How to use the Google Research Tool to improve Essay Writing

Whilst the Google research tool has been a part of Google drive for a few years now  It amazes me how few teachers and students are aware of what it can do.

In short the research tool is the perfect accomplice for writing an essay or creating a project.  It will not only provide you with all the facts and answers you require but also cite them.  And that's just the beginning.

I have put together this six minute video tutorial to make every student and teacher an expert around getting the most out of using the Research tool but also assist teachers in identifying work that has basically been written entirely from this tool.

I forgot to mention in the video that this applies to Google Docs, Slides and Sheets.

Please leave any thoughts or suggestion on this below.

What does the Surface Hub have to offer education?

Many of the schools within my region are currently in the process of replacing their ten year old SMART boards in the classroom with large flat screen televisions equipped with casting devices such as an Apple TV.

The cost of replacing projector bulbs, poor visibility, maintenance and single touch interface has meant that some schools are left with boards that they can literally not give away.

This week as part of Microsoft's Windows 10 preview event in Seattle we got to see the Surface Hub which is essentially made up of the following components.

• A 55 or 84 inch 4K multi touch screen
• A full functioning inbuilt Windows 10 PC
• A HD Webcam and Microphone for conferencing and collaboration.

When you factor this in with the huge array of compatible established windows software already on the market such as one note, Office, Airserver ( Essentially acting as an Apple TV for mac and iOS compatibility.) Adobe Creative Suite, Skype, Chrome and Google Docs we are presented with a highly versatile classroom projection hub which has no 'all in one' competition.

It would appear that Microsoft seem to have deliberately avoided mentioning the word education  in any of their promotional content for this device which may suggest we will expect something soon targeted directly at the classroom.

From my perspective this would be the ultimate 'classroom screen' but we still have not details on the all important price.  

We are told from Microsoft this device will be available in late 2015 with more details coming soon.  In the meantime feel free to view the obligatory cheesy promo video, ponder the possibilities and voice your thoughts in the comment section below.

How to build and outdoor classroom at your school

We often think of a classroom as essentially... A room.  But there are days when mother nature offers far more enriching learning opportunities in the open.

And the effort and expense to build one of these in your school is minimal.  It is really surprising to think that every school doesn't have one when you consider the opportunities it offers students and teachers to break the mold every now and then.

I came a across these simple plans from kaboom that outlines one idea but I am sure that you could adapt this to suit your needs.  You can download them here.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has had any experience in this field and could share their insights. 

Take a look at our new Christmas Teaching Ideas

As Christmas approaches you might be looking for some ideas to integrate the festive season into your classroom.  

Fear not as we have created a new Christmas section for you to browse and hopefully find some ideas that are both fun and creative.  It can be found here.  Enjoy

Five Chrome extensions every teacher should have

Chrome has quickly become the most popular web browser across all devices accounting for nearly 60 percent of ‘cyber surfing.’

What many people overlook is the fact that Chrome has it’s own ‘App Store’ much like we see on iOS and Android devices that allows you to add vast functionality to your browser.  This allows you to do things like automatically screen grab an entire web page, edit photos or even play Angry birds.

So if you are a Chrome user I would recommend you visit the web store and have a look at what is on offer.  You will be pleasantly surprised.

Here are five tools I would recommend all teachers install on their Chrome browser.  If you have any other suggestions please add them in the comment section below.

Snagit

Record your screen, edit an image and annotate your Chrome usage.  This is particularly useful for teachers and students who wish to create tutorials and guides.  PLEASE NOTE: This is a packaged app. You must also install the Snagit Extension in order to capture images and videos.

goo.gl URL Shortener

This can be particularly handy if you are sharing URL’s to an audience on mixed devices in a BYOD environment and it even has a built in QR code generator.

Save to Google Drive

Essentially this connects your google drive to your browser usage at the click of a button.  Allowing you to save web content, hyperlinks or browser screenshots to your Google Drive.  Extremely useful for teachers and students

Awesome Screenshot

Awesome Screenshot App is an annotation tool for your screenshot and picture.  Capture, Annotate, Edit, Save and share.

Word Cloud website preview

Wordle is back (Almost) - Turn any web page into a word cloud in seconds.  Customisable, Save and Share.  Great for literacy and quickly sourcing key concepts form text.

Teaching resources for remembrance day

Today is a great opportunity for us to reflect upon all of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Although remembrance day is intrinsically linked to World War One it's focus has changed to be inclusive of all modern conflicts. 

The Google cultural institute has some great resources that are useful in examining the 'Great War' with student which can be accessed here.  Please take some time to follow through the links contained within to get access to numerous world class sites which offer a global perspective on the conflict.

Alternately you can take a look at our resources on war and conflict with some great activities for teachers and students.

5 great classroom management apps for the iPad

An iPad or tablet is almost an essential item for any modern day teacher due to their versatility and simplicity to use whilst doing that important part of your job… Teaching students.

Today we are going to look at five tools teachers can use to make the process of managing your classroom a little easier and possibly more engaging to your students.  

I am sure that you have other recommendations, and if you do I would love to hear them in the comment section below.

Enjoy.

Random name selector:  

A Fun classroom management tool for Teachers, that will engage and entertain students. The Random Name Selector is a Fun (and fair) way to select students for that special task or to answer that question.

Has anyone not answered yet?, did everyone get a turn? Bring your Classroom Management into the 21st century with the Random Name Selector.

Simply create your class group. The App will then randomly select students from the highlighted group. All names will be displayed before a name is displayed for a second time.

Class Dojo

Class Dojo takes the concept of rewarding good behaviour and positive actions in your classroom to a new level by turning it into a video game format.

When setting up Class Dojo every student creates an avatar which is linked to their teachers’ account.  From there the teacher provides the student with feedback, digital badges, rewards and level ups when they complete a task or display great behaviour.  

An excellent concept for modern day students that can be completely customised by the teacher.

Decide Now:  

It doesn’t get much simpler than this but your kids will love it especially if you use it through an Apple TV or large screen.

You simply create a list of options such as some different types of games you could play as a class and then this app turns that into a large spinning wheel.

Once again a fair and easy way to make decisions in the classroom

Silent Light

This is a visual noise monitoring tool that allows students to see how they are actually performing in the classroom.  They can accumulate points for periods of sustained acceptable noise levels and also see what the learning intention is at the same time.  ie:  working as a group on our history projects.

Time Timer

This is an innovative and visually appealing timer that will be of great use to special needs students who have trouble staying on task.  Specifically designed for use in the classroom with loads of customisable options.  Enough Said.

Fifteen Innovative Literacy Ideas for Busy Teachers giveaway - Free eBook is all yours

Are you looking for some fresh ideas to revitalise the way you teach English in your classroom?  Well look no further…

Belinda and Kev have put together an ebook with over fifteen innovative  ideas for teachers to teach literacy.  This book usually retails on Amazon but to Edgalaxy readers it is all yours and completely free.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a new beginner I guarantee you will find at least ten fresh ideas to use with your students immediately.  All are open ended and easy to adapt to any age group or ability.  Including

• 3 Fresh Ideas for Reading Group Rotations
• 20 Things to do Before, During and After Reading.
• Useful iPad Apps for Improving Literacy Skills
• Unlock the Potential of Google Forms and QR Codes
• Access Engaging Lesson Ideas and Resources Through TED-Ed
• Free Classroom Posters to Teach Your Students About Reading and Writing.
• Free Useful Graphic Organizers for Teaching Reading and Writing
• Inspiring Visual Writing Prompts
• Expository Writing Prompts for Students
• How to Write a Well Developed Paragraph
• Using WikiPedia as a Powerful Reading and Writing Tool
• Dinosaur Themed Writing Pack for Young Students

The ebook is completely free and non-commercial in the content it contains.

So click here to download it and put some of these great ideas to use.