Mr. B EdTech Blog

https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2019/04/cosn-2019-how-design-effective-k-12-technology-evaluation-program Superintendents and technology directors should take a holistic approach to data analysis to accurately measure the impact of digital integrations.

https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2019/04/how-k-12-schools-should-define-and-act-digital-learning A more student-centered learning approach blends the best of the traditional classroom with more modern, digital learning environment tools and tactics.

https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2019/04/new-tools-sheets.html New features include: Selecting objects like in slides, being able to select multiple objects at once, move, and resize. Copy and Paste an image into a CELL! (Finally!!!) Guides and more...

https://mcdreeamiemusings.com/new-blog/2019/4/13/gsux1h6bnt8lqjd7w2t2mtvfg81uhx PowerPoint was once a powerful, transformative tool in education. In more recent years, this tool has been criticized as being overused, improperly used, and causing disinterest and disengagement from learning. In this example, PowerPoint was used as a tool that lead to the death of 7 astronauts. How did this happen? Learning how to use a presentation assist tool is not always a life and death matter. Making sure your presentation connects with your audience is important. Otherwise, what is the point of doing the presentation? One of the keys to keeping an audience engaged is audience participation and interaction. These interactive components have to relate to the topic and be meaningful, not just ice breakers. Resources on effective slide presentations https://business.tutsplus.com/articles/37-effective-powerpoint-presentation-tips--cms-25421 http://www.ncsl.org/legislators-staff/legislative-s...

Google announced a new app for Gsuite called, Currents. This app is directly replacing Google+, which Google is phasing out. "All of your organization’s existing Google+ content will automatically transfer to Currents once you are enrolled in the beta," Google released in their statement. At this moment, I am uncertain if this app will be available to personal Google accounts or if this is exclusively for Gsuite. For More Information https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2019/04/currents-for-gsuite.html

https://www.techlearning.com/news/guidelines-for-posting-like-a-role-model-in-social-media More and more district and school staff are catching on to the advice of superintendents like Joe Sanfelippo who encourage staff to take every opportunity to say good things about their school. For those that think the best strategy for social media is to avoid it, you might want to re-think that strategy. Some advice I came across a few years ago was, "If you don't tell your story, someone else will. What will they say about you?" For that reason I do encourage those of you that are doing great things in your school(s) to "not keep that a secret." Share it.

Hello everyone, I am at the Illinois Computing Educator's Conference 2019 Today through Thursday. I will post a live feed of my notable conferences and experiences to Twitter throughout the day. Feel free to check it out Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Mr_B_Ed_Tech