Tech Tool of the Week: YouTube Teachers

Do you use video in your classroom? Would you like to try, but need a source of high quality educational videos? If so, this week's featured technology tool is just for you! YouTube Teachers is a section of YouTube designed for K-12 teachers to find and use the latest and greatest educational videos on YouTube. 

Who is behind YouTube Teachers? A team of teachers around the country reviews YouTube videos and creates playlists specific to subject and grade level.  There are over 300 playlists currently available on YouTube Teachers. These playlists are broken down by curriculum topics and age level. Even better, the videos are aligned with Common Core standards!

The teachers behind YouTube Teachers try to collect three types of videos for their playlists: hook videos (can be used to build questions at the start of the day), content videos, and further knowledge videos (which get kids to ask deeper questions and bridge to the real world).

To start finding great videos to use in your class, visit YouTube Teachers and click on the "Classroom Videos" tab. On the left you will see a list of subject areas (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Teaching). Click on a subject area, then search by age level (elementary, middle, or high school). You will find a list of topics, each of which is linked to a playlist of videos.

The best part about YouTube Teachers is that the team behind the site is focused on keeping the playlists small (about 10-15 videos) and choosing short videos. What this means for you is that you can "spend less time searching and more time teaching!" 

Check out YouTube's great answer to the question: why use YouTube in the classroom? Go to YouTube Teachers and click on the "Why YouTube" tab. Or check out the brief video below!

Tech Tool of the Week: Reflection

This week's highlighted technology tool is an app called Reflection.  Reflection allows you to wirelessly mirror your iPad or iPhone to your Mac or PC.  This could be a great tool to use in class!  Imagine that you'd like to show your students something on your iPad or iPhone.  Once your computer is connected to your touchscreen monitor or projector, and the projector is turned on, open the Reflection app on your computer.  Then connect your iPad/iPhone to the computer using AirPlay.  Now everything you do on your iPad or iPhone will be displayed on the projector!

One nice feature of Reflection is that it allows a teacher to freely walk around the room with iPad in hand.  No more standing next to the wall hooked up to a projector cable!  Reflection creates a wireless AirPlay connection from the iPad to the projector.

Another possible use of Reflection is to have students share their iPad screens, demonstrations, presentations, artwork, music, etc.  Students can connect their iPad to your computer via AirPlay right from their seats!  (Please note that this only works with iPad 2 and 3, so the Lower School iPads are not compatible with Reflection.  For Lower School teachers who are interested in using Reflection with student iPads, please email IT Requests to reserve the Middle School iPads.)

If you are interested in trying Reflection, you can download a trial version that will allow you to try the app for ten minutes.  If you decide you would like a copy of this software for your computer, just contact IT and we will purchase a license for you. 

Below is a short video that contains a demo of the Reflection app:

Tech Tool of the Week: Google Drive for iPad/iPhone

In light of our recent tech training on Google Drive, this is the perfect time to build upon your skills by trying out Google Drive on your phone or tablet!  Google Drive is available not only through the web or on your desktop, but also as an app for your iPad, iPhone, or Android.  Recently Google released an updated version of Google Drive for mobile devices that has some handy new features.  Here are some of the things you can do on Google Drive for your iPhone or iPad:

• Access all the files that you add to Google Drive on your computer
• Share a file (such as a document, photo, etc.) with others
• Read the most up-to-date version of your documents
• Create and edit new documents 
• Format text in your documents (change color, font, size, etc.)
• Create new Google Drive folders and move files into folders



Google Drive on iPhone

• Upload files (like photos and videos) from your iPhone/iPad directly into Google Drive

Best of all, any changes you make while working in Google Drive on your phone or tablet will be automatically synchronized, so you will see all of those changes the next time you access Google Drive on your computer!

Google Drive for iPhone/iPad/Android is great for working on the go.  You can even make files available offline so you can view them when you're in a place with no Internet access (like on a plane).  It's perfect for jotting down notes in meetings, too.  Give it a try!  Stop by the IT office for help installing and setting up Google Drive on your tablet or smartphone, and come to Tech Tuesdays for help getting started using Google Drive on your phone or tablet.

Google Drive on iPad