Keeping Track With Google Keep

Technology can help educators and learners get and stay organized. Google Keep is both a desktop and mobile note taking application that works similarly to sticky notes which allows the user to add information in text, image, and audio formats. Once information is placed on a virtual sticky note, that note is placed on a giant virtual wall. Individuals can use the Search feature to filter notes placed on the wall. Notes can be labeled and organized into categories. Notes can even be organized by color. Each note can also be turned into a to do list which keeps track of what has been accomplished once it is completed. 

Google Keep also allows users to create reminders which link to the same user’s Google Calendar to help keep track of scheduled events. Notes made in Google Keep can also be pulled into Google Docs. Students (and educators!) can use Google Keep to keep track of everything! Check out this video tutorial to learn more.

Screenshot of Google Keep with labels on the left, a to do list, and examples of notes.

Screenshot of Google Keep with labels on the left, a to do list, and examples of notes.

Captions On For Literacy!

Video is a common modality for educators to share, teach, and reinforce concepts. Captions exist to help individuals with hearing impairments experience the audio portion of the content. Evidence suggests that turning the captions on for video content can also help students, with or without hearing impairments, improve reading abilities. Pairing text with audio and visual content helps reinforce the meanings of words while simultaneously representing how they are spelled. 

Strategies can be used to encourage educators and parents to turn on the captions whenever students are experiencing video content. Consider crafting a “Captions On!” campaign for your learning space, grade level, or school promoting the idea that captions help improve literacy. Here are some potential action steps:

  • When choosing video content, encourage educators to only select video that has captions.
  • Invite parents to turn on captions at home whenever watching television or videos.
  • As students make meaningful contributions to the world by participating in authentic learning experiences, they might choose to create videos. When they do so, encourage students to consider an audience with diverse abilities by captioning their created video content.
  • Google Slides and Microsoft Powerpoint both have a live captioning option for when giving presentations. Encourage staff and students to turn on this feature to have the text displayed on the screen when using these tools to present in-person presentations.

Adopting and practicing a “captions on” mentality will help improve individual literacy skills while simultaneously working toward building a more inclusive and accessible future for all. 

Google Slide with captions on

Google Slide with captions on.

Learners at Algonkian Elementary Install Literacy Support Extensions

LCPS returned to 100% distance learning on December 15th, 2020. Just prior, educators at Algonkian Elementary School worked to ensure that students installed the literacy support extensions of Read&Write for Google Chrome, Texthelp PDF Reader, and Texthelp Screenshot Reader. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Instructional Facilitator for Technology, Specialized Instructional Facilitator – Assistive Technology, and the Specialized Instructional Facilitator – Reading, learners also participated in experiences where they practiced how to use the tools to support their own learning. These extensions are available to anyone in LCPS! Install and use them today!

Way to go Algonkian learners and educators!

Learners in a classroom behind Chromebooks giving a thumbs up

Learners in a classroom behind Chromebooks giving a thumbs up