A Goophy Addition to Google Docs

While exploring Add-Ons to Google Docs today, I found one that I think will be a lot of fun called Goophy. Goophy allows you to insert animated GIFs into Google Docs! If you are creating a word processing document that you plan to print and copy, inserting a GIF is probably a useless idea. If the document will be static, you might as well insert an image. For documents that will live a digital life, inserting a GIF might serve many different purposes.

While working in a Google Doc, head over to the Add-Ons menu and drop down to get add-ons. When the pop-up window opens, search for Goophy. Install it. Then go back to the Add-Ons menu and drop down to Goophy and click on Start Goophy. When the sidebar opens, you can search for a maximum of three words and then GIFS are found. Want to put one in your Doc? Just click it. Once it's in the Doc, you can change its size or move it around just like you would a static image. Except this one is an animation.

Here is an example of a Doc I made with some GIFs (plus some ideas for using them):


I like the idea of using GIFS in Docs as a way to capture attention. I might use a follow directions GIF near the procedures of my labs or a safety GIF to highlight safety features. I might add a GIF near the title to illuminate the concept of the lab. I would also entertain the idea of inserting a GIF that I could use as a visual for a test or quiz question. With my colleagues, perhaps a GIF could lively up a boring agenda or make a to-do list seem less laborious. 

I think kids would like to open a Doc and find an animated surprise. A quick warning: If you're planning to show this one to kids, tread lightly. The GIFs are not all school-appropriate. A search for "chemistry" revealed the ones I used above, but also revealed GIFs that said Sexy Chem and included curse words. 

Like any other strategy, if overdone, this would be tuned out. Still, for me it seems novel today and I am looking forward to trying it out at school.

Nominate an Outstanding STEM Teacher for the PAEMST

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are sometimes referred to as the Nobel Prize of STEM teaching. The nomination window is open until April 1, 2018. With just 11 days left, consider nominating an outstanding STEM teacher for this prestigious honor.

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you probably know that I won the PAEMST for Ohio Science in 2015. I was first nominated, though, in 2013 by an assistant superintendent in my school district. My first reaction was surprise (Who knew she thought I was doing a great job?), followed by fear and dread (This looks really hard. I'm not sure I can do it). I never would have applied without her vote of confidence; I am incredibly grateful that she believed in me so much that she nominated me.

It wasn't that hard!

The application process includes some application paperwork, letters of recommendation, a 30 minute video of a lesson, and a narrative reflection on the lesson and your teaching practice. If you have achieved your National Certification, you will know how to attack this. Step 1: Read through the narrative questions. You will reflect on why the content is appropriate, why you chose the strategies you used in the video, how assessments guide your practice, how you reflect on your success and challenges, and how you lead outside your classroom.
Step 2: Decide on a lesson where you can showcase the skills you want to write about in the narrative questions. Look for something where you facilitate great thinking, deep learning. Capture 30 minutes that will show some variety - small group and large group or lecture and lab or discussion and experimentation. 
Step 3: Make arrangements for videotaping. It doesn't have to be professional (my mom followed me around with a Flip camera to make my video), but if you have an expert, use one! Allow for mishaps. I had my whole plan in place and then learned there was a scheduled tornado drill! Give yourself plenty of time to write the narrative, collect the letters of recommendation. Applications are due on May 1.

Why bother?

Teachers receive so little recognition, and so much criticism, that any opportunity to celebrate educators is one worth taking. I will never forget where I was when I opened the email that told me I was a finalist for Ohio. Or when I opened the email that indicated I had won the award. All of the winners traveled to Washington, DC in September 2016 for our awards trip. Meeting so many talented, passionate STEM teachers was an incredible experience. I continue to follow many of these teachers on Twitter for inspiration. We were treated to professional development, networking opportunities, a beautiful awards ceremony, and a tour of the White House. You can read more about my PAEMST trip here. Again, if you have achieved your National Certification, you probably don't need to be convinced. You would do this for the same reason you went after that. The video and narrative offer a chance for deep reflection into your teaching practice. It is so validating to have a group of your peers evaluate your work and find it to be noteworthy.

Ohio's Math and Science PAEMST winners, 2014 & 2015

Like with the National Board Certification, winning the PAEMST put me into a select group of STEM teachers who will be offered opportunities to contribute to the field. I have been invited to serve on selection committees at the state and national level and contribute to various PAEMST efforts to spotlight great teaching. I would love to be able to help shape educational policy and winning the award makes that more likely. I am facilitating a science specialists network to inspire continuous improvement and innovation while honing my own teaching.

In 2018 the PAEMST winners will be K-6 STEM teachers. There is a probably a terrific K-6 teacher in your life. Maybe it's you. Take a quick minute to nominate. For me, the nomination was the nudge I needed toward my own Nobel Prize in teaching.

$1 Merge Cubes: Easy and Cheap Handheld AR/VR

I went to Walmart yesterday, looking for Merge Cubes. A friend had mentioned them to me as a cube that triggers virtual reality games and I was anxious to see one and try it out. According to Google tonight, Merge Cubes sell for between $5 (eBay) and $15 (Target), so imagine my delight when I found them at Walmart for $1! I scooped up four of them and headed home to try them out.

I was immediately impressed by the product. The Cube is made of material a little tougher than a stress ball, so it can be dropped and tossed and will not break or break things. Each side of the black and silver cube is covered with designs that will trigger holograms in the apps that will Merge with the Cube. It comes packed in a little plastic case; it's not fancy but will store the cube nicely.

If you haven't tried out augmented or virtual reality, here is how the Merge Cube works. You get an app and launch it on your mobile device. Then, inside the app, point the mobile device at the Merge Cube. The designs on the cube trigger augmented and virtual reality experiences - games, activities, and more. The Merge Cube apps work with a mobile device or by pairing a mobile device and a VR headset. 

I tried out two apps as soon as I got home - Mr Body (FREE) and Galactic Explorer (FREE). My Body is pretty cool. You are greeted by a stick figure guy whose organs you can see. Tap the organs and you see that one close up. Tap the buttons on the organs and you can read some information about it. Flip the cube and you can see Mr Body (and his organs) from different angles. The graphics (seen below) might look cartoon-ish but the information is pretty sophisticated.

Galactic Explorer is an exploration of the solar system. I tapped the record button inside that app and made a quick video you can watch to see how this one works. In the video you can see my hand as I flip the cube and turn the solar system. I am tapping and untapping planets to zoom in and read information about them.

Here are some descriptions of a few of the other educational apps that are available:

57˚ North: A choose your own adventure app where two cousins are shipwrecked and decisions must be made in order to survive ($2.99).

Anatomy AR Plus: Hold the brain, heart, and lung in your hands and explore them in incredible detail ($0.99).

Cube Paint AR: Choose from several animals, paint them any way you want, and watch them move with their custom paint job (FREE).

Dig: Mine and build holographic worlds that you can hold in your hand and share with others (FREE).

Dino Digger:  Dig for dinosaurs with famous paleontologist Jack Horner. Uncover fossils and learn interesting dino facts ($1.99).

My ARquarium: Choose from among 55 types of fish to fill your virtual aquarium.

There are lots of games apps too.

If you have wanted to explore virtual or augmented reality, this is a durable and easy-to-use product that is available at Walmart for $1. It's definitely worth the price!