The EdTech Connection

Did you know that MyVRSpot offers an online image editor and creator directly accessed through MyVRSpot? Whether you need to touch up an existing image or make one from scratch, we’ve got you covered. With a wide variety of filters, frames, stickers, shapes and more, your next masterpiece will be a breeze! Head on over to your account and click the “Create” tab, followed by “Create Image”. (How-to Article HERE)

For those of you who are all about the badges, I am so excited to announce the arrival of the brand new MyVRSpot Educator Certification Program. Take your media creation and instructional technology skills to the next level! Becoming a MyVRSpot Certified Educator is a completely free 3-step process that is open to all educators within the MyVRSpot platform. Click HERE to learn how you can start earning your certification today!

Kasey Bell (Shake Up Learning) published an article recently that discusses both how and WHY you can use images from Canva (free for teachers!) with Google Slides to create interactive digital activities for students. I'm including the video below as well.

Don't watch to watch or read the full article? Here's the TL;DR version:

1. Find the worksheet, graphic organizer, etc. that you like in Canva.
2. Edit it to make it "yours" (add your Bitmoji, use class colors, etc.).
3. Download as a PNG.
4. Open Google Slides.
5. Right-click the slide to edit the background image.
6. Drag your downloaded Canva image to the box that opens.

Ta-da! That's it!

BONUS: You can also use Canva to make digital stickers that you can share on student work turned in online!

I've been frequently asked to share my favorite tools for recording and/or editing audio and video for the classroom. So I thought today would be a good day for a refresher list for everyone!

Audio Chrome Extensions

• Mote
• Talk & Comment
• Read & Write
• Online Voice Recorder (not on the approved list for FCS...yet)

Video Chrome Extensions

• Screencastify
• Awesome Screenshot
• Loom

BONUS: Did you know that both Flipgrid and Canva offer screen recording directly within the platforms without needing to download anything OR pay for something else? That was just one of the mind-blowing tricks I learned at GaETC last week...watch for future newsletters to learn more!

District ITS for Middle & High Schools

Forsyth County Schools, GA

Check out previous newsletters on my profile page!

Email: aburgess@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/forsythk12.org/mmeburgess/home
Location: 1120 Dahlonega Highway, Cumming, GA, United States
Phone: 770.887.2461 203371
Twitter: @MmeBurgess