Google Drive (Part 2)

This week I explored some additional features and add-ons that can be used in Google Drive.  These add-ons are created to increase the functionality of Google Drive Applications, which will help improve personal productivity by enhancing the tools available when using Google Docs, Forms and Sheets.  Of course, these add-ons are chosen based solely on individual needs and/or preference (i.e. education, business, etc.) and can be installed and uninstalled at any time by the user.  Below, I will share a few of the add-ons and tools that I experimented with this week.  

Google Forms with Flubaroo 
Google Forms has updated its look and a few of its features.  To check out some of the new features, watch the video below:

Click HERE to watch an additional video about the new Google Forms.

Flubaroo is a grading tool add-on that assists teachers by grading assignments and/or quizzes in Google Forms, showing percentages, total points and low scoring questions.  Teachers can also choose to grade questions by hand and it will automatically insert their score once graded.  Additionally, certain questions can also be left ungraded if chosen by the instructor.  Flubaroo definitely decreases grading time for teachers, decreases the amount of wait time of the part of the student in gaining grades and feedback, which allows more time for remediation and/or reteaching.
To learn more about Flubaroo, watch the videos below:

Demonstration of Flubaroo

Installing Flubaroo Add-On & User Tutorial in Google Forms

I have included an example of a Google Form Soccer Quiz that I created for this week's assignment.  Click HERE to view it.  In addition, I also included a screen shot of the graded responses using Flubaroo.

URL Shortening Tool
Googles URL Shortening Tool (Goo.gl) takes long web addresses and automatically shortens them into a more compact form.  This makes copying the address a lot easier for users.  In addition, it also saves both your long and short URL addresses in your history, along with displaying the amount of times the site has been visited.

Google Templates
Google Templates is a great time-saving tool once you find a template that would be beneficial for your personal and/or professional needs.  Templates are divided by types, categories, languages, etc. for more specified searches.  The "preview" option allows you to see a sample of the template before you choose to use it.  In addition, it saves the templates that you have used so that you can use them multiple times if needed.  You can also submit your own templates from Google Drive for public use.

Click HERE to view a Google Templates Tutorial video.

Here are 3 templates that I shared with my classmates:
Yearly Plan Template (caters to PE teachers)
PE Lesson Plan Template
Sports Team/School Group Roster & Schedule Template (caters to coaches and/or group sponsors)

Need some more template ideas?  Check out the links below.
10 Excellent Google Drive Templates for Teachers
24 Google Docs Templates That Will Make Your Life Easier

Report an Add-On (Orange Slice Teacher Rubric)
One of our assignments this week was to find an advanced feature or add-on that might be useful to educators.  I found an add-on that would work well with Google Docs and Google Classroom called Orange Slice Teacher Rubric.  Below is a brief description of this add-on:

If you would like to learn more about Orange Slice Teacher Rubric, watch the video below.

Want more ideas on Add-Ons for Educators?  Click the links below.

28 Ways Google's New Add-ons Can Help Teachers Now

15 Best Google Drive Add-ons for Education

10 of the Best Google Docs Add-ons for Teachers

MORE...you choose

Learning Management Systems (LMS)- Schoology vs. Edmodo

A learning management system (LMS) is ...

As explained in the video tutorial above, a LMS can be used in the classroom for posting assignments, tests, quizzes, important information and/or discussion boards, as well as providing resources to students and parents at home simply by logging in to their instructor's group or course.  It also allows teachers to create professional learning networks with colleagues in order to collaborate and share ideas.
Still don't understand the role of a LMS?  Click HERE to view another video.

This week, I explored two different LMS applications, Schoology and Edmodo.  I will be sharing information about both applications, as well as provide you with a few of my personal "take-aways" during my examination of each LMS.

Schoology
What is Schoology?  Watch the video below.

To view a tutorial on how to create an educator account, as well as learn the basic functions of and tools for using Schoology, watch the video below.

Take a look at the Schoology Help Guide for further assistance.
Here are Ideas for Using Schoology.

Edmodo
What is Edmodo?  Watch the video below.

To view a tutorial on how to create an educator account, as well as learn the basic functions of and tools for using Edmodo, watch the video below.

Take a look at the Edmodo Guide for further assistance.  

Here are 20 Ideas for Using Edmodo.

Schoology vs Edmodo "Take-Aways"
I will allow you to create your own opinion on the LMS you prefer the most.  However, as I explored these two applications, here are a few of the "take-aways" that I discovered (these are merely a glimpse of the surface-I am certain I would find a lot more had I dug deeper):
Schoology
* very organized
* allows users to create a course or a group (i.e. one for students and one for parents)
* media album option and resource option are good tools not offered in Edmodo
* no "polling" option in Schoology
* seemed to contain less available apps than Edmodo
Edmodo
* very user-friendly with easy access to tools
* allows users to create main groups and small groups
* app choice is larger and layout is more friendly
* no media album option or resource option offered
* snapshot only for Math or ELA (need more subjects offered for this tool)

Want to try some additional learning management systems?  Check out the links below:
"The 20 Best Learning Management Systems"
"The Best Learning Management Systems (LMS) for 2016"

Personal Learning Networks (PLNs), Diigo (Social Bookmarking), & Twitter (Social Media PLN)

Personal Learning Networks (PLNs)

A Personal Learning Network (PLN) is a tool that educators use to collaborate, communicate, create, and connect with other colleagues from all around the world by using social media and technology to share resources and information.  Educators can join and/or create multiple PLNs based on their interests, needs and subject area(s).

Still don't understand what a PLN is?  Take a look at the video below.  

This week, we had to find and share a few PLNs that would be beneficial for educators.  Here are a few that I found--feel free to check them out!

The Educator's PLN (recommended for all educators- lots of resources- videos, blogs, forums, etc.)

edWeb (recommended for all educators-find and join learning communities to engage in forums, webinars, etc.)

Edutopia (recommended for all educators- browse topics, watch educational videos, join discussion forums, etc.) 

Here are some more sites for PLNs for Educators:

4 Free PLNs for Teachers

Classroom 2.0

ProTeacher

Need More Help?  Read "3 Steps for Building a Personal Learning Network" or "Teacher's Guide on Creating Personal Learning Networks"

Diigo (Social Bookmarking Tool)

Diigo is a social bookmarking tool that allows you to organize and store all of your favorite bookmarks in one place.  Not only that, you can also join or create groups to share your favorite websites in regards to your interests and/or subject matter (check out the group "The Connected Educator").  Diigo also allows you to create tags that automatically organize your websites into categories (i.e. education, technology, assessment tools, etc.).  This is a great tool to organize your favorite websites, share ideas and collaborate with others.

  

Below is a video on how to use Diigo:

Want to use Diigo in your classroom?  Watch the video below on how to use Diigo in Education:

Twitter (Social Media PLN)

Twitter is a great tool for adding to your Personal Learning Network.  Not only can you follow others and read their tweets, you can also communicate by posting your own tweet, reply to another individuals tweet, or retweet a post that you really like.  Additionally, you can join live chats pertaining to your interests.  Twitter affords educators the opportunity to share ideas, obtain new ideas or resources, as well as communicate and collaborate with other educators.  

Below is a video tutorial on how to use Twitter: (It's lengthy, but worth it if you have the time!)

Need a tutorial that's a little shorter? Here you go!

Want to use Twitter for Professional Development?  Click HERE to see how.

Here are some additional sites that might help you to navigate and gain knowledge on Twitter:

The Beginners Guide to Twitter

The Twitter-a-holics Guide to Tweets, Hashtags, and All Things Twitter

Top 98 Tools for the Twittering Teacher

Educational Hashtags 

Once you have created your account, don't forget to follow me on Twitter @CoachAllen40.  Here are some other Educational Twitter Accounts that you can also look into.  Happy Tweeting!

Blogs, RSS, & Feedly

My opinion on blogs...

I feel that blogs are very beneficial resources for educators.  They are a great tool for exploring and sharing new strategies, ideas and information on a variety of topics.  This limits the need for attending costly and time-consuming seminars, PD sessions, or weekend conventions, which saves school districts and teachers money.  In addition, many blogs are customizable, allowing an educator to find blogs that relate to their topic of interest or specified subject matter/grade level.  They also allow educators to form lines of communication with other individuals in their field that they might not have ever met or spoken to otherwise.  This increases the amount of marketing and public relations with colleagues, parents, students and/or potential employers.

The only limitation to blogging that I see is that searching for and weeding out the good and bad posts is sometimes very time consuming.  However, if you keep up with the blog that you follow, this will not be much of a problem.  Although it may take some time to find just the right blog for your needs, it will be well worth it when you find one that provides the information that you desire. Additionally, if you combine your blogs into one place by using a reader app (i.e. Feedly-see below), you will save yourself a lot of time in the long run.  Happy blogging!

Here are some blogs that I follow for Physical Education, General Education and/or Technology:
1.)  The PE Geek
2.)  SPARK PE
3.)  PE-4-KIDS
4.)  Pickett's Mill PE
5.)  Media Guide  (all subjects/grade levels)
6.)  Edutopia   (all subjects/grade levels)

Want to set up your own blog?  Click HERE.
Need a tutorial video?  Click on the video below:

RSS & Feedly

RSS allows people to keep track of their favorite websites in one place so that they don't have to log into or bookmark each URL separately, saving people time and energy.  It also keeps the blog posts up to date so that you are reading the most current material available from each site.  

To learn more about RSS feeds, watch the videos below:

Feedly is one of many RSS readers that help individuals organize, read and compile their various blogs and/or websites into one place.  Individuals can also take specified posts and share them via Facebook, Twitter, E-Mail, etc.  By placing your blogs into categories, individuals can easily organize their blog posts for easier viewing on their own time.  The best thing about Feedly is that you can "login" using your Google, Facebook or Twitter account, or you "get started" by creating a separate Feedly account.  

Need help navigating Feedly?  Click HERE or HERE for tutorial pages. 

To learn more about how to use Feedly, watch the videos below:

Click HERE to view "The 10 Best Feed Reader Apps for RSS, News, and More" or HERE to view "The Top 10 Free Online RSS Readers" (both include Feedly)

Want Feedly on your Cell Phone?   Click HERE to see how.