Mr. B EdTech Blog

For Google (Gsuite) Administrators, a new feature is being lauched today, under the Rapid Release and Scheduled Release Channel. There is now the ability to launch apps in a private channel for the Google Play Store. This is similar to how the Chrome Web store works for having a filtered store for your domain. Preview ...(this) feature which allows G Suite admins to distribute private (custom) Android apps to their users via the Play Store app. With this launch, private apps will be more discoverable and easier for your users to access. Customers using private apps will also be able to whitelist these apps for work profiles and company-owned devices in a more streamlined manner by using an Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) provider. For more information https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2017/01/google-play-private-channel-apps-are.html

Turn your computer screen into a shared screen. This is a great tool that I would recommend to any Chrome or Chromebook geared setup. What is Google Cast for Education? Google Cast for Education is a free Chrome app that allows students and teachers to share their screens wirelessly from anywhere in the classroom. Cast for Education carries video and audio across complex school networks, has built-in controls for teachers, and works seamlessly with Google Classroom . The Cast for Education app runs on the teacher’s computer that’s connected to the classroom projector, and it doesn't require new hardware. Teachers receive casts through the Cast for Education app, and students share their screens using the latest version of the Cast feature in Chrome. Get the Chrome App https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/google-cast-for-education/bnmgbcehmiinmmlmepibeeflglhbhlea/related?hl=en-US For more information:  https://support.google.com/edu/castforedu/?hl=en

Allowing foreign devices onto your network always carries some risk. Take a look at the article linked below to see some of the risks. Also included in this article are some tips to help reduce or eliminate risks associated with BYOD. See the full article: http://betanews.com/2017/01/06/could-your-byod-system-be-a-threat-to-your-business/

SAMR – Quick Definition S = Substitution: As the word states, this is a substitution of digital technology for past analog methods. (Example – A word processor instead of the typewriter or pen and pencil.) A = Augmentation: Technology goes beyond mere replacement and focuses on new things that are possible because of the substitution realm. (Example – Technology now allows for the word processor to have a spell check or even a thesaurus.) M = Modification: Technology allows learning to begin to transform the learning experience. Students can now take a step outside the word processing box and discover possibilities that could not be done before augmenting the learning experience. (Example – Students can now write in a collaborative manner on the same document using Google Docs or Microsoft 360.) R = Redefinition: Technology allows the learning experience to be redefined so that the word processing document is not the only form of expression…. or perhaps a beginning foundation for a ...

See the full article http://www.shakeuplearning.com/blog/3-text-speech-chrome-extensions-support-struggling-readers-ell/

See the article below http://www.techlearning.com/blogentry/11587

Parent communication is key in education. Take a look at some of the apps that will enable easier communication with parents/guardians. See the Article Here http://www.emergingedtech.com/2017/01/find-the-parent-teacher-communication-app-your-classroom-needs/