Twitter: How to Build Your PLN

If you wonder "What is Twitter Anyway?" please read click the link and read. It has a great explanation of what Twitter is and how to get started. 
But for those of you who have heard of it and use it to tweet 140 characters that highlight an activity or an article, have you grown your Personal Learning Network? 

Twitter has tons of great chats that help you connect to others who are willing to share great ideas and resources. Check out the article How to Build Your PLN on Twitter and then, after you read that, use this link 19 Education Twitter Chats Worth Your Time and start following some people who will really inspire you!

How to Convert Smart Notebook to Powerpoint to Google Slides

Steps to Converting Smart Notebook files to
Powerpoint and then Google Slides

To export a Smart Notebook file as a PowerPoint file

1. Select File > Export > PowerPoint.

The Save As dialogue box appears.

2. Browse to the folder where you want to export the file.
3. Type a name for the file in the File name box.
4. Press Save.

You can also export as a webpage, pdf, or image files. Here are those directions.

After you do this, you may want to upload it to your Google Drive.

Convert documents into Google formats

If you want to upload Microsoft Word/Excel/Powerpoint files, you can change a setting in Google Drive to convert files.

Note: You can only change Google Drive settings from your computer.

1. Using a computer, go to drive.google.com/drive/settings.
2. Next to "Convert Uploads," check the box.

Upload Files or Folders to Google Drive

In Google Drive,

1. Click New
2. Click File Upload (or Folder upload if you have a whole folder of files)

Want to watch a video on how to drag a folder from your desktop and upload it? Click here.

Backing Up Your Files (Especially if you aren't returning!)

Important! If you are not returning to your WPCSS school next year, please read this.

You will need to do several things in order to keep all of your files.

If you are transferring to another WCPSS school:

Backup your desktop files (these are the files you see on your screen when you first login)

• First, insert the USB memory stick into an available USB port.
• On Windows, this will bring up a window showing the memory stick is now seen as a drive on your computer (e.g., "Removable Disk" E: drive).
• You'll also get a menu of options for using the device. Select "Open folder to view files" at the bottom.
• Alternatively on Windows, you can also get to the drive by going to your Computer (or My Computer) folder and finding the new drive letter there.
• To copy files to the USB memory stick, right click on the file you want to copy and choose copy. Then right-click in the flash drive window and click paste.
• Do NOT just drag the files over. This creates a shortcut on your flash drive to your desktop. When you take the flashdrive out of that laptop, it won’t “see” those files anymore.
• Want to copy several files/folders at once?
• Click Ctrl-A to select everything (Then right click on one thing and choose copy)
• Or Click on one file and hold down Ctrl to click on several more
• Or Click on the first file, then hold down Shift and click on the last file. When you're done, right-click on the drive and select "Eject" so you can safely remove the drive.

Your network files (H:your_name), email and google drive should follow you to your new school. A request may need to be put into the helpdesk to make this happen.

If you are going to a new school that won’t have SmartBoards, click HERE for information on how to save your Smart Notebook files.

If you are leaving WCPSS:

• Follow the above instructions for backing up your desktop. You will want to also get into your network drive (Computer -> your_name) and copy those files to a flash drive.
• In addition, you will want to backup your google files. Here’s a good How To. Click Download your Data and then Click manage My Archives. From there, follow the instructions.
• You will also need to turn in your iPad and Laptop(s) by the last workday.

Google Hangouts: What It Is and How to Use It

It has come to my attention that some of my friends and family aren't familiar with Google hangouts. If you have a Google account (which, at school, we all do!) you can use this awesome communication tool. 

Here's a great link on how it works. 

On a laptop, using Chrome as your browser, it's easiest to google "google hangouts for chrome." Go to the Chrome Web Store and Click Add to Chrome.

You should then see the google hangout symbol next to your omnibar. Click on that.
You should get a Hangout area in the lower right hand corner of your screen. 
Click on New Conversation. Type in an email address. 
You can then text or video call that person. They need to have Hangouts, too, though. 
You can make a group to chat with several people at the same time.
Lots of webinars are using Hangouts, too!

Enjoy!

NCTIES 2016: Rethink PD- Personalize, Gamify and Badge

Wow! The Rethink PD session presented by Brittany Guy and Marty Creech was so interactive and inspiring that it was difficult to take notes! 

They started us off with a badging game that you can find here:    

bit.ly/pdgame16

Fun badge game

Check out their presentation at Bit.ly/rethinkpd16 and be sure to look at the links.

The Burke County PD Challenge is worth checking out. too!

NCWiseOwl Updated

On April 1, NCWiseOwl was updated. All of your favorite resources are still there, but the look is completely different! Check it out! And share with your students.

NCTIES: Fail Forward, Fail Fast

The "Fail Forward, Fail Fast" session was one of my favorites! Created and presented by Allison Reid, it was inspiring and challenging.

You can follow Allison at @MrsAReid. 
Here's the link to her presentation:

Tinyurl.com/nctiesfailure
There's definitely some great stuff for Professional Development in here! If you have the chance to attend one of these sessions, it's a Must See!