GradeCam app for smartphones

All Homestead teachers have access to a GradeCam account, which allows you to create scantron-

esque multiple-choice assessments and use your document camera and/or the webcam on your laptop to grade (contact the library if you need help with your account).
GradeCam also has an app available for both iOS and Android phones and devices that does much the same. You can create new assignments, view previously created assignments and student results. You can also use the camera on your device to scan student assessments. You'll get a report of the questions missed by each student and can view a graph of student summary results
The app is slow and prone to some of the same issues as the web version, but it's still a helpful tool for grading assessments, especially as finals approach. Check out Gradecam for Android and for iOS.

Tech tools for quick responses

For teachers who are using either Chromebooks or all-class student devices, there are some easy-to-use tools that allow you to gauge the level of understanding in the room, solicit student responses anonymously, and create engaging quick quizzes, exit tickets and more.

GoSoapBox -- http://www.gosoapbox.com/  
GoSoapBox is a web-based clicker tool. Students can interact anonymously, but the teacher can see who said what. It features polls and quizzes, but also a “confusion barometer” to quickly take the pulse of the room. It is limited to 30 students per class (free version) so it may not accept all student participation but it is definitely worth some experimentation.



Socrative -- http://www.socrative.com/

Socrative is similar to GoSoapBox and Kahoot in offering quizzes and quick discussion questions. This used to be very geared toward iPad programs but has become much easier to use with Chromebooks, phones and other devices. You can see live results of student response or have them compete against each other with a Space Race. You can prepare quizzes, questions and materials ahead of time, but there’s also an Exit Ticket feature (which asks how well did you understand the subject, what you learned and a place to “answer the teacher’s question”) that can be used on the fly. 

Formative -- https://goformative.com/

This is a really flexible and interesting tool that allows a variety of responses, including “show your work” with drawing feature, and the ability to embed text, video, images and your own “whiteboard”. You can see a live view of student responses and quickly modify questions or response mechanisms. You can create classes to keep groups organized or just use it without preparation. .

AnswerGarden (https://answergarden.ch/) is another flexible tool that allows anonymous short answers to quick questions and creates a word cloud where the most frequently submitted words or phrases are the largest. A quick and easy way to gauge pre-knowledge or focus on review topics.

Try one of these tools in your classroom!

Managing devices in the classroom

Many teachers are using technology (either school- or student-owned) more and more in the classroom. Here are some recommendations and best practices from teachers on how to manage the devices and the classroom.

Set explicit expectations and processes around using devices.

• Establish a social contract around device use. When is it OK and not OK during your class? Don't leave it to chance. 
• Clarify the vocabulary you use (e.g. "lids closed" vs. "log off" vs. "devices away") so students understand what is expected of them at different points during class. 

For school-owned devices and shared carts: 

• Create a sense of value. Make sure students understand why you are using them in the classroom, what is to be gained from the use and what will happen if they are misused.
• Create a process for getting and replacing Chromebooks (or other devices). Don't have all students get them at once or replace them at once.
• Make sure the same student uses the same device each time (assign a number) to maximize "ownership " and minimize confusion if any damage takes place
• Have one student (a TA or trusted student) manage unplugging and plugging in the Chromebooks and passing them out to the class 
• Model responsible use as a teacher! No food and drink near the devices, don't stack devices or slide them across surfaces, etc.

 Classroom management tips

• Move around the room consistently so you can see what students are working on and minimize off-task behavior
• Teach from the back of the classroom as much as possible
• Change desk layout when using devices for ease of motion and line of sight
• Allow a moment for off-task behavior before using a new tool, especially one involving class collaboration
• Make sure the activity is necessary and engaging! Boring tasks will lead to off-task behavior with or without technology
• Establish logical consequences for undesirable behaviors (loss  of device privileges, clean the devices, etc.) Students can lose privileges to their own devices if they are misusing them during class time. 
• Use Ctrl-Shift-T to re-open closed tabs if students are using inappropriate sites or quickly close tabs when you approach
• Communicate what can be done when the class activity is completed

• For laptops/Chromebooks:
  Lids closed (but not logged off) when not active (For most devices, a "sleep" mode can be quickly revived with a simple login.)
• For phones: face down when not in use (if out)
• Devices flat on desk at all times when in use (not in laps or hands)

Plan ahead for possible issues

•  Appoint tech monitors in class to assist with common issues (students having difficulty logging in, device usability, etc.).  Login issues are usually related to typos in username/password!
• Allow students to help each other
• Use tech-savvy students as support tools
• Always have a backup plan for non-charged devices, non-working websites, network issues, other ideas