Formative Assessment and Google Drive

Using tools expedite the process of finding out if your students "get" it. Makes your life easier.

Educators learn some handy tips and tricks for using Google Drive (Docs, Spreadsheets, Forms and more) to receive formative feedback from your students! This session is for anyone who loves feedback and uses Google in your school!
Topics discussed:

• Conditional Formatting 
• Flubaroo 
• Concept Mapping/Graphic Organizers with Google DrawingUsing a Google Form to go to question based on answer of a previous question
•  Exit tickets

Please let me know if you would like to further explore any of these items or if you have any questions.

Fake Tweet Builder

I recently came across Fake Tweet Builder.  This website allows user to create Twitter conversations between users without actually using Twitter.   Conversations can then be downloaded and shared. 

So, what is Twitter?  Twitter is a way for instant communication and information sharing.  These text messages are limited to 140 characters.

How to make a Fake Tweet:

What are some ways to use Fake Tweet Builder in your classroom?

• Math:  Students could explain how to solve a math problem.  Each step of the solution could be 140 characters or less.  Students could create conversations between students on solving that problem.  
• Social Studies:  Students could "be" a person from a student era, i.e. Civil War, and record their experiences and in 140-characters or less.  Students could create an ongoing dialogue between 2 historical figures.   (One Teacher asked students, "If Twitter was available in the 1930's, what do you think Hitler and Stalin would tweet?")
• Science:  Students could explain a science experiment.  Students could have a conversation with a famous scientist. 
• ELA:  Students could be challeneged to tell a story in 140-charcter segments.  Students could create a dialogue between two characters from different books.  
• Foreign Langauge: Practice writing conversations in Spanish or French.

What other ways might you use Fake Tweet Builder in your class?   

Google Drive Basics

This morning, I took part in a Google+ Hangout with Dan Rezac and Elizabeth Greene from Northbrook/Glenview School District 30.  During this hangout we shared Tips on the Basics of Google Drive.

Some things that were discussed:

• The Black Bar Removal -where's your stuff?
• How to get back to your Drive list, when you're in a Doc.
• Folder Organization
• Searching for a Document
• Using the Research Tool
• Using the Paint Formatting Tool
• Using the Define Tool