The media specialists are excited about this new resource available to all staff.  Below are ideas our 4-12 building media specialists shared for using LibGuides.

LibGuides can be generic research resources, but can also be created using specific resources for a class or even specific for one project. Tami Harbold, high school media specialist, shared that teachers can embed a LibGuide link in their web page or give the link address to students so that they will have access to reputable resources and information specific to the course or project. LibGuides can include podcasts/videos of mini research lessons taught by the librarian.  At the middle school Coleen Foreman is excited about having the ability to assist teachers with research as well as developing subject specific resource guides.  Joanna Knott, intermediate school media specialist, shared that there are many uses for LibGuides.  Below are some ways that she could think of, but she indicated there are probably more as will be discovered the more LibGuides are used.

LibGuides could be used for:
 -  flipped classroom concept: Students will be able to access digital resources (videos, primary, documents, websites) from one centralized location at home to prepare for the upcoming lessons/activities in class. 
 -  platform to house unit resources in one location so that entire teams of teachers have access to the same quality information.  
 - teachers can video essential lessons and upload them so students can watch them at home, when absent, to review, etc.
 - the ability to search multiple databases from a single, embedded frame streamlines research 
 - LibGuides can be updated instantly -- if there's a broken link or video that needs to be embedded, the librarian can make the fix quickly, so little instructional time is lost
 
Joanna indicated that LibGuides are a professional, digital repository of resources to be used for instruction and student discovery.  A teacher may request to have specific information on it (for instance, Mrs. Knott's Research Guide for Theme 1).  

The media specialists are excited about this new digital capability that can be accessed via the web and all are encouraged to contact your media specialist so she can help you pull resources together for you and your students.  

Check out your buildings LibGuides: NOHS LibGuide, NOMS LibGuide, CVIS LibGuide, 

Those who are using Google Classroom may have noticed some new features. If you haven't, here is a quick overview of what you can do now that you couldn't at the start of the year. Screencast of Updates

Vocaroo voice recorder.  This is a really easy to use tool.  You can record your voice and then there are multiple ways of sharing your recording plus you could turn your recording into a QR code.  Wouldn't that be cool for your students to scan a QR code and receive their instructions (sort of like a mission impossible type of thing).  That would be a blast. Plus what a neat way to provide instructions for on a day when you are going to be out.  

Kami  is a tool that allows users to ​view, annotate, share and collaborate your files on Chrome. Kami (formerly Notable PDF) is your cloud-based all-in-one office productivity tool.

Prodigy Math Game Grades 1-8. ​Join Prodigy, a free math game for Grades 1 - 8 that's already being used by over 3 million teachers and students.  With over 1,000 crucial math skills for Grades 1 - 8, Prodigy is the perfect tool for mastering math both at home and at school.

Textbooks in this collection are arranged into different categories making easier for you to browse through and find the content you want. These categories include : Art History, Biology, Chemistry, Classics, Computer Science & Information System, Earth Science, Education, Engineering, Languages, Music, Philosophy,Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science and many more. Click here to check it out.

Jason Crouse obtained 5 iPads for his classroom through donorschoice.org  If you are in need of any specific type of supplies or equipment this is a wonderful way to get it.  Donors Choice is a tax deductible site where anyone can support your request with donations until you reach the amount needed to make your purchase. Check out Jason's project request, click here.

Here is what Jason shared about his decision to use Donor's Choice.

In an effort to improve the differentiation of my classroom instruction, I decided that I wanted to use a station/center rotation during my math classes.  A necessary part of my center rotation was going to be a technology center, during which time the students would be afforded the opportunity to use iPads.  Specifically, my plan was to utilize the Socrative Application on the iPads for students to respond to daily assessment questions and submit them electronically for teacher evaluation.  In addition, I thought the iPads would provide more opportunities for students to utilize Study Island.

While searching for potential grant opportunities to fund my technology center, I learned of the website donorschoose.org, which is available to public school teachers who are in need of classroom materials.  I decided to create a project on donorschoose.org in an attempt to acquire, through donations, the $1,800 necessary to purchase five iPad Minis.  After my project was approved and posted, we worked hard to spread the word and request donations from as many people as possible.  Through the generosity of many kind individuals, as well as Dr. Mueller’s Facebook page, I am proud to say that we successfully completed the project in less than one week!  The iPads are already in circulation in my classroom and the students are enjoying putting them to use!

I have shared Ed Puzzle previously, but it's a tool worth taking a second look at.  Ed Puzzle allows users to take a video and insert questions within it.  Here is a quick tutorial of how it works and looks.  It's free!
EDpuzzle - Add Questions to YouTube Videos 2014 Tutorial
​EDpuzzle improvements - Analytics, Immediate Feedback and... GOOGLE CLASSROOM!