The Bits & Bytes of Education

Featured Content   ?5 Ways to Promote Digital Citizenship at Home and School Emphasize content creation over content consumption. Model for our kids - both at home and at school - how to develop a balance between online and offline. Cite sources and use creative commons licensed media. Remind our kids that 13 is the magic number for social media. Be educated consumers of media.    What I'm Learning ?One of the first and one of my favorite podcasts to listen to is called Note to Self. Note to Self's tag line is "the tech show about being human." This show explores technology and its impact on our face to face world. The most recent episode of of Note to Self is called "How to Create Good Digital Citizens".  In this episode, host Manoush Zomorodi talks wit the CEO of ISTE, Richard Culatta about core competencies of good digital citizenship for both students and adults.    Connect with the Show   JP on episode 3 of the METC MinipodJP's Twitter: @jpprezzJP's Instagram: @jpprezzBits and Bytes on Twitter: @bitsandbytesEDUTalk about the show: #bitsandbytesEDULeave feedback on the Bits & Bytes of Education Flipgrid community! jpprezz.com/flipgrid

On episode 24 of The Bits & Bytes of Education, I share a recent episode of The Edtech PodSquad, a podcast I cohost with 4 Missouri Technology Leaders.    What's New: Flipgrid updates   Coach's Corner: SeeSaw for Schools   Featured Content: How do you praise the amazing work classroom teachers are doing?   -----   Connect with the Show   JP's Twitter: @jpprezzJP's Instagram: @jpprezzBits and Bytes on Twitter: @bitsandbytesEDUTalk about the show: #bitsandbytesEDULeave feedback on the new Bits & Bytes of Education Flipgrid community! jpprezz.com/flipgrid    

The Edtech Minute Thank you to these educators who chatted with me at ISTE: Donna Albertsons shared her thoughts about podcasting for PD. Connect with Donna on Twitter @albertsonsclassKatie Cherry shared her ISTE take away. Connect with Katie on Twitter @teachcherry2014I shared my thoughts about using Apple Clips to share learning. Check out Apple's Everyone Can Create curriculum to learn more.  Featured Content Dee Leible is a math teacher, conference presenter, and Google for Education Certified Trainer. In our conversation, Dee shares ideas and resources for meaningful integration of technology in the math classroom. ?Connect with Dee on Twitter @deelieble and check out her website deeleible.com Connect with the Show JP's Twitter: @jpprezzJP's Instagram: @jpprezzBits and Bytes on Twitter: @bitsandbytesEDUTalk about the show: #bitsandbytesEDULeave feedback on the new Bits & Bytes of Education Flipgrid community! jpprezz.com/flipgrid

The Edtech Minute Podcasting with students can be an inexpensive project. Here's what you need to get started:1 teacher account to Anchor.FM1 Chromebook1 Yeti microphone   Featured Content Jen Walter is a middle school science teacher and edtech leader from St. Louis, Missouri. In our conversation, we discuss five tips for having making the most of your time at major conferences: Plan ahead and be prepared to wait in line. Have a back up plan. Have a system in place for taking and organizing your learning. Take time to process your learning. Grow your PLN and make a new friend.   What I'm Learning I was recently given the opportunity to serve my school district in a new capacity as the Communication and Instructional Technology Coordinator. My new responsibilities will include telling my school district's story and building our brand both on and offline. Don't worry, this podcast isn't going anywhere, though.   Connect with the Show P's Twitter: @jpprezzJP's Instagram: @jpprezzBits and Bytes on Twitter: @bitsandbytesEDUTalk about the show: #bitsandbytesEDULeave feedback on the new Bits & Bytes of Education Flipgrid community! jpprezz.com/flipgrid

Full show notes at jpprezz.com/pod/21 The Edtech Minute Toontastic 3D is a digital storytelling app by made by Google with our younger learners in mind. There are 3 major reasons I recommend Toontastic: Ease of use Privacy compliant  A new way for students to share their learning. Here is a storyboard template for any digital storytelling project.  Featured Content In my school district we have incoming freshmen create a video high school entry interview where they reflect on middle school and look ahead to high school. Tools we used:?ScreencastifyGoogle ClassroomGoogle SheetsformMule What I'm Learning The Art of Manliness episode 506 - how to improve your speaking voice   Connect with the Show JP's Twitter: @jpprezzJP's Instagram: @jpprezzBits and Bytes on Twitter: @bitsandbytesEDUTalk about the show: #bitsandbytesEDULeave feedback on the new Bits & Bytes of Education Flipgrid community! jpprezz.com/flipgrid

Connect with the show JP's Twitter: @jpprezzJP's Instagram: @jpprezzBits and Bytes on Twitter: @bitsandbytesEDUTalk about the show: #bitsandbytesEDULeave feedback on the new Bits & Bytes of Education Flipgrid community! jpprezz.com/flipgrid   The Edtech Minute No matter what you are doing in your class, always know and start with the why.   Featured Content Samantha Hardesty-Knoll is an Instructional Technology Coach in the Wentzville School District in Wentzville, MO. Sam is passionate about giving students an opportunity to create content more often than they consume it.  In our conversation, Sam discusses the Wentzville Film Festival, creating video projects with Apple Clips and We Video, along with some her her favorite video projects for teachers new to facilitating creation and teachers looking to try something brand new. Connect with Sam on Twitter @techknoll.   What I'm Learning Eric Curts' Hipster Google: Tools You've Probably Never Heard ofMy favorite new tools from this presentation: Data GIF Maker Toontastic Google Semantris

Connect with JP and the show: JP's Twitter: @jpprezzJP's Instagram: @jpprezzBits and Bytes on Twitter: @bitsandbytesEDUTalk about the show: #bitsandbytesEDU   The Edtech Minute Schedule email messages in Gmail - quick demo hereCustomize swipe actions in Gmail on your phone - Google support article   Featured Content Sra. Katherine Bluemel is a first year middle school Spanish teacher at Fox Middle School in Arnold, MO. In our conversation, we discuss Katherine's YouTube presence, evaluating edtech with the Triple E Framework, and Flipgrid. Triple E Framework App Evaluation RubricKatherine's YouTube ChannelMy interview on Katherine's YouTube Channel   What I'm Learning Presentation proposal planning document. Feel free to use, improve, and re-share this document.  Shout out to Erin Lawson for collaborating with me on this document. 

The Edtech Minute According to the G Suite Update Blog, the ability to insert audio in Google Slides is coming to all G Suite users soon.     Featured Content Here are a few things to consider when you are planning a Twitter challenge: 1.  How will you automate your workflow? Schedule tweets with Tweetdeck or Hootsuite.2. Design prompts in Canva or Google Drawings.3. Communicate, communicate, communicate (newsletters, emails, building-level flyers)4. What’s your hashtag? What story does it tell?5. Curating tweets to review is important, too. Twitter Moments, walls.io Here are a few things I’ve learned throughout the past 4 Twitter challenges: 1. Timing matters. Pick a time of year that isn’t too busy and don’t stretch out the challenge for too long. I have found that 10 days is the sweet spot.2. Just because the challenge is on Twitter, doesn’t mean it has to be all tech all the time. 3. No matter how big or small your district is, you will learn about some amazing things happening in classrooms and schools. 4. Don’t stop with the Twitter challenge. Twitter is best utilized as a starting point. Make connections, ask questions, get to know people past their 280 characters and GIFs.5. Twitter isn’t for everyone and that’s okay.

Get the full show notes at jpprezz.com/pod/17.   The Edtech Minute Create a folder in the bookmark bar of Google Chrome to store tabs that you would otherwise keep open. Bookmark folders can hold webpages, Google Docs, and even emails!    Featured Content Shannon Steimel is the librarian and technology committee chair at Lift for Life Academy in St. Louis, MO. In our conversation, Shannon discussed the many hats she wears and how she started the PD Bytes Online mini-conference series. PD Bytes PE online mini-conference: Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019.    What I'm Learning ISTE has a new podcast called "Your Edtech Questions" Check out episode 3, where hosts Zac Chase and Amal Giknis chat with Dr. Liz Kolb all about digital distraction. 

The Edtech Minute Reader Response GIFs with andtheniwaslike.co. Here is a Google Slides template to get you started.    Featured Content Tina Risse serves the Fox C-6 School District as the District Literacy Coordinator/K-5 Curriculum Coordinator. Tina is passionate about helping all children discover the love of reading. Throughout our conversation, Tina shares some invaluable suggestions for teaching literacy and when technology can enhance literacy instruction. Tina is reading: Read, Write, Teach by Linda RiefTina's Twitter recommendation: The Teacher's College Reading and Writing ProjectTina's teacher shout out: Laura Roberson, Sherwood Elementary SchoolFox C-6 Summer Literacy Institute is three days of incredible learning for secondary educators focused around best practices of reading and writing instruction.    What I'm Learning Dr. Joe Sanfelippo's Twitter1 minute walk to work video seriesHacking Leadership

View the full show notes at jpprezz.com/pod/15   Share The Bits & Bytes of Education on social media using the hashtag #bitsandbytesEDU!A big thank you to the Podcast PD crew for giving the podcast a shout out on episode 44!?Check out Tech on the Side hosted by Jason P. Heisel.    Come see JP speak at the Midwest Educational Technology Conference, February 11-13, 2019   Monday -  I just Attended the Best. Conference Ever. 10:00am AgustaTuesday - The Edtech PodSquad LIVE, 2:30pm Grand Ballroom BWednesday - Memes, GIFs, & #Booksnaps, oh my!, 8:00am Grand Ballroom A   The Edtech Minute Three resources to help you make beautiful presentations.   Featured Content Five tips to make the most of professional conferences   What I'm Learning Sadie Lewis and Manuel Herrera's blog series Visual Thinking to Manage Learning

Check out the full show notes at jpprezz.com/pod/14   JP's METC 2019 Presentations The Midwest Educational Technology Conference is February 11-13 in St. Charles, MO. Come hang out with me in my conference presentations:Monday -  I just Attended the Best. Conference Ever. 10:00am AgustaTuesday - The Edtech PodSquad LIVE, 2:30pm Grand Ballroom BWednesday - Memes, GIFs, & #Booksnaps, oh my!, 8:00am Grand Ballroom A   The Edtech Minute Google Arts and Culture:    Featured Content Josh Howard is the Instructional Technology Facilitator for Fulton Public Schools in Fulton, MO.Josh's blog post,  Baby's First Podcasting Studio   What I'm Learning The Educational Duct Tape Podcast 

JP's Upcoming Conference Presentations: Midwest Education Technology Conference, February 11-13: Feb 11: I Just Attended the Best. Conference. Ever. Feb 12: The Edtech PodSquad LIVE! Feb 13: Memes, GIFs, and #Booksnaps, oh my! ISTE 2019 Building Collaborative Content with Podcasts (Panel AND Poster sessions)   The Edtech Minute The One Word movement is a concept that encourages people to focus their year around one singular word to focus their growth and learning around, instead of having a list of lofty resolutions. My #oneword2019 is positivity.You can read about last year's word focus in this blog post.  Featured Content Dustin L. Brown is a first year high school assistant principal who has had a unique journey because he has spent his entire career - from student teaching to being an assistant principal - in the same building. In our discussion, Dustin shares his strengths and reflects on where he needs to grow after a semester of being an administrator. Then, we talk about the benefits and challenges of being a principal in the same building where he taught. Finally, Dustin gives aspiring administrators advice on landing their first principal job. Connect with Dustin on Twitter @dustin_l_brownDustins' Book Recommendation: Cujo: The Untold Story of My Life On and Off the IceDustin's Podcast Recommendation: Cult of Pedagogy, Principal Matters, Stuff you Should KnowDustin's Recommended Twitter Follow: Dr. Amy Fast, Danny Steele, Dr. Justin TarteDustin's Teacher Shout Out: Debbie Duncan, American History Teacher Festus High School What I'm Learning Without Fail is a new podcast by Gimlet Media CEO Alex Blumberg where he tries to become a better leader by interviewing people who have had great successes and failures in business and learned from all of them. In November 2018, he interviewed entrepreneur Evan Markwell in an episode called “Relentless: How one guy brought the Internet to America’s schools”. This is a really interesting 40 minute conversation where Alex and Evan discuss how Evan  helped to re-shape E-Rate funding and make it easier for schools to get access to high quality Internet access for students. This is an amazing conversation about the side of edtech many educators don’t have to think about and a great story about persevering to achieve a goal. You can check out this episode here. 

The Edtech Minute formRanger is a Google Forms add on that will eliminate an answer choice -actually replace it with a blank space or other text - on a Google Forms multiple choice question after it has had a specified number of selections. Three reasons you might use formRanger: Capping session or event registration to a specific number of participants. Limiting sign up numbers for after school tutoring sessions. Automatically populate and update multiple choice answer choices from a spreadsheet. ?Here is a video tutorial I made that will walk you through setting up formRanger Featured Content The first blog post I ever published was a guest post on my good friend Justin Tarte's blog, Life of an Educator. This post was called "5 Tech Tips for the not-so-tech-savvy teacher". I later republished the same post on my own blog. As I reflect on that blog post that hit the Internet just over 8 years ago, I wanted to share the 5 tips I most often give teachers when integrating new tech in their classes: Don't get lost in a sea of apps. Our students know a lot...about social media. Be aware of the limitations of the tech you use. Don't try to master the whole Internet at once. Know who has your back. What tech tips do you have to share with teachers? Leave a comment below or let me know on Twitter. What I'm Learning The Edtech Takeout is a podcast hosted by Jonathon Wylie and Mindy Cairney from the Grantwood AEA in Iowa. It's an excellent show that shares edtech news and updates, featured content, and the popular (at least Mindy would say so) Tech Nuggets - quick useful edtech tips.  Episode 51 called Edtech Mythbusting was a great episode in which Jonathon and Mindy debunked a variety of edtech myths for the audience. Check out this episode and subscribe where ever you listen to podcasts.

The Edtech Minute Google recently rolled out closed captioning in Google Slides presentations. Here is the Google Keyword blog post announcing it. Now that you know how to use close captioning in Google Slides, amp up your use by: presenting with your AirPods to let closed captioning work when you aren't near your computer. mash up closed captioning with a screencast for students who are absent from your class. Featured Content Meghan Ford is a recovering 5th grade teacher turned elementary librarian and Google Certified Educator. Meghan is passionate about using her library to create problem solvers by combining literacy and her makerspace. Our conversation focuses on how she makes that work an discusses how to enhance classroom-library partnerships.Connect with Meghan:Twitter: @techieteacher2Instagram: fordfab5   What I'm Learning Let me know on Twitter how you are using Adobe Spark with students!

The Edtech Minute Recently I hosted two parent digital citizenship events where I gave a presentation called Hold the Phone: tips for managing teens with smartphones. This presentation focused on helping our kids navigate their digital lives by: protecting our kids' (and our own) privacy online empowering ourselves with knowledge about the social media apps and sites our kids use understanding what's hiding in our phone settings setting realistic and reasonable expectations for device usage You can review this event's parent handout here.  Featured Content Jen Walter is a middle school science teacher and edtech instructional specialist for the Fox School District. In our conversation, Jen talks about her work as an instructional specialist and what it was like preparing for and presenting at her first regional conference, MOREnet 2018, AKA "being called to The Show".TECHsgiving 201712 Days of TECH-smas 2017Make a G Suite and Easy Transition to Flipped Teaching with Google ToolsJen's recommended Twitter hashtags: #ditchbook, #tlap, #moedchatJen's recommended reading: NOW! Classrooms by Meg OrmistonJen's recommended podcast: The Cult of Pedagogy  What I'm Learning In October 2018, I attended a workshop hosted by Apple all about creating content in Garageband and iMovie. This workshop was based on their new Everyone can Create curriculum. Check out the curriculum and program overview. 

My latest blog post: Will YOU take the #EDUpodcastchallenge?   The Edtech Minute I recently hosted a viewing of the documentary Screenagers. This is a movie about screen addiction and how families  can navigate the world of social media and create healthy balances for everyone in the family between being connected on a screen and connected to the people in front of you.   Featured Content Jonathon Lee is an instructional specialist with METC & is a State-wide Technology Support Specialist for the state of MO who hold a variety of educational certifications, including being the world's first ISTE Certified Educator. In our conversation, Jonathon talks about the Midwest Educational Technology Conference, ISTE standards, and ISTE Certification. METC Student Innovation ShowcaseMETC ISTE Standard CertificationISTE Standards for Students, Teachers, and AdministratorsConnect with Jonathon LeeEmailTwitterMETC Podcast?Edtech PodSquad?Jonathon's recommended Twitter follow: Joe Sanfelippo What I'm Learning The Shukes and Giff podcast is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to when it comes out every other Tuesday.  Check it out and subscribe here. 

The Edtech Minute I recently had the 5 year anniversary of working full time in an edtech role. Three things I have learned:1. Elementary and secondary teachers and students are different. 2. Everyone loves someone who can help. 3. Having a strong network is invaluable.  Featured Content Giuliana is my daughter and is a first grade student. We discussed learning spaces, technology in her classroom, and qualities of an amazing educator.    What I'm Learning The Edtech Situation Room is a weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Wes Fryer and Dr. Jason Neiffer that discusses the technology news of the week and the implications it has on education. 

The Edtech Minute The core content, not a piece of technology, should be the focal point of a lesson or learning activity.  ?Featured Content Chris Nesi is a high school social studies teacher, podcaster, and presenter who hosts The House of Edtech, co-hosts Podcast PD, and produces the wildly popular Google Teacher Tribe podcast. In our conversation, Chris and I talk about getting started podcasting and what we have each learned from having our own shows. Then we talk about imposter syndrome and the qualities of successful edtech leaders. Chris's podcast recommendations: The School of Podcasting, The Audacity to Podcast, Shows on the Education Podcast NetworkChris's teacher shoutout: Mrs. Maryann Cochran What I'm Learning Unleash Talent is a recently released book by Kara Knollmeyer that discusses how to identify and share the hidden talents inside yourself and the other adults in your school. 

The Edtech Minute Unpacking the recent updates to Google Classroom. 1. Classwork page2. Gradning interfaceMy Google Classroom resource   Featured Content Lacey Majors serves the Fox C-6 School District as a 6-12th grade gifted educator. Our conversation covers a wide variety of topics including Lacey's unique path to education and how it prepared her for her current role, and how technology helps Lacey build relationships with students, colleagues, and families.  Lacey's spreadsheet template for weekly automated emails.Jessica Lahay The Gift of FailureLacey's book recommendations: ?See How they Run, ?The Grade Cleanse, and The Hate you Give Lacey's recommended Twitter follows: Beth HoufLacey's teacher shout out: Mr. Todd Scott, principal of Seckman High School   What I'm Learning I recently listened to episode 341 of Vicki Davis's 10 Minute Teacher podcast with guest Katie Martin. Check out this great episode called "A Learner Centered Innovation Model" at coolcatteacher.com/e341.