3 Make Writing Must-Haves

In Make Writing, I share the three layer design process that I’ve used each time I’ve set up my own makerspaces or helped school districts develop their own:

First we establish the substructure of the space, which is prepared before we open the doors of the space.
Then, we assess the needs and interests of the makers we serve during the start-up phase, which begins when the kids walk in the door.
As individual writers begin to pursue unique projects that they are passionate about, we specialize our tools and resources in response to their emerging needs.

Regardless of where the space will be located, who will be using it, and the vision that the designers have at the outset, my initial recommendation tends to remain the same: Don’t spend big money until you have very good reason to.

Making doesn’t require much money, especially at the outset. As interests and needs change and grow, helping students find ways to creatively fund their projects becomes another satisfying challenge to pursue.

That’s a different topic for a different post, and I’ll be sharing it soon.

Today, I’d like to give you this “must-have” list of budget-friendly materials and tools. Local friends of mine have been requesting it for some time, so I thought I would share it here as well.

Use it build the substructure of your own makerspace. Tell me what you add or amend as well!

Cool websites

How to Teach Kids to Police Themselves on Social Media

Listen to “85: How to Teach Kids to Police Themselves on Social Media” on Spreaker.
Before we can teach kids to police their own social media practices, we must police our own actions on social networks, because kids are watching.

I was reminded of this lesson recently, during an enthusiastic debate on Facebook. I explain in the podcast episode above.

5 strategies to teach kids to police their social media activity

1 - Think before you share

Social media can be intoxicating. You’ve likely seen the research about kids being engaged 7-10 hours daily and some adults being unable to function in normal daily life, because they can’t leave social media. It’s so easy to share pictures, graphics, links to content, along with comments and less-than-a-second likes and retweets (see number 4).

We must teach kids to fight the urge to share absent-mindedly. Facebook and Twitter make this extremely easy. Teach students this simple strategy: Read, Reflect, Decide. This process takes 30-60 seconds and it can make a difference in so many lives.

Just read your content carefully; reflect on what it means to share it; then, decide if it should be shared. Remind kids that sometimes they should decide to Not share or interact with content. Discuss what makes content shareable and, more important, if anyone be hurt by your actions.

2 - Never respond in anger

Think for a moment about something you’ve seen recently on a social network that made your blood boil. The share incited you more than anything you can remember. You flinched, frowned and your fingers tingled, because you couldn’t start typing fast enough.

Hopefully, in this case, you used the Read, Reflect, Decide strategy and didn’t post in anger. If something your see on a social network upsets you, it’s best to walk away. If you feel you must respond, do it privately and politely.

Look Inside

3 - Understand the longterm impact of your social shares

Yes, one bad tweet, like or share of content on a social network can hurt you for many years-in some cases forever. College admissions deans and HR directors are watching.

Many people have lost jobs because of one thoughtless share or comment on a social network. Is your future worth that five-seconds it took to post something thoughtless, and likely meaningless, on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram?

There’s a recurring theme here: Read, Reflect, Decide. This habit will serve you well.

4 - Ask, “Why am I liking or retweeting this?”

The Facebook like and Twitter retweet are simple, fun ways to join a conversation on a social network. But when they are used without forethought, they are two of the most dangerous tools on the Internet.

People are so quick to like or retweet something, because they don’t have to create new content or comment; they can interact with content and, perhaps, show support of a friend in less than a second.

While saving time in our hectic social media lives is important, a simple like or retweet can be as damaging as an expletive-laced personal post.

Teach students to consider what their like or retweet means. It’s basically an endorsement of content. Liking a friends post about abortion or antiwar protests may feel like a simple nod to the friend.

Meanwhile, it can be devastating to other friends or even family members who have different beliefs. It’s okay to have an opinion, but it doesn’t have to be shared with the world, and there are times it’s best to simply say No to the like or retweet and move on.

5 - Avoid confrontation

How many times have you wanted to question someone’s intelligence or win a battle of sarcasm in a Facebook or Twitter chat? Consider how often this happens with kids who tend to have a much smaller filter than adults.

Guy Kawasaki, one of the world’s leading social media experts, says to stop at two replies to any heated discussion. Anything beyond two will most likely be negative and potentially harmful.

Plus, many people join conversations late, so they may have missed the context. They see something you said that seems snarky and they don’t consider the other person. It’s you or your student who looks bad.

Download it now for FEE

For more from the Hack Learning Podcast, visit our episode archive at HackLearningPodcast.com.

A version of this post first appeared at Brilliant or Insane

5 Hacks for Going Google at Your School

Going Google in Your School or District

Brad Currie, Billy Krakower, Scott Rocco

Rolling out a G Suite for Education plan for a school or district is an exciting yet daunting undertaking that requires time, support, and patience. The initiative requires a commitment to the Chrome Browser and an ability to look at teaching and learning in a new way.

It can be done in a 1:1 or BYOD setting and involve a plethora of devices including Chromebooks, iPads, or a Windows based computer.

5 Hacks for Going Google at Your School

1 - Assess The Needs of Students and Staff

Gaining insight from stakeholders can a tremendous help when trying to transform a learning environment. Conducting a Google Form survey to assess staff needs is a step in the right direction.

Consider creating a Chrome Committee that consists of students, staff, administration, tech support, and parents to gain further insight to guide decision making. Informal classroom observations and conversations with staff would help in solidifying the initiative.

2 - Establish a G Suite for Education PLC

Driving pedagogically sound teaching with technology starts with teachers holding consistent conversations around best practices pertaining to student engagement within the G Suite for Education framework. Teachers could meet with their subject area or grade level colleagues within their school or district.

Focusing on such things as the SAMR Model to support developing lessons with Google Apps like Docs, Slides, Sites, Drawings, and Maps can go a long way in promoting the success of students. Creating and maintaining a Google Classroom “Class” for the PLC will help with sharing ideas and resources throughout the school year.

Look Inside

3 - Differentiate Your Approach to G Suite Training

A school or district is only as good as the number of qualified technology coaches made available to support staff. It’s always important to remember that most educators are going to be at one of three ability levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

Planning individual or group trainings must include knowing what staff members are or are not capable of doing within the G Suite for Education space. Training can take place before, during, and after school for staff.

Additionally, virtual training should be offered as much as humanly possible. Leaning on the expertise of middle school and high school tech clubs can help teachers integrate Google Apps more effectively.

Holding parent tech nights/mornings 3 or 4 times during the school year can help acclimate them to this new learning environment especially since students will be required to do assignments at home. Shifting the use of time during faculty meetings to focus on sharing best practice tech initiatives can help everyone out in the long run.

4 - Hold a District Wide G Suite for Education Summit

A day of learning consisting of a G Suite for Education Keynote Address and staff-led breakout sessions will be beneficial for all involved. The Evolving Educators have many of the country’s leading educational thought leaders when it comes to Google Apps integration.

An additional step to consider is that staff should be given an additional day within one month of Summit to dig deeper so they have to time to apply what was learned. Those who volunteer to present at the Summit should will be offered a chance to attend out of district conferences and workshops to further sharpen their skills.

5 - Support a Google Educator Certification Initiative

A two or three year plan should be put into place to have as many staff members as possible become Google Certified educators, trainers, and innovators. Learn more by visiting https://edu.google.com/training/.

Points of Emphasis for Students and Teachers

For the Going Google initiative to be a success students and staff must commit to a paperless learning environment with Chrome, Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Drawings, Classrooms and a host of other apps, extensions, and add-ons. A new reality consisting of real time creation, collaboration, and communication must exist. Going Google will transform the way students learn, teachers teach, and leaders lead with G Suite for Education.

Brad Currie, Billy Krakower, and Scott Rocco are co-authors of the soon to be released Hacking Google for Education, Book 11 in the Hack Learning Series. Learn more about them by visiting www.evolvingeducators.com.

Hacking the Scavenger Hunt with QR Codes

Listen to “46-Utilize the ENTIRE School Building with this Engaging Scavenger Hunt…Starring Caroline Craig-Bowden and Sandy Smith” on Spreaker.

Hacking the Scavenger Hunt with QR Codes

By James Sturtevant

As I read through the 20 page assignment on the Industrial Revolution, I kept thinking to myself...Wow, this is boring! If I was feeling that burn; imagine what my students were going to feel.

I decided it was time to break out of the box. In this case, literally break out of the box of the four walls of my classroom.

I sent my students on a school-wide scavenger hunt utilizing QR-codes, a hint sheet, and provocative prompts from the reading. This episode will detail this EPIC lesson plan from the vantage point of two of my awesome students. I will also offer advice on how you can create a scavenger hunt at your school.

Caroline Craig-Bowden and Sandy Smith

First, secure a QR code reader. I love this simple, but powerful app i-nigma.

Second, produce QR codes. Classroom Tools has a remarkably easy site to utilize in this quest. Merely type in the questions and answers and then Classroom Tools will generate the codes.

And finally, concoct hiding places around the school for your codes. Create a HINT SHEET to help students search. Below, is my list. I’ll bet you could apply many of my hiding places to your building!

HINT SHEET

Finding this one could take you to another level
On the back of a warning
Where Sturtevant gets his Old Skool messages
These kids looked great in 88
Behind something black and gray
If you find this one…YOU’RE REALLY ON A ROLL!
If you don’t find this code, your prospects of winning will be extinguished
Open this door and find an awesome relationship
If you get to the bottom of where this code is placed…I’ll be shocked
Search this virtual tool we use daily

ANSWERS

Elevator
On the back of the “No Firearms” warning on the front door
My mailbox in the main office
The Class of 1988 composite
On the backside of a trashcan in the hallway
On the the large paper rolls in the supply room
On an obscure fire extinguisher
On the backside of my wife’s office door
On the bottom of the defibrillator in the basement
On the “About” section of Google Classroom

The Problem

Your next lesson looks a bit dry.

The Solution

Incorporate unit concepts into a scavenger hunt utilizing your entire building.

What You Can Do Tomorrow

Download the i-nigma QR reader
Create QR codes on Classroom Tools
Determine hiding places for codes around the building
Craft a Hint Sheet

Morph a dull lesson into challenging your students to hustle around the building formulating wonderful responses to the day’s essential questions.

Look Inside

This post first appeared at JamesAlanSturtevant.com.