PPS Instructional Technology

As educators, it is extremely important for us to maintain a safe environment for our students. That importance applies equally to their physical AND mental needs. For those reasons, I was ecstatic when Google Meet developed its Host Controls and Meeting Security features. Today, we will learn how to use the controls to allow participants to join a call as well as how the host can remove users for any reason necessary. Ok, how do you get to the Host and Safety controls? From within Google Meet, navigate to the bottom to the Meeting Controls and Menu toolbar. Locate the Blue Security Shield. Click on the Shield to open the Host and Safety controls. Limiting Access to Your Meeting The topmost option is Quick access . The default is to allow anyone to join your Meet. (Note that Nicknamed Meet sessions will only allow participants from inside your organization to enter automatically. Anyone calling* in or with an email address outside of Portage Public Schools must be admitted manually.) T...

Virtual learning is hard. Both for the teacher and the students. Students are not used to sitting all day on the computer. Teachers are not used to being locked in one location for instruction. It can be exhausting!  So here are some tips, tricks, and ideas to get your students up, moving, and engaged in the learning. RESPOND WITH MOVEMENT : Have students stand up and do different motions to share their thoughts. Example: Put your hands on your head if you think the answer is X or When you know the answer do jumping jacks. See other examples in this blog post from Lessons for Little Ones Music photo created by freepik TRANSITION MUSIC : Use " go noodle " or other music for transition time. If you need students to get out new materials, put on a go noodle and challenge them to complete the task before the Go Noodle song is done. Those that are able to do the task quickly can participate in the Go Noodle until it is done. INTERACTIVE SLIDES : Use Pear Deck to make your slides ...

As you are working through teaching virtually, having a system where you can easily do tasks on the computer is key. Here are some helpful tips and shortcuts to make your life easier. QUICK 1 PAGE PRINTABLE VERSION HERE Split Screen Having a split screen means you have one window on one side of your device monitor and one window on the other. This allows you to see two things at once. Example: Your Google Meet and your presentation. On a Chromebook, you can quickly do a split screen by using the shortcut:  Alt + [  to move left Alt + ]  to move right . To learn more about how to do a split screen on Chromebooks, Windows 7 or 10, or a Mac, head to the  PPS Family Tech Tips site in the Online Learning Tips  section. Open a Closed Tab If you have ever accidentally closed a tab you were working on, then this shortcut is for you! This shortcut will reopen the tab you closed most recently. If you closed multiple tabs, just keep using the shortcut...