If you want to embed a Google Form directly into a Google Site there are 2 ways to embed (URL link and HTML code).
In the example below, you will see that when embedding using URL you can see the whole first page. When embedding using the HTML code there is a default for height and width (can be adjusted). Please note that the default for HTML looks quite small.
Today a fellow teacher asked me to look at her computer because she was not able to send or receive emails in Outlook (there was a red x over top of her Outlook Icon). The issue was that somehow under the Send/Receive category (next to File and Home) the Work Offline icon had been checked. Simply select the icon and all folders will be updated.
If you have ever used FaceTime on your iOS device, there are times that you may have wanted to take a picture of what you see.
Good news - you can! Look in the bottom left of your screen and you will see the photo icon (white circle). Go ahead and take a picture. Just a reminder - this will alert the person on the other end that you have taken a picture.
Emojis are a fun way to add some fun to a text, post, etc. For the most part, emojis are used when texting since emojis, for the most part, have been built into texting platforms. If you are interested in how to use them easily on your computer, here are a couple of ways.
On a Windows machine select and hold down the Windows icon and the period. You can then search by categories as well as type in what emoji you are looking for. Please note that not all the programs or application you are running may be compatible with these emojis (example Google Docs).
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 5 second YouTube tutorial.
On an Apple, select and hold down control, command, and space bar.
Using a website you can easily use emojipedia. Below is a post I created back on November 25th of 2017.
You can also see the most popular emojis used currently and then browse on a particular site (Twitter, Instagram, Wikipedia, Yelp, YouTube, Google Trends). As of the time of this post (11/25/17) turkeys are very popular. You can also stay up on the latest emoji news.
π¦ on Instagram
π¦ on Twitter
π¦ on Wikipedia
π¦ on Yelp
π¦ on YouTube
π¦ on Google Trends
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 44 second YouTube tutorial.
On Kahoot's blog, is a very helpful overview of what Kahoot! is as well as the new features that have been rolled out.
A few of the main items to point out:
You can now import kahoot! questions from a spreadsheet using their import feature. Use their provided template and save your kahoot! questions in .xlsx format.
Navigation bar makes it easy to:
search for kahoots! (Discover)
find games you created or favorited with game data and (Reports)
My kahoots!: kahoots! you created
Favorites: public kahoots! you saved
Shared with me: kahoots! other users shared with you
You can sort reports by date, kahoot! title or a number of players.
create new kahoots! (Create)
On the app, you can now have access to 2,000+ images
Embedded below is a video created by Kahoot! to explain the changes.
Google Sites has added a nice feature, the ability to choose from 6 different layouts (see below). These layouts offer you the ability to add pictures, YouTube videos, Google Maps, as well as Google Calendars. This really is helpful for everyone (students included) as it helps to keep the site looking clean!
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 55 second YouTube tutorial.
Take care,
Brad
** If you do not see this option yet it is being rolled out and you should see it soon. **
Osmo is an educational gaming system for the iPad. Osmo combines physical play with digital apps using reflective artificial intelligence, Osmo's advanced technology bridges the real and digital realms.
An amazing resource that was launched in the Summer of 2018 is Osmo Teacher Training. In this site, you will find a
resource library to help you integrate Osmo in the classroom (with welcome video)
videos on how to set up Osmo
videos on how to set up the game Words
getting starting guides
community videos and support
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1minute and 22 second YouTube video.
Classroomscreen has an updated exit poll that allows you to quickly create an exit poll with a filler title of "What did you think of today's lesson?" that can easily be edited to fit your lesson's need.
What is nice is that students can vote easily on a SmartBoard / other interactive board.
Results are hidden until you select to show results
There are 4 options (range from smiley to frown) 5,4, 3, and 2 with one additional of an x and a check
The main complaint I hear from people about Twitter is that they don't get it. When I dig a little deeper their main reason is they feel as though if they don't see someone's tweet right away they miss it. This is where Twitter lists can help really come in handy. When you create a list you group those users into a single list. This really helps to focus in on a certain topic, for example, you may want to follow all the teachers in your district to see what amazing things they are doing!
To create a List:
Visit your Lists page via the gear icon drop-down menu or by clicking Lists on your profile page
Click Create List
Name the List and provide a description
Designate the List as Public or Private
if you designate a list as Public the users you add will be notified they are in the list you created and other users can subscribe to the list
if you designate a list as Private only you have access to the list and know of its existence
Save the List
Embedded below is a YouTube tutorial showing you how to create a list.
On a recent trip to Vermont, I wanted to be sure I had access to my Google Drive files (in case the Hotspot on my phone was not properly working**). In order to set up offline access you will need to:
Go to docs.google.com (or slides.google.com or sheets.google.com)
Select the menu icon (three lines) upper-left
Select the settings gear icon
Toggle the option for "Offline Sync" to on
All changes will sync to the cloud when there is an internet connection.
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 28 second YouTube tutorial.
Take care, Brad
** The Hotspot would not work unless I used my charger to plug directly into my computer.
Many times we music we or students really like and want to find music that is similar. Well, with music-map.com you can!
Simply log on and type in the artist - it will create a cloud type look, with the artist you chose in the middle and the most similar in nature to your artist will be the closest.
Embedded below is a 42 second YouTube tutorial I created.
Many times we find a movie we or students really like and want to find a movie that is similar. Well, with movie-map.com you can!
Simply log on and type in the movie - it will create a cloud type look, with the movie you chose in the middle and the most similar in nature to your movie will be the closest.
Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 46 second YouTube tutorial I created.
Khan Academy for Kids is a free app designed for children ages 2-5. Khan Academy Kids is very user-friendly, colorful, appealing to the eyes, as well as thorough and meaningful.
Your child will be guided through the original activities by 5 friendly characters. The content "library" includes interactive videos, books, and activities (both for math and reading). There are assessed activities as well as open-ended tasks. There are also able to collect accessories like bugs, hats, and toys for their favorite characters.
As a dad of two (Sydney 9 and Jack 6) I know there are numerous apps and websites geared to engage and help with learning. I feel like I have seen (and tried) them all. I have to say, Khan Academy Kids is the best and easiest to navigate. Plus, it is free. Can't beat that!
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 44 second YouTube video from Sal Khan himself as well as a 2 minute and 23 second YouTube video I created showing you some of the ins and outs of the app.
This summer, I finally created a Google Site for myself and I could not be happier with the results. If your teacher site could use a fresh look, Google Sites is what you need. Google Sites is user-friendly with an end result that is customized to your needs and looks very professional.
Check out my friend Brad’s blog post with lots of tips for setting up a new Google Site:
Know your audience and know what they are looking for on your site. For K-2 teacher sites, your audience is most likely parents. For me, my website gets the most visits in August/September--- the back-to-school stalkers. Parents that I polled want to see Supply Lists and ME via a quick bio and picture. I added a blurb about myself and a picture of me with my family...nothing fancy...helps parents/students to recognize me. During the school year, my 2nd-grade parents want to easily find Homework, Upcoming Events, and Contact Info (my email address mostly). Some parents that I talked to also requested Spelling Lists and Resources for working with students at home. Upper elementary, middle, and high school teacher sites will obviously require different information as well as have a different audience- their students.
Keep it current
It is frustrating for parents to visit a teacher’s website only to find out-of-date information. If your website is the first impression a parent gets, this is unprofessional and makes you look lazy. To easily avoid this, do not include dates or years on your website unless you plan to continually change them. Instead of labeling a page “2012 Math Curriculum” just call it “Math Curriculum” and it does not need updating every year until the actual content changes. I have very few things on my website that will need to be changed frequently as I do not want to add website updating to my to-do list, especially once the school year begins. However, Google Sites makes it quick and easy to update my site when necessary.
A Google Form is a simple and clean way to gather necessary information. In the Google Form, I created below you will notice that it is not a long form, includes basic information as well as a place for families to have the opportunity to let you know any information they would like to share with you.
The other day I was having a great run except for the fact that my music kept repeating the songs in Apple Music.
The solution came to me after a bit - make sure when the song card is playing, scroll down and make sure repeat is not selected. A simple problem - but maybe it will help you! It was maddening for me as I did not want to stop during my run!
If you would like to have access to your calendar, news, weather, traffic etc - try swiping left on the home screen of your iPhone and scroll to the bottom of your screen. Make sure to select edit and from there you will have the options to add and remove numerous widgets.
If you would like to track a flight - it is so simple.
Pull down on the Home screen
In the search bar type in the name of the airline and the flight number (example Frontier 1274)
Select search
Tap on the flight and see all the details related to the flight as well as where the flight is at that moment
Embedded below is a screenshot from earlier today when my parents were flying back from visiting my brother and his family in Chicago (notice the plane over Ohio). It is also followed by a 34 second YouTube tutorial.
If you have ever been in the situation when you are trying to text with one hand and get frustrated that your fingers are not just a bit longer, you are in luck.
Try this handy little feature on your iPhone.
When texting hold onto the Globe
At the bottom of available keyboards select either the left or the right keyboard.
This will move the whole keyboard to either the left or right of your screen.
To get it back to the middle just select the center keyboard.
A nice feature with Siri is the ability to ask, "Find pictures of _____ in Facebook." Siri will then search through pictures and show you the album or pictures you are looking for.
In the 26 second YouTube tutorial below, I typed in Hershey and then used the filter option to select my wife's name and find photos of Hershey she posted.
If you would like to mute an account in Twitter, simply select the more button (on right) and then you will see numerous options. Look for the mute@ - and then you will no longer receive notifications from that user.
If you would like to unmute, enter into the user's twitter handle, select more and then select unmute.
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 14 second YouTube tutorial.
