Google Classroom Changes Coming for Fall

Google Classroom Changes Coming for Fall

by | Mar 16, 2021 | GSuite

Google is rolling out some fantastic changes to Google Classroom with the expectation that they will be up and running for fall 2021.  Keep providing your suggestions to Google via the question mark icon in the bottom left corner of Google Classrom; we have more proof that the Engineers at Google are listening to us!

 

Google Classroom Student Data - fall 2021

Student Data

Perhaps the most exciting of the new features is the improvement to the student metrics. In the updated Google Classroom, teachers will be able to see when a student was last active in Google Classroom, what and when their last submitted assignment was, as well as the most recent comment (which are often questions from students) from students.

This feature is a class-by-class feature that will provide teachers with some excellent data for both in-person learning as well as online!

Improved Photo Tools in the Google Classroom app

Thanks, in large part, to feedback from teachers around the world using Google Classroom, they are adding camera access inside the Google Classroom app. So, students who operate their Google Classroom through their phone will be better equipped to photograph (it will be built more as a scanning type app that utilizes the phone’s camera) completed work and easily submit it to the teacher for grading.  At first, this will only be on Android devices, but will come to Apple devices once the Android app is running smoothly with this new feature.

Offline Mode

Many of our rural students who live in areas with limited wifi access already use offline mode with their Google Drive. Now this feature is going to include Google Classroom. Students will be able to access classroom while at school, and then when they get home, their device will have retained the data to allow them to have access to this important data while at home, or away from wifi.

Originality Reports

Teachers and students will both have access to enhanced originality reports. Students can run a report prior to submitting a written assignment so as to have clarity as to the success of their personal writing.  

Rubrics

The creation of rubrics in Google Classroom has also improved – teachers can now export their rubric to sheets, or import a rubric from sheets.

Full Webinar

Below is the full 30-minute webinar that Google offered this morning to bring us all up-to-date with respect to the changes to Google Classroom!

Bitmoji Math Manipulatives Classroom

Bitmoji Math Manipulatives Classroom

by | Feb 3, 2021 | GSuite

Here is a one-slide example of a Bitmoji classroom with links. This particular slide contains 17 links to various math manipulatives. 16 of the manipulatives are on the shelving unit of this classroom and are represented by their icons from the sites they link to. Additionally, the clock on the wall contains a link to an interactive time-telling site.

Just swap my bitmoji out for yours, and you’re ready to go!

Using Digital Microscopes with a Chromebook

Using Digital Microscopes with a Chromebook

by | Feb 3, 2021 | GSuite

If you’ve signed out the set of digital microscopes from the IMC, or if you’ve purchased your own, here is a brief video (it’s less than 4 minutes) that you can use to learn how to use them with your Chromebook.

This video is also a good way to teach students how to use these devices with their Chromebooks.

Bitmoji Classrooms

Bitmoji Classrooms

by | Feb 2, 2021 | GSuite

The past [almost] 12 months with the Covid quarantine have created some challenges for educators, but they have also spurred some massive creativity amongst teachers. One of the emerging trends for instruction has been the creation of Bitmoji Classrooms. 

In a nutshell, a Bitmoji classroom is a Google Slide, decorated to look like a classroom (some teachers have even made their slide look like their REAL classroom), with interactivity built in.  If you teach in div 1 especially, a Bitmoji classroom can be an effective way to guide students through some of the daily events by using the visual nature. (For example your class calendar  – embed a calendar right onto the slide with this important information contained in it!)

The slide deck to the right contains 20 classroom images that you may take and use to create your own Bitmoji Classroom. Additionally, there are almost 350 extra furnishings and extra accessories contained in the slides at the end of the classrooms to help you get started in decorating your own Bitmoji Classroom.

Beyond the images contained within this slide deck, you may wish to use the Google Search that is built right into slides to find other images to bring into your little virtual classroom. When you use the image search inside of slides, everything that comes up is marked for reuse, meaning you need not worry about copyright! The images have already been filtered for you! The video below may act as a guide if you are uncertain where to start!

Combatting Online Learning Fatigue

Combatting Online Learning Fatigue

by | Jan 26, 2021 | GSuite

Keeping students engaged in online learning can be challenging. The Google Meet Fatigue is real, and teachers experience it too. Online fatigue is real. Distracted students are real. Teacher frustration is real. So what do we do?!?!

Thankfully there are a few ideas and techniques teachers can bring to bear to try to spice it up and keep both ourselves and our students engaged.

The infographic presented here was built from a variety of resources, including the book Engaging Learners Through Zoom.

Click the image below to access the .pdf of ideas!!

Digital Microscopes – A Comparison

Digital Microscopes – A Comparison

by | Jan 25, 2021 | GSuite

Jiusion Digital Microscope

$30.99 at amazon.ca

Pros

Small, Easy to store, takes very good pictures. Adjust lights on the cord of the microscope. Takes very good photos.

Cons

The stand is not very high, nor very steady. Needs to be positioned higher (on a book for instance) in order to view and capture the images of the matter being inspected. Must hang on to microscope while taking photo.

Jiusion Digital Microscope & Stand

$39.99 at amazon.ca

Pros

Small, takes very good pictures. Stand holds the microscope steady for observation and capturing. Stand adjusts up and down with a knob, and maintains the straight angle on the matter being inspected.

Cons

The stand makes these microscopes take up additional storage space. The ring that holds the microscope in the stand makes focusing a tiny bit awkward.

Inskam Digital Microscope & Stand

$47.99 at amazon.ca

Pros

Small, takes very good pictures. Stand holds the microscope still for observation and capturing. Measurement built onto microscope stand where it cannot be lost.

Cons

The white stand reflects the lights from the microscope back into the photo. Grid is measured in 5mm by 5mm squares, with no option to change it to micrometers.

Sample Image

The same sweater fibre has been photographed under each microscope, for the sake of comparison. The two Jiusion microscopes (left and centre) definitely take a better quality photo. 

Conclusion

The IMC will have a kit containing the middle microscope with the steadiest stand. These microscopes are easy to use with chromebooks, so science teachers interested in booking a class set of digital microscopes will have that option. The two jiusion microscopes are very similar in their images, however, the one with the flimsy stand is likely to frustrate some students.

If schools are interested in purchasing digital microscopes and wish to test the three demonstration models out, contact Michelle and she will send you the three to test out and inspect.