Update: Teacher Google Site Transition

Earlier this school year, I wrote a blog post explaining how all BHS teachers over the course of this school year are making the transition to move over their teacher websites to a Google site.  With a new semester that began not too long ago, even more teachers have taken it upon themselves to make the transition.

I thought that it would be a great idea to highlight some teacher websites so that others can see what people are doing.  It is great to see how teachers are using this tool to provide important information for their students.

Layout of Site

Mr. Cannon's Website - Mr. Cannon (@Cannonland) has taken his site to the next level by adding a background image to his site.  This image happens to be his advisory logo that he made with his advisory a couple of years ago.  Great way to add character to a site.

Posting Homework

Mrs. Nutting's Website - Mrs. Nutting has decided to post homework through a Google calendar.  Here students are able to see what is assigned as well as when assessments will be happening.  An advantage to the Google calendar feature is that students can click on the button at the bottom right of the calendar to have Mrs. Nutting's homework calendar be imported to their own student Google calendar account.

Mrs. Kenney's Website - Mrs. Kenney thinks more linearly and wanted to keep things simple for her.  She decided to post homework for her classes in a live Google Spreadsheet.  It is simple and organized.  A benefit in showcasing homework in this fashion is that Mrs. Kenney will see what was assigned during the entire school year in one Google Spreadsheet. (You will notice that she adds homework to the top of the spreadsheet so that the most recent information shows at the top)

Ms. Poirier's Website - Ms. Poirier includes an explanation as to what is done in class each day through an announcement page for each of her classes.  This announcement page acts like a blog.  So that people will see a quick line or two regarding each day when they first get to her website, she decided to include what is called an announcement gadget on her homepage of her website.

Providing Documentation

Mrs. Brooks' Website - Mrs. Brooks is very new to Google Sites as she just made the switch.  She has decided to use the File Cabinet page that Google provides in Google Sites in providing information to her students.  Here you will see that she is able to organize all of the important Google Documents, links, and files that students need to access through different folders.

Root's Team Website - Here you will find that the Root's team is providing important documentation through public Google Folders.  This way, when a document is added to a folder, it is automatically updated on the website.  To see what I am talking about, hover over Ancient Greece and click on the sub pages.  Public Google Folders will show up. Students can then decide if they would like these public folders to be added to their own Google Drive account.  

Online Classroom

Mrs. Baney's Website - Mrs. Baney has really taken this on (even before this was a requirement to switching over to Google sites).  She has been creating her very own course sites with the help of knowing some code.  Here students will see modules that they have to complete, post work, etc.  Her students have to register for the course to gain access to course content.  Mrs. Baney has far exceeded the expectations.

Sport Website

I have also seen sport coaches, like Mr. Stank and his Track and Field team, starting to create a Google Site to showcase important information and pictures of the team in action.

The possibilities are endless.  Of course, if you would like to discuss how you can better mange your Google Site, feel free to stop by room 222 and I can assist.  And in case you have yet to take a look at some short Google Site how to videos, click HERE.  They just might answer your question.

Happy Siting!

Making Short Animated Videos that are Engaging!

Hands down, my favorite web 2.0 tool for the 2013-2014 school year is PowToon.  PowToon gets it.  This free web 2.0 tool allows a user to create a seamless, professional looking, animated video with very little effort.

These videos are not videos that you record and then upload to PowToon to edit, crop and add transitions.  Instead, you start off with a template where you add content, images and text, to a slide and animate it.  When I was first introduced to this tool (BIG thanks to Mr. Zeller, @monsiuerzeller), I immediately thought to the '______ in Plain English' videos by the common craft.  To me, these videos were engaging due to the fact that they were different and creative.  The amount it must have taken to cut out all of those pictures!  To see a sample of what I am talking about, watch the Twitter in Plain English Video:

Powtoon has created a quick video explaining what they are all about. As you will see, it is very easy to to use:

• PowToon has a great selection of pre-made images right in their program.  You also have the ability to add your own images as well.
• With each image/text you are able to decide how you want it to appear on the slide.
• You are able to add background music
• You can even record your own voice to be played throughout the PowToon
• You can add as many slides as you want (but remember if you want to keep your audience - don't make a video that is too long! A good rule of thumb for me is not to show something that is longer than 3 minutes)
• Each slide can be as long or as short as you want

It is important to note that PowToon allows you 30 free exports to YouTube under the free account.  But don't worry, you do not have to export your PowToon to YouTube.  Once you are done with your PowToon, you can just share the link to your newly created animated video without exporting it outside of PowToon itself.  I also like the fact that you are able to grab an embed code to have your PowToon embedded on another website or blog.  Lastly, I have to admit, I rather enjoy the ending of each PowToon when it says....'Created Using PowToon'.

Examples of PowToons

This tool can be used in many different ways:

• Pitching a product
• Explaining a Concept
• Teaching a Lesson

Below, you will find three different ways we have integrated this web 2.0 tool at BHS over the past 7 months.

Instructing Students

When introducing what a backchannel was to Mrs. Pearson's IB Film Studies class, I showed this PowToon.  While I have given the backchannel presentation to Mrs. Pearson's class before in past years, I thought that this video enhanced the discussion/conversation.

Informing Staff

We are currently in the process of having our school become an accredited school.  The NEASC committee at BHS decided that it would be a great way to inform the staff about the different standards that we will be assessed on through the means of PowToons.  I thought that this was a great way to get people engaged rather than a couple teachers standing in front of the entire staff at a staff meeting spitting out words about their committees.  The best part is that the NEASC committee came up with this idea all on their own! So Proud!  The following link will bring you to the PowToon regarding NEASC Committee #3 - Instruction, made by Mr. Cannon (@Cannonland).

NEASC Committee #3 - Instruction

While Cannon's PowToon is listed here, I give the entire NEASC committee props for taking the time to make videos for their staff as it sure was a lot more work to do that than to just list verbally what each standard committee would be in charge of!

Student Work

A couple of teachers this year have decided to incorporate PowToons in their curriculum.  One teacher in particular is Mrs. O'Connell.  Mrs. O'Connell teaches the Canterbury Tales in her AP Literature and Composition.  She decided that during the reading of this book, she would have students be responsible for sharing out to the class different tales through the means of a PowToon, instead of a typical presentation to the class or written paper.  Students were broken up into groups and were given a tale.  Then, the students were tasked with finding a way to portray what happened in the tale.  Below are two examples of student work from the class:

The Prioress's Tale by Jonathan Greiner and Abby Kokkinos

The Wife of Bath's Prologue by Kelly Gibbons, Annie McEwen, and Mary Spencer

So there you have it, three different ways PowToon has already been used at Bedford High School.  I look forward to seeing how it will be integrated into our bulldog family in the future.  As always, if you have any questions regarding how to use this tool or you just want to bounce ideas, just stop by room 222!