Shapegrams!

Goal: Be able to design images online.

Some of you are looking at this going "No. Freakin'. Way.  I'm fine with finding graphics online.  Plenty good enough!"

What if I told you that 3rd graders are able to create their own images online?  Really, they are!  Wanna know how?

Tony Vincent (read more about him here!) created Shapegrams.  You may have heard of Google Drawings before since it's part of GSuite, but have yet to use it.

(Created by Tony, Shapegram Style!)

Enter Shapegrams!  Tony created an engaging and simple program that guides users through step by step instruction on each of the tools offered in Google Drawings.  More than that, the videos that accompany his direction make it possible for anyone to stop and start their way to completion. 

Each Shapegram has three elements - video and hints, drawing space, and an extension activity.  All of these are perfectly laid out on the Google Drawings canvas.  And... Tony has graciously offered the first four Shapegrams completely free!  (Want more once you start? Membership is worth it!)

Back to 3rd grade.  They're still in the phase of tech where they're practicing drag-and-drop.  Pretty basic.  Check out their first attempt at Shapegrams:

Not bad for first timers!  The image on the left is Tony's original image that the kids are to recreate.  It takes practice for sure, and is a great way to reinforce the drag-and-drop skill for 3rd grade!

As you become more experienced, you learn how to change line styles, border thickness, and a plethora of other helpful tips to allow us regular folk to create our own graphics!

Fangirl Friday: Tony Vincent

Tony Vincent.

He.  Is. Awesome.

Considering Tony had a 1:1 classroom 18 years ago, way back in 2001, I consider him one of the founders of the #EdTech movement.

A recent Instagram post -
click HERE for the details!

Back in 2001, Palm Pilot's were all the rage, and when they found their way into the education world, Tony was right there to jump in.  And while a lot of details are sketchy, cause it was so long ago, and I had just come out of student teaching, I love that I can say that Tony worked with my old school back in the day, helping to integrate 1:1 with our 4th and 5th grades!

Back then we were using AlphaSmarts and eMates.   Tony worked with the school to help integrate the dana, which was similar to an AlphaSmart but with Palm capabilities.  Tony did workshops with the students and teachers, helping them learn all the tips and tricks and uses for the 1:1 tech.  From there, it seems, things just took off and Tony hasn't looked back!

Tony offers online workshops (I took Classy Graphics a few summers back - it was awesome!) and is very active on Instagram and Twitter.  I highly suggest following him, as you'll get his Tech Tip Tuesday, which has been a great resource for adding little tech-bytes to your classroom!  He has shared so many great tips and tools that are now a regular part of my repertoire.

He is also an infographic master!  His infographics are so clear and easy to follow.  Add to that the webinars, and mini-videos he posts on his social media accounts and you will have access to some awesome bite sized PD!

Swing on over to Learning In Hand with Tony Vincent - you'll be glad you did!

A brief video from a few years
back - chock full of tips!