Weekly Tech-y News

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Google Drawing Templates Galore from the Best of EdTech! (Redux)

Google Drawing Templates: Please do not request access, open the template you want and create a copy. Thanks to everyone who contributed to these set! Eric Curts, Kasey Bell, and Matt Miller.

http://bit.ly/GoogleDrawingTemplates

Google Cardboard Apps for the Classroom via @friEdTechnology

• Google Streeview, as explained here
• The Cardboard app itself (Android, iPhone) which includes the following . . . 
• Earth: Fly where your fancy takes you on Google Earth
• Tour Guide: Visit Versailles with a local guide
• My Videos: Watch your videos on a massive screen
• Exhibit: Examine cultural artifacts from every angle
• Photo Sphere: Look around the photo spheres you've captured
• Watch YouTube videos in 360, here are some videos to try out
• The New York Times VR stories located here
• Titans of Space Guide to the Planets (Android)
• Orbulous, which the makers describe as “just looking at things.” What things? Greenbot reports “You’ll see vivid, 360-degree photos from around the world, whether it’s mingling amidst tourists on aging architecture, looking out over a city surrounded by sparkling blue water, or even taking in the sights within a museum. A small bit of background noise adds to the immersion.” (Android)
• Polar Sea 360° is a 10 part television series and interactive journey that follows sailors, scientists, hunters and artists on a journey through the Arctic’s Northwest Passage. Part of the series was shot using revolutionary 360 degree cameras, that put you in the center of the action and let you experience the Arctic like never before.(Android, iPhone)
• YouVisit VR lets you step into exotic locations like Machu Picchu; browse leading colleges and universities, including Harvard and Yale; become immersed in breathtaking live events like TomorrowWorld. (Android, iPhone)

For more about Google Cardboard, check this out.

What IS Google Classroom?

If you've been wondering what Google Classroom is (or is NOT), this video from moi is for you! Should you get ready for implementation? Can you replace your current system with Classroom? This video will help you answer those burning questions. Then, join the discussion below this post on Google+ to share how your school is using Classroom to improve instruction.

Also, don’t forget to install the free Synergyse training for Classroom by visiting https://www.synergyse.com/ and clicking the large green Install button!

Getting Started with Google Classroom

As you may have heard, Google Apps for Education recently released Google Classroom. While it is NOT a Learning Management System (LMS), it does simplify procedures for teachers sharing files with students. Most notably, it automatically creates a copy of a specified file from Google Drive for each student within an organizational structure then allows students to "turn in" those files virtually, which changes the permissions of the file from student-owned back to teacher-owned. Students retain view rights. If you're looking for a tool to simplify and save time when using Google Apps for Education with your students, it's arrived! Hope you enjoy this hastily made video. Please leave comments if you have questions, and I'll do my best to get back to you.

What do Kids do with Chromebooks in the Classroom?

Here's a little video about a few of the thousands of things kids can do on a Chromebook in the classroom . . .