Tech Tip Tuesday #14

Are you ready?!

Next week, December 3-9, is the official Hour of Code challenge. The Hour of Code takes place every year during Computer Science Education Week, but you can host an Hour of Code event any time.

What is the Hour of Code?

According to the official website, "The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science."

I don't know anything about coding. Can I still do an Hour of Code in my classroom?

Absolutely! Hour of Code Activities are self-guided. All you have to do is try the current tutorials, pick the tutorial you want, and pick an hour. I hosted my first Hour of Code in 2014 and knew almost nothing about coding. I did the tutorials alongside the students and ended up asking a couple of students to help me figure it out. 

Interested?

I recommend checking out the Hour of Code website for more information and commonly asked questions. If you would like, I can meet with you ahead of time to help you choose an Hour of Code activity. If you are doing an Hour of Code during 3rd, 7th, or 8th Hours, I can come to your classroom to support your activity or even lead one for your class. I also ordered some Hour of Code posters and would be happy to give one to anyone planning an Hour of Code event.

More Resources:

Hour of Code How-To Guide

20 ways to celebrate the Hour of Code in ANY class

Additional Activities and Tutorials to Explore:

Code.org's Hour of Code

Disney's Hour of Code

Khan Academy's Hour of Code

Kodable's Hour of Code

Tynker's Hour of Code

How will you be celebrating the Hour of Code in your classes? 

Please reach out if you would like any assistance with your Hour of Code. 

I am happy to help!

Tech Tip Tuesday #13

Today's Tip:

Embed YouTube videos within your Google Slides to minimize distraction. 

This is great for showing instructional videos or using video timers for the activity students are working on!

Instructions:

- Click "Insert"

- Select "Video..."

- Search for the video you need and click it, or add by copying and pasting a url

- Click "Select"

How do you use video clips in the classroom?

Tech Tip Tuesday #12

Today's Tip:

Last month, Google introduced a new time-saving trick for using G Suite apps. Now you can create a new Google Doc, Sheet, and more by typing a "shortcut" into the address bar.

Shortcuts:

Docs: doc.new, docs.new, documents.new

Forms: form.new, forms.new

Sheets: sheet.new, sheets.new, spreadsheet.new

Sites: site.new, sites.new, website.new

Slides: slide.new, slides.new, deck.new, presentation.new

Instructions:

- Type a shortcut into the address bar

- Hit enter

- Bam, a brand new file opens

Tech Tip Tuesday #11

This week is all about Bitmojis! The Bitmoji extension has recently been opened up for students. Keep reading for all the details on Bitmojis!

 

Use with Caution!

Warning, some of the Bitmojis are definitely not school appropriate. If you are have students create Bitmojis, be thoughtful about how you are going to teach students what is appropriate for academic purposes. 

 

What Exactly Is Bitmoji?

These are the super fun personal emojis you see all over the place. Students know and love Bitmoji due to their integration with Snapchat. 

 

Why Bitmoji?

Here are a few reasons from 10 Reasons To Like Bitmoji:

- Creating your avatar is simple and easy.

- It brings joy and smiles all around.

- We live in a visually-enhanced world.

- It's a great way to connect to your teens.

 

How to Get Your Bitmoji:

1. Download the app to your phone from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. OR get Bitmoji for Chrome by visiting the website here: https://www.bitmoji.com/.

2. Walk through the steps to create your account and your Bitmoji. (I highly recommend having a friend nearby to help you pick out the perfect eyebrows. It's extremely customizable. Read more here: Why Your Bitmoji Looks So Much Like Your Actual Face.)

3. Play around with it! I use Bitmoji for Chrome to easily insert my Bitmojis into Google Apps and into Schoology.

 

Using Bitmojis in the Classroom:

Here are some suggestions from 5 Ways to Use Bitmoji in the Classroom:

- Give student feedback

- Draw attention to concepts or instructions

- Google Form responses

- #BookSnaps

- Create comic strips

 

More Reading:

Bitmoji Fun has a great list of resources!

Make Learning Better with Bitmoji from Alice Keeler 

Bitmojis in the Classroom some fun examples

 

How will you use Bitmojis?