Paper 53 - definitely a great app to download

Recently we had a  Wednesday night Twitter chat as part of the South African #edchatsa tweet chat on Creativity in the classroom. I made a statement about creativity and next thing Matt Miller from Ditch the Textbook picked it up and made it all fancy! Love it!

Don’t you think it looks great? I love it. It was apparently created using the Paper by Fifty Three app which I have now downloaded on my iPad. 

GVC#4: Make a Google site in six steps - it really is as easy as that!

Since we will be creating a Google site in the Global Virtual Classroom, it's time for me to get to know Google Sites for myself. Recently I saw a Google+ post from Google for Education that said ‘Make a Google site in minutes’. This immediately caught my attention as I imagined it would take a much longer time than that.  The post in question said that all one needs to do is follow the six steps listed below. I tried it and, quite honestly, it IS as simple as that!

What is a Google site?
A Google site can be seen as an interactive website that is quick and easy to create without any knowledge of HTML. It is a quick way   to make information accessible to others.  A group can work together on a Site to add file attachments, information from other Google applications (like Google Docs, Google Calendar, YouTube and Picasa), and new free-form content.

Why use a Google site?
Sites are great for class websites, student eportfolios, private discussion boards with parents, group projects, research projects and more. 

Video tutorial on creating a Google site
At our first Google Summit in South Africa we were privileged to have Chris Betcher from Australia presenting. He is well-versed on creating Google sites and here is his video tutorial ‘Íntroduction to Google sites’.

                                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nilei4D-Ay4&feature=youtu.be

Text-based tutorials on creating a Google site
The following two really superb tutorials can be found on Chris Betcher’s own Google site called ‘Summit stuff’ http://goo.gl/Y2Nrel.

• Designing Google Sites: Part 1
• Designing Google Sites: Part 2

Google Sites Examples
Click on the following image to be taken to a page of Google Sites examples to copy

GVC#3: The timeline for the Global Virtual Classroom Contest 2014/2015

This information comes from the wiki http://gvcteachers-lounge.wikispaces.com/Timeline

“No one alone can create what we accomplish together!”

1. Registration and Wiki
Registration opens in July. When you register you will receive an invitation to join this Wiki. {If you participated last year, you are already a Wiki member.} Use the time to get acquainted with other teachers. September 15-30 you can choose ONE partner (the other will be assigned.)

2) Teams Announced & Edmodo rooms assigned
Teachers will already have joined our Edmodo Teacher's lounge. Notify jbarnstable@gsbi.org when registered so she can put you into the right team room. Registration and Wiki Registration opens in July. When you register you will receive an invitation to join this Wiki. {If you participated last year, you are already a Wiki member.} Use the time to get acquainted with other teachers. September 15-30 you can choose ONE partner (the other will be assigned.) Teams Announced & Edmodo rooms assigned. Teachers will already have joined our Edmodo Teacher's lounge. Notify jbarnstable@gsbi.org when registered so she can put you into the right team room, October 1-2.

Introduction period October 1-31.
Use this time to get acquainted with your partners. Share photos, hobbies, likes, dislikes, family, whatever with help you to know a little more about those you will work with during this time. Also start discussing topics for your collaboration.

Official Beginning of the Contest Work Period November 1.
Gather ideas, discuss within your own school and share with partner schools. Agree on a topic and begin work! Your team will be assigned a GVC Google Sites space. All schools will have access, but only those with gmail accounts (or Google for Education accounts) will be assigned 'owner rights'.

Mid Contest December 15.
Take a look at ideas and work done to date. Research should be finished or nearly finished. If you have not yet started the creative aspects of work, it's time to begin. If you break for holidays, be sure your partners know!

Web Site Design January 15.
If not yet started with web site design, begin!

Check, Fix, Publicize (Between March 15 and March 31.
Good idea to strive to finish within 2 weeks of contest close. That gives you time to check work, make sure all the links work, and invite others to view, comment, suggest things that need doing... Every year there are some who ignore this suggestion, with the result that last minute uploads have mistakes or missing files.
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Contest Ends April 1-30.
Sites are Judged by our panel of judges.

Winners Announced May 1-4.