Xtramath is a great website for practicing basic facts. I created a blog post last year about it - click here for a review of the site.
What I am pointing out in today's blog is how easy it is to adjust the level of the user using the site. Anywhere from going from Advanced 1.5 seconds (gives user 1.5 seconds to answer +, -, x, & /) to working on adding up to 10 within 6 seconds (example 5+4 = 9 to be answered within 6 seconds).
This is very helpful to adjust to the user's ability.
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 4 second YouTube tutorial I created.
The other day a friend shared with me the fact that you can convert an image of text into a Google Doc that could be edited (video here).
If you upload a PDF or JPEG that has text on it - you know that it is a picture and you can not edit it. However, there is a little trick that allows you to take that file and Google finds the text and creates it into an editable Google Doc.
Here is a quick way to do it.
Upload file > right click on file (or select three dots) > select Open with > select Google Docs
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 58 second YouTube tutorial.
If you would like to show or hide your bookmarks in Chrome you can select the three dots in the upper right hand corner, bookmarks, and then select bookmarks bar.
Or - the much easier way is to use Ctrl Shift B.
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 24 second YouTube tutorial I created.
Imendi is a site for practicing foreign language using flashcards. 8 languages, each with 12 lessons. Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 4 second YouTube tutorial I created.
If you would like to be creative with your selfies and make them into a sticker - try the app Sticky AI to send as a text, Facebook messenger, Snapchat, Instagram, or save to your photos.
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 51 second YouTube tutorial.
Thank you to Tony Vincent for posting about this app the other day. Enjoy!
Brad
If you would like to grant access to all or specific photos in your Google Photos library please check out the embedded GIF or 1 minute 26 second YouTube video below.
This can be done on a desktop / laptop as well as a mobile device.
We all have seen stories posted on social media that look shocking yet believable. Well, before you like or share the story with all of your friends - check out the site Snopes.com.
Snopes has been around since 1995 and is an awesome resource to check the validity of those stories you are reading.
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute 19 second YouTube tutorial.
If you are frustrated when videos automatically play in Facebook and or Twitter - embedded below the directions is a GIF followed by a 1 minute 38 second YouTube video I created.
Facebook
Bottom right select the three lines
Scroll to settings gear and then select account settings
If you would like a free and simple to use online dictation tool, try Dictation.io.
When ready, select start dictation and when finished select stop dictation. You can then edit the text and save to your computer or copy the text to be placed in a file of your choosing.
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 37 second YouTube tutorial.
If you post an assignment in Google Classroom and would like to quickly include video directions in your assignment, try using the Google Classroom App (I am using an iPhone) and then follow the following directions on your phone or tablet. This could help get across something that is easier said in words than in written form.
In the assignment select the paperclip
Scroll down to Use camera
Scroll to Video and switch the camera around to include your face
Record your directions
Select Use Video and you will see the video included in your post
Send the assignment using the arrow
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 46 second YouTube tutorial.
I think we have all come across that frustration when you are not sure if a website is down for everyone, or is it just you. Kind of like the whole, "It's not you it's me" routine.
If you need a break - or simply just want to learn something new simply type in "Fun Facts" or"I'm feeling curious" and some very informative information will be presented to you. If you would like to learn more just click on the blue Ask Another Question.
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 26 second YouTube tutorial.
If you would like to communicate with a group of people for any reason, maybe you are a teacher, maybe you are starting a club, maybe something completely different - try Google Classroom.
Embedded below is a GIF and a 1 minute and 11 second YouTube tutorial embedded below.
Yesterday's post I showed you how to apply a name to a face in Google Photos for easy searching. Today's post I will show you a cool feature in Photos where all you need to do is type in the name of the person you are searching for and a place.
Example - we went to Florida a few weeks ago - so I typed in my daughter's name (Sydney) and then Florida.
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 30 second YouTube tutorial I created.
If you have ever found a YouTube video and want to show a friend or a class, but you don't need them to see prior parts of the video, here is a simple trick.
Once you find the spot / time you would like the video to start playing,
simply right click on the video
select copy video URL at current time
a link has been created and you may share as you desire
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 36 second YouTube tutorial I created.
Back in 2011 Google created an awesome guitar Google Doodle to celebrate Les Paul's 96th birthday.
You can play the guitar with your mouse or with your keyboard. You can even easily record your song right in the Doodle itself.
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 5 second YouTube tutorial I created to show you what it looks like.
This site is great to spark that creativity.
I was goofing around and came up with what you hear by clicking here in honor of Game of Thrones season 7 starting next weekend. I am in no means a gifted musician - but loved it!
Understanding The Google Guitar Doodle’s Musical Notes The Google Guitar has ten notes that go from a low G, and that goes as high as a high B. If you are familiar with the musical notes, keep in mind that each number has its note. The strings on the left side of the doodle are the C, E, and G notes. The strings in the middle are the B, G, B notes and the strings on the right side are the A, D, F# and A notes. Don’t forget that if you want to use your keyboard to play, each key will play a different note. For example, Q, 1, A, Z will play the same string that is the G note in the center of the Google Guitar Doodle. The number on your keyboard play the following notes: 1 is G 2 is A 3 is B 4 is C 5 is D 6 is E 7 is F# 8 is G 9 is A 0 is B If you hit various keys at the same time to play some basic chords. For example, G major would be 1, 3 and 5. C Major would be 4, 6, and 8. Finally, D7 Major would be 4, 5, 7, 9.
Here are a few other songs to try:
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – 1155665 4433221 5544 332 5544332 1155665 4433221
Harry Potter – 36 876 09 7 36 876 73
Star Wars – 1543 2854 3285 4342
The God Father – 368768676453
Imperial Darth Vader March – 333 1 53 1 53 7 7 7 8 531 53
Titanic – 4444 344 3456 54 4443 441
Happy Birthday – 112143 112154 1186432 443121
Can’t Get No Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones – 22 234 44332 22 234
In the past when I would want to record my iPhone or iPad I either had to use my Mac with QuickTime or Air Play my device to my computer and then record with Camtasia or other recording sites.
From now on I will use the site Apowersoft.
Here is a GIF I created to show you.
Once you select Download Desktop
Select Launch Online
You will then see the application launch
Make sure you AirPlay your iPhone or iPad and select Apowersoft
In the upper left corner select record and begin recording
Once completed, the file will be stored on your computer
In the upper right corner you will see the settings icon (three dots and three lines)
Select options and then you can adjust video format (including GIF), video quality, audio input I had to adjust mine to microphone, as well as output display (where you would like your files stored)
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 49 second YouTube tutorial I created.
If you have ever been asked the question, "Is that a big number?" - you now have a website at your disposal. Isthatabignumber.com provides the user with more or less than type statements as well as equivalent to.
Thank you to Tony Vincent for posting this the other day (great follow on Twitter).
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 52 second YouTube tutorial.
Richard Byrne the other day shared this amazing resource on the Declaration of Independence. The site provides you with a high resolution scan of an 1823 facsimile of the text, annotated version of John Trumball's 1819 painting of the signing, and an interactive map that shows the signers' hometown.
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 37 second YouTube video I created.
GIPHY has created a simple to use extension to spruce up that email with a GIF. Simply add the extension, select the insert from GIPHY to the right of the blue send button, and find the GIF to add on that GIF!
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 51 second YouTube tutorial I created.
If you download the Google Chrome Browser (iTunes) all you need to do is scroll from the top and type in qr and the qr reader will be available for you.
An embedded GIF and 32 second YouTube video is below.