The Shake Up Learning Show

In this interview, I’m chatting with tech specialist Nadine Gilkison. Nadine freely shares tons of online resources, templates, Hyperdocs, and more. Let’s take a deep dive into Nadine’s “Teaching Digitally Resource Guide for Teachers.” Her FREE resource guide has so many great ideas to help teachers and students with essential technology skills, thriving through remoteContinue Reading

In this episode and blog post, I am sharing asynchronous learning tips for teachers. As more and more teachers and students adapt to online and blended learning, let’s take a closer look at creating more meaningful asynchronous learning experiences. Every student doesn’t have to do the exact same thing at the exact same time. AsynchronousContinue Reading

Let’s talk digital badges with the experts: Cate Tolnai and Jen Gibson! Digital badges can help us engage students (even remote learners). Learn what digital badges are, when to use them, and how to implement them in your classroom. Yes, you can do this in your remote, online, or blended learning environment! These two creativeContinue Reading

Digital tools are part of everything I do throughout the day. I use so many online tools, gadgets, and software to do all the things I need to do. From productivity, to organizing my day–to podcast production and screencast videos–I need a LOT of different tools to keep Shake Up Learning running. In this postContinue Reading

Let’s talk about how to get Google Certified! Today, I’ll dig into what certifications there are, how to get them (and how hard it is), and what resources can help. If you’re interested in becoming a Google Certified Educator (level 1, level 2, trainer, innovator, or coach), this is the episode for you! And ifContinue Reading

As the role of the classroom teacher continues to evolve in this post-COVID world, it’s important to look at the future of online teaching. While I’m hopeful that the concurrent or hybrid model that is so common right now will not be a mainstay, I believe we will begin to see distinct roles for onlineContinue Reading

Google Drawings is a hidden treasure! In this post and episode, I will give you 20 Ways to Use Google Drawings in the Classroom. Let’s explore ways to tap into the 4 C’s and get students creating with Google Drawings. At first glance, it can be easy to dismiss the Google Drawing tool. It seemsContinue Reading

Student portfolios with Google Sites is a no-brainer! Student Portfolios are the epitome of Dynamic Blended Learning and going beyond the due date because they are never “done.” As students learn and grow throughout the year, new work is added to their portfolio to showcase their best work or to show growth over time. StudentContinue Reading

I can’t wait to share with you 8 Reasons to Love Blended Learning with Google, and give you a sneak peek into my new book! In part 3 of this 3-part podcast series, I will share with you the BEST takeaways, templates, lesson plans, remote learning tips, Google tips, ideas, and resources from the BlendedContinue Reading

More Blended Learning with Google! In part two of this podcast series, we will take a deep-dive into storytelling with Google tools and how we can use this strategy in any grade level or subject area. Storytelling might be my very favorite strategy for teachers because it is so flexible, engaging, and creative! And getContinue Reading

In part one of this podcast series, we will explore how Google tools can help us create Dynamic Blended Learning experiences. It’s not about Google, y’all! It’s about the learning. We are going to take a deep-dive into practical ways we can use the Dynamic Learning Framework with our favorite Google tools. As we allContinue Reading

Get FREE Google lesson plans for teachers and students from Google’s Applied Digital Skills resource center. These are super handy for teachers! These are ready-to-go, asynchronous lessons that will help your students gain future-ready skills. You will also find free teacher training, support for parents and guardians, free posters, and more! Let’s dig into thisContinue Reading

Feedback is a crucial part of the learning process, and Google Classroom gives teachers and students a lot of options. Today, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know about Google Classroom comments. With Google tools and Google Classroom, giving feedback on digital assignments has never been easier. The only question is,Continue Reading

This week, I’m chatting about Blended Learning best practices with the blended learning guru, Dr. Catlin Tucker. Catlin has written several books on the subject of Blended Learning, and she has been sharing many ideas to support teachers during this time of remote and hybrid learning. In this inspiring interview, Catlin and I chat aboutContinue Reading

One critical characteristic of Dynamic Learning is going Beyond the Walls! Go global and consider online publishing for all students. Every student should have the opportunity to publish their work and learning for a global audience! This will change the quality of their work and help them build a positive online presence. This episode andContinue Reading

It’s time to chat about Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Online Learning! With teachers learning so many new tools and strategies this year to facilitate remote learning, I thought it would be useful to discuss the idea of synchronous vs. asynchronous online learning. I’ve seen a lot of confusion about what these words mean, and I thinkContinue Reading

Education is undergoing a much-needed shakeup, and there are 5 Shifts We Need Now! I strive to remain as positive as possible, but I hit a boiling point, and I’m standing up for the teachers I know in love. While I can’t express every concern in this one article, I hope that this post willContinue Reading

Remote learning has sent teachers and schools into high gear! We are all trying to figure out what works. In this post, I’m going to show you 10 Google Tips for Remote Learning. This has never been done before, not like this, so cut yourself some slack. We are all learning together! Most schools haveContinue Reading

Flipgrid has become the go-to remote learning tool for teachers! When it comes to digital learning tools to support blended and remote learning, one tool has stood out above the rest in 2020, Flipgrid. In this interview episode with three AMAZING “Flipgridders” and educators, Ann, Jess, and Jornea, share how you can use Flipgrid toContinue Reading

Creating an engaging classroom is harder than ever in these post-COVID hybrid learning days. Joe and Kristin Merrill literally wrote the book on the subject, however, and they joined me to chat about their favorite tools and resources, what they are doing to keep the kids off the screen as much as possible, and differentContinue Reading

I talk about the wonders of Google Slides CONSTANTLY and frequently refer to it as the Swiss Army Knife of G Suite. It can do all kinds of things! In this post, I will show you 25 Things You Didn’t Know Google Slides Could Do. Since originally sharing this post in 2018, it has becomeContinue Reading

Google Classroom is more popular than ever. As schools switch to blended learning and remote learning models, educators need to know how to create Google Classroom blended learning lessons that are engaging and relevant for students! Lessons for blended learning have to be different than in-person activities translated to a digital space. Instead of justContinue Reading

So many of us are excitedly getting ready to head back-to-school for a new year—but things might look a little different. Many of us are starting back-to-school online. Luckily, there are ways to make your students feel connected during the back-to-school season, even if you can’t be physically together in the classroom! In today’s postContinue Reading

Around the U.S., teachers are gearing up for back to school–gathering ideas, planning lessons, and getting their classrooms (and virtual classrooms) ready for learning. Google tools can help you kick off the school year, get organized, and have some fun. So I thought now was a great time to share a few “back to school”Continue Reading

Delivering virtual or blended professional learning can be challenging. Today, I’m sharing Part 3 of my series on Blended PD. In Part 3 of this series on Blended Professional Development (PD), I’m sharing PD activity ideas, facilitation tips, and sample schedules. As we prepare for the new normal of remote and hybrid learning, let’s workContinue Reading

As most schools in the US prepare for the start of school online or in some blended format, it’s important to think specifically about teachers’ professional learning. I’m sharing Part 2 of my series on Blended PD. In this series, I’m sharing ideas for planning Blended PD, assessments, strategies, activities, and more. In Part 2,Continue Reading

As schools across the globe begin to plan for the new normal and redefine the school day and location, we must also rethink our professional learning plans for teachers and staff. I’m sharing a framework for Blended PD. No matter what you call it–blended PD, virtual PD, online PD, remote PD, or hybrid PD, weContinue Reading

Are You Ready to Become a Google Certified Trainer? One of the most common questions I receive is about how to become a Google Certified Trainer. More than ever, teachers and schools need well-qualified trainers to help them learn the ins and outs of G Suite and technology integration. Now could be your time toContinue Reading

Packaging your digital assignments is more important than ever! As schools transition to the new normal of virtual, online, and hybrid learning to combat the spread of the coronavirus, I thought it was time to update this post, add some remote learning tips, and a podcast! The term “digital assignment,” refers to the work youContinue Reading

Kelly Bell joins me to chat about Dynamic Learning Down Under and how she’s leading change at her school. Kelly is an instructional leader and health and PE educator from Australia. She has been working to implement the Dynamic Learning Framework and help teachers avoid burnout. Listen in as we chat about the changes schoolsContinue Reading

While this topic branches out more broadly for the Shake Up Learning listeners and readers, I want to use this platform to support the movement and to raise awareness and inspire action. I’ve asked Keisha Rembert, award-winning teacher and co-author of “Being an Anti-Racist Educator is a Verb,” to share her knowledge and advice forContinue Reading

In this post and podcast episode, I’m going to share 5 Chrome Extensions that Make Google Classroom Even More Awesome! Google Classroom + Chrome = Match Made in Heaven! As many of you know, I love me some Google Chrome, and I love Google Classroom. If you are a teacher using Google Classroom or otherContinue Reading

Online teaching is DIFFERENT! Let’s prepare for the new normal with some online teaching best practices, tips, and tools. In this episode, Kasey shares her best tips for teaching students online. COVID-19 has changed education forever, and now it’s time to regroup and redefine teaching and learning. We don’t know what school will look likeContinue Reading

Sink or swim, teachers and educators across the globe have clung to tools like Google Classroom and Google Meet to survive school closures and remote learning. Building capacity and increasing your Google skills is more important than ever. Google Certification changed my thinking, my career, and gave me the skills to teach and learn online.Continue Reading

Last week we explored the remote learning situation from the student’s perspectives. This week I’m chatting with a highly-respected leader and author. Evan Robb has been a building level principal for over 20 years, and he’s sharing what this time has been like from his perspective, and lessons learned from remote learning. We all knowContinue Reading

Leading from home through a crisis is a whole new beast. We, as educators and leaders, find ourselves leading from a very unexpected place. Home.  Good leaders step up and lead through hard times, and that’s exactly what I see happening every day. I have never been more proud to call myself a teacher. TeachersContinue Reading

Working and teaching from home is a whole new ballgame, but it is possible to do it productively. I’m sharing my best tips to help you work from home and get things done at the same time–everything from planning, eliminating distractions, prioritizing your to-do list, and my favorite hacks and strategies! This is a tryingContinue Reading

Christine Pinto and Jessica Twomey, two amazing kinder teachers, join me to discuss home learning strategies for primary students that ALL teachers can use. These awesome educators share amazing home learning strategies for primary students, and honestly, ANY teacher can learn from this episode.  This is a MUST-LISTEN episode for all teachers. Shoutout Laura SteinbrinkContinue Reading

Let’s get real, y’all! While the world is battling the coronavirus, teachers and schools are scrambling to figure out what this home learning thing looks like. I’ve put together 12 practical tips for remote learning during school closures. To be clear, this is about this particular crisis situation. These are not the same tips thatContinue Reading

As we all find new ways to teach and learn during this unprecedented time, I want to share how you approach home learning with choice boards during school closures. In this episode with classroom teacher, Laura Steinbrink, you will learn how she is using choice and flexibility to reach the needs of her students. LauraContinue Reading

With Google Docs more popular than ever in education, I thought I should share some of my favorite tips. I have 10 Google Docs Tips Every Teacher Should Know Over the years, I have shared a lot of Google tips. In this post, I’m pulling together ten posts with Google skills that every teacher shouldContinue Reading

Let’s face it, not every topic or subject is something intrinsically interesting to young learners. This is why I have a special on-air coaching episode for you with Debra Copeland and Rebekah Munoz.  Get ready to learn how you can start engaging students who aren’t interested in the content you’re presenting to them.  I wishContinue Reading

70+ Awesome Apps that Integrate with Google Classroom Check out this list of more than 70 Awesome Apps that Integrate with Google Classroom! Did you know that Google Classroom plays well with others? Yep! Google is known for making their applications open to working with third-party applications, and Google Classroom is no exception. I haveContinue Reading

Are you prepared for online learning if your school is closed for an extended period of time? In this special BONUS episode, you can prepare for coronavirus closures and get online learning tips for teachers and schools. Teachers and administrators listen up! In this candid interview, I chat with Jennifer Pearson, a tech coach whoContinue Reading

One of the biggest issues facing the learning community today is creating diverse and equitable educational practices, tools and strategies.  Ken Shelton has spent over 14 years working to create digital equity in our classrooms and speaking on why it matters. His extensive work at the policy level led to his appointment as the CaliforniaContinue Reading

If you’re a tech coach or instructional learning professional, you won’t want to miss this interview with Jim Knight.  Jim is sharing The Instructional Playbook he uses to create strong relationships between coaches and teachers and how professional development has changed over the years.  Taking on the role of a coach can mean different thingsContinue Reading

Accessibility is and should be a huge topic of discussion across multiple industries but especially in learning. I’m going to give you tips, tricks, and resources to help use Google accessibility tools to reach all learners. Google tools are loaded with features that help us differentiate and support ALL learners in our classrooms. In thisContinue Reading

It’s the first interview episode of the year y’all, and I have an amazing guest to share with you. Meet Carrie Baughcum, a special education teacher and author with a creative teaching style.  Carrie is one of the most creative teachers I know! I would love to be in her classroom! Learn how Carrie hasContinue Reading

Part 4 is finally here! Even when we love technology and Google tools, we have to remember that it’s NOT about Google. Our bottom line as educators is always about the learning and doing what’s best for students. In this 4-part podcast series on Dynamic Learning with Google, Kasey shares all her favorite lesson ideas! InContinue Reading

I love Google tools, but it’s NOT about Google! It’s about how we can use these tools to create dynamic learning experiences for our students. In this 4-part podcast series on Dynamic Learning with Google, Kasey shares all her favorite lesson ideas! In part three, Kasey explains how we can go BEYOND our curriculum andContinue Reading

It’s NOT about Google, y’all! It’s about the LEARNING! Ready to move the learning in your classroom from static, one-and-done activities, to more dynamic learning—Dynamic Learning with G Suite? This 4-part podcast series will show you how you can use G Suite tools to support dynamic learning experiences for your students! Let’s take a deep-diveContinue Reading

It’s NOT about Google, y’all! It’s about the LEARNING! Ready to move the learning in your classroom from static, one-and-done activities, to more dynamic learning—Dynamic Learning with G Suite? This 4-part podcast series will show you how you can use G Suite tools to support dynamic learning experiences for your students! Technology presents us withContinue Reading

Not every professional development book is made equal. A great book will focus on pedagogy first and provide you with actionable tips and valuable resources that guide you in making real changes in your classroom and curriculum. With that in mind, Kasey shares 6 books that will transform your classroom, as long as you takeContinue Reading

Google Keep is a fantastic and robust tool for teachers and students. In this blog post and podcast episode, I will share 25+ awesome ways to use Google Keep! Find out how to use this tool for notes, labeling, annotation, speech to text, feedback, and more! If you have never experienced the wonder that isContinue Reading

I chat a lot about Google Certification, but I haven’t taken a deep dive into it yet on the Shake Up Learning Show! Let’s talk about how to get Google Certified! Today, I’ll dig into what certifications there are, how to get them (and how hard it is), and what resources can help. If you’reContinue Reading

I get asked all the time to share more about my story and how I started Shake Up Learning. I’m an introvert, and sharing my personal story is difficult, but I firmly believe in the power of sharing your voice. Everyone has something unique to share, including YOU! Listen in to learn all about theContinue Reading

Coaching a coach is an exciting experience, but everyone has struggles that they need to mastermind one in a while. Alison Jalufka is a Learning Coach at an elementary school in her Central Texas school district. She started her teaching career in elementary education as a first-grade teacher and now has the opportunity to makeContinue Reading

Some math teachers struggle with integrating technology into the classroom. So, I enlisted the help of my friend and edtech expert, Craig Klement, to share 10+ Ways to Use Technology in the Math Classroom. Integrating technology in the math classroom can go far beyond substitution, digital worksheets, and simple quizzes. In this blog post andContinue Reading

In this blog post and podcast episode, you will learn 13 Tips to Organize Your Google Drive. Google Drive is the heart of G Suite. Google Drive allows you to store your files securely and access them from any device, as well as create, open, and edit your files. I have thousands of files storedContinue Reading

Google Classroom is a fantastic tool for teachers and students in the K12 classroom. But did you know, Google Classroom is also a great learning tool for adults, too? Today, I am going to share with you 15 Ways to Use Google Classroom in Professional Learning. I’ve touched on this idea over the years andContinue Reading

Whoa! Did I actually title this 100+ Ways to Use a Chromebook in the Classroom? Yes, I did! 100+ Ways to Use a Chromebook in the Classroom If you have Chromebooks in your classroom, you are going to love what the Chromebook App Hub has to offer–100+ Ways to Use a Chromebook in the Classroom.Continue Reading

The Tech Chef, Lisa Johnson, is on the show today! She discusses fantastic productivity tips and tools for teachers and students that she outlines in her new book Creatively Productive. (She even shares some cool templates!) With her love for creating time-saving practices and for helping students and teachers succeed in the digital world, sheContinue Reading

Book studies can be a great way for teachers to grow, connect, and learn together. There are many ways to facilitate professional book studies, so I decided to put together The Teacher’s Guide to Professional Book Studies to share some best practices. Teacher book studies can be impactful. They can also be painful with theContinue Reading

Today, I am going to share with you 9 Ways to Improve Student Writing with Google Docs! There are so many amazing digital tools that teachers can use to support writing in the classroom. As a former writing teacher, I can’t help but geek out a little at all the possibilities. But when it comesContinue Reading

Ready to rock the school year with some Google Classroom tips? Today, I am sharing 10 Google Classroom tips you didn’t know! In this blog post and podcast episode, you will learn insider Google Classroom tips that most teachers don’t know, as well as, a closer look at important Google Classroom updates to help youContinue Reading

On this episode, I welcome Jon Corippo, Chief Learning Officer at CUE, as we discuss how to use EduProtocols to save time and increase learning in your classroom. EduProtocols are classroom-tested customizable lessons for any subject or grade to break up clichéd lesson plans, build culture, and deliver content to K-12 students in a supportive,Continue Reading

In this video and podcast episode, I’m going to share with you a little-known secret–how to create drag and drop activities with Google Slides. My favorite G Suite tool is Google Slides, not because it is an easy-to-use presentation tool, but because it does so much more than just create presentations. I frequently refer toContinue Reading

It’s time for another on-air coaching session! My guest on this episode is Vicki Huepel, a high school science teacher from Montana, and member of the Shake Up Learning community, who is trying to create meaningful collaboration in the classroom. Listen in and we breakdown an entire lesson to see where it can be elevatedContinue Reading

Is Microsoft making a comeback in education? Today’s guest is the gadget guru herself Leslie Fisher. I brought Leslie to the show to answer the EdTech community’s biggest question, is Microsoft making a comeback in education? You won’t want to miss our chat about what’s new with Microsoft, and some of Leslie’s other favorite toolsContinue Reading

Today I’m talking with another amazing student guest about what she likes and dislikes in school. Ainsley McClard is going into the 7th grade next year and she chats about some amazing projects she’s been involved in, coding, art, innovation, what she thinks about the grading system, and why she started her own business! AinsleyContinue Reading

In this episode, I got to talk to Cate Tolnai and Lindsey Blass about their new book Power Up Your Classroom! They share their passion for gamifying the classroom with game-based learning and teaching through play. We discuss what types of classroom environments are appropriate for gamification and ways you can incorporate game-based learning today!Continue Reading

Today’s show is a little bit different y’all. I spent some time with 10 educators talking about 10 awesome ways to use Flipgrid in your classroom [LIVE from ISTE] at the Flipgrid booth. You won’t want to miss the big updates Flipgrid announced at ISTE that Adam “Short-Shorts” Goldberg shares! The educators that stood upContinue Reading

Today on the show I have Jaime Casap, Google’s Chief Education Evangelist and lead advocate of the problem-solving generation. Jaime credits his less-than opportune upbringing and his luck in education for his current position. He wants to share his “luck” with other students just like him so that this generation of students are best preparedContinue Reading

Are you a tech coach, instructional coach, or something in between? Maybe you dream of one day being a coach? Ready to learn the top 10 secrets of being an awesome tech coach? This episode is for YOU! Being a coach is no walk in the park, but I can help make it easier. ItContinue Reading

Yes, I know you REALLY want to know how to put your worksheet into Google Classroom!  But, let’s take a step back and take a deeper look at the purpose of your assignment, the power of G Suite, and how you can go BEYOND substitution and a static worksheet.  Get ready to stop asking howContinue Reading

Tune in today to learn more about The Learning Mixologist – #ISTE19 (FREE Preview) with Holly Clark. We first presented this information at FETC and the information provided is from both of our books and learning frameworks! Holly has been in education for over 20 years and is now working to spread the concept ofContinue Reading

Today, we are chatting about one of my favorite topics: Digital Differentiation with G Suite! Differentiation is a big buzzword in teaching, but it is often easier said than done. Let’s discover ways to use our favorite Google tools to level the playing field and make differentiation a reality in your classroom. This student-centered teachingContinue Reading

One of my favorite EdTech gurus is the Cool Cat Teacher herself, Vicki Davis. In this episode of The Shake Up Learning Show, Vicki shares some amazing classroom tips and ideas that ANY teacher can use. She shares lots of tips for project-based learning, using the “In-Flip,” method, and how she helps students discover theirContinue Reading

Students of all ages can podcast! In this post and podcast episode, you will learn How to Podcast with Your Students, what tools to use, and how easy it is to get started! Back in 2006, my students created a podcast, “Miss Bell’s Chime Time!” My students named the podcast, they wrote and performed theContinue Reading

Let’s explore how we can use podcasts for professional learning and get credit for it! In this episode and post, I’ll share some of my favorite educational podcasts, ideas for embedding podcasts in face-to-face PD, online learning, and how to give evidence to administrators. These days, we have all sorts of learning at our fingertips,Continue Reading

I’m excited for today’s conversation with one of my favorite edtech gurus! Tony Vincent, from Learning in Hand, shares many genius tips in this episode. He’s passionate about offering practical tools and strategies that you can implement right away, so he’s a perfect fit for the show. In case you’re not already familiar with him,Continue Reading

These days it’s easy to find fun and engaging activities for your students online. Heck, you may have even found something on this blog that sparked your interest. But just because you like the activity doesn’t mean that it will assess the skills you NEED to assess. Choosing a digital assessment strategy is not easy,Continue Reading

Chromebooks have transformed classrooms! But we have to find tools that will engage and inspire our students to be creative thinkers and innovators. This post and podcast episode was inspired by a resource I found from Google for Education. You can’t pass up the opportunity to share 60 AWESOME tools for Chromebooks! (Original source isContinue Reading

I have been a fan of choice boards (aka learning menus) since my first few years of teaching. I even shared some choice boards and ideas in my book, Shake Up Learning: Practical Ideas to Move Learning From Static to Dynamic. As a middle school language arts teacher, I began teaching the way I wasContinue Reading

Ready for our very first student interview? This is it! Today’s student guest is Camden, an amazing, high-achieving 10-year-old fifth grader at H.E. Bonner Elementary in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. Camden is one of those delightful students who loves learning new things. One of her favorite parts of going to school, in fact, is learning!Continue Reading

  We’re doing something different today! This episode features my very first on-air coaching guest, Jasmine Saab. Jasmine is a second-year fourth-grade teacher at Marrington Elementary School near Charleston, South Carolina. She loves integrating movement and technology from her classroom. Originally from California, Jasmine fills her time with a wide array of hobbies ranging fromContinue Reading

  Let’s talk about lesson planning. I know, I know, this isn’t the most exciting thing to talk about… but it’s so important! Since this is the last episode in my five-part series, I want you to be able to take everything you’ve learned so far and implement it in your classroom. And, to doContinue Reading

  Give your lessons a dynamic learning upgrade with my easy lesson plan makeovers for your classroom! If you’re not sure what dynamic learning is, I recommend going back and starting with episode 1 of the podcast. Click here to access the entire series. This is episode four of a five-part series on meaningful technologyContinue Reading

Listen Now … Ready to learn how to meaningfully and practically integrate technology into your classroom?! If so, you’re in the right place! This episode will explore the dynamic learning framework, and is part three of a five-part series on meaningful technology integration. (If you haven’t already listened to episode 1 and episode 2, IContinue Reading

  When you think of the four C’s, you probably think of diamonds… but did you know they have a place in education, too? Creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking are a foundational component of dynamic learning. In fact, I even like to call them the superfoods of learning! If this is the first timeContinue Reading

Listen Now   What’s shakin’ y’all? Welcome to the very first episode of the Shake Up Learning Show, where we’ll dig into integrating technology into the classroom, growing as a leader, refining your instructional strategies, and transforming your classroom! Each episode of this new podcast will be packed full of practical ideas, insights, and theContinue Reading