Solving Chromebook/Chrome problems

I just helped a student who was having a problem with the Screencastify extension in Chrome. The solution ended up being the same thing that's worked over and over for others-- and it's a simple one...

...update Chrome!

Many apps and extensions require Chrome to be up to date.  Updating Chrome is simple to do.

Here's how:

On your Chromebook, Chrome should update automatically, but you need to restart the Chromebook in order for the update to apply. The cue for this is when you see an up-arrow icon in your status area (down in the lower right where you see your profile pic/icon).  Click that arrow, then "Restart to update." Here are Google's instructions for this.

On other computers (or on your Chromebook), you can update Chrome manually by clicking on the 3 vertical dots icon on the upper right, then Settings, then About.  In particular, if you notice that those dots have changed color, that's an indication that Chrome is out of date.  Again, here are instructions from Google.

Insert videos from Google Drive into Google Slides

Up until now, Google Slides only allowed YouTube videos. But many of us store videos in Google Drive. You can now insert those videos into Slides. Like so:

PBS Digital Innovators

Teachers,

Have you heard of the PBS Digital Innovator program?

From the PBS description: The PBS Digital Innovator program brings together a community of pre-K-12 educators, who are thought-leaders and classroom changemakers, for ongoing professional development and opportunities to share strategies, empower peers and inspire students.

Sound interesting? The deadline to apply is coming up soon-- Feb 13th
More information is here.

Dynamic Landscapes 2017

Dynamic Landscapes is an excellent conference held at Champlain College (5/22- 5/23).  Below is a call for proposals.  Last year, three CVU teachers presented at the conference and many others attended. Why not submit a proposal to present?  Show off what you're doing in your classes.  It gets you in for free and you get to share with fellow educators. This year, there's a new twist-- students can also present (and the keynote will be by students).  Please let me know if I can help you or your students craft a proposal or if you have other questions about the conference.  It would be great to have another big group from CVU this year!

Call for proposals is open! Students and adults can submit proposals this year. 100 students get free admission to the full conference this year... and did we mention there's a Student Keynote Competition? We've got an incredible lineup this year at Dynamic Landscapes at Champlain College, May 22-23, 2017! Our theme is 'Authentic Student Voices' and here's a snapshot of what that means... Adults and students can submit proposals this year! Call for proposals is OPEN!  Show us those incredible student projects. Show us what problems students want to solve. Pitch a meaningful presentation to an audience. Yes... this means 100 students will get free admission to the conference... full access! Student Keynote Competition!  Four students (or small groups) will keynote this VT Ed conference this year! It' a first in VT Education! These four will win a $250 grant for their school.  Show us your innovation, your ideas, and your passion to change the world for the better. Immersive workshops with an incredible lineup are taking shape Dive into a 1/2 day or full day workshop on incredible topics. Our Grand Prize is a 2K Innovation Grant!  We've got a lot of other prizes but let's face it... 2k? What could your school or project do with 2k?  We'll hear from last years winner and draw another. We have a large variety of workshop types and open labs... ...so you can build your own schedule. Check out the DL Conference website to learn more... and do help us spread the word! Registration will be opening soon! Stay tuned! We hope to see you at Dynamic Landscapes 2017. Adam Adam Provost President, VITA-Learn

Hour of Code week

This week is the Hour of Code!  Lots of great resources again this year to get everyone to try coding for one hour.

Here are students in Chittenden Core working on their programs.

And here is the CVU Computer Programming class videoconferencing with a class from New Jersey, sharing what each class has done.

Why not give coding a try yourself!