Make your picture talks using Morfo and Hp Reveal (previously Aurasma)

Introduction

You've assigned each student an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to present during their show and tell session with parents and teachers. They are free to use any form of presentation mode that they like. They've chosen to create a booklet, mini-poster, drawing, models, diorama and some even created a Google Slides presentation. 

All these are great, but what about taking it up a notch? Why don't we augment the reality? How about making their drawing talk? Make Tutankhamun or Cleopatra speak about themselves?        

The tools or app

There are two apps needed for this project. Let's just call the finished product as "aura" to make it easier.

HPReveal (Previously Aurasma)

The first app is called HPReveal, previously known as Aurasma. Aurasma is an augmented reality site which allows you to see and interact with the world in a new way. With this tool, every image, object and even place can have its own aura. 

Auras can be as simple as a video and a link to a web page or as complex as a lifelike 3D animation. It can be installed both on IOS and Android device. However, for some technical reason, depending on the compatibility of your IOS device, it may not work properly once installed. 

Morfo

Morfo is a simple, fun and flexible IOS compatible app that can turn your friend's face, pets or objects into fun, life-like 3D characters. It can also make your friends say anything you want in a silly voice and many other fun features.

How to create your own auras? 

Check out my video tutorial on how to create your own auras.

Suggested use in classrooms

Where shall we start? The possibilities are endless! Imagine the fun they'll have creating it! A far cry from the usual 2D presentation mode such as poster or mind map. 

Use it to make famous or inspirational people (dead or alive) by talking about themselves. Make Tesla talks about himself and his achievement or a Spanish poet reciting his poem and translating it into English. 

How about creating an aura of a character from a book that describes herself instead of you doing it! Or in Math, a shape, say a triangle explaining its own properties. Sounds fun? Now, what are you waiting for? Go and create your first aura!

Feedback Galore: Improve Feedback Using Google Doc

 

As what most teachers already knew, feedback can greatly enhance learning and improve student achievement. Click on this link to find out more about 5 researched-based tips for providing students with meaningful feedback. 

How can we improve feedback using Google Doc to increase motivation, build up existing knowledge and help them to reflect on what they've learned? Let's explore various ways to do so.


1) Comment and assign task feature

• Easy and super useful real-time feedback

2) Use suggesting mode

• Require students to either accept or decline suggestions.

3) Add comments to doc using Permanent clipboard 

• Saves time typing the same comment each time. Time-saver for teachers!

4) Add audio text to a doc using Google Read&Write 

• Wonderful tool to explore. Check out their other features to vary your feedback.

5) Add audio text to a doc using Talk and Comment 

• Just record, copy and paste the voice note link anywhere you want!

6) Add video feedback to a doc using Screencastify

• A great way to annotate your student's work.

7) Rubric using Goobric + Doctopus within Google Classroom

• Works within Google Classroom 
• Teacher and peer feedback

You can find out more from my previous blog post by clicking on this link.

8) Rubric using Orange Slice

• Less complicated than using Goobric+Doctopus
• Allows peer feedback too!

Try these ways to improve your feedback and expect increased motivation and more meaningful learning process for your students. Happy Feedbacking!!!

Creative Video-making using WeVideo

Looking for a video editor that is easy-to-use? Editable everywhere online and lets you start on one device and then pick up where you left on another? Collaborate with others for the ultimate sharing experience? Sparks creativity with graphics, green screen, special effects, speed control and much more? Well, look no further as WeVideo has all these features. 


The possibilities of this online video editor are endless. To name a few, students can create a read-aloud online storybook, newscasting, talk show,  advertisement, and a step-by-step tutorial. In this post, I will show you how to create a simple video using some of the features like graphics, green screen, sound effects and much more. 

Getting started with WeVideo

Sign up to WeVideo and choose a plan that suits you.





Creating a simple video using Storyboard (beginners) mode. You can change into Timeline mode for advanced editing.


Click this link for more WeVideo tutorials.

Get Creative with WeVideo

Video Tutorial on how to edit in Timeline mode using graphics, sound effects and much more.

Video tutorial on how to use green screen effect. 





Example of video created with WeVideo:
Read Aloud book with voice over and sound effect.

Another example of a video I've created with WeVideo where I used green screen effect, graphics and background music for my Google Trainer application video.

Now that you've seen the endless possibilities of WeVideo, why not try it out in your classroom? Have a creative week ahead.

  





   

Creating Online Storybooks using Google Slides

Google slides can go beyond a mere presentation tool with words or probably with some relevant images to go with it. It could also be engaging, interactive and even collaborative.

There are many possible ways of using Google Slides in the classroom, but today I'll be focusing on using it creatively by creating an online storybook with Google Slides.  

So, how do we do it?

Automating the mundane: Using canned response

Picture this; you are required to send the same email content with a different attachment or salutation to a bunch of different contacts over and over again. What would you do? Type the same email content to all the contacts? What??! That's crazy! Copy and paste the same content from a source to a new email? Possible! What about using the canned response? Now we're talking!!!

This week's 'oldie but goldie' Gmail feature is one of the regularly used tool (or support system) in my day-to-day correspondence with either parents, students or colleagues. Here are the steps on how to use it:

SECTION 1: SETTING UP A CANNED RESPONSE


Step 1: Go to setting by clicking on the gear icon. 

Step 2: Once in the setting window, click on the Labs tab and then enable the Canned Responses Lab.

Step 3: Go to compose and create an email template which will then be used in your canned responses.

Step 4: Hover over the drop-down arrow at the bottom right of your email window and click on Canned responses.


 Step 5: Then click on New canned response.

Step 6: Name your new canned response for easier identification in the future (Mine's Sample Email). 

SECTION 2: USING A CANNED RESPONSE

 Step 7: On a new message window, hover over the drop-down arrow at the bottom right of your email window, click on Canned responses and then the email template (Sample Email) which was created earlier.

Step 8: Once your response has been pasted, you can now send your email. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 for other contacts.

Canned responses might seem like a small win, but these incremental performance improvements add up over time and set you apart. Give it a try! 

Rubric Grading using Goobric and Doctopus in Google Classroom

This week's add-ons special will be featuring not one, but two add-ons that can do magic! They are Goobric and Doctopus! These add-ons enable grading directly via Google Classroom, using a rubric which is attachable to the assigned document.  There are also options for self/peer assessment and send assessment feedback via student's email. Check out my youtube tutorial to learn more about Rubric Grading using Goobric and Doctopus.

Click the link below for more samples:

Assignment Example (Copy of Year 4 AFL Term 2, 2018) 

Sample Rubric (Rubric must be in a spreadsheet form)

Attached Online Rubric on a student's assignment

I am planning to introduce this process to my colleagues for our next assessment for learning (AfL) in Term 3. These add-ons will not only reduce time spent on manually writing and then copying feedbacks from one form to another but it also serves as an organised as well as a more comprehensive record of student's work. Give it a go and have an awesome weekend!

Add-Ons Special: Flippity

Doin' the Flip ya'll!

This week's add-ons special is Flippity, a tool which can easily turn a Google Spreadsheet into a set of online flashcards and other cool stuff such as bingo, word search, puzzle, typing test, random name picker and many more. 

You can start by going to Flippity.net or get the add-ons for Google Spreadsheet. Explore the activities by studying the demos available and then follow the step-by-step instructions to create your customized Flippity activities.

Get the Flippity add-ons

Flippity add-ons for Spreadsheets

Creating a Flippity Flashcards for Vocabulary Activity

For the upcoming 2018 World Cup, I'm planning to introduce some 'footballish' vocabulary to my students using one of the activities offered by Flippity. 

First, go ahead and open a new Spreadsheet which I will name 'World Cup Vocabulary.' Get the Flippity add-ons and then launch it. You will then choose the activity that you want and click on the use button. Follow the instructions to create your flashcards.

             

Pick a template for an activity that you want.

Click 'Use' once you've decided on an activity.

Key in your information.

Once you're done keying-in, get the URL to your Flippity Flashcards.

Follow the instructions.

Voila! Your customized flashcards are ready to use.

What's great about this tool is that it allows you to create different activities by transferring the information you've keyed-in, hence saving your precious time to do it again and again for another activity. 

Go to 'More' tab and you can create other activities. 

There are also printable versions if you prefer to distribute worksheets. Last but not least, you can share the link to the online flashcards with your students via Google Classroom as homework or class activity. 

You can opt to print the quiz.

Or share the link to co-teachers or students through different platforms.

Now go and give Flippity a go and create wonderful resources for learning!