Google Bootcamp Certification 2

WOW!!!  That's all I have to say.  The past two days were amazing. Full of all sorts of information,new tools, and things to just play with (because every teacher needs a time to have a little fun).  This bootcamp not only readied me for the certification 2 exam I'm taking this week but it also allowed me to make new connections with other educators.  Thank you to +Austin Houp for putting together an excellent bootcamp.  Here are a few takeaways from this weekend:
          1.  Join Google+ communities
I can't believe that I have been using Google for so many years now and I just now found out about the collaboration using Google+ communities.  This is certainly going to be one of those places I refer to for lesson/activity ideas.  That is in addition to Twitter and edweb.net.
          2.  Create Multi-Media Text Sets aka HyperDocs
I sort of already did this in my classroom but I never realized there was a term for it. You don't just simply create a Google Doc and be done with it.  This is like a Google Doc on steroids.  This serves as a location for students to access links you have made available to them, a place for the start of a PBL unit, or as a interactive lesson.
          3. Create Choose Your Own Adventure Google Slides or Forms
WHAT!?!?!  I never thought to do this!  My mind was definitely blown when we touched on this topic.  You know those books when we were kids where you choose how your story is going to progress and end. Yep, that's what we are doing here only on Google Slides and Forms.  I will be taking a few of my units this year and using this as a way to introduce topics.  Since I teach 6th grade students I definitely see this going over big, real big!  I can't wait!!

I could keep going with all the amazing things I learned this weekend but I would be here all day. lol.  Here's to the beginning of a great school year using all these amazing tools and resources I found at the SWMO Google Bootcamp Level 2.  Happy Learning everyone!

New Beginnings!

It's been way too long since I've last posted.  Much has changed for me and now I'm on a new journey.  I recently married my amazing husband and we moved into our home a few months ago.  I also landed a new teaching position as a 6th grade Science teacher at Willard Intermediate in Willard, MO.  I'm super excited since I just completed my first year here and I'm looking forward to many more years in this district.  On top of all this I am one class away from completing my masters degree for educational technology.  With this being said it is my hopes to come back to blogging when I find new resources and strategies that work in the classroom.  Especially since teaching science is my new focus.  Here's to all the new and looking forward to many more exciting and wonderful years!!