Students Tackle Haters and Trolls in #DigCit

#DigCit class this year tackled the topic of Hater and Trolls with help from Common Sense Media, to figure out what exactly a Hater and Troll really is. Once they watched the introduction video all the students posted on a Padlet; explaining something they learned, a takeaway they had, and what stuck with them the most from the video. You can look at the responses here--> Padlet . They continued their learning by watching and answering a corresponding question that paired with the video they watched. Their answers were put on a Google Slide and presented to the class. It was during these presentations that their peers evaluated each other based on the following criteria:

To see the peer evaluation form, click here--> Google Form

These presentations and their Padlet acted as a springboard for the next project. The project allows for anything that they wanted to learn more about based off of the presentations/Padlet completed by their peers. Per usual, the students had to choose a different platform they had not used before. During these presentations the students evaluated each other again (using this Google Form)  and gave shoutouts to their peers, that were completely student generated.  I compiled the shoutouts and then read them to the class the next day.  Each student had at least one shoutout. Within the peer review they got to choose whether or not their peer showed mastery of the new platform they choose, and if 90% of their peers agreed they did, they would receive a techspert badge. The students voted on the 90% threshold earlier in the year and they are the sole determiners of whether a techspert badge is awarded.  They then are the expert in the room with that platform.  They serve as a resource for both the class and me as we dive into new platforms for our digital work.

The students were assessed on how well they followed the following criteria:

You can check out some of the projects here:

Project Links:
Rachel: https://www.sutori.com/story/haters-and-trolls-eaf8
Casey: https://hatersandtrolls.tumblr.com
Stephanie: https://explee.com/video/gyj2a#
Alicia: https://prezi.com/m/w4sn0vlom3ui/untitled-prezi/
Sarina: http://popplet.com/app/#/3697576
Marjie: https://goo.gl/53jKFZ

If you would like it leave some comments for the students, I will share with them. Feel free to use the students' work as a resource when teaching/learning about haters and trolls.

Enjoy!

My 3 Favorite Extensions: Update!

Since I last posted my favorite extensions, I have found a few more that I use on a daily basis now!

Google Keep

This has literally changed the way I do things both in school and for personal use.  Google Keep is an app that allows you to create a post it note, which you can change into an active checklist.  You can color code them and pin them.  All of this is SO handy!  However, the best two features are that you can share them and archive them.  Imagine yourself grocery shopping with a spouse or friend and you have to divide up to find things or are in a hurry.  Share the Keep and both of you can access the list and delete the items!  I have also used this for to do logistical event lists.  Typically, there is more than just me organizing an event and instead of texting back and forth or emailing what you have and have not done, each of the organizers can click an item to delete it or add an item.  The even better part is that for annual events, you can access this year's to do list next year!  So much better than hanging onto a piece of paper or searching for a document! 

Bitmoji

Bitmoji's are a way for you to merge the emjois with your avatar.  This is a fun way to communicate, but also a way to add some fun and engagement on your feedback.  I use them not only on my feedback for written work, but also on my student created shout outs (they give each other a shout out through Google Form when doing peer evaluations and then I compile them and read them out loud in class the next day.   Fun way to jazz up your feedback!

Tab Suspender

I don't know about you, but my tabs typically look like this on my Chromebook

Needless to say, my battery life isn't all that great simply because I am making my Chromebook work harder with all of those tabs open.  Tab suspender will leave your tabs open, but suspend them from eating up valuable resources in memory and battery.  When you need that tab again, you simply click on it and then hover over the blue and white refresh arrow (see right pane below) and it comes back to life!  Speaking of life, since it works automatically, and I don't have to remember to enable it, my battery thanks me daily for using tab suspender.