Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Personalized Professional Learning with the Apple Teacher Learning Center

See how to use the Apple Teacher Learning Center for personalized professional learning any time, any place.



Clips app for Remote Learning Videos

Apple's free Clips app is an incredible option for recording instructional content during distance & remote learning... both for teachers and for students!

1. Download (or make sure you have the most updated version of) the Clips app from the App Store. (Note: You may have to update your iPhone or iPad to be able to install it.)

2. Learn a little about what Clips can do for you.


3. Open the Clips app and make your first video!

4. Share as you normally would with your students and/or colleagues.


Related blog posts referencing Clips: https://esu8tech.blogspot.com/search/label/Clips

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Monday, March 23, 2020

Continuous Learning via Zoom

Best 'Getting Started' video for Teachers


Another 'Teacher Tutorial with Zoom' option... this one created by a kid


How to Setup Zoom for Parents and Students


Zoom Directions for Students

(Customizable Google Slides/PDF handouts to send to students from The Techie Teacher)
https://www.thetechieteacher.net/2020/03/i-just-wanted-to-pass-along-some.html 

Zoom Task Cards

For more in-depth practice/training with Zoom. Shared graciously by Jenna Reeh of Papillion LaVista Schools. 
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1NJT-iYcl8um6qzE1h8yJgA-dCNld_nt0u7xDyExhFBA/preview?slide=id.g63a8e66b27_0_86

Tips for Many Users Today

  • UPON ENTRY in a Zoom meeting: Show people how to mute and unmute themselves. As meeting host, you can Manage Participants and Mute All, but allow for others to unmute and show them how to do so, so that future interactivity is seamless. In the Advanced Settings online you can also check a box so that all participants are automatically muted upon entry. Because this is a user-controlled setting and not a default, teach your participants how to do it themselves so they get comfortable using anyone's Zoom rooms. 
  • ZOOM FROM HOME: Because our home internet connectivity isn't as good as at school, consider turning off your video and/or telling participants to do the same. It is far more stable when just sharing audio. However, turn your video on from time to time to add that human connection when at all possible. 
  • RECORDING ZOOM SESSIONS: If you Record a Zoom meeting and you are looking for where that recording went, the default is a folder in your Documents called Zoom. You can control where the Recordings go in your Pro account by going to Zoom.us > Preferences > Recordings. You can also have them saved automatically to the cloud (then you don’t have to upload) and a whole bunch more advanced settings when you go to your Advanced Settings online in your Zoom account. 

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Students sharing iMovie videos from home.

Question: My students created a iMovie for class on their Macs. I’ve had a couple of students ask how to get the movie sent to me. Any ideas?

Suggested Solution:

When they are finished in iMovie they should export their project as a file:
File > Share > File. 

Because of slow upload speeds on home wifi, I would tell them to choose the smallest file size available (or at least Medium quality 720 p):
PastedGraphic-3.png

Then they will choose where the file saves and name it. 

Once finished, (this will take awhile), go to where the file was shared and upload to YouTube. Every student already has a YouTube channel with their school Google account. They just need to sign into YouTube with their school email and then add/upload their video.
 PastedGraphic-4.png

I think the rest will be pretty straightforward, but they will need to Publish it either as Public or Unlisted so that you can see it, 
When YouTube is finished processing it, then just Share the URL of the finished video with you (via Google Classroom, most likely).

This is by far the easiest route, but if there are any issues with it I could recommend a different path. 

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Getting Started with Canvas

If teaching remotely or simply wanting to learn how to use Canvas for when students return to our buildings, here are my recommended sources of professional learning.

Canvas Tutorial Video Series
(Watch the ones labeled 'Instructor' or 'All Users')

Canvas Fast Track Video Series
(This YouTube playlist features videos that are short and sweet.)


Recording with Quicktime

Teachers with Macs already have access to a simple recording studio on their laptop-- it is Quicktime Player.


  1. Simply launch Quicktime (or search for it with your Spotlight).
  2. Note that Quicktime now displays as the active application at the top of your screen. 
  3. Click on File >  to see your options:
    1. New Audio Recording: simply record your voice 
    2. New Video Recording: use your built-in camera to create a video of you talking to your computer
    3. New Screen Recording: record your screen and everything that happens on your screen*


*Note with Screen Recordings: You DO need to make sure that the Microphone is on in Options if you want your voice to record along with the screen. Also, I recommend showing your mouse clicks in the recording.

When you have ended your Quicktime recording, it might be best to compress it before sharing with others (file space and upload speed concerns). Simply click on File > Export As and choose a smaller quality file.

Here is the official, more detailed support article from Apple.

How to scan documents with your iPad or iPhone

Another simple tutorial for a built-in app on your iOS device to help with your Continuous Learning needs.

How to scan documents with the Notes app - Apple how-to document.



Stay Connected via Facetime

While busy connecting with colleagues and students, don't neglect the importance of increasing connections with family and friends during this stressful time.

Simple, but effective, is a Group FaceTime. Learn how here:

Enrichment for Students

While there currently is a barrage of free, creative, online resources available for home-schooling parents and teachers sending out enrichment to their students, here are a few Big Ideas for making the most of Continuous Learning.

Everyone Can Code

What a perfect opportunity to work through Learn to Code in the Swift Playgrounds app on iPad!

#CreatetoCope

Everyone Can Create is the perfect resource for teachers and students alike. Open one of the 'Everyone Can Create' books (Drawing, Photo, Music, or Video), launch a built-in app on your iPad, and get creative. 

Listen and Learn

Visit Apple Podcasts and subscribe to a show or two. Listen a little every day. Discovering Podcasts guide.
Set up the Overdrive app on your phone and call your public library if you are uncertain how to log in. Download an audiobook and maximize your personal enrichment!

Challenge Yourself

Using the Challenge Based Learning framework, explore a Big Idea that matters to you. Whether you call it a passion project, 20% time, or Genius Hour, you can self-direct your learning journey and do something that makes a difference with your independent learning time. 


First time users to Zoom

Faculty meeting through Zoom to prepare for remote learning
Helping teachers connect, collaborate, and support their students through video conferencing tools like Zoom gives me hope for the future of digital, blended and personalized learning in our schools. 

Although the circumstances that have led us to this point are unfortunate to say the least, it is exciting to see so many adapt to digital communication channels like Zoom. 

Some getting started tips and best practices:
  • Zoom.us - get a free account or reach out to Molly at ESU 8 if a Zoom Pro account is warranted. 
  • Teacher Tutorial for Using Zoom for Online Teaching (created by a student!)
  • Zoom Task Cards shared graciously by Jenna Reeh of Papillion LaVista Schools. 
  • UPON ENTRY in a Zoom meeting: Show people how to mute and unmute themselves. As meeting host, you can Manage Participants and Mute All, but allow for others to unmute and show them how to do so, so that future interactivity is seamless. In the Advanced Settings online you can also check a box so that all participants are automatically muted upon entry. Because this is a user-controlled setting and not a default, teach your participants how to do it themselves so they get comfortable using anyone's Zoom rooms. 
  • ZOOM FROM HOME: Because our home internet connectivity isn't as good as at school, consider turning off your video and/or telling participants to do the same. It is far more stable when just sharing audio. However, turn your video on from time to time to add that human connection when at all possible. 
  • RECORDING ZOOM SESSIONS: If you Record a Zoom meeting and you are looking for where that recording went, the default is a folder in your Documents called Zoom. You can control where the Recordings go in your Pro account by going to Zoom.us > Preferences > Recordings. You can also have them saved automatically to the cloud (then you don’t have to upload) and a whole bunch more advanced settings when you go to your Advanced Settings online in your Zoom account.