Welcome to this fortnight's newsletter. You might notice a different look and feel to the newsletter this week - we're trying something different! Let us know what you think.
For those teachers in the Southern Hemisphere, nearing the end of Term Two, we hope you are all holding up well and getting through report and flu season without too much damage. For those of you on summer break we hope you are enjoying some sunshine, rest and relaxation!
The UTB trainers have enjoyed another busy few weeks training across NZ and Australia. Mike has headed over to Chicago for the ISTE conference, we're looking forward to hearing some inspiring updates from him.
Have a great fortnight everyone, and as always get in touch if there's anything we can help you out with.
A few images from our trainers...
SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU THINK....
Rebel developers are trying to cure our smartphone addiction - with an app.
NZ Herald Article - 18 June 2018
"There will always be downsides to new technology," he said in an interview from New York. "The solution isn't to throw it out. The solution is to make it better." - Nir Eyel
I don't know about you but I'm definitely aware that I spend too much time on my phone. This is an interesting article that discusses tools and apps that can help you to be more mindful of screen time. After reading it I downloaded 'Moment' and I'm a little bit scared about what it's going to reveal. This could be an interesting humanities and statistical investigation for senior students, tracking their time and discussing possible impacts of screen time.
BLOG POSTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED...
Something you want us to blog about? Make a request here or check out our website to see all our posts.
Check out our practical, helpful tips in our blogs below.
Research and Outline in Office 365 - There are some useful functions native in Microsoft Office 365 that help you research and create great presentations that can make learning easier. In the classroom, helping students research and summarise is a skill we need to develop. These tools will help stem the cut and paste epidemic. - Adrian Francis
How to use Spell Check in Google Docs, Slides and Sheets - With the development of digital technologies, the mistakes you make in your spelling are becoming easier and easier to fix. Did you realise Google not only has the little red line to help you fix these mistakes, it also has a spell checker built right into Docs, Slides and Sheets. - Donna Golightly
Pause your Gmail inbox to increase efficiency - Have you ever been focussed and working hard on an important task, opened your inbox to find a relevant email and then been distracted by an avalanche of new emails? Or perhaps you’ve been trying to clear your inbox of old emails, but keep finding your progress is hindered by new messages. Imagine if you could temporarily stop new emails from arriving in your inbox. - Samantha Vardanega
SOMETHING WE THINK YOU'LL LIKE...
FLIPGRID IS NOW FREE! 🤩
We're often recommending apps, links and digital resources that promote effective pedagogy and quality teaching and learning. If the tool doesn't tick those boxes, we won't tell you about it. This week, one of our favourite tools that does all of the above and more, especially as a place for reflective practice and 'meta-cognition' is Flipgrid. This multi-platform tool allows teachers to create boards with questions and prompts for students to record videos for others to watch, share and comment on. And the best thing is that this week, Microsoft have partnered with Flipgrid and made the premium account free!
Who wouldn't be all over that. Have a look at their website here for more information and take a closer look!
upcoming events
STEAM is an integrated curriculum approach that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics to inspire, learn and share with others. Teachers everywhere are realising its potential for making cross curricula links and equipping their students with important digital learning skills.
Our STEAM Digital Technologies Curriculum will deepen your experience, understanding and resources to become an even more COMPETENT and CONFIDENT STEAM facilitator with your class and for your school!
During this two day course you will:
- Explore a range of G Suite for Education tools including Gmail, Calendar, Hangouts, Tasks, Sites, Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides & Forms, Google Classroom, Search, YouTube, Google Groups & Chrome.
- Be guided through the Google for Education Level 1 course in a way that will fast track your learning and build new skills in teaching with Google tools.
- Gain the knowledge and skills needed to successfully pass the Level 1 exam.
- Take the exam in a supportive environment after using our practice exam questions to prepare.
GOOGLE EDUCATOR GROUPS CONTINUE TO EXPAND ACROSS AUSTRALIA!
For the last 8 months, Using Technology Better have been working with Google to expand and reinvigorate the Google Educator Group (GEG) program in Australia. GEGs are independently run communities of educators that provide professional learning and networking to teachers who are passionate about education and technology. This takes place via both face-to-face events and online activities. Some of the new GEGs include GEG Wagga Wagga, GEG Sydney West, GEG NSW Central Cost, GEG Northern Territory, GEG Central Queensland, GEG Grafton, GEG Geelong, GEG Sydney South West, GEG Melbourne North, GEG Melbourne South East, GEG Melbourne East, GEG Geelong and GEG Mornington Peninsula. Below are a couple of photos from the GEG Mornington Peninsula launch event last week.
If you are keen to get involved in a GEG, you can join the GEG Australia Google+ community and follow GEG Australia on Twitter. If you'd like to start a GEG in your own community, fill out this form.
Credits:
Created with images by Gez Xavier Mansfield - "Concrete peels" • Park Troopers - "Colorful plastic monkeys" • David Švihovec - "untitled image" • PublicDomainPictures - "michelangelo abstract boy child adult background communication"