Instructables

In one of the various blogs, flyers, websites I visited, I recently learned about this website which I would categorize as a "maker site" because it focuses on the student creating something.  I was initially drawn to it because of the Lego logo, and who doesn't love Lego?  I have two boys - ages 5 and 8 - so this is a Lego household, complete with Lego landmines strewn throughout the house.
The actual website is similar to Pinterest in that anyone can submit ideas for inclusion onto the website, but it has various categories.  Of particular interest to us will be the Instructables Education section.



Here is a highlight from each section to get you started:

Altoids Tin Pocket Abacus
Credit Card Machine Lino Printing
Make Your Own Silver
Tweeting Weather Station
Rubber Band Kazoo
Pringle Can Midi Drums
Arduino Claw Machine
Customizable Marble Machine
Pogo Stick

You can also search by grade span, or do a search.

Maker cultures focus on idea exploring, creation, and imagination as a hobby. This website would allow you to consider some ways to incorporate it into your class.

“You do have to try, learn, and improve. You do have to put yourself out there and risk failure. But in this new world, you don’t have to go bankrupt if you fail because you can fail small. You can innovate as a hobby. Imagine that: a nation of innovation hobbyists working to make their lives more meaningful and the world a better place. Welcome to the maker revolution.” ― Mark Hatch, The Maker Movement Manifesto: Rules for Innovation in the New World of Crafters, Hackers, and Tinkerers

Google Cast for Education

If you are familiar with Apple TV or similar products (Amazon Fire TV stick, Roku streaming stick, Chromecast), you may already realize that you can connect your phone or computer to your TV through these services in order to watch streaming video or show photos.  Being able to show the content from your screen becomes even more useful when the teacher can allow the students to show their screen on the Smartboard in a 1:1 environment.  This is now possible and extremely user-friendly with the Google Cast for Education extension.

To get started, you will use the Google Cast for Education extension with your laptop or chromebook, so add it here.  Once you add it, click on its green icon in your chrome browser at the top right-hand corner to open it.

When it opens, it will look like this:

It will ask you to name it, so I recommend giving it something that is simple for students to type in, such as your building and room number.  For example - MS101.  Notice that in the bottom left-hand corner, I named mine C&I.

Then it will ask you to share with certain people.  You can share with individuals, groups, or Google Classrooms.  That will allow you to instantly give permission to multiple students / users.

Once a student wants to cast to your window, they will use the same extension (Greg says he will add it for them), and then click the 3 dots (the kebab menu!) and choose "Cast" and a list will appear.

When the window pops up to "Cast to," they can type the name that you used, such as MS101 that I mentioned above.  Then it should come up for them to select.

Once a student is casting on your screen, it will look like the image below.

Notice that the person who is casting to your device is listed in the bottom center.  You can close them out by hitting the X at the top center.

If you want to see a video about how to use this, watch one here.

Many of us have experienced changing devices connected to a projector and the technical difficulties that can arise as a result.  This cast system can eliminate some of that heartache and create greater opportunities for students to share their work with the class in a 1:1 environment.  Test it out!