10 tips for making the most of BYOD and working online

1) Use Moodle to access class resources and activities

• Work with your teacher to put all of the class resources and activities on Moodle
• Have a smartphone? download the MyMoodle app for free
• If your teacher has a smartphone they can use MyMoodle to quickly upload voice and video recordings of demonstrations and/or lectures

2) Create an online exercise book with Google Docs

• Create a document for each class and 'share' it with your teacher so they can give feedback
• Talk to your teacher about how to name your document as they will have lots of documents being shared with them. Including your name, subject, option and teacher code is a good idea e.g. Jill Blogs 10 English Opt C (Am)
• If you are likely to write a lot for one subject you could create a separate doc for each topic and keep them all as a 'collection', you can then 'share' the collection with your teacher. Check with your teacher!

3) Create a portfolio with Google Sites

• For published work and assessments you could create a Google Site, either one for a subject with a page for each topics, task or project or a Google Site for each task (especially if you are doing your task in a group) -You can embed documents, videos, voice recordings, pictures and PPTs (Google presentations)
• You can use the 'announcements' page template if you need a blog - great for any kind of reflective journal or learning diary etc.
• You can then share this with your teacher for marking
• Check with you teacher first, check naming protocols so your teacher can find your work.
• You could even publish your work to your class (make it public and ask your teacher to provide a link from Moodle)

4) Create an online folder of web resources with www.livebinder.com

• This is a virtual folder tool. Create an account and organise resources, notes or any resources found on the Internet urn Subject and topic dividers - this is REALLY handy for online research.

5) Create/co-construct an online text book using wiki-educator

• Other schools and classes are starting to co-construct their own textbooks on Wikieducator. Check out some online text books created by Albany Senior High School teachers and students here: http://wikieducator.org/English/ASHS_Year_12_-_The_Hunger_Games

• Could your class do this? Talk to your teacher first!

6) Manage your time with a Google calendar

• You can create a calendar to record all of your upcoming assessments and events. You can even create separate school, sport and social calendars that you can also access on your smart phone. Check out some ideas and instructions here: Google Calendar Help
• You could work with your teacher to create a class calendar that they 'share' with entire class, this will then be available to combine with your own Google Calendar.
• You can set up text alerts for upcoming events using Google Calendar as well: Customize your notifications help

7) Put your mobile phone to good use

• Remember you can record your voice; take photos and record videos on most mobile phones. You could use these to photograph notes on the board, record a summary of your lesson, record homework, task instructions, record and practice speeches and presentations.
• Remember to never record, photograph or video other people (or their work) without their permission first.
• Even if you have permission to record, photograph or video someone or something, you should NEVER post or share recordings, photographs or videos without their specific permission to do so.

8) Create a FaceBook group for your class or study buddies!

• A closed FaceBook group is a safe way to create a school group on a social network.
• You could create a group for your class, or ask your teacher to set one up.
• Make sure all members have their accounts set to private, that way no one can see your personal information.
• Set up protocols and rules for your group e.g. posts should be related to school only
• Encourage your teacher to post links to updated resources or activities on your Moodle pages (or assign a student to do this).

9) Create an online portfolio using MyPortfolio

• You can create an online portfolio account by going to http://myportfolio.school.nz/
• You could use MyPortfolio to gather evidence of your learning over consecutive years
• You could use MyPortfolio to complete your Goal Setting and share the Goal Setting page with your tutor teacher.
• You can also use MyPortfolio to write and share your Curriculum Vitae
• You can even take your MyPortfolio account to university with you!
• Check out some helpful tutorials here:

Edit your profile
Add a journal
Find a friend
Create a page
Copy a page
Create a group

10) Use Twitter hashtags to have class related discussions

• Rather than following your teachers and classmates on twitter, you can have class related topics by using hash tags, Simply come up with a unique hash tag for your class e.g. #10English_Am and then you can search and contribute to discussions by using that hash tag in your comments
• Learn more about hashtags here: https://support.twitter.com/articles/49309-what-are-hashtags-symbols