Trying to create more interactive experiences for my students and those who visit my class websites, I have begun experimenting with creating a Google Drawing with images or colorful shapes or text boxes that are linked to information or presentation that I have created. This episode is about how and why I do this.

Sources

Gutierrez, K. (2018). Studies Confirm the Power of Visuals in eLearning. Retrieved from https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/350326/studies-confirm-the-power-of-visuals-in-elearning

| Professional Development for Primary, Secondary & University Educators/Administrators. (2018). Retrieved from http://visualteachingalliance.com/

Schechtman Belham, F. (2018). GUEST POST: How Images and Imagination Can Enhance Learning. Retrieved from http://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2018/3/28-1

Tech Treat- Chrome Extension Padlet Mini

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/padlet-mini/kcljbbiddpoeaknnjaminoceoojdbikp?utm_source=chrome-ntp-icon

If you are not a reader and would be prefer to listen, this podcast episode is for you. If you search the internet for any article or information about education, you will come across Edutopia. The George Lucas Educational Foundation founded the site in 1991 with the focus on creating the opportunity for all students to acquire and effectively apply knowledge (https://www.edutopia.org/about), as their website states. I am going to read a couple of short articles and add my two cents. So settle back and enjoy.

Edutopia articles:

Technology research learning outcomes- https://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-research-learning-outcomes

Helping students develop executive function skills- https://www.edutopia.org/article/helping-students-develop-executive-function-skills

Tech tool

Anchor- https://anchor.fm/

Google Sites has received some incredible changes that has made it one of my primary tech tools. In my opinion, it is the easiest website creator to use, but does have some limitations. Still for classroom use, I don’t think there is anything better. If you want to code and create this may not be the best choice. If you want to start a classroom site or have your students create a project or portfolio, you won’t find many tools that are better.

In this episode I look back over the previous 24 episode and put in a couple of segments that I think might work right now for you. However, you might want to take a look at the list I put together with links to each episode in case you don’t want to scroll down the episodes. Wow! 25 episodes. I am really having fun with this.

Point 1: As I look back over the episodes, I decided that I should make a list for you and for me to be able to see what I have done so far. Also, I noticed that is time to start interviewing, so starting with episode 26 I will be talking with some colleagues and students. For now, enjoy these short sections of past podcasts and thanks for listening. Don’t forget to give me a review on iTunes!

List of ODNT Episodes-

https://goo.gl/cv5RYb

In 13 school days trimester 1 comes to an end. I have been part of an online collaboration, focusing on getting students to reflect, trying to create more interactive experiences for students, and navigating a hectic time for band directors known as Marching Band Season. What do all of these have in common? More than you think.

I think we need some sort of method that is organized in daily, weekly or monthly sections with activities that build upon each other. Beginning with productivity and organization and then advancing to more complicated tech use.

Mentimeter-https://www.mentimeter.com/

A couple of changes I have noticed in Google and I am presenting for the first time at a conference. The first is exciting and the second a little scary but both are part of my daily tech integration. This episode I highlight the Google changes and conference prep and how it is changing me and my students. Maybe something will change you too.

Tech treat

Thinglink

https://www.thinglink.com/

Exploring tech can be time consuming. This episode is short and to the point. Three resources for additional content, learning objects or maybe a primary resource. What do your students need? Is always the question. There are a lot of choices. Here are a few I have used or studied. See what you think.

Resources

OER Commons

https://www.oercommons.org/

CommonSense Media

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Google Arts and Culture

https://artsandculture.google.com/

In this episode, I jump around to different topics and go deeper into a few subjects from past episodes. I like to try and keep episode to less than 30 minutes, usually 20. So, that means somethin' s gotta give...this episode is a compilation of some things I left out, but are worth a listen. The links below are to the sources, articles, and websites I use in this episode.

Periodic table of visualizations and types of charts

http://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html#

Marketing statistics focused on the use of images and videos

https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/visual-content-marketing-strategy

9 Characteristics of 21st Century Learning- Personalization segment

https://www.teachthought.com/learning-models/9-characteristics-of-21st-century-learning/

Tech treat highlighted blog- 5 smart ways to use digital images in the classroom

https://www.teachthought.com/technology/5-smart-ways-use-digital-images-classroom/

In episode 20, I look at Diffusion of Innovation and a closer look at using Google Drawing or Slides to create an email brochure or bilboard. Episode 19 I discussed several ways I communicate, in this episode I focus on a couple of Google apps and my reasons for choosing the style of communication I use now.

Sometimes I forget to look back and see some of the things I have been doing with tech as noteworthy. The communication and sharing features have enabled me to create and communicate info, content, events...you name it. So, here are some ways to use Google Apps as tools for communication and a few things to remember as you use these great tools.

Diffusion of Innovation Article

https://www.smartinsights.com/marketing-planning/marketing-models/diffusion-innovation-model/

Everett Rogers Book

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/134781.Diffusion_of_Innovations

James Balm Post- The power of pictures. How we can use images to promote and communicate science

http://blogs.biomedcentral.com/bmcblog/2014/08/11/the-power-of-pictures-how-we-can-use-images-to-promote-and-communicate-science/

Tool- https://watchkin.com/

Early in my career most communication if not all was verbal and written. I didn’t use video or any other form of communication very much or at all. Now that video and audio communication is so much easier via technology, I have many resources I utilize. How do you communicate content, events, opinions? This podcast is about what I use and have seen used and maybe some ideas of how to utilize what I have seen will transfer to your classroom.

Tools

Google Voice https://voice.google.com/

CARS- http://www.cotwcourses.net/manchester_gate/clab/cars.htm