Recommended Book - Tech Like a PIRATE Matt Miller

Tech Like a PIRATE: Using Classroom Technology to Create an Experience and Make Learning Memorable by Matt Miller

Matt Miller has done it again. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for new ways to use technology to enhance student engagement.

Updated Guide to Sharing Files in Google Drive

Google started rolling out some updates to sharing files in Google Drive. This includes Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, and just about everything else but forms. The main changes include the interface and renaming some of the sharing options. If you haven't started to see the new sharing options you probably will soon. These changes are specific to drive and don't impact the drive sharing settings in Google Classroom. 

Thank You Educators!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all the teachers and educational leaders who are doing so much to support all learners. I am thanking you all as both a parent and an educator. Parents, students, and teaching friends need to do this more often than once a year. #TeacherAppreciation

I don't have anything spectacular to give away today, but I promise that I will continue to do my best to share my appreciation by creating and sharing resources to support all teachers and learners. 

As a small bonus today, here are a few videos and resources for Teacher Appreciation Week. 

• The Best Teacher Appreciation Giveaways and Deals for 2020 (We Are Teachers) 
• Teacher Appreciation Week: What Teachers Would Like to Have During Distance Learning (Mindshift)
• #TeacherAppreciationWeek Hashtag on Twitter (Great Daily Giveaways) 
• 50 of the Best Quotes About Teaching (teachthought)
• A Teacher Appreciation Week for the Ages (Edutopia - YouTube)
• Teacher Appreciation Week: They wanted respect. It only took a coronavirus pandemic and worldwide economic collapse (Newsweek)
• Erducator Strong....it’s what we are! (Gerry Brooks - YouTube)
• Teacher Appreciation Day 2020 (Pearl Jam - YouTube)

I count my blessings every day that I am lucky enough to be a teacher and lifelong learner. I also want to thank my school, my district PLN, and all of my teaching friends for all everyone does to help me learn and grow daily.

Please feel free to share additional appreciation resources or thanks you's to a special teacher in the comments below.

I hope everyone is well and is finding moments of joy when and where you can. 

Explore the World with Google Arts & Culture

Google just released a new collection of lessons to engage students in virtual field trips that explore the mind of an artist, the history of a palace, the mystery of space, and more. Students will engage in exploring topics, collaborating, and practicing essential skills.

Pear Deck Now Lets Teachers Record and Upload Audio

Pear Deck just released the ability to add audio and it is awesome. Probably one of the easiest ways I've discovered to add audio to your presentations and interactive slide activities. Right now this is just part of the Google Slides Pear Deck Add-on, but I am thinking it will soon be an option in PowerPoint.

How awesome is it that you can now share your voice with your students. Connections matter and this is another great way that you can make sure your students are connected and engaged! I also love that you can upload music and other audio files to supplement images and text.