Monday, January 25, 2021

How to change the default font size or style in Microsoft Word

 If you would like to customize the default font size or character options you can simply select (Ctrl + D) - or choose the icon in the bottom right under font.



Embedded below is a 46 second YouTube tutorial.


Take care,
Brad




How to take a quick screenshot on your Windows based device - Windows Key + Shift + s

 Today I was working with a teacher who mentioned how she would love if there was a shortcut to take a snip of an image on her screen (other than using the Snipping Tool). 

Well, there is. Simply use the (Windows Key) + (Shift) + (S).



Embedded below is a 37 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad  

Friday, January 8, 2021

ChromeVox - Chromebook's screen reader - how to toggle on or off

 Ever have your Chromebook reading a page for you? It is possible that you (or someone) has enabled ChromeVox. ChromeVox is Google's screen reader.

There are a few ways to enable or disable this feature.

You can turn ChromeVox on or off from any page by pressing Ctrl + Alt + z. On tablets: Press and hold the Volume down + Volume up buttons for 5 seconds. While holding the buttons, you’ll hear a sound to indicate it’s working. Keep holding the buttons, then ChromeVox will start speaking.

It is possible that it was turned on by selecting the system menu (bottom right corner where you see volume) and then choosing accessibility and turn off ChromeVox.

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 39 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,

Brad

Thursday, January 7, 2021

Wakelet Spaces - Amazing Organization and Collaboration feature built directly into Wakelet

 Wakelet's Spaces is an amazing organizational and collaboration feature that allows you to create a space” for adding collections, organizing your current collections and inviting others to join and collaborate.

In the YouTube tutorial below I show an example of what a Space looks like. My wife and I were just talking about possible future snow storms and how the districts in which we both work are making "snow days" asynchronous days




For more ideas on how you can use Wakelet Spaces click on one of the links below:

Take care,
Brad


Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Headspace - Headspace Guide to Meditation is now streaming on Netflix + How to sign up for Headspace for Educators

Headspace and Headspace now offer a new series called Guide to Meditation. In this animated series you will learn more about the tools to build a meditation practice as well as the science behind it.

Personally, Andy Puddicombe's (co-founder) work with the Headspace app as well as his work with Chris Bennett on the Nike+ Running App has been a revelation. I handle situations differently than I did in the past, think differently, and feel much more grounded. 

Last night, my family and I watched the first episode together and really enjoyed it. We will watch the 2nd episode tonight!

A reminder for teachers - you can start your free subscription to Headspace by clicking on this link https://www.headspace.com/educators and filling in the necessary information. 

Click below for the Official Netflix Trailer.




Take care,

Brad

 

Monday, January 4, 2021

How to grab text from a photo and upload just the text directly to your computer.

 I am in the process of converting a hardbound family cookbook to an E-Book using Google Slides. It is a project that will take some time, but in the long run I hope people will enjoy it and add on to it.

The biggest issue of course is time and typing all the information from the original cookbook to the Slide. Well, Google Photos can help out a ton. 

Here are the steps:

  • Take your photo(s) and upload to Google Photos
  • Using Google Photos on your mobile device, open the image and select Copy text from image
  • Your device will then search for any text in the image
  • Choose Select  all
    • Choose Copy text or Copy to computer
    • If you select Copy text this allows you to copy the text on your device and use it as you like
  • We want to choose Copy to computer
  • You will then see your choices of what computer to copy the text to
    • Make sure you are signed in on your computer's Chrome browser under the same sign in as your Google Photos
  • Choose the computer you wish to use
  • You can now paste the text where you would like to 
  • Pretty cool huh?
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 35 second YouTube tutorial I created showing the process.





Take care,
Brad

Friday, January 1, 2021

Flipgrid update Import your Google Classroom Roster

 Happy New Year everyone!

Flipgrid recently announced an update that allows educators to import their Google Classroom roster to their Flipgrid discussions.

This is amazing because users will have the option to log in via Google and those are the only ones that will have access.

To enable this feature simply choose Google Classroom when setting (or changing Group permissions).

Click here for Flipgrid's blog about Google Classroom.

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 46 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,

Brad


Flipgrid update Mic only mode. Amazing for podcasts, camera shy, sending positive audio messages, directions and much more.

Hello everyone and Happy 2021!

In case you missed it, Flipgrid now has Mic only mode. This mic only mode includes all the other effects such as emojis, inking, styles, etc - just no video.

Of course the impact this has on those that are camera shy (like I would have been in elementary school) is huge. 

Other ideas include:

  • Podcasting
  • Audio messages to students in Google Classroom or your LMS
  • Audio messages to cheer up students
  • Audio messages for instructions on a QR code throughout your classroom
  • Positive audio messages to display around the school (again QR code)
  • Orchestra, band, and chorus audio files for students and others to listen to
  • Mixtapes of multiple audio files to share with others
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 47 second YouTube tutorial I created. as well as Flipgrid's Tweet.




Take care,

Brad