QR-azy for QRs

CeVMS has gone a little QR-azy for QR Codes! They are popping up all over the hallways, in emails, in the cafeteria, and even in the Library. The initial roll-out came after the counselors and librarians were introduced to it during district training sessions. Since then, we just can't seem to get enough.

The counselors are putting up reminders about 4-year planning, testing, schedules, academies, and other important information around the building for students to access.

The library is incorporating QR codes into the Read It Forward program and into fundraising efforts for Dell Children's Hospital. Read more about it on the library webpage here.

Take a look at the great main hallway display:

The students are encouraged to scan the QR codes with their cell phones to receive the message encoded in the QR. If they don't have a cell phone or don't want to use it at school., the library has created scanning stations where students log on to a laptop and use software on the computer to scan the codes and capture the information.

Because of the prevalence of this tool, we are even incorporating its use in a classroom perspective into our Professional Development Bootcamp later in February.

Ms. Lake's Class is SMART

Ms. Lake has incorporated the use of a SMART board in her FAC class this semester. The students look forward to getting up and interacting with the board daily. They play some of their favorite online, educational games almost daily--and when they use the SMART board, it becomes a whole-body experience!

These picture are of them learning how to work the board:

TechKNOWLEDGEy Tips: Google Docs/Self-Grading Assessment

I want to post some important links here to help with the Professional Development training. After the fact, I plan on coming back in and filling in more information (more of a tutorial) for those of you who may have missed the session or who'd like to go back on your own and figure things out a little bit.

Here's the important overview of the session:

1. You need a Google account. If you already have Gmail, just log in with that account and access your files. My suggestion is to go ahead and make a separate "work" account if you don't feel comfortable mixing business with personal life (although Google can help you with that separation in the same account). If you don't have a Google account, then click here to get started.
2. Next, you'll want a little overview of what Google Docs is. Click here. There is a lot of additional information out there, but sometimes getting it straight from the horse's mouth is best. We probably won't spend much time here in the actual session, but it's interesting information.
3. We're going to focus on using a template to create a self-graded assessment. Go here to search for templates in your free time. You will not be disappointed in the types of things other people have already (...spent countless hours of their own time...and saving hours of yours...) put together for you. DON'T REINVENT THE WHEEL!
4. We're going to focus on this one. Click the link above and search for "30 Item Assessment Template."
5. Now we play. Enjoy!

I'm sure that will more than fill the thirty minutes that are allotted to me in the actual session. Please come back for the next (more extensive) installation of Self-Grading Assessments using Google Docs here on the blog. I'd also love to come visit with you one-on-one and make sure that your needs are met. Call me. :)