Google Classroom Recording

Happy last Tuesday of February!

Before we get into today's tip, a couple of housekeeping items...

1. The WeGo Tech Tips blog is now up and running. Going forward, everything will be posted there as well as emailed.
2. We've had requests for editable docs instead of PDFs in case you want to make a copy and customize it for your needs. We will do that going forward, but to catch up, here are slides for the Google Slides Recording Student Instructions, I believe this is the only pdf we've shared so far.

On to the final Google recording tech tip... Google has added the ability for students and teachers to record audio, video, or screen DIRECTLY FROM GOOGLE CLASSROOM! Teachers can record directly in an Assignment OR an Announcement. Watch the attached instructional videos (I promise they're short!) to see how it works. We're also attaching docs with screenshots you can provide students. And, a quick GIF inline here to give you a peek at how easy it is to add a recording to an assignment.

Instructional Videos:
Google Classroom Recording - Students (screenshot doc for students)
Google Classroom Recording - Teachers

Google Vids Advanced Features

This week, we're continuing with Google Vids but moving beyond the basic recording functionality to some of the advanced features. In Part 3, we'll add stock video and text to vids. In Part 4, we'll import slides you've already created and add animations. In part 5, we'll add background music and adjust sound. In part 6, you can see how to get started quickly with a template and how to assign templates to your students so they can easily create a polished looking video.

Google Vids Part 3 - Stock Video and Text
Google Vids Part 4 - Slides and Animations
Google Vids Part 5 - Music and Sound Options
Google Vids Part 6 - Templates and Classroom

This concludes our Google Vids series... stay tuned for 1 more week of Google Recording tools next Tuesday, it's going to be a good one!!!

Google Vids Getting Started

Continuing on our February topic of Google recording tools, this week we're launching a series on Google Vids.

Google Vids is a video, audio, and screen recording and editing tool, very similar to WeVideo. However, the features and functionality are much more basic. For simple, short videos (less than 10 minutes) it can be a good solution. This week, you'll get a basic intro to Google Vids, learn how to create a video and screen recordings, and do some basic video editing.

Google Vids Part 1 - Intro and Recording
Google Vids Part 2 - Basic Video Editing

Google Slides Built-In Recording

For the month of February, we're going to focus on recording tools available within Google, we're starting this week with recording in Google Slides.

If you would like to record yourself presenting a slide deck and you don't need editing functionality, Google Slides has this capability built in. Students can also use this to record themselves presenting slides, which could be useful if they are unable to present in class. See the attached video to learn how to use the feature or use the attached instructions we've created for students.

Google Slides Recording Video
Google Slides Recording Student Instructions

Defining a Role and Task with Gemini

Developing effective communication skills with AI is essential for maximizing its potential. Many people approach Gemini like a standard Google search, but you can achieve much more powerful results by refining your prompts.This week, I am highlighting how to define a "Role and Task" for Gemini. By assigning a specific role, you direct how the AI processes information, resulting in more accurate and streamlined outcomes. To help you with this, I have attached a document with tips for better prompt engineering. I have also created a short video demonstrating the pre-made prompts available in Google Classroom, which already include detailed roles and tasks for specific functions.

Using pre-made Gemini prompts in Google Classroom - Video

Google Gemini: Role & Task Mastery doc

This concludes this month’s focus on Google Gemini. Next month, we will highlight screencasting and video editing tools for students and staff.

Creating Rubrics with Gemini

This week’s video demonstrates how to create rubrics using Gemini for use in Google Classroom. Attaching a rubric to an assignment clearly defines expectations for students and serves as an efficient grading tool for teachers. The video covers creating a new rubric with Gemini, using existing rubrics, and the student and teacher views within an assignment.

Rubric Video

Google Classroom Tools and Using Gemini in Class

As announced during last Monday's AI sessions, we will begin sharing weekly tech PD information every Tuesday. Each month, we will highlight a specific app or theme. We are also building a resource website to host student handouts and other materials to support your technology-integrated lessons. We will post all the tech PD info on the website so you know where to look if you are busy or miss the emails. Stay tuned for the website.

To kick things off, today's focus is on Google Classroom features that we were unable to cover last week. Please find three videos below demonstrating how to:

- Re-level text - Video
- Translate text - Video
- Automatically create a quiz - Video

I have also attached the Google Slides presentation on using Google Gemini in the classroom. I recommend checking out these slides when you have a moment.
Slide Deck - 100+ ways to use Gemini in K-12 Education