A Guide to Using Microsoft Programs
Dearest fellow educators! Hope everyone is hanging in there with distance learning. It’s officially been 6 weeks since we started my school! As a sequel to my initial blog post, I’m sharing a series of successful distance learning tools in my high school math virtual classroom. Today, I want to introduce a neat way of organizing class lesson plans and resources for students and parents (and myself). Simply put: I use ‘Microsoft Sway’ for links to important websites and general information, and I use ‘Microsoft Excel Sheet’ for our Masterclass link.
Using Office 365
For some context, our school has a good percentage of international students from China who have limited access to google websites. Hence, I experimented with alternative sites that are accessible to students both local and abroad. Office 365 has been awesome for this unique situation. I’m using the ‘Microsoft Excel’ for my Masterclass schedule, and ‘Microsoft Sway’ for our class website. A week before starting school, every teacher was required to send the class syllabus to each student via email. However, I decided to add some love and send students our class website that not only contained our class syllabus but also a personal welcome message to our students and parents.
Click here to view our class website made through ‘Microsoft Sway’.
Access the class syllabi here:
In an attempt to foster personal connection, I made the website with the intention to update more photos and letters to students and their parents/guardians throughout the year. Students and guardians will have easy access to important information such as, class zoom links, class syllabi, and the Masterclass schedule link.
Masterclass Link Using Microsoft Excel Sheet
I’d argue that the first most important link in my class (after the class zoom link, of course) is the Masterclass link. Teachers dread hearing the countless times they are asked, “Where can I find … assignment? Or … link?” I’ve made it easy for me and for them by creating ONE Masterclass link where they can find the link to every single lesson, assignment, and assessment. For about 90% of the questions my students ask me where so-and-so link/doc is, my answer to them is: “Check the Masterclass link.” Now some of you may wonder, “Why is it called the Masterclass link?” Its function may seem incoherent with the word’s dictionary meaning. Well, the word ‘masterclass’ according to the Urban Dictionary (aka high school lingo), means “the best” or “the greatest”, so it makes sense to them :)
Click here to view our class’ Masterclass link for Geometry
Click here to view our class’ Masterclass link for Algebra 1
I’ve linked both Masterclass links above. Once you see it, it’s pretty self-explanatory. It’s like students have their own math calendar where they can see the agenda for each day in advance. You are welcome to copy-paste the sheet to use as a template :)
Next Blog Post
Preview: How I do visual class notes (Digital Binder Notes) using OneNote instead of ELMO. (tip: get WACOM, #notsponsored)
Written by Co-Autor Priscilla Kim