Chrome Extension: "Talk and Comment" Voice Notes

Looking for a way to have students explain their ideas orally, or to practice fluency?  Talk and Comment - Voice notes anywhere Is a Chrome Extension that will record voice notes for ANY tab open in Chrome.  This could be a Google Doc, Slide, or any other website.  Teachers can also use this tool to give students feedback on projects they are creating online. 

Simply install the extension and click on the microphone icon at the top right-hand side of your Chrome window.   A transparent circle icon will appear on the right side of the window, about half-way down.  Click to record.  A window will then pop up giving a link to the file.  Paste the file in a document, on Google Classroom, in an email, or anywhere else to share with others!

This is a very easy tool with many innovative uses for feedback!

EduBlogs March Blogging Challenge

For classes who are blogging, take a look at EduBlog's March blogging challenge for students.   The site is filled with great ideas to encourage writing in the classroom!  Click on #16stubc to see what this challenge looked like in classrooms in the 2016 November challenge.

Even if your students aren't using blogs, there are some great ideas you could adapt to fit your instructional approach.

10 Add-ons to Improve Communication and Organization

If you are a google classroom user, check out Matt Miller and Alice Keeler's list of 10 add-ons that will take organization and communication to the next level.  A few of my favorites are the random group maker, the list maker (which creates a spreadsheet of all the work turned in), and the feature to mass email individual comments to all students at one time.  The individualized newsletter and rubric maker look interesting too!

Matt Miller is the author of "Ditch that Textbook,"  and Alice Keeler is the guru of just about everything involving Google for Education Apps.  Sign-up to follow their blogs for more ideas each week!

#D59 Twitter Chat - Feedback

Just a reminder to consider joining us on Thursday, February 2nd at 8:00pm for this month’s professional learning opportunity at #D59Chat. The chat will allow you to connect with colleagues about the topic of "Feedback." Here are the questions in advance:

1. Share a time when you got in trouble as a child and needed some parental feedback.
2. Share a time when you received meaningful feedback that inspired you to do better.
3. What tools/tech have you used to provide meaningful feedback to your students?
4. What is the difference between “grading” and “feedback?”
5. What are some examples of reflection questions you ask on an exit ticket?
6. How have you used peer feedback in your classroom?  
7. How do your students give you feedback?  What have you learned from the process?
8. If you could provide 8-year-old Ross Vittore with feedback, what would it be?  

If you need help getting started on Twitter or want to know more about how to get involved, just let me know!  Posting responses and having an account are optional.  If you are just curious on the format, anyone can follow the chat by clicking here. 

Hope to connect with you tonight at 8!