Wall to Wall Podcast

Episode 18: Leveraging the Power of Technology - Innovation and Creativityfeaturing Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: February 27, 2019SUMMARY: In this episode, we pick up where we left off last episode. Having identified multiple key issues that lead to teacher burnout, how can we rethink teaching and learning in light of technology in our classrooms.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:Wall EdTech is proud to be a presenter at the LSU Department of Education's conference entitled Innovative Practices & Techniques: A Cross-Fertilization of the Immersion, ESL, and Second Language Classrooms. We will be offering a session to world language educators that highlights some technology tools that can be beneficial to learning and teaching new language learners.Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd. Feel free to share with us some of your thoughts on this podcast and/or ideas for something you want us to discuss. Technology Tools & TrendsTechnology Tools: Trends: If you are a professional educator and not on Twitter, create an account and get on now. The latest trend for Twitter in Education is the Twitter Chat. PLC’s around the nation and globe are grabbing a relevant hashtag, inviting you to follow and respond, and asking questions that allows discussion on topics relevant to you and your classroom.Tools: Nearpod and PearDeck - Need a tool for guiding students through your notes, quick formative assessments, flipping your classroom? Check out these two tools.Question: In light of the issues we discussed last podcast that lead to teacher burnout, how can we re-envision school (teaching and learning or education) in a way that alleviates such issues as data madness, student standardization, and micromanagement and that embraces the idea that teachers and students are unique learners?Embrace uniqueness. This week I am reading a book entitled The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in America by Louis Menand. In ch. 8 he discusses the “Law of Errors”. This is the history of the development of statistical formulas that were imposed upon social issues. In other words, the use of data to create what would become the “average man”. Using this data allowed for predicting human behavior. It is in the image of the bell curve that we now see students in relation to the “average”. Much to be said here about the outliers. Those who do not follow the statistical model. It is my contention that human beings are diverse and unique. No bell curve, no data, no GPA, no test score can or should be a predictor of student success or determine their worth. By embracing the uniqueness of each learner, we open the possibilities of life, the future, and the classroom. Students see past the closed curriculum and are able to experiment and learn in ways and about things that they are passionate about.Technologies possibility. By using technology to bring in voices, topics, and learning that might never have been possible in previous school eras, teachers must embrace the possibilities of opening up the curriculum using these tools for research, connectivity, collaboration, innovation, and creation.Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: We will discuss tools for teaching when you are out of the classroom.

Episode 17: I Quit!: Teacher Burnoutfeaturing Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: January 25, 2019SUMMARY: In this episode, we discuss an interesting article we came across that analyzes teacher resignation letters and share our thoughts on what is happening in the education system and our experiences. This episode is unscripted, so we do not have a whole lot of show notes. We just wanted to have an honest conversation about how we feel and our thoughts.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:Welcome back to Wall Ed Tech. This is our first podcast of the year. We apologize for taking so long to get a new podcast out, but we’ve been a bit overwhelmed and busy.Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd. Feel free to share with us some of your thoughts on this podcast and/or ideas for something you want us to discuss. Technology Tools & TrendsTechnology Tools: Tools: CheckMark has updates (Jared), Grammarly has a Chrome extension, and Tab Resize for automatically splitting your Chrome screen.Question: We have been feeling teacher burnout! We are struggling with desire, stress, and motivation to get our jobs done. We want what is best for our students and still do the work, but the struggle has been real!Jared ran across an article that really hit it’s mark with us both. The article is called “Teachers Go Public with Their Resignation Letters” by Brenda Iasevoli. Here is the link to the full article: https://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/teacherbeat/2017/04/why_do_teachers_quit_their_res.html?cmp=SOC-EDIT-LI This article addresses issues as to why teachers are leaving the profession...and it has nothing to do with pay or student behaviors.The article states, “Teachers are leaving largely because oppressive policies and practices are affecting their working conditions and beliefs about themselves and education.”Teachers have had enough, causing walkouts. “Scripted lessons, an oppressive testing culture, and a punitive evaluation system are the main reasons teachers are heading for the exits.” Evaluations:Evaluations are enough for some teachers. They are very subjective (even with a rubric) and are not for every content area. These rubrics do not even take into account skills-based courses. Evaluations do not account for how far a teacher has brought students and it’s only a snapshot for that particular class. Each class is different. Why should a teacher be held accountable and reflect a score based on whether or not a student asked a meaningful question? How should the teacher be expected to produce in students a desire to know more about the content?Scripted Lessons or Curricular Mandates from AdministrationStandardized TestsMicromanagementDATA DRIVEN MADNESS: Because technology makes tracking data easier, even more demand is being placed on the teacher and one more chore is added to their list.Students are just numbers and represent a point value….this is NOT why I became a teacher.A 40-year veteran cites many reasons for his exit, not the least of which is what he sees as an overreliance on "data-driven education" that "seeks only conformity, standardization, testing, and a zombie-like adherence to the shallow and generic Common CoreNext on Wall to Wall Podcast: We will discuss ….who knows?! We will decide based on how we feel.

Episode 16: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Google Drawings and Google Keep Edition featuring Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: December 10, 2018SUMMARY: Basic tips for choosing and using Google tools in the classroom for teaching and learning: focusing on how we use Google Drawings and Google Keep.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:We are working on our next episode and we have received some responses, but want more. We want this episode to be able to give teachers some resources that will help them and their students when you have to be away from class. We need comments or suggestions on tools you could use to teach your class when you have to be off campus. Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.Remember our current contest is for a Christmas Goodie Box giveaway from Wall EdTech. To enter for a chance to win, you must visit our podcast page on Itunes, Spreaker, or Iheart Radio and leave a review of the podcast. Be honest. Tell us what you think. Just like our students, we need to know what is working and what needs to be tweaked in order to make this show as effective as it can be for you, our listeners.Have you seen our website? Changes have been happening! Check out our website at www.walledtech.com where we have been updating information and resources so you can access things better. Under construction: a better organized and more useful section of video tutorials.Technology Tools & TrendsTechnology Tools: Trend: Student Creation vs simply encountering technology in the classroom. While many are beginning to use technology in the classroom, for most, this simply means students are completing the same old activities using technology. Think past the worksheet by ensuring students are experiencing the power of technology to help them to create. Whether this be finding their own voice through apps like FlipGrid or creating posters, videos, or presentations using apps like adobe spark, canva, screencastify, or google slides, we must be sure that students are learning and showing what they have learned through creation.Tools: Classroom Intercom is a social media app that allows admins and teachers to create a social media presence that the students can control. This teaches students digital citizenship as they help to promote their own school activities. Student posts are sent to the administrator dashboard for approval to ensure posts are appropriate.Question: What is Google Drawings?Drawings is a blank canvas that allows users to collaborate and work together in real time.Create flowcharts, organizational charts, concept maps, and other types of diagramsInsert images Drag and drop optionsChange background to an image, solid color, or transparentCan be embedded directly into a Google docHow are we using Google Drawings in the classroom?Maps (make the background as an image)Used this in social studies to have students create their own maps (physical, political, and climate)Drag and dropUse Drawings to create or simulate technology enhanced questions in which students must drag and drop concepts in the appropriate place on the graphic.Science (life cycle, cell parts, etc.) Social studies (maps, timelines)English (plot maps, chronological order, summary, venn diagrams, etc)Story MapsUse to have student fill in a plot map or the hero’s journey map.Add images (even animated gifs) to add creativityI have used this along with the transferrable skills students have acquired with other programs to reinforce the proper way to resize and crop images. Students create posters that are a representation of themselvesMemes can be made using Google Drawings that can reflect a portion of a lessonWhat is Google Keep?Keep offers a variety of tools for taking notesIncludes textListsImagesAudioKeep is completely customizable with colors and images. You can “pin” a note to keep it at the top of your list.Google Keep can be shared with others just like other Google tools.Google Keep can be linked with Google Calendar to set reminders of things you need to do.Keep also has a feature that allows you to copy the notes to a Google doc.How are we using Google Keep in the classroom?My students use Keep as a running tasks list of their activities and assignments.Used as checkboxes, students have a daily record of what they need to accomplish and the due dates. Once they have completed and submitted an item, they check that task off their list and it moves to the bottom of the task list.This gives them a feeling of accomplishment by being able to cross an item off a list.Keep keeps a record of the tasks without deleting the items that have been checked off. This allows me to double check with them if there is an assignment or due date in question.How are we using Google Keep professionally?Tasks list...much like my students, I create a task list of things I need to accomplish and check them off once they have been completed.I use Keep in meetings when recording notes. I can then copy the notes to a Google Doc if I need toHow are we using Google Keep personally?Keep is a fantastic way to keep a running grocery list that can be shared with others.Tasks list of things that need to be done, errands, bills, etc.Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: We will discuss how you continue the learning process when you are not in class. We will talk about the technology tools being utilized for students to continue with their lessons and activities when a teacher is not present in the classroom. This is the Flipgrid we have asked you to let us know.

Episode 15: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Google Forms Edition featuring Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: November 26, 2018SUMMARY: Basic tips for choosing and using Google tools in the classroom for teaching and learning: focusing on how we use Google Forms.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:We are still looking for comments or suggestions on tools you could use to teach your class when you have to be off campus. Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.Remember our current contest is for a Christmas Goodie Box giveaway from Wall EdTech. To enter for a chance to win, you must visit our podcast page on Itunes, Spreaker, or Iheart Radio and leave a review of the podcast. Be honest. Tell us what you think. Just like our students, we need to know what is working and what needs to be tweaked in order to make this show as effective as it can be for you, our listeners.Recent Blog Post: Louisiana’s Ed Tech Gap. Changes are happening! Check out our website at www.walledtech.com where we have been updating information and resources so you can access things better. Coming soon: a better organized and more useful section of video tutorials.Google Form: request help, ask questions, or leave general feedback.Technology Tools & TrendsTechnology Tools: Trend: Using Infographics to catch a student’s attention? Visuals are everywhere, give your students teaser graphics for an upcoming unit or lesson. Teachers creating classroom newsletters for students.We create them to go with our show notes as a quick snapshot of what the podcast is about. Viewers can see what the show is about and listen if they’re curious and want to learn more.Tools: Google Drawing allows you to embed active drawing activities into student assignments. Let your students drag and drop, label, and more! Google Keep for planning, organizing, and teaching students to be organized and take notes. Listen to our next episode to learn more about how we are utilizing these tools in our classrooms.Question: What is Google Form?Google Forms are question/survey type responses that can be collected from anyone. They include: multiple choice, linear scale, long answer, short answer, checkboxes for multiple responses. Google Forms can be se to ask the next question based on a previous answer through sections. Images can be placed in a Google Form as well.Forms can be completed multiple times or just once.Forms can collect email addresses or be completed anonymously.Forms can be set to be viewed by only certain people (within your domain). Forms are shared via link, embed code, or email.You can create the form to have required responses so the person completing the form has to respond to the question.Google Form responses can be viewed as charts and other visual representations OR they are connected with a Google Sheet.How are we using Google Forms in the classroom?QuizzesText and Vocabulary quizzes can be easily administered that grade automatically. Share student scores immediately or at a later time. Add images, audio, or video.Choose response destinations that allow students to learn from their incorrect answers.Google Sheet connection collects responses for analyzing most missed items and which answers tripped students up the most. Helps with assessing the focus of upcoming lessons.Student AccountabilityI use a form as a quick reflection of student behavior and attentiveness for the day. I ask things such as: Was the student on task?, Did they perform today’s skills correctly?, Did they help someone?, On a scale, how much effort did I feel they were putting into their work?, Did this student need to be redirected?Students use a form to track test corrections and progress on standards for each unit.Student Goal Setting and ReflectionI use a google form to have students set unit goals and to reflect on their progress at the end of each unit.Weekly Business ReportsThis is based on about 6-8 questions reflecting on the week in class. Students must always give an explanation to their response. The questions ask about their struggles for the week, their successes, and I always end it with a fun hashtag response to sum up their week.Parent Contact LogI use a Form to record when I have made contact with a parent and the reason I contacted them or why they contacted me. I also have a place for notes to record details and outcomes of the conversation. Student Infraction Tracker School Wide (Also Positive Behavior Support)Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: We will continue our talks on effectively using Google tools in the classroom and how we are using Google Drawings and Google Keep in our classroom teaching and planning.

Episode 14: Interview with Nikki Lavergne (Technology From the Top)featuring Jared and Kari Wall with special guest Nikki Lavergne, Technology Facilitator for Livingston Parish Public SchoolsSHOW DATE: November 19, 2018SUMMARY: Our interview will focus on educational technology from the district leadership perspective. What is your vision for technology in your school district? What are the biggest challenges to this goal? What victories have you seen? What plans have you put in place? What do you want educators to know from a district perspective?SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:We are still looking for comments or suggestions on tools you could use to teach your class when you have to be off campus. Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.Our next contest will be a Christmas Goodie Box giveaway from Wall EdTech. To enter for a chance to win, you must visit our podcast page on Itunes, Spreaker, or Iheart Radio and leave a review of the podcast. Be honest. Tell us what you think. Just like our students, we need to know what is working and what needs to be tweaked in order to make this show as effective as it can be for you, our listeners.Interview with Nikki Lavergne on technology from a district perspective.The interview starts at the 2:45 mark.Follow Nikki on Twitter: @LavergneNikkiIf you are wanting to support Nikki and Livingston Parish Public Schools with their Technology and STEAM Initiative (volunteer time, donate money) please message Nikki via Twitter!

Episode 13: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Google Sheets Edition featuring Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: November 12, 2018SUMMARY: Basic tips for choosing and using Google tools in the classroom for teaching and learning: focusing on how we use Google Sheets.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:Thank you to all who followed us on twitter the past three weeks and shared one of our podcast episodes via your twitter feed. The winner of our drawing the $25 Amazon Gift Card is (drumroll):Heather White-@WhiteBoardTechy Heather is a Louisiana teacher and technology integrator. She is using all kinds of technology and we hope she can use the $25 Amazon gift card. Congratulations to Heather WhiteWe are still looking for comments or suggestions on tools you could use to teach your class when you have to be off campus. Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.Our next contest will be a Christmas Goodie Box giveaway from Wall EdTech. To enter for a chance to win, you must visit our podcast page on Itunes, Spreaker, or Iheart Radio and leave a review of the podcast. Be honest. Tell us what you think. Just like our students, we need to know what is working and what needs to be tweaked in order to make this show as effective as it can be for you, our listeners.Technology Tools & TrendsTechnology Tools: JoeZoo add on for Google Docs and App.Useful for teacher assessment of work in Google DocsProvides a platform for leaving typed or spoken comments in student work. Typed comments can be read by a text to speech functionAutomated grammar and mechanics checker to save teacher time and help students identify common errors in their writing.Rubrics for easy grading.Works with Google Classroom to export grades and gives you charts and graphs of student progress in writing.ScreencastifyMentioned before, but let’s talk about its ability to allow for visual and auditory feedback on student work. Don’t just leave written comments student won’t look at. Engage them with screencastify.Voice Notes: Audio instructions for students-I’ve been going through our notes and objective for students who are not at school.Question: What is Google Sheets?Google slides is a spreadsheet much like Excel, but for those of you who are in Google Education districts (have google accounts for teachers and students), it is so much more.Data from Google forms can be collected in a Google Sheet. This is a game changer for teachers in so many ways! Let’s discuss how this can be used in the classroom.How are we using Google Sheets in the classroom?Pair with a Google Form toCollect student answers to simple quiz questions to maximize the impact of gauging student performance for formative assessment.Use as a rubric tool to collect student scores and quickly see your notes and evaluation of student performance and work.Use as a walkaround tool to give students feedback on their performance in class.Use as a behavior tracker that connects to student trackers providing the teacher with information and allowing the student to see their progress.Use it for student accountability-useful when called to a parent/teacher conference to be able to show how that student has been conducting themselves in class.Behavior, on tasks, performing skills, etc.Weekly Business Report-students reflect on the week and set goalsStand AloneUse as a test corrections tracker for my students to see how they are performing on standards across multiple assessments.Use as checklist for students to check items completed on a project.Use it as a formative assessment with the checkbox feature to ensure that my students are performing a skill correctly.Use it to track test scores to determine when students are ready to take certification exams.Collaborative experiencesUse as a virtual gallery walk to collect students responses on an assignment like reading literature to identify figurative language or plot elements.Visuals-Google Sheets is excellent for organizing information of all kinds and displaying it for others to useUse it in my classroom to post on my Google Site for students to see who is up next to take a certification exam.Students sign up for “job listings” for my business class and they are able to see who has a job for which day.Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: Nikki Lavergne with Livingston Parish schools will be here talking about her STEAM Express and technology from a leadership role.

Episode 12: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Google Slides Edition featuring Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: October 29, 2018SUMMARY: Basic tips for choosing and using Google tools in the classroom for teaching and learning: focusing on how we use Google Slides.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:Retweeting and Liking on Twitter and Facebook to be entered into the drawing for an Amazon gift cardAny comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.Technology Tools & TrendsAlways be prepared with backup lessons and/or activities. You never know when you will need an impromptu lesson. It is a good idea to have a couple of backup activities always prepared. These are not your emergency lesson plans. You may:You, your children, or a family member may take suddenly illInternet failureEtc.Continue building relationships with your students. We’ve gotten to know our students’ behaviors and work ethics, but now we need to focus on really “knowing” them. Let them know you care and are there for them.Technology Tools: Edji.itFor collaborative reading and annotationsFire Visualization allows you to see where students are annotating Poster My WallVery similar to Canva, students can create an account using their Google login, tons of templates that are more appealing to students Question: What is Google Slides?Google slides is a presentation much like Microsoft PowerPoint, but for those of you who are in Google Education districts (have google accounts for teachers and students), it is so much more.How are we using Google Slides in the classroom?PresentingDisplaying objectives and agendasEmbedded in a google site Students are able to access activities if they are absent or behind in their workInteractive abilitiesLinks can be added to student activities or resourcesEmbed videos or animated gifsFormative assessments along with the Pear Deck add onStudent Notes, Impromptu Presentations, and PortfoliosUse templates for a unit or topicStudent work is collected here and students can present their thinking to the teacher, the classroom, or just to their table or partner.Collaborative experiencesShare a template with a group and allow students to work together to create their own presentations to teach the rest of the class.Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Sheets Edition. We will discuss how we are using Sheets in our classroom for collaboration, formative assessments, reflections, and much more.

Episode 11: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Google Docs Edition featuring Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: October 22, 2018SUMMARY: Basic tips for choosing and using Google tools in the classroom for teaching and learning: focusing on how we use Google Docs.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:Say something about Retweeting and Liking on for the Amazon gift cardAny comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.Technology Tools & TrendsClassroom Management Reminder: Stay consistent with your procedures and expectations. Technology Tools: ChatterPix app for smartphones and iPads. This could easily be used by younger students. The app allows the student to take a pic of anything and make the image talk by drawing a line for the mouth across the image. It has a 30 second limit of recording, so the student would have to know exactly what they were going to say on the recording.CheckMark: auto remarks in Google Docs for grading anything, but especially writing for ELA teachers! Save time, customize for types of activities! Question: What is Google Docs?Google docs is a word processor much like Microsoft Word, but for those of you who are in Google Education districts (have google accounts for teachers and students), it is so much more.How are we using Google Docs in the classroom?Single user documents to replace worksheets or write essays. This is a no brainer. Create and share your worksheets and activities with Google Docs to remove the paper from your classroom. Integrated with Google Classroom, each student gets their own copy.Teachers can now leave feedback directly to students either real time as they are working or after the fact. You can even have conversations with students in the document while they are working!Collaborative experiencesAssign one document to pairs, groups, or a whole class!Students can use this document to work together on an activity, give peer feedback, ask and answer questions as a sort of backchannel chat feature for your class.Set the student expectations prior to opening the document. Give them procedures for what is expected of them. They must be respectful, do not delete anyone’s work, etc. HyperdocsCreate activities that allow for student choice! Place hyperlinks to the bookmarked sections of your document.Create links to other sites or tools directly from your Google Document.Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: Using Google Tools in the Classroom: Slides Edition. We will discuss how we are using Slides in our classroom for collaboration, formative assessments, reflections, and much more.

Episode 10: Digital Citizenship: Teaching Life Lessons Through Technologyfeaturing Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: October 15, 2018SUMMARY: In this episode we discuss how to teach digital citizenship to students through life lessons while using technology.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:Last episode we discussed using Google Sites in the classroom...we hope you had an opportunity to try it out. We are available if you need suggestions or help setting that up...contact us.Like us and share us on facebook and twitter. Leave us feedback on the itunes store! Send us an email with feedback. We want to congratulate Nikki Lavergne on winning last week’s Flipgrid challenge. Nikki is the winner of a Wall Ed Tech prize box filled with some geeky goodies.Nikki is an avid listener and a technology coach for Livingston Parish schools. (Tell about her STEAM bus?) Nikki shared some ideas for an upcoming episode. Here is what Nikki had to say (play clip). With that in mind, we would like to hear from you about the tech tools you use to teach your class when you are not there! We have a special flipgrid set up for this topic. Click the link in the show notes or you can email us at jared or kari @walledtech.com.Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.Technology Tools & TrendsFormative Assessments: This should be something teachers are using every class.Pear DeckSocrativeNearpodKahootQuizziz Question: How can we use technology to teach life lessons?The age old question: to lock down or not to lock down (blocking all student access to content and social media)Locking down the internetPros: Students cannot access material that has been “black listed” by the district. This keeps them from accessing materials they do not need to be seeing at school or on the device. It protects students from outside sources being able to reach them while at school.Cons: When sites are blocked for students, that also means they are blocked from teachers as well. Just because a district says it shouldn’t be used, does not mean it is a website that should not be accessed or that contains inappropriate or offensive materials.Modeling, modeling, modelingThis is the best thing we could do for our students. At times, teachers are the only models students have...make it a good example.This can provide us an opportunity for a teachable moment.WallEdTech.com Digital Citizenship ResourcesNext on Wall to Wall Podcast: Using Google Tools in the Classroom (docs, sheets, forms, slides, drawings, etc.) We will discuss how we are using these tools in our classroom for collaboration, formative assessments, reflections, and much more.

Episode 9: Envision Your Classroom with Sites: Add Context, Content, and Clarity to Your LMSfeaturing Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: October 8, 2018SUMMARY: In this episode we discuss how to effectively use Google Sites in the classroom to keep students informed, provide content, praise, and accessibility to your LMS.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:Like us and share us on facebook and twitter. Leave us feedback on the itunes store! Send us an email with feedback. The first person to respond to our flipgrid in the show notes with an idea for show discussion in the future or just a comment or a way you are using technology in the classroom will receive a free gift bag from Wall Edtech with some goodies! You must mention episode 9 in your comments! Any comments may be used in one of our upcoming episodes! Here is the link to our Flipgrid: https://flipgrid.com/b0eab2bd.Google shortcuts is something we used ALOT this week!. (shares)qq (density of files on your screen)n (renames a file)s (stars a file)a (drops down the menu)Z (opens a window for convenient moving of files by selecting the new location rather than dragging and dropping around in your folders)Louisiana Digital Citizenship Symposium being sponsored by WBR parish at PAHS today (Monday, October 8) from 8am -3pmCheck out the WBR website @ wbrschools.net for more informationTechnology Tools & TrendsTransferable skills: When you have students using technology in your classroom, the skills they learn from that activity can be used in other areas as wellGoogle Tools (docs, slides, sheets): Microsoft (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)Navigating tabs on the web browserPinning tabs on the web browserOnline research Question: How can we use Google Sites in the classroom?Why Google sites?Easy to useEasily add all google features, youtube videos, PDFs, buttons, images, etc.Reformats automatically for tablets and phonesSecurityCan only share with your students or people who are in your domainUpdates oftenCustomizable with your images, colors, themes, format, header/logo banner, etc.Why have a classroom website?You must think through the content you want the website to include: you need to have a clear vision for the purpose of your website.Every LMS we have used (moodle, Google Classroom, Schoology) fails at ease of use and organization of materials. Students are constantly asking where the activity is!What do you your students need access to on a regular basis?This leads to things you and your students frequently use.What do you need to include on your website?ObjectivesAgendasLinks to activities in the LMSClass syllabusCalendar with due datesPage to display student successInformation relevant to your contentLeaderboards (if using gamification)What we use on our sitesGoogle slidesAuto updateUse for classroom daily agendas and objectivesAllows for direct links to activities and resources in your LMS or the webKeeps a running record of your agendas for absent students to refer to.Google SheetsUse to embed lists of groups, roles, historical list of activities with links, etc.Google DrawingsImages of student accomplishmentsImages with links to other sites we useGoogle FormsEmbed directly in your site for student frequently used formsSite LinksSidebar of important resources for your classGoogle CalendarUpdate with activities, due dates, and events Next on Wall to Wall Podcast: Lesson Learned: How to teach life lessons through technology

Episode 8: Productive, Purposeful, and Practical Tech Toolsfeaturing Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: October 1, 2018SUMMARY: Now that everyone is back in full swing with the school year, we wanted to take a moment to look at tech tools that are beneficial and easily used in the classroom. Tech tools must be convenient and easy to use by teachers and students or they will not get used. SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:Why so long in between podcasts? It has been a packed few months:Getting familiar with a new school year, students, procedures, and contentTechnology Tools & TrendsWe continue to use CanvaMemesPostersPear DeckAdd-on for Google Slides (includes templates for bell ringer/exit ticket/critical thinking questionsAdd any type of question to your pre-made slide.Formative assessmentMultiple choiceDrawingsDrag and dropText (for students to write out a response)MoreUpdates to Google ClassroomClass Work Page makes it easier to organize your activitiesEasily reuse posts or assignments across classrooms.Assign activities to groups within your classes.Flaws:need ability to hide and easier reorganization.Need to be able to have one class with multiple sectionsBitmoji (Extension in Google Chrome)Students created an account (if they didn’t already have one) and their own avatarStudents created a comic strip that was relevant to what we were doing in class and used their own personal bitmoji as their character in their comic stripThey were able to copy and paste their bitmoji using the extension in Google ChromeIt pastes as an image, so students could crop out words or parts of the image they did not want to useStudents love seeing themselves. This gives them the opportunity.This is something that can be used across all content for a multitude of projects or to simply add a little something to an assignment

SUMMARY: This episode addresses the the differences between laptops and Chromebooks.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:60 days of Google tips for Educators is still going on...check those out on our website or YouTube.Continue in your own personal growth by researching, playing around with tools, and listening to podcasts.Have you been “really” thinking through your upcoming school year?Technology Tools & TrendsPowToonExtensis: Adding new fonts to Google docsOnce you click on one, they will automatically show up in the fonts on your toolbar. (only for this doc though)Canva-used to create graphics of all kindsCreate account using Google Saves everything in Canva (like cloud)Easy to use--very user friendly--students could easily use thisCan be used with images and textCanva has its own images or you can upload your ownMany fonts and styles to choose fromBYOD: cell phonesThey’re everywhereUse them to your advantage in the classroomCountless apps for you to use, no matter the contentLet’s talk about Chromebooks and LaptopsQuestion: How do Chromebooks differ from laptops?The look: Chromebooks and laptops look alike and most people cannot tell any difference between the appearance of a chromebook vs a laptop.Everything on a chromebook is online, laptops allow users to install software (slows them down)If you are used to using downloaded softwares (such as Microsoft), there is an app or extension for thatBecause chromebooks only use online applications, they never slow down due to installed items; laptops slow down quicklyStart up speed is less than 10 seconds (from powered off to ready to go); some laptops take 10 minutes to be ready for use...or longerLaptops sometimes require routinely being reimaged, chromebooks are always ready to go.You have to be ready to change your mindset and look for Google tools and online applications to help you do what you do.Endless possibilities!!

Episode 6: Interview with V. Tracy (Technology and the Foreign Language Classroom)featuring Jared and Kari Wall with special guest Viviana TracySHOW DATE: July 9, 2018SUMMARY: Teaching using technology in the foreign language classroom.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:Wall Ed Tech has the 60 days of Google tips being posted. Be sure the check those out.Summer is ½ over (for us anyway)….what changes are you going to make in your classes? Instruction?Classroom management strategies?Daily procedures?Technology Tools & TrendsDuolingo: online tool for learning foreign languages for free that uses gamification to motivate students to push forward in learning the language.Wakelet: Curate your online resources like websites and articles to share with others and to read at a laters time.Interview with Viviana Tracy on technology and the foreign language classroomThe interview starts at the 6:45 mark.Follow Viviana on Twitter: @VTracy7Senor Wooly is used in Mrs. Tracy’s class.

SUMMARY: Tips for teachers new to using technology in the classroom. How to create and manage student behavior and expectations around technology use in the classroom.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:New podcasting equipment is here at Wall Ed TechMixer is Yamaha MG10Mics are Samson Q2U USB/XLR podcasting packISTE has ended. I hope you were able to follow the hashtags ISTE18 or notatiste18 and learn something or at least something that peeked your interest enough to follow up on do some investigating on your own.Technology Tools & TrendsGoogle Classroom has made some updates!Offers a secure browser for quizzesAbility to create quizzes and use Google Forms directly in Google ClassroomGoogle Translate using phone cameraCanva for image creation.Classroom Management in the Technology Infused ClassroomQuestion: How does classroom management change in a technology infused classroom?It doesn’t! What works for managing a classroom work regardless of technology integration.Set procedures and expectations on day 1.Be consistent and enforce your procedures. Students will learn to function according to your expectations. Build relationships while you set expectations.If you require devices in class daily and use them regularly, your students will always have theirs with them.If you expect students to treat their device with respect and use it appropriately, they will. You must monitor this just like any other behavior. Students will see what you allow them to get away with. Inspect.Some tools to aid in motivating and monitoring:Class dojoGoogle docs allows you to watch them work.There are also web apps such as Lightspeed Relay and DynoLanSchool has to be installed on each computer and connected with the teacher’s account. This would be used in computer labs or classrooms where all students are working on desktops.

Episode 4: 21st Century Skills and their Relevance to Educators and Studentsfeaturing Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: June 25, 2018SUMMARY: This podcast addresses why 21st century skills are important and relevant to teachers and students and the need for both to be proficient in technology.SHOW NOTES: News and Notes:ISTE is going on this week. Follow the hashtag #ISTE and #notatisteFlipgrid is now FREE! We will talk more about this in just a moment.60 Days of Tech Tips on the Wall Ed Tech WebsiteAll Google tips on various google toolsRemember, Wall Ed Tech received a facelift.Technology Tools & TrendsFlipgrid-Flipgrid is now FREE! Classroom accounts are all free and include all features (including the previously paid for features)Unlimited gridsUnlimited topicsResources found on Flipgrid.comEndless usesFeedback-What makes it meaningful? I read an article this week that was very insightful.Getting Feedback Right: a Q&A With John Hattie from Education WeekJohn Hattie is director of the Melbourne Education Research Institute at the University of Melbourne, in Australia and author of Visible LearningBook to release in August is Visible Learning: Feedback"I used to think giving more feedback and better feedback was the answer [to improving education], and it's the exact opposite: How do teachers and students receive feedback? How do they interpret it?"There's very little research on how students progress; there's a lot more research on how teachers think students should progress. We asked 1,000-plus teachers what they meant by feedback, and it was very much focused on [answering], 'How am I doing? Where am I going?' We asked many thousands of students what they meant and it was simple: 'Help me know what to do now.'When teachers spend hours and hours writing comments, if there's no feedback providing concrete steps for the students to improve, students will argue themselves blue in the face that they never received anything. The key question is, does feedback help someone understand what they don't know, what they do know, and where they go? That's when and why feedback is so powerful, but a lot of feedback doesn't—and doesn't have any effect.21st Century skills and their relevance to today’s students.Question: If our students need to be proficient in technology, shouldn’t our teachers be proficient in using technology?Marrying technology with best practices has to become second nature for educators.Using the right tech tool for the right taskIt’s not about the tool, its about achieving the outcome.Using the tools to their full potential (think of Bloom’s Taxonomy levels)PowerPoint will always be a level one because other than inserting a link, it isn’t interactive. Sure, a link can be added, but that’s about it.Google slides can elevate that level much higherCollaborativeUsed to createLinks to research articles, create various things, videosBlog post by Jared on Good Teaching AND Technology that addresses the same thing we are talking about today. Nothing takes the place of good teaching. The technology should ENHANCE your teaching, not to use in place of your teaching.

Episode 3: Failure as a Means of Learningfeaturing Jared and Kari Wall SHOW DATE: June 18, 2018SUMMARY: Why teachers need to embrace failing in their own classroom in order to show students that failing is a valuable teacher.

SUMMARY: News and Notes: Jared and Kari are Level 2 Google Certified Educators. Look for upcoming series with back to school countdown with Google Tools and Tips each day. Tools and Trends: Analytics and Digital Citizenship. Show Topic: Why teachers should shift their thinking from network based storage drives to the collaborative cloud based solution of the Google Drive for PLC sharing and creation. Flipgrid Feedback or tips from our listeners: https://flipgrid.com/fc470dEmail Feedback: jared@walledtech.com or kari@walledtech.com

Discussion of the importance of technology in the classroom for teaching students 21st century skills while also teaching content. While there is a lot of up front work, it will be minimized in the following years and simply need updating.