Help in a GIFfy: Using Screencasting to Save your Sanity!

Picture this: You've designed a lesson the likes of which your students have ever seen. You've carefully crafted the activities so that students get the most from their time with you. You painstakingly go over directions and give step-by-step-by-step instructions for accessing websites and computers. You coddle your little chicks with helpful, patient hands until you're sure they can fly on their own. Then it happens: the hand on the left side of the room shoots up, "Miss, what are we supposed to do again?"

If you're like me, a former Jr. High teacher, you are no stranger to this scenario. You have learned great patience over the years for questions like these; however, nothing quite throws your plans out of whack than a student asking a question. In a past life, I would have carefully repeated myself several times per class period with a recount of my instructions.

But no more.

This is when the SnagIt for Chrome extension is a true sanity saver for me. By recording screencasts of :20 or less, anyone can create these little gems for troubleshooting. Whip up some animated help sheets and Voila! Suddenly multi-step or tech heavy procedures are chunked into smaller, more manageable steps. I can point my students to a QR code or a short URL to a help sheet designed just for them.

Of course, this is just one way I use SnagIt for Chrome to simplify my life. Check out these 3 ways animated GIFs have saved my sanity:

Better How-Tos with Google Docs

If you’re a Google Docs user, you probably know you can’t embed videos into a document. You have to link or use static images, which can actually muddy up the appearance of a help

sheet. A “quick-tip” sheet suddenly turns into a 3-page disaster. Use animated GIFs to demo multiple steps at a time, and combine directions in smaller chunks. Easier on the eyes and easier on the learning curve!

Pictures (Not Words) in a Preso

We’ve all heard the sage advice against filling up your presentation slides with words. So instead of instruction laden how-to presos, use SnagIt for Chrome and record :20 (or less) videos that can be turned into GIFs. Embedding your little moving images can send out a BIG message! I find that the effect is more than explanatory. It will also wow your participants when in presentation mode (and that’s a GREAT way to impress your boss!)

I recently used animated GIFs in a preso at our annual TCEA conference about good slide design. I wanted to demonstrate ways that anyone could create balanced, aesthetically-pleasing presentations without leaving out vital information.

Tech Help Requests with Helpful Images

Getting help on your computer can be daunting. If you're not a super techie person, you may not know how to explain just what is going on with your machine. "The blue thingy is flashing and there's a beep coming from the back of the big metal square at the back of the box" A statement like that is an honest insight into the lack of technical knowledge most people have. But it isn't too helpful for troubleshooting. Use quick screenshots of the error or problem to help illustrate your point. Twenty seconds or less is plenty of time for someone who knows computers to see what's causing you trouble.

Here is an example of using SnagIt for Chrome to make a GIF:

If one of these uses for SnagIt for Chrome doesn’t lend itself to simplifying your life, you must be robot. Educators and student alike will appreciate clarity when learning something new. Try it out today and see for yourself how easy it is to make such a big impact in your classroom!

Engaging Learners with YouTube

Reported by: Jessica Powell, Instructional Technologist for Secondary English, Language Arts & Reading.

YouTube is the 2nd
most used search engine.

Lately, I have been really intrigued by the use of video creation as a means for engaging learners. Focus being on the word: creation. Don't get me wrong, I love showing quick little videos that give my students some background context for the passage/novel/selection we're reading in class, and I believe adding video content leads to a better understanding for my students; however, SHOWING a video doesn't require my kiddos to think critically and that's the skill every teacher needs to develop. 

Enter YouTube. No longer is it simply a place for watching SharkCat or laughing baby videos. Today, YouTube is a great place for students to create and share content. Not only can students edit the videos they have recorded of their classmates acting out a Shakespearian scene or working through the stages of science experimentation, but they can also combine videos/images/text/music to create a completely new product that illustrates their understanding of the concepts they have been learning.

Imagine the possibilities!  Students might observe physical forces in nature and record them on their phone. They can go to YouTube, upload their raw video footage, edit out pieces, add a voice over explaining the laws of nature as they understand them to work, and overlay text that helps organize their thoughts into traceable learning paths.  

With so many options for creation in a tool so commonly and widely known, it might seem overwhelming to try and learn it all so your kids can use it. Below is a tutorial full of ideas and info on using YouTube.

Feel free to take a look and follow along in the how-to videos toward the end. I think you'll find that YouTube provides an opportunity for engagement you didn't know you had at your fingertips!

Reflections: TCEA 2015

Reported by: Dawn Jahnke

Instructional Technology Specialist

Many things are learned at TCEA, so many at times you think your head might explode with the wealth of ideas shared. For those of you new to the acronym, TCEA refers to Texas Computer Education Association Convention. It is regularly held in Austin, TX in the first week of February, and this year was no different with information sharing! My favorite sessions were about Google Sheets, coding, and mobile device ideas. To keep this post short but deliberate I thought I would share a piece for each of those. 

 Coding lovers check out:

• Code.org -- variety of introductory, fun activities to teach students computational thinking and coding basics. you can create teacher accounts
• Code.org Flappy Bird -- create a Flappy Bird game using Code.org’s easy interface.
• Scratch -- teaches coding principles by way of a kid-friendly, drag-and-drop interface.
• Scratch Starter Kit -- variety of resources to help get started using Scratch in the classroom.
• Scratch Rubric -- sample assessment rubric for student Scratch projects.

Google Sheets were used in many unique ways. By use of line colors and groupings a notebook was created. Why wasn’t this idea thought of sooner! An instant notebook with tabs for the teacher or student. Check out this template shared by Tammy Worcester: Class Notebook Template (http://tinyurl.com/tttcea9 for more ideas)

The last idea I would like to share is about using Class Dojo. Class Dojo is a motivational behavioral tracking site. The session used it to create teams to encourage that other 21st century skill known as competition! We were assigned to one of the teams pictured below(even though we worked in pairs on a device) We app smashed as we were monitored for completion, cooperation, and collaboration skills. Points were award in Class Dojo accordingly. It gave the activity another level of urgency.

So next February keep in mind TCEA. It is worth the go!!

It's BACK! Digital Learning Conference 2015

Reported by: Phyllis Roberts & Danielle Haymes
Instructional Technology Specialists
----------------------------------------------
The Instructional Technology Department is pleased to announce the 2015 Inspiring Connections Digital Learning Conference on July 28 and 29, 2015.

The conference will give you the opportunity to network with other educators, share resources, ideas, and build skills. By attending multiple sessions throughout the day, participants can learn how to engage digital learners with Augmented Reality, Google in the Classroom, and Coding, to name a few. For additional information, including our featured speakers, check out our website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

You will leave the conference with new ideas that will make your classroom come alive. Professional development credit will be awarded.

Are you willing to share your experiences with other educators and administrators who are looking for ways to enhance best practices? Please consider being a part of our conference by completing the Call for Presenters form.

We look forward to seeing you there in July!

Technology Festival 2015: Inspiring Connections CFISD Students Share their Creativity and Talents!

Reported by: Amy Kainer

Instructional Technologist

Student Design: Cody Keller, Cy-Falls HS

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Instructional Technology is thrilled to once again host our annual student technology festival! In its sixth year, this event promises to be even bigger and better, with more students sharing their creativity and talents in all content, levels, and future career paths.

Technology Festival 2015: Inspiring Connections will be held on April 30, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Berry Center (8877 Barker Cypress). 

If you have never been to the Technology Festival (or even if you have), you must come see the excitement! From Kindergarten to high school, students will be presenting to their families, their teachers, our board members and administrators, and community visitors. Our Cy-Fair kids are preparing for their future by using 21st Century tools to enhance their learning.

Photo: Joel Weckerly, CyFair ISD

Based on high school campus feeder patterns, parents and students will have a vertical look at technology use from Kindergarten through grade 12. Each campus will have a booth where students will present technology-infused products and demonstrations. Learn about tablet technology, web 2.0 tools, collaboration tools, and interactive whiteboard activities from students of all ages. Begin your journey at any level and visit any or all (if you have time!) of the “zones” in the district. School-sponsored robotics clubs from middle and high schools will also be represented, sharing their programming and creative skills.

Photo: Joel Weckerly, CyFair ISD

Experience the high-tech world of our high schools’ Career and Technical Education areas. See students in action as they demonstrate the use of industrial technologies including VEX robotics, laser engraving, 3D printing, automotive technology, special projects such as NASA HUNCH, and much more. Students will share their incredible talents in digital technologies such as animation, web design, and graphic design. Learn about networking, programming, and future computer technologies from our expert computer science students. In addition, we will have interactive video conference events and our very own Technology Festival Roving Reporters, who will be broadcasting live interviews throughout the Berry Center and via online video streaming.

We encourage you to attend this exciting showcase and visit with our talented CFISD students! They will be eager to share their knowledge and skills, explaining their process for infusing technology throughout their journey of collaborating, creating, and learning.

Connect with us on Facebook! 

facebook.com/cfisdtechnologyfestival

Follow Us on Twitter

If you've been following the activities in CFISD recently, you'll notice that Twitter is becoming increasingly popular with our administrators and our teachers. It's everywhere! Well, your district Instructional Technology Specialists are no exception. We are all on Twitter and would love to have you follow us and our hashtags.  So find us and click "Follow" to find out what's going on with tech around the district.

Hashtags in the #Classroom

I read an article today from the TCEA's (Texas Computer Education Association) magazine TECHEDGE (August 2014).It had a lot of great articles, but the one that caught my attention the most wasHashtags in the #Classroom. Like the author, Sherry McElhannon stated, "Those tiny symbols..hold great power...that can open lines of communication, create community, or offer insight..." Hashtags do convey voice and like she reminded the reader:

1. They are made by the people, for the people

2. They appear in conjuction with major events (#fergeson), social movements, or just fun (#jff just for fun)

3. Chose a hashtag for particular projects or your campus

The elementary reading department has created their own CyFair PLN(personal learning network) with a hashtag. Teachers and admin can tweet with #cfisdelar  to share celebrations/successes, room designs, ideas, and more.

You never know how it might spread if you never #getgoing!

Hashtags Twitter Tweet classroom