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!

Drawing with Explain Everything

I am loving using Explain Everything...for just about everything!  When I'm working with learners I like to make sure they know a few little tips and tricks for the drawing tools. When you first open the app you might think there are limited tools, but when you keep tapping around you can find so much more!  Check out this video to see if you find something new!

Poppin' with Popplet

Creativity with the iPad is one thing that keeps drawing me back to this device.  There are so many possibilities!  I was preparing a resource for learners to use Popplet to help explain their learning and thought I would share it here. 

I used Popplet to put together this image to help learners figure out some of the different options when working in Popplet.  I like that within a bubble you have the ability to share not only with written text, but also with images or drawings.  With Popplet, it is so easy to connect different pieces of the web.  And who doesn't love a free app!  The limitations of a free Popplet is only limited to your imagination of using an infinite whiteboard space.

How can you use Popplet to help learners explain their learning?

Everything Tips!

Explain Everything is one of my favorite apps right now because you can do...well...everything with it!  You can add images, videos, create actions while putting together a video, and list goes on!  I like how you can have multiple slides in one project but don't forget about the infinite white space of each slide.

While I've been experimenting with Explain Everything I have put together 5 tips to keep in mind when using the app to record your voice.

And another very important point to keep in mind is to always save or backup your work.  Nothing is worse than putting all of your energy into a project and then have part of it disappear.  Really, how do projects show up one day and then they are gone the next?  Sometimes an app will have glitches, but I don't want to lose my work.  There are several options for integrating other apps with Explain Everything, but I am selecting Google Drive as my source for saving and backing up my projects.  Explain Everything allows projects to be exported as a video, document, image, or project.  While I'm still working on it, I will use the Project file type to save to Drive.  When I am completely done with a project I will save it as a video or an image depending on what I want to do with the project.  Watch this video to see how to connect Explain Everything to Drive and export a project.

I can't wait to see more projects created in Explain Everything!  Have you tried it lately?

The Power of Voice

There are many times I find myself getting caught in my reading where I know I am not fully committed to hearing the words on the page.  One way I help myself focus is to to use the Speak accessibility option on my iPad.  I can select any text, in any app or website, and tap Speak.  Then the text is read to me.  I like the fact that this option also will highlight the words as it is being read.  Have you tried this option for yourself....or your learners?

Try it and see how you like it!

Chrome Book Creator: Checking for Understanding

I recently watched a webinar presented by Monica Burns from Class Tech Tips share how Book Creator can be used in so many different ways with learners for checking their understanding of content.  I talked about Book Creator with Alli in a podcast episode from An Apple a Week that you can listen to here.

One of the reasons I love this app is because it can be used on the iPad through the Chrome app.  As long as you have access to wi-fi it is so simple to use!  No need to download an app.  If you want to learn more about using Book Creator here is a tutorial video I used this past spring to help 7th graders with their cattle drive project.  This tutorial will show you the basics of the app.

The webinar reminded me of a few of my favorite features from Book Creator.  Learners have the option of adding audio, video, text, and illustrations.  Choice!  Let our learners choose the media of their content.  Yes!  As I demonstrated in the tutorial above app smashing is pretty simple with this application which leads to creativity.  I am very confident our learners can put together much more creative pieces than myself, although I enjoy layering apps!  So with the power to create, I hope our learners would feel like their work is meaningful.  

Some of our learners need a little more direction, and that's okay.  The webinar suggested using graphic organizers and checklists to keep learners focused on their projects.  I know I love checking things off a checklist to show progress toward my end goal!  And don't forget the power of peer feedback!  Book Creator is very easy to share, so having peers give qualitative feedback is another approach to keep in mind.

If you have not explored Book Creator take some time to experiment for yourself!  Monica is hosting several webinars this summer, so check those out too!

An Apple A Week Podcast Series: iMovie

The next episode in our Apple a Week series is all about iMovie!

I have used iMovie for a really long time. Like, a really long time. I remember when you had to use a Firewire cable to connect the camera to import the video to the computer. I loved iMovie. I made iMovies ALL. THE. TIME! I needed a break. So, many years later when I ventured into iMovie land again I found myself a little frustrated because all of the bells and whistles were hidden somewhere and it was a struggle to make movies and I decided to breakup with iMovie for real!! In the next chapter of my life iMove was now available to be used on my iPad. Wow! I can wrap my head around this again!! I embraced iMove, once again. After a few more twists and turns in our rocky relationship iMovie and I had some rough times. Once again, I am back on the iMovie train. It is an up and down, give and take relationship I have with iMovie. What I love about iMovie is that it is *free* and pretty straight forward to use. What I love about iMovie is that our learners love it too! They want to express themselves. They love to see themselves perform! And, it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can use iMovie! In this episode we are joined by learners who tell us how they are using iMovie in their classroom!

 I hope you enjoy…

The Great iPad Challenge

A few weeks ago one of my teammates, Alli, challenged all of our team to go 2 days using only our iPads.  No MacBooks allowed!  The purpose of the challenge was for us to experience exactly what our learners do every single day.   We are very fortunate to work in a district where all educators are issued a laptop and mobile device, but how are we truly using our devices to transform learning?

A few ground rules were put in place.  Day one, we were allowed to only use our iPads.  Day two we could use an Apple Pencil and keyboard,  The plan was to have a usual day of work with the added focus of a few challenges to make sure we were experiencing, with integrity, what it means to have an iPad for everything.  We used the following bingo board, designed using Pages, to guide our day.

I had 2 big struggles with day 1.  First, I'm used to having multiple (let's be real.....a lot!!!) internet browser tabs open all at once.  I move pretty quickly through various tools on the web.  I can find most anything pretty fast.  I was greatly slowed down because I didn't know where the apps were on my iPad!!  I have a few folders of apps and I usually open everything using the search feature, but it took longer to get where I needed to be and swap between apps.  Learning curve!  Second, the battery life!  By midmorning I was already down to 50%.  What???  How could my iPad go through so much battery so quickly?  We complain about learners not having a charged device at school but if my iPad won't stay charged for the entire day how can I expect that of a learner.  I do want to take into consideration when learners are in class they are not constantly on their device.  They use their devices, but not every day of every period. 

While preparing for day 2 I found creating a presentation on my iPad to be a bit frustrating.  My brain knew I could perform most of the same tasks on the iPad as I do on my MacBook, but it was sometimes difficult to figure it out.  I found an app to help me get the desired result I was looking for.  As for day 2 of the challenge, we were able to use an Apple Pencil and a keyboard.  Using the keyboard really helped my productivity.  I found it much easier to do my work.  For that day in particular I really didn't use the Apple Pencil; however, I was introduced to DrawCast by a learner that really sparked my interest.

My team shared their experience via Twitter.  Here is the Twitter Moment of our reactions. With this new mindset of using one tool, how can we better design learning experiences for our learners.  I would encourage all educators to take on this challenge.  Look closer at what you are asking your learners to do with their device.  How is what you are asking them to do transforming their learning experience and truly using the device that is right in front of them to challenge their thinking?

An Apple A Week Podcast Series: Why Book Creator?

In this episode of An Apple a Week podcast series Alli and I talk about our new favorite collaboration tool...Book Creator!

 Listen to find out why we love this tool that is so easy to us on mobile devices!

I am eager to share this tool with more educators!

Multitasking

Multitasking.  I am always multitasking.  Life would be too simple if I only had one thing to focus on at a time.  When it comes to multitasking while I'm on a device, you can bet there are lots of tabs involved!!  I am currently working on a project for the math department that has me accessing multiple documents at the same time.  In order to use my time wisely I am working between multiple screens, split screens.  Here is how you can maximize your screen when using your MacBook...

And, here is how you can use split screen on your iPad...

What do you do on your devices to help you multitask?

Infographics for the Classroom

I love graphics!  I love looking at an image to see what information is being communicated.  From reading my blog, you also know how much I LOVE Google Drawings!!  Drawings is my "go to" for most things!  Lately I have suggested to educators to have learners create infographics for various projects in their classrooms.  Our leaners have access to iPads and unfortunately Drawings is not available to be used on an iPad.  So, what other programs do I suggest?

How about Pages?  Pages is *FREE* for users on iPads!  It has some very powerful options when you are wanting to add shapes and text.  It is also does not require wi-fi and can be downloaded as a PDF.  Quick and easy!

How about Canva?  Canva requires wi-fi and learners can log in using their Google account.  There are preset templates and there is freedom to customize your graphics.  Canva can be downloaded as an image or a PDF.

How about PiktoChart?  Pickto Chart also requires wi-fi and learners will need to log in using their Google account.  There are many templates perfect for creating infographics, but you can also customize your work!  PicktoChart can be downloaded to Photos.

How about Pic Collage?  Is there anything Pic Collage cannot do?  Ha!  Ha!!  Pic Collage does not require wi-fi or a log in.  This tool is is easy to navigate with suggested templates or create freestyle layouts.  Pic Collage can be shared as an image in Photos.

When learners are beginning to work on a project I have this graphic to help them decide where to start:

After learners have completed their work I have this graphic to help them export their image for sharing:

Have you asked your learners to share their learning through infographics?  If not, why not try it now?

Creativity

Creativity.  How do you help someone else be creative?  I love creating!  It really doesn't matter my end product because I enjoy the process of creating.  I enjoy cooking, which is creating with food.  I enjoy sewing, which is creating with fabric and thread.  I enjoy putting my own spin on ideas to create birthday parties for my family.  I enjoy designing learning experiences with educators for learners.  Collaborating with other educators is one of my favorite aspects of education.  I think the best experiences come together for our learners when we all collaborate to create!

When it came time to plan the next steps for sharing the characteristics of an #InnovatorsMindset, we could have chosen to follow the sequential list of characteristics, but I felt we needed to change things up a bit.  In our previous sessions we had focused on discussion of the mindset while modeling technology tools for collaboration and educator focused.  I wanted to shift the conversation to changing the mindset of how learners could express their learning more creatively.  It's not just about using a Google Doc or Slideshow to share knowledge or ideas.  There is a time and place for these products, but what were other options for learners.

What seems to be the most obvious is sometimes the hardest things to do!  I spent a lot of time looking at options for app smashing.  I found it very overwhelming trying to narrow down exactly what I wanted to share with educators in a model for app smashing.  Keeping it simple and clean, both in my presentation and in the app usage, was a priority.  I selected apps both "familiar" and "new to you."  I also have found a new love relationship with Google Drawings!  I simply had to Google Drawings as my canvas!  After much deliberation, the app smashing menu choices were ready.

I wanted to demonstrate the options of exporting a simple project to Photos in order to import to add multiple layers and functionality to a project.  Some of the different apps our group looked at have similar actions; and, we discussed being open to letting learners select the app they are most comfortable using.  We also discussed giving our learners the power to take ownership of knowing more about an app than the educator in the room.  We can all learn together!

From my awesome Coppell Digital Coaching Team, I had a wonderful resource to aid those who found an app that they wanted to know more about that included QR codes to video directions on how an app works and sample projects using the app.  Also, I was able to contribute to the resource a few more apps.  I am very appreciative to my team of the valuable resources already in place and want to contribute as much as I can to these existing gold mines!

One app the educators were very interested in learning more about is PhotoCard by Bill Atkinson.

It works exactly like a post card!  One feature I particularly like is that you can import your own picture.  Depending on the font size a lot of content can be covered in what turns out to be not so small of an area!  Between the imported image and the content, this app lends itself to any content area.  In the weeks since this PLC, this app has some up in conversation a number of times.  It is great to see educators embracing tools that fit their curriculum!

Our district is very fortunate to have Explain Everything purchased for every educator and all secondary learners.  This was the perfect opportunity to explore some of the underutilized features of this fabulous app and see how other apps could be layered into Explain Everything.

When we allow our learning to speak creatively we share a little bit of ourselves beyond the run of the mill classroom expectations.  Taking the time to examine the design of instruction by adding elements of creativity personalizes the experience for meaningful learning.  Isn't that what we want? 

Posting Videos to YouTube

When having learners, or yourself, uploading video projects to YouTube I would encourage you to check the settings for privacy.  A learner was working on a project and found their own video linked to a website they had never come in contact with before.  It is a very strange feeling to find your work somewhere you have never actually been asked to share with before.

An option for sharing using YouTube is to Unlisted so that the projects can only be accessed by those who have the link.  This can be achieved when uploading projects from an iPad or a computer.  Here are step-by-step directions for uploading a video from the iPad.

Sign into your school Google Drive and allow Google to access your account information

Upload the movie file from your iPad to your YouTube Channel

Enter a Title and Description for the project

Select Standard Definition

Enter Tags related to the content area

For Category, select Education

Select Unlisted so that only individuals with the link can view the video.

Then Publish

Also, here are directions for uploading to YouTube from a computer:

Keep these instructions for when you have a video project later!