Tuesday, December 1, 2020

How to take a picture (or video) on a Chromebook and upload to Drive

 If you want to take a picture or video using your Chromebook here are the steps:

  • in the bottom left of your screen look for what looks like a circle (called the Launcher)
  • select the option to either  type in camera or select the carrot above the search bar
  • choose the camera
  • see options and then take your picture or video
  • to find the picture
    • go back to launcher and look for files
    • look for downloads
    • you can rename if you like
    • you can select the file and drag over to Google Drive
Embedded below is a 2 minute and 47 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad

Monday, November 30, 2020

Go beyond the Hour of Code 💻 with studio code org - teacher👨‍🏫 and student 👩‍🎓point of view. Amazing for asynchronous learning as well.

If you would like to participate in the Hour of Code (December 7-13, 2020) I created a blog post that you can visit.

If you are interested in continuing to have your students code and have the information save, then make sure to log on to studio.code.org/courses (this is also the link to place in a site such as Google Classroom where students can log on throughout the year).
  • In the upper right select sign in and then create an account (if in a Google District I would recommend choosing Continue with Google).
  • You are then in "My Dashboard"
    • On this screen you can scroll down a bit and create a new classroom section
  • When you select Create a section you can then choose picture, word, or personal logins. If you work in a Google District be sure to scroll down just a bit and choose Google Classroom.
  • Your students can now go continue with their coding and continue to use it throughout the year (they can pick up where they left off)
You can also see a 2 minute and 15 second YouTube tutorial I created showing the above as well.


Take care,
Brad

Hour of Code 2020 💻 - December 7-13th - remember to create certificates for your students 😃

Hour of Code is upcoming (Dec 7-13th). If you click here you will be taken directly to the site that includes "How To", "Activities", "How to Promote",  as well as "FAQ".

  • Please note that you do not need to sign up your class for accounts if you do not wish to (if you do - click here for a short video - Going beyond the Hour of Code). 

I hope you and your students enjoy this time for students to be creative, show some grit, laugh, and have fun creating!

Embedded below is a 2 minute and 30 second YouTube tutorial I created followed by information from Hadi Patovi (founder of Code.org).



Hello,

The Hour of Code is a month away, happening this year from Dec. 7-13, 2020, and we’re excited to announce 115 brand-new tutorials and lesson plans! Many activities were created with remote learning in mind to support the various classroom models taking place during this time.

Introducing CodeBytes: New mini-lessons for virtual classrooms
We hope everyone can join us this year for CodeBytes, our brand new series of
easy-to-digest, 20 minute interactive lessons that will stream twice daily during Computer Science Education Week, Monday through Friday, December 7-11. If you’re planning for a classroom that’s gone fully virtual, CodeBytes are designed to fit smoothly into a distance learning plan. Episodes are tailored to different grade levels.


Whether students have a computer or a smartphone, they can interact with and tune-in to every episode. Each lesson is hosted by Code.org staff and blends computer science with real-world topics, including artificial intelligence and #CSforGood. Take a look at our planned activities, and add your favorites to your calendar so you don’t miss out.

Explore endless computer science topics with brand-new tutorials
This year’s activities dive into tons of different CS topics like AI, data processing, and app & game design, as well as programming concepts like events, loops, and variables!


Students can explore the oceans with SciGirls, learn to code and meditate with CodeSpeak Labs, build a climate clock with Vidcode, or try out another of the 30+ new #CSforGood themed activities and lesson plans! See them all at hourofcode.com/learn.

No computer? No problem. Unplugged resources for students
Every student deserves to learn computer science regardless of what technology they have at home. A number of engaging new unplugged options from our partners at Google, Kodable, iRobot, and elsewhere are available to learners with low or no connectivity or limited device access.

We’ve also created a printable Hour of Code Unplugged Activity Packet for ages 4-18. Please include these resources in your next communication to parents and caretakers so that your students can still join this global event.


Find a remote volunteer for your Hour of Code
To make this year’s event even more engaging for students, try inviting a volunteer to speak to your classroom! Many volunteers* are eager to help in-person or virtually and are also CS professionals who can speak about their career path.

Whether your students are learning in-person, at home, or a hybrid of both, we hope that these resources can make it simpler than ever to bring an Hour of Code to students of all ages. However you choose to participate, we can’t thank you enough for your effort and support.

Hadi Partovi
Founder, Code.org

*Please note that Code.org is not responsible for individuals who sign-up to volunteer 

How to get a class list of students in your Google Classroom

 If you would like to have a complete list of students in a particular Google Classroom there are a few quick steps to make it happen (Google currently does not have this readily available).

Below are the steps:

  • Access the classwork section of your classroom
  • Choose an assignment and select view assignment
  • Select the settings gear (upper right of page)
  • Copy all grades to Google Sheets
  • I like to remove the first 5 rows to clear out the excess data
    • I also like clearing column C
  • Since all cells are frozen you have to unfreeze the columns
    • view>freeze>no columns
  • Since Classroom has last names in column A simply highlight column A and drag to column B
  • In the example I highlight 1 A - hold down Shift and then select the last name in Column B (in this case it is 8 B) 
  • Right click (or Ctrl C) Select copy and now you can paste where you would like to place the names
  • Make sure to rename your Sheet as well for future reference
Embedded below is  a second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad

Sunday, November 1, 2020

How to change your audio, video, and microphone while in Zoom

 If you are in a Zoom meeting and would like to change your video output to another video, i.e. IPEVO, BRIO, etc, try the following:

  •  Select the carrot next to the Video Icon and choose your camera

If you are in a Zoom meeting and would like to change your microphone or speaker try the following:
  • Select the carrot next to the Microphone and choose your microphone as well as speaker.

If you would like to adjust your Microphone and Speaker on your Windows device make sure to enter into your settings and then choose system>sound

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 18 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad






Tuesday, October 27, 2020

How to embed a certain section of a YouTube video for your students/viewers into a Google Slide

 There are times when you want to show your class only a certain section of a particular video. To do so try the following in a Google Slide:

  • I like to make sure the Slide layout is blank
  • Then select Insert > Video
  • Either search or enter in the specific url for the YouTube video and press select
    • I like to center the video
  • On the right side of your screen you will see Start at and End at
    • adjust the times to your specifications
  • Choose whether you want to autoplay when presenting as well as  mute audio
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 29 second YouTube tutorial that includes showing a clip about the Boston Tea Party.



Take care,
Brad

Friday, October 23, 2020

Take your Google Form to the next level with Paint-by-Numbers

 The other day I saw a video tutorial by Teaching It that ran through the steps of using Paint-by-Numbers in Google Forms - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rDzbGrU3Bo 

It got me thinking of how much fun it would be for students of all ages to answer questions and see their answers fill in a color in a painting!

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 5 minute and 56 second YouTube tutorial that I created.




  • In order to do this you will first need to find a website for a color by numbers. A simple website to use is http://coloritbynumbers.com/online.
    • You can then choose a picture
      • I recommend taking a picture (snipping tool) to be used later on in your Form
      • Then, choose the number 1, color in, and then take a picture.
      • Continue on until the painting has been completed.
  • Then, start your Google Form and add fields for first and last name.
    • I also added the original picture to show the students what they would be coloring in
  • Next, add a new section to the form
    • Add a title (color the ones or something like that) as well as adding something like "Answer the question below to color in the ones."
    • Then, add your picture.
  • Add your question
    • Make sure it is Short Answer
    • At the bottom (next to required) select the three dots and add response validation
    • Choose Number  > Equal to > answer
    • Add custom error text (keep trying)
  • Add a new section
  • Upper right of next section make sure to select Duplicate section
    • update the title, description, etc.
  • For the image - select where it says Image Title 
    • Add Image Title
    • Choose the three dots and select change 
    • You can now change out the image and add the "ones" picture
  • Continue until all questions and images have been added

Take care,
Brad


Wednesday, October 21, 2020

How to adjust microphone levels on a Chromebook Make sure to update Google Chrome

 If you (or your students) have been having issues with being either too quiet or too loud on Zoom or Google Meet, here is one thing to try.

  • Make sure your Google Chrome is up-to-date.
    • Select the three dots in the upper right
    • Settings
    • About Chrome (it is located bottom left after you select Settings)
    • Select check for updates
  • Once updated select the bottom corner of shelf (time)
  • You will see the volume level
    • select the carrot to the right (audio settings)
  • You can then adjust the microphone levels
Embedded below is a 48 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad


Monday, October 12, 2020

Where are my extensions in Google Chrome?

Ever added extensions in Google Chrome and then can't find them? I have 2 quick suggestions to try:

  • See if you have what looks like a puzzle piece to the far right of the url (looks like what you see below.
    • if you see the puzzle piece simply click on it and then "pin" the extensions you want to see by clicking on the pin
    • if you want to remove this puzzle piece you must go into chrome://flags/ and then type in extensions and disable the experiment Extensions Toolbar Menu
    • you will then need to relaunch Chrome for this experiment to be removed
  • The 2nd way is that possible it is hidden to the right of your URL.
    • you can try either clicking on the three dots in the upper right of Chrome and seeing the extensions there
      • or go to the left of where the extensions are stored and drag the bar to the left.
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 30 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad


 

How to check for Zoom updates

 If you would like to check Zoom for updates, below I have created a video of one way to do this. I have also included Zoom's help center as well.

How I did it was to open Zoom's Cloud Meeting on my computer and then sign in and check for updates.

Another way to get to Zoom's Cloud Meeting is to start a meeting and then end it. When you end it - make sure to sign in and then select your icon in the upper right and then check for updates.








Embedded below is a 52 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad

Friday, October 9, 2020

How to quickly have a split screen on a Mac (control shift 2)

 If you would like to have a split screen on your Mac there are a few ways to do it; howevr the easiest I found was to select:

  • control shift 2
If you want 4 screens to come up try control shift 4

Embedded below is a 28 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad

Thursday, October 8, 2020

How to make sure users receive their form in an email in Google Forms (release score)

If you have created a form in Google forms and would like to return the form to the participants (a quiz to your students) after you have reviewed and added any feedback simply follow these steps:

  • in forms make sure you select the settings gear next to Send
  • in the general tab be sure to check collect email addresses (you can see other options as well below that)
  • in the section 2 over from General you will see Quizzes
    • choose to make it a quiz
    • release grade 
      • in my example below I show Later, after manual review
        • this is important for marking open-ended questions as well as leaving feedback
  • select save
  • send your form to your participants (students)

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

How to share a contact group in Outlook

 If you would like to share your contact group you have created in Outlook, follow these steps:

  • Open a new message.
  • Open Contacts.
  • Drag the distribution list from Contacts into the message body.
  • Send the message.

Friday, October 2, 2020

How to share a YouTube video so it will show in full screen.

 If you would like to share a YouTube video with others but do so in full-screen mode try this...

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Issues with audio/video not working on a specific site? Click on the lock (view site information) in Google Chrome

 If you are on a website (such as Zoom) and are having audio and/or video issues (like video is not showing at all) - check out what looks like a lock next to the beginning of the URL (in Chrome). This is called view site information and will give you some helpful info such as cookies used, location sharing, JavaScript, etc.

Embedded below is a 51 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,

Brad

Read&Write Extension Have documents and webpages read aloud

 If you would like to have documents and webpages read aloud to the user - try the extension Read&Write.

The extension (free version) allows the user to have a webpage or document read-aloud as well as the ability to practice reading a selection aloud and listen to it.

Embedded below is a 2 minute and 42 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,

Brad

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

How to create a topic in Flipgrid and send to multiple groups.

 If you create a topic in Flipgrid and would like to send it to multiple groups - try the following:

  • Create the new topic
  • Once topic is created, go to the actions and duplicate the topic
  • You can then add the topic to multiple groups
    • This also works for previously created topics - please note videos are not duplicated
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 30 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,

Brad


Monday, September 28, 2020

Google Drive trash items will be automatically deleted after 30 days starting on October 13, 2020

 This is just a friendly reminder that if you place any file within Google Drive in the trash they will be deleted after 30 days. Previously, trashed items would be retained indefinitely until the trash was emptied by the user. 


While this is a change if you really like the idea of placing items in an area and returning to it later on, one work around is to create a folder called "Trash" and place the files in there. 





Take care,
Brad


Friday, September 25, 2020

Feedback in Flipgrid - teacher and student point-of-view

 Flipgrid is an amazing tool for amplifying student voice. Built into Flipgrid is the ability to add feedback to a student's response. 

  • For educator's to add feedback - scroll down to the bottom of the screen when creating your topic and you will see the option for basic as well as custom feedback.

  • When students add their videos scroll down and select the feedback link directly under the video.

  • Add the feedback and then you have the options that you see below. You can copy the feedback link and send on to the specific user or select email feedback. The issue you may have with email feedback in schools is the fact that outside emails may be blocked by your organization. You could talk to your IT department about opening it up. However, I would suggest the students use the link https://my.flipgrid.com/
  • The Myflipgrid link allows the students to see their videos and see any feedback available.


Embedded below is a 2 minute and 11 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad


How to make sure your name (or your student's name) comes up in Zoom while on a Chromebook.

 If issues have come up with student names not coming up properly in Zoom on a Chromebook take a look at the steps below followed by a 1 minute YouTube tutorial. Click here for the same information below available in a Doc.

  1. Click on the x when Zoom launches.



  1. Choose join from your browser.



Make sure to type in your name, the unique captcha code, and Join.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Create your own Star Wars Crawl

A few years ago I shared one way to create your own crawl, unfortunately that site no longer works. However, if you click on this link -  https://starwarsintrocreator.kassellabs.io/  you can then adjust the text to fit your needs and then share the link with others.

I would recommend typing up the information in a Google Doc, Word, or somewhere you can refer back to just in case. 

It is nice though because you can use the unique URL that is created for your creation and edit in the future. However, I do not know how long that URL will last. So please keep your work in a Doc. 

Please note there also is a Game of Throne, Westworld, and Stranger Things Intro creator.

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 40 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,

Brad


Monday, September 21, 2020

How to turn your Bitmoji into your cursor

 If you would like to turn your Bitmoji into a cursor here is one way to do it using Google Chrome and 2 extensions.

  • Add the Bitmoji extension
  • Find the Bitmoji you would like to use
    • Right click and download to your computer
    • Edit the size of your Bitmoji to no more than 128 x 128 pixels 
      • To edit the size right click on the Bitmoji and choose edit
      • Then choose size and adjust to pixels
      • You could also use a site such as https://resizeimage.net/
        • upload your image
        • go to step 4 and choose 128 by 128 pixels
        • go to step 7 and select resize image
  • Add the custom cursor extension (has a lot of fun cursors)
  • Select the custom cursor extension and choose upload cursor
    • find your adjusted Bitmoji 
  • Click on extension again and choose your Bitmoji
  • One last item to point out is that if you want to clear your Bitmoji cursor - select the extension and then choose the default cursor (looks like a power button in the upper right when you select the extension.
Embedded below is a 2 minute and second YouTube tutorial.








Take care,
Brad

How to transfer host controls to another individual in Zoom

 If you are in a meeting and need to transfer host controls to another user (adult in a school setting) - you can do so by 

  • choose the three dots in the upper right of the user who you would like to pass ownership to
  • select Make a Host
  • a pop-up window will come up to confirm that you really want to transfer ownership 
    • select yes
  • now the other user is the host
  • they can perform the same steps to add you back as host; however, if they do end a meeting as the host it will end the meeting
Embedded below is a 39 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,
Brad

Sunday, September 20, 2020

iOS 14 enable back tap to perform actions quickly (like a screenshot, volume up/down, etc).

 Pretty cool and helpful new feature in iOS 14 - the ability to perform actions quickly (like a screenshot, volume up/down, etc).


In order to have these options do the following:

  • Go to settings
  • accessibility
  • touch
  • back tap
  • choose what you would like for a double tap
  • choose what you would like for a triple tap
Embedded below is a 37 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,
Brad

Thursday, September 17, 2020

How to use Zoom and Google Meet together to allow for extra support for students.

 If your class is using Zoom for instruction of your class and you have a support teacher in your class and would like them to be able to visually work with the student in a one-on-one setting for a part of the time, try the following.

  • Have the support teacher start a Google Meet - https://meet.google.com/
  • Name the meeting (I recommend the student's first name - but whatever works for you and your district).
    • Start the meet
  • Make sure the student has Google Meet set as a bookmark (choose star to right of url) or (Ctrl+Shift+D) or select the three dots in upper right and choose bookmark this tab.
  •  Have the student join the Google Meet  (remind the student to have a bookmark or someway to easily join and be able to re-join)
  • The support teacher and the student can now work together 
    • the student can show work they are doing
    • the student and support teacher can chat if necessary one-on-one
  • They can leave the Meet and re-enter the Zoom 
Embedded below is a minute and second YouTube tutorial showing what it looks like in a Zoom meeting from the teacher's point-of-view as well as what it looks like from the student's point-of view when in a Google Meet.

Apologies as the Chromebook I was using did not allow for Screencastify to load so my daughter had to shoot the video with my phone. 📱 😀



Of course there may be other ways and I would love to hear them.

Take care,
Brad

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

How to split and merge a PDF document using Kami

 If you have a PDF file that includes multiple pages and you would like a way to see the pages in a nice and organized way, try using Kami's extension.

  • Make sure to select the Kami extension and go through the sign-in process. 
  • When ready to split and merge select the menu icon (three lines).
  • You will then select split and merge document.
  • Drag and drop the PDF file you want to use
  • Select next
  • You can then choose to split pages as you so desire
  • What I really like is the option to drag and drop pages and then export as you desire
    • It is also nice to know that if you made a mistake you can always select the Undo and Redo options as well if you made a mistake.
Embedded below is a 2 minute and 11 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,
Brad

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

How to share a split screen (on a Windows device) with your students through Zoom.

 If you would like to show 2 screens at one time with your students in Zoom here is one way you can do it.

  • Select share screen
  • Make sure to choose Advanced, Portion of Screen, Share
  • You will then see a rectangular portion of the screen that you can stretch out to fit the whole screen 
  • Then, if on a Windows based device, make sure you have the two sites you would like up (tabs), select the Windows Icon and either the left or right arrow
    • this will split your screen to either the left or right
    • Then, take the 2nd tab and drag over to the side
  • You can now show your students two screens at once

  • You can always bring the one site you want up by selecting the maximize square (in-between the minimize and X)

    Embedded below is a 1 minute and 31 second YouTube tutorial.


    Take care,
    Brad


    How to split your screen quickly on a Windows based device (also a reminder on how to split on a Chromebook as well)

     If you would like to split your screen quickly and easily on a Windows based device try the following.

    • select the Windows icon and then either the left or right arrow

    Embedded below is a 53 second YouTube tutorial.


    If you would like to split your screen on a Chromebook here are two ways to do it 
    alt [ or alt ]



    Take care,
    Brad



    Monday, September 14, 2020

    How to have an assignment for a student in Google Classroom be available for another adult to assist remotely

     If you use Google Classroom and have a student or students who work with another adult, it can be at times difficult to assist that student remotely.

    One solution is to try the following:

    • Create the assignment as you typically would (with a copy for each student)
    • To have the adult who is working with the student be able to see the document and assist make sure to do the following:
      • In Classroom select the Class Drive Folder (available in the Classwork section in Google Classroom
    • Find the assignment folder and open it
    • Find the student's document and open it up
    • Select share in the upper right and add the adult's email
    • Now both the student and the adult can talk (in a breakout room in Zoom or Meet) and work together on the same document
    • The student still has the ability to turn in directly from the open document
    Embedded below is a 2 minute and 40 second YouTube tutorial showing from the teacher point of view, student point of view, as well as the adult assisting's point of view.





    Another solution is below:

    • create your document for the assignment and make a copy of the document as well 
      • be sure to keep them separate
    • share the original assignment with your class except the one child (you will be sharing the same document with the student in the next step
    • with the copied document  add the adult who works with the child directly from the sharing settings
    • create an assignment in Google Classroom and share with that specific student
    • now when students go into breakout rooms the student and the adult providing assistance can both work on the assignment together as they talk it over
    • note that there is no blue Turn In button on the top right of the doc 
      • the student would need to go back into the assignment and select Mark as Done
    • the teacher would then need to go into the document in Drive (since they created it) and see the assignment that way
    Embedded below is a 2 minute and 18 second YouTube tutorial.




    Take care,
    Brad

    2 ways students can sign in to their XTRAMATH account

     If you are using Xtramath to have your students practice their basic facts below you will see two ways that students can log on.

    1. As long as students are logged on to their Google account (they can always look in the upper right in Chrome and see if they are logged on. 

    • They can then select sign in with Google
    • Type in the teacher's email address
    • Name as the teacher typed it in (typically first name)
    • Pin
    This will then sync Google with Xtramath so they can just select sign in with Google and not have to always type in email, name, and pin.

    2. Students can select sign in and type in teacher's email, name as teacher typed it in, as well as pin. Depending on the type of device (this can be frustrating) it may (or may not) keep them logged in on the device. 

    Embedded below is a 3 minute and 30 second YouTube tutorial showing from teacher and student point of view.




    Take care,
    Brad

    Saturday, September 12, 2020

    3 different ways to save a bunch of open tabs for the next time you open your computer + a Dad joke 😜

     So it's the end of the day and you have a bunch of tabs that you want to re-open the next time you open your computer. Well, there are always multiple ways to do this. I created a 1:46 second YouTube tutorial showing you the three ways followed by descriptions below.



    1. One way is to open up your settings in Google Chrome, scroll down to 

      • On Startup 
        • Choose Continue where you left off



    2. Another way is to right click (or Ctrl + Shift + D)  on an open area to the right of your last open tab and choose Bookmark All Tabs. You can then Name this folder as you like.




    3. Of course there are other ways, but the third one is using Wakelet's Chrome extension.


    I was working in a library and this guy comes up to me and asks, “Do you have a bookmark?”

    I said, “Yes, we have hundreds, but my name’s Brad.”


    Brad




    Thursday, September 10, 2020

    Kami - How to add your voice to an assignment in Kami (as well as other annotations)

     Kami is an amazing resource to allow students and teachers the ability to use annotation tools (text, highlight, voice, video, etc) to a PDF and turn in directly in Google Classroom.


    If you would like to add annotations directly to your assignment for students to be able to utilize (especially voice) - try the following steps

    • make sure you have the Kami extension already installed 
    • click on the extension and then choose the area you would like to get the file from (my example is computer)
    • add the annotations you would like to
    • make sure to select the download icon in the upper right
      • make sure to select include annotations
    • you can then add the annotated PDF to your Kami assignment in Google Classroom
    Embedded below is a 2 minute and second YouTube tutorial.



    Take care,
    Brad

    Monday, September 7, 2020

    How to set up a second monitor and see your class in Zoom on that 2nd monitor

     One of the many questions that has come up recently is how to set up a second monitor and then how to make sure the monitor displays the grid view in Zoom (we will be using Zoom in this example).

    Please note - I am using the following (see picture below for ports on a 5480)

    •  Dell laptop
    • 2nd monitor is a Dell as well
    • HDMI cable
    • USB cable











    A few tips about using a 2nd screen
    • Fn F8 (or just F8) will bring up options to extend your options for projecting. 
      • A reminder if your screen ever gets stuck you can always select F8 and then toggle with your up and down arrow and select. Duplicate and you will be back to duplicating the screen.















    • If you would like your screen to instantly go to a 2nd screen select the settings cog in Windows and then system - display - change from duplicate to extend.
    Embedded below is a 3 minute and 46 second YouTube tutorial I created.


    Take care,
    Brad

    Sunday, September 6, 2020

    Use a compact mirror and a headband to create a document camera. + Flipgrid's Whiteboard feature.

     If you do not have your own document camera, here is a way that was shared by Kristina Holzweiss - thank you Kristina!

    Basically, you will need the following:

    • Headband to stretch over the top of your screen
    • A mirror of some sort (I used my wife's old compact mirror)
    • Flipgrid
    Once the headband (or some sort of stretchy material) is set and the camera is placed over the camera,  open Flipgrid, go into the Shorts section and start your video.

    I recommend mirroring your video (under options) and then place your whiteboard over top of your keyboard and you have the ability to explain on the whiteboard for your students.

    Embedded below is a 1 minute and 52 second YouTube tutorial I created.




    Take care,
    Brad

    Wednesday, September 2, 2020

    How to share the Google Form you created with other teachers (and not have things get messed up 😉). September 2020 + a dad joke

     In April of this year I posted "How to share the Google Form you created with other teachers (and not have things get messed up 😉)"

    However, sharing settings have changed just enough to through people off. Here are the steps (similar to before)

  • In your Form make sure to select the three dots in the upper-right (more)
    • I would make a copy of your form (this allows for there to be no way anyone will touch the original
      • name the "new" form what you like - I personally leave the "copy of" - but up to you 
    • In the copied form select the three dots
      • under Get Link select change
      • change restricted to Anyone with the link 
    • Select Done
    • Go to the address bar and after / remove the word edit and replace it with copy
    • Now, copy the changed URL (with the word copy at the end) and now share that link with the teacher or whomever you would like to share it with.
    • When the link is opened they will see a pop-up that will force them to make a copy
    • The user can now use the form as they see fit
    Embedded below is a 1 minute and 44 second YouTube tutorial.



    What's the highest form of flattery?
    A plateau. 😉


    Take care,
    Brad

    Tuesday, September 1, 2020

    Flipgrid 2020 basics Tutorial showing teacher and student point-of-view

     If you are one that wants to allow students to share their voice and what they are thinking/feeling/questioning etc - Flipgrid is for you.

    As always, Flipgrid has amazing updates every August and this year is no different. To access Flipgrid's blog about he updates - click here - https://blog.flipgrid.com/news/flipgrid2020 

    There are so many updates available - the main one that I love is the ability to add a split screen to your whiteboard when recording.

    Embedded below I take you through creating a Group, topic, settings, as well as assigning to Google Classroom and what it looks like from a student point-of-view and then again what a teacher sees when a response has been submitted.

    Take care,
    Brad


    Monday, August 31, 2020

    Kami Tutorial - teacher and student point of view

    Hello everyone,

    If you are interested in the ins and outs of Kami (teacher and student point of view) I have created a brief - ok it is 20 minutes - so maybe not too brief video below. I also have a document that Kami created available for you as well. This document includes 5 steps on how to use add Kami and use it for their assignment(s). 

    Monday, August 24, 2020

    What to do with your old Google Classroom. A few quick tips. Plus a joke.

    So you see your classroom from last school year and wonder what you can do with it. There are a few things and I will keep it brief.

    If you select the three dots in the upper right of the classroom in question you will see the options to:
    If you choose to archive it, the class will then be moved to the archived section (under the hamburger - the three lines in the upper left of your screen). This class can always be "brought back to life" if you desire.

    If you copy it, please note that what it does it makes a copy of everything in the Classroom (just not the students). Every document, video, including your directions, course syllabus, and other 'view only' documents you provided to your students in their assignments. However, they are in draft form so you can use as you see fit.

    Personally, with a new school year, I like archiving the class and starting from scratch - but that is up to you.

    One bit of advice I have when starting your class is to make your stream be streamlined by removing the notifications of classwork being posted in the stream. I like the stream being clean ad only for announcements you make. Remind the students to always go into their classwork to see what their classwork is. Of course these are just my 2 cents. 

    Reminds me of Steven Wright's joke: 
    "Why is it, "A penny for your thoughts,"
    But, “you have to put your two cents in?" Somebody's making a penny. 😀


    Embedded below is a 2 minute and 8 second YouTube tutorial I created.


    Take care,
    Brad

    Sunday, August 23, 2020

    Cool image trick in Google + a quick review on how to find images to reuse

     The other day Alison Navarrete shared a Tweet with me about a cool tip with Google images and docs. 

    Once she showed this to me I thought it would be a good idea to post a little reminder on how you can find  images for reuse (and teach others).

    In the embedded video below you will see 

    • how to search in Google (select images and then tools and choose your usage rights)
    • search within a Google Doc for an image (insert image - search the web)
    • find an image you want to use and then simply drag the image to your open tab (Docs, Slides, Gmail) and then place within 
    Below the video you will see Tyler's original Tweet about this cool tip! Thanks Tyler! 🙂


    Thursday, July 2, 2020

    Want to see a preview image of a tab in Google Chrome?

    If you have a number of tabs open in Google Chrome and want to see a quick image of the site - simply enable the Tab Hover Cards and Tab Hover Card Images in Chrome Experiments by clicking on this link - chrome://flags/. You can see what it looks like in the image below as well as a second YouTube tutorial embedded below.




    Take care,
    Brad

    Tuesday, June 30, 2020

    Dinosaurs in Augmented Reality built into Google Search

    Want to turn your backyard, home, or any room into Jurassic World? You can now search for any of the following 10 dinosaurs in a Google search:
    • Tyrannosaurus Rex
    •  Velociraptor
    •  Triceratops
    •  Spinosaurus
    •  Stegosaurus
    • Brachiosaurus
    • Ankylosaurus
    • Dilophosaurus
    • Pteranodon
    • Parasaurolophus.
    Once you search for one of the above mentioned dinosaur and make sure to select "View in 3D". Once you do so you can then adjust the size of the dinosaur. Click here for Google's article relating to the topic here - Travel back in time with AR dinosaurs in Search

    Embedded below is a 1 minute and 23 second YouTube tutorial I created.



    Take care,
    Brad

    Sunday, May 31, 2020

    How to create a Google Photos custom slideshow

    The other day I was asked by a fellow teacher how to create a custom slideshow for her students using Google Photos.

    While Google Photos can do a lot - it can't do a slideshow without a little bit of help.

    Here are the steps I used to create a slideshow with audio. Of course there are other ways - but this was one way to do it.

    1. I found photos in the Google Photos and then selected the plus in the upper right and created an animation.
    2. The created animation is in a GIF format and moves quite quickly.
    3. I then opened EZgif.com 
      1. selected resize
      2. chose my file and uploaded it
      3. chose speed and slowed it down to 50% and saved it
    4. I then used WeVideo to upload my slowed down animation
    5. Finally, I used BenSound for my audio.
    Embedded below is a 3 minute and 17 second YouTube tutorial.




    Take care,
    Brad

    Sunday, May 10, 2020

    New sharing dialog for Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms.

    On April 28th Google announced that a new sharing dialog for Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms would be rolled out.

    The previous way (you may still see this for a bit longer) looks like what you see below.


    The new sharing dialog looks like what you see below. You can see how it looks quite a bit different.


    Below is a screenshot from Google's Blog explaining the changes as well as a 2 minute and 15 second YouTube tutorial.





    Take care,
    Brad

    Friday, May 1, 2020

    Two ways to create audio files to place into a Google Slide. Onlinevoicerecorder.com and Screencastify

    If you would like to add audio in your Google Slides I have two ways that you can do it (of course there are many more ways to do it - but these are two that I have found to be useful). Online voice recorder and the extension Screencastify.

    A reminder to check your sharing settings for each audio file as you will need to adjust to fit your needs.

    Embedded below is a 3 minute and 48 second YouTube tutorial. I also made this tutorial last year - You can now add audio to your Google Slides





    Take care,
    Brad