Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Want to have a live poll in your Google Slide presentation? Try Poll Everywhere

Poll Everywhere is a great site to use to have your presentation be interactive all while you are gaining some data.

If you click here  you will be taken to the extension which will allow you to access the site quickly.

In the 3 minute and 58 second (4 minute) video embedded below you will see another extension Tab Resize which allows you to have multiple screens running at one time.

Underneath of that is a short 1 minute and 4 second video showing how the extension is built into Slides so you can add your poll with one click.




Any questions, please let me know.
Brad

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

How to find files in Google Drive

If you are in need of finding a file (or files) in Google Drive quickly - look at the top of your Google Drive and you will see a Search Drive bar. You can search by file name, user name, as well as many other possibilities.

Below you will see an embedded 39 second YouTube video showing how to search your Drive.


As always, any questions please let me know!
Brad

Monday, November 28, 2016

Try switching from editing in a Google Doc to suggesting

If you are ever working with someone on a Google Doc (or if you are editing your own work) - try using the suggesting mode in a Google Doc. What I like about it is that you (and whoever else is working on the Doc) can see the original work as well as what was suggested. If you like the suggestion you just click the check - if you do not you select the x.

Take a look below at the 49 second embedded YouTube video below to see how it looks.


Any questions, please let me know!
Brad

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Google Keep - so much more than just note taking

If you are in need of a site that you can quickly and easily add notes, lists, photos, audio and store them neatly across all devices - try Google Keep (there is even an extension).

If you click here it will take you to a nice article summing up what Google Keep is capable of.

Below you will see an embedded YouTube video I created showing how to use Google Keep.



Any questions, let me know!
Brad



Saturday, November 26, 2016

Want to create (or your child) make a computer? Code games, art, and music - try Kano.me

If you are interested in creating your own computer - try Kano.me. As of right now - the kit is around $99. You will need a monitor as well (can buy one through the site or go to the thrift store and buy for a bit less money.

Check out their video below.


Enjoy!
Brad

Friday, November 25, 2016

Want an awesome STEM/STEAM project delivered to your door? Try Kiwi Crate

Kiwi Crate  offers amazing delivered to your door STEM projects that get the creating juices flowing. Not only are the directions easy to follow - they come with video directions as well.

My 7 year old daughter Sydney has been creating these projects for a few months now and is so excited for the new projects to come in the mail. She has created her projects (we use Tinker Crate )  with the help/guidance of parents and grandparents.

  1. An automaton that moves three wooden balls up steps using a crank.
  2. A mechanical hand 
  3. Using fiber optics to create stars
Kiwi Crate offers age appropriate projects for ages 
  • 0-2 (Cricket Crate) 
  • 3-4 (Koala Crate) 
  • 5-8 (Kiwi Crate)
  • 9-16 (Doodle Crate) - art and design
  • 9-16 (Tinker Crate)
Image Source

You can follow them on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Any questions - let me know!
Brad

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Have questions while using Google Drive? Try the G-Suite Training extension

If you use G-Suite and have questions while you are working in Google Drive (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, etc) - try using the G-Suite Training Extension to help guide and answer your questions.

In order to add the extension - please see the 1 minute and 13 second embedded YouTube video.



Take a look at the embedded 1 minute and 39 second YouTube video below for how the extension looks on your computer. Included in this video is a 37 second video on how to create an average of data in a sheet.


Any questions - let me know!
Brad

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Announcify! - great Chrome extension for listening to an article on the web

Announcify! is a great tool for users to listen to an article written on the web. What I really like about it is that the extension will grey-out everything but the one paragraph that is being read aloud to you.

Take a look at the embedded 52 second YouTube video below.

A big thanks to Layla Lyons for showing me this awesome extension!


Any questions let me know!
Brad

Monday, November 21, 2016

Translate a Google Form to another language

If you have a Form that you would like to translate to another language simply follow these instructions.

1. Right click in the form
2. Select translate Translate to English
3. Choose the language you would like it to be translate to.

I have an embedded YouTube video below.


Any questions - let me know!
Brad

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Change background and screen timeout settings

If you would like to change the background on your Windows 10 machine as well as change the amount of time until your computer goes in to sleep mode - please watch this 1 minute and 21 second embedded YouTube video below.


Any questions, please let me know.
Thanks!
Brad

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Change default printer on Windows 10

If you would like to change your default printer on a Windows 10 machine - please watch the 38 second embedded YouTube video below.


Any questions - please let me know.

Thanks,
Brad

Friday, November 18, 2016

Research is back on Google Docs - for G-Suite users!

For those of you who were bummed that they could no longer use the Research button (under Tools) in Docs to cite pictures, quotes, etc - it is back!

Take a look at the 30 second embedded YouTube video below to see how to use this awesome feature.


Any questions - let me know!
Brad

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Why did the cow cross the road? Where do Turkeys go to dance?

To get to the UDDER side!!                              And the Butterball!

If jokes, riddles, games, and magic is something you enjoy and want to pass on to others - check out Funology.

The site does a nice job of providing you with everything from jokes and riddles to recipes, magic, and crafts.

With this site being a free site - it does have a number of advertisements - one time an ad for a dating service came up. So - just be careful if you are going to project this site in your classroom or at home.

Embedded below is a 1 minute YouTube video I created to show you what the site looks like.


Get those kids laughing!
Brad

Words With Friends EDU

If you would like to enrich your students' or your child's vocabulary using a game - try Words With Friends EDU. It is fully COPPA compliant as students can only play with other players in their classroom.

Below you will see a 1 minute and 30 second video I created to show you what the site looks like.


Enjoy playing!
Brad


Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Windows 10 - 2 minute video

For those of you upgrading to Windows 10 I have embedded a short two minute YouTube video below to point out a few quick items.

One nice feature is when you select Fn F10 - it will light up your keyboard so it is easier to type in times the light is poor.


If you have any questions - please let me know!
Brad

Monday, November 14, 2016

Want to put a line through information in a Google Doc - try Strikethrough

If you have ever created a list of items, or have some information you want to keep but want to show it is no longer needed, try using strikethrough.

Highlight the text you would like to put a line through
Go to Format
Select Strikethrough

Below you will see a 25 second video on YouTube.


Any questions please let me know! Have a great day   Have an awesome day!
Brad

Sunday, November 13, 2016

Interview an elder (aunt, uncle, grandparents, etc.) over Thanksgiving - use the StoryCorps app

StoryCorps is an app that gives people the chance to record interviews of people to record their bits of advice, wisdom, funny memories, etc.

The Great Thanksgiving Listen 2016 is geared more towards students who are in high school - but could certainly be done with younger students (as long as they have a family members' permission to run the app).

If you are interested - there is a teacher's toolkit available by clicking here.

The app does a nice job of getting you ready for the interview (some pre-set questions already set, walks you through the interview, etc.)

I would recommend (especially if you are thinking of using this with children under 13) to try this out on your own first and see what the app is capable of and then using as you see fit.

Embedded below is a short 1 minute 18 second YouTube video showing you what the app looks like followed by a nice video with 5 interview tips by NPR's Steve Inskeep (host of NPR's morning edition).

This post was inspired by Richard Byrne's post earlier this week - check it out here.









Saturday, November 12, 2016

How to export your bookmarks in Google Chrome

If you ever need to export your bookmarks in Google Chrome (maybe you are getting a new computer - or upgrading to Windows 10) - watch the 50 second video that my 7 year old daughter (Sydney) and I put together.


Any questions - let Sydney know!

Thanks!
Brad

Friday, November 11, 2016

Want a nice way to see all your favorite websites? Try Symbaloo

Symbaloo is a great free way to store all of your favorite sites and bookmarks. It is very simple to use and in fact you can search Symbaloo for other users' symbaloo page (you just can not change the page if you copied it).

There is a lot you can do - but if you watch the video below - it will give you a start!



If you have any questions, please let me know.
Brad

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Like to type on your computer in the dark? Try Fn F10 - Backlit Keyboard on Dell Latitudes

At the district where I teach we use Dell Latitude notebooks. A nice feature on the "newer" machines is the ability to have keyboard lights behind the keys (known as Backlit Light).

This is extremely useful when working in an area that is darker.


Any questions please let me know!
Brad

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Chalk.com - great site if looking for a great gradebook

If you have been looking for a free on-line gradebook - www.chalk.com is an option worth looking in to.

A number of teachers in and out of the District in which I teach have enjoyed the ease of use of the site as well as the support in case they have a question.

Below I have created a 5 minute tutorial on how to get your class(es) up and running. 


Chalk.com also offers a plan book as well - but this purely focuses in on the gradebook. 

Any questions, please let me know.

Thanks,
Brad

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

How to edit or add a signature to your e-mail in Outlook

Below is a 51 second YouTube video showing how to edit or add a signature to your e-mail in Outlook.


The steps are as follows:
1. Select File
2. Options
3. Mail
4. Signatures
5. Type in your signature
6. Click ok

Any questions - please let me know!
Brad

Monday, November 7, 2016

Simple to use and free gradebook - Learnboost.com

Teachers using Engrade accounts for a free grade book will no longer being able to access their free grade book after December 31st, 2016,

I posted over this summer about Learnboost.com being an option and a number of teachers have used it and state how easy it is to use. 

Below you will see an embedded 4 minute video on how to use Learnboost. If you have any questions, please let me know.


Thanks!
Brad

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Book recommendations (as well as movies,TV shows, etc) for girls - Amightygirl.com

If you are looking for a great website to gear you to some recommendations for books, TV shows, movies, etc. - check out http://www.amightygirl.com/.

Below is a 42 second video showing what the site looks like.

Any questions, please let me know!
Brad

Saturday, November 5, 2016

Amazing website for BOYS and READING - www.guysread.com

If you know any guys out there (reluctant or not) and need a website to help list authors and books geared towards boys - check out www.guysread.com 

Below are two screenshots from the site followed by a short 1 minute YouTube video below.

Image Source


Image Source


Take care!
Brad


Friday, November 4, 2016

On Chrome and accidentally close a Tab? Try command shift T

If you close out of a Tab by mistake - Command Shift T will bring that Tab right back up!

Check out the embedded 15 second YouTube video below.


Have a nice weekend!
Brad

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Remember to turn on that Chromebook at least once every 2 weeks so it will be updated

Just a nice reminder out there to turn on your personal (or District issued) Chromebook at least once every two weeks so it will get the updates it needs. The update will take place in the background and you will not need to do a thing.

This will keep your Chromebook working to potential.

Click here for a nice short overview on Chromebooks.

Image Source
As always, any questions please let me know.
Brad

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Check your date on your iPad if it will not update properly

Just a quick post about today.

A faculty member where I teach was having issues updating her iPad. It kept telling her that the iPad could not be updated at the present time.

If you ever run in to this issue - check to be sure the date is correct on your iPad. Once we put in the correct date - it updated perfectly.

Have a great day!
Brad

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Want a "Post-it" style note on a webpage? Try the extension Note Anywhere

If you would like to create a Post-it style note on a particular website - try using the extension Note Anywhere.

Note Anywhere will enable you to post reminders on almost all websites. The one site I found only stayed on for a few hours was ESPN as the main/lead story changed. Just something to look out for.

Embedded below you will see a 1 minute and 28 second YouTube video explaining how to use the extension.

Thank you to Richard Byrne for his post about this great extension.


Any questions - please let me know.
Brad