Thinking Visually with Omar Lopez

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Closes January 15, 2018

Episode 12

http://aced.tech/12

Guest Star

Omar Lopez

• Teacher - Irene Garcia Middle School - La Joya ISD
• 8th grade Science
• Previously taught 7th and 8th grade ELA as well
• Avid Sketchnoter
• Graphic Recorder 
• Twitter: @OmarLopez0207

G Sweet Ideas

Google for Educations Updates
Google Updates and Tech News will now be in a separate episode at the beginning of the month.

• Two of the Admin Console ways to receive notifications will are gone.
• https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2018/12/admin-console-notification-changes.html
• The Gmail Offline App or Addon will not longer work. Gmail will now work automatically by enabling it on the gmail settings under offline. However for G Suite users, it needs to be enabled via the Admin console.
• https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2018/09/gmail-offline-chrome-app.html
• According to 9to5Google, Google hangouts will be upgraded to Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet. Some people use slackr, but if you use G Suite for education, try Hangouts chat first.
• https://9to5google.com/2018/12/02/google-hangouts-shutting-down/
• Also, Smart Reply for Hangouts Chat is now available.
• https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2018/12/save-time-with-smart-reply-in-hangouts-chat.html
• You can now create and manage web apps though the admin console.
• https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2018/12/create-manage-web-apps-in-g-suite.html
• Better group management in G Suite Admin console
• https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2018/12/better-group-management-in-g-suite.html
• The Google Cloud Platform and Firebase will replace the Realtime API used in collaborative apps.
• https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2017/11/committed-to-storage-apis-retiring.html
• Tools for migration and sync tools ending support for Win XP and Server 2003
• https://gsuiteupdates.googleblog.com/2018/11/g-suite-data-migration-and-sync-tools.html

Ad Break

• Avid Sketchnoter & Graphic Recorder 
• Twitter: @OmarLopez0207
• Aced.Tech/Privacy

ACEd Topic

Topic

• Visual Thinking = Thinking Visually
• Hope to spark or reaffirm interest in thinking visually.
• Goal of educators: find the best way to help students learn

Intro

• Asking others to visualize is natural - almost automatic!
• Putting ideas into a visual - Thinking Visually or Visual Thinking
• Popularity of Sketchnoting or Visual thinking products?

II. What is Visual Thinking?

• Visual thinking is a way of conveying something complex – a concept or a process – in a way that is easy to see and understand - others or self.
• It’s a way of seeing words as a series of images, pictures or symbols. 
• Doesn’t have to be an illustration. 
• Example: Annotated article - highlighted, symbols, underlined words, notes to the side
• Don’t have to be an artist to be a visual thinker!
• Quote: “Visual thinking does not mean replacing the word “car” with a drawing of a car. And being a good visual thinker has absolutely nothing to do with your ability to draw. ” 

III. Benefits of Thinking Visually

• Target different learning styles
• Auditory learners listen and draw key ideas
• Helps with spatial awareness
• Kinesthetic - gallery walk
• Hands on or tactile -  Ex: using Legos 
• Especially helpful for English Language Learners (ELLs)
• Studies support it drawing as a cognitive learning practice 
• It’s easy to do - drawn map vs written directions!
• Students take ownership
• Visual information is processed more quickly than text.
• Improve retention of information and deeper understanding
• There is no wrong way of doing it

IV. Tools

• Analog - Common inexpensive way - more accessible
• Colored pens markers and paper
• Favorite Personal tool: iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
• Devices in school
• As an educator and for student use: 
• Google Slides and Spark Post - same username
• Icon add-on on Slides
• Easy to insert what they see in their heads
• Less time consuming
• Collaboration
• Initially - strict and specific parameters
• Tailored and prescriptive objectives
• As Students progress more freedom is given
• Focused visuals help with STAAR writing - 
• Deeper development of ideas
• Supporting DETAILS
• Flow and coherence

Beyond EdTech

• According to Venturebeat, Google Duplex is rolling out to Pixel phone users.
• https://venturebeat.com/2018/11/21/googles-duplex-is-rolling-out-to-pixel-owners-heres-how-it-works/
• According to Google, Project Fi is now just Google Fi. No longer a project. And is now available to more including iPhone.
• https://blog.google/products/project-fi/bringing-google-fi-more-people-android-and-ios/
• According to Venturebeat, another exploit found by Google on google plus pushing the shutdown earlier from August to April.
• https://venturebeat.com/2018/12/14/probeat-google-plus-better-off-shut-down/
• According to Windows Central, Microsoft will abandon Microsoft Edge browser for Google’s open source Chromium browser
• https://www.windowscentral.com/what-is-chromium-microsoft-edge

ACEd Apps

Review Previous Apps

• SPARK POST
• Great for creating visuals of ideas or concepts.
• Experts to Novice
• Readily available templates “to remix”
• Suggested styles
• Easy to share across multiple platforms - social media and Google Classroom
• Spark for Education - Sample lessons
• Check out https://spark.adobe.com/edu/ for teacher resources.
• Many final products
• Students can create and shore projects for almost everything
• Self Expression
• Vocabulary
• Explanation of Concept
• Persuasive Ads
• Real World connection
• Club and organization use
• Use icons and images
• Font style allows for clearer message
• Web Based or App
• Spark Post works perfectly on Chromebooks - good for schools!
• Is it available on iOS? - These two (2) apps are also available in iOS for free!
• Navigation menus is slightly different in iOS than web based!

Aces High

• View previous apps on aced.tech/apps and change it to 2018 only.

Vote for Aces High App

Closes January 15, 2018

Google’s Best Apps of 2018

• Under the best game category is PUBG Mobile
• https://play.google.com/store/apps/editorial_collection/promotion_topic_bestof2018_bestofgames_tp
• And under the Best app category is Drops: Learn 31 new languages
• https://play.google.com/store/apps/editorial_collection/promotion_topic_bestof2018_bestofapps_tp

Postal Flip Call Out

• How do you use sketch-noting?

Announcements

• Ads
• Thanks to my supporters for making this show possible. If you want to become a patron, visit http://aced.tech/Sponsor