Speech to Text Chrome Add-on
We have found this Chrome add-on to be pretty accurate. Give it a try and see what you think!
How to tabulate and graph individual student observation data
Here’s how to gather individual data on specific students for reports and reflections on student traits that are exhibited.
Step 1: Click the links below to open your observation results:
Hisar Campus Reports
Marmara Campus Reports
Step 2. Click on the little triangle at the top of column C and then Sort sheet by A – Z
Step 3: Find the row that the student you want to identify is on, and click the first row in the gray numbered area and then scroll down to the last row where the child’s name is and hold the shift button to select all the rows in between.
Step 4: Once you have selected the rows with the individual student data you want. Press Command C to copy the data.
Step 5: On the bottom of the spreadsheet, click the Individual tab. Once there, delete the current data.
Step 6: Select row 2 by clicking the gray 2 once and then press Command V to paste your new data.
Step 7: Click on the Data tab and see the automatically tabulated data and graphs to review
How to organize and print student observations in Early Years
If you are planning on using your observations as a reference in the reports, here’s how to print out the report results.
Step 1: Click the links below to open your observation results:
Hisar Campus Reports
Marmara Campus Reports
Step 2. Click on the little triangle at the top of column C and then Sort sheet by A – Z
Step 3: Print by pressing Command P and then mimic the below settings:Current Sheet, Repeat row headers, Paper Size: A4, Fit to Width, Landscape
Step 4: Once you hit print, it will take you to the Google Chrome print screen, if you’re on a different browser, you should go directly to the correct dialogue box. If on Chrome, please hit the Print using system dialogue
MAKE SURE YOU SELECT LANDSCAPE PRINT ON THE SYSTEM DIALOGUE BOX
Creating Parent / Teacher Conferences Appointment Slots with Google Calendar
- Create a New Calendar entitled Teacher Name – Conferences
- While creating the calendar make sure the calendar is Shared as Public
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Once your calendar is created, you can go to the day in which your Parent / Teacher conference is and create an Event that lasts the entire time you will be at school.
Once your event is created, click on the Appointment Slots tab and fill out the following. REMEMBER TO SELECT THE RIGHT CALENDAR
Note: This will create one big event but when you share this calendar with parents, they will see the appointment slots.
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Click into the Appointment Slot event you have just created and edit the Where and Description sections. Then invite your parents as Guests!
- Click on the link provided and then select the URL and paste it into an email to your parents or if you are in primary, you can embed the new calendar into your class sites.
How to Embed a Google Presentation onto a WordPress Site
Have a great Google Presentation you want to share with the world? Then check out the video below and learn how to embed a Google Presentation onto your class website!
Create a Recurring Event in Google Calendar
Please watch the video below to see how to create a recurring event in Google Calendar:
How To Create an Event In Google Calendar
Please watch the video below on how to create an event in your Google Calendar:
EasyBib added to Google Docs as Add-on
You may have noticed that we now have “add-ons” for google docs in our menu bar at the top. The first featured add-on you can install is is Easy-Bib which allows students to format their citations according to the latest MLA and APA rules just by searching for a book, journal or website. Please spread the word!
Resources and tech reflection for parents
Today I was invited for my first “Parent Coffee” at Toscana. We talked about the IICS class sites, resources for parents to use with their children, and also management programs and apps for Macs and iPads. One of the main recommendations we had for parents was to ask their children to use devices in common areas. Another recommendation was for all devices and computers to be turned off and put in a place for safekeeping throughout the night outside of the bedrooms.
However, throughout the talk we listed a bunch of great websites and resources. I thought I would reiterate some of them here and give some explanations about them:
IICS Websites and Resources
- Primary Years Programme – One of the first documents that we talked about was the PYP program that is available online through the school directory and through the IICS website.
- Primary School Parent and Student Handbook – Although we didn’t talk about this in the meeting, I thought I would add this document here because it is good to know that it exists and how to fetch it.
- Primary Weekly News – An often updated blog that details when the next Parent Coffees will be, newsletters, and other pertinent information for parents and the school community.
Math Sites
- Mathletics – IICS belongs to and pays for subscriptions to this excellent resource for students to learn about leveled and differentiated math. Student can even challenge others from around the world to math games. They love the competition.
- Khan Academy – This is another great FREE website that enables students and parents to create programs and goals for themselves to learn such concepts as algebra, chemistry, calculus, physics. It presents videos and lessons at many low and high levels and generates excellent statistics to use in guiding practice. Parents – Please note there is a login specifically for you to track and help your son or daughter.
Language Sites
- Vocabulary.com – Similar to Khan Academy, vocabulary.com builds students language abilities. The site uses analytics to determine levels and terminology that is appropriate for each specific student. One can also search for books that he or she is going to read in order to learn the difficult jargon they will encounter.
- Starfall – This site caters to younger children learning vocabulary. It has bright colourful pictures that accompany many games and lessons.
Kid-safe and Parent-safe Browsers
- Kidzui – When using a Mac or PC, this is a great browser that display vetted websites and Youtube videos. It is a must-have for parents who would like to be able to know kids are surfing the web safely.
- Sandbox Browser App – For the iPad, this app performs a similar task. However, parents define whitelisted sites that kids are allowed to use. At the day of writing, this app was free on the US and Canadian iTunes store.
- Self-Control – For parents out there who want to block themselves or their kids from sites or even email for a set duration, this is the trick. It is also free.
Life Management
- Netvibes – In order to have everything consolidate and come to you (RSS feed), this site should be set as your homepage. Users can add widgets that feed class sites, multiple emails, other blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Google Calendar, LinkedIn, Delicio.us, and times and weather around the world. Other widgets can act as “to-do” lists, notes, and so many other things that can be personalised with a drag and drop.
Typing
- BBC Dancemat Typing – A simple, free website that can get kids (and adults) started with proper finger placement and practice for typing. No need to login or create an account. Just get started!
Setting Times for Internet Browsing
- When students have moved beyond the common areas and are using internet to large degrees, it is time to cut of their connection. This post explains how to do this through the router. With this said, it was noted that a son or daughter could hook their computer up to use their or their friend’s personal hotspot, so parents be wary. It is best to sit and talk with them about digital citizenship and trying to lead a balanced life. A sad video that accentuates what life has come to for many people is shown below:
We were also concerned with turning off Gmail Chat. Here’s how:
- Click the gear icon and choose Settings.
- Click the Chat tab.
- Choose “Chat off.”
- Click Save changes.
Flubaroo – Auto-graded Google Form Quizzes
Flubaroo is a script that can be added to any quiz you generate in google forms. The script allows educators to set up an answer key by filling in the quiz themselves, and then auto-grade the assignment and email students their individual grades.
While this may be a bit complicated at first, the steps outlined in their guide are very detailed. Please let me know if you have any questions and I will be glad to schedule some time to see you.