Waffle Bytes

Google has several different page templates.  The Web page is the default as that is the one most commonly used.  There are other ways to display your content on a Google site using the other page templates.  One of the templates Google has built in you can use like a blog site within your larger website - it's called the Announcements page.  There are a variety of ways you can use this type of page.  Here are a few: you can post the current day's notes you could blog about class activities and, of course, you can always use it for announcements Here is how you setup an Announcements page: 1. Add a new page to your site: 2. Give the page a name 3. Click on the dropdown under the "select a template to use"  and choose Announcements 4. Choose where your page is located and then hit the red Create button 5.  Your new announcements page is set up and ready for you to create your first post on it. One thing that is very different...

Ever wonder what I use to create my annotated graphics & short videos?  Here's my secret - TechSmith's SnagIt.  Very easy to use software for screencapturing - both images and videos. And today - they are having a CyberMonday Sale.  You can get it for 30% off using the code CYBERMON15.  If you are an educator, this means you get it for $20.96 instead of $29.95. If you already have an older version of SnagIt, you can upgrade for $10.46 instead of $14.95!  Well worth it for the newest features. Truthfully, I am not paid in any way, shape or form to promote SnagIt.  I just find it to be a very useful tool, and want others to know about it.

From "Big Deal Media" - Just as motorists take driver’s education to learn how to recognize and react to road situations, digital-age students need a course in how to navigate precarious situations online, such as cyberbullying and copyright infringement. That’s what led ISTE to develop the Digital Driver’s License (DDL) project , a free and easy-to-navigate resource that schools or individuals can use to teach and measure digital citizenship proficiency .  DDL is both a platform and curriculum ... From ISTE DDL Site -  The idea of being a good digital citizen becomes more important as schools start to adopt 1:1 initiatives, get more comfortable with students bringing in their own technology and use various technology as a part of the learning process. Where does this get taught? Who teaches it? How do we keep track of all of this? How do we know what areas need addressing and/or follow up? The DDL project allows learners (wether they be students or teac...

Yesterday morning I created a form...today I was prompted to update it to the newest version of forms.  Such is the perpetual cycle that is Google! Here's a brief overview:  1. A new updated, sleeker look - a great improvement, in my humble opinion:  2. A new tab to view responses right within the form.  You can still access the spreadsheet of responses, but for all those times you don't need the entire spreadsheet this is a great addition.  Also, there is now a slider to turn on/off the form: 3. A new icon to set the color or select the theme.  Themes have a new and improved way of previewing and selecting:  4. There is a preview icon that matches the preview icon in Google Drive: 5. The settings are found by clicking the gear icon above - again a match to what you see in other Google Apps (I love consistency...).  Settings are grouped into a new order, one that is a little more intuitive.  Choosing who can respo...

 Voices of History is the Bill of Rights Institute ’s free digital storehouse featuring the best of the institute’s primary-source-based lesson plans . Written by teachers for teachers, the materials are aligned to content standards, and are searchable by topic and accessible anywhere on any device. One of the featured lessons (“What Are the Origins and Interpretations of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms?”) explores the origins of the Second Amendment in the Bill of Rights, as it was included to reflect the concerns of many citizens in a number of states. Another featured lesson (“The Responsibilities of Frederick Douglass”) takes an in-depth look at responsibility— striving to know and do what is best rather what is most popular—through the life of Frederick Douglass.

REMC 12E Sponsored Professional Development Opportunities January - June 2016 The following is the current list of REMC 12E sponsored professional development opportunities.  What does it mean to be REMC 12E sponsored?  The PD cost is either significantly reduced or FREE for educators that work for REMC 12E school districts (Branch & Calhoun counties).  Educators that work elsewhere may participate, but with full course registration fees. 21 Things for iPads - Online, self-paced More Information February 3 - April 28 4-50 SCECHs available, depending on completion items Blended Learning in the Classroom - Blended (mostly online) More Information January 11 - May 23 62 SCECHs available Build a Website with Google Sites - Online More Information January 11 - February 26 March 7 - April 22 May 2 - June 17 Discovering with Technology for Learning - Blended (mostly online) More Information January 13 - February 24 30 SCECHs avail...

The Bill of Rights Institute has developed Documents of Freedom , a free , comprehensive , interactive digital course covering all the history, government, and economics topics in traditional textbooks. Written for teachers by teachers, all materials highlight primary sources and meet state standards. Teachers can search for primary-source-focused resources that fit seamlessly into their teaching plans. They can access student readings along with corresponding teacher materials, including classroom activities, presentations, and assessments. Incorporated into the readings are engaging images and videos that provide a more interesting way for students to interact with historical content. The course material is available everywhere from a laptop to a cellphone, from the computer lab to students’ homes. Students can easily adjust the display of the text and choose the style and size that works best for their individual preferences and learning needs.