WOW! Check out Katie Grassel's Great Doctopus Tutorial

Doctopus lets teachers automatically create copies of shared documents and distribute them to students in Google Docs. If you are struggling with managing Google Docs in your classes, here you go!

I always thought Doctopus was sorta technical and nerdy, but guys, it's NOT, it's awesome! It's as easy as Flubaroo. Check out Katie Grassel's great tutorial below and see for yourself. Thanks so much Katie!

Also, check out these Doctopus Updates and learn about other helpful scripts (like Goobric--distributes copies of your rubric) from youpd.

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Smarter Gmail Lesson 8: How to Insert a Fancy Schmancy Signature in Gmail

Want to learn how to insert a fancy schmancy signature in Gmail? Well here's a little tutorial to show you just how to do that! Hope you enjoy it.

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Smarter Gmail Lesson 7: Boomerang!

In Lesson 7, learn how (and why) to use the add in available from Boomeranggmail.com. Trust me, you're going to love this!

• Send mail later
• Remember to follow up
• Schedule messages to happen when you need them to

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Brief Guide to Vocabulary for Project Based Learning

While I've been using Project Based Learning since my second year as a public school teacher some 14 years ago, I have only recently learned the vocabulary to describe the practices I find so effective.

Thanks to BIE.org for standardizing and publicizing this terminology. So here's what we do (and don't) say to describe our practices. A big shout out to a certain nearby Project Based Learning elementary school for giving me a few new words and helping refine my understanding of Project Based Learning in the elementary school as well. I would tell you the name of said school, but they are already overrun with visitors. (You can ask me again next school year.)

To begin with, Project Based Learning is not a regular noun, it's a gerund, like "caring" or "running." You can't "have" it or "hold" it because it's verb-like. Thus . . .

Don't say: This is my PBL.  Instead say, "This is my project."
Don't say: This is my students' PBL. Instead say, "This is my student's project."

But say: The more I learn about PBL, the more I like it.
And: PBL is the theory that makes the most sense to me.
Also: I have been hearing a lot about PBL lately.
Or say: My school is embracing PBL.
There are many more terms associated with Project Based Learning. Please put your favorites (or the most important ones I left out) in the comments for this article, and you will soon see them appear on this document.

P.S. There are many great resources for learning more about the theory and practice of Project Based Learning, including Edutopia's Project Based Learning Beat and their excellent YouTube Channel. As far as books, go, I'd love a good recommendation. While I just started reading this one, it's the best I've seen so far and the closest to my own self-developed theory, which means I like it a lot.

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Smarter Gmail Lesson 6: Filters (and Filters + Canned Responses)

Learn how to use Gmail 3-5 minutes at a time in this series. The sixth installment includes using Gmail filters and how to use filters + canned responses (billed as "email for the TRULY lazy"). Hope you enjoy it!

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Smarter Gmail Lesson 5: Canned Responses

Learn to use your Gmail SMARTER not HARDER in this humble little series. This is episode five where you learn how to use canned responses. Enjoy!

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What Does it Take to Get Into Instructional Technology?

I got an interesting question from a teacher this morning, basically, the question is:

What does it take to get a job in Instructional Technology? Do you think I should do that?

Here is my answer. What is yours? Please reply in the comments.

There seem to be quite a few jobs emerging in Instructional Technology/Innovation. The issue I see most often is that people get a degree, but they don't keep up with it. If someone got a Master's Degree in Literature 17 years ago, that degree still means the same thing, but if you got one 5 years ago in Educational/Instructional Technology and never did anything with it, it is virtually meaningless. Even 5 years ago, you probably made hyperlinked Powerpoint presentation games. Nobody is doing that now . . . it's old school. Now we know it's not really about what the teacher is doing; it's about what the students are doing that matters, and playing a game the teacher made is NOT technology integration.

As a person who has hired three Instructional Technology Specialists in my career, not a lot, but enough to make me think, I am extra cautious of employees who have a degree (even a new one) in this field. Do they really understand technology integration or do they just want to "make things" themselves? Do they know how to keep their skills current for years to come? Do they have a passion or did they get the degree in order to get "out of the classroom"?

Meanwhile, my analysis of "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" still works. I could literally turn it in TODAY and get the same grade. So there.

You have to have a passion for instructional technology and keep doing it ALL the time, you have to keep learning and growing your skills ALL the time, you have to develop a philosophy that is makes it truly a part of everything you do and even a part of who you are. The degree might get you in the door, but what will get you hired and keep you is a passion for education and technology integration. You also usually have to be good at providing staff development and communicating in a great variety of ways. I don't think most universities are doing a very good job of teaching the skills and habits actually needed to succeed, but then maybe it's more about the kind of person you are.

I hope that helps. Please let me know your thoughts.

P.S. I have a Master's Degree in Literature; I got it in 1996. No kidding.

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