A backchannel provides an avenue for users to communicate to others while learning new information. Often, as users listen to a presenter, ideas and thoughts occur but are usually not shared. With a backchannel, users can include their ideas and share with others in the group not interrupting the presenter. The presenter can also view the backchannel while presenting to answer questions and adjust the presentation to meet the needs of the users.
Today’s Meet is an example of a backchannel. With Today’s Meet, a teacher set ups a ‘room’ for students to join without creating an account. Students input their name and begin typing comments.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to Today’s Meet.
Click here for more information.
The following tips address using the SMART Board and Notebook software.
1. Easy erase – Erase a large area at one time in the SMART Notebook. Pick up the eraser, circle the area you want to erase, and then
tap in the middle of the area. The items should erase.
2. Right click – To right click, press the Right Mouse button on the pen tray. Press the whiteboard to ‘right click’. The next press reverts back to a left click.
3. Resources – Utilize the SMART Exchange web site.
4. SMART recorder – Record everything that is on the screen as well as your voice. To access, click on SMART icon in the system tray and choose Recorder.
5. Attachments tab – Use this tab to gather all of your resources in one spot including web links and documents (Word, PowerPoint).
Click here for two more fabulous ideas!
Shawn Stelter, art teacher and department chair at BVSW, created a video using Educreations for a professional development session. Educreations is an “interactive whiteboard” recording audio and handwriting that can be shared online. Educreations is available from any mobile device and web browser. Import images to annotate or just write on the white canvas. Record your annotations and audio for a short lesson.
Shawn demonstrated how to record a unit upgrade into Rubicon by importing screenshots from Rubicon and annotating the images.
For more information, click here.
Access Blue Valley Ed Tech’s content curation resources. We have Pinterest and Educlipper sites that teachers can follow. When we update our site, we will post to these sites and it will appear on your account(s).
Join us!
Educlipper (BlueValley EdTech – Log in first to locate the links.)
Click here for more information.
Blogging with Elementary Students | November 7 | 4 to 6 pm
Beginning iMovie for Macintosh Users | November 13 | 3:30 to 5:30 pm
Analyzing data using Microsoft Excel | January 9 | 4 to 6 pm
Creating your own personal learning network | January 16 | 4 to 6 pm
Using Edmodo for digital collaboration and instructional tools | January 29 | 4 to 6 pm
Utilizing iWork for classroom projects | February 5 | 4 to 6 pm
Researching and evaluating information with elementary students | February 20 | 4 to 6 pm
Flipping your classroom instruction |March 25 | 4 to 6 pm
Using Audacity and digital photos to create instructional content | March 27 | 4 to 6 pm
Go to the Trending with Technology site for class descriptions and additional information. Register for a class in MyLearningPlan.com.
Look for our next conference February 8, 2014! Earn Baker credit while learning new technology tools. Details posted soon.
