Using Productivity Tools to enhance your Professional Practice

Using Productivity Tools to Enhance Your Professional                                                Practice


For the first of my two productivity tools I chose to use "Videono.tes."  I have been giving a lot of Google Classroom assignments that have included videos.  My students have either been taking notes on separate paper or on a Google Doc.  I really liked the idea of this tool and have already started using it with the study of The Middle Ages.  

My students seem to like it and found it to be "user friendly."  Next year when I do my major research project with the class, this will be part of assignment.

The only concern I have is related to a study reported on NPR showing hand written notes to be more effective than compute notes.  Part of the concern is that college students can transcribe word for word notes on a computer without having to process the ideas.  My students are not as fast on the keyboard, so they still need to strategize and paraphrase.  i think the key thing is to make sure they are paraphrasing and not just writing verbatim what was said.

Videonot.es


The second tool I am using is Doctopus.  I am signed up for a collegial circle using Goobric (I have wanted to be able to attach rubrics quickly to written assignments on Google Docs).  When I went to Goobric and started viewing a Youtube video on it the presenter was using Doctpus with it.  I think it will be a bit of a stretch for me, but if I jump into it and use it, I think it will help me organize and more efficiently use my Google Classroom assignments. 

The tool will help with grading and sending out assignments to smaller, more select groups. I will use it for the rest of this year in order to get proficiency and then start with it next year (using Google Classroom, Doctopus, and Goobric together). 

Doctopus tutorial

      Implementation Reflection

My implementation lesson was a project on Medieval Japan. Students used Chrome books to do research on one of two topics (Samurais and Shoguns or Shintoism and Buddhism). 

We began by posting a KWL chart on Seesaw that the students responded to.  They did not know very much.

After researching for a couple of class sessions, students created a Tagul word cloud.  This was a good activity in that it gave them practice with a new application and it forced them to look at main ideas/concepts of their subject and then reduce them to about 10 vocabulary words.  Upon creating their Taguls we posted them on our class Seesaw blog.

The next step was to work in small groups with shared Google Slides.  Students used different strategies in creating their slides.  Some chose to jigsaw the activity by taking different aspects of their subject and then initially creating their own slide (e.g. swords of the samurais).  They were told that they would be responsible for all the slides, so, they would need to review each other’s slides.  This proved to be a problem with one group where they duplicated each other.

We presented our Google slide presentation to the class.  The students did fairly well.  They could have used more prep time, but we needed to move on. If I had had more time I would have students practice more and try to have them paraphrase the text from their slides.  Lacking the time to do that I had them work on reading part of the sentence to themselves and then saying it out loud to the class (this required looking at the board and then turning to speak).  It worked out well for most of the students. 

The last thing we are doing is having the students respond to the "L" part of the KWL assignment.  Although there are still gaps and misunderstandings, the class clearly learned a lot.  

Samurai 3

Samurai 2

Samurai 1

Buddhism

Shintoism

The last of my students are completing their Google Slide presentations.  As we are doing more independent research, I am finding that my students are having difficulty "digging below the surface" of their research.  They paraphrase basic facts or ideas, but they have trouble distinguishing the importance of these ideas.  They also are not putting the information in a logical sequence (big idea first).  I am meeting with small groups to go over and clarify the information they have written.  

Our next step will be to practice as groups giving oral presentations using their Google Slide presentations. 
Google Slide Presentation

Medieval Japan

                      Medieval Japan

Both Alexis and I have lived in Japan and have a deep interest and appreciation for Japanese language, culture, and history.  Because of this we decided to focus a little more on medieval Japan than most teachers.  As a part of this study we gave students a choice to focus on Buddhism and Shintoism or Samurais and Shoguns.  They researched first, then came up with important vocabulary for their subject.  With the vocabulary they made Tagul word clouds.

                               
                              

Bud, Not Buddy

We just completed an awesome writing project derived from the book, "Bud, Not, Buddy" written by Christopher Paul Curtis. We had just arrived to the part in the book where Bud finds out that Herman E. Calloway was Bud's father, but was his grandfather.  The class was really excited to find out what happened with this revelation. We talked about possible consequences and how the book might end.  I then took all of the books away (somewhat dramatically) and told them that they would have to finish the book.  I put a prompt on Google Classroom and for the next few weeks the class wrote their own conclusion.  Our principal and vice-principal posted that they loved the stories and came in several times to talk with the kids about the stories.  It wound up being one of the best writing assignments I have given. I am posting one of the responses below.

We stopped reading at this point, “Mr. Jimmy said, “Bud, that’s enough.  Herman is not your father.  But Angela Janet is his daughter’s name.  IF what you’re saying is true, Lord help us all, it looks like Herman might be your grandfather.”  

Pretend that you are the author, Christopher Paul Curtis, and finish the story.  Be sure to include the different characters and dialogue.  The author need almost 30 pages to finish the story.  You do not need to write that much, but it is expected that you will have a full, complete ending.  You will have a week to finish.

Name:

 Bud, Not Buddy: The Final Chapter

‘’Mr. Jimmy said, “Bud, that’s enough. Herman is not your father.

But Angela Janet is his daughter’s name.

If what you’re saying is true, Lord help us all, it looks like Herman might be your grandfather.

Mr. Jimmy left to go check on Mr C. I stood outside in shock thinking about that mean old big belly guy being my grandfather. I didn’t understand if Mr C. was my grandfather, then who is my dad? how come momma hadn’t gave me more clues? shucks, I wish momma was right here this moment with me. Mrs. Thomas came outside to get me she ask what happen with Herman? I just stood there for a moment silent “ Bud’ she ask “Yes, ma'am” I said afraid to hear what she was going to say. I told Mrs. Thomas everything that had happened she grabbed my arm and said “ I am tired of this distance between you and Mr. Herman we are going to fix this right now” shucks, for a little lady like her she is really strong” “Ma’am I don’t think this is the right time or moment. She stared at me and said “ I won’t make you talk to him right now but be sure that tomorrow morning you will talk with him”

I couldn't sleep just thinking about what was going to happen next. I pick up my suitcase and got the flyer that I had. I stared at it for a hot minute and just rip it into half I gave up I have been looking and looking for my dad and all I have been causing are problems I give up. As I sat on the little dead girls bed I thought I had a plan tomorrow as soon as I finish talking with Mr. Herman I will leave back on the lam. I just sat on the (LDGB) little dead girls bed dust from the ceiling got in my eyes and tears started to come out I guess I am a big baby after all. I cried myself to sleep.

The next morning, I open my eyes and I was still half asleep so my vision is blurry but I thought that there was a women in my face calling my name. As my vision got better there she was Mrs. Thomas. Shucks, she can really give someone a good scare.

“Come on Sleepy Labone,” here we go I got ready my plan was going to go on now!!!! I said in my head after I got ready Mrs. Thomas took me to talk to that mean old guy

“ Open the door big guy” said Mrs. Thomas

“what for”

“open the door or I will open it myself”

We walked in slowly admiring the room. I looked around I saw so many different things that he had that look just like mine.

“ I thinks It's time for you two to talk there is so much negativity between you two and it's tiring”

I Was surprised the big guy did not disagree, this time we all sat down on the bed and stared at each other. It was silent until Mrs. Thomas Said go on now talk. I did not know what to say I was confused.

My plan was about to change I was nervous was it going to work? were they going to catch me? ready one, two, one, two run I grabbed my suitcase put a good grip on it and ran.  Bud, Bud where are you going? Come back I am sorry screamed a man!!! I stop was that the man I thought that said that. I turned around slowly not knowing what I was going to be staring at. I look and there was Mrs. Thomas and Mr. C standing in a weird frozen position staring at me.

“ Bud I am sorry I should have never treated you like that”

“It was just the way you came at me saying I was your father, It kinda creeped me out.”

“ I am also sorry for the way I came at you, I should have never came like that I am sorry but I will be leaving back to Flint”

“No don’t go Bud” for a minute I felt special. But I had to go.

“ Sorry Mr. C but I am not going to be happy here”

“ You don't like me anyways” I felt rude for a second and then started to walk slowly as I picked up the pace.

“ No Bud stay here with me said Mr. C I will take care of you” I can't bare to lose another person, and don’t you think your mother I mean my daughter he said in a shaky voice. Then he started again don’t you think your mother will be proud of us finally meeting and bonding”

“Yes Mr. C no, no son call me grandpa”

“ Now let's get out of here I said this room is too dusty and my eyes are starting to get watery.”

“ I agree said Mrs. Thomas and my grandpa at the same time.

Here we go I was ready to start a new family and relationship with my grandpa. It felt good to not have to worry about anyone hating me anymore and switching families anymore. We went to the kitchen and ask Mr. C to make a toast we all got apple juice and I yelled excitedly TO OUR NEW BIG FAMILY!!!!!!!!!. Welcome everybody said I was glad I stayed I would have missed out on a very big change.

Today was a very big concert for the band and I was so excited grandpa asked me to play with them. We were in the concert setting up the crowd was very excited I felt nervous but I have been practicing really hard and I have come a long way. Five, Four, Three, Two, One we started playing and I just closed my eyes and felt the beat the crowd was going wild. I finally felt apart of something I felt like we were a big happy family. After we finished playing my grandfather asked “ Weren't you looking for someone” I knew exactly who that someone was. “ I gave up I am never going to find him, anyways I just keep causing problems”. “Well I got some great news for you my boy” “what?”

Rule number 900 of being a great liar

When  an adult says that they have some great news for you it means the opposite they just say that so you won’t scared so run.

“What news I replied”” Me and you are going to a place where we are going to start a new life together. You are going to go to school we are going to start all over I am going to be like your dad what do you think”. I jumped on him hugging him I never thought that will ever happen today really was the best day ever.

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

Well, this may not be educational, but it may provide me with some more practice blogging.  For the Spring Break,  Robin Hill and I flew to Salt Lake City, Utah (boy are our arms tired!!!) and visited my daughter, son-in-law, and 4 grandkids and went to Arches and Canyonlands National parks.  We survived the trip and each other (still talking, barely!).

Various petroglyphs 

Holding on for dear life (I am not a huge fan of heights).

Robin lost (as usual).

Warnings are for wimps!!!

Making time & Learning more about how to build your PLN

I have been fairly limited on my uses of online resources. Finding things counter intuitive and lacking time and patience to delve into them more fully has kept me from exploring more efficient uses of what I do use and has made me reticent to try new apps or programs.  

In the past I would say that Google was my "program" of choice (just look up anything I need and see if something exists already.  I have had to fight with programs after purchasing new workout equipment or listening devices.  Often times they wind up being discarded.

Having said all that, I have made an abrupt change in my use of technology this last year.  The first catalyst was becoming the pastor at my church.  It is a voluntary non-paid position with a lot of responsibility. Most of the people I work with in my leadership position are in business or the medical field and they all seem to do everything electronically.  I had to start using Google Docs and Calendar of all meetings.  At the same time Eliza was introducing Google Classroom to our school, so it was perfect timing.  I have benefited from many patient "young" friends who have "held my hand" while working through problems.  I seem to always be in the wrong site, application, or in the wrong account (or even not in Chrome). 


EPIPHANY!!!  I AM MY PARENTS WITH THE REMOTE CONTROL (for you younger readers, my generation had to explain the different options on the remote control to our parents).

At school I have been branching out a lot.  I am assigning multi-media assignments on Google Classroom on a regular basis and feel fairly proficient with it.  I am also playing (just starting) with " Tagul" and "Thinglink."  I am also working with "Orange Slice" rubrics that I am attaching to my classroom assignments. I almost forgot that I am using "Seesaw" in my class for a classroom blog.  We have done two assignments and has gone well. 

To be more effective, I just need to keep practicing and become more confident with the different applications. 

I have a very busy schedule and first thing in the morning seems to be the best time for me to work on technology (although it is 5:30 pm now). It is hard to have a set time, but I arrive 2 hours before school and that is probably the best time.

What I need to do now is work with the 4 newer apps and try to master them.  

I am not really interested in social media, but am willing to try and can see the professional value.  I am part of Pinterest, but have done very little with it. I have a Facebook account that I have never posted on and have not had much desire to do so.  I have received ideas on debate and argumentative writing and will look for more on Washington DC, as our 6th grade is going in June. 

  I guess I am on the fast track!

Blog Post #1

    

Experiencia Con la Tecnologia


I remember when computers first arrived in the classroom 30 years ago (approx.) and they sat in the back of the class collecting dust because the teachers didn't know how to use it and/or there was only for the whole class.  I have used them in my class and now with the arrival of a full class set of Chrome books, I use them frequently throughout the day.  I have done some low tech webinars from and to Japan on free public software programs that were very inconsistent (10 years ago).


El Miedo y Pasión en Usar la Tecnología


Being a more "seasoned" teacher, I am less comfortable with technology.  15-20 years ago I felt like I was almost up to speed with "ClarisWorks," an Apple program we used in our school.  Since then, I tend to see technology and technology purchase as opportunities for frustration and failure (countless experiences of unused computers or software programs that defeated me.  There was a short lived TV program where the senior detective kept referring to the computer as the "computer machine."  That about sums up my feelings and experience with technology (although, I have to admit that I am delighted with Google Calendar and Classroom).


Lo Que Espero Aprender de Este Circulo Colegial de Aprendizaje

- I would like to understand and be more comfortable working with my computer.
-I would like to learn to use Popplet
-I would like to know how to attach a writing rubric to Google Classroom writing assignments.



Afuera de la Escuela

I am very busy with church and enjoy it.  I like to hike and kayak with my wife.  Paradise for me is floating in my kayak on a quiet Canadian lake with the sound of loons calling.  I enjoy music and find my work output doubles when I am listening (even to Bob Dylan and his not so melodic voice).  I am multi-talented and can run 5 and 10k's at an incredibly slow pace, play the guitar very poorly, and butcher Spanish, sign language, Japanese (just a bit), and English.  It is important to understand that I am not exaggerating.

PS  I would be in serious trouble if I didn't mention that I love spending time with my 4 grandchildren (and my 2 daughters of course).