Ditch That Textbook

APRIL 7, 2023

Google Docs is getting some updates! Keep up to date with this core tool in the Google Workspace productivity suite. Here are some new Google Docs features we're excited about. For many of us Google Docs provided us with our first user experience with Google's productivity suite -- Google Apps, then G Suite, now Google […] The post New Google Docs features you NEED to know appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Google Tools 331

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APRIL 7, 2023

How can we teach -- and our students learn -- the way the brain prefers? These strategies based on the science of learning can be applied in class right away. How do we know what kind of learning is happening in our students' brains? It can feel tricky to know what to do and what […] The post 10 ways to use the science of learning in class appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Learning Strategy 246

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DECEMBER 17, 2022

AI just stormed into the classroom with the emergence of ChatGPT. How do we teach now that it exists? How can we use it? Here are some ideas. ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot. Drawing on tons and tons of data and massive processing power, it uses GPT3 technology to let users talk to the […]. The post ChatGPT, Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence in Education appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Education Classroom Data Technology 363

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NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Worksheets have been embedded in classrooms for years. For decades. FOREVER. The reasons we use them are pretty clear. 1. We want students to get repetitions with new content. Repetitions make permanent, right? And we hope that the more stuff that students do with new content, the more likely it'll stick in our brains. 2. They're ready […]. The post Worksheet to WOW: 10 ways to upgrade your worksheet appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Classroom Assessment 339

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

Google Classroom is powerful. Add-ons make it more efficient and faster. Learn how to use add-ons AND all about Adobe Express. This post sponsored by Adobe for Education Did you ever try using Google products in class before Google Classroom? It was a hassle. I remember using a product called gClass Folders to have students turn in […]. The post How to use Google Classroom add-ons with Adobe Express appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Adobe Classroom Google How To 161

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SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

Digital resources abound online. They can be more up to date and just as accurate as a textbook. Where do we find them, and how do we curate them?Textbooks. People have very strong feelings about them, I've found. When I created the website and book, Ditch That Textbook, people have been quick to share their hatred -- […]. The post 20+ sources of FREE digital content for your class appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Resources 282

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APRIL 7, 2022

EduProtocols activities can be used again and again to engage and teach. Here's how they look in a full unit. This post is written by Kim Voge, an educator, instructional coach, adjunct professor, and ed tech consultant from California. Kim is the co-author of Deploying EduProtocols: 20+ Ways to Use EduProtocols to Transform Your School […]. The post An example EduProtocols unit that supports UDL, SEL appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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UDL Examples Education 255

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MARCH 24, 2022

PDF files are a helpful classroom tool. Use OrbitNote to give your students' PDF files new superpowers and level up learning.This post is sponsored by Texthelp. PDF files still make the world go round. We read from them. We send documents as PDFs. They’re quick and easy, portable and lightweight.PDF files are a force in […]. The post 20 ways to use OrbitNote for PDFs in the classroom appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Classroom Tools 214

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MARCH 9, 2022

Help new information stick in students' minds with the "brain dump," an effective, low-prep activity in the classroom. It’s a common request from teachers of students: Study. Go home and study. Go back over the material. Re-read the material. When we ask students to do this, we mean well. We want them to succeed. But we’re asking […]. The post Sticky learning: Digital brain dumps with Flipgrid and Socrative appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Learning Classroom Study Assessment 325

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JANUARY 1, 2022

Embrace the inclusive mindset to transform any environment to a place where every learner has the opportunity to be successful. By utilizing technology tools effectively, all educators can promote inclusive learning and all learners can thrive. This post was written by Chris Bugaj (@attipscast), Karen Janowski (@KarenJan), Mike Marotta (@mmatp) and Beth Poss (@PossBeth) the […].

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Classroom Strategy Education Tools 139

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FEBRUARY 16, 2022

Executive functioning helps students get tasks done and work through their day. Here's how you can support students who struggle. This post is written by Charrell Coleman, author, blog content creator, educator, presenter of Student Engagement and Executive Functioning Matters, book junkie, self help/care enthusiast, mother & calligraphist. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook […].

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Strategy Student Engagement Twitter Facebook 347

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NOVEMBER 23, 2021

Google MyMaps lets students create maps with custom-pinned location. The magic, though, is in what you put in those pins. If we want to use technology in the classroom, we can’t just do the same kind of learning we did before it. Technology should improve the learning. Kick the lesson up a notch. Otherwise, our technology […]. The post How to create media-rich, interactive maps for deeper learning appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Learning How To Classroom Google 350

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OCTOBER 12, 2021

Songs can embed themselves deeply in our minds and our memories. Can you remember a specific song that immediately takes you back to a place and time in your past?For me, these three have very vivid memories:When I was moving into the dorms at Indiana State University my freshman year — a wide-eyed brand new college […]. The post 13 ways to connect music and lyrics to class appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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EdTech Education Technology 295

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SEPTEMBER 14, 2021

Need some lesson ideas for class tomorrow? The Applied Digital Skills curriculum from Google for Education teaches practical digital skills with free video lessons.Post sponsored by Google for Education You've got lessons to plan for tomorrow. Or next week. Or your next unit. Let's be honest. Time is not something we teachers have an overabundance of.

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Google Education Video 266

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SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Once again Flipgrid released BIG updates to its camera, user experience, help center and more. Here are 20+ ways to use those updates in the classroom. For many students, video is just part of the way they speak. Snapchat. Instagram. YouTube. How they'll share those videos is a natural way of thinking for them. Video has never […]. The post 20+ ways to use 10 BIG Flipgrid updates appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Classroom Video 342

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AUGUST 6, 2021

Back to school is an exciting time. It can also be overwhelming. Teachers have a LOT to plan: lessons, communication, organization, building community. and that just scratches the surface!That's where templates come in.Templates can save us time. They give us a starting point so we can adapt them to fit our needs. Below you […]. The post 20 back to school templates to save you time appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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JUNE 3, 2021

Summer is a great time for big-picture reflection. Here are 20 teacher questions to think about. In the heat of a school year, there's a LOT on teachers' to-do lists. Lesson planning. Grades. Emails. Meetings. Oh, and we have to teach, too! After we close the (grade)books on a school year, it's time to take it easy, recharge, […]. The post 20 teacher questions to ask over the summer appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Meeting 356

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MAY 6, 2021

The pandemic changed the way we teach and in some ways for the better! Here are 5 parts of remote teaching we'll keep.The pandemic changed a lot about education. In a very short period of time, we had to revamp the way we taught, the way we collaborated with colleagues, the way we connected with […]. The post 5 teaching practices to keep from remote learning appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Learning Education 304

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APRIL 15, 2021

This post is written by Lindsay Zilly. Lindsay is the Director of Professional Learning for Illinois Digital Educators Alliance. She is a Google Certified Educator, Apple Learning Specialist, Microsoft Innovative Educator, Seesaw Ambassador and Apple Teacher 2016. Follow Lindsay on Twitter and Instagram: @iCoachLindsay As a lifelong learner, we have to be open to learning […].

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Microsoft Professional Learning Education Twitter 260

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FEBRUARY 11, 2021

This post is written by Batsheva Frankel an educational consultant at New Lens Ed. Batsheva has been in education for over 25 years and is the producer and host of the popular podcast, Overthrowing Education. Batsheva's book, The Jewish Educator's Companion is available at Amazon.com. Looking back at your elementary, middle, and high school years – […].

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Assessment Elementary Education 362

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FEBRUARY 9, 2021

Templates provide teachers with a starting point as we design lessons or activities for our students. Templates can also give students a way to organize information and focus on showing what they know. Here are lots of templates and lesson ideas for you to use in your class.Sometimes just getting started with a task is […]. The post 22 must-have templates for teachers and students appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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EdTech Google 363

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FEBRUARY 2, 2021

Google’s Applied Digital Skills Curriculum can be the refreshing resource you never knew you needed. Best of all, it’s easy to use and 100% free for everyone! This post is guest written by Sue Tranchina. Sue is a high school business-technology and video production teacher at Shore Regional High School in West Long Branch, NJ. […]. The post Google Applied Digital Skills: 5 reasons why you should try this FREE curriculum appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Google Video Resources Technology 157

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JANUARY 27, 2021

Canvas is a full-featured learning management system, and when I say "full featured", I really mean FULL featured. In fact, to illustrate the point. I like to compare Google Classroom to an airport. It's the way to get to the destinations of your dreams. Like hopping a plane, you hop on a link to a third-party […]. The post 20+ tips for using Canvas LMS appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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LMS Classroom Google System 363

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JANUARY 20, 2021

Canvas. Blackboard. Schoology. Google Classroom. No matter your LMS, you have LOTS of power to create great assignments! We educators often see digital learning through the lens of our learning management system (LMS). Many times, because we're looking for our LMS, it keeps us from seeing what's possible. Some examples:"I could really use some examples of […].

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LMS Schoology Blackboard How To 251

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JANUARY 14, 2021

Google Jamboard, the digital whiteboard app, lets students do collaborative, visual learning. Animated GIFs take it to the next level! Here's how. Google Jamboard (jamboard.google.com), Google's free collaborative whiteboard app, has been a winner in remote and face-to-face classrooms. This tool lets you create whiteboards, draw on them, add sticky notes, and share them with […].

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Google How To Classroom Tools 332

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DECEMBER 3, 2020

Assignments in Google Classroom are better with apps! Use these apps that work with Google Classroom to level up your activities. Google Classroom looks kind of bare at first glance. A stream. Assignments. Grades. It might make you want to say, "Where's the flash? Doesn't this thing have an app store like my iPhone does?"But […]. The post 30 apps that work with Google Classroom appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Classroom Google iPhone 133

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NOVEMBER 10, 2020

Using Kahoot! with Google Classroom and Google Meet makes it possible to play engaging games anywhere with your class. Kahoot! is a fun gameshow-style assessment activity. There are tons of creative ways to review and assess with it. Kahoot! lets students answer questions with their own device. It has music and a leaderboard, and it doesn’t […].

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Google Classroom Meeting How To 340

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OCTOBER 21, 2020

A great question can make or break a learning activity. Here are some ideas for asking juicy questions. A great question is a springboard into a fascinating discussion. Phrase it the right way and students will start thinking. Then they'll start talking. Then you won't be able to get them to stop! Great questions can make […]. The post 20 juicy questions to ask students (#5 will REALLY get them talking!

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Learning Student Engagement 324

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OCTOBER 14, 2020

The best features of game shows can be used to review and teach in the classroom. Kahoot!, Quizizz, Quizlet Live, and Gimkit can help. See their pros, cons and what makes them different.As a child, I remember one specific thing I always looked forward to on days when I stayed home sick from school — […]. The post Game show classroom: Comparing Kahoot!

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Classroom Gamification Assessment EdTech 361

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OCTOBER 7, 2020

Creating great images, pages and video can spark students’ interest in learning. Adobe Spark makes that possible for free. This post is written by Claudio Zavala Jr., an edtech and creative media consultant based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He is passionate about fostering creativity in all and loves storytelling.Claudio is an accomplished photographer, avid […].

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Adobe EdTech Video Learning 345

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SEPTEMBER 24, 2020

A Top 10 video is a fun way for students to show what they know in a way that's fun to watch! Here are step-by-step instructions with tips and tricks. David Letterman was the one who put the Top 10 list on my radar. During his show, "Late Night with David Letterman," he would share […]. The post How to make a Top 10 video on Flipgrid appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Video How To Classroom 271

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SEPTEMBER 17, 2020

HyperDocs provides an engaging, student-centered framework for classroom lessons. Looking for ideas to fill those HyperDocs up? Check out these example activities.When it’s student-paced, no one gets left in the dust and no one gets bored waiting for the class to move on.If you haven’t tried HyperDocs yet, they’re a fantastic blend of both.HyperDocs are […].

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Examples Classroom Student Engagement Tools 299

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SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

Jamboard is a collaborative online whiteboard. It gives students lots of creative work space. How do you use Google Jamboard in the classroom? Check out these ideas! Whiteboards and chalkboards have been a fixture in classrooms for ages. They're great for gathering ideas and making thinking visible. But there are drawbacks.Having to write "DON'T ERASE!

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Classroom How To Google 364

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AUGUST 27, 2020

Unboxing videos can be a really fun, effective way for your students to show what they know. Here's how to use this activity in your class! Wait. really? An unboxing video? People really record themselves opening boxes -- and upload them to YouTube? And people really watch them? Yes! Unboxing videos are a hit on […]. The post The Unboxing Video: A fun classroom video activity appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Video Classroom How To Student Engagement 363

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AUGUST 19, 2020

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, many teachers were sent scrambling. How do I teach? What do I assign? How do I do this remotely? What a difference it makes to have a summer to prepare. Setting up your classroom to succeed remotely can rely on a lot. Having a good foundation in place is key, much like […]. The post The Remote Learning Checklist: Tools, tips and ideas appeared first on Ditch That Textbook.

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Tools Learning Classroom 335

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AUGUST 13, 2020

Our kindergarten through second grade students (and teachers!) need special assistance during distance learning. Here are 10 ways to make it work. This post is written by Ben Cogswell, Eric Garcia and Michael Hughes. Ben currently teaches kindergarten in Salinas, California. Eric is a 5th Grade STEAM Science/PE Teacher in McFarland, CA. Micheal is currently […].

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Learning 279

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AUGUST 9, 2020

The Flipgrid Shorts Camera is packed with possibilities. Check out some of the new features and get started creating! This post is written by Mike Mohammad, a secondary science teacher in Brookfield, Wisconsin. You can follow him on Twitter @mo_physics and check out his blog mophysicsmoproblems.blogspot.com. In August of 2019, Flipgrid added some amazing new […].

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Secondary Twitter Classroom EdTech 332