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.

...send students to the library

We are having a HUGE number of students being sent to the library.  Please help us by doing the following:

• Send only 3 students at a time.  When those 3 students return, feel free to send another 3 students.  I know I told some people 5, but we had to reevaluate.

• Give the students a time limit in the library.  We are having a lot of students wandering around because they don't want to go back to class.  We usually have a class in here PLUS two classes with book checkout.  Many teachers send down students during each class period.  We just can't chase down wandering students.

• If you assign something that requires the entire class to print and you don't have a printer, please schedule a day in the library so your students can print what they need.  We would still like them to limit their print jobs to five pages.  If you want help finding another product that would still meet your objectives but does not require printing, let me know.  I'd love to help!

• If you assign something that requires your students to research, please schedule adequate time in the library.  If you give me enough notice, I can pull resources and/or create a pathfinder for you.  I am a weirdo who likes to do that sort of thing.  I'm really not kidding.

I'll be sending out more emails explaining some parts of the library website that could be useful to you and your students.  In the meantime, feel free to look around:)  Just go to the York JHS website and click on "Library Resources".  It is a work in progress...

Thanks for your help!

...reserve library resources

Are you starting a project that needs Internet access but you don't have enough computers? Did you hear about a nifty website but are not really sure how to use it with your class? Just need help in general?

Then use your library webpage to reserve space, resources, or the librarian!

You may be asking yourself....Why would I have to fill out this form when I can just email, call, or talk to Jackie??

To be honest...I get lots of emails. They take up lots of space (and yes, I do clean out my mailbox often). Your email may get bounced back one day. This form goes to my gmail account that has a GINORMOUS amount of storage. We are safer this way. I am not always IN the library so if you call, I might not be there. Telling me in the hallway is just silliness because I have the short term memory of a goldfish. The form is the best option.

Well you've convinced me! How do I get to this form?

Go to the York webpage --> Library Resources --> Teachers --> Reservation form

If you want to see the calendar first (which is not a horrible idea), follow the same path and choose Reservation calendar instead of Reservation form. 

If you would like to see another amazing video showing how all of this is done, click the link below!

(The video is rather large so you may need to use the scroll bars to see everything...sorry)
http://www.screencast.com/t/24VxPa5Kch

When placing a reservation, please explain your project with a reasonable amount of detail.  You might not know about resources that we have that can help you.  Also, just because you booked the computers or the library tables does not mean that you booked the librarian.  If you ask me to speak to your class ahead of time, I will do all that I can to make your and your students' lives easier.  If you ask me last minute, I will have to disappoint you 98% of the time.  Please plan ahead of time!!  There is more information about the calendar and reservation form on the website. 

Let me know if you have any questions!