Do you want to create an interactive and engaging learning experience in the classroom? Ensure students' participation or collaboration via various fun activities instead of just being a passive listener? Get immediate students feedback and having your assignment graded for you? Students get creative and have agency towards their own learning? All of the above can be achieved using two powerful learning platforms, namely Nearpod and Pear Deck. These tools are like Powerpoint or Google Slides presentation but so much better with interactivity features that get 100% students' participation with fun, interactive activities delivered synchronously on all devices.
This post will show you how to create a device booking system using Google Form, an add-on called Choice Eliminator, Google Sheet and add-on known as Event-O-Matic.
The idea is to book a device through Google form and using the Google form Choice Eliminator add-on to ensure that the checked-out device won't be available in the device choices for the next booking, hence preventing double booking.
Booking responses will be automatically recorded in the Google Sheet. An add-on called Event-O-Matic will help trigger and send a calendar invitation to the respondent and you.
Check out my video tutorial on how to create a device booking system using GSuite products.
Have you ever attended a talk so boring, you wish it will end the minute it started or listened to a presentation that promotes zero participation from their audience?
Yes, we've been there and yes, there are ways to change that situation. No doubt that creating a chance for peer or group work among the participants is a great way to increase engagement but there are other 'cooler' ways too! Here are three online tools to spice up your presentation.
1) Q&A Feature in Google Slides
It's a built-in feature in Google Slides that enables your audience to submit questions (anonymously too!) then present your favourites.
Audience members can also view everyone's submissions and vote them up or down.
2) Poll Everywhere Extensions
A great live interactive audience participation extension which works in Powerpoint, Keynote and Google Slides.
Choose from various activities that integrate seamlessly into your presentation.
3) Google Form, Sheets and Slides
Another way to use GSuite core products is to incorporate a survey or feedback form in your presentation and display the results instantly for further discussion.
Step 1: Create a Google Form
Step 2: View responses in Google Sheets
Step 3: Select the correct data range and insert the chart
Step 4: Edit your chart in the chart editor
Step 5: In your slide presentation, insert a chart
Step 6: Insert a chart from the spreadsheet you created earlier
Flipgrid is a free web-based video discussions platform used widely by educators and students. Why should you use Flipgrid? Well, why shouldn't you? With FlipGrid, you can create any topic with specialized resources and attachments, students can share and discuss each other's videos, educators are 100% in control with video moderation and other settings, students can get creative with the powerful, easy-to-use recording tools using any device, anywhere!
How to set up a grid?
If you've never used Flipgrid before, here's a quick video tutorial on how to set up your first ever grid.
Suggestions on how to use Flipgrid in Teaching and Learning
1. Beginning of school or classmates introduction
Use it to introduce yourself and students can talk about themselves; hobbies, favourite subjects and their goals.
2. Assessment for Learning
As an alternative mode to assess their learning on a certain topic, for example, explain about the types of volcanoes.
3. Exit Ticket or Reflection
A fun and engaging way to record what they've learned at the end of the unit.
4. Tips Sharing
A quick and effective way to share tips on a particular topic, for example how to create a good story.
5. School Events
(Book Week, Science Week, National Day and many more)
A great way to get the whole school or community involved by sharing their favourite book, experience or story related to the event going on in school.
You can find out more ideas on how to use FlipGrid by following @Flipgrid via twitter or explore the Disco Library (on your Educator Dashboard) where you can find and use topic templates which can then be customized for your class.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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. 
