What is it? Desmos Activity Builder allows you to create interactive digital activities then watch students work in real-time. You can create slides with a question prompt or task and assign the activity (slide deck) to your students by creating a Desmos Class.  Desmos Activities are a math teacher favorite because you can build graphing tasks with ...

What is it? Screencasting is the process of recording what is on your computer screen, which often includes a voiceover.  Why use it? You can use screencasts to create instructional videos or tutorials by, for example, recording yourself talking through a Google Slideshow. Or have students create screencasts to explain a process, walk through their ...

Extensions are software programs that enable users to customize the Chrome browsing experience. Click below to learn more about Extensions (helper programs) Add-ons (additional features for specific google applications) and our Shakopee Bookmarks button. Chrome and Google Application Add-Ons Add-ons must be pre-approved by technology in order to ins...

What is it? Smore is a tool that allows staff to create beautiful, interactive, and multimedia-rich newsletters to send to students and families. Because we have a district-wide license for all staff, you can also create templates and shared folders to increase collaboration and consistency. Click here to see an example of a Smore newsletter. Why us...

Flip no longer available: Flip is currently only available to use inside Microsoft Teams. The iOS app and Canvas Integration have been disabled. What is Flip? Flip is a video-based reflection tool. It allows you to create a class called a Group. Once you have a Group, you can create prompts called topics. Students respond to topics via video. It can...

What is Toby? Toby is a way to manage and organize your browser tabs for quick and easy access to frequently visited websites. Organize your tabs, organize your life!  Why is Toby great tool? Reducing open tabs in Chrome minimizes clutter, increases productivity, and helps your computer run faster. Toby is a great alternative to using bookmarks beca...

What are Canvas Sections? Canvas Sections are lists of students that can be used to assign assignments, quizzes, and discussions. Why use Sections? Because you can create your own Sections in your course, you could create a list of students that get accommodations for their tests and/or assignments. This allows you to quickly assign content to a sub...

What are graphics? Graphics are images that use the power of images to create a memorable impression. An infographic is an image that combines pictures, text, and data to create a memorable and easy to understand summary of a topic. Why have students create graphics? Our brains were made for processing images, and there is a lot of evidence that lea...

What is it? Adobe Express (formerly Spark) is an incredible creation tool that is very easy for both students and teachers to use. Adobe Express is also a web-based creation tool allowing students to create graphics, web pages, and videos. If you've used Adobe Spark tools before, Adobe Express combines Page, Post, and Video into one website.  If you...

What are Groups? Canvas Groups are a means to creating groups for collaborative work in long-term projects. Students are given a workspace that is almost like a mini-course that they can add files to, create Pages in, and it also lets them submit an assignment as a group. They are best used for long-term collaborative projects as they do take some t...

What are module requirements? You can require students to complete the defined requirements within the module before the module will be marked complete. You can require students to complete all requirements in the module, or have them choose one item to fulfill a specific requirement. Why use module requirements? You might want students to work thro...

What is QuickTime Player? QuickTime Player is the default media player for video files on MacBooks. More importantly, QuickTime can be used to record audio, video, and screen recordings. It can be used by staff of all grade levels as long as your have a MacBook. High School students can also use it on their MacBooks. Why use QuickTime? QuickTime is ...

Overview Loom is screen recording software for Mac and PC. On Mac, Loom requires microphone, camera, and screen recording access. Follow directions below to install and grant access. Use your Shakopee Google Account to login and you should have the Loom for Education account automatically. If you notice that your account has time limits on your vide...

What is it? Collaborations are a quick way for an instructor to create Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides and share them with student Groups. Documents created in Collaborations are automatically shared with the students in a group and the instructor without the need for creating an Assignment or typing in email addresses to share via Drive. Why use it...