Made with Code from Google is an amazing site that is geared to encourage a passion in all people, but especially to teen girls. I have a 7 year old daughter who truly enjoys coding and would love to keep this passion sky high! In fact they even include a 5 page pdf that explains "Why coding is kind of a big deal".
The site contains multiple projects that the students can code with as well as partner projects and other coding events.
Embedded below is a 2 minute and 55 second YouTube video I created showing what the site looks like as well as how to start dancing with Yeti!
If you would like to translate select words in a Google Sheet follow the GIF below, watch the embedded 2 minute and 19 second YouTube tutorial I created, or follow the directions at the bottom. Pretty cool to see the languages translated so quickly. Click here for a link to the website I reference that includes the language codes.
Directions
Enter in a set of terms in Column A with the language at the top (English)
In column B type in another language (Spanish)
In B3 type in =GOOGLETRANSLATE(A3,"en","es")
You will then see your terms translated from English to Spanish.
Go to the bottom right-hand corner of the term that has been translated and see when the + sign appears.
Drag the + sign straight down and you will see your set of terms instantly translated.
If you are interested in creating your own classroom in Google Classroom you will need to click on the + in the upper right corner and select Create Class.
At this time you will then need to submit a request to Google (you will be prompted).
It took less than 24 hours and I received confirmation in an e-mail.
When you go create your first class you will have to check that you read and understand that you will not be using Google Classroom at a school with students.
NEWSELA contains "free leveled news, primary sources, and more, with standards-aligned formative assessments." The site is very easy to sign-up for a teacher account (allows for creating through Google) as well as for creating a class for your students (Google Classroom). Below is a screenshot of what the main page and article looks like on a desktop
Embedded beneath is a 4 minute and 6 second tutorial showing you what the site looks like as well as how to sign up your class and assign articles for them to read. I also show you how you can print the article and quizzes on paper if you like.
Below you will be able to see Newsela's library that you can search through.
The screenshot below shows you the ability to search the news through different categories.
The final screenshot show you text sets.
In the future, I will be creating many more posts regarding this amazing site. If you have any questions, I will answer them as best I can.
So I am able to add more fonts in my Google Docs? In the immortal words of Phineas from Phineas and Ferb - "Yes, yes I am!"
If you would like to add more choices of fonts in your Google Docs - you are not alone! Here are 2 quick ways to add them. The text below was written in Cedarville Cursive.
The first way that I talk about in my video below is using the Add-on Extensis Fonts.
1. Once you add the Add-on - make sure you then allow permission for it to run.
2. You can then start typing a sentence or so and then highlight the text and select Add ons.
3. Select Extensis Fonts and start.
4. The Add on will run and you will see a number of fonts available for you. Since you have highlighted your text, once you select a font you like you will be able to see what your font looks like right away. This is an awesome feature.
5. You can also search alphabetically, date added, popularity, trending, etc.
The second way to add more fonts is to select fonts in your Doc and then scroll to the bottom and select more fonts. You will then see a number of fonts to look through.
While this is nice - I personally do not like it as much as the Extensis Fonts Add on as you can not see what your writing looks like until you select it. Once selected, you are then taken out of the more fonts.
For a 2 minute and 2 second video tutorial, click on the embedded YouTube video below.
If you want to find information about an image, try using Google Image search (*picture below was from Roy Halladay's perfect game).You can also just type in images.google.com.
You will then see the image that you see below.
1. Select the camera button
2. Then you can Paste Image URL or upload an image.
In the embedded 34 second YouTube tutorial below, I show you how to take the picture you see below and get Google's best guess as to who it is and at what point in time it was taken.
As always if you have any questions please let me know!
If you are on a public computer and would like to browse the internet in private without Chrome saving the sites you visit, use Chrome's Incognito mode.
In order to use Incognito Mode follow these steps - or use CTRL SHIFT N
In the upper right click on the 3 vertical dots and then select New Incognito Mode
FYI - While Incognito Mode prevents Chrome from Chrome from saving your site visit activity, it does not stop other sources from seeing your activity. Your internet service provider, employer, as well as the sites you visit will be able to still see.
For a full description on Google's site of what Incognito Mode is click here.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Brad
Storybuilder is a fun way to create and present your own stories in a Google Docs format.
If you click on this link Louisiana Purchase you will see a "story" I told between Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon Bonaparte dealing with the Louisiana Purchase.
You have the ability to use as many characters as you would like and then have them "talk" back and forth.
Embedded below is a 3 minute and 46 second YouTube tutorial I created on how to use this site and create a story.
If you would like to get a see what is being searched the most in Google - take a look at Google Trends. You will be able to search by what stories are trending now, as well as search by categories (Sports, Business, Sci/Tech, Health), and by country.
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 30 second Youtube video showing you what the site looks like.
AI Experiments is a"showcase for simple experiments that let anyone play with this technology in hands-on ways, through pictures, drawings, language, music and more."
Embedded below you will see a few GIFs of what some of the experiments look like as well as a 2 minute and 12 second YouTube video showing you how to navigate the site and check out a few of the experiments.
One that I really like is the faces of power one where it will show you the presidents and then present you with some information about the president as well as the election he was involved in.
Another one to see is called TreeD thing which is a simple fractal tree generator.
If you are looking for inspirational quotes, funny quotes, or whatever the case may be, simply go to a Google search and type in what you would like. My example is below regarding baseball - I just typed in baseball quotes. The embedded GIF and 18 second YouTube video are below.
If you would like to find an animated image (GIF) simply follow these steps.
1. Search for the image you would like in Google (I chose baseball)
2. Select images
3. Select tools
4. Select type
5. Select animated
6. Select one of the images and you will see it become animated
If you would like to insert this image in a Google Doc follow these steps.
1. Right click on the image and select copy image address
2. Open up your Google Doc and select insert image
3. Make sure to select insert By URL
4. Paste URL and you will see the animated image appear
5. Click on select and the animated image will be inserted.
Embedded below you will see a 58 second YouTube video showing you the steps mentioned above.
If you are at a restaurant and want to know the nutritional value of different meals prior to ordering simply type in nutrition and then the name of the restaurant.
The example below is from typing in nutrition facts Red Robin and the one below is that is when I typed in nutrition red robin bacon cheeseburger.
At the bottom is a 45 second embedded YouTube video showing you what it looks like,
Chatterpix by Duck Duck Mouse is a simple to use app that gives an photo you have a voice. All you need to do once your download the app is to choose your picture, draw a line where the mouth is, and then record your voice for 30 seconds. When finished you can save it to your camera roll, e-mail it, or send it to YouTube.
Embedded below is a 31 second YouTube video showing a famous American. Can you guess who it is?
A 1 minute and 25 second YouTube tutorial on how I created the video above is embedded below.
Google just announced that Google Classroom is now available for all users with a Google account (click here for the post). While creating a class is still not an option (see picture below), users can join a class. This is great news for after school clubs, weekend classes, workshops, etc. This opens up a great piece of technology to people who want to learn and allows them to stay connected and collaborate.
If you are interested in being able to create a class in classroom, let Google know by clicking here and filling out a Google Form.
Khan Academy is an amazing site and now offers you and your student/child access to common core math standards with standards and skills at your fingertips.
If you click here you will be able to see the Common Core Map with information by grade level/
Embedded below you will see a 45 second YouTube video showing you what the Common Core Map looks like.
If you are looking for a fun ice-breaker, try the site pechaflickr.net .
Pechaflickr creates presentations for you around the topic of your choosing. You also get to choose how many slides in the presentation as well as how long each slide is presented. Word of warning - there is no way to screen all images, so maybe shy away from using this in an elementary setting. However, imagine asking a possible future employee to present on any topic they desire. Could 100% see how they think on their feet!
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 31 second YouTube video.
Special thanks to Layla Lyons for sharing this site with me!
If you would like to have access to a free piece of technology that can capture what is typed and then make it available to another user to see how to type correctly and then say it aloud - try Just My Type.
The directions for how to download the software is available by clicking here.
Below you will see a GIF of what the site can do followed by an embedded 1 minute and 58 second YouTube tutorial.
If you need to know the weather in a certain city instantly, simply type in weather and then the city.
The example below is when I typed in weather Chicago (pretty warm for a day in early March in Chicago).
Embedded below is a 23 second YouTube video showing you how it looks.
** Education connection **
Students learning about different areas throughout the world can simply and easily find this information. Graphs could be made, trends could be studied, etc.
If you are having a tough time keeping up with what special "day" it is, you can now rest easy. All you need to do is access Daysoftheyear.com - you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter as well. As for my family - we will happily be celebrating national meatball day today!
Take a look at the embedded 29 second YouTube video below.
It seems like everyone has that friend who knows the best restaurants in certain cities, well now it is your turn to be that person . All you need to do is Google restaurants in a certain city. You can even search by Rating, Cuisine, Price, and Hours.The example below is when I Googled restaurants in Philadelphia.
Embedded below is a 23 second YouTube video showing what it looks like.
Khan Academy provides users with amazing content at your fingertips. Whether you have a kindergarten aged child and you want them to learn on their level, a high-schooler who is learning calculus, or you yourself want to learn computer programming, it is all there for you!
I have signed up my 7 and 4 year old to the site and they honestly like going everyday. While you do not need to create a username and password to access the information on the site, you would need it to save your progress. The site is fully COPPA compliant as well.
** If you are a teacher you can create a class and add students through Google Classroom - so easy to set up! **
Embedded below are 2 videos. The first one is how to sign up as a parent and I walk you through the site.
If you can not recall (or want to prove to your buddy that you are correct) the scores between teams this year, simply use Google and type in Team vs Team. This will also show you the remaining date(s) of future games.
The example below shows the 76ers vs the Knicks this year followed by a 21 second embedded YouTube video.
The other day a teacher asked me if there was a simple way to print out a document in another language for the family of one of her students. She was so excited at how easy it was to create in a Google Doc.
Embedded below is a 41 second YouTube video on how this can be done followed by step-by-step directions.
Select - Tools
Select - Translate Document
Since this document will be created as a new document - you will be prompted to name the new document and select the language to translate it to.
There you have it!
The reverse is true as well. If you receive an e-mail or a document - simply copy the text in a Google Doc and then translate it to English.
If you have a little one at school or at home and they want to know what a certain animal sounds like (example lion) - use Google and type in, "What does the lion say?"
All you need to do is click on the sound icon. A number of other animal sounds will come up as well - just know that is not all that is available. As with anything, not all animal sounds are available, but there are quite a few!
Embedded below is a 37 second YouTube video embedded below.
If you like listening to music or a podcast on your phone, but don't like that it is still playing throughout the night, try these simple steps to have it turn off.
1. Play your music or podcast.
2. Open up your clock app
3. Set your time
4. Click on when timer ends - scroll down to Stop Playing (bottom)
5. Select start and you are good to go.
