Friday, May 30, 2014

Google Add-Ons

Google has done it again.  They have made awesome products even better! Add-ons provide increased functionality from right within Google Docs and Google Sheets (the new Google Spreadsheets) with a growing number of applications.  Some of these may be familiar to those of you who used Google Scripts like Doctopus and Flubaroo to many that have been used for research like EasyBib and Lucidchart.  To get started, simply click on Add-ons and then choose Get Add-ons.

If your tool you installed doesn't automatically load, then select your tool from the under the Add-on tab and follow the directions for each.  Most open in a side bar just like your research tool and have simple step by step instructions.  Here are a few of my favorites:

EasyBib Bibliography Creator

Easybib has been a favorite tool for creating bibliographies for papers and now it is even easier.  When you select manage Bibliography from the Add-on menu, Easybib opens to the right.  Select whether you would like to cite a book, journal or a website, then insert the Title, ISBN number, etc... and SEARCH.  You will have a list of possible matches listed below.  SELECT the one that matches your source and it will be added to your bibliography.  


Once you have added all of your sources, you simply click on ADD BIBLIOGRAPHY TO DOC to plug in your WORKS CITED list at the bottom of your document.  I recommend inserting a Page Break right before so that it will be on its own page.  

Doctopus

Don't be scared by the name, Doctopus is not from Spider Man or James Bond, but rather a fun group from the NewVisions for Public Schools that have really pushed the limits of what Google Apps can do for Schools by writing scripts that work with the Google API.  Doctopus manages assignments using google docs by creating copies and automatically sharing them with students or groups of students, managing sharing, grades and feedback all from a single spreadsheet.  This used to be a Google Script that required a bit more savvy to install and run, but it is now a Google Add-on for Sheets making things much easier for all of us.  Read more about Doctopus and how it works here.

There are many more Add-ons and they are being added weekly.  What is your favorite Google Add-on?

Doctopus - The best tool for sharing Google Docs assignments

Doctopus

Don't be scared by the name, Doctopus is not from Spider Man or James Bond, but rather a fun group from the NewVisions for Public Schools that have really pushed the limits of what Google Apps can do for Schools by writing scripts that work with the Google API.  Doctopus manages assignments using google docs by creating copies and automatically sharing them with students or groups of students, managing sharing, grades and feedback all from a single spreadsheet.  This used to be a Google Script that required a bit more savvy to install and run, but it is now a Google Add-on for Sheets making things much easier for all of us. 

When installed, Doctopus first asks what roster you are working with.  You will need to have a list of your students (First Name, Last Name, Google Apps Email) to create a roster for sharing.  The beautiful thing about this feature is that, not only does it remember your roster for future assignments, but it can create a series of shared folders that manages all of your shared documents with your students!  This is an absolutely essential function for managing many assignments with students (whether you use the other features of Doctopus or not).  


Once your roster is created, you will need to set up your assignment for sharing.  The settings are for the following:
  • Sharing type (individual, group, etc...)

  • Whole Class Access - Whether or not students can view other students work (helpful in group projects and facilitates peer editing)
  • Student Access [to document] - does the student have edit, comment, comment or view only rights to the google doc you are sharing.  You can also control whether or not students can share these documents with others by allowing editing rights.  By limiting this, it controls students sharing their work with others to copy.
  • Add Co-Teachers 
Once all of those settings have been made, it is time to select the document that you are going to share for this assignment.  You will have to first select the folder in which the document resides, then select the document that will be used as a template for this assignment.  It is called a template, because the actual document is not changed - Doctopus actually makes a copy of it to share with each student.
Once you have identified the document template, you need to determine where the assignment will reside in your google drive.  You can choose an existing folder or create a new one.  You can then also use Doctopus to send a personalized email to your students.  

The last step is to review your settings before creating a copy and sharing it with your students.  Once you have created the copy, Doctopus, inserts columns in your spreadsheet that will allow you to easily monitor each of the student's assignments and provide grades and feedback right from within the spreadsheet.  You can click on the link to the document to see what work has been completed to comment and provide a grade - there is no hunting through your Shared With Me folder in your drive or wading through all student assignment folders.  This simplifies the entire process of using google docs for assignments and is where the real power of Doctopus resides.  Some other neat features are the ability to Embargo documents for grading (if you say you have to have it completed by Friday at noon - then you can enforce that deadline - however, you can un-embargo the assignment for editing purposes.)  You can also send an email to students with their grades and feedback once the assignment is done.  Now - if this was all possible inside of an LMS like Schoology or Edmodo, I would be jumping for joy!  I believe the new Google Classroom is supposed to have such features - I can't wait to see. 



Please share at below if you have used doctopus and how you like it.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

From the Field - 4th Grade Digital Citizenship Pledge Using Padlet

In the Little Britain Elementary School Library in the Washingtonville School District, Library Media Specialist Tracy Ebenhoe worked with a group of 4th graders to take a digital citizenship pledge using Padlet. Padlet is an online bulletin board that allows users to post comments and add pictures, videos or documents to tell a story or weigh in on a topic.  "As part of a continuing discussion on digital citizenship and safety, students worked together to brainstorm and discuss a list of safe behaviors when online. Using Padlet, I loaded an image of a digital citizenship pledge (from commonsensemedia.org) and students "signed" their names and commented."  Students were able to login to her Padlet page, sign and also comment if desired. Two of the features Tracy liked best was that the sheet was able to be password protected and that she was able to monitor and approve all posts before they became visible to the other students.



For Tracy, digital citizenship is an ongoing theme in library. She asserts: "with the prolific use of technology and new resources available to us everyday, students need to be smart and cautious users."  We couldn't agree more.  Tracy has been using Commonsensemedia.org as a resource for lessons on these issues.  Tracy came up with the idea after being inspired by Tech Challenge of the month developed by Tech Coaches in Washingtonville.  


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