My Google Basics for Teaching Certificate

Yay, I completed the Google Basics for Teaching course that I mentioned in a previous post.  I can't say that I really learned a lot from it, but I think it would be really good for those who are new to Google.  If you know anyone who fits into that category be sure to share the course with them.

Hour of Code

Computers are everywhere, but fewer schools teach computer science than 10 years ago. Good news is, we’re on our way to change this. If you heard about the Hour of Code last year, you might know it made history. In one week, 15 million students tried computer science!

Computer science was on homepages of Google, MSN, Yahoo! and Disney. President Obama, Shakira and Ashton Kutcher all kicked off the Hour of Code with videos. Over 100 partners came together to support this movement.

This year, let's make it even bigger. I’m asking you to join in for the Hour of Code 2014 (I am!). Please get involved with an Hour of Code event during Computer Science Education Week, December 8-14, 2014.

Get the word out. Host an event. Ask a local school to sign up. Or try the Hour of Code yourself -- everyone can benefit from learning the basics.

Help us reach 100 million students by the end of the year! Get started at http://hourofcode.com

Socrative - collect real time data on formative assessments

Socrative is something that I have used in the past and plan to use again in the future.  I really like it because it allows me to have students answer questions about a topic.  Then I can use the data from their answers to the questions to see where they are confused and what things I need to review more with them.

One of the things that I love about socrative is that it works on any device or browser so kids can answer questions on ipads, computers, phone or whatever they have.

Socrative just updated to their 2.0 version. Below is a video that explains it and this link will take you to the new user guide.

How to collect feedback and data from your students.

Top 10 Posts of October and what I've been up to

Sorry for the late recap of October, but this basically sums up what my month has been like.  I feel like I can never get ahead.  Do you every have those months?  My goal is to be super organized in November (already failing at that), especially because I am going to be out several times this month.  I have been using the app Any.do and have tried to put everything there with reminders of what needs to be done.  If you have any organization suggestions please send them my way!

Top 10 Posts of October

1. PowToon - Animated Videos (free upgrade to premium)
2. StudyBlue Pro - give it a try!
3. Google Basics for Teaching
4. Big Blogger Giveaway
5. virtual exit tickets and in class assessments
6. Remind 101 Donors Choose Giveaway
7. URL shorteners
8. PowToon Slides - Animated Slide Shows
9. Educanon - insert questions into a video
10. ChemThink

Google Basics for Teaching

Google just announced that they are running a course called Google Basics for Teaching. This is a self-paced course where you will learn how to use Google tools in your teaching.  It is running from mid-November to mid-December.  You'll see videos, activities and complete a project.  At the end of the course you'll receive a certificate for your professional development records.


I'm excited to see what things Google has to share with us!  Hope to see you there!

Big Blogger Giveaway

I'm so excited to participate in my first giveaway!! Check out all of the great bloggers participating and be sure to enter the rafflecopter below!

  a Rafflecopter giveaway