Going Paperless (for Teachers) with Kami

Here are the steps I recently went over with teachers during our workshop in getting ready to use Kami.  These steps are to help you put in place a system that replaces using paper and pencil for many teacher tasks.  This is how I manage using Kami with Google Drive; however, there are a couple different ways that you can use Kami and organize your files.

Step 1 - Log in to the Chrome Browser using your school account information.

• If you have assessments that you would like to use with Kami, make sure they are uploaded to your Google Drive or if a folder has been shared with you, make sure you add it to your 'My Drive."

Step 2 - Add a folder to your bookmarks bar.

• Learn how to show your bookmarks bar, add folders to it, and add websites to those folders.
• Don't forget to bookmark Kami!
• This is not neccessary, but will be a big help organizationally if you are toggling between a desktop and an iPad or other device.  
• Click here to see how to add the Booksmark bar to your screen across different platforms.

Step 3 - Go to https://www.kamiapp.com/ and create an account.

• Verify in the settings that you are automatically synced with Google Drive and that you 'install' the Chrome extension to your Chrome browser.

Step 4 - Open a file through Kami's website and bookmarking it.

• Here you will learn an organizational trick when it comes to using Kami for Assessment or other teacher purposes.

Step 5 - Opening a file and using Kami to annotate on an assessment or other document.

• Here you will learn what to do when you are assessing a student or using Kami with some other document.

Step 6 - Using Kami with an assessment that is given multiple times a year.  (Using the 'Make a Copy' Feature)

• Here you will learn a trick for those assessments that you give to all your students multiple times a year.  

Step 7 - Organizing your files in Google Drive.

• Here you will learn how to organize your files to make it easier to manage all the documents you will be creating.

Tips and Tricks - How to Create Your Own Checklists / Notetaking Tools to use with Kami.

How to Log into Chrome Browser

Logging into Chrome Browser is very helpful when working with sites that support Google Login.  If you are logged in to your Chrome Browser, when you visit a site that supports Google Login you will click the Google Sign-in button the first time and then be automatically signed in on your return visit.  Signing into your browser also helps sync your bookmarks across devices, which is really helpful when you work across two or more devices.  Here are the steps to follow....

For a desktop / laptop...

1. Open Chrome Browser.
2. Click on the 'People' button (to the left of the three dots).
3. Click 'Sign in to Chrome.'
4. Enter your username and password.  
5. Then, sign in.  Once you have done this, it will save your information for you.  You will not have to sign in each time you open the browser.  (If your organization has strict password requirements, you may need to periodically enter your password to verify that you are who you say you are).  
6. If you are using multiple devices and want to synce your bookmarks - make sure that you select 'turn sync on.'

For an iPad...

1. Open Chrome Browser.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner.
3. Click 'Settings.'
4. Enter your username and password.  
5. Then, sign in.  Once you have done this, it will save your information for you.  You will not have to sign in each time you open the browser.  (If your organization has strict password requirements, you may need to periodically enter your password to verify that you are who you say you are).  
6. If you are using multiple devices and want to synce your bookmarks - make sure that you select 'turn sync on.'

It's a good idea to be aware of what it means to sync your information.  See this post about the difference between signing in to Google, signing in to the Chrome Browser, and what it means to sync data across devices.

Finding Apps for iPads, Tablets, and Other Devices

As iPad's are beginning to be used more and more in schools, there has been interest in what apps are out there.  Here are some links to sites that act as directories of Apps....

• Groton District's "iPad's in Groton" site.
• Includes all links included in this post.
• Lists important information about iPad use in the district.
• Place to add Apps you find useful in your classroom.
• Able to see list of Apps used by teachers in Groton with room for Comments.
• Groton Apps Exploration
• List of Apps suggested by Groton Teachers.
• Groton Presentation on Apps
• Lists some apps and how they could be used in the classroom.

Apps Links (in ABC Order)

• Apps for Education Blog
• Lists of apps organized by content or use.
• Appictic - Some interesting webinars on how to use iPad's in the classroom.
• Lists of Apps by subject, Bloom's Taxonomy, SPED, Physical Education, etc.
• Webinars on how to use iPads in the classroom
• Common Sense Graphite - Good Resource!
• Requires login - can use Groton Google account to sign up.
• Searchable directory of apps reviewed by teachers.
• Able to find apps organized by Common Core standards.
• Can sign up for emails about new apps and or sites that can be used in the classroom.
• EASTCONN Assistive Technology Handout (PDF)
• PDF document of apps listing price and description of the app for grades 5-12.
• EdTechTeacher
• Find apps by mobile device or learning activity.
• "Edutopia: Mobile Devices for Learning - What You Need to Know" PDF Article
• Article about using mobile devices in the classroom.
• Gives some suggestions for some helpful apps.
• iPads in Education
• Site created to explore ways iPads and other devices can be used in Education. 
• Includes blogs, discussion posts, tutorials/videos, and lists of recommended apps.
• iPads 4 Teaching (from Kathy Shrock) - Good Resource!
• Lists activities and ideas for using iPads in the classroom.
• Includes lists of recommended apps.