The Commons

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David Cantler Instructional Technology Coach/Director
Technology Integration Specialist
Northampton Public Schools
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I really love the idea of using Book Creator for student portfolios.  You would need a subscription to Book Creator, but there is so much you can do in terms of adding text, video, audio, images (as well as creating your own images).  Students can collaborate (or not) and add to their portfolio throughout the year, or many years.  I think the possibilities are endless!  A link to portfolios can be shared with others (families) to view.

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Katie Gallagher Technology Director/Coordinator/Specialist
Innovative Learning Specialist
Gunnison Watershed School District Re1j
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-12-2023 14:02
From: David Cantler
Subject: Dojo Digital Portfolio Replacement

Trying to find a digital portfolio option: Tech hesitant 3rd-grade teacher has loved Class Dojo for kids sending work home independently. As a district we adopted ParentSquare and are trying to avoid caregivers signing up for multiple platforms. The teacher refuses to do any management of the video taking or sending after the initial teaching. Any suggestions?

 

I tried:

-Flipgrid: individual video links would need to be sent home and she won't do that - has to be simpler

-ParentSquare: she doesn't want to manage taking pictures on an ipad or personal phone and sending them home. there is no way for students to do this

-Google slides: I thought maybe make and share a Google slide at the start of the year and then keep adding work to that. This is doable for pictures but I can't find a way to record videos into g slides that doesn't cost AND is simple enough for 3rd grade to do themselves

-Seesaw: Ideally I'd like to NOT have families signing back up for another communication tool, plus there is no money for this.

-Dojo: Maybe we just go back to this - but the whole idea is to reduce the places to look

ParentSquare just doesn't fill this gap yet.

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David Cantler Instructional Technology Coach/Director
Technology Integration Specialist
Northampton Public Schools
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You can use the free version of Book Creator but there is a limit to the number of books (40?)  Fortunately, afterwards you can either delete the books or combine into one book and still have plenty to use.  Only a few of the features are paid (maps, emojis...) but anyone can search for images, write text, audio or video record, backgrounds, etc...  Super easy to use.  Lots of examples on their site and I have personally used with 1st -3rd graders.  Very intuitive program and students love.  Careful to not let students add last name if sharing to the web for publishing due to privacy.  Links can be sent to parents or they can be printed.

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Lindy Wicks
Technology Coach
Granville Elementary School
Granville, Ohio
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-13-2023 10:59
From: Katie Gallagher
Subject: Dojo Digital Portfolio Replacement

I really love the idea of using Book Creator for student portfolios.  You would need a subscription to Book Creator, but there is so much you can do in terms of adding text, video, audio, images (as well as creating your own images).  Students can collaborate (or not) and add to their portfolio throughout the year, or many years.  I think the possibilities are endless!  A link to portfolios can be shared with others (families) to view.

------------------------------
Katie Gallagher Technology Director/Coordinator/Specialist
Innovative Learning Specialist
Gunnison Watershed School District Re1j

Original Message:
Sent: 09-12-2023 14:02
From: David Cantler
Subject: Dojo Digital Portfolio Replacement

Trying to find a digital portfolio option: Tech hesitant 3rd-grade teacher has loved Class Dojo for kids sending work home independently. As a district we adopted ParentSquare and are trying to avoid caregivers signing up for multiple platforms. The teacher refuses to do any management of the video taking or sending after the initial teaching. Any suggestions?

 

I tried:

-Flipgrid: individual video links would need to be sent home and she won't do that - has to be simpler

-ParentSquare: she doesn't want to manage taking pictures on an ipad or personal phone and sending them home. there is no way for students to do this

-Google slides: I thought maybe make and share a Google slide at the start of the year and then keep adding work to that. This is doable for pictures but I can't find a way to record videos into g slides that doesn't cost AND is simple enough for 3rd grade to do themselves

-Seesaw: Ideally I'd like to NOT have families signing back up for another communication tool, plus there is no money for this.

-Dojo: Maybe we just go back to this - but the whole idea is to reduce the places to look

ParentSquare just doesn't fill this gap yet.

------------------------------
David Cantler Instructional Technology Coach/Director
Technology Integration Specialist
Northampton Public Schools
------------------------------