If This Then That Recipe for Photo Blogging with David Theriault

We loved this share because it actually worked well with an app that our students use all the time. We used the Instagram"New photo by anyone with specific hashtag", but were super worried about posts that might sneak into the blog that we do not want. Not everyone who uses hashtags has good intentions and the automation of this actually makes bad posts harder to catch, so we STRONGLY recommend that all posts are vetted by the teacher.  Unfortunately IFTTT does not offer a draft feature in connection to Blogger. We NEED that  because so many schools have GAFE.  Wordpress offered some choices such as "Save as draft" or "publish as private" that blogger did not have. We feel Wordpress in this instance is the better choice for an educational setting. Thank you Dave, you definitely gave us good ideas for using instagram, wordpress and IFTTT.

Testing some features out #iste2016

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Getting closer! #iste2016

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Introducing Slides Q&A: A new way to talk with your audience—not at them

We are thrilled to use the new presentation features available with Google Slides. It works like a dream! The ability to turn the feature on and off is perfect for when presenters want to protect certain moments and not be distracted. More importantly, the choice to share a question or not protects the presenter from audience members who may ask off topic questions. Find out more about all the wonderful features Google Apps has in store for you onWednesday June 15th, 2016 at our Google Apps for Beginners Workshop.

Instagram in the Classroom- Social Media Meeting Instructional Goals

By Nathan Garza (Guest Blogger)

Instagram is a very popular social media and networking tool used here in the United States and globally. The application for smart phones, which is view-able on a desktop/laptop/chromebook, is a photo and video sharing social media tool. Users can post and share images and short videos on the site instantaneously. The applications for this tool in a classroom are endless. Teachers can use it to post excellent work. They can also post updates to their schedules, test dates, upcoming quizzes or even homework assignments. It is a great way for a teacher to keep connected with their students over breaks. Students can share favorite books or paintings. Assignments can be used to increase student learning outside of the classroom. Students can be sent on scavenger hunts for local historical locations. They can answer math questions or share images of famous people, paintings or locations. Teachers and students alike can post images of significant trips around the country and even the world. Instagram helps teachers bring the entire world into the classroom. 

One of the great characteristics of this tool is that it is universally used and can be mastered within an hour. It is very user friendly and it comes with automatic updates, which fix any glitches or other problems. The program is very well maintained and has even won a number of social media awards in the past. The program creates an instantaneous connection between the individual and their followers. In an instant (instagram) a person can be notified of a post, like or a comment. It can even be accessed via a desktop, but has fewer applications. The best part of this application is that it is free, in an increasingly expensive world, free is amazing. 

Brunel University London - Adoptabot with Finch Robots.

  Are you interested in an event like this for your students? Do you have Finch Robots? If you are a consortium member, contact us to borrow some finches to use with your classes!

How to Insert Special Characters in Google Docs, Slides, and Drawings

This is such a helpful feature.

Set the Expiration Date on Your Google Drive, Docs, Sheets

This is a useful tool for students and teachers who create presentations and documents that will incorporate materials that will need to be updated, but they might not necessarily go back and do so.   If you create a document and don't plan on ever editing it again, think about the content. Will any of it still be relevant a year from now, does it contain research that will not be current in 2 years?  Set an expiration date.

You Can Now Use Your Voice to Format and Edit Your Google Docs

If you do not like typing, check out all you can do in a google doc!

Are you ready for Digital Learning Day 2016?

Restrict Google Form Participants with These Two Options

This video is a little blurry and we will replace it as soon as possible with a clear version. However, the options make it valuable enough to share. The second data validation option is the easiest, By setting a password, you can move on in the google form if you have access.

Microsoft OneNote Learning Tools - Top Dyslexia App 2016

Ozobot - DIY - Hybrid Playing Surface

These Two Buttons in Google Drive Will Help Keep You Organized

“Pocket” is a web 2.0 tool that allows us to save articles, web pages, images, videos, and everything in between to one convenient location. Essentially, it is similar Google Drive; except instead of saving your own work, you are saving items you like from anywhere on the web. It can be used in the classroom by saving articles and videos  for a lesson right to Pocket. You won't have to surf the web during class, and have everything in one quick and easy location. For a more comprehensive video on how to use it, there is a longer video here, The one below offers a brief overview.