Apps are mostly enhanced shortcuts that optimize the website within the browser. Some apps function primarily when the device is online, but others allow users to complete offline tasks also. Here are some benefits of using apps:
Google Chromebooks come with several apps already in place. Many of the tasks you complete on a desktop or laptop can be completed on a Chromebook with those built-in apps. Want to create a self grading quiz? Try Forms. Need to backup the documents on your computer? Try Drive. Want to edit video? Try YouTube Video Editor. Take a few minutes to learn more about built-in apps and the resources available in the chart below.
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After Spring Break, we all start dreaming about summer...sleeping late, enjoying the outdoors, vacationing, checking something off our bucket list (I think it’s time to try ziplining.) I have so many plans for Summer 2016! One of the things that we, as educators, always have to fit into our summer plans is professional development. Kristy and I are excited to offer six technology sessions this summer. We are also excited to use one of the hottest trends in learning - badges! Participants will have the opportunity in all of our sessions to apply what they learn through hands-on tasks and earn badges (or brag tags) as challenges are completed. We definitely wanted to offer a Google session and a web resource session because those things are so dynamic. We also felt like it was important to design a session around the Chromebook and all of the things that make it unique and powerful. If you or your students use Chromebooks, this session is tailor made for you. Below are the descriptions for the sessions that we will offer this year. All sessions will be in the Rivercrest Elementary Computer Lab. Use your shoebox account to register (http://crowleys.crsc.k12.ar.us/shoebox). These sessions are open to anyone in our co-op area, so register quickly. (Registration opens April 15.) They fill up fast! You can click HERE for the printable version of the sessions. Google: The Old, The New, The “Oh, Yeah”!
June 7 8:30-3:30 - Session 281789 June 15 8:30-3:30 - Session 281790 If there is one thing we know about Google applications, it’s that they are always evolving. This session will take a look at some of the tried and true features of GAFE that educators and students love, some of our favorite new updates, and the changes that have us saying…”Oh, Yeah!”. The Chromebook Craze: What’s the fuss about? June 8 8:30-3:30 - Session 281794 June 16 8:30-3:30 - Session 281796 Have you heard the buzz about Chromebooks and wondered what the fuss is about? Or do you have Chromebooks in your school and want to make sure you use them to their fullest potential? Whether you are already caught up in the Chromebook craze or still exploring what Chromebooks have to offer, you don’t want to miss this session. Participants will spend the day exploring the device and what makes it unique, learning the advantages of using a Chromebook and some pitfalls to avoid, and discovering the possibilities this device can bring to your classroom. Technology Smackdown June 14 8:30-3:30 - Session 281800 June 20 8:30-3:30 - Session 281801 What is a smackdown? A smackdown is a sharing of websites, tools, or technology tricks found to be useful. What makes it fun? The person sharing is given only two minutes to convince participants that her tool is the best one for the job. Watch as the facilitators describe common classroom tasks, go toe to toe to showcase their favorite applications to complete that task, and give the participants time to explore each app and vote on their favorites. Have you ever heard of Edcamp or maybe the word “unconference"? An edcamp is basically a gathering of people who have the desire and passion to learn in an open environment. Sessions are not planned until the morning of the event, and everyone in the a session has a voice. To be simplistic, think of it as a coffee shop type conversation about a particular subject. Where that conversation goes depends on who is in the room. I was first introduced to the idea by a fellow educator I follow on Twitter. When I found out there was a technology edcamp forming within driving distance, I encouraged a couple of colleagues to attend with me and set out on a Saturday to see what it was all about. This is what I discovered. There was no high-paid keynote speaker and definitely no death by powerpoint. The whole atmosphere was relaxed and conversational from the moment we walked in. There was a huge board with sticky notes close by. The board was divided into sessions times and room numbers. We were encouraged to think of a topic we wanted to know more about or that we knew something about, write down the topic, and stick it on the board in one of the session slots. If we chose to do this, we “owned” that session...which meant nothing more than we started the conversation. It was the most amazing day of learning because every session was exactly what we made it. Conversation flowed freely. There were no stuffy, prepared presentations - everyone contributed and took control of their own learning. I knew this was a great model that I wanted to share, and I am extremely thankful for an administration that allowed us creative freedom in designing this opportunity. The impromptu sessions are a little intimidating at first, so the "unconference" idea morphed into a mini technology conference. Our staff was given opportunities to volunteer (ahead of time) to lead sessions on topics of their choosing. Kristy Graham and I organized the event with several priorities in mind.
We called the event Technology Show and Share. After a brief opening session with instructions and encouragement, everyone was able to choose three sessions from a list of topics. We had 18 staff members step up to lead sessions, and based on the conversations we heard and exit tickets we read - “This really provoked thinking!”, “I loved this format.”, “...great day of learning” - the day was a success! Dana Lane
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AuthorsDana Lane is a Technology Coordinator, and Kristy Graham is an Instructional Technology Specialist - both at Rivercrest School District. They are passionate about technology and learning and enjoy sharing this passion with teachers and students. Archives
January 2019
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