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5 Top Tools for Distance Learning

This blog post is sponsored by Acer Education, a partner of EdTechTeam.

These are just a few of the tools featured in our free online course about Distance Learning Tools. 

Screencastify

Lights, camera, Screencastify!

Screencastify for education is an easy-to-use, free browser extension that can flip a classroom to online learning. 

You generally need a Chrome device or browser to use the tool. Then you can share directly to Google Classroom.

The free version includes all of the recording features but there is currently a 5-minute maximum for each video.  The unlimited version allows longer videos and has more features available.

Here are some various ways to integrate screencasting activities in your classroom, including fluency practice to slideshow narration. 

Screencastify Submit easily integrates with Google Classroom to send assignments to students without needing the Chrome extension.

Screencastify has compiled e-learning resources for educators, available here.

Canva

Canva is a fremium product that is free for teachers… Students and teachers can use this powerful tool to make design products of professional quality.

Users can create beautiful infographics, posters, brochures, booklets, etc. with all kinds of effects, filters, fonts, and more. 

There is a wide array of templates available, including various sizes specifically formatted for social media platforms.

Search to find loads of high-quality free images available for use; of course you can upload your own images as well. It is important to discuss Digital Citizenship and copyright issues with students. 

Users can duplicate pages and collaborate with teams on the various elements. Please note that live editing at the same time is not currently possible.

The upgrade allows users to access additional files and features, such as the ability to automatically resize an existing file to different sizes.

If you’re not sure about your skills or how to get started, enroll in the free Canva in the Classroom Design School or for some of the multitude of other tutorials. 

Edpuzzle

Teachers will find that Edpuzzle is an easy, awesome way to flip a classroom. Students can engage with videos that teachers have created or adapted for their own use, with their own voiceovers and inquiries.

People all around the world have already created many files that are available to use.

You can copy those files and edit them (e.g. crop, change questions, etc.) for your own use or create your own original videos. Teachers may also place restrictions on the video and how the students can interact with it. Their scores will go directly to the Gradebook.

There are several LMS Integrations that Edpuzzle works nicely within. 

Check out the certifications and professional development offered by Edpuzzle here.

Edpuzzle is currently free for educators with other optional plans and upgrades. If your school has been affected by closures, see how to sign up for Edpuzzle Pro here.

Nearpod

Nearpod is a free add-on that can be used with Google Slides, Microsoft PowerPoint (or a converted Keynote)… Add slides by importing your own files, starting with a blank presentation or using one of the many templates in the lesson library. 

It is an excellent tool for keeping social emotional learning and connections, especially during remote learning. Instead of a static presentation that produces a lecture, learning comes alive with students participating in tasks, virtual field trips, polls and much more.

You can set time limits of any amount, which might be useful to help pacing within a limited live class or provide guidance in a student-paced lesson. Live lessons are free with the Silver version and can be done live with up to 40 students. 

 Some of the activities could be used collaboratively in breakout rooms in online learning platforms, when available (e.g. Zoom). 

Reports

Teachers can see students’ results and participation and then offer feedback and targeted support based on responses. You can download a sample report on the right. 

Resources 

Nearpod is currently offering additional free resources here.

Soundtrap 

Soundtrap for Education is an online, everywhere studio. It can be used anywhere on any device and is entirely powered by the cloud. 

Music makers and storytellers – this one’s for you (but not just you!)… 

“Soundtrap is a game changer for my students. It has helped them learn that music is a tool that can spark the imagination and bring people together. Once those doors are open the possibilities are endless.”

Melissa Salguero

Music Teacher at PS 48

Soundtrap links nicely to several various learning platforms to enhance your digital classroom. It has several functions that make it a safe and easy tool for teachers and students to use. 

Studio

Users can create and edit sound and music files together or independently. 

Podcasts

The users can make podcasts and can even do so collaboratively. 

Pricing

The annual subscription information can be found here.

Soundtrap for Education is a tool that can be used by any teachers wishing to infuse creativity and innovation in their classroom, whether virtual or otherwise.
If you would like to learn about more tools, enroll in our free  ‘10 Distance Learning Tools’ online course! 

Quick Links:

Explore and apply the novel tools that educators are using to integrate technology in the classroom with more free online courses, sponsored by ACER. https://www.edtechteam.online/acer  

Jessica is a Google Certified Innovator with more than 15 years’ experience educating students of all ages. She obtained a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology while working on a federal grant with her University of Southern California professors. She’s also been an online instructor for her alma mater, helping teaching candidates acquire their credentials and infuse technology in their classrooms. She has lived and worked in several schools worldwide as a teacher, coordinator and librarian. She’s conducted ICT, GATE and IB PYP professional development in the US, Italy, Germany and the UK. Meanwhile, Jessica has designed curriculum, presented at conferences and contributed to educational articles and textbooks published internationally. She believes teaching students literacy skills (of all types) is essential to promote lifelong learning.

How to Use the Google Data Studio

This blog post is sponsored by Acer Education, a partner of EdTechTeam.

Google Data Studio is a free product that is part of the Google Marketing Platform. The program allows you to analyze any data from a range of sources, including Google Sheets, without needing to code. There is a range of options to customize your data so that it is displayed as meaningfully as possible; for example, you can create an interactive report or a live dashboard that will update automatically. 

Features

You have a range of options to add data from a number of sources.

There is a range of tables and charts you can add to Data Studio reports. You will be familiar with them if you have used a spreadsheet software before.

Any element in your report can be made report-level. Simply right-click on an object and select “make report-level” from the menu. 

Feel free to customize your report further by adding additional pages and playing with the report-level or page-level options.

You can also create permanent filters on tables, charts, and scorecards that a user cannot change.

Sharing

The following options are ways to share your reports with others:

Get report link – This feature gives you a link to the report to share. You will need to ensure that link sharing is on for others to access your report. You can also create a link to the current view of your report, so for example, if you have used a filter control you can send a link to the report with those filter options already selected (rather than the user having to select them).

Embed report – Gives you an embed code that you can copy and paste onto a website, for example.

Download report – Allows you to download the report as a PDF. There are some additional options to set up a password for the PDF or include a link to the live report. 

The share options that you select are up to you and will depend on the type of report that you have created. 

Tips & Hints

Here’s some additional information about adding Google Sheets to Data Studio: 

Tip #1: You can add any spreadsheet to Data Studio but you need to ensure that each column has a unique name. This means that Data Studio is able to isolate the information for a report and make sure the correct information is displayed.

Tip #2: A good type of spreadsheet to add is a spreadsheet linked to a Google Form. This means that your Data Studio report will update every time a new response to the form is added. You will also be able to filter the results by the timestamp and see how responses have changed over time.

Tip #3: If you would like to learn more, enroll in our  ‘Google Data Studio’ online course! Feel free to make a copy of this Google Sheet template:  “Data Studio Demo material”  to use along with the course.

 

Quick Links:

Explore and apply the novel tools that educators are using to integrate technology in the classroom with more free online courses, sponsored by ACER. https://www.edtechteam.online/acer 

 

Darren Simons is a lecturer in initial teacher training for the University of Suffolk at Suffolk New College and a developmental coach. He is module leader for curriculum design and specializes in integrating technology enhanced learning into the curriculum. He is a Google Certified Trainer and Innovator. He creates and develops CPD programs for staff of all levels focusing on technology and educational research.

How to Use the Google Assistant in your Classroom

This blog post is sponsored by Acer Education, a partner of EdTechTeam.

“OK, Google”… Can you be my classroom assistant? 

Voice Assistant Devices can be useful tools in the classroom. Students can use the devices to check their spelling and mathematics, ask general knowledge questions, and manage their time with reminders. Teachers can use templates to develop custom games and quizzes without writing any code.

Devices such as Amazon Alexa and Apple’s Siri all work in similar ways, but this blog will focus on the Google Assistant with the Google Home Mini device.

Google Assistant can be found in a number of Google products, including Chromebooks. To obtain a Google Home Assistant, they are readily available in a number of stores and online.

NOTE: This blog has been written for a Global Audience – You should always check school, local and national rules before using a device or new service in this classroom. Google Search and Assistant may need to be enabled.

Everyday Uses ~ Inquiries

With a bit of prompting and practice, even young students can use Google Assistant independently. Here are ten prompts you might want to try with your class to get started:

  • “Okay Google, spell ________.”
  • “Hey Google, what’s ___ x ___?”
  • “Okay Google, what’s the capital of ________?”
  • “Hey Google, roll a dice.”
  • “Okay Google, what should I write my speech about?”
  • “Hey Google, how far away is the sun?”
  • “Okay Google, tell us a joke.”
  • “Hey Google, what are some local theatres?”
  • “Okay Google, how long will it take to drive to _____?”
  • “Hey Google, what’s the weather forecast?”

If you don’t have a Google Home, you can test this by opening the Google Home app and clicking the speaker icon in the bottom-middle of the screen. You can also use the same Google Assistant icon on a number of products, including Google Search on some devices.

Third-Party Actions

The abilities of Google Assistant can be extended by enabling third-party Actions, in the same way as you might use an app onto your device. You don’t need to download anything special, just ask Google Assistant to ‘talk’ or ‘speak’ to the Action you’d like you to use. You can view all available actions in the directory here.

Some tried and tested third-party Actions to get you started in the classroom are: 

Strangest Day Ever – an oral language ‘choose your own adventure’ story appropriate for students of all ages. It encourages students to listen to stories, infer and predict.

Word Problems for Kids – maths word problems in a range of contexts. Ideal for more confident students this Action includes some ‘tricky’ questions encouraging students to listen carefully and think about the problem they are solving.

Mad Libs – the classic game gives you the phrase and you add in the promoted words to make a silly story. Great as a grammar treat or for reluctant writers.

Classroom Organisation

Teachers and students find Google Assistant to be helpful with classroom organization. Here are a few things to try:

  • “Okay Google, add parent-teacher conferences to my calendar.”
  • “Hey Google, on Thursday remind me ‘homework is due tomorrow’.”
  • “Okay Google, set a timer for 20 minutes.”
  • “Hey Google create a list called ‘spelling list 4.’”
    → “Okay Google, add ‘holiday’ to  ‘Spelling List 4.”
  • “Okay Google, play the clean up song using Spotify.”*

*You’ll need to link your account during setup, or in the Google Home app under ‘Settings’.

Student Support

Google Home with Google Assistant are great tools for any classroom, but they do a particularly good job supporting students with additional learning needs.

Students can use the device as a reader/writer. They can dictate writing into Notes or Lists, and have it read back to them using commands like ‘Hey Google, create a new note.’ Unlike performing a Google search, students using Assistant on Google Home can check their spelling and access the internet without having to type anything.

For English Language learners, there are plenty of Actions that make practicing conversational English fun and allow them to make mistakes without feeling judged. Google Translate is also available using inquiries like ‘Hey Google, how do you say [phrase] in [language]?’ or ‘Okay Google translate [phrase] into [language].’

Additionally, for students with an audio learning style, or who like to listen to stories (‘Hey Google, tell us a story’), or just have a chat, the device can be a useful stand-in when an adult is not available.

If you would like to learn more about how to set up and customize your device, enroll in our  ‘Google Assistant in Education’ online course! 

Quick Links:

Explore and apply the novel tools that educators are using to integrate technology in the classroom with more free online courses, sponsored by ACER. https://www.edtechteam.online/acer 

 

Laura is a teacher and tech coach from New Zealand, with over 7 years of experience in the classroom. In 2019, as her Master’s thesis, she completed the second-biggest study of voice assistant devices in the classroom. Laura has presented and participated in panels on AI in education and works with teachers 1-1 to get them started with Smart Tech in their classrooms. She is a Seesaw Ambassador, Apple Teacher and Google Innovator (#SYD19). You can find her on Twitter @ElleButlerEDU.

Game-Based Learning: How to get Started

This blog post is sponsored by Acer Education, a partner of EdTechTeam.

Game-Based Learning is an experiential approach to education that uses games to engage and motivate students in the learning process. All mammals have an innate need to play, from the moment they’re born. According to Constructivist pedagogies, this is central to cognitive development. With technology and internet connectivity being increasingly accessible, digital games are a popular choice of entertainment but can also be a vehicle for the development of important skills, including: 

    • Collaboration
    • Communication
    • Creativity
    • Critical thinking
    • Independence
    • Problem solving
    • Resilience 

One of the key researchers in the field of Game-Based Learning is James Paul Gee, who has outlined 36 principles of good learning that can be found in games. These principles can already be found in well designed commercial games and are useful to keep in mind when designing game-based educational activities.

Exploring Existing Games

Before starting to create your own games, it’s important to explore existing games and their potential for learning. This will give you experience in teaching with games in the classroom as well as ideas for what makes games fun and useful for learning. There are lots of existing games that can be adapted for classroom use; here are some examples that you could try:

Game-Based Learning: Ready to go Options

Scavenger Hunts & Escape Games

These activities also make use of narrative to engage the learner but the key themes here are exploration of a digital or physical space to find clues and solve challenges, often in collaboration with others. 

The main difference between these two activities is likely going to be the narrative around them. In a scavenger hunt, you might be solving clues to gather information that leads you to some sort of reward or prize at the end. Whereas in an escape game, there is the more specific goal of… escape! In the scavenger hunt, you might ask students to carry out challenges and provide evidence of this in various forms; whereas in an escape game they may be looking more specifically for codes to ‘unlock the door’. 

Before putting an activity like this together, ask yourself these questions:

  • What topic will benefit from this activity?
  • What are the learning outcomes?
  • What will be the narrative around it?
  • What information should students find out?

When you’ve decided on the context of and outcomes for your activity, you can start putting it together. There are many ways that you can go about this; below are some suggestions for different tools and how you might use them.

Google Docs or Microsoft Word

This is perhaps the simplest way of delivering a scavenger hunt. List your clues or challenges in a table with a column for students to submit their answers. Add some interactivity to this by including links within your clues to further information or resources for learners to explore, which will help them to solve the clues.

Google Forms

For a scavenger hunt, use it as an alternative to presenting in a document. 

For an escape game, use response validation to enter the ‘locks’. If entered incorrectly, students will be presented with an error. Get started using this template – make a copy for yourself! Please sign up for our free online course to see the video guidance to accompany these resources.

Google Classroom

Set your scavenger hunt clues as assignments and ask students to submit their answers or evidence. You can schedule each clue to go out at a certain time or manually post it when the previous clue has been solved.

Microsoft Teams

Use private channels to set challenges for students, which you can manually review before allowing them to progress.

Google Tour Creator or Thinglink

Hide clues in a virtual ‘room’ by adding hotspots to a 360° image for learners to explore.

Google Drawings

Create interactive images where you can hide clues using links. Have a look at this example.

Google Sites

Embed all of your escape game clues, links and Form onto one page so it’s easy-to-use.

Designing scavenger hunts and escape games is equally fun for both teachers and students. You can get really creative, hiding clues in different places and in different ways, as well as use various tools. Check out the resources below for more inspiration, then have a go at creating your own!

If you would like to learn more about implementing digital learning games with your class, enroll in our  ‘Game-Based Learning’ online course! 

 

Quick Links:

Explore and apply the novel tools that educators are using to integrate technology in the classroom with more free online courses, sponsored by ACER. https://www.edtechteam.online/acer  

 

Mia is a Google Certified Trainer and Learning Technologist at Greater Brighton Metropolitan College. She has been working in education for almost 10 years and has experience working with children and young people of all ages. Mia’s passion for education technology began when she decided to specialize in Computing while training as a primary school teacher where she realized that coding and technology could be a vehicle for creativity. Now she is studying a Masters in Digital Education with a research interest in playful and game based learning and how this can promote motivation, resilience and a growth mindset. She is experienced in delivering creative technology training and developing learning resources using a variety of digital tools both of which are often inspired by her playful approach. 

Social Emotional Connections in Distance Learning

This blog post is sponsored by Acer Education, a partner of EdTechTeam.

Social emotional learning (SEL) is the “process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.”1

This blog seeks to offer potential solutions and suggest how community members can take supportive action in sustaining connections that are essential to our vitality. For some the idea that “the show must go on…line” is uncharted territory; we can be most powerful if we unite as groups and communities that support learning of all types. 

Tech Solutions

There are a number of online learning platforms or apps that lend themselves to keeping the social and emotional connections in distance learning. Whether using these tools in an elementary or university setting, here are some helpful virtual etiquette tips.

Virtual Platforms

This list is just a sampling of some common applications. Since collaboration and group work is an important part of learning, many of these learning platforms have integrated, or users have found workarounds for how to utilize breakout rooms as places where social connections can be fortified. For many students, simply seeing their teachers will be a welcome relief. This can also be done by live streaming, an option some schools have chosen in these days of ‘Zoombombings’ (unpleasant visitors that drop in during classes). Note: It is important to set up privacy settings in all applications before users access video conferences. 

Google Meet – currently free to have up to 250 members on a group call; for how to structure breakout rooms, see this post
 Note: Meet is now integrated in Google Classroom

Microsoft Teams – up to 250 members on a group video call; for how to structure breakout rooms, see this post
Zoom – host up to 100 participants for free; breakout rooms feature integrated
Adobe Connect – host up to 100 users in each room; breakout rooms feature integrated

Of course, just as we have classroom management/discipline issues in classrooms, issues are bound to occur. There are features such as video and chat recording that allow for accountability.

Interactive Applications

These applications can be used within many of the platforms listed above, or even during webinars, which some institutions are opting to use for security reasons.

Nearpod – free add-on for live lessons; student-paced option requires a subscription; SEL curriculum → sample lesson in Google Slides
Peardeck – free add-on to promote student engagement in lessons; SEL templates →  sample lesson in Google Slides

Besides using these virtual and interactive tools for learning, they are also great to connect with family members that are far away or even in hospitals or centers. Some other potential apps for face-to-face connections (on a smaller scale) are:

Skype – up to 50 members on a group call
FaceTime – up to 32 members on a group call
WhatsApp – up to 4 members on a group call

‘Playdates’ with Moderators

Just as teachers might have volunteers come to help in a class or on a field trip, why not invite them to moderate a small group of students in an online platform? (see above lists) 

Parents, guardians, teaching assistants, etc. (depending on the systems and structures in your organization) can take turns ‘hosting’ via the above-mentioned platforms or a tool used by the organization.

There is room for creativity, of course – there could be dance-offs, read-alouds or lunch dates. Just make sure the appropriate safeguarding measures are in place beforehand and in alignment with your school or institution. 

Here is a Google Docs template that can be copied and used for parents to sign-up for social sessions. You can also use scheduling or Calendar apps.

Chat Groups with Guardian Hosts

Discussion tools that students are familiar with could also be monitored by parents and guardians, depending on the jurisdictions of the organization. This could prevent teachers from having to oversee multiple chats or breakout rooms, especially if they occur around the same time (and the teacher needs to briefly check in with each group). Of course, teaching Digital Citizenship beforehand also goes a long way. 

For an example of how the discussion groups could work: a teacher might divide the class into groups that could potentially connect positively, from a social aspect. Then a time could be scheduled every day for students and families to ‘have a chat’ with a ‘topic of the day.’ 

For students that lack computing devices, many chat applications can be accessed with a smartphone.  

Inquisitive Check-ins

For the groups that are not using video conferencing in students’ experiences, we can still foster social-emotional connections with mindful inquiry.

Here are a few sample summary/reflective inquiries (always better with visuals, for fun and to support language learners) that also promote metacognition:
What would you like to cut out ✂️of your day?
What part of your week would you save to come back to again?
How can you sum up/tie up ? your learning?
What connections ? can you make to previous lessons?

Power of Example

Many parents are now stepping into the ‘teacher’ roles at home but parents are essentially the people that their children learn from, first and foremost. 

The kids are watching us – we are all role models right now. With that, there is a great opportunity as individuals and members of communities. Thus my inquiries for all of us are: How are we spending our time? What changes have we made for the better and worse? What can we do that benefits both ourselves and others?

With self-awareness regarding screen time usage, we might find that when we take much-needed breaks, the best kind of learning can happen. If we share our passions and strengths with the students and let them explore theirs, those amazing ‘ah-ha’ moments could occur in nature, by sharing a good book or an online yoga class. I believe it is best to offer activities that are tailored to your children’s needs (social, emotional and otherwise), interests and abilities, regardless if you’re doing so from a teacher- or parent-perspective. 

This is an exceptionally unique time with much potential for growth. While there will be struggle, it can also be the impetus of creativity that arises while being forced to ‘think inside the box.’  

If you would like to see how to apply these ideas for remote learning in various applications, check out our ‘10 Tools for Distance Learning’ online course! 

Quick Links:

References:

  1. https://casel.org/what-is-sel/

Explore and apply the novel tools that educators are using to integrate technology in the classroom with more free online courses, sponsored by ACER. https://www.edtechteam.online/acer

 

Jessica is a Google Certified Innovator with more than 15 years’ experience educating students of all ages. She obtained a Master’s in Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology while working on a federal grant with her University of Southern California professors. Now she works for EdTechTeam UK and is an instructor for her alma mater, helping teaching candidates acquire their credentials and infuse technology in their classrooms. She has lived and worked in several schools worldwide as a teacher, coordinator and librarian. She’s conducted ICT, GATE and IB PYP professional development in the US, Italy, Germany and the UK. Meanwhile, Jessica has designed curriculum, presented at conferences and contributed to educational articles and textbooks published internationally. She believes teaching students literacy skills (of all types) is essential to promote lifelong learning.