Google Cardboard Comes to iOS2 New Google Apps for iOS Released!Over the last few weeks, Google has released two new Google apps for iOS: Google Photos and Google Cardboard. Yes! Google Cardboard for iOS has finally arrived! I have updated my complete list of ALL Google apps for iOS (now 52 apps!), which can be found here. Below is a bit of information about these two new, fabulous apps for iPad and iPhone.Google CardboardWhy You Should Use It:Easily transform a smartphone into a virtual reality device.InexpensiveTransport students into a new learning environmentGet Cardboard or Build it Yourself!Google Expeditions also shows some promising and engaging content for students using Google Cardboard. Find out how you can pilot the program at your school!Watch this video to see what Google Cardboard can bring to the Classroom!Google PhotosWhy You Should Use It:Auto-backup and sync your photos to your device! (FREE Unlimited Storage!)Save storage space on your device by storing to the cloud.Organize Photos (face matching technology)Visual SearchCreate interactive stories, animations and more!SHARE!Have you tried Google Cardboard? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.Kasey Bell will be presenting at the following upcoming events: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)California Google Summit, July 18-19 (Palo Alto, CA)TIA 2015, July 21-22 (Denton, TX)Texserve's 2nd Annual "Bridging the Gap: Technology & Instruction" Symposium (Keynote), July 30 (Dallas, TX)Hunt County Tech Camp, Aug. 4 (Commerce, TX)Revolutionize Learning Conference, Aug. 5 (Royse City, TX)

Back to School with Google ChromeBack to School with Google Chrome: The Complete Guide!Going back to school is hard enough! Why not make the most of what Google Chrome has to offer and get you and your students ready for school with the best apps, extensions, tips, and tricks? I like to think of Google Chrome as the learning environment for all things Google! Like I've said before Google works best with Google! With Chrome, you can customize your learning environment to fit your needs and interests. Better yet, customize the learning environment to fit the needs of ALL learners!I have put together the Back to School with Google Chrome Guide for teachers. Below you will find a very useful list of essential Chrome extensions and apps, tutorial videos, and a few tricks and tips to help you and your students prepare for the #bestyearever!Get the Google Chrome Cheat SheetIf you are new to Google Chrome, or just need a refresher, use this cheat sheet as a reference guide. It includes the anatomy of Google Chrome, defines Chrome extensions and Chrome apps, and includes lots of tips along the way. Click on the button below to save a copy to your Google Drive.Google Chrome Cheat Sheet by kbell6Download Chrome for All of Your DevicesOne of the best things about Google Chrome is that is works on just about any device. Be sure you have installed Google Chrome on all of your desktops, laptops and mobile devices so you can seamlessly move from working on one device to the next. Below are links to each of the available Chrome apps.Desktops/LaptopsChrome for Windows 10/8/7 64 bit Chrome for Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP 32 bit Chrome for Mac OS X (10.6 or later) Chrome for Linux Mobile DevicesChrome for iOSChrome for AndroidSign-in to ChromeChrome is even more powerful when you sign-in with your Google account and sync your settings across your devices, including bookmarks, preferences, saved passwords, and time-saving extensions and apps.Manage Multiple Google Accounts in Google ChromeDo you have more than one Google account? Then this tip is for you! There is a right way and a wrong way to manage multiple accounts. Most of us have at least two accounts, a work/school account and a personal account and toggling back and forth can be cumbersome. Using Google Chrome profiles, toggling becomes so much easier! Of course, it is also a great way to manage multiple accounts on a shared computer, like the one you share at home with your spouse or children. Watch the video below for a full tutorial. This will change everything! Explore the Chrome Web StoreThe Chrome Web Store is key to customizing the Chrome browser to fit your needs. In the store, you will find apps, extensions and themes for just about anything your heart desires. Even though I’ve given you a lot of great Chrome extensions and apps to choose from below, you should take the time to explore the store on your own. The Chrome Web Store is constantly adding new apps, extensions and themes. The video below will give you a good overview of the purpose of the Chrome Web Store if it is new to you. Please note: Chrome apps, extensions and themes ONLY work in the desktop version of Chrome, not on tablets, iPads, or other mobile devices.Choose a Chrome Theme to Make You SmileTake a moment to customize your Chrome browser with a theme: a set of images, colors, and fonts that will bring a smile to your face every time you open Chrome. The Chrome Web Store is loaded with themes for just about anything that interests you. If you need to hang on to summer a little longer, install a beach theme. Pumped for football season? Find a theme for your favorite team.Essential Chrome ExtensionsGoogle Chrome extensions will give you an added feature or ability inside the Chrome browser on a desktop, laptop or Chromebook. (Extensions are not currently available on tablets or mobile devices.) They can be huge time-savers, and doesn’t every teacher need to save time? If you have followed this blog for very long, you know I love Google Chrome extensions, and I keep a list of my favorites here. So I tried really hard to keep this list to a minimum, just fifteen extensions. Find what works for you! Each extension below is linked directly to the Chrome Web Store to save you time. It is possible to slow down Chrome by installing too many extensions, so be sure you install Extensity to easily enable/disable extensions when you need them.Add to Google Classroom: This extension allows you to easily add websites to Google Classroom. Just click the Google Classroom button to save the site to your class, and share with students as an announcement or an assignment. This one is just for teachers with Google Classroom accounts, but will come in handy as you create assignments for students.Apps Launcher: This extension will give you access to all of your Chrome Apps from the extension in your toolbar. The list defaults to alpha order, but you can click and drag to reorder so the apps you use the most are at the top. Nice shortcut to your Chrome Apps, and they will open in a new window.Bookmark Manager: Saving and syncing bookmarks is a great way to stay organized and access your favorite websites. Google has given us an even better way to view and organize our bookmarks with the Bookmark Manager extension. It is a very visual and intuitive tool.Docs PDF/PowerPoint Viewer: I love this one so much that it got its very own blog post last year. The Docs PDF/PowerPoint Viewer will allow you to view PDF and PowerPoint files in the Google Docs viewer instead of downloading. This can save you valuable time and space as you begin to search for back to school resources!Extensity: Extensity is a must-have extension if you have installed ten or more Chrome extensions. It is possible to run too many extensions at once and slow your machine down, or cause other issues. The Extensity extension will give you easy access to enable and disable your Chrome extensions and Chrome apps. I use this to enable just the extensions that I need without overwhelming my toolbar or my machine.goo.gl Shortener: This handy extension allows you to shorten the current website URL right from the extension in your toolbar. Bonus: It will also give you a QR code!Google Calendar: This extension will allow you to check your Google Calendar right in the toolbar! You can view upcoming events and add new events as well. Google Mail Checker: If you use Gmail, this is a great extension that will display the number of unread messages you have as well as give you one-click access your inbox. With this extension, there is no need to keep your email open in Chrome all day.Google Tone: This extension just debuted back in May and can be a time-saver in the classroom. Google Tone allows you to send the link to any website to other computers (using the extension) with just a simple sound. This is an easy way to get a link out to all of your students at the same time! This is hard to explain, so watch the video below to get a better idea of how this works.Hangouts: Google Hangouts offers an easy way to chat and video conference with your colleagues, students, and the outside world. This handy extension will give you a quick way to access your chats and start video calls in a small pop out window.Improved TubeImproved Tube: YouTube = learning at your fingertips, but it also contains some features that can distract students in the classroom. With the Improved Tube extension, you can easily hide comments, change the default resolution, so it doesn't take too long to load, and a few other amazing customizations. Check out the screenshot below for all of the options included with this extension. And if you are looking for other YouTube resources, be sure you visit my post on 20 YouTube Channels for Educators.Office Editing for Docs, Sheets and Slides: Did you know you can edit Microsoft Office files inside Google? You can! You need three things: Google Chrome, the Office Editing extension, and to upload a Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint file into your Google Drive. When you open it, it will magically give you the ability to edit the file WITHOUT converting to a Google file type. For more detailed directions on this one, visit this post: How to Edit Microsoft Office File in Google Drive.Tab Scissors: This is one that I use all the time! Tab Scissors will allow you to evenly split your Chrome window between two tabs. This extension is perfect for assessing student work in one tab, and entering grades in your grade book in a side-by-side window--no more toggling back and forth between windows!Tab Glue: This is the companion to the Tab Scissors extension above. After you are done with your split windows, glue the windows back together with Tab Glue. This is so much faster than clicking, dragging and resizing.Want more extensions? Visit my list of Favorite Google Chrome Extensions to find the best ones to fit your needs.Shake Up Learning Chrome ExtensionShake Up Learning: (Shameless plug!) Yep, I have my own Shake Up Learning extension. Get one-click access to the latest Shake Up Learning blog posts!Essential Chrome AppsGoogle Chrome apps, for the most part, are shortcuts to websites and web-based applications. There are a few exceptions to this rule, and occasionally, there are apps that install something additional on your machine. Shortcuts can make things run much more smoothly in the classroom. I’m keeping this list as short as I can and focusing on Google related Chrome Apps. Below are the core, essential Google Chrome Apps for teachers and students.Google CalendarGoogle ClassroomGoogle DocsGoogle DrawingsGoogle DriveGoogle FormsGoogle SheetsGoogle SlidesGmailTip: Having trouble finding your Chrome Apps on your desktop or laptop? Be sure you enable your bookmarks bar in Chrome so you can easily find them. Go to the Chrome Menu>Bookmarks>Show Bookmarks Bar. Or use the Chrome Apps Launcher extension mentioned above. You can also just use this link to go directly to your Chrome Apps: chrome://apps/.Want more extensions? Visit my list of Favorite Google Chrome Apps to find the best ones to fit your needs.Incognito ModeIncognito mode is a way to privately browse the web. You are not automatically logged into any applications, and none of your browsing history is stored. This sounds scary, but I always promise it can be used for good and not evil.To open an incognito window, go to your Chrome Menu (hotdogs)>New Incognito Window, or use the keyboard shortcut: shift+control+N (PC) or shift+command+N (Mac).Why would you want to use incognito mode in the classroom? Here are just a few ways it can make life easier:Shared/Public computers: We always want to be careful about logging into Google accounts (and others) on a computer that is public or shared. Unless it’s a shared computer designated for a certain student/teacher to use on a daily basis, you should use an incognito window. As soon as you close the window, your account is logged out, and all your information is removed.Student Presentations: Instead of having students take the time to log in and log out of their various accounts to present to the class on a shared machine, open an incognito window. After each student has finished, close the incognito window. All their account information is gone. No more logging out and removing accounts.Sharing Your Own Computer: Do you ever need to let a student or teacher use your computer? Open an incognito window so they do not accidentally use your account!There are many other ways incognito can come in handy. These are just a few tips to get you started. I will post a more in-depth article on incognito mode soon. Don’t forget to monitor your students. If they have access to incognito mode, they may be using it to hide something. Monitor! Monitor! Monitor!I hope these tips will help get your school year off on the right foot. Be sure you check out my other Chrome Resources and Google Tricks and Tips! Stay tuned to Shake Up Learning (subscribe here) for even more resources and tips. Here’s wishing each and everyone one of you the #BestYearEver!I appreciate your vote! I have proposed a session on student voice with Kristen Swanson and Chris Aviles for SXSWEdu. Check out the panel picker for more details!

Take PD to the Next Level with Badges (credit: Denton ISD)A few weeks ago I had the privilege of speaking at the 2015 Technology in Action Conference (TIA) held in Denton, Texas. The conference is always great and led by a stellar team in Denton ISD. It's a local conference for me, and a great time to connect with other educators in my area. During my time there, I noticed something outside the teachers' doors: badges! I had heard about this amazing, gamified professional development plan implemented in Denton ISD, but to see the badges outside the door really brought it home. I snapped the picture below that day and posted to Instagram and Twitter. It became a very popular share, and other friends were asking me for more information and links. So I decided to highlight my friends in Denton ISD in this post, AND their fantastic idea!Gamification and the use of badges is nothing new, and many of us have found ways to use these in adult learning and professional development. In my experience, teachers love badges! The Instructional Technology Team in Denton ISD, (Dwight Goodwin, Ross Garison, Leslie Taylor and the other amazing team members), created a Google Site of self-directed PD for teachers. Through this program, teachers are rewarded for stepping outside their comfort zones with fun badges to display outside their classroom door.Badges Outside Teacher DoorThe Badge WebsiteThe first thing that teachers see when visiting the website is the video below, a creative little Powtoon to explain the purpose and process of the badges.How it WorksBadge ExampleFrom here, the teachers have CHOICE in their learning. They can choose from topics around Google, Apple, Assessment, Communication, Miscellaneous, Flipped Class and Social Media. Within each section, they can choose what they want to learn AND how they want to learn it: through a self-paced course or video, or they can request a face-to-face training. Voice and choice make this a powerful, differentiated professional learning experience.What I love is that they didn't reinvent the wheel. They linked to online courses in the Google training center, and video tutorials that are already out there. That makes something like this so much more doable! And considering how fast technology changes, we have to share our resources! Share is caring, right?!The BadgesThe badges for each option have to be earned and applied for individually. These badges were created with Google Drawings, one of my favorite Google tools. (Check out my infographic on 10 Ways to Use Google Drawings in the Classroom.) Badges do not have to be complicated and time consuming; they just need to reflect the accomplishment! Looking for other options for badges? See my post on 5 Awesome Resources for Badges in the Classroom.The other thing I absolutely love about this program is that teacher badges are printed and displayed outside their door! No one ever said badges had to be displayed digitally. I love this because the accomplishment is recognized by other teachers and staff, and I'm sure the students notice these as well! (FYI, I'm also a big fan of printing badges for students. They can be displayed on a bulletin board, the cover of their notebook or locker!)This professional learning idea can quickly transfer to the classroom with student-centered challenges and badges. Make it meaningful and be sure it is aligned to your learning goals. It's a win-win!The bottom line: Choose what works for you. If you spend all your time reinventing the wheel and designing the perfect badge, you will never get it done! Go for it!Tweet: If you spend all your time reinventing the wheel and designing the perfect badge, you will never get it done! Go for it! - @ShakeUpLearningWhat are you favorite strategies to shake up professional development? Please share in the comments below!

5 Tips for Parents in the Digital AgeThis post was originally published on the Responsibility.org blog, where I serve on the Educational Advisory Board.Our world is changing faster than ever before. Keeping up with technology is much harder than keeping up with the Kardashians! How do you help prepare your children for the digital age, and a future that will look vastly different from our pasts? Let’s take this one step at a time! Below are five tips to help you and your children take some positive steps in the right direction and learn to navigate the waters of the digital age.1. Become a responsible digital citizen (and model that for your child).Let’s begin by defining digital citizen. DigitalCitizenship.net defines it as, "The norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to technology use." That’s a good starting place! What do you consider good and responsible online behavior for your children? Do you model that? We often tell students in the classroom that if you wouldn’t want your grandmother to read/see that, then don’t post it! Pause and Think Online is a great campaign from Common Sense Media aimed at just that idea. This video is an excellent way to introduce this idea to your kids. Digital Citizenship is a big topic and goes beyond the tips above. Take some time to explore the concept, what it means to you, and how to communicate about this with your children. Common Sense Media is loaded with resources and videos for parents, teachers, and students on the subject. Use this resource to help you learn and model good digital citizenship skills in your household. Click here to see all of the Digital Citizenship resources from Common Sense Media.2. Become a power searcher.Searching the internet can be an overwhelming and scary place if you don’t have the skills to find what you need or want. Brush up on your search skills, so you can help your kids navigate the murky waters of the Internet. Here is a great infographic from HackCollege.com to show you how to "Get More Out of Google."3. Use YouTube for learning.YouTube is loaded with funny and interesting videos that keep you and your loved ones entertained for hours but did you know YouTube is also a powerful tool for learning? It is the first place kids go when they want to learn how to do something, and it should be a go-to resource for you to learn as well. Practice searching for tutorials for online tools and apps that your kids are using like Google Docs, Instagram, Blogger. Of course, it’s also great when you need to fix that dishwasher! Be sure to set up your YouTube profile and begin saving your favorite videos and tutorials to playlists so you can quickly find the videos later. Another great skill you can learn and share with your kids. BONUS: Create a how-to video with your child and upload it to YouTube! Start working on that positive online presence!Looking for good YouTube channels for learning? Check out this post: 20 YouTube Channels for Educators.4. Model a positive social media presence.Speaking of positive online presence, what types of thoughts and posts do you share online and across social media? Remember to model the behaviors you want to see from your children and stay positive. What happens in Vegas, now stays on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook! Even after something has been deleted, it can always be re-shared and copied. Consider everything you post to be public and permanent, and model a positive online social media presence for your children. They will be Googled before they are accepted to college or hired for a job!5. Don't be afraid to let your children teach you.Let’s face it, our students and children are pretty fast learners when it comes to technology. I say this to teachers all the time, but I think it’s a great tip for parents as well. Have your child show you how to use popular websites and the apps they use in school like Google Drive. They will love showing off their skills! The bottom line is to not only monitor what your kids do online but also to model positive online behaviors. Know what they are doing and who they are communicating with and ask questions! You might be surprised what you will learn from each other on your journey together as good digital citizens.What are your favorite tips? Please share in the comments below!

The Guide to Keeping Up with Google - Part 1: The Google Hashtag DictionaryI’m sharing the secrets to keeping up with Google! To update one of last year’s most popular posts, The Guide to Keeping Up with Google, I am putting together a new guide and blog series with tips for keeping up with Google. I often get asked, "How do you keep up with Google?" Well, first let me say that it’s almost impossible! However, social media is the best way to stay up-to-date on all things Google. I am not an expert. I am a learner first! I learn from my PLN, from bloggers, from news sources, from YouTube, and a variety of other social media platforms. I have compiled a list of hashtags, people, blogs, communities, and more that I follow. Click to Tweet: "I am not an expert. I am a learner first! I learn from my PLN!" - @ShakeUpLearningBut let me begin by saying that this guide is meant to be just that, a guide, a starting point. I do not read everything. You have to select your most valuable players, and that will vary depending on your purpose and your goals. Choose what works for you!I am starting with hashtags. Keep in mind that hashtags are not just for Twitter and Instagram, they can be found all over the web. Hashtags are a way of categorizing and connecting information. Below are some of the most common hashtags, and the ones I find most useful in finding Google resources and other Google Apps enthusiasts. Search for the ones that interest you, and on the platforms that appeal to you and see what’s there. (Note: The links below are to a Twitter search to give you an idea of what people share with that hashtag.)The Google Hashtag DictionaryThe top two hashtags for Google in Education:#GoogleEdu (Google in Education): This is Google's official hashtag for all things Google in Education. #GAFE (Google Apps For Education): This one has been around a little bit longer but is still very popular, and is shorter, so it comes in handy when you only 140 characters.General Google Hashtags:#Google: Of course this is still a very popular hashtag but will connect with much more than just educational uses of Google.#GoogleSearch: Google's search engine is full of amazing tricks and information. This hashtag will help connect you with search related information.Google Events:#GAFEchat: GAFE chat is a great Twitter chat founded by my fabulous friend, Kelly Fitzgerald, and takes place the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 8-9 pm (CST). Click here for more info on GAFE Chat. You can sign up for reminders, so you don't forget!#GAFESummit: If you haven't had the privilege to attend one of the EdTech Team's Google Summits, no worries. You can follow their official hashtag and soak up all of the morsels of learning online! But if you get a chance to attend a Summit, I highly recommend it! Click here for more information on the Global Summits featuring Google for Education from the EdTech Team. (I will be keynoting at the Summit in Colorado next month! Register now!)Google Certifications:Google updated the certifications over the summer and gave us new hashtags. Follow these hashtags to connect and learn with Google Certified Innovators and Trainers.#GoogleET (Google for Education Certified Trainers)#GoogleEI (Google for Education Certified Innovators)App Specific Hashtags:You will see various versions of hashtags for specific Google Apps, like #GoogleDocs, but they are not all used consistently enough to list here. But feel free to use and search when you are looking for app specific resources.#GoogleClassroom: Google Classroom is quickly becoming a favorite app among educators, and with all of the recent updates, this hashtag will come in handy when keeping up with Google Classroom.#GplusEd: I have often said that Google+ is an amazing resource and social media platform for educators. This hashtag isn't the most popular but is another way to connect and learn.#EduHangout: Google Hangouts offer an amazing way to connect and learn with other educators, experts, authors and more! Check this hashtag for details!Stay tuned for more ways to keep up with Google by subscribing to the Shake Up Learning blog! Next up: Who to follow on Twitter!Follow the entire Guide to Keeping Up with Google:Part 1: The Google Hashtag Dictionary (this page)Part 2: Who to Follow on TwitterWhat are your MVP's for keeping up with Google? Please share in the comments below! I love learning from you!New and Updated Google Cheat Sheets are in the works! Who's excited? Share your love of the Shake Up Learning Google Cheat Sheets and let me know!Click to Tweet: I can't wait for the next version of @ShakeUpLearning 's Google Cheat Sheets!© Shake Up Learning, LLC 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com.

The Guide to Keeping Up with Google - Part 2: TwitterAs you probably know, keeping up with Google is a challenge for anyone. That’s why I have put together The Guide to Keeping Up with Google! In Part 2 of this guide, I am going beyond the hashtags to share who I follow on Twitter for all things Google. Twitter is a fantastic resource for learning and is a mainstay of my PLN. Below are some of my favorite Google enthusiasts to follow on Twitter, as well as some of Google’s very own twitter accounts and Googlers, where they share the latest updates and tips. There are more than 50 Twitter accounts on this list! Follow these accounts on Twitter to find the latest Google Apps for Education resources, ideas for classroom application, tutorials, and more!Did you miss Part 1 of The Guide to Keeping Up with Google: The #Google Hashtag Dictionary? Click here to access the entire blog series on Keeping Up with Google!Google has several official twitter accounts, and I have shortened that list to the ones that I find the most useful in education and in my personal use of Google Apps and products. As I said before, find what is most useful for you in this list!Official Google Twitter Accounts:@Android @Gmail @Google @GoogleCalendar @GoogleCardboard @GoogleChrome @GoogleDocs @GoogleDrive @GoogleforEdu @GoogleforWork @GoogleStudents @SolveforXWant more? Click here to explore the entire Google Twitter directory. Tweet: Need help keeping up with Google? Here are 50+ users to follow on Twitter: http://ctt.ec/W0zLf+ #gafe #googleedu #edtechThe Official GooglersIn case you didn't know it, when someone is referred to as a "Googler," it doesn't mean they have mad search skills, it means they work for Google. The official Googlers have a lot to offer across social media! Here are some official Googlers, including the new CEO, product presidents and managers, members of the Google for Education Team, and more (in alpha order):Amit Singh: @aksingh77 Angela Larkin: @ang_larkinAstro Teller: @astrotellerClay Bavor: @claybavorEileen, Huang: @eileenhuang Eric Schmidt: @ericschmidtJaime Casap: @jcasap James Leonard: @JamesLeonard1 Jamie Neuwirth: @jneuwirth4Jennifer Holland: @jencmillerJonathan Rochelle: @jrochelleKevin Hodges: @khodges18Marta da Silva: @mtdasilv Suan Yeo: @suaneuSundar Pichai, CEO of Google: @sundarpichaiTia Lendo: @tialendoZach Yeskel: @zachyeskelClick to Tweet: When someone is referred to as a "Googler," it doesn't mean they have mad search skills, it means they work for Google. - @ShakeUpLearningOrganizations and Companies to Follow for All Things Google:The EdTechTeam: @EdTechTeam OMG Chrome: @OMGChrome Synergyse: @Synergyse The Gooru: @TheGoogleGooru MVP #GAFE and #Google TweetersThere are so many great educators to follow on Twitter that this list could go on forever. And trust me, I tried to find the best of the best for you! These are my MVPs for Google info on Twitter, listed in alpha order. Please share your favorites in the comments below! I’m sure there are many more to add to this list!Alice Keeler: @AliceKeeler Amy Mayer: @FriEDTechnology Ann Witherspoon: @avwitherspoon Brandie Cain: @brandie_cain Chad Kafka: @ChadKafka Christy Fennewald: @ChristyFenne Dee Lanier: @DeeLanier Eric Curts: @EricCurts Holly Clark: @HollyClarkEdu Jennie Magiera: @MsMagiera Jennifer Scheffer: @Jlscheffer Kasey Bell (ME!): @ShakeUpLearning Kelly Fitzgerald: @LISDTechie Kyle Pace: @KylePace Rich Kiker: @RKiker Matt Miller: @jmattmiller Michael Fricano: @EdTechnocation Michael Jaber: @MichaelJaberEDU Stacy Behmer: @sbehmer Sue Gorman: @SJGorman Tammy Lind: @Taml17 Be sure to explore all parts of this series: The Guide to Keeping Up with Google!Part 1: The #Google Hashtag DictionaryPart 2: Twitter (this page)Who do you follow on Twitter to stay up-to-date with all things Google? Please share in the comments below!© Shake Up Learning, LLC 2015. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com."/>

5 Tips for New BloggersBlogging can be intimidating! There are so many amazing bloggers out there, and it is easy to talk yourself out of sharing your voice. But remember your voice matters! Everyone has something that is uniquely you to share with the world. Back in June, I shared my reluctant journey into blogging and issued a challenge to other educators holding back: The #ShakeUpLearning Challenge: Share Your Voice! I still consider myself a relatively new blogger. I am not an expert. I am still learning and growing as a blogger, but I think it is important to share what I have learned with my readers. Remember, the best bloggers are learners first, not writers! Sharing is caring! Below are my five tips for new bloggers.Click to Tweet: "The best bloggers are learners first, not writers." - @ShakeUpLearning #edtech http://ctt.ec/U8rRC+1. It's Worth the Risk!F.A.I.L.Here is a link to my first blog post: A Perfectionist with Paralysis: Why I’m Finally Blogging. It was not a long post and didn’t include any tips or tricks, but just me putting myself out there. I took a risk, just like I encourage teachers to do in my workshops. I had to model the skills or risk becoming a fraud. So I did it, and just like the graphic in my first post, it was a F.A.I.L., or First Attempt in Learning. (I still love that acronym!) I wasn’t sure where this was going, but I was all in!Don't wait until your blog is perfect. Perfect is the enemy of done. Just jump in and put your words out there.Click to Tweet: "Don't wait until your blog is perfect. Perfect is the enemy of done." - @ShakeUpLearning http://ctt.ec/Y37eq+ #edtech2. Educational Bloggers and Blog Readers are Caring and Supportive.To be honest, I was very nervous when I hit publish for the first time. I really didn’t want anyone to look at it until I had more content. (Terrible, I know!) I received my first comment the same day, which was also a little terrifying. The comment was encouragement from a friend. I’d like to send a special thank you to my friend and colleague, Dr. Brian Brown (Doc Brown), for leaving my very first comment and encouraging me to keep going. This is the first thing you should know about becoming an educational blogger: We are a pretty nice crew! Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my share of naysayers and trolls, but for the most part, I have felt fully supported and encouraged by my own PLN and beyond. Being a teacher is tough...We all know that! So I think we all appreciate those that are willing to share their tips and ideas. Sharing is caring people!--SERIOUSLY!3. Set Realistic Goals.When I first started, my goal was to post once a week. For the most part, I was able to stick with that and then some. Life gets busy, and if you let it, a blog can become a second job. Decide what is doable for you and your schedule, but set a goal to write on a regular basis. Be honest with yourself, and set reminders for drafting and posting so you don’t forget your goals!4. Let Passion Be Your Driver.I am very much an edtech geek, and enjoy learning and sharing with teachers. My number one goal is always to improve teaching and learning. I want to be a difference-maker and reach as many students as I can...Oh! And I want to have lots of fun along the way!Carefully consider the reasons you want to blog, and what topics you will blog about. Make sure it is something you can talk/write about for days on end. The moment blogging becomes a chore, take a step back and remember why you started it. Your blog should be about something you are passionate about, or you will never stick with it. 5. Encourage Reader Interactions and Be Social.(So maybe this is three tips in one, but they are all connected.) Always remember, blogging IS a social media platform. Many people may not know this about me, but I am very much an introvert. Some days it can be a struggle for me to put myself out there, and to network face-to-face. It’s definitely easier to do this online. So be sure that you ALLOW comments on your blog, and give readers a question or call to action to encourage them to leave a comment. This is something I am working to improve upon. So PLEASE feel free to leave comments! I try very hard to respond to all of the comments I receive.In addition to being social on your own blog, If you want to start a successful blog that people actually read, you must be active on at least a couple social media platforms besides the blog itself. So get rid of your Twitter egg, and stop lurking. Join the conversation, join twitter chats, and share on other platforms that you like. You don’t have to do them all, but do what works for you and share great content, not just your own. (I am a HUGE fan of Google+! Check it out, and connect with some AMAZING educators and communities. Here are 5 Reasons Educators Should Use Google Plus.)Click Tweet: "Get rid of your Twitter egg, and stop lurking. Join the conversation!" - @ShakeUpLearning http://ctt.ec/PM355+ #edtechWhat's holding you back? Did you take the #ShakeUpLearning challenge and start a blog? Did you keep posting? Please share in the comments below! I'd love to hear from you.Kasey will be presenting at the following upcoming events:Colorado Google Summit, Louisville CO (Oct. 10-11)Indiana Connected Educators Conference, Noblesville IN (Oct. 14-16)TCCA, Houston TX (Oct. 17)Texas Gear Up, Austin TX (Nov. 1-3)

Tell Us Your #NewselaGoalsNewsela is a wonderful tool to support leveled, non-fiction reading in the classroom and is a tool that I often share in my presentations. This week, Newsela is kicking off a campaign for teachers to share their goals and win fabulous swag and prizes. (Update! This contest has ended, but read on to learn more about Newsela!)What is Newsela?Newsela: Non-fiction News Articles for 3-12Newsela is a web-based resource of leveled, non-fiction news articles for grades 3-12. The news articles are adapted from top news sources like the New York Times, Dallas Morning News, and more. Each article is available at FIVE different reading levels. Yes, you read that correctly! Each article is available in five different Lexile levels giving teachers the ability to differentiate and support the struggling readers in their classroom.But wait...there's more! Some of the articles also offer aligned quizzes that you can assign to your students, AND some articles are also available in Spanish so that you can also support those English Language Learners in your classroom.Newsela offers a Google Chrome app that allows teachers and students to log in with their Google accounts. (Don't you love it when you don't have to remember a new password!) This Chrome App is also on my list of Favorite Chrome Apps. I also included Newsela in my post: 3 Google Chrome Apps for Leveled Reading.The #NewselaGoals Campaign and How You Can Win!Here are the details from the Newsela Blog:"Newsela is excited to kick off (pun intended) another school year with you. We have a host of new features to support your teaching practices this upcoming school year:Are you a primary school teacher? Newsela Elementary makes it easy to find articles that younger students can relate to most.Looking to support Spanish-speaking students? Newsela Español has over 100 articles, with new articles now being published daily. Read more about Newsela Español.Pairing fiction with informational texts is a cinch with our new Text Sets for Literature. Check out our collection based on popular classroom literature for grades 2-12. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, let us know. Better yet, create your own Text Set and share it with fellow educators.We hope these new features inspire you to use Newsela in creative and exciting ways - so we’re asking you to share your Newsela goals for the upcoming year. Here are a couple examples to get you started.Newsela Community Adviser Dave Crumbine wants his students to read, annotate, and respond to 20 articles each this school year.Michigan educator Mike Lerchenfeldt plans to read three articles per day with students.To sweeten the deal, we’re giving away 3 $50 Amazon gift cards to 3 randomly chosen winners who share #newselagoals now through October 5. Here are the giveaway details:To enter, compose a tweet or post to our Facebook page describing your goals, using the hashtag #newselagoals.Enter once a day now through October 5.3 winners will be chosen at random on October 9.Full terms and conditions available here."How to Get Started with NewselaNewsela is super easy to get going, and they have a great Back to School Toolkit full of resources, including:​Quick Start Guide for TeachersQuick Start Guide for StudentsBack to School FAQsBack to School Lesson Plan SeriesBack to School Text SetStudent ToolkitText Sets ToolkitWrite Toolkit

Google Hangout with author Kate MessnerRegister Now!Connect Your Class with Author Kate Messner!To celebrate the National Day on writing, We Are Teachers is offering a unique opportunity for you to connect your classes with an award-winning author! On October 20th, connect your classroom with author, Kate Messner through Google Hangouts.About the AuthorKate Messner is an award-winning author whose books for kids have been New York Times Notable, Junior Library Guild, Indie Bound, and Bank Street College of Education Best Books selections. The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. was the winner of the 2010 E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Older Readers. Kate also spent 15 years teaching middle school and earned National Board certification in 2006. She lives on Lake Champlain with her family and loves spending time outside. To learn more about Kate and her books, please visit her website, http://www.katemessner.com/.Check out some of Kate Messner's books below!​ Amazon.com WidgetsHow to ParticipateEnglish Language Arts & Literacy, Grades 3-5Tuesday, October 20, 2015, at 12:00 p.m. ET on Google+ (40 minutes)Join New York Times "Notable" author Kate Messner on an inspirational journey through the process of writing a book. During Messner’s live Google Hangout, students will learn that published authors go through the same process as student writers when creating a book, including brainstorming, researching, planning, drafting and editing. Messner will also share how authors, editors, copy editors and illustrators work as a team to publish a book. Best of all, students will leave the event with not only a new appreciation of the writing process, but also with the confidence that anyone can tell a story!Before the visit: Download and try a FREE student activity on writing inspiration (topic TBD) in the classroom. If you’d like, you can also read one of Kate Messner’s books. The virtual event will focus on the Ranger in Time chapter book series.During the visit: Come with questions for the author—we’ll take questions from the crowd. After the visit: Extend the learning with a FREE downloadable student activity on revision (topic TBD).Use the button below to register! ​Register Now!

Halloween Magnetic Poetry with Google DrawingsClick to Tweet: Halloween Magnetic Poetry with Google Drawings! http://ctt.ec/unCMs+ #gafe #googleedu #gafesummit #edtechHalloween Magnetic PoetryHalloween Fun with Google Drawings!Who's ready for a little Halloween fun with Google Drawings? I've created a Halloween-themed magnetic poetry template with Google Drawings for you and your students. There are nearly 100 words in this one, so adapt the words that are appropriate for your grade levels. You can use this as an independent activity, or take it a step further and make it a collaborative activity and see how the poetry evolves. You can use the "magnets" included, or even add your own text boxes to extend the activity.(Note: The words I created are actually images and cannot be edited, but you can delete them. The images give you more of the "magnet" effect. You can add your own by creating a new text box and filling it with a white background, or right-click on the name box and copy it to use.)Have some fun! Click here to make a copy of the template, and save it to your Google Drive, or use the button above.Please share your student creations with me! I'd love to see how this gets used in the classroom. Use the hashtag #shakeuplearning!​​