Use Google's address bar to search Google

Today while I was working with a student he looked at my computer as I used the address bar to search for a particular topic. He said, "Wow! I didn't know you could do that!"

So, in honor of him - today's post deals with searching in the address bar of Google.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 19 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,
Brad

YouTube's settings gear to check for better quality video & to slow down or speed up video

While watching a YouTube video sometimes we would like to slow down the video to see a step (or something) that we may have missed.

All you need to do is select the settings gear and change the speed of the video.

You can also see if there is a better quality video available.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 52 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

How to send a GIF in Gmail

If you would like to send an email using Gmail you are in luck, Gmail makes it very simple. Below are two ways to add a GIF followed by a GIF and a 57 second YouTube tutorial.

1. Drag and drop the GIF from your desktop into the compose window.
2. Click on the add files (paperclip) and select your GIF from your files.

Take care,

Brad

How to fix your Chromebook screen's colors if they are distorted/inverted

If you find that your Chromebooks colors are distorted that usually means that a student has inadvertently (or intentionally) changed one of the accessibility settings.

The easiest way to "fix" the issue is to use either:

Shift search (magnifying glass) h
or
Ctrl search (magnifying glass) h

Embedded below is a GIF followed by an 18 second YouTube tutorial.

Any questions please let me know.
Brad

Remember to archive former classes in Google Classroom

Google Classroom is an outstanding tool for teachers and students.

I received an email from a colleague in the middle school asking if I could pass on to teachers in the district to archive their classes from previous years.

This is extremely important as students may have more than a dozen classrooms they are part of. Archiving these former classrooms can help clear the clutter.

Please note that classes can be restored.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 46 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,
Brad

Right click on an email in Outlook for some helpful options

Some very useful options (see pictures below) are available in Outlook when you right click on the email. One that I really like is the follow-up option.

                                

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 56 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,
Brad

Tired of notifications popping up in Chrome? Disabling or adjusting is pretty easy

In order to deactivate or adjust your Chrome notifications, all you need to do is the following:

1. Select the 3 dots "setting option in the top right of the screen"
2. Select settings
3. Scroll down and click on “Show Advanced settings"
4. Select Content Settings
5. Select Notifications
6. Block or allow those sites you wish

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 58 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

Want a reading time estimate for an article on the web?

If you would like to have an estimate for an article you find on the web - try adding the extension Readism in Google Chrome.

A visual (5 seconds) will pop-up on the bottom right of your screen to give you an estimate for the amount of time to read the article.

Please note that this extension does not work with every article.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 31 second YouTube tutorial.

Any questions please let me know.

Brad

Want to write a story in Google Docs with a picture in the background?

Below are the steps on how to  write a story with a picture in the background in Google Docs.

1. Insert > Drawing
2. Select Image (upper right)
3. Choose what image you would like to add 
4. Select More > Image Options
5. Choose Transparency and adjust the % of transparency 
6. Add text box
7. Start typing
8. Select save and close

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a second YouTube tutorial.

Any questions please let me know.

Take care,

Brad

Ctrl Shift S for instant voice typing in Google Docs

If you would like to enable voice typing easily in Google Docs simply select Ctrl Shift S. This shortcut along with Ctrl Shift QQ (shuts down a Chromebook) are two of my favorites.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 23 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad 

How to add a picture to your Outlook email

If you would like to include a photo in your Outlook email simply select:

File
Under Account Settings select change
Select your photo and upload

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 30 second YouTube video.

Take care,
Brad

Check your spelling in Google Docs at the end by using Tools > Spelling

Today I was working with students at school and a number of them were more concerned with the red squiggly lines under a possible spelling mistake than they were with the content of their writing.

If this happens to you - remind your students to wait until the end of their writing session and then use Tools > Spelling.

This will run them through all questionable terms and provide them with the option to change, add to dictionary, or ignore.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,
Brad

New updates to classroomscreen.com

Classroomscreen.com is a very useful tool that turns your browser turns into an interactive board and has the capability to display various helpful tools. Click here for a link to a post I created before about classroomscreen.

A few new features are:

1. A new clock (analog) as well as a 24 hour clock and the day of the month.
2. A new timer that has an hour glass as well as the ability to loop your timer. Think 4 rotations in a center lasting 10 minutes each.
3. In drawing - you can add a picture file.
4. Sound level - with ability to adjust the sensitivity.
5. New background pictures.
6. New languages available.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 50 second YouTube tutorial.

As always any questions please let me know.

Take care,

Brad

How to add accessibility options to your Chromebook & How to remove or add an on screen keyboard on a Chromebook

Today one of the students I was working with had an on screen keyboard appear whenever he started typing in a Google Doc.

If this ever happens, or if you would like to add this feature, or others - try the following steps.

1. Bottom right of the Chromebook select the tile
2. Select Accessibility
3. Make sure the on-screen keyboard does not have a check next to it.

If you would like to add accessibility to your Chromebook try these steps.

1. Bottom right of the Chromebook select the tile
2. Select the gear icon
3. Select advanced 
4. Scroll down to accessibility 
5. Manage accessibility features
6. Enable on-screen keyboard

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 8 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

How to remove the "Quick Access" files from Google Drive

In Google Drive you may have noticed the Quick Access files that are at the top of your files. If you would like to remove this feature and have instant access to your folders follow these steps.

1. Select the gear (upper right)
2. Settings
3. Make sure the Make relevant files handy when you need them does not have a check next to it.
4. Refresh your page

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 25 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

Want to see the history of your Google file? Use version history

In the past Google used revision history - a bit of a change is their version history. Basically the same idea - with a few changes and a nice added feature.

That added feature is naming a version instead of just using the date and time. So you could name one version and come back to it at a different time. This makes it easy to come back to down the line - especially in longer files.

Embedded below is a 55 second YouTube video I created.

Take care,
Brad

Want to stay up-to-date on all things G-Suite?

If you would like an easy way to stay up-to-date on all thinks G-suite - check out their G-Suite Updates blog. In the site you can also easily search the log in the search bar, check by labels, as well as their archive (since 2007).

Take care,
Brad

How to add an event in Google Calendar

Google makes it very simple to add an event to your calendar. Simply click on the date you would like to add an event, type in the time and details, and you are good to go.

If you would like to add more details, invite others, add an attachment,and other options - that is possible by selecting the event (or double clicking originally).

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 48 second YouTube tutorial.

Any questions please let me know.

Take care,

Brad

How to create a calendar in Google

I have had a number of people ask me recently how to create a calendar in Google. It is really a pretty easy process. To create a calendar you can either click here, type in calendar.google.com, or simply type in calendar in Google.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 22 second YouTube tutorial.

Future posts will be revolving around calendar and some of the possibilities.

Take care,
Brad

When you publish your Google Site - make sure you do this one thing

If you have created or are in the middle of creating a Google Site, one piece of advice I offer is to do this.

1. Make sure to publish the site to 
2. Grab the URL to your published Google Site.
3. Open a browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge and make sure you are not logged in to your Google account on that browser.
4. Paste the url in to the browser and see if all parts of your site you would like available to your audience are accessible.
1. If they are not - make sure to go back to your site and edit the permissions.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 20 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

How to create a contact group in Outlook

If you would like to create a contact group for easy communication embedded below is a 2 minute and 7 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

Google Sites - make sure you check Publish Options prior to publishing

Prior to publishing your Google Site please make sure to check your publish options to make sure it is shared with whom you would like to share.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 30 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,
Brad

New "effects" in iOS 11 when send messages

iOS 11 has a few new effects when sending messages

1. Echo
2. Spotlight
3. Celebration (not sure if this was before but I don't remember)

Take care,

Brad

SeeSaw 101 - self-guided tutorials for creating digital portfolios (PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, High School+)

SeeSaw is an amazing tool for creating digital portfolios tool and works great on whatever platform you are using (Chromebooks, iPads, etc).

If you are somewhat new to SeeSaw, SeeSaw 101 provides you with a 30 minute self-guided "course" which contains slides, videos, text.

Embedded below is a screenshot of how SeeSaw 101 looks. To access SeeSaw 101 please click here, or on the picture below.

Take care,
Brad

High Contrast Mode on a Chromebook (inverted colors)?

If a student or someone has inverted the colors on your Chromebook - the easiest solution is to use this shortcut:

Shift Search (magnifying glass) H

Embedded below is a 16 second YouTube tutorial (thanks to my 8 year old daughter Sydney for helping me out on this one).

Take care,
Brad

Todaysmeet.com - ask a question and allow all voices in your room to be heard

Todaysmeet gives a voice to all users in your room. This is especially important for those kids that are shy to have their voice be heard.

It is similar to Padlet - click here for my blog post from last year if interested.

To sign-up is free and easy. I used my Google account to sign-up and create my first room.

A few nice features to point out (other than how easy it is to use)

1. Students do not need to sign up to use the site.
2. You can delete anything that may be inappropriate.
3. You can print out the transcript from the room prior to closing.
4. Easy to share the room (QR code, embed, URL)
5. Most importantly it opens up dialogue in your classroom and allows everyone a voice

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 2 minute and 37 second YouTube tutorial I created.

Take care,

Brad

How to take a url link and "attach" it to a picture to look like it is an embedded

If you would like to make a url look like it is an embedded link in an email or website, simply attach the link to a picture.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 43 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,
Brad

How to place a Bitmoji in your Google Site

To make your Google Site a bit more "fun" try adding your Bitmoji. You can add your Bitmoji easily using the Chrome extension.

Once you select the Bitmoji you would like to add, select the spot you would like to place it in and embed URL.

An embedded GIF and 1 minute YouTube tutorial is below.

Take care,
Brad

Google Slides - Filmstrip vs Grid View

Recently Google added a nice feature to Google Slides - the option to see your Slides in a Grid view.

To access this feature,  look in the bottom left of your screen, select View > Grid View, or Ctrl Alt 1.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 43 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

How to easily use the Splashmath app on your iOS device

In the district where I work the site Splashmath is used to help students learn and or reinforce math topics. It is a comprehensive site as well as aesthetically pleasing - so students seem to truly enjoy it.
Below are two ways to load the app on your iPad - I have included a PDF with instructions as well as a video tutorial.

1. The first one I created shows how to install the app on an iPad with classroom tiles so they do not need to remember their passwords (best for younger grades and classes that do not share devices). Click here for the PDF.
2. The second one shows how to install the app on an iPad for classes that may share iPads with other classes. No passwords are stored as they were in the first PDF. Click here for the PDF.

Embedded below are two video tutorials as well. Please note that my narration cuts out as I recorded this on my iPad and when the app launches the ability to narrate is not available.

If you have any questions please let  me know.

Brad

Build your own Jack-O-Lantern in Google Slides

Eric Curts recently shared Build your own Jack-O-Lantern in which you share the link he has created and students build their jack-o-lantern and write about it.

Click for the direct link to the file to use to share if you share to Classroom it will be a view only file.

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** If you do not see images below - please watch the tutorial below. I am working with others to make sure these images will show like in previous years.

I recommend the following (updated October 2020)

1. If using Google Classroom
1. make a copy of the file 
2. go to Classwork and create an assignment
3. put in your title and instructions
4. add the file from Drive
5. you will see the file added below - to the right make sure to select Make a copy for each student.
6. Remember to take a look at the points on the right - may want to adjust.

1. make a copy of the file
2. select share (upper right)
3. get shareable link, make sure to change your shareable settings - it may be restricted - change to anyone with the link or anyone at your domain
4. copy the shareable link
5. Select Done
6. Copy the link and share