Welcome to this edition of the newsletter.
Hi from San Francisco. Samantha and I are at the Google Next Conference with about 30,000 other participants learning about the latest updates to G Suite and Google Cloud Platform.
It has been fascinating to see where the industry is headed with cloud technology and to see what businesses are doing with technology.
Sam has compiled some of our favourite updates that we think you’ll love. Check them out later on in this newsletter.
If you are in the southern hemisphere you are very likely on school holidays right now - recharge and enjoy some time for yourself and your families.
- From Mike
something we think you'll like...
Something I’ve noticed quite a bit as I’m travelling around different schools are the various ways teachers encourage their students to be curious.
It’s so important that we develop curiosity and wonder, that we encourage students to ask questions about the world and that we celebrate their journeys as they evolve rather than have preconceived notions of teaching A B and C.
I love this website - Mystery Doug - for the opportunity it gives us to employ the ‘little and often’ tactic. Take a few minutes each week to explore a question - and then vote on what you’re most interested in next. Doug will answer a question and then pick three more out of his jar - three more questions that students have submitted.
You get to vote on which one he’ll answer next. You just never know where it might lead you!
- From Donna
updates - Google next 2019
Here's some of the most exciting updates from Google NEXT '19 conference
There were loads of product releases, announcements and sneak peaks at Google Next! We’ll be making a summary video next week (keep an eye on our YouTube channel for this), but in the meantime here are a few of the most exciting.
- Edit and collaborate on Microsoft Office files directly in Google Docs, Sheets & Slides - WITHOUT converting them: This will make a massive difference for those of you who are working between the Microsoft and G Suite platforms. MS Office files used in Docs, Sheets or Slides will retain all features and most formatting, and you’ll be notified if some formatting will be temporarily unavailable while in the Docs Editors view. You’ll also have a full version history, just like with real Docs, Sheets and Slides. This feature is now generally available, with the rollot beginning April 17. Learn more here.
- Live captioning in Google Meet: Great for holding video calls with students, parents or colleagues who have hearing impairments. Learn more here.
- Hangouts Chat integration in Gmail: This will replace the existing ‘Classic Hangouts’ experience in Gmail. If this is something your school is interested in, you can apply to join the Accelerated Transition Program.
- Approval workflows in Google Drive: This feature will let you send documents off for approval and have a final locked version. A beta program for this is expected to launch in June.
- PIN-verified visitor file sharing: Share a file with any email address, protected by a PIN code. A beta program for this is expected to launch in the Northern Hemisphere Summer.
- Folder level sharing in Team Drives: This is one that everyone is waiting for! However...we have to wait a little longer as its release is dependent on the release of the next generation of Google infrastructure. It's highest priority with a huge team working on it, but the new generation of infrastructure needs to come first. The timeline is sometime in 2019.
- See the edit history of a single cell in Google Sheets: You’ll be able to right-click a specific cell and see the editing history. No timeline on this feature yet, but we’re hoping to see it soon!
- Attach emails to emails in Gmail and use multiple signatures: Both of these features have been long-awaited! No timelines yet, but the early sneak peaks look good.
Something to make you think....
"....imagine a world where the Ada Lovelaces of tomorrow grow up to be optimistic and brave about technology and use it to create a new world that is wonderful, whimsical and a tiny bit weird."
Check out this awesome TED talk by Linda Liukas - a really beautiful way to think about computer science - especially with young girls in mind.
There are some great resources on her website 'Hello Ruby' that are worth having a look at!
Image from www.helloruby.com
blog posts you may have missed
Check out the practical, helpful tips in our blogs below.
Something you want us to blog about? Make a request here or check out our website to see all our posts.
Five ways to make the most of your Micro:bit - Integrating STEAM and robotics in the classroom can be expensive. Thankfully there are many low-cost options such as the BBC micro:bit which, with a little resourcefulness and tinkering can be a great tool to get started with. - By Tim Thatcher ............ NB: Also check out the video and links to other blog posts about this awesome tool a little further down in this newsletter.
Logic Branching in Google Forms - Get the info you really want in the most efficient way! - Google Forms are a simple yet powerful way to collect information from people. An often overlooked feature is ‘logic branching’, where people are directed to different parts of a Form, based on how they answer. In this example we look at collecting information from parents but branching is also great for student writing (Pick-a-Path), student agency and talking about computational thinking. - By Lara Kirk
Reflective teaching using the time-lapse feature on iPad - It would be great if we could observe our own classes from a distance and then analyse what is going on and reflect, identify areas of strength and growth. By using the time lapse feature on an iPad (or on iPhone) you can easily reflect on your teaching practice. - By Adrian Francis
LEARN WITH UTB - ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!
Professional Development that suits your schedule and interests!
It's so exciting to be seeing more and more people embracing online learning and signing up for courses!
If that's you - congratulations! Let us know how you're getting on!
We have a great range of online courses available, with more coming online soon.
Get together with some colleagues and work through a course together - collaborate, share ideas and encourage each other!
Check out some of the options below!
so you want to be a trainer??????
Ok.... not that kind of trainer but a....
google certified trainer
Completed Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2 certifications?
Ready to take the next step and become a Google Certified Trainer?
We have the course for you!
Our Google Certified Trainer course has been designed to prepare you to make a successful application to gain this certification from Google.
After completing this course you will...
- have a solid knowledge of the concepts, both the core and the extended, of G Suite Tools.
- have the skills to develop professional, engaging training sessions using G Suite tools.
- feel confident and prepared to work more effectively with teachers who are reluctant to use digital tools in their practice.
- be equipped with a wider range of professional presentation skills.
UTB + PB TECH = EDU STEAM VIDEOS!!!
Last year Lara spent some time with PB Tech in Auckland to record a series of videos about some of the STEAM tools that we love. We'll share one with you each fortnight but if you want to see them all you can check them out here!
The video below is a great introduction to the BBC Micro:bit - check it out and be sure to follow up with our blog posts about this awesome tool too!
UTB Blogs about Micro:bits
upcoming events
If you'd like to request a workshop or support in your area please get in touch by clicking the button below.
Host schools get a free attendee. :)
These boot camps are fast paced, 2 day courses that cover a wide range of G Suite tools and how to use them in the classroom. You will also sit the 3 hour Google Certified Educator exam, where you will demonstrate your knowledge with multiple choice and practical scenario questions.
We've seen an increase in demand for our Google Certified Educator boot camps at both Level 1 and 2. This is great, as we think our two day courses have a lot to offer for everyone working with G Suite. There's several locations to choose from below. If you'd like to host one at your school, as always, feel free to get in touch!
Check out dates and locations in New Zealand here.
Back by popular demand....
Technology has been evolving at a rapid pace, artists and designers are pushing the boundaries. New techniques and strategies have emerged which art teachers can harness to engage students in innovative projects.
In this fun, meaningful workshop teachers are supported to explore how new technologies and ideas can be integrated into the art room. Participants will enjoy hands on experimentation and lively discussion around how art, technology and innovative thinking can be integrated into the classroom.
Check out all the dates and locations here!
Credits:
Created with images by Emily Morter - "untitled image" • Jon Tyson - "untitled image" • Victoria_Borodinova - "aerobics 80s retro" • Ferdinand Stöhr - "untitled image" • John Barkiple - "untitled image"