Shake Up Learning ALL-ACCESS PASS

With the ALL-ACCESS Pass, participants can access all of the Master Classes, Online Workshops, Podcast PD, and the Members-Only Library! (*excludes Google Certification Academies).

Includes:

• The Google Classroom Master Class (valued at $99/year)
• The Google Slides Master Class (valued at $99/year)
• The Google Meet Master Class (valued at $79/year)
• The Zoom Master Class (valued at $79/year)
• The Dynamic Learning Workshop (valued at $99/year)
• The Blended Learning with Google Workshop (valued at $99/year)
• Includes access to ALL future master classes and workshops!
• Members-Only Library of ebooks and cheat sheets!
• Podcast PD (with credit certificates and new content each week!)
• More than 50 hours of PD credit (with more added soon)!
• Even more exclusive content coming in the 2021-2022 school year!

Total Value is more than $600 per 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.

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YOU are invited to join the Blended Learning with Google Book Study!

I am #superexcited to announce the 2021 dates for the official book study of my book, Blended Learning with Google: Your Guide to Dynamic Teaching and Learning (Scroll down to the bottom to see ALL of the book studies for 2021!)

Blended Learning with Google was designed for book studies! I couldn’t just write a paper book. I had to make it an interactive experience and give you extra resources to go deeper and make reading the book a dynamic learning experience.

About the Book Study

When: This six-week book study will start on Feb. 11, 2021, and end on March 17, 2021. (See all 2020 book study dates at the bottom of this post.)

Miss the book study? We regularly update this page with new book study dates all the time so come back soon!

Where: This book study will take place in an exclusive POP-UP Facebook group that was created just for this study.

Feel free to participate in the discussion each Thursday when questions are posted, or asynchronously as is convenient for you and your time zone.

How: Each week, you will read 4 chapters (the chapters are short, like mini-chapters) and complete optional challenges.

What: I will post discussion questions from the book, and issue a challenge or choice of challenges related to that section of the book. We will share #booksnaps, ideas, lessons, failures and success, links, and a whole lotta ways to Shake Up Learning!

[Tweet “Join the Official #ShakeUpLearning book study! #edtech #edchat”]

READING SCHEDULE

Google Calendar

I’ve created a public Google Calendar with all of the deadlines so you can easily stay on top of your reading assignments. Just click on the “+Google Calendar button” in the bottom right to add it to your own Google Calendar.

Easy, peasy, lemon-squeezy, y’all!

Get the Handout!

In order to help you spread the word to other teachers in your school, your department, your team, or whoever you want to invite, I have created a handout that is printable and shareable!

CLICK HERE to Get the Handout! (coming soon)

Your Book Study To-Do List

• Purchase a copy of Blended Learning with Google.
• Sign up for email reminders.
• Join the Shake Up Learning Book Study Facebook Group. (You MUST answer the questions in order to be approved!)
• Feel free to share comments, questions, reflections, and #booksnaps ANYTIME in the group!
• Read chapters 1-4 BEFORE the book study start date.
• Access supplemental resources for each chapter here: ShakeUpLearningBook.com
• Join us or the first discussion questions and challenge, OR feel free to respond at whatever time is convenient for you!

Can You Get Credit?

Unfortunately, no, we cannot offer any credit hours for participating in the book study and keep it free. However, we have had groups from schools participate and monitor their own participation and give credit.

Would you be interested in getting credit for a small fee? Let us know in the comments!

2020 Shake Up Learning Book Studies

Please note, the Facebook groups for each of these will not be available until AFTER the previous round has ended. Come back to this page for the most current information.

1. Feb. 11-March 17, 2021
2. June 17-July 22, 2021
3. Oct. 7-Nov. 11, 2021

© 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 Join the Blended Learning with Google Book Study! (FREE) appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this episode and blog post, I’m sharing a checklist of best practices for creating an effective and engaging choice board for your classroom.

Let’s talk about avoiding pitfalls, grading confusion, and finding balance in time and rigor!

Get the Choice Board Best Practices and FREE Checklist Download!

And grab your FREE, downloadable checklist below.

Listen to this article.

This episode is sponsored by Everfi.

Everyone remembers THAT teacher. The study hall teacher who walked you through your first college application. The social studies teacher who taught you what taxes were AND how to file them. The math teacher who used student loans to show you how interest worked. YOU can be that teacher—and EVERFI wants to help you make that kind of impact with FREE digital lessons for K thru 12 students. From budgets and banking to credit and savings, you’ll find a financial literacy topic that’s right for your classroom. And especially during April, Financial Literacy Month, there’s no better time to equip students with smart decision-making around finances. Learn how you can share these FREE resources with students and give them a financial foundation that lasts a lifetime. Just go to everfi.com/shake. 

Choice Board Best Practices (and Checklist)

What is a Choice Board?

A choice board is a tool that teachers use to provide students with a range of activities or tasks from which they can choose. It can be used to differentiate instruction, provide students with learning options, or offer opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding in creative ways.

*Related: The Teacher’s Guide to Digital Choice Boards (FREE eBook)

Choice Board Best Practices

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot of lessons with choice boards. Many were learned the hard way, so I want to share with you the best practices for designing and implementing choice boards in the K12.

Learning Outcomes

Don’t get distracted by free (and paid) lessons online. If it doesn’t assess what you need it to assess, it is a waste of time. Design your choice board with the end in mind! Align each choice with one or more of your learning outcomes. If you download a template or lesson online, please be sure to revise and tweak this to fit the needs of your students and learning goals.

Activities

Selecting the activities for your choice board is more than just a brain dump of ideas. Take the time to upgrade your old activities that need a refresh before adding to a choice board. Offer a range of engaging activities, and meaningful, incorporate the 4 C’s, and are relevant to the learning objectives. (Use the Dynamic Learning Framework!)

Differentiate

Differentiation is not easy, but it is much more doable when students are offered a wide range of activities and learning paths. Choice board activities should also be differentiated to meet the diverse needs of the students in your classroom. Think about meeting different learning styles, interests, accommodations, and modifications for those that need it.

*Related: Creating Choice Boards with Book Creator

Instructions

Provide clear and concise instructions for each activity. Include the materials needed, the activity’s steps, and any available multimedia resources or supports. Remember, when you post assignment instructions online, it can save you time from answering questions over and over again. If you want some guidance, check out this post: How to Package Your Digital Assignments.

Assessment

Is this assessment OF (summative) or FOR (formative) learning? Determine how student learning will be assessed. Provide rubrics or checklists to guide assessment and provide feedback to students. Remember, the purpose of a rubric is to communicate expectations to the student. If rubrics make grading easier, all the better!

Balance Time & Rigor

Every teacher knows that the time required to complete a lesson or activity will vary greatly by students. If it’s a brand new activity, it’s a guessing game. Try to balance the amount of time required for each choice as much as possible. It will never be perfect, but you don’t want one student completing a ten-minute activity and another student completing a 50-minute activity. Also, try to strike a balance in the level of thinking and rigor needed, so students are challenged equally. Be patient with yourself. This takes time, and trial and error, just like any lesson in your classroom.

Deadlines & Milestones

Decision paralysis is legit! Your instructions should clearly state deadlines for completion, including a deadline for making your choice. Some students will take the entire class period deciding which option they want to complete on the choice board. Give them clear deadlines for making choices. Create milestone deadlines for projects that take multiple days or weeks.

*Related: Interactive Learning Menus (Choice Boards) with G Suite – FREE Templates

Reflection

Provide opportunities for students to reflect and think metacognitively about their learning. Reflection is an essential part of learning so think about how reflection will be embedded into your choice board.

Checklist for Creating an Effective and Engaging Choice Board

Fill out the form below to download the free checklist:

By following this checklist, teachers can create effective choice boards that promote student engagement and creativity.

What would you add to this list?

Choice Board Resources

Check out even more choice board resources on this page.

© 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 Choice Board Best Practices (and Checklist) – SULS0192 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

In this blog post and podcast episode, I’m sharing 10 Things for Teachers to Try in 2023.

We will explore strategies, digital tools, professional learning, and much more!

Are you ready to start fresh, declutter, and make room for new ideas in your classroom this year?

What will you try in 2023?

No matter the subject or grade level, you’re bound to find a great idea just for you. 

Listen to this episode.

10 Things for Teachers to Try in 2023

1. Declutter Your Mind

If you are planning for a positive and productive 2023, you must first start with your mind. If you are like me, you may have lots of tasks, ideas, and clutter distracting you. Clearing my mind and getting all my ideas, thoughts, and worries out on paper (or a Google Doc) helps me get organized on focus on the year ahead.

Try a brain dump. Start by writing or typing down everything that’s cluttering your mind. Don’t worry about organizing it yet (you can do that later.) The point is to get it all out. Then use this to help you plan and organize your day or year. Here are some free brain dump templates from Canva.

How’s your mindset in 2023? Many of you may still feel burnt out. (I do!) A focus on the positive can help shift your mindset. I like to start the day with a devotional. Or look for other daily inspiration, stories, quotes, or try a gratitude journal.

2. Declutter Your Classroom/Workspace

Sometimes the last thing you feel like doing before or after the holiday break is cleaning, but this can reduce your stress level and give you a fresh start to the year.

Here are four easy steps to declutter and organize any space:

1. Clear out and make space to work. This can be loading everything into bins or boxes, or even just moving everything to one side of your classroom.
2. Categorize your items. Group like items together so you can clearly see everything you have.
3. Purge each category. Get rid of stuff you no longer need or use. In my classroom, I often had things like posters and teaching supplies that I would give to new teachers who were building their classrooms.
4. Contain and store your items. Now, let’s get this stuff stored and make your space more functional.

A good declutter clean-up can refresh your space, your mind, and your classroom! 

3. Try Custom Choice Boards 

I’ve been talking about choice boards for years. They truly changed my classroom, and I believe they can help any teacher empower students and differentiate.

In episode 176, I shared my framework for creating custom choice boards (with an infographic). While I love templates and share them frequently, the next step is to create a choice board that is designed to fit the needs of your students.

Templates are quick and easy, but if you rely on ready-made lessons too much, you may realize that are not always aligned with your learning goals.

I use Google Docs and Slides to create many choice boards, but I am currently exploring some new tools for choice board creation. (Look for some Book Creator resources coming soon!)

4. Chat GPT

Unless you have been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard the buzz around something called Chat GPT.

What is Chat GPT?

The beginning…that’s what it is. It will probably blow your mind, and then when you realize this technology is in its infancy, it might scare you.

Chat GPT is a free, online chatbot using artificial intelligence that can fully interact in human-like language. It can answer questions, write essays, generate all kinds of content, write lesson plans, the list goes on and on.

This tool is currently free to use while it is still in development.

Why do you need to know about Chat GPT?

Your students know about it and will use it. This technology will make plagiarism even more difficult to detect, and it means that we must rethink assignments.

For years, I have offered ideas to help teachers create assignments that are not at the top of a Google Search, but this blows Google out of the water. I don’t have all the answers. I wish I did, but I know that this is not going away and that we must work together to figure out how to create assignments for our students.

We cannot pretend that the Internet doesn’t exist when we are in school. Locking down tabs, and blocking websites isn’t the answer. Don’t misunderstand me. Yes, we need to block inappropriate content and protect our students, but we can’t prepare them for a technology-driven world and pretend that these technologies don’t exist.

We can definitely find ways to use things like Chat GPT and other similar AI tools in our learning and assessments. I will be sharing more on this in 2023. For instance, can we have students work together to use Chat GPT to answer questions, then break it apart and rewrite it or categorize it in a different way? This means that we as teachers have to have an awareness of how these tools work.

Spend some time very soon getting familiar with Chat GPT, or check the Beta version of Magic Write in Canva Docs, which uses the same AI language. (More on Canva Docs coming in next week’s episode.)

Related articles and resources:

• What Will ChatGPT Mean for Teaching?
• The College Essay Is Dead
• What is ChatGPT and why are schools blocking it?

5. Adobe Express Challenges

Did you know Adobe has free, ready-made lessons and templates for teachers and students? Each month Adobe offers a new challenge for teachers.

Think of these as ready-made activities for your students, complete with free templates, instructions, and great ideas to help teachers deliver powerful learning moments.

In December, Adobe (in partnership with Khan Academy) released a great mid-year reflection activity for students with free Adobe Express templates. January is the perfect time to use this challenge!

6th-12th Adobe Express Template

Activate student voices this January with fun and easily adaptable prompts from Adobe Express and Animate from Audio!

• Adobe Express – Use Adobe Express templates to create fun backgrounds for your characters. It could be a geography game, a famous person quiz, or a get-to-know-you intro video.
• Animate with Audio – Import your background from Adobe Express into Animate with Audio, pick your character, and record your video to make your project come alive. Animate with Audio is our latest feature and it allows students to bring their voice into a project to make it fun, educational, and informative.

To get started, click here.  Educators who share their student’s work on social media using the hashtag #AdobeEduCreative will be entered to win one of ten classroom sets of Adobe swag.  

6. Use Canva with Students

Canva has been one of my favorite image-creation tools for many years. Most of the graphics you see on this blog and website were created with Canva. But did you know Canva has entered the education space?

Canva for Education is free for teachers and students and is quickly becoming a powerhouse of interactive tools! In episode 169, I shared a treasure trove of back-to-school resources from Canva. Their templates can be huge time-savers. But what I am most excited about is how you can keep your activities inside Canva and interact with students.

Ready to learn more about Canva for Education?

• Tune in to episode 183: 4+ Things You Didn’t Know Canva Could Do. (Will be released on January 17, 2023).
• Get FREE Training on YouTube from teacher and Canva District Engagement Advocate, Scott Nunes.

7. Fight Exclusion in 2023

Every teacher should fight exclusion! In episode 164, I chatted with Mike Marotta, co-author of Inclusive Learning 365. Mike has many practical tips to help teachers reach all students and fight exclusion.

What is Inclusion?

Inclusion is fighting against exclusion. This idea, brought to the table by Chris Bugaj, struck the group as being the best picture of what inclusion means. Mike, and his co-authors, offer a website of resources. One of those resources is a self-assessment tool to examine how well a teacher is providing inclusive strategies. The self-assessment can also be useful in providing new mindsets or shifts for how to provide more inclusive strategies.

Try a new strategy in 2023!

8. Learn on the Shake Up Learning YouTube Channel

The Shake Up Learning YouTube channel is growing every week! We share free training and tips for teachers.

Each week, I share a Google Quick Tip of the Week. These are short videos (usually around 2-4 minutes) sharing a new feature of time-saving tips.

Here’s a list of the Top 10 Quick Tips of 2022.

This year, we are sharing more free training on YouTube. Check out the free training presentations from our team here. You can even catch my The Teachers Guide to Digital Choice Boards presentation here.

More training and tips are coming this year! Be sure you are subscribed to the channel, so you get notified when new videos are posted.

9. Take an Online Course from Shake Up Learning

Did you know that Shake Up Learning offers several online courses and workshops?

All of our courses are self-paced, meaning you learn at a time that is convenient for you. It is all asynchronous, so you can watch lesson videos, pause, stop, rewind and rewatch as much as you need.

ALL Courses offer credit hour certificates (ranging from 3-6 hours).

Online Workshops:

• The Blended Learning with Google Workshop
• The Dynamic Learning Workshop

Online Master Classes:

• The Google Classroom Master Class
• The Google Slides Master Class
• The Google Meet Master Class
• The Zoom Master Class

The ALL-ACCESS PD PASS

Get all the workshops, master classes, and much more with the ALL-ACCESS PASS!

(7-Day FREE Trial)

With the ALL-ACCESS Pass, participants can access all of the Master Classes, Online Workshops, Podcast PD, and the Members-Only Library!

100+ Hours of Professional Learning (with Credit)!!!

Includes:

• The Google Classroom Master Class (valued at $99/year)
• The Google Slides Master Class (valued at $99/year)
• The Google Meet Master Class (valued at $79/year)
• The Zoom Master Class (valued at $79/year)
• The Dynamic Learning Workshop (valued at $99/year)
• The Blended Learning with Google Workshop (valued at $99/year)
• Includes access to ALL future master classes and workshops!
• Members-Only Library of ebooks and cheat sheets!
• Podcast PD (with credit certificates and new content each week!)
• More than 100 hours of PD credit (with more added soon)!
• Even more exclusive content coming!

Total Value is more than $1000 per year!

Try the ALL-ACCESS Pass FREE for 7 Days!

10. Plan for a Productive 2023

I geek out over productivity strategies, planners, and books about planning and productivity–all the things! And I have shared many planning and productivity tips on the podcast and blog.

Check out these resources to help you plan for a productive year!

• Google Keep Tips for a Productive School Year
• Google Productivity Tips to Rock the School Year
• How to Work from Home and Get Things Done
• Productivity Tips and Tools for Teachers and Students

What new tips, tools, and strategies will you try this year? Leave us a comment!

© 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 10 Things for Teachers to Try in 2023 – SULS0182 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

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.

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!

Plus, get a FREE Blended Learning with Google toolkit loaded with strategies and ideas for the classroom.

And don’t forget to check out all our back-to-school posts!

Listen to this episode.

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.

Back to School Lesson Planning Tips

We’ve done several back-to-school blog posts and podcast episodes over the years. Be sure to check out the Shake Up Learning Back to School Resource Page.

Planning a Dynamic Learning Experience

The first thing I want to share is my lesson planning template for Dynamic Learning.

In episode 5 of the Shake Up Learning Show, I take a deep dive into this idea: How to Plan for Technology Integration.

Click here to use the DLE template link, or make a copy.

I know this looks pretty intense, but keep in mind it is designed to help you think through EVERYTHING! You will not need to be this detailed, once you get the hang of things.

And for those of you that are intimidated by the more lengthy planning document, I have created the ONE-PAGE template (screenshot below). Click here to make a copy.

FREE Lesson Plan Database

Over the years, I have collected the dynamic learning lesson plans from teachers into one, searchable database.

Here you can access all of the dynamic learning lessons from my books, as well as lessons shared by teachers across the country.

It is searchable and you can filter by grade, subject, and even ISTE standard!

Access the free lesson plan database here.

FREE Lesson Plan Templates from Slidesmania.com

Slidesmania is one of my favorite resources for teachers. Did you know they have lesson planners?

Check out the free Google Slides and Powerpoint Lesson Planning templates from Slidesmania here. 

Lesson Plans & Templates

As you are planning, you may be inspired by free (or paid) templates that you find online.

I love templates and encourage teachers to create and use templates.

But there are some pitfalls with templates that you want to avoid.

Before you decide to implement in your classroom, ask yourself:

• Does this align with my learning goals?
• Does this assess what I need to assess?
• Will this work in the time I have allotted?
• Does this offer enough rigor for my students or is it just busy work?

In episode 10 of the Shake Up Learning Show, I did some on-air coaching with the wonderful Carly Black. Carly shares how she used one of my free choice boards in her classroom but it just didn’t turn out like she wanted. We worked through our coaching questions and discovered that the choice board assessed something that Carly had already assessed. The choice board wasn’t offering anything new for her or her students.

TemplatesforTeachers.com

In episode 119, I interviewed Shake Up Learning Trainer Sarah Kiefer. Sarah is the co-creator of TemplatesforTeachers.com, a free website with — you guessed it– FREE templates!

Explore this awesome website for tons of teaching ideas and templates for K-8.

Shake Up Learning Templates

Over the years, I have shared a lot of templates, choice boards, and more that are all available for free here on Shake Up Learning.

Visit our template page to peruse and find the best templates for your classroom.

Canva Templates

It’s no secret that I love Canva! Did you know it’s free for teachers and students?

Earlier this year, I did a 2-part podcast series all about the templates in Canva. Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of 30 Ways to Use Free Templates from Canva to learn about all the hidden gems, how to edit, and how to use Canva templates in Google Slides.

FREE Google Templates in Docs, Slides, Forms, and Sheets

Did you know there are free templates built into your favorite Google apps?

Jump over to the home page for the app, docs.google.com, slides.google.com, forms.google.com, or sheets.google.com, and hit the drop-down to see the template gallery.

Assigning Templates in Google Classroom

Confused with all the templates? I got you!

Depending on where you find the template and how you make a copy, there are a few different things to know about getting that template into the hands of students through Google Classroom.

Below is a tutorial video to show you how to use templates and assign them in Google Classroom.

Free Google Lesson Plans from Google Applied Digital Skills 

In episode 87 of the podcast, I took a deep dive into all the lesson plans, curriculum, training, and resources available from Google’s Applied Digital Skills.

Get FREE Google lesson plans for teachers and students from Google’s Applied Digital Skills resource center.

These are super handy for teachers!

These are ready-to-go, asynchronous lessons that will help your students gain future-ready skills.

You will also find free teacher training, support for parents and guardians, free posters, and more!

Be Internet Awesome & Pear Deck

The Be Internet Awesome program from Google includes an ISTE-aligned curriculum for teachers, Interland, a game for students to learn and improve their digital citizenship skills, and tons of free resources for educators.

The curriculum is designed for grades 3-5, but I can tell you that it can be adapted for younger and older audiences depending on their skill level.

The Interland game can also be used at many grade levels, depending on their vocabulary and digital citizenship skill set.

“Google has partnered with the educators at Pear Deck to create custom, interactive presentations and vocabulary flashcards to accompany the Be Internet Awesome curriculum. Students engage and respond to questions from their individual classroom devices, while teachers can:

• Control the pace of the lesson
• View student answers from their Pear Deck Teacher Dashboard
• Share completed lessons with students and parents through Google Drive”

Check out this awesome free resource here.

The Blended Learning with Google Toolkit (FREE)

Ready to take digital learning to the next level?

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

Today, I am walking you through each step, sharing proven strategies to increase learning and engagement.

I am also going to tell you which Google tools are the best tool for the job!

Consider this your cheat sheet to the strategies and ideas shared in my new book, Blended Learning with Google: Your Guide to Dynamic Teaching and Learning.

I believe in the principles and ideas in this book so much, I’m sharing this toolkit for FREE!

Get access to this FREE 15-page PDF download that aligns technology integration strategies with Google tools!

Get Your FREE Toolkit by filling out the form 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.

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Are you struggling with student engagement?

In this episode, Kasey chats with augmented and virtual reality expert Jaime Donally.

Jaime shares tips and ideas for engaging students using immersive learning experiences (AR, VR, and XR) and free lesson plans and resources from Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.

This amazing platform offers free immersive learning content, tailored lesson plans, and professional development for K-12 educators aligned to research-backed micro-credentials.

The end of the school year generally creates a crazy environment in the classroom.

Capturing the attention of students in these last few days can be incredibly difficult.

However, adding some fun and engaging learning experiences with augmented or virtual reality can have kids asking for more school.

Listen to this episode.

Engaging Students with Immersive Learning Experiences

This episode is sponsored by Verizon Innovative Learning HQ.

The AR, VR queen, Jamie Donally, is back to share some hidden secrets about how to use AR and VR in the classroom. Immersive technology is constantly changing and Jamie loves to keep educators updated on how they can best serve their students with it. Many educators hear AR and VR but then immediately consider the expense and practicality of it. Jamie is here to share free options without the major learning curve for teachers. 

The Buzz on AR and VR in Schools

Now that the Expeditions app has been discontinued and the technology of individual headsets has evolved teachers are a little lost as to what’s next. The new tech for virtual reality may not be as practical for a classroom setting. There are a number of details to consider for using VR in a classroom, whereas, augmented reality allows for immediate access without many of the VR barriers. 

With AR students can use their own mobile devices or classroom tablets. The available apps for AR have less of a learning curve for students and teachers. In fact, it would be easy enough for teachers to start engaging students with AR tomorrow. 

Returning to the Classroom

During the height of the pandemic, teachers were thrust into teaching with technology whether they felt ready or not. It also meant students were forced to learn in ways they had not been exposed to, which has created gaps in their learning. Another issue many teachers face upon returning to school is a behavior gap. 

One way to bridge those gaps is through immersive technology. Students have become more engaged with technology in the past few years of their education and continuing to provide that in a way that excites students can help with behaviors. 

Jaime points out that using immersive technology can provide students with a more personalized learning experience. Many of the free resources she will share give students a chance to explore an area of curriculum at their own pace and down their own path. This experience allows students to be owners of their own learning, which allows teachers to step back and not need to be the expert. 

Immersive Learning Resources: Verizon Innovative Learning HQ

Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, a next-gen K-12 education portal which launched in 2021, leverages Verizon’s 10 years of experience in this space (since 2012) of best practices with Verizon Innovative Learning, tapping into its proven approach to integrating technology into the classroom and enhancing the
learning experience in under-resourced schools.

Verizon Innovative Learning HQ:

• Bring tech lessons to your classroom for free! Verizon Innovative Learning HQ provides free immersive learning content, tailored lesson plans, and professional development for K-12 educators aligned to research-backed micro-credentials.Through Verizon Innovative Learning HQ, teachers can easily integrate technology into the classroom and enhance students’ learning experience.
• Expand your lesson plans & explore new ways of teaching. If you’re looking to introduce AR/VR in your classroom, this is the resource for you. Verizon Innovative Learning HQ will allow all students and educators to experience XR (extended reality including AR and VR) through curated XR experiences, and include standards-aligned lessons and credentialed professional development – all developed in partnership with cutting edge content creators.
• Verizon Innovative Learning HQ is an easy to use, tech-rich platform that allows teachers the opportunity to learn new skills (and earn micro-credentials!) in little to no time.
• Open students’ minds with emerging technology and immersive lessons. With immersive lesson plans, Verizon Innovative Learning HQ provides next-gen learning for all with featured lessons designed to ignite students’ curiosity.

Jamie explains that Verizon Innovative Learning HQ is a portal of free resources. Start by creating an account, it’s easy to log in with your Google, Microsoft, or Clever account. Most teachers will want to go directly to the Lessons and Apps menu choice to search for their specific topic. Of course, Jamie enjoys clicking directly into the AR/VR Apps option. 

The other menu options include Professional Development courses for educators to equip them with micro-credentials for next-gen technology. Moving Forward with Hybrid Learning and Designing Synchronous and Asynchronous Instruction are only two of the options many teachers might find helpful. 

Webinars are another great way that Verizon is giving back to teachers and providing free professional development. CoSpaces is the next major development in immersive learning and the topic of the latest webinar taking place on Tuesday, May 24 at 7:00 PM ET. Not only will educators be given the tools for using CoSpaces, but Arizona State University is also providing an annual Pro license to those who attend. The Verizon portal does include lesson plans for using CoSpaces, a platform that allows students to create their own immersive experiences. 

How to Start

Once teachers are inside the portal, the best place to start is to look for lesson plans or apps that align with the topics and standards you’re working with at this time of year. Each lesson or app provides teachers with all the information and resources they need to share with students. There are opportunities for teachers to experience what students will experience and how to get students where they need to be to complete the learning outcomes. 

Every step of the process for using the apps is outlined and described for teachers to use without needing to figure it out on their own. Each of the resources provides clear and precise directions for educators so that even if this is completely new teachers can feel comfortable using these apps and lessons with their students. 

Within the portal, Jamie created basic courses for teachers getting started with augmented and virtual reality. Her professional development walks teachers through initial steps to allow them to grow in confidence when using this next-gen technology. These courses are free through the Verizon Immersive Learning HQ platform. 

Jamie also has two books on the topic available, Learning Transported and The Immersive Classroom. The first is a basic guide for AR and VR in the classroom, all of which aligns with the ISTE standards for technology. The second book allows teachers to level up their immersive learning game. Jamie’s blog, ARVR in EDU,  is another great place to learn more on this topic. 

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.

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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.

Sheryl comes to the podcast with over 38 years of teaching experience. She recently retired from Miami Dade and now works for BookWidgets as an Educational Technology Specialist. This means she helps teachers to integrate BookWidgets with Google Classroom and other Learning Management Systems. Sheryl also teaches internationally through an online school. 

Google Classroom + BookWidgets = Superpowered Digital Classroom

Listen to this article.

This podcast and blog post is sponsored by BookWidgets. With BookWidgets, all teachers from all courses can create interactive exercises and auto-graded assignments with over 30 different question types. Teachers can easily integrate BookWidgets inside their trusted learning environment (Google Classroom, Teams, Canvas, Schoology, and more). The integration allows you to follow student progress in realtime when student are working on a BookWidgets assignment. This way, you can quickly guide your students in the right direction when they need help. Go to bookwidgets.com and start for free!

Learning from Others

Sheryl loves to highlight the concept of learning together and learning from each other. Technology has opened the door for teachers everywhere to connect and collaborate with each other. Our teacher community becomes as large or small as we make it. Sheryl loves when other educators reach out to ask questions so her new job mentoring through BookWidgets is the perfect fit. 

The simple definition of BookWidgets that Sheryl explains is that it transforms a traditional learning environment into one that is an interactive hybrid, remote, face-to-face learning experience. 

The Digital Struggle Solution

Many educators share similar struggles in today’s educational setting with more emphasis on utilizing digital options for students. Three of the most popular issues include digital content creation, digital lesson sharing, and grading or monitoring student work.

BookWidgets is designed to solve these problems for educators. They provide customizable templates for student assessment and learning activities. Whether that be an exit ticket type assessment or a reading comprehension exercise with text and questions, BookWidgets provides over 40 template options. 

The BookWidgets app will work on many different devices; phones, tablets, Chromebooks, and others allowing teachers to use what they already have access to. It can also integrate with any of the Learning Management Systems like Google Classroom, Schoology, Canvas, and more. 

Most likely the best part about using BookWidgets for assessments is that about 90% of the question types are automatically graded! That means saving lots of time, but it’s also possible to make adjustments as needed.  

Sheryl also points out a neat feature that allows teachers to filter only incorrect answers. This allows teachers to quickly see the trends in missing information and focus on what was not fully grasped. 

Not a Digital Worksheet

Even before teachers were plunged into the world of remote learning and needing to create digital content for students, Kasey was often asked how to scan a worksheet into Google Classroom. In podcast episode 18 she shares why this is not necessarily best practice for any classroom. When we substitute technology for paper we often miss out on the opportunity to include the power behind the tech tool. 

Kasey shares three important questions to ask when choosing the right learning option for your students.

1. Will this help the learning stick? 
2. Is this worksheet better than a hands-on activity (if that’s an option)?
3. Is it better than a discussion or engaging students in new ways? 

Sheryl explains a great example of how in the past teachers may have shared a paper copy of an image with questions about it. Transform that using the BookWidgets Hot Spot. This allows you to take an image, perhaps a piece of artwork, and embed links to other learning materials. 

More specifically, rather than giving students a paper copy of a plot diagram and then defining each of the points make it interactive with BookWidgets. Students can click on links to video or audio examples of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.  

Another point Sheryl makes about utilizing an activity such as this versus needing to raise their hand in a classroom allows for quieter or less confident students to share more openly. 

How to Get Started with BookWidgets

The first place to visit is the website, BookWidgets.com. There is a free trial for the first month. After that month it’s possible to choose a monthly plan or annual plan. Of course connecting with BookWidgets to ask about any specials, especially for buildings or districts, is also a great place to start. 

Teachers will need to add the BookWidgets Chrome extension, but then all assigning and grading happens in Google Classroom. 

Another great advantage of using the widget extension is that you are able to live monitor students. Perhaps a student may be stuck on a question or maybe they are distracted which has slowed them down. Rather than needing to speak directly to a student out loud for the room to hear, teachers are able to message students to provide assistance or make adjustments. 

Go check it out for yourself with that free one-month trial. 

About Sheryl Place

Sheryl Place, is currently working as an Educational Technology Specialist for BookWidgets helping educators transform the traditional learning environment to an interactive hybrid learning environment: This comprehensive approach by BookWidgets allows users to transform paper activities into engaging digital interactive activities that work on all devices. Teaching, building capacity and infusing technology into classroom lessons and teaching is what she loves.

Prior to joining BookWidgets, Sheryl was a veteran teacher who spent her entire 38-year career with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, in Miami, Florida – the 4th largest district in the United States. She knows and understands the joys and struggles of the classroom. Mrs. Place is also an experienced virtual school instructor having worked for Miami-Dade Virtual School, National High School, Golden Key access in Shanghai, China and facilitating instruction for Florida Virtual School.

Sheryl began teaching in 1983 after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in French Education from Michigan State University. Mrs. Place continued to grow professionally receiving a scholarship from the University of Miami where she earned a Master’s Degree in TESOL in 1992. She then transitioned to teaching high school grades 9-12 instructing classes in French, Latin and ESOL.

Outside of the classroom, Sheryl enjoys running, mentoring and exploring National Parks.

Connect with Sheryl:
Twitter @place_s
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bookwidgetssheryl

© 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 Classroom + BookWidgets = Superpowered Digital Classroom – SULS0145 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

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!

While these tips and tools are extremely helpful in this pandemic environment of teaching, they are also helpful for any blended learning classroom.

Virtual learning is here to stay! This is why digital equity is so important.

Teaching students to be good citizens in a digital world has become a vital part of education. 

Listen to this article.

Must-Have Tips and Tools for Pandemic Teaching

Before we jump into the tips and tools, let’s talk about the topics that have come to the forefront during the pandemic.

These topics & skills that have become MORE important than ever:

• Digital Equity
• Digital Skills for teachers and students
• Digital Tools
• Offline vs. Online learning
• Streamlining Communication among all stakeholders
• Privacy & Safety
• Digital Citizenship
• Grades ≠ Learning

Pandemic Teaching Tips

Remember Your Why

The negative attitude and animosity towards educators in this pandemic have been extremely disheartening. Much of this is causing a mass exodus of teachers. As many teachers are leaving the profession, and even more are debating if this is all worth it, I want you to take time to reflect. Reflect on the good, the bad, and the ugly. Get back to your why!

Why did you become a teacher? What does being a teacher mean to you? Once you have these answered use them to motivate your goals.

Goal Setting

A great way to refresh and start the new year is to do some goal setting. Using your reflection to see what you accomplished last year, brainstorm ideas and goals for the new year. Think of professional and personal goals. Do these align with your “Why”?

Kasey recommends using Lara Casey’s Power Sheets for the last several years to reflect and goal set each year and revise each month. (Related: How to Work from Home and Get Things Done.)

2022 PowerSheets® Collection

Get and Stay Organized

Taking inventory of your organization’s systems can also help us to feel less overwhelmed. A strong organizational system allows you to shift quickly. Consider sharing weekly plans with students and parents. This seemed to work better in remote learning rather than sharing only daily assignments.

How to share these assignments is another factor when thinking about organization. A great place for templates that can make sharing assignments easy is the Slides Mania website. Creating Slides to share assignments and details with students can allow for a smooth asynchronous learning experience.

Embrace Asynchronous Learning

Kasey has shared many options and ideas for making this type of learning successful for any teacher. Whether it be using her choice board template ideas or producing videos for learning. Students are able to work at their own pace in this environment. It can also provide teachers with more flexibility whether in or out of the classroom.

Related: Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Online Learning

Related: Asynchronous Learning Tips for Teachers

Embrace Audio Learning

Utilizing many modes for learning is always a best practice for supporting learners. Some of these would include audio, text, images, or video. Offering as many as possible can help support all types of learners.

The Opportunity for Dynamic Learning

This is the concept of dynamic learning. Each of Kasey’s books, Shake Up Learning, and Blended Learning with Google, share details about the pedagogical ideas of dynamic learning, along with example lesson plans. There are also several FREE resources that can provide educators with the tools they need to incorporate dynamic learning into their lessons.

If audio learning is your jam try this 3-part podcast series on Blended Learning with Google. Perhaps you’d prefer text, then this Blended Learning with Google Toolkit would be more your style.

Offline vs Online Learning

In this world of remote or distance learning, there is still a place for offline assignments and learning. This is especially vital when teachers discover how wide the digital learning gap might be for their students. Which is one more reason to consider how grading is established during this time. It’s important that grades truly reflect the learning that is taking place. It can be difficult when teachers are living in survival mode most of the time. Incorporating a blended learning environment can help students and teachers feel more comfortable when the need arises for distance learning.

Related: Blended Learning Best Practices with Caitlin Tucker

Sharpen Your Saw

Another great way to sharpen your saw, so to speak, and gain back some motivation for this school year is to join other like-minded educators with an online book study facilitated by Kasey.

FREE! Join the Blended Learning with Google Book Study (3 Credit Hours!)

Participating in this professional development not only allows you to engage with other educators and Kasey, but you can also earn 3 credit hours! Learning from the book is only half of what this study can offer. The real magic happens through conversation with other like-minded teachers.

Must-Have Tools for Pandemic Teaching

It’s not about Google or the Tech, it’s about the learnings–just like it has always been. The tools and tech can be helpful for student learning, especially in this current pandemic environment. Choosing the right tool is an important factor, so knowing the options helps teachers make an educated decision.

Google Workspace for Education

Google is a great place to start since many schools are utilizing Google Classroom for a Learning Management System. Other LMS options like Canvas and Schoology can also utilize the entire G Suite of tools.

Pear Deck

Aside from the Google options, there are add-ons like Pear Deck. This is a great tool for formative assessments. Peardeck provides student-paced options that can work well with remote learning. This tool provides several templates that make it simple to create.

Related: 15 Collaborative Tools for Your Classroom that are NOT Google

Nearpod

Another great tool is Nearpod. Although it may not be free, many schools have purchased this tool for their teachers to use while teaching remotely. It’s truly a powerful tool with its interactive capabilities. Teachers can take previously created slides or videos and incorporate them into a Nearpod lesson to add interactive elements.

Lumio by SMART

Have you discovered Lumio? This tool was developed by SMART and Kasey recently participated in a demo to learn more. Lumio combines all of your teaching resources no matter the format and allows you to gamify lessons or assessments. Teachers can also easily switch between student-paced and teacher-paced lessons. A real powerhouse tool for educators!

Flipgrid

Every educator should be using Flipgrid! This video response tool has become a robust tool for learning in the pandemic and beyond. Do not be intimidated by the video option. There are many ways for students and teachers to share without needing to be on camera. Learn more about how this amazing tool can be used in your classroom by listening to episode 80.

Related: Flipgrid: The Go-To Remote Learning Tool!

Screencastify

A great tool for recording your computer screen is Screencastify. This Chrome extension has a free and paid version. The free option does provide much of what you will need to record and upload for any lesson. Students can also utilize this tool to share or explain learning.

Video Conferencing Tools Like Zoom or Google Meet

The two most popular video conferencing tools are Zoom and Google Meet. While asynchronous learning is the focus, there is also a place for synchronous opportunities to learn as well.

Tutorial Creation Tools Like Loom or Iorad

Going back to the idea of recording the computer screen can be an important part of remote learning. Whether it be showing students or parents where to click and where to go for specific tasks, Loom can help with tutorial creation.

A tool that was created specifically for the purpose of creating these screen tutorials and highly recommended by Jen Giffin, is Iorad. This tool is not free, but Jen is a big fan so it must be great!

Slides Mania

Templates can make a teacher’s life so much easier! Slides Mania is an amazing treasure box filled with templates for educators. Many were created by educators!

Mote

When using audio within lessons or for feedback, Mote is the perfect tool. In episode 107, Kasey shared 15 ways to use Mote in your classroom. For a quick tutorial on how to use Mote, take a look at this Quick Tip video.

Web Paint

Web paint is one she loves for capturing annotations to the screen which can then be shared with students.

Custom Cursor

Custom cursor is a favorite for not just changing the shape, but also the size. This allows for students to see better when viewing on smaller screens.

Tab Muter

A helpful extension to silence the videos on websites is called Tab Mute. With a simple click, all videos playing can be muted at once.

Voice Typing (Speech-to-Text)

Voice typing is a great way to save time! This is available in many different apps, including Google Docs!

The Great Suspender

Too many open tabs? Use the Great Suspender to suspend tabs you aren’t using without closing them and save RAM. This will help your computer run faster!

Extra Monitor

The luxury of a double monitor set-up cannot be undersold! This is highly recommended by Susan Vincentz on the Shake Up Learning Team. The extra real estate will help you see more windows at once.

Jamboard

For an interactive space online, Susan recommends using Jamboard. This is a giant digital whiteboard!

Try Padlet or Wakelet

Other great collaborative tools include Padlet and Wakelet. Think of these as digital bulletin boards where digital information can be collected and organized.

Edpuzzle

Finally, a tool that can be incredibly useful for assessments is EdPuzzle. This fantastic tool allows you to make video lessons, yours and others, interactive. Students can answer questions, take notes, or write a response before moving on in the video.

These tools merely skim the surface of what’s possible in the digital world of education. Learn more by exploring the Shake Up Learning blog and stay tuned for more episodes of the podcast.

Check out: 50 Remote Learning Resources for Teachers and Schools

© 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 Must-Have Tips and Tools for Pandemic Teaching – SULS0141 appeared first on Shake Up Learning.

Let’s kick off the new year with some great teaching ideas!

In this episode, Kasey shares 10 Things for Teachers to Try in 2022.

We will explore strategies, digital tools, professional learning, and much more! What will you try in 2022?

Chances are you’ve been roaming out of your comfort zone for the past two years and have been trying a lot of new things.

But it’s that time of year, a time to renew and refresh. So here are ten things that you may want to try.

No matter the subject or grade level, you’re bound to find a great idea just for you. 

Listen to this article.

Let’s Talk About 5 Shifts We Need in Education Now!

Join me, Kasey Bell, on the Wisdom app to discuss changes that need to happen in education now.

1. Download the Wisdom app
2. Follow @ShakeUpLearning (you’ll get notified when the talk is live)
3. Join me live on Jan. 14 at 10 AM CST (or listen later)

1. Storytelling with Google Tools

The concept of storytelling is not just for the Reading and Writing teachers. Telling a story can look like a lot of different things. For example, retelling events in your own words, changing perspectives, inventing new stories, sharing steps in a process, and so many more. Take a listen to episode 89 of the Shake Up Learning Podcast for many more ideas on storytelling.

Ebooks are a great way to have students create any of those storytelling ideas. Mike Mohammad shared how he used Google Slides for his physics students to explain concepts to younger kids.

Stop motion animation in Google Slides can be a little more complicated, but also a really fun way for students to show through images. 

Comic strips and interactive timelines are two forms of storytelling that can easily be created with Slides or even in Drawings. Both of these help to bring life to sharing the order of events. 

Another fun way to tell stories through geography is with Google Earth. It allows you to create a tour with the addition of comments, notes, and images.

2. Collaborative Notes

Note-taking is a difficult concept for students to grasp. Often times they either write down everything or only what gets written on the board. Pulling out the most important information doesn’t always happen when students take notes. Allowing them to be in a collaborative setting can guarantee that they will get the most important information. In this blog post, Kasey walks you through the steps of training students to take collaborative notes through Docs. 

Collaborative notes are also a great way to keep track of important information from staff meetings or any professional development.

3. Authentic Audience

There are many ways for students to share work with an authentic audience. Consider the power of an audience for students. Quality of work generally levels up when students know someone other than their teachers are going to see it. Students of today are accustomed to sharing with an audience so why should their learning be any different? 

Teaching them safe ways for sharing over the internet is a lesson in and of itself. These lessons for responsible sharing are likely to influence their personal sharing as well. Having an authentic audience doesn’t always mean sharing with the world. Start small with another classroom and grow into a wider audience. 

4. SEL Check-in with Google Forms

Social-Emotional Learning had begun to surface in the classroom before the pandemic hit, however, in light of the pandemic it has become much more important. Using a Google Form, to check in with students can be a foundational relationship builder. The Form allows students to share privately, even if it’s as simple as an emoji to share how they are feeling. 

5. Podcasting with Students

The way that people connect with hearing another person’s voice is incredibly powerful. Podcasting provides a way for students to share their learning, but to also gain learning. Jen Conti recently shared how podcasting can help educators to meet standards while giving students a creative product. To learn all about how to engage students through podcasting take a listen to episode 130. Utilizing podcasts for blended learning can really help students express themselves creatively.

6. Use Canva Templates 

Discover a mountain of templates that can be created and personalized in a free online tool. Start with this two-part series, episodes 132 and 133,  for ideas and the possibilities that Canva provides to teachers and students. From adding beautiful graphics as a Google Classroom header to creating a professional-looking website, Canva provides you with the template you’re looking for. 

7. Fake It ‘til You Make It 

Social media has the attention of our students. Mimicking this medium for storytelling engages our students in a platform that is familiar to them. In episode 32 Kasey talked with Lisa Johnson about a fake Instagram template she created in Keynote. That episode inspired Carly Black to create a similar template using Google Slides that she used in her own Language Arts classroom. 

Lisa also shared a creative way to fake blog with students using a template she created. Her template shares some interesting ways for students to express creativity and incorporate many aspects of their learning. 

8. Podcast PD

Learning through podcasts continues to grow as a preferred method for many people. If there is something you’d like to learn about chances are you could find a podcast that could teach you. Each of the Shake Up Learning podcast episodes is uploaded into a course on the Teachable platform in the All-Access Pass class. Within this course, a certificate can be printed for listening and learning then presented to an administrator for credit of professional development.
The Shake Up Learning podcast continues to be free and expects to break 1 million downloads early in 2022. If you are interested in learning more about the all-access pass take a look at the online school for a list of courses and Master Classes. 

9. Google Certification

Back in episode 138, Kasey shared what she learned from taking the new Google Certification exams. Turns out the questions have all been changed to multiple-choice or drag and drop, making the test much easier. 

Google Certification can be a major game-changer for educators. So much can be learned through the process of becoming certified, but also the connections and confidence gained are extremely helpful. To learn more about the entire process check out the free webinar and specific courses for walking you through each exam and even working towards a Google Certified Trainer.

10. Read Blended Learning with Google 

Join our next online book study in March! Perhaps you haven’t had time to read the book just yet or you’re ready to read it again. An online book study is a great way to engage with other educators and learn so many great ideas to help transform your classroom. Learn more about the book study here. Be sure to grab your seat as soon as possible! 

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