Multi-Owner Classes in Remind

Remind just launched a new feature that allows for multi-owner classes.  This is great for those who coteach classes or who have two advisors or coaches for a sport.  If you aren't familiar with Remind it's a way to send text messages and/or e-mails to students in a safe way.  There is also a feature, that you can enable, to allow students to send you messages as well.

Here's an overview of Remind, plus some handy quick-start guides and fact sheets -- and this video of a principal talking about how he uses Remind. 

Increasing parental engagement and satisfaction:

Principal Adam Welcome uses Remind schoolwide and surveys parents re: engagement and satisfaction: on his last survey, 99% of parents agreed that his Remind messages were helpful and useful. One teacher Remind to ping parents about end-of-year conferences, and had 100% of families show up for the first time ever. See here for a case study.

A Google Challenge

If you are looking to take your Google knowledge to the next level take a visit to the site below. It will give you a few things to try to help you learn more about using Google.

http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/09/03/5-advanced-google-docs-challenges/

Using Google Drive as a Backup

As Jean mentioned in her e-mail, you may want to back up your files before you hand in your laptop.  There are a number of options you can choose from.  Being that we now have access to unlimited storage in Google, you may want to use Drive as a place to backup your files.  Below is a visual set of directions for this process.  If you have any questions, please contact a Tech Team member.  If you need addition support, you can contact Cristina and she can help out.  With Google, we have a feature to be able to work and see other computers even if we aren't in the same room or building.

Step 1

Go to Google Drive and sign in with your school account.  UPDATE: Use Google Chrome to ensure everything transfers correctly.

Step 2

Create a new folder.  To do this click on the red NEW button and then click Folder.

Step 3

A window will pop up asking you to name the folder.  Give it any name you want.  Something like 2014-2015 School year might be good.

Step 4

Double Click on the new folder that you just created.  This will open it up. 

Step 5

Next you'll want to open up finder to the folder you want to backup.  Many of you will be backing up your documents folder so that is the one you want to open, but some might have things stored elsewhere. 

It is suggested that you resize the windows so that they both fit on the screen without overlapping. 

Step 6

To copy your documents into Google Drive, you will have to select them all and drag them into the Google Drive window.  Note: You aren't removing them from your computer, just creating a copy in Google.  

While the finder window is selected, you can press "command" and "A" at the same time and this will select all of the folder and documents in that window.  You can also drag the folders and files one by one.

It may take a few minutes depending on how many files you have, but after that you are all done!

An easy way to group your students

This spreadsheet will help you create groups for your classes very quickly. Watch the tutorial video below to learn how to get the most out of this spreadsheet.

To get a copy of the spreadsheet, use the link below.
http://www.mrmatera.com/2014/03/google-spreadsheet-magic-part-1-super-grouper/

Super Grouper Tutorial from Michael Matera on Vimeo.

Creating a e-mail distribution group

If you are looking to create an e-mail distribution group in Outlook below are the directions (with and without pictures).

1. Click on the contacts button
2. Click on the arrow next to New and choose group from the drop down menu
3. Give your group a name
4. Enter an e-mail address and press add to group
5. Repeat step 4 until all e-mail addresses are added
6. Click save and close

Canva - a graphic design program for the design challenged

Canva has premade templates that allow to make designs for flyers, posters, invitations, Facebook covers, business cards and so much more.  It's basically drag and drop, so it couldn't be easier!  For the most part Canva is free, but if you want to use any of their premium elements you'll have to pay $1 for each one you want to use.  You can also upload your own images to really personalize your designs.

Canva has just announced that are launching a Canva for Work branch of their website.  Right now I'm still not clear how it's going to be different, but who doesn't like to get in things first, so I signed up to be on the list for the beta release (you should too!)

You can use this program to make posters and decorations for your classroom or students can use it for presentations. You do need to log in, so if students don't have their own e-mail addresses I would suggest you make a generic e-mail address that you can sign up for a an account with.  This way students can log in with that account and you always have access to what they have created.  I have done that for my classes with a simple Outlook e-mail address. 

Internet Safety - Hover before you click

If you hover your mouse over a hyperlink you can see what website the link goes to in the bottom left of your window.  It’s a great way to check to make sure a link is legitimate before you click on it.

Alice Keeler has a great post on her blog about this and I suggest that you check it out! 

http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/05/14/internet-safety-hover-before-you-click/

Previous tip can be found at: http://valhallatechtips.blogspot.com/