Ditch That Textbook

JANUARY 9, 2019

Google is so deep and so broad and so wide. It’s constantly updating and adding — and sometimes removing — features and services. It’s almost impossible to keep up. And even if you do, there’s no way to know all the best ways to use G Suite and all of the Google tools. It helps […]. Ed Tech Google Teacher Tribe google classroom google drawings google education tips google forms google slides google teacher tribe google tips

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Google Tools Classroom Education 181

Ditch That Textbook

NOVEMBER 10, 2017

I had a pile of assessments to mark (grade). I knew was going to take the best part of four hours to get done. I seemed to be writing the same comments as feedback: “Use a quotation to support your argument.” ” “Include a religious view as an alternative.” (I

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Assessment Study EdTech Technology 421

Ditch That Textbook

JANUARY 11, 2019

We know that Google Forms give us the ability to easily create quizzes or surveys. We can even create self-grading exams or include video or image in our forms. But that is just scratching the surface. Google Forms can do SO much more! How can we use this G Suite app in different and creative ways? […]. DitchBook Twitter chat edtech g suite Google Apps google forms ideas for using google forms in the classroom using google forms in the classroom

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Google Classroom Survey Video 166

Ditch That Textbook

SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

Today’s students face a technology-infused, innovation-filled world in their future. We’re already looking at the possibility of widespread smart houses, autonomous cars and artificial intelligence that can talk to us and work on our behalf.

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Future Ready Trends EdTech Technology 425

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Ditch That Textbook

AUGUST 30, 2017

We have a golden window of time at the beginning of any class. For these first five or ten minutes of class (OK, probably more the five than the ten), we have our students’ most attention. It’s the most focused they’ll likely be for us all day. If we squander that time, the rest of […]. Ed Tech bell ringers edtech educational technology flipgrid formative padlet prior knowledge screencastify

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EdTech Technology Education 396

Ditch That Textbook

JANUARY 14, 2019

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a concept that is getting a lot of attention at the moment. With little time for the many things competing for a teacher’s attention, it might feel like one more piece of jargon in a cup of acronym soup! But before you dismiss these buzzwords, pause to consider their importance and a […]. Teaching SEL SEL in the classroom social emotional learning social emotional learning in the classroom

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Learning Classroom 127

Ditch That Textbook

FEBRUARY 21, 2018

Tell me if this sounds familiar. You’re chained to your desk grading papers. It’s getting monotonous, but you feel like you need to do it because it’s important. You hand those papers back to the students, and where do they end up? Yep, the trash. Even if you make them keep that homework in a […]. Teaching effective feedback in the classroom how to make auto-graded quizzes providing digital feedback save time feedback to students

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How To Classroom 321

Ditch That Textbook

DECEMBER 3, 2018

Computer Science Education Week is the first week of December. Have you heard of, participated in, or seen images of the Hour of Code on social media? If so, you probably know how engaged students are and how creatively they solve problems when learning computer science. If you have wondered how to harness that excitement […]. Guest Blog Uncategorized code coding computer science computer science education csedweek hour of code

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Social Media How To Learning Education 195

Ditch That Textbook

NOVEMBER 26, 2018

The ability to create professional looking graphics is a valuable skill to teach. But many of us don’t know where to start. Did you know you and your students can easily design stunning visual images in minutes without any graphic design experience? Want to know how? With Adobe Spark Post you and your students can create amazing […]. Ed Tech Guest Blog adobe spark adobe spark post creating in the classroom creative teaching graphics

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Adobe Classroom 198

Speaker: Joseph Clay, Business Transformation Strategist at Oracle, and Jeffrey Haynes, Director with Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP

Today’s universities and colleges face many challenges ranging from reconciling financial pressures, to ensuring student success, to managing complicated workforce dynamics. One thing they all have in common: Their head of HR must align the HR function to best support the institution as it navigates this current landscape.

Trends

Ditch That Textbook

OCTOBER 24, 2018

I had heard a TON about In-N-Out Burger. Heard that the food was amazing. Heard that it was an experience I should try. While on vacation in California with my family recently, we made a stop at an In-N-Out Burger. It did not disappoint. Our burgers were tasty. The tiny menu surprised me but made […]. Ed Tech g suite secrets g suite tricks google classroom google secrets google tricks

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Google Classroom 219

Ditch That Textbook

OCTOBER 22, 2018

The rise of computers and the Internet has changed the way we consume. From automated checkouts to online banking, every industry has been disrupted. Let’s take a look at the salesperson. I remember as a child having the door-to-door vacuum salesperson come to sell a Kirby vacuum to my parents. Now, unless you are a […]. Guest Blog Teaching edtech educational technology future of education future-proof educator timeless teaching practices

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Education Industry EdTech Technology 213

Ditch That Textbook

NOVEMBER 19, 2018

You don’t have to be an expert programmer yourself to get your students started coding in the classroom and the Hour of Code is a great place to start. With the incredible amount of resources available to educators, you can learn to program along WITH your students. The Hour of Code is celebrated the first […]. Ed Tech Teaching activities for the hour of code coding computer science computer science education week csedweek hour of code

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Resources Classroom Learning Education 196

Ditch That Textbook

MARCH 20, 2018

When I do presentations and workshops with teachers all over the United States and beyond, hands go up all over the room when I ask if they’re familiar with Kahoot! It launched in August 2013 and has taken off like a rocket. In May 2017, it had 50 million monthly active users.

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Classroom 284

Ditch That Textbook

OCTOBER 19, 2018

Sometimes just getting started with a task is the hardest part. Where do you begin? How do you organize all of your ideas in a way that others can understand? Templates can help with that. Templates can guide teachers as they design great lessons or activities. They are also powerful tools to use with students, […]. DitchBook Twitter chat edtech google templates templates templates for students templates for teachers

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Tools Twitter EdTech Google 204

Ditch That Textbook

DECEMBER 7, 2018

Computer science is much more than just programming. It includes the study of computers, how they work, and how we can use them to solve problems. However, when we talk about computer science one piece of it comes to mind. Coding. We can use the excitement and engagement from events like the Hour of Code […]. DitchBook Twitter chat coding coding across the curriculum computer science computer science education week hour of code

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Study Twitter Education 173

Ditch That Textbook

OCTOBER 1, 2018

Teacher confession: I have bored kids to tears in my class because they were not challenged. In fact, who needs Ambien when you have drill and kill homework assignments on material you have already mastered?! I felt my hands were tied with a textbook, overhead projector, and traditional worksheets. Fast forward eleven years to […]. Guest Blog Teaching differentiate with google classroom differentiation educational technology google classroom small groups with google classroom

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Google Classroom How To Groups 212

Ditch That Textbook

MARCH 26, 2018

Let’s see if you sound like many people I’ve talked to about sketchnotes (and the former version of myself): “I’d love to be able to do that. I’d love for my students to be able to do it. But I can’t draw! I’m not an artist.”

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Course 275

Ditch That Textbook

NOVEMBER 9, 2018

When we provide students with interactive lessons they are immersed in the content and take an active role in their learning. Interactive lessons stick. They increase engagement and get everyone in on the learning. They are the lessons we all remember. A3: Any time Ss can DO things with your content, you increase engagement and learning. Have […]. DitchBook Twitter chat creative teaching edtech interactive class interactive classroom student engagement

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Student Engagement Learning Twitter EdTech 188

Ditch That Textbook

JANUARY 12, 2018

Record a video of your screen. Split the screen of your web browser. Block ads. Keep digital sticky notes. Even make your phone ring to end a conversation that’s gone on too long. Google Chrome extensions turn your Chrome web browser into a veritable Swiss Army knife of versatile options.

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Google Classroom Twitter Video 285

Ditch That Textbook

JANUARY 4, 2019

The new year usually means a new set of resolutions. Goals that we set as we look for ways to be a better version of ourselves in the upcoming year. As teachers, we want to find ways to make the rest of the school year as exciting, engaging and efficient as we can for our […]. DitchBook Twitter chat edtech education educational technology goal-setting goal-setting in the classroom innovation resolutions

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Twitter EdTech Classroom Technology 135

Ditch That Textbook

OCTOBER 10, 2018

People all over the world are flocking to Snapchat to share photos and videos that reflect what’s going on in their lives. To be specific, it’s more than 300 million monthly active users. The magnitude of Snapchat’s impact is huge (source): 3 billion photos and videos are created every day on Snapchat. 78 percent of […]. Ed Tech snapchat classroom activities snapchat in the classroom social media with students using social media in class

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Social Media Google Video Classroom 199

Ditch That Textbook

NOVEMBER 12, 2018

Gamification in education is not new, and thanks to Michael Matera and his book, Explore Like A Pirate, a thriving community has been formed that helps educators all over as they start their own journey. If you are already a part of that amazing community, then high fives and woot woot! If you are on […]. Guest Blog Teaching creative teaching game-based learning games gamification

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Gamification Game-Based Learning Education Learning 182

Ditch That Textbook

JUNE 14, 2018

I have been enjoying creating, sharing, and using HyperDocs in my classroom for the past three years now after learning about them during the very first night of the inaugural #DitchBook book study Twitter chat. Ever since then, I have been a diehard shouting “HYPERDOCS!”

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Student Engagement Twitter Study Classroom 240

Ditch That Textbook

FEBRUARY 23, 2017

Using homework assignments to give feedback is pokey. Inefficient. Think about the length of the feedback loop for traditional homework assignments: Teacher assigns homework to students. Students take it home (maybe) and work on it (maybe). Students turn it in the next day.

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Strategy Assessment EdTech Technology 351

Ditch That Textbook

NOVEMBER 16, 2018

Homework is a hot button topic. It ignites strong emotions and there are people firmly planted on both sides of the fence. Many educators claim that homework teaches students responsibility and prepares them for the real world. But does it really? Are there more meaningful ways that we can teach these skills in school? In a […]. DitchBook Twitter chat Homework alternative homework assignments alternatives to homework ditching homework homework

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Twitter Education 176

Ditch That Textbook

NOVEMBER 15, 2018

You can turn on closed captions at the bottom of videos you watch on TV and online. But providing closed captions in real time in the classroom has been harder to pull off — until now! Google Slides has a new feature — live closed captions. They transcribe your speech on the fly and display […]. Ed Tech Screencasts google classroom accessibility google slides google slides in the classroom live closed captions

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Google Classroom Video Accessibility 174

Ditch That Textbook

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

I’m a huge fan of infographics. They let students create a great verbal/visual mix with the content they’ve learned. Plus, they’re lots of fun to look at and share, too. I’ve written about creating infographics in the classroom with Google Drawings. I’ve made my own infographics, ranging in topics from teaching frameworks to the ripple […]. Ed Tech google drawings google infographics google slides visual thinking activities

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Google Classroom Learning 200

Ditch That Textbook

APRIL 25, 2018

Low-prep doesn’t have to mean less learning. Technology allows us to be more efficient and effective in the classroom in many ways. When we focus on sound teaching and learning, we can do high-quality learning in less time — AND take less time to prepare for it!

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Learning Technology Classroom 246

Ditch That Textbook

NOVEMBER 14, 2017

After co-authoring Ditch That Homework, I’ve participated in LOTS of meaningful discussions about the subject. And they haven’t all been about “homework is evil and we should ban it all the way across the board.”

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Future Ready 284

Ditch That Textbook

APRIL 18, 2018

When the end of the school year is in sight, it’s a time of excitement coupled with the importance of finishing the year STRONG. The end of the year is a time unlike any other. State tests are behind us. Many students are working on big projects or papers. It can be a great time […].

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Tools Google 246

Ditch That Textbook

DECEMBER 14, 2018

Amplifying student voice. Building relationships. Integrating technology. Cultivating a community of creators. Building good habits. The topics covered at the Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit — a free online conference for teachers — are sure to be relevant and useful. And the presenter line-up is incredible. On the eve of the 2018 Ditch That Textbook […]. DitchBook Twitter chat DTT Digital Summit ditch summit ditch that textbook digital summit professional learning network

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Conference Technology Twitter Professional Learning 151

Ditch That Textbook

DECEMBER 6, 2017

Podcasts are learning on the go: in the car, while working out or as you garden. Here are some great ones for educators. Icons via TheNounProject.com) Podcasts are my lifeblood for generating new ideas, processing the ideas I already have and entertainment.

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How To Education Learning 277

Ditch That Textbook

DECEMBER 31, 2018

That’s a wrap on 2018! As technology in the classroom continues to settle into the mainstream, we continue to see new players enter the space (like Wakelet, one I’m keeping my eye on). All the while, other mainstays like Google Classroom and Kahoot! continue to add new features and grow. Educators seem to have the […]. Ed Tech Teaching best of 2018 ditch that textbook ditchbook best posts

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Google Classroom Technology Education 131

Ditch That Textbook

APRIL 23, 2018

Part of the reason social media has taken off so much are the connections. Seeing other people’s reaction to what you’ve shared. Learning from others. We can get the same attraction when we do collaborative learning in the classroom. Google Slides makes this possible.

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Google Social Media Collaborative Learning Classroom 239

Ditch That Textbook

OCTOBER 12, 2018

Imagine your class traveling to see the Great Pyramid of Giza, touring the International Space Station, or having a face to face conversation with a beloved author. All of these experiences are possible through virtual field trips. Virtual field trips allow us to take our students on adventures we never could before. They are fun, […].

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Classroom Twitter Google Education 181

Ditch That Textbook

APRIL 16, 2018

Bitmojis are so much fun! They’re these little cartoon character images of yourself that let you express emotions and communicate. I’ve seen educators use them all over the place: in text messages, in emails, in slide presentations, in documents and on social media.

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How To Social Media Classroom Education 238

Ditch That Textbook

NOVEMBER 21, 2018

Want to spend a little of your December learning ideas from world-class educators you can start using in class right away? You’re in the right place. The third annual Ditch That Textbook Digital Summit runs from December 14-31. More than 15,000 educators from around the world participated in the summit last year. Be among them […]. DTT Digital Summit ditch summit ditch that textbook digital summit online professional development

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Education Learning 158

Ditch That Textbook

AUGUST 8, 2017

In the past, I’ve assigned homework when I’ve felt a lack of control, a sense of scrambling to cover everything. I would think, “These students just aren’t where they need to be. I have so much to get to and not enough squares left in my lesson plan book.” “I I have to do something.” That’s [.].

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Strategy 281