Cool Google Tool Alert -- Smart Chips

 If you type the "at" sign (@) in Google Docs, you may have noticed a new menu popping up and wondering what that is all about. Those are called Smart Chips!

In short, Smart Chips are one-click tools for you to make a document more interactive and dynamic. By typing @ you will be presented with options to insert things into your document, like

• Tagging a person
• Date
• Dropdown menu
• Building blocks for things like meeting notes
• Links to Drive files
• Calendar events

Take a look at this video to see Smart Chips in action!

Share in the comments below -- how will YOU use Smart Chips? I'll send you some fun stickers for commenting your ideas!

Coexisting with AI

via GIPHY

 As I look into the future of education, I see my time coming close to an end soon -- I am just a smidge over a year away from the next step in my life! But one thing I see heavily on the horizon and moving in quickly is AI. In January, I shared information about ChatGPT and shared some ideas about how to cope with AI if it hits the classroom. Since sharing that information, learning about AI and ChatGPT has been like drinking from a fire hose -- there is so much out there and it is moving and advancing very, very fast. It is now clear that teachers are going to have to learn how to coexist with AI. It's not a matter of if but when -- AI will be coming to your classroom probably sooner rather than later. As a Google school, this post should be of interest to all of us. TL;DR: Google Workspace is launching its own form of AI that will integrate with Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Meet, and Chat in an effort to streamline the work we do. Some AI is already used in Google Workspace, like Smart Compose, Smart Reply, and Summaries (have you see the summaries in Chat????), so it's no surprise it will be coming to the other applications we use. This means that teachers will have to shift how they talk about AI to their students -- instead of making it a "no go," it will have to be more of an ethical discussion and a critical thinking discussion -- What can I use this for? When should I use it? How can I make it my own? How can I fact check the information? How can I document the sources? How do I disclose when I use AI? To assist teachers with this, I am working on a page on my website devoted completely to AI resources and information. This will be something that teachers and students can use. I am also available to talk with you about AI as it hits your classroom to help you structure lessons or discussions to have with your students. In addition, whoever is the person that takes over the role of Instructional Technology Resource Teacher will need to be on top of AI and its impact on education, so I will be sure to closely work with that person (will it be YOU????????) to help him or her be as informed as possible.

Now, I would love to get some discussion and interaction on this post. What are your concerns when it comes to AI? What questions do you have about it? What do you want to help you manage AI in your classroom? Drop those comments below and I'll get you some cool stickers and gifts as well as answer your questions, address your concerns, and gather resources for you!

Cool Tool Alert -- Mote

 Everyone knows the phrase, "Work smarter, not harder." Well, I have a cool tool to show you that will definitely fir the bill of working smarter, not harder!

Meet Mote! What is Mote? For the full rundown, watch the video below! Otherwise here's a quick summary: Mote is a voice note app. It allows you to record a note in your own voice that students can listen to, and it generates a transcript as well that students can read. It is easy to use with a Chrome extension -- it embeds itself into Google Docs and then allows you to create a voice note that embeds itself in the document OR comment! It can also be used to add audio directions! 

Mote is a freemium product, which means you can use it for free but offers subscriptions as well. With the free account, you can record up to 20 voice notes each month with each note being up to 5 minutes long. If you want an individual license, it's $59.40 per year which gives you unlimited voice notes of up to 5 minutes each with transcription available in 34 languages AND Motebook, where you can save and reuse your voice notes (hello, easy and fast essay feedback!!!!).

The steps are simple!

1. Add the Mote Chrome Extension.
2. Refresh any Docs or Slides that were already open if you want to use Mote with them.
3. Use the purple icon for Mote to record (move mouse to the side of the doc to see the icon, or insert a comment and you will see the Mote icon).
4. Click the icon to start and stop your recording. Note: if it's your first time using Mote, you will be prompted to create an account.
5. Listen to the recording, and if it sounds good, insert it!

Yes, it really is that simple!

Still unsure? No problem! Let me know and I'll come over and personally get you up and running!

Oh, and guess what? If you use Mote, you get a Cool Tool sticker! 

Byte Sized: What Kids Should Know How to Do -- Images and Videos

 Todays' blog post is the next post in a series of posts sharing the TL;DR information available in the Illinois Computer Literacy Knowledge and Skill Development Continuum adopted May 2022. In this  series, it is hoped that you will have a better understanding of what technology skills our students are expected to have at different grade levels. Of course, each student is different -- some will acquire these skills sooner than their peers; some will acquire them later. These are meant to be a guide for teachers. 

Computer literacy isn't just something that is taught in "computer class" by a "computer teacher." Because the use of computing devices impacts our students at school and at home, for school work, for socializing, and for fun or entertainment, computer literacy is something every educator needs to assist students with. It is my hope that by summarizing these skills for you, it will be easier for you to find ways to help students develop, refine, and retain the computer literacy skills they will need and use for the rest of their lives.

You can find the actual continuum here. What you will see in these posts and the linked spreadsheet are my interpretations and summaries.

Interestingly enough, one of the first things that kids seem to know how to do is find images and videos online; however, being able to find images is actually something that's not even expected of our students as a beginning skill until grade 6! Now, to clarify, this probably doesn't mean actually FIND images; instead, it means to do things like use the Google Reverse Image tool or some other type of reverse image searching tool. Honestly, though, even this isn't too challenging, but it's worth noting that even at the end of 8th grade, this is considered a developing skill! Want info on how to do this? Just click here!

On another note, though, being able to do a search for information (websites, videos) on how to do something new, THAT'S something that out K-2 students should be introduced to and have as a secured skill by the time they reach 8th grade. So while providing kids with websites to use is helpful, it's also important to teach kids how to do their own searches so they can find things they need on their own -- for school AND for themselves! Want some resources to help kids learn how to do effective searching? Check this out!

Here's where you can find the summary of these skills (be sure to click on the tab titled Images and Videos). Let me know if I can develop any resources for you or your students related to image or video searching, or if you'd like me to come in and do a lesson! Coming into classrooms is my favorite thing!