Thursday, December 27, 2012

Using Google Forms and the Autocrat Google Apps Scripts to Provide Automated Individualized Feedback to Students

[Old Sheets]Using the combination of Google Forms and the Autocrat Google Apps Script, teachers can save hours of time and still provide quality feedback to your students.

Update March 2014
Google has just created Add ons  in Google Docs & Sheets which make installing and managing Autocrate easier. Here is the link to Jay Atwood's Autocrat add-on tutorial video.
 http://cloudlab.newvisions.org/add-ons/autocrat



My YouTube tutorial on how use Google Forms and 
the Autocrat Google Apps Script to
 create individualized feedback for students 





Create a Grading Scoring Guide using Google Forms.  You can set this up in variety of ways:  you can use standards based grading or use a numerical scale deciding how many points are assigned to each area you are evaluating.  

Google Apps Script is a JavaScript cloud scripting language that provides easy ways to automate tasks across Google products and third party services.


Using the Autocrat Google Apps Script created by +Andrew Stillman allows you to use the responses you placed in your Google Form to provide individualized feedback to your students on their assignments.
You must have the  e-mails/usernames of your students Google Apps for Education accounts.

In this instance, you will use the Autocrat Google Apps Script very much like an mail merge.  
Documents to create to before you begin
  • Your Scoring Guide/Rubric
  • Google Form version of your Scoring Guide/Rubric
  • The Google Document Feedback template that will be used to create the individualized Google Documents with the information populated from your Google form when you graded their assignment. 


Tips:
  • Provide your feedback in a different color than the rest of your document.  This is done by changing the text color in your Google Document Feedback template information fields.
  • Follow the formatting rules in the Autocrat process. Be sure to include the $ and  matching case exactly for the information fields.

Other resources about Google Apps Scripts:


Google Scripts for Edu Chat led by +Jennifer Magiera and +Jay Atwood  


Doctopus Demo and Questions led by +JR Ginex-Orinion 

+Andrew Stillman's Google Plus Page with his multiple posts about his many Google Apps Scripts

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Downstage Center Podcast- From The American Theatre Wing (The Tonys)


Go in-depth with the leading artists and professionals working on stage today when you go Downstage Center. Downstage Center is the American Theatre Wing's acclaimed weekly theatrical interview program that spotlights the creative talents on Broadway, Off-Broadway, across the country and around the world, with in-depth conversations that simply can't be found anywhere else. 

I am enthralled by these fascinating conversations. 

http://americantheatrewing.org/downstagecenter/

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

2012 Survey of Theatre Education in US High Schools- Teaching Theatre Magazine


The Educational Theatre Association and Utah State University partnered to conduct a survey assessing the state of theatre arts education in United States high schools.   This month's Teaching Theatre Magazine is devoted to the results of the the survey. 
Please click the link below to view the digital copy of Teaching Theatre.
http://mydigimag.rrd.com/publication/?i=134642


Sunday, November 11, 2012

Check out Kevin Brookhouser's YouTube video about Dramatic Irony in "The Scottish Play"



Kevin Brookhouser is a English teacher in California.  He is a Google Certified Teacher and  Google Apps for Education Certified Trainer.

Read his blog- http://www.iteachithink.com/
Follow him on Twitter- http://www.twitter.com/brookhouser

Be sure to watch and share Kevin's newest video project- Writing Felonies.
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGRQac668LQNnRJ7srM9YVnTxlXLGCFas

Thank you Kevin for all you inspiring ideas for teachers and students.

TechCruch's post about YouTube video questions
http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/20/youtube-video-questions-editor/
Join the YouTube video questions beta
http://www.youtube.com/video_questions_beta


Friday, November 2, 2012

Dear Photograph Website- A resources for helping actors understand creating memories.

Dear Photograph website by Taylor Jones 

Mashable- 'Dear Photograph' Turns 1, Spawns Book, Prepares for App Launch | Dear Photograph | Scoop.it

I find as a Theatre teacher working with high school age actors, one of the hardest challenges is helping student create memories for their characters.  Our students sometimes don't have that life experience to have a full understanding of what they need to portray on stage.

I came across the Dear Photograph website and I found it moving and touching. It provides such a strong visual representation of  memory and emotion.  It could be a great place for student actors to go to for inspiration for their character past.  

An example, a student playing Tom in Glass Menagerie 

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Recording of HAO with Bob and Marti Fowler of Practical Technical Theatre DVD series




Please take a moment to watch this Google Hangout on Air I had with Bob & Marti Fowler of the  Practical Technical Theatre DVD Series.  They share insights about their two newest DVDS- Costuming for the Theatre & Careers in Theatre.

For more information please go to
http://www.interactiveeducationalvideo.com/

Here are the full clips with audio that we featured in the Google Hangout on Air:

Careers in Theatre Preview


Costuming for Theatre Preview


Complete Series Preview


Saturday, October 13, 2012

Google Cultural Institute - Anne Frank Exhibit

The Diary of Anne Frank holds a special place in my heart as Theatre artist.  It was the very first scene I ever directed, during my senior year of high school. I visited the Anne Frank  House on a school tour of Europe when I was a senior in high school.  I directed The Diary of Anne Frank at my school during  my second year of teaching. There is so much hope, fear, tragedy, and essence of the  human spirit in the play and diary.

The Google Cultural Institute gives students detailed views of primary source artifacts about some of the most significant people and events of the 20th century.  

Google Cultural Institute states, "We have created this site to provide a visually rich and interactive online experience for telling cultural stories in new ways. Discover exhibits by expert curators, find artifacts, view photographs, read original manuscripts, watch videos, and more."

Google Cultural Institute- Anne Frank

Screen Capture of Anne Frank Google Cultural Institute Exhibit 
How to use the Google Cultural Institute


Thank you to the Edreach Network for sharing this resource on their show Google Educast- Google Educast #68- This link starts where the Google Cultural Institute is discussed

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

My Google Teacher Academy Application Video #GTAMTV- 2012



I want my #GTAMTV!  Fingers Crossed! Thank you again to Melissa Tackett. It is not often we get to hear our impact on students. 

Richard Robichaux at 2012 EdTA Conference- Moving Keynote



Need your batteries recharged!  Watch this inspiring keynote from the 2012 Educational Theatre Association from Richard Robichaux. 

Richard Robichaux website- www.richardrobichaux.com/

National Coalition for CORE ARTS Standards- live update at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, October 3.

NCCAS

Join in on the next live NCCAS update on the next generation arts standard at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, October 3. Links to this live stream, along with an interactive blog for questions and comments, can be found on the NCCAS home page at 





Wednesday, September 26, 2012

2011-12 Educational Theatre Association- Utah State University Survey of Theatre Education in United States High Schools

The 2011-12 Educational Theatre Association-
Utah State University Survey of Theatre Education 
in United States High Schools, by Dr. Matt Omasta


 Education Theatre Association 
2012 Keynote Streamed Keynote




Educational Theatre Associations Website

Monday, September 24, 2012

The Next Generation Arts Standards Project- Educational Theatre Association Streamed Keynote

The Next Generation of Arts Standards Project-
 Education Theatre Association 
2012 Keynote Streamed Keynote


Educational Theatre Association 
website

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Casting Director Marci Liroff- Practical Advice for Our Students

Marci Liroff is a veteran casting director, located in Los Angeles, who has cast everything from E.T to Freaky Friday to Mr. Popper's Penguins  and so much more.  She is a casting director who has embraced the world of social media and is committed to helping actors put their best foot forward for auditions.

These two videos are great resources to share with your students, she touches on things we have all said to our students.  Be unique, bring yourself to the role, be professional, and  how to recover from a mistake. 

After watching this video, I found using my Roku player.  I realized that growth of social media has transformed the casting world.   Be sure to check out her website and blog for practical tips for actors on how to navigate in new landscape of social media and the casting process. 

Casting Director Marci Liroff on Filmnut




#140conference NYC 2011- Social Media and the Casting Director




Marci's Website http://www.marciliroff.com/site/
Marci's Blog http://marciliroff.blogspot.com/
Get Marci's Audition Bootcamp DVD http://www.marciliroff.com/site/store
Follow Marci on Twitter http://twitter.com/marciliroff
Marci's Facebook Page-https://www.facebook.com/MarciLiroffFans

YouTube Creators HAO Workshop- Color Correction/Sound Mixing

YouTube Creators- Hangout on Air - Color Correction/Sound Mixing Workshop



Start the video at 5:45. 


Sunday, September 16, 2012

Educational Theatre Assocation to Livestream Keynotes Speeches from annual conference

Unable to attend the Education Theatre Association's conference , now you can participate in part of the conference.  

The Educational Theatre Association will video stream two keynote presentations from the EdTA Conference in San Diego. The two streamed events take place on Saturday, September 22, 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 PST, atnew.livestream.com/edta. Both presentations will include a live chat option that will enable the online audience to pose questions to the presenters. The 8:45 keynote marks the premiere public presentation of the 2011-12 Educational Theatre Association-Utah State University Survey of Theatre Education in United States High Schools, by Dr. Matt Omasta, the first such report since EdTA’s 1991 survey (PDF). The 11:15 presentation features an update on the Next Generation Standards Project by EdTA theatre writing team members and leadership of theNational Coalition for Core Standards (NCCAS). EdTA, along the with seven other national arts and education organizations that comprise NCCAS, are rewriting the landmark 1994 National Arts Education Standards.

For more info please follow the link:  
Educational Theatre Association to Live Stream Keynotes

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Basics of Editing HOA- YouTube Creators Workshop


Basics of Editing Hangout on Air YouTube Creaters Workshop




I use the The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Making with my Film Studies class.  

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Make Thespian Chapter Board Meetings Easier Using Google + Hangouts


So you are planning your Chapter Thespian Festival, your board members live in 4 different parts of the state or province.  You need to meet but you all have rehearsal and do not have the time to drive to meet together in one place.  Trying using Google+ Hangouts.  You can have up 10 people all meeting at the same time.

I recently participated in a planing meeting for EdCamp St. Louis using Google Hangouts.  It was quick and easy.

Some advice:
  • Turn your desktop speakers off and use headphones with microphones so you don't get the echo effect from your desktop speakers. 
  • Have ample lighting so other can see your face.(Have more light than just your laptop/tablet screen)
  • Careful of extraneous noises.  Hangout switches who is on the large screen based on sound.
  • If it is a new group of people who don't know each other have them install the lower 3rd app in Hangouts.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

YouTube Creators HOA: Recording Sound

YouTube Creators Hangouts On Air: Recording Sound
This is my favorite one so far. A lot of practical tips and advice.
Video starts at 8:26

Thursday, August 30, 2012

You Tube Creators- HOA Lighting Workshop

YouTube Creators- Hangout On Air Lighting Workshop




Workshop starts at 9:00 minutes in.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

135 Shots That Will Restore Your Faith in Cinema


135 Shots That Will Restore Your Faith in Cinema from Flavorwire on Vimeo.
http://www.flavorwire.com/?p=310079

Edited by Jason Bailey Music by Clint Mansell

Here is the link with that list all the films as they appear on screen.

135 Shots That Will Restore Your Faith In Cinema- Annotated 
https://vimeo.com/46697843

Thank you to flavorwire.com for posting and Jim Sill of http://mistersill.com for tweeting this link yesterday.  

What a impressive collection of clips.


Saturday, August 18, 2012

Advice/Resources for New Theatre & Film Teachers



I use Edmodo with my students and recently was logged into their Creative Arts teacher section.  I noticed there were multiple posts about teachers teaching Theatre and Film/Video/Media for the first time.  It inspired me to write this post. 

Words of Wisdom from one who has been in trenches-


  • Take care of your secretaries and custodians.  They are the unsung heroes of your school.  Offer them free tickets for your productions and  thank them in your program.
  • Learn the purchases order process of your district.  
  • Connect with other Theatre teachers and ask for advice and ideas.  Go to schooltheatre.org and look up who the chapter director for your state/providence for the Educational Theatre Association/Thespians. Contact them and see if there are festivals for students or teacher conference.  Attend these events.  
  • Plan for more than you think you will cover.  It is always easier to adjust than to stretch a lesson on the fly. 
  • Try  to find an hobby or interest outside of Theatre.  You need an outside interest, so you can recharge.
  • Take time to observe master teachers in your building.
  • It does get easier. 
Here are some helpful books and sites as you begin your journey.

Theatre Links
Film/Video/Media Studies Links
I wish everyone a great start to your first year of teaching.  It goes by fast.  I can't believe I am starting my 18th teaching. 

Please e-mail me with any questions nick@edtech4theatre.com 



Wednesday, August 15, 2012

YouTube Creators HOA- Directing Workshop

Here is the latest workshop from YouTube Creators.
Skip to 12:46 to start the actual workshop.



http://www.youtube.com/afi- Great resource mentioned in the workshop.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Drama Week at The New York Times- The Learning Network

The New York Times

















Photo by Niall Kennedy


This Week, The New York Times' The Learning Network focused on how all teachers can use  drama strategies in their classrooms using New York Times content and theatre techniques.

The Learning Network provides teaching and learning materials and ideas based on New York Times content. 

Thank you to Larry Ferlazzo for including this in his Google+ Feed.  You can check out his blog at http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Basics of Cinematography by YouTube Creators- Hangouts On Air

The Basics of Cinematography Workshop  


Visions of Light and Cinematographer's Style are two documentaries that give a detailed view of cinematography in the world of film. 


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Show Shirt Ordering Made Easy

When ever I do my Ed Tech workshops for teachers, I call this my 5 dollar ed tech tip.  Google Forms are  life savers.  Google Forms are always linked to a Google  Spreadsheet.  All the information entered into the Google Form will appear in the Google Spreadsheet.

I am starting my 18th year of teaching, which means I have overseen the ordering of over 50 different show shirts in my career.  Life became easier once I started using Google Forms, no more lost sheets of paper.  I simple copy the embed code or if your website is a Google Site just click insert and show shirt available to order.



You can also add more questions, if you needed to do an order for dance shoes and/or  make-up kits.

Another use for Google Forms creating a contact list for you productions.

You can also customize your confirmation message.  For this, one I reminded them the day the money was due.

Here is  links that can help you learn how to use forms.
http://edutraining.googleapps.com/Training-Home/module-4-docs/module-4-chapter-6

Please feel free to contact me if you need help.  nick@edtech4theatre.com

Monday, August 6, 2012

Theatre Folk- A 21st Century Play Publisher


Theatrefolk understands the needs of Theatre teachers in the 21st century.  Teachers are able to decide what format you would like the script- traditional book form or  a downloadable pdf file.  If you are producing the play then you can purchase the photocopy rights to distribute the script to the cast and crew.  You can read the play now, so you don't have to wait a week for it to be delivered. 

I appreciate that Theatrefolk has chosen secure pdf as file format so it can be read on different readers not just an i-Pad.  I encountered  this problem with another publisher this summer in selecting my fall show.  The playwright's website said read on your I-Pod, I-Pad or on your computer with I-Tunes.  I do not own any Apple products and was not able to read the play after I had bought it.

Theatrefolk offers more than just scripts, but other resources for Theatre teachers.  Ever thought about teaching playwriting, they have two new resources that will help student create original scripts.  

Theatrefolk also is very adept at using social media on their website they have a blog with videos, a new podcast, and free stuff.  Be sure to check them out.  

If you are organizing a Thespian Festival or a Theatre teacher conference,  Theatrefolk presents great workshops that help teachers and students explore the playwriting process.

Theatrefolk Website
Follow Theatrefolk on Twitter

Saturday, August 4, 2012

The Power of Theatre- ArtsEdge Videos

ARTSEDGE The Power of Theatre Video 




The Kennedy Center instituted ARTSEDGE in 1996 as its educational media arm, reaching out to schools, communities, individuals and families with printed materials, classroom support and Internet technologies.
Check out their website ARTSEDGE.  They offer many different resources for teachers of the arts.




Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Use Google Forms for Workshop Evaluations at Thespian Festivals

Create a Google Form to get feedback from your Chapter Festival Workshops.  Use an url shorter, like http://goo.gl and then create a QR code to link them to the Google Form.  Include the QR Code in the workshop signage and on a laminated card for the presenter to pass around for attendees scan with their mobile devices. You can create Forms that would cover the whole conference, each separate session or each individual workshop. All the data collected is place in to a Google Spreadsheet and you can use various tools included in Google spreadsheets to analyze your data.


QR Code for the Google Form below


Sunday, July 29, 2012

My Google Teacher Academy Application Video

Please check out my Google Teacher Academy Application Video.  Google Apps for Education has so many resources to offer to teachers.  Please be sure to visit their education page at


Friday, July 27, 2012

Educational Theatre Association- Find out about a great organization

Watch this informative video about a great organization.  I have been part about of EdTA for over 20 years once as Thespian and now as Theatre & Film teacher. 


Check them out at schooltheatre.org


The Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) is a national nonprofit organization with approximately 90,000 student and professional members. EdTA’s mission is shaping lives through theatre education by: honoring student achievement in theatre and enriching their theatre education experience; supporting teachers by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition; and influencing public opinion that theatre education is essential and builds life skills. EdTA operates the International Thespian Society (ITS), an honorary organization that has inducted more than two million theatre students since its founding in 1929. EdTA also publishes Dramatics, a monthly magazine for high school theatre students, and Teaching Theatre, a quarterly journal for theatre education professionals.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

YouTube Creators 2nd Workshop- Pre-Visualization and Storyboarding

This is the 2nd workshop presented by YouTube Creators. This workshop focuses on the video production process.  
They give some nice pointers.  At 31:00 minutes, there are some technical difficulties and it ends abruptly. Watch for posts about some pre-production tools soon.


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Symbaloo Web Mix from my I-Create Web Camp

Here is my Symbaloo Web Mix from my I-Create Web Camp I taught earlier this summer.  Have fun enjoying these web tools that allow you and your students to be creative.  Psykopaint was the favorite tool of the campers. 

Sunday, July 22, 2012

YouTube Creators Hangout Video- Product Overview



Here is the Hangout On Air from the first in the series presented by YouTube Creators.  This Hangout On Air give an overview of creating and using a YouTube channel to share your videos with your audience.  This Wednesday July 25 they will start covering the pre-production process-Pre-visualization and Storyboarding  add to calendar


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

YouTube Creator Blog: Upcoming educational workshops on Google Plus

YouTube Creator Blog: Upcoming educational workshops on Google Plus: We’re excited to tell you about upcoming workshops that will be on Google Plus Hangouts on Air every week until the beginning of October.

These look to be very helpful to any Theatre and Film teacher who teaches the video production process. 


Thanks to Jim Sill @mistersill for tweeting about this series of workshops.  Jim Sill has a lot of great resources on his website-Mr. Sill's Website you should check out. 


Full schedule below:
Pre-Production
Production Post-Production
  • Sept 19, 2012: Finishing: Color Correction, Sound Mixing (add to calendar)




Thursday, July 5, 2012

Using Wordmark.it to select a font for your posters and programs

Over the years, I have installed many freeware/shareware programs to help me preview fonts.  I even have a 3 inch binder somewhere that has printed font examples.  I do not know how many times I have highlighted  text in Microsoft Word and kept on switch font one by one to figure out what font to use.

I find font choice so important when creating a poster and program for a show.  The font you choose can convey what the show is about and hopefully entice audience members to attend.





Wordmark.it is a website that allows you to preview the fonts that are installed on the computer you are using to access the website.  The toolbar at the top of pages gives you many variables to help you select the right font for your poster and programs. The center box is where you can type customized text such as your show title.  You can preview the font adjusting the following variables: positive or negative space, all caps, all lowercase, a mix of capital and lowercase letters, and font size.  You can narrow down the fonts you are interested in using the filter.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Amazing Improv Generator App


Matt Lundlam from LudlamDramatics.com has developed a new app that is available in the Apple App Store as well as the Google Play (Android) Market. It is only 99 cents. 

It includes 250 Character, 250 Place and 250 Event descriptions that are randomized to help create a situation for your students to improv. You can add to and edit the list of descriptions. 

Those of you attending the Thespian Festival this week, stop by check it out in the Lied Center.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

The Play, The Playwright, and Your Scene: Using Google Docs, Sites, and YouTube

Theatre teachers search far and wide to find Ed Tech webinars focused specifically on Theatre.  I was so excited when Google hosted their Education On Air Day this past April using Google +'s Hangouts On Air.  






The webinar focused on a creative approach to research of playwrights that students had performed in class.   This project of researching the playwright, then creating a scene featuring the playwright as a character.  In the scene, the students would weave in the research that they had completed about the playwright.   Links are listed below:  
Thank to Google for included this in their Education on Air day. 

Monday, June 25, 2012

Using Tagxedo for Show Posters or Script Analysis


Some of you may have seen Wordle.com used to create world clouds, well Tagxedo.com  blows Wordle out of the water.  
It is gives you great amount of flexibility.  Here are some ways you could use Tagxedo in a Theatre or Film Class
  •  Upload a script into Tagxedo and see what words and themes start to appear. 
  • Create the back of a show shirt with your ensemble members names in a shape that relates to your production.   
    • i.e. a trombone for "The Music Man
 Follow this Google Docs link to see 101 Ways to use Tagxedo.

TAGXEDO Logo example using the text from my blog posts.



Lincoln Bound to International Thespian Festival!




It time to put on make up!  It time to light the lights! 
It's time to play the music 
It's time to light the lights 
It's time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight.
It's time to put on makeup 
It's time to dress up right 
It's time to raise the curtain on the Muppet Show tonight. 
Why do we always come here 
I guess we'll never know 
It's like a kind of torture 
To have to watch the show 
And now let's get things started 
Why don't you get things started 
It's time to get things started 
On the most sensational inspirational celebrational Muppetational 
This is what we call the Muppet Show! 

Composers: Samuel H. ("Sam") Pottle (ASCAP) and James M. ("Jim") Henson (ASCAP)


I feel the Muppets have summed up this upcoming week at the Thespian Festival  and what I would like to do with blog.  Check back often to see all the new posts that will start appearing throughout the week and after the Festival. 

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Be Infectious

It is my goal for the blog to provide a place for Theatre, Film, and other teachers to find EdTech tools and ideas to inspire their students to be creative and learn. 
This video seemed to be the perfect way to start this adventure.  
Be Inspiring, Be Infectious, Be Creative! 
Come join me on this adventure!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Welcome to my blog Ed Tech 4 Theatre.  This is a blog in which I hope to share educational technology ideas and resources for Theatre & Film teachers.  Stay tuned...