Here are the BEST Blog Posts and Podcasts of 2022!

I have compiled a list of the BEST and most popular Shake Up Learning blog posts and podcast episodes from 2022.

These posts are loaded with the BEST teacher tips and lesson ideas of the year.

A special thank you to all the Shake Up Learning readers and listeners. Y’all are the absolute best!

And thank you for all you do!

Pat yourself on the back for surviving another crazy year!

Let’s take some time to reflect on the positive and make 2023 the best year yet!

Reflection is a critical part of the learning process for teachers and students, so I like to take a look back.

I like to take a more in-depth look at what teacher tips, blog posts, and podcast episodes were the most popular and generated the most comments and traffic.

The goal of this blog has always been to provide teachers with digital learning resources, tips, and tricks, and help teachers find ways to integrate technology meaningfully in the classroom.

This list helps me decide what content to create and how to best help teachers in 2023.

What Do YOU Want to See in 2023?

I want to serve my audience! Help me better serve you by completing this short, 60-second survey. (The form is also embedded at the bottom of this post.)

This survey is your chance to let me know more about you and what you need in 2023.

The Top 20 Posts of 2022

Drumroll, please…Here are the most popular blog posts and podcast episodes of the year!

1. 15 Google Classroom Tips for Teachers

Google Classroom has improved vastly over the years, and teachers have learned how to make the most of this flexible assignment manager and communication hub. These are tips are FOR teachers and recommended BY teachers!

2. Time-Saving Gmail Hacks for Teachers – SULS0149

In this episode, Kasey shares her favorite Gmail hacks and features to help teachers save time and make the most of this robust tool. Let’s get organized, save time and frustration, manage annoying emails, and get to what’s important.

3. 30 Things You Didn’t Know Google Slides Could Do! (FREE eBook and Templates) – SULS0152

In this special episode, Kasey shares 30 Things You Didn’t Know Google Slides Could Do and a FREE eBook download with templates! A follow-up to one of our most popular blog and podcast series, Kasey is going to give you even more ideas for student-created projects with Google Slides. There is so much you can create with the Swiss Army Knife of Google!

4. 15+ Ways to Use Drop-Down Menus in Google Docs – SULS0161

In this episode, Kasey explores a new feature in Google Docs–the drop-down menu! Kasey shares 15+ ways for teachers and students to make the most of this creative and customizable new feature, including choice boards, PBL, peer reviews, trackers, and more!

5. 8 Cool Tools You Didn’t Know! (FETC Highlights) – SULS0146

In this episode, Kasey chats with Shake Up Learning Team member, Susan Vincentz about her favorite sessions at the FETC conference. Susan shares 8 Cool Tools You Didn’t Know! Come learn with us and get FETC takeaways!

6. 10 Things for Teachers to Try in 2022 – SULS0140

In this episode, Kasey shares 10 Things for Teachers to Try in 2022. We will explore strategies, digital tools, professional learning, and much more! (10 Things to Try in 2023 coming soon!)

7. 10 Reasons to Think Before You Share Photos of Children Online – SULS0153

The photo may seem innocent to you. You may have parents’ permission and be sharing something awesome, beautiful, or even funny, but there’s a dark side to the Internet that every teacher, administrator, and parent should know. Please think before sharing ANY photos of ANY child online. Here are 10 Reasons to Think Before You Share Photos of Children Online.

8. 20 New Ways to Use Google Classroom [infographic]

Google Classroom can be used for so much more than just your traditional classroom LMS. This powerful tool can provide a space for teacher-to-teacher collaboration, professional learning and support, parent communication, and even special projects and enrichment classes for students. Consider these 20 New Ways to Use Google Classroom.

9. The FREE Lesson Plans and Resources You Aren’t Using! (but should be) – SULS0148

In this episode, Kasey chats with Rich Dixon, Senior Director of Innovative Learning at Hāpara. Rich shares the power of Open Educational Resources (OER)–what they are, where to find them, and how to get started. The FREE Lesson Plans and Resources You Aren’t Using (but should be)–Find free, standards-aligned lesson plans and teaching resources for your classroom. (This episode sponsored by Hāpara.) Stop buying lesson plans and worksheets and access the wonderful free resources available to you!

10. 7 Reasons You Need to Try Voice Typing in Google Docs

Google Docs is fully-loaded with some features that can save us time in and out of the classroom, and oftentimes can even save us a little heartache when it comes to supporting students. One tiny little feature that packs an amazing punch is Voice Typing in Google Docs.

11. How to Create Stop Motion Animation Activities for Students with Google Slides – SULS0179

In this episode, Kasey gives a full tutorial on creating stop-motion activities for students in Google Slides. This special edition podcast is also available as a full video tutorial on YouTube. Let’s discover how easy stop-motion animation can be and learn how to create some fun fall activities for your students.

12. Google Classroom + BookWidgets = Superpowered Digital Classroom – SULS0145

Combine Google Classroom and BookWidgets to superpower your digital classroom! In this episode, Kasey chats with Educational Technologist and BookWidgets expert, Sheryl Place. Sheryl shares the magic of BookWidgets, and how teachers can create engaging online activities that take worksheets from static to dynamic.

13. Must-Have Tips and Tools for Pandemic Teaching – SULS0141

In this episode, Kasey shares her best Pandemic Teaching tips and tools. Everything you need to survive this school year and thrive beyond. Learn practice strategies, organization techniques, and a whole list of tools to make teaching this year EASIER!

14. 10+ Chrome Tips and Tricks for Teachers and Students – SULS0165

There’s no place like Chrome for teachers and students! In this episode, we are jumping into some Google Chrome updates, features, and tips for teachers and students. Let’s learn how to make the most of the Chrome browser, save time and clicks, and get organized.

15. Emoji Assessments for Any Classroom – SULS0168

In this episode, I’m sharing ideas for using emojis in your informal and formative assessments. This tool can be used for more than emotions and SEL! Use emojis to create a key to check for understanding, reflect, self-assess, peer-assess, or give feedback!

16. Google Keep Tips for a Productive School Year – SULS0171

In this episode, Kasey is sharing her latest Google Keep tips and time-savers to help educators have a productive school year. Let’s talk keyboard shortcuts, google calendar connections, labels and organization, checklists, using Canva to create headers, scanning paper documents, annotation, grading and feedback, and more!

BONUS: Get access to Kasey’s FREE Canva headers to use in Google Keep. If you don’t love Google Keep already, you will after this episode!

17. 6 Steps to Creating Custom Choice Boards – SULS0176

In this episode, I’m sharing my brand new framework for designing meaningful choice boards for the K-12 classroom. I will walk you step-by-step through the process to ensure it aligns with your standards and learning outcomes, how to select the choice board style, and share important tips along the way.

18. Back to School Lesson Planning Tips – SULS0167

In this episode, I’m sharing lesson planning resources, tips and templates to help you prepare for the back-to-school season. Let’s explore where to find lesson ideas, how to use and revise templates, free lesson plans, packaging assignments, and pitfalls to avoid!

19. 20 Ways to Use Screencasting in the Classroom – SULS0162

Kasey has been keeping a secret! She’s had early access to Google’s brand-new Screencast app for Chromebooks. In this episode, Kasey is giving you all the details and her thoughts on this new tool for the classroom. Plus, she’ll be sharing 20 Ways to Use Screencasting in the Classroom!

20. Google Productivity Tips to Rock the School Year! (Keep, Tasks, & Calendar!) – SULS0170

I am sharing valuable productivity tips using Google Tasks, Google Calendar, and even a bonus Google Keep tip! Are you making the most of all that Google has to offer? Learn shortcuts, hidden features, and awesome tips to help you save time, get things done, and rock the school year!

Did you catch the Top 10 Google Tips of the Year?

© 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 The Best Teacher Tips and Lesson Ideas of 2022 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

I love to create Google Keep headers with Canva!

This is super easy and fun! I’ve got the easiest trick for getting the correct size!

Create visual headers to help you spice up Google Keep and make visual connections to your notes and to-do lists.

Want to use my templates? They are available below the video.

Watch the video below to learn how.

How to Create Google Keep Headers with Canva

Don’t forget about grabbing your FREE Canva Header templates below and this fantastic Google Keep Cheat Sheet! 

Google Keep Header Templates

My headers are not anything super fancy or creative, but they are clean and easy!

Like to get creative? Use the Google Classroom banner templates in Canva to create your own. The dimensions work just great in Keep without taking up a lot of real estate.

My Google Keep Header Templates are available in two forms:

1. Download the image files from Google Drive (not editable)
2. Or open this template in Canva and edit it to make them your own! You must have a Canva account (free for educators) and login to access these templates.

*Related: How to Create a Google Classroom Banner in Canva

*Related: Google Keep Tips for a Productive School Year

Don’t miss our two-part series on Canva in the Classroom!

• Part 1
• Part 2

Access ALL the Google Quick Tips Here!

© 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 How to Create Google Keep Headers with Canva appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode, Kasey is sharing her latest Google Keep tips and time-savers to help educators have a productive school year.

Let’s talk keyboard shortcuts, google calendar connections, labels and organization, checklists, using Canva to create headers, scanning paper documents, annotation, grading and feedback, and more!

BONUS: Get access to Kasey’s FREE Canva headers to use in Google Keep. If you don’t love Google Keep already, you will after this episode!

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Schoolytics.

This episode of the Shake Up Learning Show is brought to you by Schoolytics. Thousands of teachers use Schoolytics every day to help them take data-driven instruction to the next level and reclaim their time for what matters most: helping students reach their full potential. Google Classroom users can start tracking student progress and spotting performance trends in minutes – for free! Join today at Schoolytics.com.

Google Keep Tips for a Productive School Year

One of the greatest advantages of using the Google platform is that the apps all work together. Google Keep is no exception! 

I like to call Google Keep the Instant Pot of Google (not to be confused with the Swiss Army Knife–Google Slides!)

If you haven’t used Google Keep, go to keep.google.com to get started!

Did you miss e170? Don’t miss Google Productivity Tips to Rock the School Year!

Google Calendar + Keep

It’s possible to use Keep to add a note by clicking the sidebar app while in a Google Calendar event. Adding a note this way links the two items, the event, and the note. This is different from the tip mentioned in last week’s episode about creating full meeting notes. Perhaps it’s necessary to bring or prepare certain items for an event, take note of this using Keep after creating the event in Calendar. 

Try it:

1. Go to a Google Calendar event and click on the pencil (edit event).
   
2. While on the event editing page, open the Google Keep sidebar.
3. Create a new Google Keep note while on the event page and it will be tagged with a link back to Google Calendar (chip).
   

Keyboard Shortcuts

Learning Keyboard shorts will always save time in any workflow. To find a comprehensive listing of all the shortcuts available start inside the Keep platform. Navigate to the settings by clicking the cog wheel in the top right corner. At the bottom of that dropdown list will be keyboard shortcuts. 

Here are just a few of the shortcuts Kasey finds to be super helpful:

• C to start a new note
• L to start a new list note
• E to archive
• Command + [ to indent
• Command + ] to unindent 
• Command A to select all

Google Keep Labels

Labels, similar to the organization inside Gmail, are a great way to keep Google Keep organized. Everyone has their own personal style when establishing an organizational system. There is no right or wrong way to organize, but it’s essential to choose something that works for you. 

Any labels that have been created will appear on the left side. If you have not created any choose Edit labels and start creating your system.

Each of the labels will then display in alphabetical order on that left side menu. If alphabetical order is not conducive to your organization method there is a way to manipulate it. The most obvious way is to add a number. (This strategy is also handy for organizing Google Drive folders.)

Another fun way is to utilize emojis. These will always go to the top of the list, however, there isn’t a way to predict how the emojis will arrange. 

To add a label to a note, go to the three dots on the note > add label.

Labels can also help to filter any notes or allow you to search your notes. If you click a label in the left side menu that will bring up any note with that label. Remember that labels are not folders, it’s possible to apply multiple labels to a single note.

A quick way to include a label is to type a hashtag in your note. When you begin typing with the hashtag each of your labels will appear in a dropdown.

Colorful Notes

Color coding is another organizational feature that can be used inside Keep. Aside from the visually appealing effect color adds, colors can be an additional level for labeling notes.

Color can be added with a customized header or as the background of a note. Just click the palette icon inside your note to change the color.

By adding color to a note it’s now possible to search by color. Even if that color appears within an image that’s part of a note, if you search for red anything with the word or color will filter for you.  

Google Keep + Gmail

While working in the Gmail app it’s possible to access any of the pinned notes from Keep. Be sure to pin the notes that you may need while working in Gmail. Teachers may find that parents often ask the same question. Make a note with a template or generic response that you can move into an email quickly to personalize. 

Consider adding links and information that you are often asked for in emails to a Google Keep note for easy access–like a link to your teacher website, campus website, school calendar, Google Classroom guardian directions, parent portals, etc.

It’s also possible to create a Gmail label to help with searching these items. It may be that pinning the note doesn’t work for your system, but searching from the Keep app on the sidebar menu might. 

Google Keep for Student Feedback

The addition of the comment bank in Google Classroom was a game changer for teachers. However, there may be a time when teachers aren’t using Classroom or they may use a different LMS which doesn’t offer the comment bank. Google Keep can function as your own personal comment bank. 

Create notes to share with students on common mistakes and provide them with opportunities to review the concept. A note can contain links to YouTube videos or an infographic to help students make corrections. 

Related: 4 Ways to Use Google Keep for Feedback and Assessment

Another great idea shared a while back on the Google Teacher Podcast, is to use Keep for creating digital stickers. Bitmojis make for fantastic digital stickers! Save each image within a note then it will be possible to drag that image into Docs or Slides from the sidebar. 

Related: 25+ Ways to Use Google Keep

Google Keep on Mobile

Adding the Keep app to your phone (iOS or Android) and the Chrome extension to your browser can also make life a little more organized.

The mobile app adds an extra voice note feature that the desktop version does not. This means it’s possible to open a new note and talk directly into your phone. The app will actually record your voice, as well as, translate what’s said into a text note. 

Voice Notes (Mobile Only)

• Tap the microphone at the bottom of the screen near, “Take a note…”
• Dictate your note into the app.
• BONUS: Speech is translated into text and added to your note!

Another great advantage to using the mobile app is the option to take a photo with your camera. Consider how this applies to taking images of papers, or perhaps a trail of sticky notes. 

What about a staff meeting or PD agenda? Take a photo of the paper then take any notes (annotate) on the actual image. Of course, any of these teacher tips can be flipped into student tips as well. 

Related: 15 Ways for Students to Use Google Keep

Using the mobile app or a webcam:

• Snap a photo of your paper notes, sticky notes, meeting notes, sketches, etc.
• Students can snap a photo of notes, problem solve, hand draw sketches, etc.
• Any text found in the image is searchable in Google Keep.
• BONUS: Grab image text, and the text is added to the note!

I’m running out of room to fit everything in this post! Be sure to listen to the full podcast episode (embedded above) to get ALL the details!

Don’t forget about grabbing your FREE Canva Header templates below and this fantastic Google Keep Cheat Sheet! 

Google Keep Header Templates

My headers are not anything super fancy or creative, but they are clean and easy!

My Google Keep Header Templates are available in two forms:

1. Download the image files from Google Drive (not editable)
2. Or open this template in Canva and edit it to make them your own! You must have a Canva account (free for educators) and login to access these templates.

Like to get creative? Use the Google Classroom banner templates in Canva to create your own. The dimensions work just great in Keep without taking up a lot of real estate.

© 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 Google Keep Tips for a Productive School Year – SULS0171 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Teachers always need some time-saving tips!

Today, I am sharing valuable productivity tips using Google Tasks, Google Calendar, and even a bonus Google Keep tip!

Are you making the most of all that Google has to offer?

Learn shortcuts, hidden features, and awesome tips to help you save time, get things done, and rock the school year!

Every teacher–every Google user–needs these tips!

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Schoolytics.

This episode of the Shake Up Learning Show is brought to you by Schoolytics. Thousands of teachers use Schoolytics every day to help them take data-driven instruction to the next level and reclaim their time for what matters most: helping students reach their full potential. Google Classroom users can start tracking student progress and spotting performance trends in minutes – for free! Join today at Schoolytics.com.

Google Productivity Tips to Rock the School Year!

These Google productivity tips are going to save you time, and clicks, help you get organized, prepare for the school day, and help you have a great school year.

Google Keep: Reusable Checklists

Shout out to Pocketful of Primary for this Google Keep tip!

Use Google Keep to create a before and after school checklist to help you remember all the things you need to do!

This list will vary based on your personal preferences and your role in education, but below is an example to get you started.

Use the thumbtack icon on your notes to pin these checklists to the top of the page. You can also click-and-drag to reorder things as you like.

Once you have completed your checklist, you can go to the three dots on the bottom-right of your note and select, “uncheck all items,” to start anew the next day.

Like my custom image headers? Stay tuned to next week’s episode (170). I’m giving you free access to my templates!

Related: 25+ Ways for Teachers and Students to Use Google Keep

Use Google Apps Side by Side

You can use Google products such as Gmail and Calendar in the same window. This helps you increase productivity without switching between tabs.

1. Go to Gmail, Calendar, Chat, Drive, or a file in Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides.
2. At the bottom right, click Show side panel .
3. On the right, choose the product you want to open:
   • Calendar : Check your schedule and add or edit events.
   • Keep : Create a note or list.
   • Tasks : Add to-do items and deadlines.
   • Contacts : Access your contacts.
   • Voice : Make a Google Voice call.
   • Maps : Search Google Maps.

Google Tasks Tips

Repeat Tasks

I have many tasks that repeat daily, weekly, monthly, and even yearly. I need this feature to make any to-do list app work for me.

Here’s how to create a repeating task in Google Tasks:

1. Click an existing task or create a new task.
2. To add a date and time, click Date/time.
3. Next to “Date/time,” click Repeat .
4. Under “Repeats every,” select day, week, month, or year.
5. Under “Ends,” select an option to create a recurring task:
   • With no end date, select Never.
   • With a specific end date, select On, then choose a date.
   • That ends after a certain number of occurrences, select After, then select a number of occurrences.
6. Click OK.

Create Lists to Organize Your Tasks into Categories or Project

1. Click the Down arrow next to My Tasks.
2. Click Create a new list.
3. Enter a name.
4. Click Done.

Drag an Email into Tasks to Create a New Task

My inbox can often drive my tasks. I get an email and need to take action.

When you are in Gmail, you can open the Tasks in the sidebar and simply click and drag the email into your task list.

The task will be named by default the subject line of the email but you can revise that, add a due date, and more.

Similarly, you can select multiple emails in Gmail and create several tasks at once by using the tasks icon in your toolbar.

Related: Productivity Tips and Tools for Teachers and Students

Delegate Tasks in Google Chat Spaces

When you work with a team, you may need to delegate certain tasks. This isn’t available in the sidebar (yet), but you can delegate in Google Chat Spaces. (You can only delegate to those who have joined the space.)

Google Calendar Tips

I keep everything in Google Calendar! I need to stay organized and keep track of all of my appointments and presentations.

Create a Task from Google Calendar

What’s great about using Google Tasks and Google Calendar is that they work hand-in-hand. Any tasks that have been assigned a due date will appear on your calendar.

You can easily use the Google Tasks sidebar while you are in Google Calendar, but you can also create a task using Calendar. Just click the drop-down arrow on the create button and you will see the option to create a new task.

Related: How to Create Meeting Notes from Google Calendar in One Click!

Schedule View

There are many different views in Google Calendar that can help you focus on the items you need to see. The schedule view lets you see your events and tasks that are due in a list format.

Click near the top right drop-down menu to select the “schedule” view (or use the keyboard shortcut “A”). Any item with a task icon next to it is a Google Task.

Quickly Create a New Google Calendar Event

Did you know you can type “cal.new” into the address bar and it will auto-magically take you to the event creation page in Google Calendar?

Just like I’ve shared many times over the last few years, you can quickly create docs, sheets, slides, forms, and drawings with the same URL shortcut–.new.

Here’s a video to see it in action!

Related: How to Create a Parent-Teacher Conference Booking Page in Google Calendar

Change the Default Reminder Time for Calendar Events

I have a love/hate relationship with reminders. I need them, but sometimes they annoy me and appear at the wrong time.

You can change the default for the reminder times, add additional reminders, and even change how you are reminded.

1. Go to your Calendar settings (the little gear icon near the top-right), or simply use the keyboard shortcut “S”.
2. Select the calendar you wish to modify. (You may only have one, but could have multiple calendars like I do.)
3. Scroll down to Event Notifications and set your notification preferences.

Display Multiple Time Zones

If you work and collaborate with other educators or schools in other time zones, you need this feature!

To display multiple time zones,

1. Go to Settings (or press “S” on the keyboard)
2. Under General, go to World Clock
3. Check the box and add additional time zones that you need to view

The current time in all of the selected time zone will appear under the mini calendar on your Google Calendar home page.

Related: How to Schedule Zoom Meetings in Google Calendar

Change the Name of Other Calendars to Bring Important Ones to the Top

If you have many calendars that have been shared with you, you may have a long list of other calendars to scroll through to find the one you need. They are listed in alphabetical order, but you can rename to reorder these.

You can actually rename these calendars for yourself.

To rename a calendar,

1. Scroll down to the calendar you want to rename and click on the three dots next to the name.
2. Select “settings”
3. At the top of the page you can name the calendar anything you wish.

Tip! If there are certain calendars you want to see at the top, number them. This is the easiest way to order them exactly as you want.

You could also use emoji, but that isn’t as precise as numbers.

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

© 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 Google Productivity Tips to Rock the School Year! (Keep, Tasks, & Calendar!) – SULS0170 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Help Students Get Organized, Track Progress, Take Notes, and more with Google Keep!

Google Keep is a robust Googlr tool that can help teachers and students create and share notes, lists, and reminders. There are so many possibilities that I decided to put together this post and infographic with ideas for how Google Keep can be used in the classroom: 15 Ways for Students to Use Google Keep!

Get the Google Keep CHEAT Sheet (Form Below)

Learn more about how to use Google Keep from my Google Keep CHEAT SHEET (free download form below), and be sure to check out all of the Google Keep resources I am creating and curating.

Using Google Keep in the Classroom

I love to think of all of the possibilities that Google Keep creates for the classroom. Google Keep is part of Google Workspace for Education and integrates sweetly with Google Docs.

Google Keep is loaded with fun features that can help students get organized, track progress, take notes, and more. The infographic hits the highlights, but more details are also included below. Use this infographic as a reference and resource.

Download the Infographic

Click here to download a PDF version of the infographic.

Listen to this article.

15 Ways for Students to Use Google Keep

Below are some more specific details for each of the fifteen ways mentioned in the infographic.

1. Time Management and To Do Lists:

This one may seem very obvious, but helping students learn how to manage their time and get things done is a very important skill. Google Keep will help students track their assignment tasks, set up reminders, so they don’t forget and manage their time in and out of class.

2. Bookmarking (use the Chrome extension)

The Google Keep Chrome extension makes it easy to bookmark a web page and add it to your Google Keep notepad. This is particularly useful for saving relevant classroom websites, tutorials, and resources that students need for particular assignments and throughout the year.

Related: 25 Ways for Teachers & Students to Use Google Keep  

3. Vocabulary and Spelling Lists

Google Keep makes it easy to keep lists, so this is a no-brainer! Students can keep their spelling and vocabulary lists and easily access it from any device to study.

4. Location-Based Reminders

Not only does Google Keep allow you to set up time and date reminders to remember all of your due dates, but it will also help you remember to complete tasks when you arrive at a certain location. For instance, students may need to remember to talk to a certain teacher when they arrive at school in the morning. With a location-based reminder, Google Keep will send a notification to your device when you arrive at that location. To learn how to set up location-based reminders, visit this support page.

5. Class Notes

This may seem like another obvious suggestion but think beyond old school class notes. In Google Keep, students can jot down quick notes to themselves about a particular class or subject. They can then share those notes with other students in their group or class. Notes can even be completely collaborative! (Notes are so much more powerful when you share!) Take that one step further when your notes get too long, you can copy over to a Google Doc. Boom! Google power!

6. Project Management

As we move to more project-based learning initiatives, it is important to help students and teachers track and manage those projects. With Google Keep, students can easily keep track of each project, tasks, notes, and due dates. These notes can be shared with the teacher so he/she can monitor progress and help students learn how to manage big projects.

7. Genius Hour

Genius Hour moves beyond just managing projects. Google Keep can help students through each stage of the process. Students can use Keep for brainstorming ideas, research, drawing a prototype, tracking progress, reminders and due dates, taking notes, reflection and more!

Related: 4 Ways to Use Google Keep for Feedback and Assessment

8. Tracking Learning Goals

No matter what you call them, student objectives, learning targets, or goals, we all know how important it is to help students understand what they are and recognize success when they reach them. Teachers can create notes and lists of learning goals for a particular unit and share with the class. Students can then refer to these throughout the unit, confer with their teacher to ensure they reach them, and celebrate success! Bonus idea: Add badges and images to Keep to gamify the process. (I’m still working on some ideas for this one!)

9. Research Notecards

The research process is not easy, nor is it easy to teach. Number two above suggested using Google Keep for bookmarking, but let’s take this a step further. Students can use Google Keep as their digital notecards, not only bookmarking, but adding notes, citations, page numbers, etc. What a great way to help streamline the research process.

10. Reading Logs

Reading logs are great for keeping students accountable and tracking progress. Use Google Keep to log titles, dates and duration, the number of pages, or whatever else you normally have students track on paper.

11. Annotation and Illustration

Google Keep has this super cool feature that allows you to draw, and it will also allow you to draw on top of an image. This means we can annotate and illustrate learning! Think of all the possibilities! Students can demonstrate their learning with a drawing, think through a process by drawing a mind map, or upload an image of a reading passage, life cycle, map, etc. to annotate! Learn more about drawing from the Google Support Center and my Google Keep Cheat Sheet.

12. Daily Habits and Tasks

We have a lot of daily tasks and procedures in our classrooms–the things we do every day, like bellringers and warmups, writing down the agenda, silent sustained reading, journals, etc.. What if we put these into a daily checklist for students to help them create habits? This is also an excellent way to create other types of habits as well, like remembering to take your backpack home, drink water, exercise, etc.

13. Group Projects

Collaboration has always been the number one feature of Google tools. No other product comes close! Google Keep is no different. When it comes to managing group projects, let’s give students the tools to succeed. Google Keep can help the group share and create notes, assign tasks, remember due dates, and hold each other accountable!

14. Mobile Voice Notes

Voice Notes is a feature available in the iOS and Android mobile apps (not currently available on the desktop version). This is a great way for students to take notes on the go, on a field trip, record word pronunciations, practice reading aloud for fluency, and more. Plus, voice notes can help some of our students who struggle with writing and typing. Of course, voice recording is also a great way for our little ones to talk about their learning, tell stories, and leave notes.

Related: Personalize Google Keep for You and Your Students

15. Journaling

Reflection is such an important piece of the learning process! Students can use Google Keep for daily journaling and writing reflections on daily learning, projects, self-assess their progress, and share what they did well and what they could improve upon.

How are you using Google Keep in the Classroom? Please share in the comments below!

© 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 for Students to Use Google Keep [infographic] appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Let’s face it. As teachers, your time is precious. You only have so much time with your students, and you want to maximize that time for learning.

We don’t want to end up wasting valuable time searching for documents, websites, or setting up our lessons.

We need to use technology to help us save instructional time, not add to it.

I asked the Shake Up Learning Community to share their favorite teacher time-saving tips.

This group of over twenty-thousand educators never fails to disappoint!

I highly recommend you join us so you can connect and learn from this impressive group.

And it’s no surprise that these tips also happen to be very Googley!

Below you will find 10 excellent tips and tools to help you and your students save valuable classroom time.

This Episode Sponsored by Wacom

Wacom’s intuitive and easy-to-use digital pen tablets and pen displays help teachers, and students, enhance classroom interaction and collaboration in all of today’s learning environments – remote, hybrid, blended or in-person. Able to seamlessly connect with PC, Mac, or Chromebook computers and work with virtually any software, Wacom’s family of digital pen products move easily between the physical and digital classroom and offer a natural writing and drawing experience to art, math, science, and language teachers seeking to build classroom interactivity and dialogue.

Learn more at www.wacom.com

Listen to this article.

Time-Saving Tips and Tools for Teachers

Tip #1: Use Keyboard Shortcuts

If you have never taken the time to learn a few keyboard shortcuts, you really should. They can save you valuable time clicking around.

Google Chrome is the browser of choice, and there are many keyboard shortcuts to help you and your students navigate the web.

Note: Mac users, substitute Cmd for Ctrl in the keyboard shortcuts below.

Here are some of my favorites:

• Ctrl + T = opens a new tab
• Ctrl + Shift + T = reopens the last closed tab
• Ctrl + (any number 1-9) = jumps to that tab in your window.
• Ctrl + F = opens a search to find words on a page

You can find a complete list of Google Chrome keyboard shortcuts here for Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks.

I have also included a list of all of the keyboard shortcuts for Google Docs in the Google Docs Cheat Sheet that you can download here.

Tip #2: Use Classroom Screen

Classroom Screen is frequently shared by many teachers as a go-to favorite.

Classroom Screen is a web-based tool that gives teachers the ability to customize the webpage with their most-needed tools.

Quickly get a timer, text area, drawing tool, name picker, work symbols and more. Completely free.

Tip #3: Use the Chrome Bookmarks Bar

Chrome makes it easy to add bookmarks to the bookmarks bar, the bar directly below your search box which is called the Omnibox.

The bookmarks bar is a great place for your most frequently used websites and applications.

If you do not see your bookmarks bar, you can show it by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + B.

Not only can you easily add bookmarks to this bar by clicking and dragging from the icon at the front of the URL, but you can also create folders right there in the bar.

To add a folder, right-click on some blank space in your bookmarks bar and select “add folder.”  You will then be prompted to name your folder. Tip: Keep it short and sweet!

Real estate in the bookmarks bar is very valuable, and sometimes you may want to edit the default names of your bookmarks to shorten or take it down to just an icon.

To edit a bookmark in your bar, right-click on the bookmark and select “edit.” Here you can abbreviate your title, or just delete it if the icon is enough for you to identify your bookmark.

BONUS Tip: Click and drag your Google Classroom Classwork pages to the bookmarks bar for easy access!

The bar is not the only location for your bookmarks; you can also click on the star in the Omnibox to bookmark any page and save it elsewhere.

SHOW ONLY THE ICON IN THE BOOKMARKS BAR

Tip #4: Use Google Keep

Google Keep is quickly becoming a favorite teacher tool!

Google Keep is an online to-do list and note manager, and it saves to your Google Drive!

I frequently refer to Google Keep as the Instantpot of G Suite because it is so versatile.

Google Keep is also a part of G Suite for Education and is a great tool for students, especially secondary students.

Here you can keep track of not only your to-do lists and notes but also use the Save to Keep Chrome extension to save bookmarks to your keep notebook.

Teachers love to organize their bookmarks in Keep and use the labels to organize sites by class or subject area.

Learn more about Google Keep by getting this FREE Google Keep Cheat Sheet.

Keep is also a great place to save your notes from staff meetings and professional development.

AND, I love saving comments and images in Google Keep to use for student feedback. You can learn more about this method in my previous post, 4 Ways to Use Google Keep for Feedback and Assessment.

Tip #5: Use Chrome Profiles to Switch Between Google Accounts

Most teachers have more than one Google account, usually a personal and a school account.

You may have even more than two accounts as I do.

Logging in and out can be a huge time drain and really annoying.

The best way to toggle between accounts is by using a feature in Google Chrome called Chrome profiles.

Watch the video below to learn how to clean up the old, messy way and set up profiles for quick success!

Be sure you subscribe to Shake Up Learning on YouTube so you can access all of the latest tutorials and playlists!

Tip #6: Learn How to Search Your Google Drive

My Google Drive is not always the most organized, but that’s okay.

I can find ANYTHING using the search inside of Google Drive.

Even if I’m not sure what the file was named, who owns it, or the folder where I tucked it away, I can find it with the power of Google Drive.

Folders are great, but when you need to save valuable teacher time, just use the search!

Be sure you also click on that drop-down arrow in the search box to learn all the advanced searching fields.

I have an entire post on this to teach you all my tricks: 8 Fantastic Ways to Find Anything in Google Drive.

Tip #7: Use the Omnibox to Search Your Drive and Gmail!

Did you know that you can use the Chrome search box (aka the Omnibox) to search your Google Drive and Gmail?

Yes, you can!

This means you do not have to separately open Google Drive in order to search and open your files.

To do this, you will need to set up custom search engines in Chrome, and I promise it is super easy!

You can do this for all your favorite sites. You can even set up a custom search for ShakeUpLearning.com.

To create a custom search engine, follow the step-by-step directions in this blog post.

Tip #8: Use Chrome Extensions to Manage Your Tabs

I am a confessed tab hoarder, meaning I always have a ton of tabs open in Google Chrome.

Running too many windows and tabs can slow down your computer.

Luckily, I have strategies to help me save tabs for later so I don’t use up all the memory in my computer.

My favorite, can’t live without Chrome extension is OneTab.

OneTab allows me to quickly close all of my open tabs and saves them in a new window for me.

It also gives me an easy way to re-open all the tabs at once, open individually, or even share all the links as a webpage or QR code.

Perfect for saving a group of links for students!

So when I am in a hurry and need to close my computer, I just click on the OneTab extension to save all my tabs.

Install OneTab.

Another extension that I like for saving and organizing my tabs is Toby for Chrome.

Toby allows you to create collections of tabs and organize with tags and more.

I like to use Toby to organize links for lesson plans and workshops that I deliver.

It’s easy to use and drag-and-drop to organize your collections.

To see all of my favorite Chrome Apps and Extensions, explore the Chrome App and Extension Database and use the filter to find my faves.

Tip #9: Create a Google Classroom Class Template

Google Classroom has become a very robust application for teachers and students.

Google updates the platform often based on feedback from teachers.

One update that you may not have noticed is the ability to copy an entire class.

This can save you tons of time when you are setting up new classes at the beginning of the year or semester.

By creating a class template inside Google Classroom, you can easily create the ideal set up for your class, including topics and assignments, and copy these into a new class each year, each semester, and release assignments as you need.

Follow the step-by-step directions here to set-up your Class Template: How to Create a Class Template in Google Classroom.

For more Google Classroom tips and resources, visit this post: 350+ Google Classroom Tips, Tutorials, and Resources.

Tip #10: Use Voice Typing in Google Docs

Did you know that you and your students can voice type inside Google Docs?

This is a really great speech-to-text feature that can save you and your students valuable time!

To enable voice typing, go to Tools>Voice Typing and give the program permission to access your microphone.

You can dictate right into the document!

You can also dictate formatting and punctuation.

To learn more about all of the uses for voice typing, check out 7 Reasons You Need to Try Voice Typing in Google Docs.

Oh, and it works on the mobile version of Docs as well!

Part 2 Coming November 23, 2021!

Teachers are always short on time, and I hope you have found some new tips in this article!

What other time-saving tips would you add? Please leave a comment below!

© 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 Time-Saving Tips and Tools for Teachers (Part 1) appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Around the U.S., teachers are gearing up for back to school–gathering ideas, planning lessons, and getting their classrooms (and virtual classrooms) ready for learning.

Google tools can help you kick off the school year, get organized, and have some fun.

So I thought now was a great time to share a few “back to school” online activities with my favorite Google tools.

No matter what grade level or subject area you teach, there are always a few ways that Google tools can help you and your students save time and get creative–even during remote learning!

This episode kicks off our 3-part Back to School series! Don’t miss part 2 and part 3!

Below are a variety of ideas to help get to know your students, build relationships, do some goal setting, create, and play some games.

Be sure to share your favorite ways to use G Suite for back to school in the comments!

Here are six ideas for going Back to School with G Suite.

Listen to this article.

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Shoutout

I’d like to send a huge shoutout to @edtechcoachchristy (Christy Haskins) on Instagram for sharing the G Suite for School Leaders webinar. Thanks, Christy!

Follow @ShakeUpLearning on Instagram.

Quick Tip of the Week (How to Create a Template Link)

I love little URL hacks that make Google even better! This is a quick way to create a template link to share online and with other teachers. (Note: you don’t need this link for students if you use Google Classroom.)

I’ve written about this tip in-depth here, but here’s the quick tip version.

CLICK HERE to watch a 2-minute video.

Back to School with G Suite: 6 Online Activities

1. Student Survey with Google Forms

One of the most important things teachers can do during the first few weeks of school is to build relationships with their students. We want to know what they like, what they don’t like, where they struggle, and their learning style.

There are lots of ways to get to know your students, but Google Forms is a great way to gather some basic information and keep it organized in a spreadsheet.

The answers to some of these types of questions may not be something students are comfortable sharing with the entire class, so a Google Form is a great way to give students a safe space to share.

Depending on what age you teach, these questions will vary. Below are some ideas to get you started.

• What do you want me to call you in class? (preferred first name)
• What is your favorite color?
• What is your favorite food?
• What are you passionate about?
• If you could learn anything at school, what would you choose to learn?
• Do you like to be recognized for your accomplishments in front of the class?
• What characteristics do you like in a teacher?
• Is there anything that you struggle with in class?
• What do you do if you don’t know how to answer a question or problem?
• What do you do if you don’t know how to complete your online assignment?
• How do you learn best?
• What do you want me to know or understand about you?
• Do you prefer to work in groups or on your own?
• Do you like to read aloud?
• What are your favorite books?
• Do you enjoy reading?
• Do you like online learning? Why or why not?

2. Google Slides Weekly Planners and Checklists

Have you seen Slides Mania? This site is quickly becoming one of my favorite resources for Google Slides templates. They have released many fun templates to help teachers create and organize lessons.

I love this Weekly Planner for Online Lessons! This planner gives you an interactive way to share the week’s lessons with your students, and it’s super cute!

This isn’t one specific activity for students, but a way to organize and distribute all the activities.

Click on a number to go directly to that lesson. The template even gives you space to add an instructional video, directions, and images.

CLICK HERE to get the Slides Mania template.

Google Classroom tip! Grab the link to the assignment in Google Classroom and add it to your planner or checklist, so students aren’t searching for it. Here’s a quick video tutorial!

3. Vision Boards with Google Slides

The beginning of the school year or semester is the perfect time to build a growth mindset and set some goals with students.

Visualization is one of the most powerful exercises for the mind and for reaching your goals.

A vision board is a collection of images and words that represent the things you want in life–the things you want to do, the things you want to learn, the things you want to be.

Vision boards also support Dynamic Learning and the ISTE Standards for Students! This is just one small way we can empower learners in our classrooms this year.

Through my book, Shake Up Learning, and the Dynamic Learning Model and Framework, I shared some ways to go BEYOND, including a mindset to take learning BEYOND the BELL. One strategy to go BEYOND the BELL is to have students set their own learning goals.

As the teacher, you can help students write their own learning goals, both goals aligned to what they are learning in class, and also BEYOND. What problems would they like to solve? What’s something they’ve always wanted to learn?

Remember to revisit the vision boards on a regular basis so students can see how far they’ve come and where they still want to go.

Google Slides is the perfect medium for creating digital vision boards, and you can get all the details in this previous blog post. (P.S. Vision boards are also great for teachers and professional learning goals!)

See also: Student-Created Vision Boards with Google Slides

4. Summer Magnetic Poetry

One topic we always seem to discuss the first couple weeks of school revolves around what students did over the summer break. I’ve got a fun way to get kids creating and sharing their summer through the Summer Magnetic Poetry activity.

Summer was a bit different for all of us this year, but it’s fun to share and get to know your students.

You know…those fun little magnets that challenge you to create a poem with just a small word bank (usually on the refrigerator)?

You can use magnetic poetry with a theme, like, “What did you do over the summer?” Or try the Halloween or Winter versions later in the year.

Even if you don’t teach poetry, this template can be used as a quick game or challenge.

In addition to giving you this FREE template, I’m also giving you a FREE mini-course tutorial to show you exactly how I created this activity using Google Slides and Google Drawings.

Now, you can create whatever kind of magnetic poetry you want and use whatever vocabulary works with your curriculum.

This template is easy to use and revise to make it your own. It contains a lot of essential words and some fun, summer words. The word bank is on the second slide so students can easily copy and paste from the word bank onto the background slide. (Great for practicing copy and paste skills!)

Click here to view the template. | Click here to make a copy.

5. Fake Instagram with Google Slides

In January, Carly Black shared a guest post and Fake Instagram template in Slides inspired by Lisa Johnson.

This template is great for creating profiles and telling stories. Consider using this as a “get to know you” activity with your students, or let them tell the story of their summer.

If you have never used templates in Google Classroom, here’s a tutorial to help you understand how it works.

Get the Fake Instagram Template for Google Slides

Make a Copy | Use Template Link

CLICK HERE to learn how Carly used this activity with her students. 

6. Building a Community with Hyperdocs!

I love the Hyperdocs gals, The Hyperdoc Handbook, and they have some great hyperdocs for back to school!

I also love the Building a Community Hyperdoc as a beginning of the year activity.

New to Hyperdocs? Here’s what you need to know: “HyperDocs, a transformative, interactive Google Doc replacing the worksheet method of delivering instruction, is the ultimate change agent in the blended learning classroom. With strong educational philosophies built into each one, HyperDocs have the potential to shift the way you instruct with technology. They are created by teachers and given to students to engage, educate, and inspire learning. It’s not about teaching technology, it’s about using technology to TEACH.”

Make a Copy

(Note: There are several links files in this Hyperdoc. You will need to make a copy of each one that you would like to use.)

Check out this curated Wakelet from Lisa Highfill.

Check out last year’s Back to School with G Suite podcast:

Podcast Question of the Week

• What back-to-school activities are you going to try this year?  
• Post your answers in the Shake Up Learning community or on your favorite social platform.
• Join our FREE Shake Up Learning Facebook group.

What are your favorite Back to School activities? Please share in the comments below.

Join the Google Classroom Master Class Online Course

Learn all about the new updates to Google Classroom and take your skills to the next level. This course will give you everything you need to get started using Google Classroom and best practices to help you make the most of this tool.

Perfect for the beginner to intermediate skill levels! Consider this your video guide to Google Classroom!

NEW Bonuses just added on Google Meet integration and Remote Learning tips!

Click here to learn more and to ENROLL TODAY!

Learn All About the Course

Who Should Join the Google Classroom Master Class?

Beginners can learn everything they need to get started.

Intermediate level users can focus on learning more advanced features, tips and tricks, and best practices.

Go at your own pace.

Let’s dig in! This class is for all skill levels!

What’s Included in the Google Classroom Master Class?

• Self-paced
• Video-based lessons
• 6 BONUS Lessons
• PDF Downloads
• Supporting Resources
• Best Practices and Tips
• 6 hours of professional learning credit
• Purchase orders are accepted
• Bulk license discounts
• Get your whole team, campus, or district on board

Click here to learn more and to ENROLL TODAY!

© 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 Back to School with G Suite: 6 Online Activities (Part 1) appeared first on 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 9 TCEA Presentations You Need to See! appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

I love Google tools, but it’s NOT about Google! It’s about how we can use these tools to create dynamic learning experiences for our students.

In this 4-part podcast series on Dynamic Learning with Google, Kasey shares all her favorite lesson ideas!

In part three, Kasey explains how we can go BEYOND our curriculum and help students discover their passions, and how we can use Google tools to support this strategy!

BONUS: Get the Dynamic Learning with Google Toolkit to help you find the best tool to support Dynamic Learning in your classroom.

It’s NOT really about Google; it’s about the opportunity we have to use these tools to support Dynamic Learning experiences with our students.

Did you miss part 1 and 2 of this series?

Listen to part 1 (e44) and part 2 (e45) so you don’t miss a thing! The entire series is also available here.

Listen to this article:

...

Shoutout

Shoutout to all of the amazing educators that I met last week at FETC!

Click here to learn how you can bring Kasey to your next event.

Do you have a question or idea to share on the podcast? Leave me a message here.

Quick Tip of the Week

One-Tab Chrome Extension: Whenever you find yourself with too many tabs (like I do), click the OneTab icon to close all of your open tabs and save in a list. When you need to access the tabs again, you can either restore them individually or all at once.

Dynamic Learning with Google (Part 3)

In part three, we are moving on to our next characteristic in the Dynamic Learning Framework, Beyond the Grade Level and Subject Area. Dynamic Learning is at the heart of my book, Shake Up Learning: Practical Ideas to Move Learning from Static to Dynamic.

We are going to talk about three classroom strategies to help you go Beyond the Tool, student choice, choice boards, and Project Based Learning. Then we will look at which Google tools can help support these strategies in the classroom.

Get the FREE Blended Learning with Google Toolkit

(Formerly called the Dynamic Learning with Google Toolkit)

This FREE Blended Learning with Google Toolkit © will help you choose the best Google tools to support Dynamic Learning in your classroom.

The Blended Learning with Google Toolkit will help teachers learn more about blended learning strategies with recommended Google tools for each strategy!

Get access to this FREE PDF download that aligns technology integration strategies with Google tools!

Beyond the Grade Level and Subject Area

Let’s take kids off the conveyor belt of education and give them opportunities to learn about the things that interest them beyond the subject areas we teach and even beyond what it says they should learn in each grade level. Learning doesn’t have to fit inside a box.

I know this can sound impossible but stay with me here. Students need opportunities to explore their own passions and interests that go beyond what exists inside a prescribed curriculum. This doesn’t mean you have to teach more concepts; this means that we find ways to give students opportunities to make decisions and choose topics and projects that interest them.

Beyond the Grade Level and Subject Area with Student Choice

I’ll let you in on a secret! Student choice is the key to unlocking purpose and passion.

Student choice is the number one way we can help students find and explore their own interests. Whether that means giving them a choice of reading, choice of project or research topic, or a choice in how they demonstrate their learning–all paths will help build decision-makers and problem solvers!

To be clear, this doesn’t mean free reign. Most students cannot handle a fully open choice, but if we begin by giving them two or three options, we can baby step it to bigger decisions and choices.

It truly saddens me to see students who graduate high school without one clue about their own genuine interests. And I see this happen year after year.

Ways to Give Student’s Choice:

• Choice of reading
• Choice of project topic
• Choice of research topic
• Choice of device
• Choice of tool(s)

If you are not already giving students choice in your classroom, begin to look for those opportunities in your lessons.

Beyond the Grade Level and Subject Area with Choice Boards

Choice boards have been a long-time favorite of mine. They completely transformed my classroom and helped me to stop being such a control freak.

You can call these learning menus or choice boards, these words are interchangeable, offer a simple set of activities from which students can choose. These can be a simple list, or they can take more creative forms like a tic-tac-toe or the style of a restaurant menu.

One of the most popular posts on this blog is all about using G Suite to create interactive choice boards. In this post, you will find free templates and ideas for your classroom.

I have also created a special choice board for integrating the 4 C’s. Grab a copy here.

For a more in-depth look at choice boards, check out The Teacher’s Guide to Choice Boards.

Beyond the Grade Level and Subject Area with PBL

Project Based Learning, or PBL, opens up a world of possibilities for our students. Whether you are doing authentic PBL or jumping into something like Genius Hour, Google tools can help your students reach their goals.

What exactly is PBL?

“Students work on a project over an extended period of time – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience.

As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Project Based Learning unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.” – PBL Works

PBL is all about moving beyond the inauthentic, one-and-done daily lessons and activities that never connect.

Google tools can help support PBL throughout the entire process:

• Planning and research with Google Search
• Recording information and writing with Google Docs
• Collecting data with Google Forms
• Analyzing data with Google Sheets
• Managing time with Google Keep and Google Calendar
• Documenting experiments and processes with Google Photos and Video
• Presenting final projects with Google Slides or Google Sites

Ready for Part 4?

CLICK here to listen/read Part 4 in this series.

Podcast Question of the Week

How do you give students opportunities to explore their own interests in your classroom?

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

The Shake Up Learning Book Study

Don’t miss our next book study! It’s completely FREE, and it’s all available online!

Get the details here.

You can also enter to win an autographed copy of 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 It’s NOT About Google (Part 3: BEYOND the Grade and Subject) – SULS046 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

It’s NOT about Google, y’all! It’s about the LEARNING!

Ready to move the learning in your classroom from static, one-and-done activities, to more dynamic learning—Dynamic Learning with G Suite? This 4-part podcast series will show you how you can use G Suite tools to support dynamic learning experiences for your students!

Technology presents us with a unique opportunity in education, an opportunity to create more dynamic learning experiences for our students. We have to start thinking differently about our assignments. One-and-done doesn’t cut it anymore. The learning needs to live, grow, connect, and go beyond traditional ideas. We need Dynamic Learning!

This blog post and podcast episode is NOT about Google or G Suite, but how to use these tools to support dynamic LEARNING in the classroom.

Dynamic Learning is at the heart of my book, Shake Up Learning: Practical Ideas to Move Learning From Static to Dynamic. It’s my passion. It’s my blood, my sweat, and frankly, a lot of tears! I want to help teachers like you to Shake Up Learning.

BONUS: Don’t miss out on the FREE download for this series! The Blended Learning with Google Toolkit is an alignment document that shows you how the Dynamic Learning characteristics align with classroom strategies and which Google tools to use in your classroom! (Fill out the form below to access.)

Listen to the podcast version of this post below:

Shoutout

Thank you to Ashley Brown for leaving us a question. Do you have a question or idea to share on the podcast? Leave me a message here.

Quick Tip of the Week

In Google Chrome, you can re-open your last closed tab with this simple keyboard shortcut:

• On Windows and Chromebooks: Control + Shift + T
• On Mac: Command + Shift + T

All tips will be archived on this page.

Dynamic Learning with Google

You can dive deeper into Dynamic Learning by listening to the first five episodes of the Shake Up Learning Show. This binge-worthy series on meaningful technology integration was the kick-off to my podcast and will give you a detailed look at the Dynamic Learning Model and Framework.

1. Top 20 Tech Tips for Teachers
2. The 4 C’s: The Superfoods of Learning
3. A Framework for Meaningful Technology Integration
4. Easy Lesson Plan Makeovers for Your Classroom
5. How to Plan for Technology Integration

I would also like to personally invite you to join one of the Shake Up Learning book studies that we conduct throughout the year. You can find the latest information and schedule on this page: shakeuplearning.com/bookstudy.

What is Dynamic Learning?

Dynamic Learning is characterized by constant change and activity. This learning takes place organically, growing and evolving through more unconventional means, with the learner collaborating, creating, and communicating to demonstrate progress and mastery. Dynamic Learning also extends beyond the boundaries of a traditional school day, beyond the physical location of the classroom, beyond using tools as digital substitutes, or even the traditional notion of hard-and-fast due dates.

The Dynamic Learning Characteristics

When you think DYNAMIC, I want you to think BEYOND! (Read full definitions here.)

• BEYOND the Bell: a lifelong learning mindset for students.
• BEYOND the Grade Level and Subject Area: helping students tap into passions and interests that are outside the given curriculum.
• BEYOND the Walls: publishing student work for a global audience, and bringing in global connections and collaborations.
• BEYOND the Tools: using digital tools to do new things.
• BEYOND the Due Date: mentoring and coaching students to continue learning even after the project has been assessed.

If the Internet is down, and you have to change your digital lesson to pencil and paper, the lesson should invariably lose something. Meaning, if your lesson is using technology in a dynamic way, it just can’t be replicated on paper.

The Dynamic Learning Framework

You can download a printable PDF version of the graphic here

Using Google Tools to Support Dynamic Learning

So how does Google come into play? Well, Google and G Suite for Education offers educators and students many tools that will support the Dynamic Learning Framework. Remember, this is not about Google–not about getting carried away by shiny tools, but about how we can use these tools to support learning.

There are many lesson plans available in the Shake Up Learning book, as well as my online database of shared lesson plans, and most involve some sort of Google tool.

But today, I want to share with you some quick wins, easy tips to help you see the reality of Dynamic Learning in your classroom.

Get the FREE Blended Learning with Google Toolkit

(Formerly called the Dynamic Learning with Google Toolkit)

This FREE Blended Learning with Google Toolkit © will help you choose the best Google tools to support Dynamic Learning in your classroom.

The Blended Learning with Google Toolkit will help teachers learn more about blended learning strategies with recommended Google tools for each strategy!

Get access to this FREE PDF download that aligns technology integration strategies with Google tools!

Beyond the Bell

Learning doesn’t have to end when the bell rings. With digital tools and devices that are available 24/7, students can continue to learn, collaborate, grow, and dig deeper into their learning on their own terms. This doesn’t mean homework. This is a mindset for students that means learning can take place anytime, anywhere, and students can own it.

Beyond the bell is a lifelong learning mindset for students. Please don’t assume this one simply means doing things after the bell rings! It’s much more than that. We want students to recognize learning, know how to seek out their own learning, and have a growth mindset.

Google tools can help support this mindset in many ways. 

Beyond the Bell with Goal Setting

Goal setting is a research-based strategy that is common among adults, but it’s something we should instill in our students at an early age.

We want students not only to understand and reach the learning goals we set in the classroom but also set their own goals. This is where it gets personal. Goals setting with students will allow you to get to know them and cultivate relationships.

But this doesn’t have to be complicated. Even the little ones can set mini-goals. For instance, ask them, “What’s one thing that would make today great?” Or “What will make you smile today?”

With the older students, it is important that we don’t tie grades to a goal. What I mean by that is that grades are often reflective of many other things like turning in late work, etc. Associate the goal with the learning! What is it they will know or be able to do when they reach this goal? 

We can use many different Google tools for goal setting. Google Keep is a favorite of mine. It’s an easy way to document goals and revisit them on a regular basis. You could also track goals in Docs or a fancy Google Sheet. The point is to articulate goals on a regular timeline and to revisit every one to three weeks, so you don’t lose sight.

Vision boards are a visual way to imagine reaching your goals. Traditional vision boards have images and words that help you stay focused on what it will look like when you reach your goals. Google Slides and Google Drawings are perfect partners for this image-driven creation!

Beyond the Bell with Trackers

As an adult, I often track my steps and progress over time. In the classroom, my students tracked their reading–pages read, books completed. But the power of tracking can help our students not only reach their goals but establish good habits and emotional control.

Social and Emotional Learning, or SEL, is an essential component of success for students. Trackers offer students a way to recognize emotions and social queues, as well as show growth over time.

Google Sheets is a great application for tracking habits, emotions, reading, health, and even moods.

My friend and colleague, Lisa Johnson, has included many trackers in her book, Creatively Productive. Most of her templates are available in Google Sheets and Numbers. By using a spreadsheet template, we can create a quick and easy way to track. (Check out her guest post and access her free templates here: 6 FREE Google Templates for Creative Productivity.)

Podcast Question of the Week

How do you help build a growth mindset with your students?  

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

Check out Part 2 in this series!

Links and Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

The Shake Up Learning Show

The Shake Up Learning Community on Facebook

Shake Up Learning Book Study

The Shake Up Learning Show Episode 1: Top 20 Tech Tips for Teachers

The Shake Up Learning Show Episode 2: The 4 C’s: The Superfoods of Learning

The Shake Up Learning Show Episode 3: A Framework for Meaningful Technology Integration

The Shake Up Learning Show Episode 4: Easy Lesson Plan Makeovers for Your Classroom

The Shake Up Learning Show Episode 5: How to Plan for Technology Integration

The Shake Up Learning Show Episode 41: 25+ Ways to Use Google Keep for Teachers and Students

The Shake Up Learning Show Episode 32: Productivity Tips and Tools for Teachers and Students

6 FREE Google Templates for Creative Productivity

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