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Have you asked a question today? What did you do with it?

Did it take you somewhere new? Did it bring you here?

The Google Science Fair is an online science competition seeking curious minds from the four corners [...]]]> It’s time again for the Google Science Fair! From the Google Science Fair site:

Have you asked a question today? What did you do with it?

Did it take you somewhere new? Did it bring you here?

The Google Science Fair is an online science competition seeking curious minds from the four corners of the globe. Anybody and everybody between 13 and 18 can enter. All you need is an idea.

Geniuses are not always A-grade students. We welcome all mavericks, square-pegs and everybody who likes to ask questions. Simply upload your project here to win some life changing prizes.

Everyone has a question. What’s yours?

I use a three-day [...]]]> To set up your Android phone or tablet, use the following account settings through the Corporate Sync option under My Accounts:

• User name: aps\firstname.lastname
• Password: Your APS password
• Sync: Check Calendar, Contact and Email for best results
• Email Address: firstname.lastname@apsva.us
• Server: exchange.apsva.us
• Account name: APSVA
• Use Secure Connection: Checked
• Verify Certificate: Unchecked

I use a three-day sync and haven’t had any troubles. Every now and then I get a weird “certificate could not be verified” error, but it’s rare and doesn’t require action to correct. I simply resync, and it’s gone.

This is a method I figured out on my own, based on the iPad directions and a little rooting around (not literally), so is unofficial and subject to change. When all else fails, defer to the expertise of the tech support staff. Happy ‘Droiding!

1. Go to www.apsva.us/google and sign in.
2. Next, [...]]]> My colleague Fred Delventhal recently shared a link to Flubaroo, and it’s pretty slick. It uses the Google Forms feature of Google Docs to create online assessments, and generates an effective method of grading them. To use this platform with GoogleAPS here in Arlington:

1. Go to www.apsva.us/google and sign in.
2. Next, go to www.flubaroo.com, and click “Try It Now” on the right.
3. Follow the directions on the screen to access the spreadsheet, make a copy, and then read the instructions for grading.

It takes a little getting used to, but it’s a pretty cool tool for those that would like to provide a method for students to take highly customizable quizzes and tests online!

To fix this, first we need to clear the print queue. Have all users do the following:

Without using Google Groups, you can use Collections in Google Docs to share documents with groups of students, including entire classes. This tutorial will walk you through the process.

First, log in to GoogleAPS (www.apsva.us/google), and click Google Docs to open your Google Docs Home Screen.

On the [...]]]>

Creating and Sharing Collections

Without using Google Groups, you can use Collections in Google Docs to share documents with groups of students, including entire classes. This tutorial will walk you through the process.

First, log in to GoogleAPS (www.apsva.us/google), and click Google Docs to open your Google Docs Home Screen.

On the left hand side, click Create, then Collection.

Name the collection for the group of students with whom you will share. In this example, I’ll use Block 1 English to create a collection for the entire class.

When you click OK, you’ll be taken inside your new collection. Let’s go back to the Home screen by clicking on Home on the left hand side.

Next we want to share this collection with the group of students. These steps are numbered on the graphic below, to show you where to click:

1. Click the checkbox next to your new collection
2. Click the More button
3. Click Share to open the Share menu
4. Then click Share…

Next we want to share this collection with the group of students. Again, these steps are numbered on the graphic below, to show you where to click:

1. In Add people:, type the name of one of the people you want to share with. As you type, Google will try to find a match.
2. Next, click the name of the person that matches. That person will be added to the Add people: list.
   • Stop: Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have added all of the people with whom you want to share the collection.
3. Next, specify the permission level you will give to this group of people. Can edit means people can change the things you put in the collection. Can view means people can see, but cannot alter, the things you put in the collection. If you are using this collection to hand things out to your class, select Can view.
4. Finally, click Share & save.

Click Done to close the Sharing window.

When you add files to this collection, they will inherit the permissions you gave to the people you shared the collection with. If you selected Can view when you shared the collection, anything you drag into that collection will be visible by those with whom you shared the collection. If you selected Can edit, anything you drag into the collection is editable by those people.

You can always go back and add or remove people’s shared rights. For example, you might want your colleague to have Can edit rights to the collection, and your students to have Can view rights. You can do that by sharing with your students (Can view), pressing Share & save, then sharing with your colleague (Can edit) and pressing Share & save again.

Collections for Each Student

In some cases, you may want to have a collection that you share with each individual child. For example, you may want to share child-specific rubrics, or have each child hand material in to your collection. Some teachers will create a collection for each child. You can do that, but it’s a lot of work for the teacher. Instead, consider making the students create the collections.

Using this same method, students can create a collection, name it what you tell them to (for example, 6-Reeves-Research Paper or something specific), share it with you, and then you can both add files to that collection.

You can share the link to these instructions: http://www.kdreeves.com/google-collections/

Adding Files to Collections

To add a file to a collection, simply click-and-drag the file into the collection. Remember, the file will inherit the permissions of the collection. If you’ve shared the collection, the Google Doc you drag into the collection will become shared the same way.

You will see the name of the collection appear as a tag to the right of that Google Doc’s file name. This lets you know a file is in a collection.

Organizing your Home Screen

When you create a collection, it is visible in the lower left hand part of your screen. Consequently, you don’t need to see it listed again on your Home Screen.

Additionally, when new files are shared with you for the first time, they will appear on your Home Screen. But if they’re already in a collection – whether it’s one you’ve created or one someone else created then shared with you – you don’t need to see them on your Home Screen.

To “clean up” your Home Screen, add a check mark next to all of the Docs that are already in a collection. Also add a check mark next to all of your collections.

Click the More button, and then click Don’t show in Home.

The result is a much cleaner Home Screen. Additionally, you will see new files you haven’t yet organized appear in the Home Screen when they are shared. As you organize them, you can choose Don’t show in Home for each, thereby keeping your Home Screen clean over time.

Four concurrent sessions of 30 minutes each will be offered the afternoon of February 10, during the Yorktown High School Instructional Technology Professional Development Inservice. As in the past, teachers will have the option of attending the events they choose. Registration is available online at the link above.

As an example, I’ve created one starring a little digital ITC [...]]]> If you’re not already familiar with the platform, Xtranormal.com is a web-based resource that allows your students (or you) to create 3D digital animation videos without any prior programming knowledge. By simply typing text and dragging icons, you can render pretty decent 3D animation.

As an example, I’ve created one starring a little digital ITC and a little digital Technician! This little video describes the difference between the ITC and Technician roles!

ITC and The IT Guy v2.0
by: reeveskd