Chrome-smashing Lessons

     The Chromebook has drastically changed the way we learn! There are over four million Chromebooks in classrooms across our nation! In fact, Chromebooks have been in our district for a few years. Once students think they have mastered the basics of Google Apps, provide them with different formats, layouts and interactivity to increase student engagement, choice and voice. Why not level up the learning with a chrome-smashing lesson or let them create a chrome-smashing product of learning? 

Google Docs

HyperDocs are the newest way to create an interactive way for students and teachers to engage and transform learning. Teachers provide feedback, reminders and  personalize the process while students are experiencing the learning through links, videos, and text! Check out this HyperDoc that gets students thinking before and after a read aloud. Students may use a similar format to show what they know on a given topic by linking their own evidences of learning. 

Google Slides

Can your students create a magazine on their topic of learning? What a neat way to create a class booklet, small group or individual assignment! Another way to challenge students is to have them create interactive slides. Students load images in slides and link to other pages within the presentation so that viewers may review content in an alternative order. 

Google Slides & Google Drawing

Create digital posters that can be used to accompany persuasive writing topics, create infographics or advertisements! Students will notice that the toolbars are similar between the apps and can choose the one that fits their individual and visual preferences. Click here for a Google Drawing persuasive poster template.

How can students pull it all together or chrome-smash their learning? Students may use any of the Google Apps to showcase their learning. Simply link docs, slides or drawings in the app that is being used as the presentation tool. Use the toolbars to add text, highlights, shapes and images for visual stimulation. In addition, skills in critical thinking, design, and audience are being developed as students create their chrome-smashing products of learning.

So, which one of these will you try with your students? If these examples are new to you, try it as a way to organize a lesson. Review the essential elements of the app and layout. Then challenge your students to create their own using their content! I guarantee you will level up the learning in your classrooms!

Encouraging Creativity, Choice and Voice

     Looking for tools to create logs, collect evidences or document learning for students? Google apps is a great place to start. Create an assignment or lesson in Google Docs, Slides or Drawing. For those first digital assignments, provide students with lots of direction and structure for success. As the task or similar tasks are repeated, you may provide more choices for students to display their learning. Click on the following links to see examples of ways you can build in structure and independence.

My Animal Poster         All About Sound     Planet Newsletter Template                      

Collaborative Notes     Fractions                Collaborative STEM Glossary  
       

      For a more dynamic option, you might want to consider Padlet! The web-based tool and iOS app was made with young users in mind. Teachers might use this tool for lesson activities or plans, fast facts about topics of learning, or morning meetings. Students may use Padlet for collaborative assignments, digital project boards or reading and learning logs. Users are able to add text, links, images, or videos. It works well for most any lesson you can imagine! What an exciting way to stir creativity, encourage choice and provide opportunities for learners to develop their voice!

     

     Check out these two links to gather ideas about different ways to use this tool! Padlet Hacks offers helpful hints about sharing, permissions, and more! Summer Vacation shows how Padlet can be used as a place to record memories. How can this format be utilized during the school year? Students may record details and information about field trips, special moments and science experiments while also adding their favorite resources to further document or show evidences of their learning.

     Padlet and Google Apps are tools that can be used to engage, motivate and energize students. Moreover, learning opportunities can be designed in a way as to embrace learning styles, enhance media literacy and strengthen higher order thinking skills. So what are you waiting for? Give it a try!