PhotoPeach

http://photopeach.com


Create slideshows with music, text, and interactive quizzes!


Yes, I know this sounds like Animoto.  Animoto and PhotoPeach are very similar, but there are some differences:
(These differences are based on features in free accounts unless otherwise noted.)


1. Terms of use - 
Animoto: "You must be 13 years of age or older to be a User of the Site. By continuing to use the Site, you are warranting that you are at least 13 years old and you have the authority to enter into these Terms of Service. If you do not agree with these Terms of Service, immediately stop using the Site."
PhotoPeach: "Persons under 13 years of age are required to have a parent or guardian review and complete the registration process."


2. Transitions - 
Animoto: lots of cool, spiffy options
PhotoPeach: one default transition


3. Music - 
Animoto: tons of options, upload music from computer for free (at least with educator account)
PhotoPeach: sufficient options, can choose music from YouTube, no uploading music with free account


4. Quizzes - 
Animoto: What quizzes?
PhotoPeach: Easily create quizzes to make your show interactive.


5. Educational accounts -
Animoto: free:)
PhotoPeach: not free:(


Personally, PhotoPeach's free account has most of the features I would want anyway, so while having the educator account would be ideal, it isn't desperately necessary.  I am also a big fan of PhotoPeach's "nicer", more workable terms of use.  I find both programs easy to use, but PhotoPeach is INCREDIBLY intuitive.  


I could go through each step on how to create a show, but PhotoPeach explained this so well...so here is a link to their directions.


Below is an insanely simple example that I created in about 3 minutes.  I inserted a super hard three question quiz.  The quizzes are my favorite part of PhotoPeach.
Please note: about two of those minutes was just me messing around with the different music options.  

One teacher's view - with examples!

What PhotoPeach can do for educators - Unfortunately, it isn't free for an educator account.  Fortunately, most of what you see here for examples can be made and used in class with a free account.  This page has examples and links for you to explore PhotoPeach further.


A little how-to guide...with pictures! - How to embed PhotoPeach.  The only other thing you would have to do on FirstClass is format the font to "literal html".  If this makes no sense to you, feel free to ask for help:)


How to find and use pictures with a Creative Commons license - created by the good folks at Book Trailers for All.  If you and your students use these steps, you will not be violating copyright.  You can add a blank slide on your PhotoPeach show to put all the information this document describes.

Study Blue

Create online notecards for your class at StudyBlue!

First, you'll need to create a teacher account here.
After you create your account, you can sign in on the regular page.  Students will make their accounts on the regular page.


Notecards you create can have:

• regular text
• subscripts or superscripts
• symbols (including letters in foreign alphabets)
• images (10 MB max)
• audio*

*There will be some settings you will have to fiddle with before you can record audio.  Since these settings depend on the microphone you are using, I can't give you specific instructions.  Ask if you need help.  The preview button takes a little while to work.  Also, I haven't been able to get audio to work on my Android, but it works fine on the computer.  Leave a little quiet time before and after your recording.


You can upload files to a class if you like.  I would double check to make sure students can access everything easily.  Files are read differently on a phone than they would be on the computer.  You can also add notes.  Those are read easily on both the phone and computer.


Students can study a set of flash cards as normal flash cards, a practice quiz, or a review sheet.


To create a class:

• Roll the mouse over "+Add" and choose "Class"
• Make sure York Junior High School is listed as the school
• Start typing what you want the class to be called.  If that class already exists, it will show up on the menu.  If it doesn't, you can add a new class.  I suggest teachers of the same type of class use the same class name.  It will help students later.
• Type in your name where it asks for the teacher.
• Now this class folder will show up in your backpack.  
• You can add whatever you like to this class including folders.

To add students to your class:
There are a few ways, but I think this is the easiest...

• When you have your class open, click "Send invites" under the word "Classmates"
• You'll see a Class Code (and some other info).  Write this down and give it to your students.  You can cancel your invitation.
• Have your students create accounts here.
• There will be a spot for them to enter the Class Code when signing up.
• Existing users can also add the code easily.  Look here for instructions for both existing and new users.
• Once students are in the class, they will receive notices when items are updated and have the opportunity to download.

Apps for your smartphone:
Once students (or you) have an account, they can access their files on their phone.  Just go to the appropriate app store and look for StudyBlue.  It should be free.  StudyBlue has apps for iPhone and Android.  Once the app is downloaded, students can sign in and start studying:)


If students use their cell phone to study while at school, they will need to turn off WiFi on their phone and rely on their 3G or 4G networks.  Please make sure parents will not be angry over the amount of data usage.


More information:
Study Blue FAQ
Teacher Guide

Flubaroo

Use Google Forms to automatically grade quizzes!

....for free!!!

Internet Explorer is a pain when trying to do this.  Use Google Chrome instead:)  If you need help doing this, please let us know.  Chances are, you have this on your teacher computer.  You can download it by clicking the icon below.

 

You will need to log on to your Google Docs account before you can use Flubaroo. Below is a recap of how you and your students can log on to their Conroe ISD Google Docs account:

For teachers -
Username: Your regular username
Password: emp(last 5 of your social)

Example: Bob Smith’s SSN is 123-45-6789.  His username is bsmith for FirstClass, ViewIt, and all that other fun stuff.  For Google Docs, his username is bsmith and his password is emp56789.

For students -
Username: Their regular username
Password: stu(last 5 of their social)

You can pull up a list of all your students’ usernames and passwords in ViewIt.  
Sign in.  On the “Teacher” drop down menu, choose “Teacher List”.
Scroll down to your name and click your teacher number.  You should now see your schedule.
In the “Stu PW” column, click the class period.  Voila!  A list of usernames and passwords:)  All you need to do is add "stu" to the beginning of each password.

Use the Google Docs Portal on the Conroe ISD webpage to sign in.  If you ever run in to a student that doesn’t have an account or their account information doesn’t work, let us know!

Flubaroo's website offers a demo and step-by-step guide that clearly explains how to use this tool. It is super easy...I promise:)

Here is a lovely video made by the fabulous Amy Mayer that also goes through the process:  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP428HUfkHM&feature=player_embedded

If you want to put one of these forms so your quiz is on your webpage for students to access, please see me.  You can either put a link or embed your form onto your site.  I will help you with either process. There are other ways to share your quiz. We can discuss what best suits your needs.

QR Codes

Brought to you by Angie Archie and Sandra Rahmaty

What are they?

QR stands for “quick response”. It is basically a variation of a barcode that can hold lots of information. You can link it to a website, message, video, map, etc.

How do I create QR codes?

www.qrstuff.com - There are many different sites to do this, but this one is pretty easy AND you can make your QR codes different colors!!

goo.gl - Has a few more steps involved, but if you use it while signed in to your Google Docs account, you can keep track of how many times your QR code was accessed.

Alternatives: interactive presentation (PowerPoint or Open Office), webquest, etc. You should always have an alternative planned for those kids who don’t have or choose not to use smartphones. Jackie would love to help you create the alternative activities or activities using QR codes!

How can I use them in my classroom?

• reviews
• anchor activities
• introductions
• information you’d like others to save to their phones
• motivational tool
• A longer list of ideas can be found here: http://goo.gl/VFOJM
• More ideas can be found here too: http://goo.gl/Ib9fm

To use QR codes, you’ll need to download a free scanner. Search your app store and find your favorite. I use ShopSavvy (I have a droid) because it is not just for QR codes. There are even programs that let you use the camera on a desktop or laptop to scan codes (such as QReader).

Sites with more information and ideas:

• http://www.digitalgoonies.com
• http://goo.gl/i37Lh
• Written by my friend Gwyneth!: http://goo.gl/517JE (more of her informative and hilarious ramblings can be found here: http://www.thedaringlibrarian.com)
• How a teacher used a QR codes for a scavenger hunt:http://ilearntechnology.com/?p=4211

Videos:

• http://goo.gl/0hn1w
• http://youtu.be/_X2AYmcoOkI
• http://youtu.be/9VPwzCF0zEI (they talk about this site: http://www.studycell.com/)

Try scanning this one:

A cute video about a Christmas scavenger hunt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m08rU5ipX9o

A site that lets you speak a word to students!  I see this being more useful in classes learning different languages: http://qrvoice.net/

Kathy Schrock's QR Codes for Educators: http://qrcodesforeducators.weebly.com/

Discusses practical uses for QR codes in classrooms:    http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2011/05/qr-code-classroom-implementation-guide.html

Anchor Activities

Brought to you by Charlotte Daugherty and Trisha Brown

MEANINGFUL work for students that can be completed independently (or in small groups)

Why are they useful?

• a student may have finished early
• transitions or stations
• allow time for you to work with a certain group of students
• provide reflection opportunities
• can be a teaching tool, especially for the kids who need help on basic skills

Work best when:

• Directions are clear
• Students are held accountable in some way
• Students are given some options

I know all that... Why are we here?

• to show you ways to utilize your Xtendas for anchor activities
• (while giving information to the Xtendaless as well)

Website of our Anchor Activities: http://york.conroeisd.net/library/anchor

A list of resources used to create this list is available on the webpage.

Sites we looked at during the meeting:

• FreeRice – http://www.freerice.com
• FunBrain – http://www.funbrain.com
• StudyBlue – http://www.studyblue.com
• Anything else you'd like to explore :)

Ways to hold students accountable:

Note: These are only suggestions. You know your kids...

• Use a Tic-Tac-Toe board to choose which Anchor Activities a student will do.  Example to the right (and linked on webpage)
• Learning journals
• Learning contracts – Example on website
• Random checks

Tips to manage online anchor activities:

• Monitor the students
• Only one person per computer
• Post acceptable websites. Don't let them deviate.
• Don't let them listen to music, even with headphones. You never know what else they may be doing.
• Limit the time each student can spend on the computer: 5-10 minutes maximum.
• Offer credit for a certain number of Anchor Activities completed, possibly to replace the lowest daily or quiz grade,
• Monitor the students.

Poll Everywhere ( www.polleverywhere.com )

This professional development was created by Heidi Pousson and Kate Halm:)

1. Model cell phone usage for opening poll.

• Take out your phone.
• Turn it on and lay it down on your desk.
• Do not pick up your phone until we have gone over the directions, and I tell you to pick it up.
• If you do not follow these directions, you will not be able to participate.

2. Respond to the poll.

3. Log onto: www.polleverywhere.com

4. Click on “Create Your First Poll” or sign in if you are a member.

5. Type in: What is your favorite color?

6. Click the 3 small bars to the right.

7. Choose “Convert to Multiple Choice” or “Continue” for open ended responses.

• When responding as an open ended response, you have the option to process the answers as a wordle or upload the answers to a spreadsheet.

8. Preview your options and make changes to your multiple choice answers.

9. Click “Continue” to generate your poll.

10. Click on “Edit” to the right to change the number of times a person can respond.

11. Click on “How People Can Respond” to view the different options for responding.

12. Click on “Views” to view the different options.

• To check participants, click on “Visual Settings” (shaped like a gear), click “Messages”
• This option is only available for open ended responses.
• It allows you to view the last 4 digits of their phone number.
• Before hand, you may want to have the students give you their name and number prior to participation.

FYI-

• A onetime text message confirmation is sent the first time you use polleverywhere.com.
• You will not receive any spam.
• With the free membership, you have 30 responses per poll.
• You can generate unlimited polls.
• Polls are deleted after 30 days of inactivity.
• With the free membership you have 30 responses per poll.
• You would have to create a poll for each period to utilize this.

Video showing the same things shown in the PD session.  The video states that you can create an account and it will allow 32 responses.  If you create your account here, you can have up to 40 responses...free:)
Another video - this mentions the 40 response limit.

Google Docs

This is by no means a complete description of the awesomeness that is Google Docs.  If you want to try something that isn't discussed here, feel free to ask!

Every student and staff member has a Google Docs account through Conroe ISD. 

For teachers -
Username: Your regular username
Password: emp(last 5 of your social)

Example: Bob Smith’s SSN is 123-45-6789.  His username is bsmith for FirstClass, ViewIt, and all that other fun stuff.
For Google Docs, his username is bsmith and his password is emp56789.

For students -
Username: Their regular username
Password: stu(last 5 of their social)

Click here to view directions on how to look up student logins in ViewIt.

Use the Google Docs Portal on the Conroe ISD webpage to sign in.

If you ever run in to a student that doesn’t have an account or their account information doesn’t work, let us know!

Types of Google Docs -
Document: Word, OpenOffice Writer
Presentation: PowerPoint, OpenOffice Impress
Spreadsheet: Excel, OpenOffice Calc
Form: create questionnaires and receive answers in a spreadsheet
Drawing: you can draw pictures, make graphic organizers, etc.

To share -
Click the drop down arrow next to share
Different options:
Share - Share with specific people.  Add people like you would in FirstClass.
Publish - Show everyone on the web.  Different documents have different options.

More reasons why we love Google Docs:) -
Automatic saving
No need for U: drive
Can use it anywhere with Internet no matter what programs you’ve bought
Can go back in time and see past revisions

Excellent article explaining ways you can use Google Docs in the classroom with a bonus video from Google!  Also has a link to Google's info page if you want more in depth information.  Click here


Visit the Google Docs Community YouTube channel for more videos


Automatically grade quizzes you gave using Google Forms with Flubaroo!


Create a webpage using Google Sites.  Here is an example.  Here is a video of a webinar to learn how it is done.