Instructional Technology

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Tips & Tricks

Instructional Technology and Library Services

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Increase productivity, collaboration, and engagement in your classes through meaningful integration of instructional technology tools. This QuickGuide includes 18 suggestions for enhancing learning through the use of technology.

Distribute Resources/Materials

Google Drive - Upload/create materials in a dedicated folder and “Share” the folder with a group.

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Deliver Content

Schoology - Organize materials and activities in a course. Best for asynchronous learning and/or classrooms with adequate device access.

Create 24/7 Learning Opportunities

Use Schoology to build courses with numerous resources including images, videos, documents, links, assessments, online discussions, and more. Control pace and/or order of how materials are accessed and viewed.

Share Useful Websites

Use Diigo (list form with details and tags) or Symbaloo (graphical layout) to share a list of links.

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Each generates a single link to share with students and will allow you to continue adding/changing resources without sending out a new link.

Read/Annotate Text

Scan or save text as a PDF. Students can use Notable PDF (Laptop/Chromebook) or Adobe Reader (Laptop/iPad) to highlight and comment on shared text.

Use a Chart or Graphic Organizer

Create the graphic organizer in Google Drive, then save it as a Template that students can download and edit. Use Docs, Spreadsheets, or Drawings as needed.

Schoology - Organize materials within a course or group. Great for organizing course materials

and resources

in a format that

allows for

anytime access -

even when students are home sick!

Google Presentations - Create a slideshow of talking points complete with links, images, and videos.

Create a Graphic Organizer

Use LucidCharts or Google Drawings if you want students to create their own flow charts/graphic organizers.

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LucidCharts is best for more complex charts; Google Drawings are ideal for quick and simple diagrams.

Exit Ticket

Use Google Forms or Lino to gather parting thoughts/questions/etc.

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Google Forms allow you to create a survey. Give students the link to the survey and have them fill it out before they go.

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Lino is a digital cork board. Give students the link to your board, and they can add “sticky notes”, pictures, videos, etc.

Brainstorm and

Share Ideas

Use the sharing functionality of Google Docs to create a collaborative doc that students can work on simultaneously.

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Use Lino, Lucid Charts, or Google Presentations* if you want students to add images & videos as well as text.

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If brainstorming in small groups or individually, use a Kagan Strategy like “Team Stand-N-Share” to ensure all participants have all ideas.

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*iPad users can only view Google Presentations, they can’t add content.

Gather Data BEFORE your Lesson

Email a Google Form to students to assess prior knowledge, skill level, session preferences, and more!

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Use the “Summary of responses” feature to get graphical results of your data.

Gather Lesson Feedback

Use Google Forms to gather lesson feedback from students to assist you in future planning!

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Use the “Summary of responses” feature to get graphical results of your data.

Develop & Participate in Personal Learning Communities (PLCs)

Be a lifelong learner by developing or joining a PLC through Schoology or Edmodo. If you plan to develop course materials online, use Schoology. Otherwise, try Edmodo!

Maximize Understanding & Minimize Interruptions

Create a backchannel* for your students to ask & answer questions, comment, & share resources.

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Use the commenting feature in a Google Doc outlining your lesson or try GoSoapBox.

*A backchannel is the process of using networked computers to maintain a real-time conversation alongside live spoken remarks. Also great during work time!

Keep Your Activities on Schedule

Use Online Stopwatch to display a countdown timer and keep your class on track.

Create Random Groups

Use SuperTeacherTools to quickly and easily group students for Kagan structures, work time, discussion groups, etc.

Pick Students at Random

Choose random students to answer questions, contribute to discussions, etc. and avoid repeats with SuperTeacherTools or ClassTools.

Assess Understanding Instantly

Gather student responses using Socrative, GoSoapBox, or PollEverywhere.

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Students can answer your questions using iPads, computers, or even cell phones!

SAMR

PLC’s

Randomization

Share Websites

Feedback

Sharing Resources

Delivering Content

Graphic Organizers

Brainstorming

Keep on Track

Tools

Read and Annotate Text

What is the SAMR Model?

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Redefinition: Technology allows for creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable

Modification: Technology allows for significant task redesign

Augmentation: Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with functional improvement

Substitution: Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with no functional change

Transformation

Enhancement

This chart provides an easy reference for how the tools in this QuickGuide can be used. Many of them can provide functions beyond what’s described on the previous pages.

Tool Functions