Get ready to "Tech the Halls" with my 4th annual 12 Digital Days of Christmas, a collection of digital treasures featuring Thinglink and a dozen fun and festive resources that are sure to spread some holiday cheer in your classroom. So, starting today and continuing for the next eleven school days, this Geeky Girl will share one Christmas activity that can be shared with your students. The 2015 adventure begins by hovering over the interactive image below to reveal Tech Treasure #1: The North Pole, a comprehensive holiday site that has it all for educators, students and parents—dozens of games, activities, stories, crafts and more—all related to Santa’s visit on December 25. I’ve actually shared this resource in past Christmas playlists, and I typically save it for last, but this award-winning gem includes more than enough activities to keep students busy until the holiday break. So, if you’ve somehow missed it along the way, be sure to check it out this time around! The NorthPole.com promotes a traditional look at Santa’s Secret Village, but with high-tech, creative features to keep students entertained—all for free. For example, check out the Elf Clubhouse for online games and activities including checkers with Santa, Trim the Tree, crossword puzzles, word searches, concentration, and mazes. But free games are only the beginning of the fun your students can have at the NorthPole.com. Play Winter flash games, watch cool Christmas movies and cartoons at the North Pole Arcade, chat with some of Santa’s helpers and/or read stories about your favorite elf. All of this and more awaits you and your students at the NorthPole.com! So, push the papers and pencils aside for a few minutes and celebrate one of the most exciting and magical times of the year by accessing this site. Just hover over The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas Thinglink interactive image shown below to get started on your holiday journey! The full screen version of this interactive image can be accessed here. Classroom Connection: Use the resources embedded within the interactive image to have some fun celebrating the best holiday of the year! In case you might be interested in checking out my 12 Digital Days of Christmas collections from previous years, here you go: » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas I » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas II » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas III

It’s time to put up the Christmas lights! But wait—you’ll need to access Merry Christmas Math Fact Fun, a game in which students must solve addition, subtraction, multiplication or division problems to earn lights. Here’s how Tech Treasure #2 works: The number of equations answered correctly as well as the difficulty level selected results in more lights earned. Once 60 seconds is up, students can view a detailed score report before they click the "GO" button to string the lights they collected—which is by far the coolest part of the game. Too bad it wasn’t this fun and easy to hang actual lights! I may not need so much egg nog! Check out the Merry Christmas Math Fact Fun on The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas Thinglink image located here. Classroom Connection: Use the resources embedded within the interactive image to have some fun celebrating the best holiday of the year! In case you might be interested in checking out my 12 Digital Days of Christmas collections from previous years, here you go: » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas I » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas II » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas III

It’s TGIF as well as three weeks until the "Big Day" so there’s no better time than now to introduce Tech Treasure #3—Elf Flinger, a game in which you can help Santa’s elves grab the presents in the factory and place them safely back into Santa’s sack! Hmmm… I’m hoping there are some new swanky electronics in there for me! Just sayin’… All you’ve gotta do is hover over The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas Thinglink interactive image shown below to check out Elf Flinger and other nifty holiday activities! The full screen version of this interactive image can be accessed here. Classroom Connection: Use the resources embedded within the interactive image to have some fun celebrating the best holiday of the year! In case you might be interested in checking out my 12 Digital Days of Christmas collections from previous years, here you go: » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas I » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas II » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas III

What’s new this week in my Diigo bookmarks? Check out the links shown below for five really cool and useful web sites that students can access to reinforce and enrich science, math and literacy skills! » Tree House Weather Kids An interactive site that provides students with basic information and activities related to various weather topics such as wind, moisture, air pressure, seasons, and storms. » Coins for Candy Learn about pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters while shopping for candy. Lessons are available in both text only and text with audio formats. » NRICH.maths.org Free materials (problems, articles and games) that help to enrich learning and engage learners in everyday math practices. » Literary Devices A site containing a comprehensive list of literary devices as well as detailed definitions and examples of each term. » MEDtropolis Home of the virtual human body! Learn more about the skeleton, heart, brain, the digestive tract, and how they function. Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links can be found here.

So, what makes Tech Treasure #4 one of the best in this series? It includes my second installment of Magnetic Poetry, one focusing on the upcoming Christmas holiday. This brand-new Google Slides activity contains 100+ words and phrases that can be manipulated into a holiday themed poem, story, etc. As with my Thanksgiving Magnetic Poetry creation, the word boxes are actually images and cannot be edited; however, they can be deleted. Plus, additional words can be generated by creating a new text box and filling it with a white background. Check out a sneak preview below! Find the Christmas Magnetic Poetry link within The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas Thinglink image located here. Once accessed, you will be prompted to download your very own copy of the original template and save it to your Google Drive. Or just click here for a direct link to this activity. Classroom Connection: The Christmas Magnetic Poetry template can be used in a variety of ways as either an independent or collaborative writing activity. Utilize the "magnets" included and/or add your own text boxes to extend the activity (although I think part of the fun/challenge is to use the words provided—just like the good old-fashioned magnetic poetry kit). A huge shout out to edtech guru Kasey Bell for the inspiration needed to develop this magnetic poetry resource! As for the 12 Digital Days of Christmas resource, use the embedded content to have some fun celebrating the best holiday of the year! In case you might be interested in checking out my 12 Digital Days of Christmas collections from previous years, here you go: » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas I » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas II » The Twelve Digital Days of Christmas III

5 Tips for Using Google Apps on the iPad Google and Apple CAN PLAY NICE!Google and Apple are two very different ecosystems. Both provide great technology and digital tools for use inside the classroom and beyond. When these two worlds collide, they offer a powerful toolbox for educators giving you the best of both worlds. When iPads were first introduced, they did not play nicely with Google Apps. We have come a long way, and the two CAN play nicely with each other if you know a few tricks! Here are five tips for using Google Apps on the iPad. 1. Google works best with Google.  Go figure! Google Apps work best with other Google Apps. So be sure you install all of the featured apps on this page: Google Apps for iOS. All of Google’s mobile apps were designed to work as a team. Links will open in Chrome instead of Safari, tap on an email address and it will open the Gmail app instead of Mail, etc. If you leverage this team of apps, using Google on the iPad will be a much better user experience. 2. The Google Search App deserves a second look.  If you are like me, I downloaded the Google Search app ages ago and forgot about it. Why do I need a separate search app when searching is built into the browser? Here’s why I challenge you to give this app a second look. The Google Search App integrates with Google Now cards. Google Now gives you timely, convenient, and customized information like weather, traffic patterns to work, tracks packages, travel information. The second reason you should give this app another go: "Okay, Google!" If you haven’t heard this phrase yet, you will! "Okay, Google," is a hands-free, voice search trigger for the app. (You must enable the feature on your device.) Then simply say, "Okay, Google," the device will beep, and start "listening" for your search query. Bonus: If your search is in the form of a question, Google will read the answer back to you! Think of how much this little gem can help students. Note:  "Okay, Google," can also be enabled in Google Chrome on the desktop.  Chrome on the iPad can also do voice search, but not "Okay, Google." 3. Forget the native Mail app on the iPad!  Native iPad apps may not be the best app for the job. Just because it came on the iPad, doesn’t mean it is the best app for task at hand. If you use Gmail, and you should, stop using the native Mail app on your iPad. There is a better way. The Gmail app is better, faster, and is cloud-based. The Mail app takes up precious storage space on your device because it is downloading your messages to the device. Have you ever tried to search for an old email in the Mail app? It can be frustrating and time-consuming as you continue to download more messages to search. The Gmail app will also let you connect multiple gmail accounts. Try the Gmail app for a better, faster solution. 4. Forget the native Calendar app!  Google Calendar plays nicely with most other calendar applications out there, but if you want to mimic the gcal functionality you have on the desktop, you must let go of the native calendar app on the iPad. Google does not offer an official Google Calendar app for the iPad, but there are many out there with gcal functionality. I recommend Sunrise (free) or Calendars 5 by Readdle ($6.99). 5. Auto-Backup Photos and Videos to Google+ Google+ is currently the fastest growing social network. Even if you have no interest in adding another social network to your repertoire, you will want the Google+ app on your iOS device for one simple reason: auto-backup your photos and videos to Google! The number one storage hog on iPads is photos and videos. Let Google+ do the work for you and back up to your Google+ account. Google+ is also a great way to expand your personal learning network and collaborate with like-minded educators. Here are 5 Reasons Educators Should Use Google Plus. Using Google Apps on the iPad is possible, and if you just know a few simple tips, you can have the best of both worlds. These tips only scratch the surface of what’s possible. For even more tips, attend my session, "Ooey, Gooey, Google! Google Apps for the iPad," at the Teaching and Learning with the iPad Conference this November. This post originally appeared on Emerging EdTech on Sept. 16, 2014. *Be sure to get your FREE COPY of the Google Drive for iOS Cheat Sheet, and the Guide to Google Apps for the iPad [infographic]. What are your favorite tips for using Google Apps on the iPad? Please share in the comments below. Subscribe to this blog to get all the latest posts: Follow My Blog with Bloglovin Follow My Blog with Feedly

Google Apps Smashing Dice: Classroom Edition Go Google and Smash Some Apps with Gapps Smashing Dice! This Google Apps Dice was sparked by a request from Lori Curtis on Google+ to make a version that included Google Classroom, Doctopus and Goobric. Google Apps Dice can be used in professional learning. These can be used alone to help review concepts, inspire integration ideas, and even quiz a partner to help prepare for the Google Educator exams. You can also use two or more to create an app smashing activity. For instance, how can you combine Google Sites and Google Search in a classroom activity? Google Classroom What is it?"Classroom is available to anyone with Google Apps for Education, a free suite of productivity tools including Gmail, Drive and Docs. Classroom is designed to help teachers create and collect assignments paperlessly, including time-saving features like the ability to automatically make a copy of a Google Document for each student. It also creates Drive folders for each assignment and for each student to help keep everyone organized. Students can keep track of what’s due on the Assignments page and begin working with just a click. Teachers can quickly see who has or hasn't completed the work, and provide direct, real-time feedback and grades right in Classroom." (from www.google.com/edu/classroom/) Google Classroom Resources Google Classroom Pinterest Board (This is a collaborative board with a few members of my PLN.) Google Classroom How-To Videos (from the AMAZING Michael Fricano II at EdTechnocation.com) Google Apps Smashing Dice: Classroom Edition Google Apps Smashing Dice: Classroom Edition Download below, or use the Save to Drive button to save directly to your Google Drive. Classroom Gapps Dice.pdf File Size: 192 kb File Type: pdf Download File This version of the die includes the following apps: Google Classroom Google Drive Google Search Google Sites Google Chrome Google Docs Google Slides Google Sheets Google Forms Google Drawings Doctopus (Google Sheets Add-On, learn more below.) Goobric (Google Chrome Extension, learn more below.) New to Doctopus? Doctopus is an Add-On for Google Sheets created by the fabulous Andrew Stillman at New Visions for Public Schools that gives teachers the ability to mass-copy (from a starter template), share, and manage grading and feedback for student projects in Google Drive. Here's a great video introduction by Jay Atwood : New to Goobric? Goobric allows for rubric-based grading of Google Drive resources (Documents, Presentations, Spreadsheets, Folders, etc.) It was created to work with the Doctopus Add-on mentioned above.  Here is another great video from Jay Atwood: How do they all work together?  Check out this great video from Jennie Magiera: Doctopus + Classroom + Goobric = :). Be sure to check out the other versions of Gapps Dice here. Beginner Google Apps Dice Advanced Google Apps Dice Ready for more #AppDice fun? Check out the amazing Ryan Read's collection of app dice on his blog: Classrooms Next Level. How do you use App Dice? Please share in the comments below! Subscribe to this blog to get all the latest posts: Follow My Blog with Bloglovin Follow My Blog with Feedly

Google Apps for the iPad An Updated Infographic Guide to Google Apps for the iPad  (31 Apps)!!! There are now tons of apps for iOS devices that integrate well with Google, and Google has release several official apps for the iPad. There is hope, Obi Wan, Google and Apple can play nice! The infographic embedded below details the most useful Google apps for the iPad. These are the apps that I find most useful not only for teachers, but any Google user. Take a look, download, and explore the wonderful possibilities of using Google Apps on the iPad! The online, interactive version embedded below includes links directly to the app store! You can also download the image file below. Note: This is not an exhaustive list of ALL of the Google designed apps. For a complete list, click here. There are a few apps that were designed for the iPhone, but worth mentioning for the iPad as well. If the image below isn't displaying correctly, Click here for the online interactive version with links to the app store. Guide to Google Apps for the iPad File Size: 1395 kb File Type: png Download File What are your favorite Google Apps for the iPad? Please share in the comments below!

Google Apps for the iPad and iOSWe have come a long way with using Google on the iPad. We now have 50 official apps from Google, Inc. for iOS. The following is a list of Google Apps for iOS. This list is exhaustive and includes several apps that are not on the infographic Guide to Google Apps for the iPad. Some of these are natural for classroom integration, and some are more for personal or business use. Some are optimized for both iPad and iPhone; some are only optimized for iPhone. Each app title is linked directly to the App Store so you can click directly from your device to download each app.Productivity AppsGoogle GmailInbox by Gmail (invite only)Google CalendarChromeChrome Remote DesktopGoogle Drive AppsGoogle DriveGoogle DocsGoogle SheetsGoogle SlidesGoogle ClassroomSocial AppsGoogle+Google HangoutsBloggerGeography AppsGoogle MapsGoogle EarthField TripYouTube AppsYouTubeYouTube KidsYouTube CaptureYouTube Creator StudioGoogle Play AppsGoogle Play BooksGoogle Play MusicGoogle Play Movies and TVGoogle Play NewsstandPhotography AppsPhotosphere CameraSnapseedChromecast AppsChromecastPhotowall for ChromecastBig Web Quiz for ChromecastOther AppsGoogle AdminGoogle ExpressGoogle Life Sciences Study KitGoogle News and WeatherGoogle TranslateGoogle TV RemoteGoogle VoiceGoogle WalletGoogle AuthenticatorIngress (game)One Today (support non-profits)Business Apps (Just in case you are interested.)AdWords ExpressGoogle AdSenseGoogle AnalyticsGoogle CoordinateGoogle FiberGoogle My BusinessMyGlassPrimer - marketing lessons for startupsZagat (Yep...they own that, too.)**This list will be maintained on the Shake Up Learning website here: Google Apps for iOS.Looking for more details on Google Apps for the iPad? See this infographic Guide to Google Apps for the iPad, or refer to the Google and the iPad section of this site.Related Posts:5 Tips for Using Google Apps on the iPad6 Fun & Free Avatar Creators for the iPadFinding the Best Apps for Your ClassroomKasey Bell will be presenting at the following upcoming events:#TechUpTxState EdTech Conference at Texas State University (San Marcos, TX)#GoogleEduOnAir (May 8-9)#TXGoo15, May 16: Texas Summit feature Google for Education (New Caney, TX)TCEA Area 16 Conference Jamboree, June 4 (Amarillo, TX)Prosper ISD Tech Conference, June 10 (Prosper, TX)Speed 21 Conference, June 11 (Wylie, TX)Texas ASCD Ignite, June 15-17 (Irving, TX)iPadpalooza, June 23-25 (Austin, TX)ISTE, June 28-July 1 (Philadelphia, PA)TIA 2015, July 21-22 (Denton, TX)

Best of Both Worlds: Google Apps for the iPad!I was so honored to be a presenter this weekend for the Google Edu On Air conference for educators! It was so exciting to participate in this conference as a learner and as a presenter. I was happy to see friends from Texas, across the U.S. and Canada, participate, and it was a thrill to have participants from Iceland, Brazil and Australia! If you missed out on participating in the live conference, no worries, you can watch all of the presentation On Demand!The session below was part of the Google Edu On Air online conference for educators across the globe held on May 9, 2015. Below is the recording of my session, "The Best of Both Worlds: Google Apps for the iPad," along with the presentation and resources.The Best of Both Worlds! Google Apps for the iPad!Don't let anyone tell you that the iPad doesn't play well with Google Apps! There are now 50 Google Apps for iOS. Let's dive in, and discover the best Google Apps for the iPad. Learn practical tips and tricks to save you time and storage space, practical integration ideas for the classroom and shared iPads, and ways to stay more productive with Google. Presentation and ResourcesShake Up Learning Presentations by Kasey Bell are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.Based on a work at www.ShakeUpLearning.comLink to published slidesMaximize Google Drive on the iPadGuide to Google Apps for the iPad [infographic]Google Apps for the iPad and iOS (The Complete List!)Google Drive for iOS CHEAT SHEETMore Google Apps for the iPad ResourcesAccess the entire #GoogleEduOnAir Conference Here.What are your favorite tips for using Google Drive on the iPad? Please share in the comments below.Kasey Bell will be presenting at the following upcoming events:#TXGoo15, May 16: Texas Summit feature Google for Education (New Caney, TX)TCEA Area 16 Conference Jamboree, June 4 (Amarillo, TX)#ProsperTrendingNow Conference, June 10 (Prosper, TX)Speed 21 Conference (Keynote), June 11 (Wylie, TX)Texas ASCD Ignite, June 15-17 (Irving, TX)iPadpalooza, June 23-25 (Austin, TX)ISTE, June 28-July 1 (Philadelphia, PA)Missouri Google Summit, July 11-12 (Kansas City, MO)TIA 2015, July 21-22 (Denton, TX)Texserve's 2nd Annual "Bridging the Gap: Technology & Instruction" Symposium (Keynote), July 30 (Dallas, TX)