Discover the tech tools teachers can use to maintain engagement and focus in their classroom during the weeks before holiday breaks.
Embracing Technology to Set the Tone for the School Year: Communication and digital tools help teachers establish routines, understand student learning styles and simplify administrative tasks
For educators and administrators, the beginning of a new school year brings a sense of anticipation, possibility and planning. But once the novelty begins to fade, educators might be wondering how to keep up the momentum over the months ahead. Here are a few ideas about how teachers can employ technology to help things run smoothly throughout the school year.
Set clear expectations
Students of any age using school devices need to understand the school’s expectations around technology. Answer questions like how students are allowed to use their school-provided devices, what students should steer clear of, and what the consequences of breaking the agreement are.
Along with specific rules around technology use, the beginning of the school year is a good time to integrate some information on digital citizenship.
Continue to emphasize routines
The school day is largely built on routine, and particularly for teachers of younger students, that routine should include guidance on how to take care of any edtech tools the students have access to. Where should the students store their headphones? If students are allowed to take their Chromebook home each day, can packing it up be an explicit part of the classroom’s end-of- the-day routine?
Use Learning Management System to follow student progress
Using a Learning Management System (LMS) like Google Classroom has a number of benefits. Teachers can use it to post important information like assignments, due dates and reminders in a centralized location. It also enables teachers to follow student progress, and quickly intervene if a student is struggling or behind.
Explore personalized learning
It’s never too early to start figuring out how to best support students. Consider creating a brief survey that asks students about their interests, goals and challenges to get an early snapshot of what individual students might need to thrive.
Take advantage of timesaving tools
If your school offers Gemini for Google Workspace, take some time to explore how this AI tool can save you time and effort in the classroom. Gemini can assist with tasks like creating and summarizing emails, generating visuals that make presentations more engaging, and taking notes during virtual meetings with students and caregivers.
Understand your school’s device repair protocol
It’s inevitable that some of your school’s devices will need to be repaired or replaced during the school year. The beginning of the school year is a great time to make sure you have a clear understanding of your school’s edtech repair program. How long does it generally take for a damaged device to be repaired or replaced? Are there extra devices for students and staff to access while their device is being worked on? If not, are there other ways they can continue to do schoolwork in the interim? Device repair programs like JonesCare play an essential role in keeping the year running smoothly, and having a clear understanding of how your school handles repairs can help teachers minimize interruptions to student learning.
Taking the time to communicate with students and their families about technology use, expectations and repair protocol, having systems in place to monitor student progress and personalize learning, and using technology to simplify your workload can help set the tone for a great school year.
Best Educational Apps for the 2023-2024 School Year
Apps can be a powerful tool for teachers and students. But with new apps emerging constantly, it can be challenging to discern which ones are most effective. Here’s a roundup of some of the best educational apps for the 2023-2024 school year. We’ve included some old standbys as well as some new favorites.
Google Classroom
You’re likely already using Google Classroom, and if you're not you should be.Teachers can use this app as a home base for storing lesson plans, assignments and tracking student progress. The messaging feature allows for easy communication between students and teachers.
Pear Deck
Pear Deck, which was designed to work as an add-on to both Google and Microsoft Education apps, is an interactive lesson and assessment platform. Tech-savvy teachers can create custom presentations or choose from Pear Deck’s library of existing templates. The app is designed to increase student engagement while also giving educators important and immediate information on how well students are taking in the lesson.
Brilliant
Brilliant delivers short, digestible lessons in math, science and engineering. The app was created for students aged 13 and older, with the goal of helping users strengthen and expand their problem-solving abilities. Brilliant’s course offerings include statistics and finance, foundational logic and high school math. Educators can enjoy free access to Brilliant’s bank of interactive lessons.
Duolingo
When it comes to language learning apps, Duolingo remains at the top of its class. The app uses research-backed methods of teaching and adds elements like gamification, personalized learning while also aiming to delight its users. A few new features to note– users can now create a fun, unique Duolingo avatar. Duolingo also just added a new subscription tier, Duolingo Max, which harnesses AI technology.
BrainPOP
BrainPOP is a popular educational app that aims to help students to better understand the world. BrainPOP Jr. supports kids in grades K-3, while BrainPOP is designed for upper elementary and middle school aged kids. BrainPOP also offers BrainPOP ELL to support those learning English. The app features a bevy of resources on topics around digital citizenship, including lessons on topics such as conflict resolution and information privacy.
In addition, BrainPOP for educators offers lesson planning tools and professional development.
Quizlet
Quizlet delivers tools that help students learn to study. Students can customize digital flashcards and take quizzes to boost and test memory retention and retrieval. Quizlet has also introduced a beta version of Q-Chat, which employs AI to help students learn.
Writelike
This free app helps students expand their advanced writing skills. Writelike teaches skills like deconstructing text, spotting the patterns found in good writing and then practicing using those patterns in their own prose.
Writelike’s sister product, Frankenstories, engages students in collaborative writing projects, encouraging students to work together while developing their writing skills.
Prodigy
Students learn math and English skills through game-based learning via the Prodigy app. The app uses an adaptive algorithm to track student progress. In Prodigy Math, designed for students in first through eighth grade, students act as wizards fighting math-based battles. Kids in first through sixth answer questions that help them gather materials to build their own world. Teachers have access to student progress, allowing them a deeper understanding of their student’s learning.
How Chromebooks Benefit Classrooms, Plus Some New Updates
A look at how Chromebook partnerships can work for your school, and the latest updates to Chromebooks
Chromebooks have become a staple in many school districts; they’re known for being durable, powerful, and affordable, which makes them an excellent choice for many schools. Whether you’ve been using Chromebooks in your classroom for a while or your district is considering investing in them, we wanted to highlight a few of the reasons Chromebooks are such a popular choice in education, while also letting you in on some of the newest updates Google is making on Chromebooks.
Chromebooks are user-friendly
Chromebooks are simple to operate, which means less time is spent training both students and educators on how to use them. These devices boot up quickly, and their extended battery life is designed to endure the school day and beyond.
They’re secure
Chrome OS, the operating system that Chromebooks run on, isn’t prone to viruses. Chromebooks employ multiple levels of security; Chrome OS incorporates automatic updates, which run in the background so as not to interrupt learning. Data encryption keeps information secure, while "sandboxing" enables each website and application to run in isolation– if a website or app does become infected by malware, it won’t affect other open tabs or apps.
They’re budget-friendly
Chromebooks are more affordable than most PCs, making them a great option for schools. All Chromebooks come equipped with Google Apps for Education.
What’s new with Chromebooks?
Google is debuting 13 new Chromebooks, each designed to enhance the educational experience. These devices boast features like larger screens, upgraded storage capacity, and extended battery life.
Among the latest convertible devices – Chromebooks that can function as both laptop and tablet– are the HP Dragonfly Elite and the Dell Latitude 5430. These models will be equipped with touchscreens and styluses. Another focus is on sustainability. Many of the new Chromebooks are designed to be easier to repair than previous models. In addition, several models, like the Lenovo 100e Chromebook Gen 4, are constructed from recycled plastic.
Google is also updating features on Screencast, the Chromebook recording tool that enables students and teachers to record, edit and share lessons and projects. Screencast is expanding to support twelve more languages, including Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. In addition, they’re creating a web player that enables students and teachers to view screencasts from any device. Finally, new demo tools are being added to make it easier for those watching a screencast to follow.
Cast Moderator, a tool that lets students and teachers share their screens wirelessly and securely, is also announcing some upgrades. Most notably, presenters will be able to pause while screencasting, as well as change the tab they’re casting from without interrupting the screencast.
With 20% of U.S. children having a learning difference, Google is excited to launch Reading Mode on its Chromebooks. When engaged, Reading Mode limits distractions like videos and images on the screen, allowing students to focus on the material they’re reading. Users will also be able to customize elements like typeface, font size, background and text color to suit their individual needs and preferences.
Want to know more about Chromebooks? Reach out today for more information on how Chromebooks can support your students and staff.
Cleaning up your Classroom Tech for Summer Break
Cleaning up your Classroom Tech for Summer Break
As the academic calendar winds down, it’s natural for educators and administrators to daydream about their summer plans. But before you leave your classroom behind for the summer, you might devote some time to do some digital decluttering of your devices. Think of it as the virtual version of wiping a chalkboard clean—it takes a little time now, but you’ll appreciate it when you return to the classroom next school year. Here are a few things to consider as you prepare for the summer break.
Decide on a strategy
Are you a dive-in-and-do-it-all-in-one-day type? If so, get out your calendar and schedule a day to spend on digital clean-up. On the other hand, if the thought of spending hours on end sorting through your devices makes your eyes cross, try setting aside smaller chunks of time. Spending just 15 minutes before or after each school day sorting through files can make the task more manageable.
Delete, delete, delete
With the school year still fresh in your mind, it’s the ideal time to spring clean your devices. Are apps you or your school no longer use taking up space on your devices? Do you have saved parent email lists, photos, or lesson plans from previous school years that you no longer need? Go through and purge any apps, files, bookmarks, emails, and folders that you know you won’t need for the next school year.
File it
“What if I might need it later?” is a common refrain when decluttering. If you’re finding you have a lot of files, apps, or lessons that you think you might need in the future, it might be helpful to create a “maybe” or “decide later” folder. You could even put a reminder in your calendar now for a date a few months into the next school year to review your “maybe” file.
Reflect.
Let’s face it—the last few years have been incredibly challenging for educators. You’ve made it through another school year, enduring difficulties your professional training never could’ve prepared you for. Take a moment to acknowledge the wild ride it’s been, full of rocky moments and silver linings. You could even write yourself a short note summing up aspects of the school year that went well and those that didn’t.
Enjoy your well-earned summer break!
Tools and Tips for Coming Back to In-Person Learning
Back-to-school this fall will be monumental for many K-12 schools because it’s the first opportunity for in-person learning. And while administrators, teachers and students are likely ready to hang up their virtual classrooms, some of the technology can enhance in-person learning. Using digital tools to enhance classroom learning was happening way before the pandemic. Now, because we had to pivot to an online environment, we’re all a little savvier about which tools we’d like to keep. Here are some that you should definitely take back to school with you.
Google Slides: Google Slides allows teachers to create, edit and share presentations and multiple students can work on a presentation at the same time, making it ideal for collaboration. Google Slides can also be used as an outline during lectures and offers templates for student engagement. Google Slides is always saving so you never have to worry about losing your work. Google for Education offers teachers tips and tricks on how to get the most out of this tool. For example, teachers can watch a quick video on how to insert audio into Google Slides or how to link presentations.
Customized Desktop Icons: Mac and PC users can create customized icons for desktop folders. Changing icons is a fun way to personalize computers and laptops. Windows offers built-in options but PC users can also download icons from multiple websites. According to HowToGeek.com, PC users need to access the Desktop Icon Settings to change their icons. In Windows 10, you can access this window through Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop Icon Settings. In Windows 8 and 10, it’s Control Panel > Personalize > Change Desktop Icons. For Mac users, 9to5Mac.com says to open Finder and navigate to Applications. Click the app you’d like to change the icon for and hit Command + I. Copy your new image (Command + C), click the small thumbnail of the app icon and past the new image (Command + V).
Seesaw: Seesaw creates a powerful learning loop between students, teachers and families. Students use built-in multimodal tools to capture what they know in Seesaw’s digital lesson portfolio. Teachers see all stages of student thinking and progress and families can see what’s happening with their sons and daughters. Teachers can get started by manually entering students or integrating classes from Google Classroom. If younger students don't have email accounts, there's also an option for them to sign in using a QR or text code. Seesaw has tons of training and professional development for teachers, students and families. And it’s free to sign up.
Flipgrid: Even before the pandemic, educators were flipping for Flipgrid. Flipgrid is a video discussion platform used by tens of millions of PreK to PhD educators, students and families in 150 countries. It works on Chromebooks, iPads, iPhones, PCs and Android devices. This software has tons of uses. Students can talk to each other and teachers, so everyone is engaged and on the same page. Administrators can use it to engage their professional learning network. Flipgrid can build community among staff and create conversation beyond small talk. Just returned from a conference and have something to share? Take a few minutes and use a grid.
No matter if it’s in-person, hybrid or virtual, digital tools will always have a place in learning. Tell us which digital tools you can’t teach without!
The Next Crop of Chromebooks
Chromebooks are the go-to edtech tool for classrooms across the country. They are durable, rugged, ultra-portable, easy-to-use, have a long-life battery and, most importantly, affordable. Many Chromebook options land in the $200 to $300 price range with the next performance level up costingabout $500 to $600.
With so many new options, school administrators should easily be able to find one to meet their students’ needs and budget just in time for fall semester.
Dell’s Chromebooks 3000 series is dedicated to education by being designed to endure the entire school day. It features tamper- and spill-resistant keyboards and ports that are covered and secured with reinforced brackets so students can connect and disconnect over-and-over. The New Chromebook 3100 features an 11-inch screen and up to 14 hours of battery life and a low price of $249. The 3100 also comes in the 2-in-1 option for a bump in the price tag. The New Chromebook 3400 is a 14-inch laptop that offers an optional, expansive full HD display that boots up in less than 10 seconds. It starts at $329.
While at the top of Chromebook’s price range ($599), the HP Chromebook x2 is the first Chrome Detachable PC and comes with high-performance specs; it is HP’s most powerful Chromebook yet. It features a long-lasting, 12-hour battery life and dual-core Intel M3 processor. It features front and rear facing cameras, audio by B&O Play and the durable Corning Gorilla Glass display.
Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen)
Lenovo offers several Chromebooks for classroom use, including the 500e, the brand’s top model. It blends on-the-go technology with powerful processing and a premium classroom experience. With a 360-degree hinge, it can be used in four ways and includes a digital pen for on-screen writing and notetaking. It also features two HD cameras and a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protective screen that resists chips and scratches. Depending on features, it costs anywhere from $279 to $329.
Samsung’s Chromebooks for education offer options in size and affordability. The Chromebook 3 features an 11.6-inch screen starts at $199. It offers schools a way to embrace 1:1 digital learning with a limited budget. This economical solution still delivers a rugged design, built-in education software and up to 11 hours of battery life. The Chromebook 2 offers a bigger screen, faster performance and a full HD 1080 display for $399. The increased lightning-fast performance reduces battery life to 8.5 hours.
Questions about Chromebook? We can answer them. Contact us today.
Most Popular Devices of 2018
Chromebooks are at the forefront of edtech devices and for good reason. Need a device that’s sturdy enough to take what kids can dish out? Go for a Chromebook. Need something powerful enough to meet all your app and online needs? Grab a Chromebook. How about something that does all of the above, while still staying comfortably in budget? You got, Chromebook.
Acer, HP, Dell, Asus and Lenovo all launched new Chromebooks in 2018 each with different options and features that set them apart. The most popular were Dell, Lenovo and HP.
Dell Chromebook 11 2-in-1 5190
Dell’s Chromebook 11 2-in-1 offers the best of both the laptop and tablet worlds. Its 11.6-inch, 2-in-1 screen features multiple viewing modes that allow students to view and write on the Chromebook from any angle - flat, tent, tablet or laptop - making it easy for them to create, collaborate and share ideas. Its Intel dual- and quad-core processor offers at least 10 hours of battery life and can be charged from either of its two USB Type-C ports, which also allows the Chromebook to be connected to a multitude of other devices.
Built for durability, the Chromebook 5190 2-in-1 comes with a sealed, spill-resistant keyboard that is able to withstand up to 12-ounce spills, rubberized protective bumpers along the base and an LCD screen. And, if that wasn’t enough durability, it has been tested to withstand 30-inch drops onto steel so it can easily survive lockers, lunchrooms, backpacks, buses and whatever else a student can dish out. It starts at $369.
Lenovo 500e Chromebook
The 11.6-in 2-in-1 500e Chromebook is made with the same rugged materials as the Dell Chromebook and features similar modes: laptop, tablet, tent or stand. But, one of its best features is the EMR pen. It is great for extended notetaking and writing, fine art or graphic design, detailed math problems requiring a student to show their work, and more. The EMR pen is pressure-sensitive and highly accurate. It runs on machine intelligence from Chrome OS to predict where the writing will go, giving it more of a real pen experience. One cool feature is that no charging or pairing is required, so the pen can be shared between students and across devices. And it’s garaged inside the Chromebook when not in use.
The Lenovo 500e also has two HD cameras to improve collaboration and videoconferencing. The 720p front-facing camera is great for capturing creative projects from anywhere, while the 5MP world-facing camera makes it easier to record and take pictures in the correct orientation from all four modes. The world-facing camera is on the keyboard side of the 500e Chromebook, so it can take photos while being held like a tablet. It starts at $319.
HP Chromebook x360
HP’s x360 Chromebook was created for both the education and consumer markets. It is a 2-in-1 with an 11.6-inch scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass display. Combine that with the spill-resistant keyboard and the x360 is ready for what the classroom can dish out. This Chromebook combines a rugged frame with the 360-degree touchscreen; which is essential for running Android apps. It is built to survive drops and tumbles, and still run like a top.
The specs are pretty standard: 1.1GHz Celeron, 4GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage. There is an upgraded version with 32 GB of storage if you need it. HP’s x360 also comes with a part of USB-C ports and a microSD card reader. At $299.99, this Chromebook is good place to start if you’re curious about Google’s Chrome OS.
Wondering what the most popular devices of 2019 will be? We have a few ideas.
Follow These 7 Steps To Secure Your Chromebook
It is more common than ever to see Chromebooks dotting the desks, offices and libraries of schools around the country. These devices are changing the way students learn and teachers teach. Unfortunately, that also means there is a greater risk for Chromebooks to go missing, be accessed by unauthorized users or even stumble onto sketchy websites, so it’s essential to keep your Chromebook secure at all times and in all capacities.
Here are 7 steps to take to keep your Chromebook secure.
Set a strong password. The longer it is, the harder it is to crack. Avoid names, places and dictionary words and mix up the capitalization and use special characters. Keep your password in a safe place. You can also use programs and apps, like LastPass, to help keep all your passwords secure.
Maximize your security settings. Go into your Chromebook settings and make sure to restrict sign-in to just your account and use Google’s two-factor authentication. This generates a text message or a code through the Google Authenticator app that is required for any new login. If you plan on loaning your Chromebook out, say to a teacher or another administrator, you can wipe the data quickly with the Powerwash feature. Go to s Settings > Show Advanced Settings >Powerwash.
Never leave your Chromebook unattended. Even if you are just heading to the bathroom, put it to sleep. Have a co-worker monitor your device or lock it up in your office.
Make copies of collaborative documents. Keep originals of documents. Chromebook does a great job of automatically storing data in the cloud and encrypting any remaining data using tamper-resistant hardware, but it’s still a good idea to store any important documents in a separate, secure place.
Mask your web browsing. Consider installing a VPN if you want to mask your browsing from your internet service provider or other prying eyes. TunnelBear is an excellent option for the Chromebook because it offers a Chrome extension and Chromebooks with the Google Play Store can install the TunnelBear Android app.
Change your search engine. If Chromebook’s existing security features, like the Sandbox or Verified Boot features (both keep a watch on malware an viruses), don’t offer enough piece of mind, you can change your search engine from Chrome to DuckDuckGo or Startpage to hide what you search from Google.
Turn off malicious extensions. If your Chromebook has acquired a malicious extension, turn off extension syncing in settings (Settings>People>Advanced Sync Settings) and reset your Chromebook (Show Advanced Settings>Reset Settings).
Keeping your Chromebook secure will help it last from year-to-year, semester-to-semester. Have other great security ideas? Share them below!
Administrators: Here is your Summer Reading List
Whether you’re hitting the road this summer or just lounging by the pool, a great book can really enrich the experience. Why not make it one that puts you ahead of the game with education technology for the fall term? Wondering about Chromebooks, G Suite or Google Classroom? Brush up on your knowledge or even demystify a topic with a paperback. We’ve chosen a couple guides for mastering tech in the classroom that are a must-have on your summer reading list.
4 Books to Read on EdTech
The Chromebook Classroom: If you’re considering Chromebooks for your school, you need this guide by John R. Sowash. It gives a fast, clear roadmap for turning a new fleet of Chromebooks into rich learning tools for a single classroom or an entire district. The Chromebook Classroom is the perfect companion for any educator just getting started with Chromebooks, or one that’s looking for new ways to boost their students' learning through technology. Buy it here.
The Google Infused Classroom: This paperback, by EdTech experts Holly Clark and Tanya Avrith, is perfect for any educator looking to use technology in the classroom. It is filled with practical ideas and strategies about using G Suite. It focuses on 20 essential Google tools that will help your teachers learn to incorporate into their classrooms. Buy it here.
Shake Up Learning: This book by Kasey Bell is divided into three parts to help educators explore why they need to shake up learning with technology and what changes you can have your teachers make in their classrooms. The book also includes ideas for lesson planning and tips on digital learning, plus free downloads. Buy it here.
50 Things You Can Do With Google Classroom: Educators Alice Keeler and Libbi Miller have answered one of the most frequently-asked questions with this book, “How can I effectively implement digital tools in the classroom when I don’t fully understand them myself?” It offers a thorough overview of the Google Classroom App, including how to create a paperless classroom, set up a Google Classroom, share announcements and offer virtual office hours. Buy it here.
Dive into these books this summer and then put them in the staffroom this fall to share with your teachers. They are a great resource for anyone who wants to successfully incorporate technology in education. Have another great read that’s changed your thinking? Share it below!
How To Choose Your Next Chromebook
Google’s Chromebook is the laptop that is ultra-portable, is easy-to-use and keeps going with a long-life battery. It’s also in a class by itself because instead of running Windows or Mac OS it runs Google’s Chrome OS. Keep in mind that all Chromebooks are really designed to work when connected to the Internet. So if you’re looking for a school laptop that can run traditional offline programs, Office, Adobe, etc., the Chromebook is probably not your first choice.
But, Chromebooks are durable and rugged, especially the ones designed for education, and take whatever the kids dish out – drops, spills, etc.
Because they’re manufactured by several different companies, Acer, Samsung, HP, etc., these machines can vary widely. So how do you choose?
What Apps Are Available?
Since the Chromebook was developed by Google, it is optimized for Google apps like Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Drive. Some of the systems can access the Android apps, these include the Samsung Chromebook Plus, Asus Chromebook Flip, Dell Chromebook 3189 and Google’s Pixelbook. The Android version of Office is also soon rolling out to those Android-accessible Chromebooks soon, otherwise Microsoft Office Online is available via the Chrome browser.
Here's a list of all the Chromebooks that run Google Apps.
What’s The Battery Life?
Chromebooks offer really good battery life, averaging just over 9 hours with continuous web surfing. A higher price doesn’t necessarily mean a longer battery life, usually due to the amount of processes the more expensive Chromebooks can churn out.
What Are The Special Features?
As you can imagine, different prices come with different features. The Samsung Chromebook Pro has a 12.3-inch QHD display and is enhanced for the web. Google also redesigned the on-screen keyboard for touch-screen that’s ideal for the 2-in-1s like the Asus Chromebook Flip C302, which serves as both a laptop and tablet.
Need more help to choose? Contact us and our team can help set you up with a Chromebook that’s perfect for your facility.
8 Podcasts Every EdTech Enthusiast Should Subscribe To
Podcasts are one of the best sources of information about educational technology available today. These digital audio files are like radio for the Internet. They can educate, inform and entertain us, but on our own time. Each podcast contains multiple episodes which can be downloaded onto our phones, laptops and other devices.
There are more than 500,000 active podcasts on Apple iTunes alone and many of these are geared towards educators and administrators. With so many listening options available, we’ve done the hard part the narrowed down the top eight podcasts about educational technology you should be listening to today.
The Press Release by EdTechTeam – This podcast dives into the minds of innovative and creative educators and shares the best ideas in education with a focus on technology, innovation and empowering both students and teachers. Episode lengths range in length from 3 minutes to nearly 40 minutes.
Google Teacher Tribe - This weekly podcast is designed to give K-12 educators practical ideas for using G Suite and other Google tools. It’s hosted by Matt Miller and Kasey Bell, who also share helpful tips to keep administrators on task.
Chromebook Classroom Podcast - This podcast explores how Chromebooks are impacting the K-12 classroom. It is hosted by Google Certified Trainer John Sowash, who invites guests to chat about their Chromebook Classroom experience on this monthly show. Episodes range from quick, resource editions to longer interview editions.
Cult of Pedagogy - Hosted by Jennifer Gonzalez, this podcast covers teaching strategies, classroom management, education reform and education technology. Episodes range in length from 10 minutes to an hour. It’s a must for anyone looking to make their educators to be the very best.
Microsoft Innovative Expert Spotlight Series Podcast – Each episode of this podcast features a Microsoft Innovative Educator that showcases how they are transforming their classrooms through 21st-century teaching styles. It is hosted by Jeff Bradbury. Each episode runs about a half hour, and is perfect to listen to before you walk into a team meeting.
EdTech Situation Room - This is both a weekly podcast and live Wednesday evening webshow. It’s hosted by educators Jason Neiffer from Montana and Wesley Fryer from Oklahoma. The duo analyzes current tech news and how they can make education better. Episodes run about an hour long.
EdTech Bites - Host Gabriel Carrillo sits down with educators and innovators once a month to talk educational tech trends over dinner. This podcast allows him to bring together his and every other educational administrator’s two passions, food and educational technology. Episodes range in length anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour.
EdTech Rewind Clint Winter and Lee Green invite their friends to get together and discuss what’s going on in the world of educational technology. Episodes are about 45 minutes to an hour. For long drives home where you have to come up with an agenda for your educators – yes, this is the one.
We love these podcasts about educational technology, but if you know of another that you can’t believe didn’t make this list, let us know.
New Chromebooks For Education in 2018
Chromebooks are changing the way students learn. Today, more than 25 million teachers and students are using Chromebooks for education globally, 30 million teachers and students are using Google Classroom and 80 million are using G Suite for Education. Chromebooks allow educators to teach with touch screens, apps, 3D printers and even remotely if need be.
Acer, HP, Dell, Asus and Lenovo will all launch new Chromebooks in 2018. The Dell and Lenovo models were announced first at the Bett annual trade show in London. Here is a quick breakdown what these two have to offer:
Dell Chromebook 11 2-in-1 5190
Dell’s Chromebook 11 2-in-1 is its newest Chromebook for education. It has the best of both the laptop and tablet worlds. Its 11.6-inch, 2-in-1 screen features multiple viewing modes. These modes allow students to view and write on the Chromebook from any angle - flat, tent, tablet or laptop. This feature makes it easy for students to create, collaborate and share ideas. The available world-facing camera allows students to take advantage of flipped viewing and recording angles, while the optional Dell Active EMR Pen provides a digital way to take classroom notes.
Equipped with an Intel dual- and quad-core processor, it has at least 10 hours of battery life, which means it’s good past the last bell. It can be charged from either of its two USB Type-C ports, which also allows the Chromebook to be connected to a multitude of other devices.
It’s also built for durability. The Chromebook 5190 2-in-1 comes with a sealed, spill-resistant keyboard that is able to withstand up to 12-ounce spills, rubberized protective bumpers along the base and a LCD screen. And, if that wasn’t enough durability, it has been tested to withstand 30-inch drops onto steel. That means it can survive lockers, lunchrooms, backpacks, buses and whatever else a student can dish out.
Lenovo 500e Chromebook
The 11.6-in 2-in-1 500e Chromebook is made with the same rugged materials as the Dell Chromebook and features all of the same modes: laptop, tablet, tent or stand.
But, one of its best features is the EMR pen. It is great for extended notetaking and writing, fine art or graphic design, detailed math problems requiring a student to show their work, and more. The EMR pen is pressure-sensitive and highly accurate. It runs on machine intelligence from Chrome OS to predict where the writing will go, giving it more of a real pen experience. One cool feature is that no charging or pairing is required, so the pen can be shared between students and across devices. And it’s garaged inside the Chromebook when not in use.
The Lenovo 500e also has two HD cameras to improve collaboration and videoconferencing. The 720p front-facing camera is great for capturing creative projects from anywhere, while the 5MP world-facing camera makes it easier to record and take pictures in the correct orientation from all four modes. The world-facing camera is on the keyboard side of the 500e Chromebook, so it can take photos while being held like a tablet.
HP Chromebook x360
HP’s latest Chromebook was created for both the education and consumer markets. It is a 2-in-1 with an 11.6-inch scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass display. Combine that with the spill-resistant keyboard and the x360 is ready for what the classroom can dish out. This Chromebook combines a rugged frame with the 360-degree touchscreen; which is essential for running Android apps. It is built to survive drops and tumbles, and still run like a top.
The specs are pretty standard: 1.1GHz Celeron, 4GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage. There is an upgraded version with 32 GB of storage if you need it. HP’s x360 also comes with a part of USB-C ports and a microSD card reader. At $300, this Chromebook is good place to start if you’re curious about Google’s Chrome OS.
Look for more new models to roll out as Google will continue to update its Chromebooks For Education page throughout 2018.
Top Chrome Extensions For The Google Classroom
Google Classroom has been instrumental in changing the way education looks today. It streamlines assignments, boosts collaboration and fosters seamless communication to help make teaching more productive. There’s also the advantage of being able to integrate hundreds of Chromebook apps and extensions that save teachers and students time and make it seamless to share information. Extensions enhance the browsing experience by tailoring Chrome’s functionality towards individual needs and preferences.
Here are some of our favorites.
Grammarly is an online editor that gives all of your text the once-over before you send it to colleagues, parents or students. It’s a free extension that revises the text you type in Chrome, Facebook, Gmail, Twitter, Linkedin and anywhere else on the web. It suggests corrections based on both spelling and grammar, and it explains alternative options because we call all still learn.
Screencastify is a great tool to use when you need to create a quick demonstration or instructional video. It is a screen recorder that allows you to capture, edit and share videos in seconds. It can tell a story in just a couple of clicks.
This extension is designed to give teachers the ability to provide students with feedback quickly and easily. When a teacher highlights text in Google Docs, an overlay pops up with quick shortcuts to frequently-added comments such as “Spelling” or “Check Punctuation,” or “Evidence needed.” CheckMark has both comments related to grammar as well as concepts, citations and more.
Shareaholic gives you the ability to share and bookmark great content, without stopping what you’re doing on Chrome. It works with Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and more than 200 other services. It makes all your shared links searchable in one place and won’t slow down your Google Chrome.
This extension gives you quick access to Alice Keeler’s Teacher Tech blog – which covers all things classroom and Google Classroom. A quick click on the extension pulls up a list of her most recent posts. Topics include: 50 Things You Can Do With Google Classroom, A Tour Of Google Classroom and Google Slides, Create a Drop Shadow on Text.
LastPass: Free Password Manager
This handy extension saves all your usernames and passwords in one spot. It gives you secure access and will autologin to your websites and sync passwords. Plus, anything you save on one device is instantly available on all your other devices. Slick.
We'd love to know your favorites on Chromebooks, too.
30 Educational Technology Tips in 30 Days
We all want to be more productive, rested, calm, collected, alert, and generally amazing. Here are 30 tech tips that can help you leave the month better than you found it.
Drink your coffee from a spillproof mug. Trust us.
Work in 90-minute intervals.
Schedule breaks into your schedule to do something fun on purpose.
Add a calming picture to your desktop screen.
Then hang a pretty picture in your office, about 20 feet away. Looking up at every 20 minutes for twenty seconds can prevent eye fatigue.
Silence notifications to minimize distractions.
Use Microsoft Word’s Gridline tool to keep your document in line.
Dedicate a set time each day to read and respond to emails, and stick to it.
Drive the above message home by adding a statement to your email signature like, “I check emails every morning and will respond by 10am.”
Set an out-of-office message for after-hour emails that reminds senders you don’t take work home with you. Remember. Those who need to contact you for true emergencies will likely have your cell phone.
Create embedded links in a Google Doc by clicking CTRL+K and searching for the content within the pop-up menu. No more extra tabs!
Use Microsoft OneNote in your next meeting for amazing notetaking.
Organize your desktop files into folders.
Empty your trash.
Schedule coffee with a friend via a calendar appointment, so you both remember.
Treat yourself to a new laptop or phone case. It will feel like a brand new machine at a fraction of the cost.
Organize your GDrive or Cloud files.
Follow Arey Jones on Facebook.
Put a seven-minute workout app on your phone and challenge yourself to do at least one circuit daily (here’s one to try)
Listen to an audiobook on your commute.
Sort and empty your Download folder.
Go absolutely tech-free for at least 30 minutes a day (when you are awake).
These are just a few ways to boost your productivity and get more out of life in general with (and without) technology. How many did you do? We'd love to know.
Greener Pastures: The Dawn of the Paperless Classroom
I picked up my son’s backpack the other day, and the weight of it astounded me.
It was so...light. Empty even.
I remembered my school days. I didn’t just wear a backpack; I lugged it. I measured my progress in school by the physical weight of my assignments. I remembered how frustrated my mother would get when I home--yet again--with a broken arm strap or a ripped seam because I had demanded too much of it. After all, aren’t backpacks crammed with notebooks, worksheets, books, and scratch paper a normal part of education?
Not if technology has anything to do with it.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, technology--when appropriately used--can reduce paper usage by up to 30%. Take Bank of America for example (they did). When the largest bank in the country turned to online reports, forms, email, double-sided copying, and lighter-weight papers, it reduced is paper consumption by over one billion sheets of paper. That’s a 32% reduction--on internal operations alone.
And if Bank of America can do it, so can your school district.
There are several ways to save paper and money through the use of technology.
Use emailed school and class newsletters instead of sending home printed ones.
Direct parents toward a consistent website or web page for frequently asked questions, the latest news, or the most recent homework assignments.
Store documents in electronic archives for instant retrieval (rather than relying on file cabinets).
Encourage the use of on-screen editing features, instead of printing and editing by hand.
Share events on a shared calendar with reminders.
Use Google Forms instead of worksheets, quizzes, and paper tests.
Use Google Drawings for scratch paper.
Use OneNote for notetaking.
Embrace the cloud system for swift data recovery and increased collaboration and distribution of resources.
But it’s more than just paper schools are saving. Printing supplies--everything from copier purchases to toner to maintenance contracts--are expensive line items. With reduced paper comes reduced printing costs, and printing supplies--everything from copier purchases to toner to maintenance contracts--are expensive line items. Moving to educational technology also saves more precious resources: family time, patience, creativity, sanity, and wear and tear on a backpack you can keep for years.
How does your school save natural resources while unleashing productivity, innovation, and collaboration? We can always help you find more ways.
6 Tools in Google Docs To Help Write (and Grade) Term Papers
We’re in the throws of March Madness, and productivity across American businesses--and classrooms--is taking a nosedive. (Research shows that employers lose an estimated $4 billion in revenue due to the paid time lost in managing brackets, discussing team matchups, and watching games.)
And your students aren’t immune.
While college basketball teams are gearing up for the culmination of the season, high-school students across the country are prepping for midterms, term papers, and research projects. To stay ahead of the game, they have to stay on the ball--and Google Docs is a fan favorite.
Choose your Add-ons wisely.
There are several Google Doc add-ons that can help you write--and grade--an effective paper. Word clouds, editing tools, a worthy thesaurus--all of these can improve your language and flow while demonstrating your knowledge of the material. Before you start adding a bunch, however, start with Extensity, an add-on that makes sure extensions and additional add-ons play well with each other.
Try: Pro Writing Aid, Kaizena, and Easy BibGet a second opinion.
Having another set of eyes on your paper is always a good thing. An unbiased proofreader will catch unclear phrasing, grammar, and flow problems, and they may be able to offer insight on specific context you could be missing. Use the Chats and Comments functions within Google Docs to make sure you and your friendly editor are both on the same page.Find supporting research.
Just like you can use the CTRL + K function to create link text, you can also use it to find likely resources--and sources— for your material. Simply type out the topics you are researching, highlight, and hit the shortkeys, and Google will give you some suggestions. Make sure to cite!Use your Tools to Explore
Another excellent resource in the Google Doc toolbox is the Explore function. Hidden in the Tools menu, Explore opens a side tab in your doc and gives you additional ideas and sources that support your paper based on the phrases, topics, and ideas you are talking about. It pulls from other Google services, like Google Scholar, Google Images, Google Quotes, and Google Dictionary.Harness collaboration.
With Google Docs, you can pass around thoughts, edits, suggestions, and formatting questions with relative ease. You can also sneak back into past revisions if a tossed idea ends up being relevant again. These commenting tools are also crucial for teachers who want to encourage deeper research or call out worthy sentences.
Tip: Make sure you understand the difference between the Editing and Suggesting modes in active collaborating. Determine who has the final say before ideas start to swarm.Minimize distractions.
While not a specific function of Google Docs, it’s all-in-house ability to focus a student’s efforts can help funnel creativity in a purposeful, productive way. There’s no need to have multiple tabs open (including ones with live updates of the games); there’s just you and the page, and all the time and tools in the world to fill it.
What add-ons are you using in your Drive? We would love to know.
Show Your Chromebook Some Love
Your Chromebook was built to last, and so is your friendship with it, especially if you take this tried-and-true advice from Arey Jones, your technology relationship expert.
Give your Chromebook some space.
While Chromebooks won’t get overheated like traditional laptops, it’s a good idea to avoid blocking airflow around the device while it’s on. Also, don’t get overly touchy; Chromebooks’ screens don’t work well under pressure, so keep your hands off.
Also, since Chromebooks are pretty literal, it’s a good idea to give your Chromebook some more space by cleaning up and organizing your files.
Keep it clean.
Friends don’t play dirty, and your Chromebook won’t either. The keys to every great relationship include clear communication, including a clean screen and freely moving keys. If a lightly dampened cloth doesn’t help you two see eye to eye, it may be time to take it in for professional help.
Handle with care.
Even the toughest Chromebooks still have delicate centers. You won’t hurt its feelings, but its hard drive may put you two on a permanent break. This goes for power plays, too. Chromebooks are only as good as their power cords and ports are, so protect them at all times.
Don’t leave your Chromebook out in the cold.
And don’t let it take the heat either. Chromebooks shouldn’t be exposed to temps under 32 degrees or over 100 degrees, which means they should never be left in your car.
It’s okay to do your own things once in a while.
Every once in awhile, your Chromebook may need to take a moment to process a few things. This doesn’t mean it has a virus (although you may want to check if it’s misbehaving by extension), but it could mean it needs a Powerwash.
You, on the other hand, shouldn’t feel guilty about not taking your Chromebook out to eat or letting it try your coffee or soda. It won’t take it personally; it pretty much grabs bytes without you all the time.
Create a secret language.
The more time you and your Chromebook spend together, the more efficient you can be at communicating. Start by learning our favorite Chromebook quick keys or press Ctrl + Alt + ? to see a pop-up map with all the available keyboard shortcuts.
Want more ways to create a lasting relationship with your Chromebook? Follow us on Facebook, keep reading our blog, and never stop learning.
Setting SMART Goals For Your Classroom
While the New Year for the rest of the country started on January first, most teachers would agree their “new year” started last fall--and so did all of their goals for the school year. That said, January is the perfect time to review those goals, establish new parameters, and determine if they need to be adjusted.
And using technology is a great way to do it.
We at Arey Jones are a big fan of the S.M.A.R.T. method of goal setting, a way of setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound goals. And when it comes to tracking and tackling targets, we dream big--and we dream in spreadsheets, calendar reminders, forms, and fonts - all in Google Drive.
Specific: Write Down Your Goals in Google Docs
On top of being portable and flexible, Google Docs allows you to share your goals with relevant people in your life, and they can leave comments of support, hold you accountable, or add resources to help you along. How you phrase your goals is an important part of the process, and it’s important to keep these things in mind:
What do I want to accomplish?
Why is it important?
Where must I focus my energy and time?
Who is involved in its success?
Which resources will help me succeed and which hurdles will make it more difficult?
Measurable: Using Google Forms to Track Progress
A SMART goal is a measurable one, and Google Forms is a relatively simple tool with many versatile uses. Simple set up the form to input all the metrics you want to track on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. From charting how many pages your class has read at home to keeping track of how many cups of coffee you’ve had each day, Google Forms is a highly-customizable tool that streamlines, validates, and consolidates answers and translates them into visible charts and graphs.
Achievable and Relevant: Using Google Sheets to Keep It Together
Some people have found additional success using Google Sheets to track goals. Unlike a software with a steep learning curve, Google Sheets is easy to use, personalize, and adapt to your goals. Use Conditional Formatting to help you stay on track and organize your goals by worksheet to keep your thoughts, relevant resources, and successes handy.
Time-Bound: Use Google Calendar To Set Reminders
If friends, forms, and spreadsheets don’t hold you accountable, a daily reminder in your Calendar feed will. Create a fresh Google Calendar for your goals and set up small, actionable deadlines for the goals you want to work on today, next week, next month, and so on.
What are your goals for the next semester? We hope you're able to accomplish them, and if you need help, we're always happy to chat.
5 Ways to Strike the Right Keys (And Keyboard Shortcuts) This Semester
While we wish life outside technology offered this sort of efficiency, it’s nice to know that these quick keys are there when we need them. They won’t solve all of your woes this semester, but they may create a little more time to make them easier to handle.
Find what you are looking for, instantly.
Want to know when an internet article mentions a certain concept or name? Hit CTRL + F. This Find function will not only tell you how many times the word or name occurs, but it will also highlight them throughout the document. Use the F3 key to toggle in between mentions. Want to find something in your files? Use the WINDOWS + E quick key to search File Explorer.
Want to use this quick key to find something more valuable? Give it a whirl. Click CTRL + F and type “sanity” in the field. <--See? Win.
Go back in time.
I’m guessing you already know the ever-useful CTRL + Z quick key to recover previous material and undo the most recent change.
Add to the time traveling ability while also eliminating the minutes (hours?) you spend moving your hand down to the trackpad or mouse to hit the back button on your web browser by using the CTRL + LEFT ARROW instead. Use the time you’ve saved to close the 13 tabs you aren’t using (and CTRL + SHIFT + T to open them all again).
Improve your vocabulary.
We all want to keep our conversations and papers engrossing, succinct, and perspicacious, which is why it’s nice that a thesaurus is just a SHIFT + F7 away.
Be in two (or more) places at once.
When you want to output your screen to a projector, broadcast to a wireless display or connect to one or more external monitors, you can find all of your options with the WINDOWS + P command. It will bring up an interface screen that will provide you with display options, all at the click of a button.
Start over.
We all need a do-over button once in a while, and your Windows machine has several to choose from. CTRL + R will refresh your browser. CTRL + ALT + DELETE will restart your computer. There’s also the handy power button quick-key for when you really feel like shutting down.
Want to learn how to save time with your educational technology in other ways? We can help with that.