I am sure you have seen the Google logo be alterated in the past, maybe it was on Valentine's Day or celebrating a famous artist's birthday (Bob Ross).
A Doodle is simply a fun way to celebrate holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Below the pictures showing a bit of information about Doodles (including how to vote for future Doodles) you will see an embedded 1 minute and 56 second YouTube tutorial.
GeoGuessr drops a player into a random location and challenges them to find out where they are using only visible clues.
As you can see from the screenshots below, players can play as a single player or challenge mode. The best part (I think) is that you can select if you would like the places to be famous, in the United States, European Stadiums, etc.
Below you will see an embedded 1 minute and 3 second YouTube video showing you what the site looks like.
If you would like to play a quick game of tic-tac-toe, simply type it in a Google search and the game is embedded in the search (even works on your phone).
Below you will see an embedded 27 second YouTube video showing you what the game looks like. I actually won when playing in this demo - kind of fun!
If you have ever searched for images in Google you know that not all images are labeled for reuse. A simple trick to find images to use is below (example is searching for baseball images).
1. Search baseball in Google
2. Select images
3. Select tools
4. Select usage rights
5. Check labeled for reuse
Below you will see an embedded GIF followed by a 35 second YouTube video.
If you would like to filter results in a Google search to a specific file type simply type in what you are researching and then a colon and the file type you are looking for.
Example = researching The Liberty Bell and would like PowerPoint presentations
Liberty Bell:ppt
Embedded below is a 26 second YouTube tutorial.
If you would like to set up a game of Bingo - use Flippity.net's Bingo.
The example that they use is a great one - States and Capitals. In this way - the teacher can call out the capital and the students have to put their Bingo chip on the state.
The one thing to keep in mind is that you will need at least 25 terms (24 with a free space).
Below is an embedded 2 minute and 54 second YouTube tutorial.
If you have ever wanted to remove results from Wikipedia in a Google search when researching the Revolutionary, simply type in...
Revolutionary War -Wikipedia
The same goes for when your students are looking up dolphins but want to remove all information dealing with the football team (Miami Dolphins), type in...
If you would like to block explicit content in a Google search - turn on SafeSearch. While it is not 100% accurate, it will help to avoid most violent and adult content.
If you need to flip a coin - try typing in "Flip coin" in a Google search.
Instantly a coin will be flipped for you. Takes the, "he/she 's cheating" out of it! Below you will see a GIF followed by the same video on YouTube with audio.
Last week Google announced that users could add video files directly into Google Slides from their Google Drive account. Previously users had to use either YouTube or had to search by a URL.
Embedded below you will see a 1 minute and 50 second tutorial on how to insert a video directly into Google Slides followed by step-by-step directions.
If you have a video file that has not been uploaded to Google Drive please log onto your Google Drive account and select New > File Upload > Videos
When you have uploaded your files you will then need to create a new Slide. Once you have created your new Slide simply follow these directions.
Select Insert > Video > Google Drive > Search for your video > Select Video > Insert
Once you select your video select video options by right clicking. You can then edit the length of video and if it plays automatically and if audio is included.
If you would like to add text, pictures, music, etc. to you your YouTube videos you can do so using video editor in YouTube.
Video editor is available by selecting the up arrow in the upper right corner of YouTube.
Then select video editor
That will take you to your videos and you can edit from there. Below you will see a brief 1 minute and 38 second intro to video editor followed by a 4 minute video tutorial that is more detailed.
YouTube has a nice and easy feature built into it that allows you to quickly create slideshows.
To get started simply select the Upload arrow button button on the right side and then select Photo slideshow (see screenshot below).
Once you have added your desired photos (I strongly recommend using Google Photos - but you can upload from file(s) on your computer), you can add desired music and then upload.
Below you will see an embedded 1 minute and 55 second YouTube video with step-by-step directions.
With Valentine's Day a few days away the topic of the heart came up here at my home with my 7 and 4 year old. We took a look at The Human Heart through some games sites. Take a look at the embedded 1 minute and 10 second video below.
** Just an FYI that some of the links have advertising on them - just so you know. I discuss that for a bit in the video.
Two of the most enjoyable moments in my career came when a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to have my class video conference with a Pro Football Hall of Famer (thanks Brooke Mulartrick). I of course said yes and my 4th grade classes were able to connect with two Pro Football Hall of Famers - one with Dave Robinson (former Packer and Redskins linebacker) and the other with Bart Starr (former Packers quarterback). Below you will see a picture I took of Bart Starr (not the best quality).
This was all made available through the Pro Football Hall of Fame program called "Heart of a Hall of Famer". This program allows classes to connect with Hall of Famers and virtually and hear what it takes to be a success on and off the field with a focus on the values of: Commitment, Integrity, Courage, Respect and Excellence.
There are two more Hall of Famers scheduled - Steve Largent (March 1st) and Eric Dickerson (April 18th).
To sign up for the events please click here (you will be taken to Heart of a Hall of Famer website). On the site you will see how to register, sample lesson, as well as archived programs on their YouTube channel.
If you would like a fun website for kids to check out - take a look at Highlights for Kids. The sites offers elementary -aged students fun games, appropriate jokes, activities like glow in the dark bowling, and a great question and answer section.
Embedded below you will see a 1 minute and 5 second YouTube video showing you what the site looks like.
With a nice snow storm on its way - I thought this would be a fun and needed math site to practice operations while building a snowman. The site Operation Snowman is a fun site to try!
Take a look at the embedded 43 second YouTube video below.
Google Forms is an amazing feature in Google that allows the user to create surveys or quizzes/tests for free. If you would like to take a sample 3 question graded quiz please click here.
In a school setting, the information/data it provides you and your students with is absolutely amazing - especially now with the quiz feature.
Embedded below is a 6 minute and 33 second YouTube video that walks you through how to create aform, add questions, add sections, as well as include videos and pictures.
The embedded 4 minute and 58 second YouTube video below shows you how to make your form into a quiz that will be graded, edit point values, what individual tests look like, and how to release the test to the student who filled out the form.
Embedded below is a 39 second YouTube video on the ways to send your form to be filled out by others.
Below you will see and embedded 29 second YouTube video on how to see all responses in a spreadsheet.
Finally, the other day I was asked if there is a way for a form to have choices eliminated once it was chosen. The answer is yes. The Add-on is Choice Eliminator 2 and an embedded 2 minute and 30 second YouTube video.
Many of us use Facetime to connect with others around the globe to video chat. A number of issues come up - especially when the operating systems are different.
A quick an easy solution is to use the app Google Duo. The app allows you to video call across platforms. You can even preview the the incoming call before answering.
The embedded 45 second YouTube video below shows you what Duo looks like.
Revision history in Google is one of the most amazing features in Google. Since documents in Drive never need saving, any edit you make is automatically saved. Revision history allows you the ability to go back in time and grab any version of your document that you would like to. Pretty amazing! Plus it is a great lesson to teach your students or children - even if something is deleted - it can be found and see who wrote it!
Embedded below are two YouTube videos. the first one is a 44 second video followed by a more detailed 1 minute and 55 second video followed by a written description about revision history.
Revision History is available by selecting the following:
File > See Revision History
You will then be taken to the whole history of your document and be able to revert back to a previous edition.
Be sure to select show more detailed revisions at the bottom right corner of your document.
When you select the time you would like to go back to (make sure to select the blue restore this version).
If you share your document, you will also be able to see exactly what each user has edited on the doc. Each user has a different colored text displayed in the revision history.
Below you will see see a snapshot of what the revision history shows with the timeline and then what it looks like when selected. See how one text is purple and the other is green?
Revision history in Google is one of the most amazing features in Google. Since documents in Drive never need saving, any edit you make is automatically saved. Revision history allows you the ability to go back in time and grab any version of your document that you would like to. Pretty amazing! Plus it is a great lesson to teach your students or children - even if something is deleted - it can be found and see who wrote it!
Revision History is available by selecting the following:
File > See Revision History
You will then be taken to the whole history of your document and be able to revert back to a previous edition.
Be sure to select show more detailed revisions at the bottom right corner of your document.
When you select the time you would like to go back to (make sure to select the blue restore this version).
If you share your document, you will also be able to see exactly what each user has edited on the doc. Each user has a different colored text displayed in the revision history. Any questions, please let me know! Brad
If you are looking to do a little bit of research about what books to buy for a classroom, grandchildren, or your own children - I strongly recommend The Scholastic Store. The site does a great job of showing you what is trending, what is the best of the season; as well as the ability to search by genre, age, grade level, and lexile level.
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 9 second YouTube video showing you what the site looks like.
One of the great features in Google Classroom is the fact that you can create an announcement, post, etc. and send it to multiple classes that you have created.
Embedded below is a 51 second YouTube video on how to do this followed by step-by-step directions beneath the video.
When you have the post the way you would like it - simply select the class next to where it says For (under announcement)
Then, select the classes that you would like to share the same information with.
You can also send specific posts to individuals in an individual class by selecting All Students and then selecting the specific students you want to send the post to.
If your print in your Outlook e-mail looks abnormally tiny like what you see below or your print size on your screen is small - the problem is usually caused by two fingers on your touch-pad at once. See the GIF below to see what I am talking about.
Embedded below is a 24 second YouTube video tutorial I created if in Outlook and want to change your text size.
Select New E-mail
Select Format Text (4th option over across from File)
Click inside the body of your e-mail.
Select Zoom (far top right)
Zoom to your desired percentage.
A big thank you to Chris Lloyd for showing me the cause and solution to this problem yesterday!
Hope you have a nice day!
Brad
