Tech Tip Tuesday #12

 

Today's Tip: 

Review all of the options Schoology has for creating assignment content for students. 

Also, next week (December 5-11) is the official Hour of Code week. Read more in my previous Tech Tip or check out the official website.

Schoology Assignment Types

1. Assignment This option allows you to enter directions into the description box, attach links and files, and create a Google or Annotations assignment. (BTW - the Annotations assignment is similar to Kami and is new this year. Read more here.

2. Test/Quiz This option allows you to create a bank of questions that are automatically graded (except for short answer and essay questions). This option can be copied from year to year and reused multiple times. 

3. Assessment This option is very similar to test/quiz, it is newer and has a few different question types available. 

4. Discussion This option allows you to create a threaded discussion board for students to interact with by posting and commenting on posts. 

5. External Tools There are many external tools available within Schoology. EdPuzzle is the most utilized here at ECHS. The Savvas Realize curriculum, Pear Deck, Quizlet, Kami, CK-12, and more are available to integrate directly in Schoology. Check out the app center in Schoology to see what is available. 

 

What is your "go-to" assignment type in Schoology?

More Schoology information can be found in the Schoology Handbook and in the Schoology section of the tech tips archives at mrsthompson2580.blogspot.com. 

Please note: Tech Tip Tuesdays will be released every other Tuesday moving forward as I had a change in my schedule for Quarter 2. 

Tech Tip Tuesday #11

 

Today's Tip:

If you are an admin for a course (teacher) on Schoology, it's a good idea to occasionally view grades and the materials page as a student. 

When students view grades in Schoology, they see a lot of information and it can be confusing or overwhelming. Students are able to see their grade for the semester (or year, depending on the course) and their quarter grades. They see their quarter grade sorted by categories. It might be helpful for you to view your course grades as your students view them occasionally. This might help you in choosing and organizing your materials in Schoology and having discussions with your students regarding their grades.

One Way to See the "Student View" of Grades:
- Log in to Schoology and choose a course
- Click on "Gradebook" from the menu on the left side of the screen
- Click on the bar graph after a student's name to view their grades
- Click the arrows to expand (or hide) a section

One Way to See the "Student View" of Materials:

View Course As is a function that enables Course Admins to view courses as a specific member or student would.

- To use View Course As, click Course Options under the course photo.
- Then, you can select a member from the list and navigate the course from their perspective.
- Once you have finished viewing your course as that member, you can either enter in another member's name in the banner at the top of the page or click Back to Course to return to your regular view.

What tips and tricks do you have for keeping Schoology organized and useful for students?

Please note: Tech Tip Tuesdays will be released every other Tuesday moving forward as I had a change in my schedule for Quarter 2. 

Tech Tip Tuesday #10

 

Today's Tip: Participate in the Hour of Code

The official Hour of Code week is about a month away! The year it's December 5-11, but you can host an Hour of Code event any time.

It takes all of us to implement computer science and coding into our courses to ensure students have access to these tools. According to the 2022 State of Computer Science Education report, in Minnesota, only 21% of high schools offer computer science. This is the lowest percentage IN THE COUNTRY. 

What is the Hour of Code?

According to the official website, "The Hour of Code began as a one-hour coding challenge to give students a fun first introduction to computer science and has become a global learning event, celebration, and awareness event. HourOfCode.com offers hundreds of one-hour activities in over 48 languages for kindergarten and up. Activities require no experience and can be run on browsers, tablets, and smartphones - some don’t require any computer at all." It's a great way to get started with coding and computer science in your classroom! 

Why computer science? (from the Hour of Code "One Pager") 
* Computer science is changing every industry on the planet. Every 21st-century student should have the opportunity to learn how to create technology. Computer science concepts also help nurture creativity and problem-solving skills to prepare students for any future career. 

* Computing occupations are the fastest-growing, best paying, and now the largest sector of all new wages in the US. Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed.

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

Absolutely! All Hour of Code activities are self-guided. All you have to do is try the Hour of Code Activities, 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 2nd, 3rd, or 7th Hour, I can come to your classroom to support your activity or even lead one for your class. 

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?