Tracking student submissions within Google Apps

Though I've been using GAFE for several years now, I just now stumbled upon a great script: http://www.youpd.org/doctopus. With this script, you do not have to search and find student docs/presentations/spreadsheets within the GAFE domain. Rather, you just need a class roster on a spreadsheet. After that, you can run the script on the spreadsheet. Now, when you assign work, link with the document URL, the grade you assign it, and the date it was submitted appear in your roster. What's even better is that you can make your own project groups from your roster--so they are not generic Google groups that you have to constantly change. With each project group, you can restrict viewing capabilities AND you maintain ownership of the documents! With one additional step, you can even insert a rubric into the spreadsheet for students to turn to.

Check out this video, which explains the script in depth:



To find the script, just open up your Google spreadsheet roster. Click on insert-->script. Search under education. Look for the doctupus script. Follow the steps to install it. Then, return to your spreadsheet. Click Tools-->Script Manager. Find the script again and click run. Now, when you create your Google Docs, you will find additional options for sharing and linking to your spreadsheet. Cool find!

Appointment Calendars made easy with Google Calendar

In a GAFE district, scheduling is made easy with the help of appointments on Google Calendar. Not only is it as easy as a click and save, it integrates seamlessly into Drive, gmail, and other Google products as part of GAFE.

Uses?: For secondary students and staff, a great use is to have students sign up for paper conferences, band showcases, auditions, meetings with counselors, and other appointments. For primary students and staff, it is helpful to use appointments for parent teacher conferences, lab scheduling, and meetings.

How it works:

1. Either create a calendar specifically for appointments or just add appointments to an existing calendar. Follow the steps to creating a calendar if you choose that method.
2. Click on a time that you would like to reserve for appointments. In the pop-up box, choose appointment slots rather than event. 

1. Click on event details in the bottom right.
2. And, now, you can choose:
1. The calendar to place the appointment on
2. Get the URL of the appointments to send out to others (you can change this into a QR code as well so they can sign up via phone)
3. Add a location (you can get the exact address from Google Maps so the location is tied to a map)
4. The length and quantity of that appointment.

1. Press Save when you are done.
2. Repeat for as many different appointment titles as you want. 
3. Remember to integrate other Google Apps into this feature so it is seamless and try out the QR code generator so kids can use their QR scanner to take them to the appointment calendar and sign up remotely. Parents can do this as well!

iGoogle going away? Here's some fixes

With all of Google's other applications, there are a lot of ways to bypass any need for iGoogle. However, it does have one great purpose--RSS feeds/news feeds. So, what are some good solutions for when iGoogle disappears in November? Try some of these ideas:

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2012/07/two-excellent-customisable-start-pages-worth-trying-as-igoogle-replacements/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/258815/three_alternatives_to_your_igoogle_home_page.html

And, Symbaloo is an online bookmarking site that is presented in a more spacial format with buttons. This can act as a homepage. You can add a bookmark for a Google Calendar, a bookmark for a news site, a bookmark for gmail, and so forth: http://edu.symbaloo.com/

Check it out:

There are other bookmarking sites that are similar. You can check them out at Round Rock ISD's LiveBinder: http://www.livebinders.com/play/present?id=445410

Enviro Science quick and easy, Day #7--taking science by storm

Though environmental science is not a class required by most schools, elements of the class are taught in most curricula. And, technology elements and applications are actually spun from this science. Therefore, it makes sense to use technology to study the science in order to improve other technological advancements.

Here's a quick run-down of some of the best environmental science applications and resources:

1. Lisisoft's App finder with 25 different apps for the iPad:  http://appfinder.lisisoft.com/ipad-iphone-apps/environmental-science.html
2. Planet Save's 10 climate science apps for the iPad:  http://planetsave.com/2011/01/13/10-climate-science-apps-for-the-iphone-ipad/
3. Idea blog on the creation of enviro science apps and their ramifications (as well as some apps):  http://www.idea.org/blog/2011/02/21/making-of-science-apps-not-the-usual-suspects/
4. How stuff works' top 5 "green" mobile apps:  http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-tech/sustainable/5-green-mobile-apps.htm
5. Environmental Science Masters' 19 essential applications for teachers/professionals:  http://www.mastersinenvironmentalscience.org/19-essential-web-applications-for-environmental-science-professionals.html
6. The Exploratorium's 10 "cool" sites on environmental science:  http://apps.exploratorium.edu/10cool/index.php?category=6&cmd=browse
7. Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Earth Guide with many activities, apps, and resources:  http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/
8. Education index of environmental science resources:  http://www.educationindex.com/environ/
9. Internet for Classrooms' Earth Science guide:  http://www.internet4classrooms.com/earthspace.htm
10. Science Buddies' enviro science project ideas:  http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/Intro-Environmental-Science.shtml

These are just the beginning of the many geology, earth science, and environmental science resources and apps available to teachers and students. Stay tuned for the top Agriculture apps and resources! 

Phantastic Physics, Day #6, Taking science by storm

Though elementary students will not be taking advanced physics classes nor will they be using some of these applications, these are all examples of what you can do in the classroom. In fact, most you can adapt to fit elementary students. Take a look at some favorite resources and applications.

The American Association of Physics Teachers has a ton of links to sites for Physics teachers of all grade levels. Some great links listed include NBC's science of the Winter Games--a site where students can do experiments related to the Olympic Games.

Illinois State University has a decent Physics pages with multiple resource listings (primarily for the secondary level).

The University of Maryland Physics Education Research Group page gives links to a lot of great physics experiments that can be adapted for various grade levels.

comPADRE is a Physics community whereby teachers and students can share digital resources and engage in conversations.

This site lists all different units within physics for secondary education (though, I think these can be adapted for elementary students). These are all very useful.

Stay tuned for agriculture resources (being in a small, agriculture-rich district, I have plenty to share!)

Connecting with Chemistry, Day #5--Taking science by storm

In the social context, we are all brought together via the Web. Likewise, the Web and apps allow learners to look at humankind on a molecular level. Hence, chemistry is just one of the many sciences advanced by technology--and one of the many science contributing to technology's advancement. So, let's take a look at the technology that's helping chemistry students and teachers improve chemistry technology.

Top chemistry resources:

• St. Morehead best chemistry resources (very helpful):  http://people.morehead-st.edu/fs/h.hedgec/sciteach.html
• Chemistry Thinkquest (projects for elementary students by elementary students):  http://library.thinkquest.org/J001539/
• Science news for kids (interesting, current articles about chemistry for younger students):  http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/category/atoms/chemistry/
• PBS Kids (kitchen chemistry--perform virtual experiments or try your own in a real kitchen and submit your findings):  http://pbskids.org/zoom/games/kitchenchemistry/
• Kidipede (a listing of many chemistry terms students can learn more about):  http://www.historyforkids.org/scienceforkids/chemistry/index.htm
• American Chemical Society (links to educational chemistry games for younger students):  http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_SUPERARTICLE&node_id=903&use_sec=false&sec_url_var=region1&__uuid=a2d5d98f-23bb-4d43-9adc-4b5c476a8a7c
• American Chemical Society (links to programs for secondary students):  http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_SUPERARTICLE&node_id=206&use_sec=false&sec_url_var=region1&__uuid=a2166f33-d410-49bd-8335-b928626c3a48
• The Franklin Institute (all things related to Chemistry):  http://www.fi.edu/learn/search_results.html?cx=018015037168314440677%3Atuweue4swtg&cof=FORID%3A11&q=chemistry&sa=Search+%BB&siteurl=www.fi.edu%2Flearn%2Findex.php&ref=www2.fi.edu%2F
• Museum of Science (all things related to Chemistry):  http://www.mos.org/visitor_info/simpleSearch?q=chemistry
• The Tech Museum (all things related to Chemistry):  http://www.thetech.org/search/node/chemistry
• St. Louis Science Center (all things related to Chemistry):  http://www.slsc.org/SearchResults.aspx?Search=chemistry

Stay tuned for the top resources and apps in Physics and Physical Science. 

Bonus Biology Resources, Day #4--Taking science by storm

Biology apps and resources allow students and educators to not only share their knowledge, but to stay abreast of the latest innovations. Genetics and human research are changing from the technology around us. Therefore, it makes sense to teach students with that technology so that they, too, are prepared to advance beyond the existing technology.

Some helpful resources are:

• The Biology Corner:  http://www.biologycorner.com/
• The American Society for Cell Biology (has resources for all ages):  http://www.ascb.org/ivl/design/education.html
• BioEd Online (fun biology journal for students):  http://www.bioedonline.org/
• K8 Science (science journal for students in K-8):  http://www.k8science.org/
• Institute for Biology Education (at U of WI)--resources and activities for K-12 students:  http://www.biology.wisc.edu/FamiliesPublic-ScientificActivities.htm
• Biology in elementary schools wiki:  http://wikieducator.org/Biology_in_elementary_schools
• The Science Spot (tons of links to resources, lessons, interactives, and activities):  http://sciencespot.net/Pages/classbiolsn.html
• Serendip (hands-on activities for students):  http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/waldron/
• ePals (a collaboration site--so search for biology and you'll find activities related to biology your students can join in from across the globe):  http://www.epals.com/
• Teach with your iPad (top Biology apps):  http://teachwithyouripad.wikispaces.com/Science+Apps#Biology
• Best Colleges Online (40 best science apps--will need to search for biology):  http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2011/06/15/40-most-awesome-ipad-apps-for-science-students/
• iPad apps for science (again, you'll need to do a Ctrl +F for biology to find the biology specific apps):  http://scienceapps.blogspot.com/
• Thinkfinity discussion thread (look below the posts for some specific links for apps):  http://community.thinkfinity.org/thread/7190

Stay tuned for chemistry resources and apps!