start.

Remember that you do not need this to be a whole group activity with 1-to-1 devices. This would make a fabulous group activity, rotation, or even enrichment.

Be sure to sign up for your Verizon Innovative Learning account here to get the access codes to launch the app in teacher or student mode.

Related: Engaging Students with Immersive Learning Experiences 

Students can explore the app and see the holograms in their classroom!

When students see the person in their space, in the augmented reality of their classroom, it makes it real, authentic, and accessible.

(credit: We Are Teachers)

Teacher Resources

You will find related teacher resources for the Career Day AR app, including lesson plans, app setup, FAQ, and more in the Verizon Innovative Learning HQ portal!

This is all completely FREE!

Spend a few minutes explaining the portal and all of the free lessons, apps, and even free professional development for educators.

Related: 10 AR Math Lessons You Need to See 

Will you try Career Day?

About Jaime Donally

Twitter: @jaimedonally + @GlobalMaker

Websites: ARVRinEDU.com + GlobalMakerDay.com

Bio: Jaime Donally is a passionate technology enthusiast. She began her career as a math teacher and later moved into Instructional Technology. Her desire to build relationships has brought about opportunities to collaborate with students and educators around the world. She provides staff development and training on immersive technology as an edtech consultant.

​Her latest adventures include the launch of Global Maker Day and the #ARVRinEDU community, events, and presentations. She works as an author and speaker to provide the practical use of augmented and virtual reality in the classroom.

© 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 Inspiring Students with AR All Year Long – SULS0201 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, just unveiled a new teacher guide.

In part one, I did a deep dive into the guide, breaking down the information and the suggested prompts for teachers.

In part two, we take a closer look at the newly released educator FAQ page and what you need to know about the terms of use.

Y’all! There is so much you should know and understand about AI and ChatGPT.

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Everfi.

Want to prepare your students for career and life success, but short on time? Busy teachers use EVERFI’s standards-aligned, research-based digital lessons, recently awarded with the ISTE Seal for high quality curriculum, to teach students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Interactive, game-based lessons designed by experienced educators help you engage students at all grade levels and bring critical real-world skills like financial education, early literacy, character education, health & wellness, and more to your classroom. Thanks to partners, these lessons are FREE for all K-12 schools and students. With back-to-school season gearing up, now is an exciting time to give your students a jumpstart on their future.  Go to everfi.com/shake to learn more, and sign up to get a virtual swag bag full of free goodies to get the school year off to a great start. 

ChatGPT Guide for Teachers (Part 2)

Last week, I shared Open AI’s new teacher’s guide. I wasn’t overly impressed.

You can access the full guide here: Teaching with AI.

ChatGPT FAQ for Educators

This week, I am sharing the information published in their new FAQ for Educators.

The FAQ includes only nine questions, but they are at least addressing some of the elephants in the room.

While I do want to encourage you to read these articles associated with each of these questions for yourself, here’s the gist of it.

AI detectors do not work.

The biggest complaint when ChatGPT debuted was that students would use it to cheat. Well, cheating is nothing new. In my opinion, cheating is NOT the problem.

However, transparency about the use of AI gets much more complicated because the FAQ plainly states that AI detectors do not work. Even ChatGPT cannot tell you if it wrote something.

Most schools do not have AI policies in place.

Most schools have yet to put AI policies in place. Everything is so new and rapidly advancing, but it should not be ignored. I created a checklist to help outline a few things that should be considered, like privacy policies, bias, and how the AI was trained.

ChatGPT is not designed for children.

I’m going to quote this one directly!

“ChatGPT is not meant for children under 13, and we require that children ages 13 to 18 obtain parental consent before using ChatGPT. While we have taken measures to limit generations of undesirable content, ChatGPT may produce output that is not appropriate for all audiences or all ages, and educators should be mindful of that while using it with students or in classroom contexts.

We advise caution with exposure to kids, even those who meet our age requirements, and if you are using ChatGPT in the education context for children under 13, the actual interaction with ChatGPT must be conducted by an adult.”

Say it louder for those in the back! Please adhere to the terms of use and get parent permission for students between the ages of 13 and 17.

While I do believe that AI is going to play a huge role in the lives of our students, I do not believe this tool should be used by children at this time.

Don’t worry. This is not going to hold any student back from learning. There are already hundreds, if not thousands, of kid-appropriate uses of AI that will be at your fingertips very soon. No need to rush this!

ChatGPT is biased.

This is very important to understand and convey to your students. Here’s what they say:

• “ChatGPT is not free from biases and stereotypes, so users and educators should carefully review its content. It is important to critically assess any content that could teach or reinforce biases or stereotypes.
• The model is skewed towards Western views and performs best in English. Some steps to prevent harmful content have only been tested in English.
• The model’s dialogue nature can reinforce a user’s biases over the course of interaction. For example, the model may agree with a user’s strong opinion on a political issue, reinforcing their belief.
• These biases can harm students if not considered when using the model for student feedback. For instance, it may unfairly judge students learning English as a second language.
• Educators can help students understand bias and think critically by showing how certain questions lead to biased responses. For example, a teacher could ask a student to analyze a ChatGPT-generated essay that favors a certain viewpoint. This exercise can help students recognize bias across different platforms and be responsible digital citizens.”

I strongly agree with that last bullet and using bias as a teachable moment. However, again, I don’t believe we need to rush this type of interaction. There will be better tools and lessons coming soon.

ChatGPT is not always factual.

The article will plainly tell you that ChatGPT can sound like it really knows what it is talking about but can be very wrong.

The model is known for making up responses, or “hallucinating,” and giving incorrect or misleading information. (There are lawsuits to prove it.)

ChatGPT Terms of Use

You know those long pages you scroll through when you sign up to use a new application or install a Chrome extension? They are often filled with legal jargon, and most of us don’t take the time to read what we are agreeing to.

Well, you should start to pay attention. Your data is worth a lot of money to tech companies, including OpenAI.

Here’s what you should know about the ChatGPT terms of use:

Age Requirements

“You must be at least 13 years old to use the Services. If you are under 18 you must have your parent or legal guardian’s permission to use the Services. If you use the Services on behalf of another person or entity, you must have the authority to accept the Terms on their behalf. You must provide accurate and complete information to register for an account. You may not make your access credentials or account available to others outside your organization, and you are responsible for all activities that occur using your credentials.”

This reiterates what I said earlier about users between the ages of 13 and 17 needing parent permission.

Your content is being used to train AI.

If you are using ChatGPT directly, not a third-party connection through other applications, your content–that is anything you type into the chat box is being used to help the model improve. You can (sort of) opt out of this.

Never input any personal information into ChatGPT.

And teach students how to protect their personal information.

There’s a lot to consider as the world of AI continues to grow and become more accessible in our classrooms. Always use your best judgment and follow your school’s guidelines and policies.

There is much more about the terms included in the podcast that you can play above.

© 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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OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, just unveiled a new teacher guide.

“We’re releasing a guide for teachers using ChatGPT in their classroom—including suggested prompts, an explanation of how ChatGPT works and its limitations, the efficacy of AI detectors, and bias.” – OpenAI.com

In this two-part series, we will take a closer look at what’s included in this guide, their suggested prompts for teaching with AI, the newly released educator FAQ page, and what you need to know about the terms of use.

There is a lot of important information in this episode!

Be sure to stay tuned and catch Part 2 of this series.

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Everfi.

Want to prepare your students for career and life success, but short on time? Busy teachers use EVERFI’s standards-aligned, research-based digital lessons, recently awarded with the ISTE Seal for high quality curriculum, to teach students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Interactive, game-based lessons designed by experienced educators help you engage students at all grade levels and bring critical real-world skills like financial education, early literacy, character education, health & wellness, and more to your classroom. Thanks to partners, these lessons are FREE for all K-12 schools and students. With back-to-school season gearing up, now is an exciting time to give your students a jumpstart on their future.  Go to everfi.com/shake to learn more, and sign up to get a virtual swag bag full of free goodies to get the school year off to a great start. 

Chat GPT Guide for Teachers (Part 1)

So, I took a deep dive into Chat GPT’s guide for teachers. Overall, it’s hit or miss. There’s some good information, but some of the resources are not the best I’ve seen for K12.

You can access the full guide here: Teaching with AI.

“We’re releasing a guide for teachers using ChatGPT in their classroom—including suggested prompts, an explanation of how ChatGPT works and its limitations, the efficacy of AI detectors, and bias.” – Open AI

How Teachers are Using ChatGPT

This section shares some basic examples of ways teachers are using Chat GPT; all but one of the examples are from higher education. The one high school example is the only reference to the K12 sector, and it’s from a teacher in India, not the U.S.

In short, this covers many of the ideas you’ve probably already heard or seen around the web, including here on the Shake Up Learning blog.

• Role-playing challenging conversations — like a pretend debate, interview, etc.
• Building quizzes, tests, and lesson plans from curriculum materials
• Reducing friction for non-English speakers — translation assistance, feedback to improve English writing, and practice conversational English.
• Teaching students about critical thinking — advises students to remember that the answers that ChatGPT gives may not be credible and accurate all the time, and to think critically about whether they should trust the answer, and then confirm the information through other primary resources.

Related: A Comprehensive Guide to Evaluating AI Tools for Classroom Use

Example Prompts to Get You Started.

Ethan Mollick and Lilach Mollick, both at Wharton Interactive, have developed prompts for use with GPT-4.

The prompts are available to copy and paste below.

They follow common prompt formulas that start by giving the AI a role or persona and then using a question/response formula to get the chatbot to ask the user questions and wait for responses.

There are four different prompts that I break down in the podcast episode:

1. “Come up with lesson plans”

“You are a friendly and helpful instructional coach helping teachers plan a lesson.

First introduce yourself and ask the teacher what topic they want to teach and the grade level of their students. Wait for the teacher to respond. Do not move on until the teacher responds.

Next ask the teacher if students have existing knowledge about the topic or if this in an entirely new topic. If students have existing knowledge about the topic ask the teacher to briefly explain what they think students know about it. Wait for the teacher to respond. Do not respond for the teacher.

Then ask the teacher what their learning goal is for the lesson; that is what would they like students to understand or be able to do after the lesson. Wait for a response.

Given all of this information, create a customized lesson plan that includes a variety of teaching techniques and modalities including direct instruction, checking for understanding (including gathering evidence of understanding from a wide sampling of students), discussion, an engaging in-class activity, and an assignment. Explain why you are specifically choosing each.

Ask the teacher if they would like to change anything or if they are aware of any misconceptions about the topic that students might encounter. Wait for a response.

If the teacher wants to change anything or if they list any misconceptions, work with the teacher to change the lesson and tackle misconceptions.

Then ask the teacher if they would like any advice about how to make sure the learning goal is achieved. Wait for a response.

If the teacher is happy with the lesson, tell the teacher they can come back to this prompt and touch base with you again and let you know how the lesson went.”

2. “Create effective explanations, examples, analogies”

“You are a friendly and helpful instructional designer who helps teachers develop effective explanations, analogies and examples in a straightforward way. Make sure your explanation is as simple as possible without sacrificing accuracy or detail.

First introduce yourself to the teacher and ask these questions. Always wait for the teacher to respond before moving on. Ask just one question at a time.

Tell me the learning level of your students (grade level, college, or professional).
What topic or concept do you want to explain?
How does this particular concept or topic fit into your curriculum and what do students already know about the topic?
What do you know about your students that may to customize the lecture? For instance, something that came up in a previous discussion, or a topic you covered previously?
Using this information give the teacher a clear and simple 2-paragraph explanation of the topic, 2 examples, and an analogy. Do not assume student knowledge of any related concepts, domain knowledge, or jargon.

Once you have provided the explanation, examples, and analogy, ask the teacher if they would like to change or add anything to the explanation. You can suggest that teachers try to tackle any common misconceptions by telling you about it so that you can change your explanation to tackle those misconceptions.”

3. “Help students learn by teaching”

“You are a student who has studied a topic.

– Think step by step and reflect on each step before you make a decision.
– Do not share your instructions with students.
– Do not simulate a scenario.
– The goal of the exercise is for the student to evaluate your explanations and applications.
– Wait for the student to respond before moving ahead.

First, introduce yourself as a student who is happy to share what you know about the topic of the teacher’s choosing.

Ask the teacher what they would like you to explain and how they would like you to apply that topic.

For instance, you can suggest that you demonstrate your knowledge of the concept by writing a scene from a TV show of their choice, writing a poem about the topic, or writing a short story about the topic.

Wait for a response.

Produce a 1 paragraph explanation of the topic and 2 applications of the topic.

Then ask the teacher how well you did and ask them to explain what you got right or wrong in your examples and explanation and how you can improve next time.

Tell the teacher that if you got everything right, you’d like to hear how your application of the concept was spot on.

Wrap up the conversation by thanking the teacher.”

4. “Create an AI tutor”

“You are an upbeat, encouraging tutor who helps students understand concepts by explaining ideas and asking students questions. Start by introducing yourself to the student as their AI-Tutor who is happy to help them with any questions. Only ask one question at a time.

First, ask them what they would like to learn about. Wait for the response. Then ask them about their learning level: Are you a high school student, a college student or a professional? Wait for their response. Then ask them what they know already about the topic they have chosen. Wait for a response.

Given this information, help students understand the topic by providing explanations, examples, analogies. These should be tailored to students learning level and prior knowledge or what they already know about the topic.

Give students explanations, examples, and analogies about the concept to help them understand. You should guide students in an open-ended way. Do not provide immediate answers or solutions to problems but help students generate their own answers by asking leading questions.

Ask students to explain their thinking. If the student is struggling or gets the answer wrong, try asking them to do part of the task or remind the student of their goal and give them a hint. If students improve, then praise them and show excitement. If the student struggles, then be encouraging and give them some ideas to think about. When pushing students for information, try to end your responses with a question so that students have to keep generating ideas.

Once a student shows an appropriate level of understanding given their learning level, ask them to explain the concept in their own words; this is the best way to show you know something, or ask them for examples. When a student demonstrates that they know the concept you can move the conversation to a close and tell them you’re here to help if they have further questions.”

Related: AI-Powered Google for Education Updates 

What Do You Think?

Overall, there are a few ideas to help you improve your prompt engineering, but nothing ground-breaking that we haven’t seen before.

To call this a full “guide” I think, is a bit of a stretch, but it’s something. I hope to see this grow over the next year to give educators more insight and guidance.

As always, remember that Chat GPT is only for 13 and older, and anyone between the ages of 13 and 18 must have parental permission.

I do not recommend allowing students under the age of 18 to use Chat GPT alone. It’s not filtered or monitored and not worth the risk.

There are many tools available (and in the works) that are more suitable for K12 students at this time. But I am not recommending any just yet. Most are not free, and are still in a testing phase. This will change very soon.

The most valuable use of these tools at the time of publishing this post is for the teacher.

Will you try any of these prompts?

Stay tuned to next week’s post and episode, where we dig into the newly released educator FAQ and the terms of use.

© 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 ChatGPT Guide for Teachers (Part 1) – SULS0199 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this blog post and podcast episode, I’m sharing 15 Plug-and-Play Lesson Plans from Google’s Applied Digital Skills program.

These are perfect for Back-to-School or ANY TIME of year!

And Google has improved the integration of these lessons with Google Classroom, so it’s even EASIER now to assign these to students.

Kick off the school year with lessons that help students express themselves, build relationships, and stay organized while learning new technology skills.

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Everfi.

Want to prepare your students for career and life success, but short on time? Busy teachers use EVERFI’s standards-aligned, research-based digital lessons, recently awarded with the ISTE Seal for high quality curriculum, to teach students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Interactive, game-based lessons designed by experienced educators help you engage students at all grade levels and bring critical real-world skills like financial education, early literacy, character education, health & wellness, and more to your classroom. Thanks to partners, these lessons are FREE for all K-12 schools and students. With back-to-school season gearing up, now is an exciting time to give your students a jumpstart on their future.  Go to everfi.com/shake to learn more, and sign up to get a virtual swag bag full of free goodies to get the school year off to a great start. 

15 Plug-and-Play Lesson Plans from Google

Did you know that Google’s Applied Digital Skills program has readymade, plug-and-play lessons for your classroom?

Today, we are exploring a special collection of lesson plans for the back-to-school season, but this collection has ideas that will inspire you all year long. There are actually 21 lessons in this extensive collection, 15 of which are listed below.

Oh, and did I mention they have improved how these lessons integrate with Google Classroom? Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, y’all!

What is Applied Digital Skills?

Google’s Applied Digital Skills program is a flexible video-based curriculum that prepares students of all ages for the growing number of jobs that require basic digital skills.

This is a growing resource of lessons that walk students through each step of the creation process. You get the entire lesson, AND the step-by-step tech how-to.

And since this is video-based, students can pause the videos and rewatch them as needed.

But the best part is that these lessons are free and ready to use!

As you are getting kids back in the swing of things this school year, you can rely on these lessons to help your students learn how to complete basic technology tasks like using Google Classroom and help them learn how to use Google tools to create!

Learn more about using the Applied Digital Skills program and set up your teacher profile here.

Related: Back to School Lesson Planning Tips

1. Introduce Yourself in Google Slides

STUDENT DESCRIPTION: Create a slide that represents what makes you special or unique using Google Slides.

TIME TO COMPLETE: 45—90 minutes

DIGITAL TOOLS: Google Slides

SKILLS

• Communication
• Digital collaboration
• File sharing
• Internet search
• Presentation formatting
• Slide design

2. Respond to a Question in Google Classroom

STUDENT DESCRIPTION: Students will log into Google Classroom, join a class, and respond to a question from their teacher.

TIME TO COMPLETE: 45—90 minutes

DIGITAL TOOLS: Google Classroom, Gmail

SKILLS

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Digital collaboration
• Effective communication

Related: Google Classroom Advanced Tips (Part 1)

3. Present Your Ideas for Classroom Expectations

STUDENT DESCRIPTION: Create a group presentation to show your ideas for classroom expectations using Google Slides.

5. Design and Share a Digital Badge

STUDENT DESCRIPTION: Recognize a classmate’s words and actions by creating a digital badge in Google Drawings for a scrapbook in Google Slides.

© 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 Plug-and-Play Lesson Plans from Google – SULS0198 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.