Using Technology for Teaching and Learning

Tech Tools 2014 This presentation demonstrates the capabilities of Gaggle for teaching and learning. It also discusses interfacing other technology tools, such as Google Drive and Edmentum, into the Gaggle system. Please complete the survey at the end of this presentation. This presentation is also available online at: Accessing GaggleUseful FeaturesGoogle DriveEdmentumSurvey

Accessing Gaggle Use your DPS information to login to Gaggle: first.lastname DPS password The Internet Explorer homepage used to be set to Gaggle on all DPS computers. You can also access the site by typing in the web address:

Gaggle Interface Gaggle has recently changed the interface, but it is still possible to open the previous interface by clicking the down arrow next to your name in the upper right corner.

Gaggle Navigation There are six main tabs and the Help icon. Video support and Webinars are located under the Portals tab. This presentation will briefly discuss several useful features that can be used with colleagues and students: Assignment creation Groups Notification Blogs Gaggle Tube More information is available on each tab through the Help menu and the Gaggler issues (also available through Webinar link). You can access the June Gaggler from the West Side Academy wiki: The Gaggler Volume 9 Issue 11 It lists the current changes and new features for the 2014 interface.

Assignments The previous interface provides a Setup Wizard that walks you through assignment creation. The new version has a Classes tab and an Assignments section under the Apps tab. AssignmentsGroups Notifications BlogsGaggle Tube Useful Features

Groups Groups are automatically made for classes, but to select a specific group of students or create a teacher group, go to groups under Contacts in the Apps tab. Select (+), name group, and use West Side as the filter. AssignmentsGroups Notifications BlogsGaggle Tube Useful Features

Notifications In the Admin tab, select My Account and scroll down to the Mail Forwarding section. One option is to send notifications to your district . AssignmentsGroups Notifications BlogsGaggle Tube Useful Features

Blogs There is a Blog account set up for users in the Apps tab. Feel free to leave a comment regarding Gaggle at the blog I created for this presentation: Must be signed in to Gaggle: AssignmentsGroups Notifications BlogsGaggle Tube Useful Features

Gaggle Tube The search is fairly slow, so it is a good idea to search ahead of time and save videos to your personal library by adding them to My Videos. The School Library will show all of the videos saved for various staff member in the building. AssignmentsGroups Notifications BlogsGaggle Tube Useful Features

Gaggle Tube Activity Check your Gaggle from Ms. Crawford and click on the link to the video. Videos can also be shared through Gaggle Tube or embedded in your blog or website for easier access.  Click on the link  Watch the video  Reflect on how you can make a change in students’ lives  Respond to this blog with your comments

Google Drive If you do not already use Google Drive, you can create an account without creating a gmail account. Enter this link and click Create Account: Then select the option to use current address. Enter your DPS and DPS password to make life easier.

Opening Day Documents Google Drive can be accessed by clicking on the dotted square in the upper right corner or the colorful squares which takes you to Apps. My Drive holds files and folders that you create and can edit. Incoming or Shared with Me has items that people have sent you. The Gear icon can switch you between the new Drive and the old. Click the link below to access Opening Day documents in Google Drive:

Edmentum The Account login is WSA4 and the PLATO Name is lowercase first initial and uppercase last name. \ Select West Side Academy under the Plato Courseware menu. If you Browse the Curriculum, you can view elements of the course.

Edmentum Options Once in Edmentum, there are two options under the Courses tab: My Classes Browse Curriculum Browse Curriculum allows you to look at each element of the course when you click on the gray arrow and [view]. Tutorial links contain videos for the various sections of the course.

Edmentum Courses My Classes The My Classes link: Shows the number of students enrolled Actions allows you to enroll more students Shows you course descriptions under the magnifying glass, and Progress Reports under the bar graph icon.

Advisory Curriculum The Mentor/Mentee program has a new face… During the first hour of each day, teachers will meet with the students assigned to their class and cover the following topics: Housekeeping (contact updates) Edmentum (Academic Success course) Distributed Counseling Circles, Restorative Practice, Peer Mediation Homework help  Click the link to the Syllabus and sample weekly lesson plans  WSA Advisory Syllabus WSA Advisory Syllabus

Survey Link Please take a few moments to complete this survey as a verification document for the Opening Day presentation and notes: Link to Survey Click Here to Begin Survey Click Here to Begin Survey Click Here to Begin Survey Click Here to Begin Survey

References Useful Websites West Side Academy wikispaces Gaggle: Gaggle website Gaggler Journal (must be signed in to wsa-wikispaces) Gaggler Journal Blog Google Drive Opening Day Notes Edmentum Advisory Curriculum: Gaggle Tube activity: Survey