Google & Chromebooks
Your Google Account & Teacher Chromebook
As a "Google School," we rely heavily on the Google Apps for Education productivity suite to serve a number of purposes in the district. Google's Education Suite powers our email (student and staff), we use Google Drive to create, share, and store files and documents, and we use Google Classroom to deliver instructional content to our students.
This page has good information on how to get started with your google account, and some tips for utilizing them in your classroom.
Google Email Account Info & FAQs
Printable Chromebook Cheat Sheet
This page has good information on how to get started with your google account, and some tips for utilizing them in your classroom.
Google Email Account Info & FAQs
Printable Chromebook Cheat Sheet
Tips for teaching with a classroom set of Chromebooks
PHRASES TO LIVE BY
1: You don't have to be an expert!
You are on the same team as the kids; they will help you through. Assign small groups to become experts on one aspect of a program or tool then teach you, then teach others.
2: Embrace messiness
Sometimes things won't work. Sometimes things will work, but will look chaotic. Welcome to the world we live in. Challenge your students, and the messiness can be beautiful.
3: Focus on teaching with technology, not learning the device or the 'technology' itself
Let the students take the reins with figuring out the bulk of the technology. You do what you've always done; teach. Try to give students options and a variety of tools to produce artifacts of learning (that's where technology comes in).
4: Build in time for exploration
When we allow students time to explore and discover, they often surprise us while learning how to become independent learners in the process. Let your students explore the devices (they can't hurt anything!), tools, and program features that you don't have time to. Then have them share what they've found.
1: You don't have to be an expert!
You are on the same team as the kids; they will help you through. Assign small groups to become experts on one aspect of a program or tool then teach you, then teach others.
2: Embrace messiness
Sometimes things won't work. Sometimes things will work, but will look chaotic. Welcome to the world we live in. Challenge your students, and the messiness can be beautiful.
3: Focus on teaching with technology, not learning the device or the 'technology' itself
Let the students take the reins with figuring out the bulk of the technology. You do what you've always done; teach. Try to give students options and a variety of tools to produce artifacts of learning (that's where technology comes in).
4: Build in time for exploration
When we allow students time to explore and discover, they often surprise us while learning how to become independent learners in the process. Let your students explore the devices (they can't hurt anything!), tools, and program features that you don't have time to. Then have them share what they've found.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
1: How to get started:
To begin using a new tool, app, or program find out if you need a login, account, or email address to use it, and how you'll manage those logins
2: How to Undo
Nearly every tool has an "undo" feature. This is the first thing I look for when I start out with anything new!
3: How to share:
Our students need to be producing more than worksheets to make it in this century. When they use tech to produce cool stuff, we need to know how to get it out of wherever it is so we can share it in other places with other people.
1: How to get started:
To begin using a new tool, app, or program find out if you need a login, account, or email address to use it, and how you'll manage those logins
2: How to Undo
Nearly every tool has an "undo" feature. This is the first thing I look for when I start out with anything new!
3: How to share:
Our students need to be producing more than worksheets to make it in this century. When they use tech to produce cool stuff, we need to know how to get it out of wherever it is so we can share it in other places with other people.
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES
1: Create ownership
If students feel a sense of ownership of the device in front of them, they will care for it, and respect it (and even get more excited about using it). Cut a notecard half and give one half to each student. Break out the markers, crayons, sequins, Sharpies, whatever you have. Have students create a nameplate for their device, as it will be theirs and only theirs all year. If something goes wrong or comes up broken, it's their problem to deal with (that's what we're telling them; Ex: if they remove the "j" key, then they must make do without it). The devices should be introduced to them carefully and it should seem like a big deal to them. It is a big deal after all.
2: Tech Boot Camp!
A good rule of thumb is to never introduce a new piece of technology (whether it's an actual device, or a new feature within a program) at the same time you're asking the kids to use a brand new concept they've just been presented. One thing at a time.
Use a Tech Boot Camp as a quick, low-stakes opportunity for the students to learn a tool or feature.
Example: (20-40 minutes) "Tomorrow we're going to use the iPads to record persuasive television commercials. Today, in your groups, I want you to locate on your iPad the camera, the record button, the "share" button, and record an introduction of each person in your group." (I am very available to help with facilitating these Tech Boot Camps!)
3: "Technologize" one lesson you already do teach.
Don't worry about apps yet. Make it easy on yourself, and use a lesson your already a pro at teaching and let the students learn their way around their new device. Use that one lesson or activity you do every year and this time tell the kids, "This is what we usually do... But. With you, I'm doing something different because I know you can figure this out better than I can. We're not using paper, we're going to do everything with these computers. And I need you all to help me figure out how. Ready, go." (I can help you with this intro too, and help facilitate some brainstorming among your kids. They will have great ideas, I promise!)
4: Options, options, options!
Give your students options of how to produce an artifact that illustrates their learning. On a book report for example, give them options by stating they must create a book report that can take the form of either a news broadcast, a piece of fine art, or a computer game. It might take a little longer, but have them come up with the rest. Once they get good at this, offer a free choice option to let the creative and gifted students excel, while there are other options available for students not ready to come out of their box. (You can still implement requirements such as showing the story's setting, main character, etc., but give them a little freedom. They might surprise you!)
1: Create ownership
If students feel a sense of ownership of the device in front of them, they will care for it, and respect it (and even get more excited about using it). Cut a notecard half and give one half to each student. Break out the markers, crayons, sequins, Sharpies, whatever you have. Have students create a nameplate for their device, as it will be theirs and only theirs all year. If something goes wrong or comes up broken, it's their problem to deal with (that's what we're telling them; Ex: if they remove the "j" key, then they must make do without it). The devices should be introduced to them carefully and it should seem like a big deal to them. It is a big deal after all.
2: Tech Boot Camp!
A good rule of thumb is to never introduce a new piece of technology (whether it's an actual device, or a new feature within a program) at the same time you're asking the kids to use a brand new concept they've just been presented. One thing at a time.
Use a Tech Boot Camp as a quick, low-stakes opportunity for the students to learn a tool or feature.
Example: (20-40 minutes) "Tomorrow we're going to use the iPads to record persuasive television commercials. Today, in your groups, I want you to locate on your iPad the camera, the record button, the "share" button, and record an introduction of each person in your group." (I am very available to help with facilitating these Tech Boot Camps!)
3: "Technologize" one lesson you already do teach.
Don't worry about apps yet. Make it easy on yourself, and use a lesson your already a pro at teaching and let the students learn their way around their new device. Use that one lesson or activity you do every year and this time tell the kids, "This is what we usually do... But. With you, I'm doing something different because I know you can figure this out better than I can. We're not using paper, we're going to do everything with these computers. And I need you all to help me figure out how. Ready, go." (I can help you with this intro too, and help facilitate some brainstorming among your kids. They will have great ideas, I promise!)
4: Options, options, options!
Give your students options of how to produce an artifact that illustrates their learning. On a book report for example, give them options by stating they must create a book report that can take the form of either a news broadcast, a piece of fine art, or a computer game. It might take a little longer, but have them come up with the rest. Once they get good at this, offer a free choice option to let the creative and gifted students excel, while there are other options available for students not ready to come out of their box. (You can still implement requirements such as showing the story's setting, main character, etc., but give them a little freedom. They might surprise you!)