Did You Know? Numbers is More Than a Spreadsheet!

I'm taking some time to take a closer look to options available in Numbers and how these can be used within a classroom.  I ❤️having multiple tabs to have lots of information all housed in one document.  But what about the tables?  Did you realized you can delete a table and Numbers becomes a whiteboard that goes on and on and on?  Well, maybe not that far, but you get my point!  A blank space to start creating!  Combine a blank space with smaller tables for a specific purpose and you have a winner in my opinion! 

Not sure what I'm talking about yet?  Let's discuss about a couple of examples.  For starters, I like to have lists so I know exactly what I need to do.  And I love when there is a checkbox with the list so I can check it off when the deed is done!  Did you know you can create your own checklists in Numbers?  For example, you can have a list of steps where learners can track their progress throughout a learning experience. Or, maybe the table becomes a Choice Board and learners are given a variety of options and must checkoff a certain number of options.  I bet you can think of ways you could incorporate checkboxes on a document.

Then there is the Star Rating option.  In the example, I have included in the video below the Star Rating is part of the Peer Feedback portion of a project.  I have created a table so there is a pre determined number of peers to interact with to gather feedback.  In this case, the document would be shared with these learners and the learner would record their thoughts.  The 3rd column is what makes this part unique.  By adding a Star Rating you are allowing the learner who is receiving the feedback to rate how helpful the feedback is to improving the product.  Imagine how this could help learners grow in how they give feedback!

There is also a Slider option!  By using this option the creator can set the range of numbers to be applied to the slider.  In the video example below I used a rubric for setting up the slider.  I then set the final cell to calculate the sum from the different categories.  The total is then automatically calculated for me!  This particular idea could be used for self-assessment of learning.  What other ways can you think of to use a slider?

Watch this video to see how to use these 3 different cell formatting options in Numbers.

Which option do you want to try in your next lesson design?

All You Need is an Image Gallery!

Do you ❤️how you can scroll through image galleries?  Have you ever thought about including an image gallery in a document you are creating?  If you are using any of the iWorks applications (Pages, Keynote, Numbers) you can easily insert all the images you like by creating your own Image Gallery.  Check out this video to see how easy it is (this example is using Numbers on an iPad):

Now it's your turn to try this out!  What do you think?

Explaining More About Explain Everything!

 When you first open Explain Everything, you might be a little overwhelmed with so many options!  Where do I start?  Explain Everything has a fantastic Support Help Center that I would highly recommend checking out.  I put together a shortcut resource to specific pieces found in the Help Center with a few bonus features, too!

I hope you can use this resource to learn more about Explain Everything!

Adding Content to Explain Everything

I have spent more time diving into the deep end of Explain Everything.  You know you can insert images, videos, and audio.  But wait, there is so much more!  Did you know you can insert equations?  What about different files that are already created?  And clipart that is already a part of Explain Everything?  And then there are the placeholders!  Here's a quick video to show you how!  Hope you enjoy!

How will you use the Add Media feature to enhance your next Explain Everything project?

Episode 22: The 5th C - Citizenship

Who's ready for another episode of the Coppell Digital Learning podcast?  I am!!  In this episode Alli and I focus on the 5th C - Citizenship.  It's not just a conversation for the beginning of the school year!  You will hear me say citizenship is 24/7!  Now, listen...

Apple Classroom Resource

Common Sense Media

CISD Empowered Citizens

Using Apple Classroom in a Different Way

Apple Classroom Keynote Template

Share how you are talking with your learners about citizenship in these last few days of the school year by taking a picture and sharing in on Twitter using #coppelldlc!

Podcast: Redefining Spiral Review in the Land of STAAR

It's spring time in Texas which means it's testing season.  Yes!  The most favorite time of the year!  Not really!  In this podcast episode Alli and I discuss how we can transform traditional review lessons to engage your learners.  We also have a special guest, Amanda Mask, who joins us to share a tool she recently discovered!

Here are a few of the tools we talked about:

Gimkit

Deck Toys

Boom Cards

Digital Breakouts

Calm App

Until next time!

What's Coming up in April

I'm really excited about the professional learning opportunities the Digital Learning Coaches have put together for April.  There is always something new to learn about...especially with our educators receiving new MacBooks this month!  Check out the resources the DLC team has put together and I am sure you will find something new and exciting!

https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1FTKjfkb55naku8JLMLIpnSpNYRhsB4Vd7BuUz23uoNk/preview

Podcast: Creativity

Wow!  I'm really excited about this episode of our podcast because we were able to speak to a few of the learners from our district and hear directly from them what creativity means to them!  It is really interesting to hear the concept of creativity evolve from a young elementary child to a young adult!  Listen to this episode to hear some of our ideas on how you can help encourage creativity in your classroom.  Then share your own thoughts on Twitter using #coppelldlc!

Thanks for listening!

What's Coming Up in March

Well, this post is way overdue!!  How can we already be in the 3rd week of March with only 9 weeks left in the school year?  There is still time for your own learning this month.  Check out the opportunities the DLC team is providing....

Podcast: Collaboratiom

Where you born ready to openly accept and use other's ideas to move a project forward or expand your own learning?  I sure was not!  I am very fortunate to have worked with so many amazing people in my career who have definitely helped me become a better collaborator.  And I truly believe that when we collaborate a better understanding and a better product is the result!  So, listen to this episode of the podcast where Alli and I discuss collaboration in the classroom...

Share how you are encouraging collaboration in your classroom?  Take a picture and share it on Twitter using #coppelldlc!

For the Love of #EdTech!

February is a fabulous time to share the love...for #EdTech!  My team and I went searching for love in all the right places!  We put together this podcast to share from our amazing educators more digital tools and strategies that make their classrooms the best place ever!!  Listen to the podcast and then contact your campus Digital Learning Coach to find out more!

Getting Creative to Add Pizzazz

My team and I have been working to help educators feel more comfortable using iWorks with their learners.  One of the pieces I am trying to share with educators is using Numbers as a workflow guide.  The idea is that each sheet is 1 step for the directions.  Within the document you can create links to outside resources, step by step directions, and anything you want your learners to have access to in order to support the project.

One thing in particular is naming the individual sheets.  Did you know if you are using a MacBook you have an emoji keyboard built in?  All you have to do to access this gem is press Control, Command, and the Space bar all at the same time.  Then...just like magic you can insert an emoji!

 Take a look of this example of emojis used within naming each sheet.  Try it!  It will make your day!

Another thing you can try is adding "fancy" titles!  Fonts is another little thing that can make you feel happy about your documentation.  I found a solution of using Canva to create the title.  Check out this video to see how.

 

What "tricks" do you like to use to make your documents shine?

Everything Embedded

Our district uses Schoology as our Learning Management System.  As an educator, I love it!  I cannot say enough good things about how well Schoology interacts with so many other online tools making it user friendly for educators, learners, and parents.  One particular aspect I have been focusing on recently is embedding resources in Pages.  I put together this help sheet and video tutorial to hopefully share a little embed code love!

Take it Away!

I love working with graphics because pictures truly are worth 1000 words.  I love how an images combined with colors can take a lonely document and bring it to life!  It's funny how a few minor changes can make such a big difference.  I remember during one of my classes in graduate school taking the time to talk about design of instructional materials.  Images matter.

One thing that really drives me crazy is when an image is used in a document where there is a background that clearly does not belong.  It could be a piece of clipart that was saved and inserted into a slide show or maybe a flyer hanging on a wall, but I can always see that white background sitting there...watching me...why won't it just go away and put me out of my misery? 

There are so many different tools you can use that with a simple click of a button or swipe the background will disappear forever!  Did you know iWorks has one built in all of the core programs just waiting to be utilized!  With the swipe of a finger you to can have images without disruptive backgrounds.  And with my favorite button of all time, Undo, you never have to worry about going too far!  Check out this video where I demonstrate how to use Instant Alpha while I'm working on a Keynote project...

Try this out the next time you are inserting images in Pages, Numbers, or Keynote!

Always Searching

When ever I talk to educators and the subject of finding images online to use in a project I always stop and refer them to my "go to" websites to point learners to a place where they can safely find images free of any copyright issues.  I have made so many different visuals for educators to share with learners.  Yet, when I walk in a classroom I see learners using Google Image Search.  Yikes!  Why???  When you are using a desktop or laptop it's so simple to change the the Usage Rights to Labeled for reuse.  It's second nature.  I enter the name of what I'm looking for and my fingers use muscle memory to go to Tools, Usage Rights, Labeled for reuse.  I don't even think about it.  It just happens!

However, when I'm using my iPad I always stumble a few minutes to think about where to go for this same feature since it's not that straightforward.  So, I put together a short video in hopes that this will become part of my new muscle memory!

I hope this helps you, too!

Podcast: Communication

Alli and I are at it again! I cannot believe it's been almost a year that we have worked on this podcast together. It all started when Alli had the idea to dedicate a blogging series for the purpose of digging in deeper with iPad native apps. I had the passion to begin a podcast, but I wanted it to have a specific purpose. I wanted to share Alli's vision of sharing Apple products that every educator and learner has on every iPad and MacBook in our district. A year later, we still spend a lot of our time discussing Apple products and we still have a great time working together!

 So, in this episode of the podcast we discuss how communication is enhanced with the use of an iPad. Communication isn't just about talking! Listen to this episode and let us know what you think by sending us a tweet using #coppelldlc or @coppelldlc! We would love to hear from you!

 

Breaking Apart

Have you ever found a great resource, but then wanted to change it up just a little bit to make it more unique?  I do all the time!  Recently I learned about the Break Apart feature found in iWorks (Keynote, Numbers & Pages).  You might already know this little trick, but it's new to me so I want to share!  Check out this video to see how...

Now, how are you going to use this feature?

What's Coming Up in January

Welcome to 2019!  It's a fresh start for everyone!  I am excited to continue working to help educators grow in their own understanding and use of digital tools so that they are comfortable expanding what they have their learners do in their learning environments.  My team has put together some great learning opportunities for the month of January when we will focus on communication through digital tools.  I am particularly excited to work with our educators to focus on iPad Accessibility features for our iPad Challenge Day on January 22nd!  Check out the full calendar of events!