Wednesday, February 12, 2025

🌍✨ Translate Your Google Slides Instantly with Canva! 🚀📖

 

🌍✨ Translate Your Google Slides Instantly with Canva! 🚀📖

As educators, we often need to translate our lesson materials to ensure accessibility for all students. Whether you're working with English Language Learners (ELLs) or providing multilingual resources, translating your Google Slides manually can be time-consuming. Luckily, Canva offers an incredibly easy way to translate your slides into almost any language!

In this guide, I'll walk you through a simple method to take any Google Slide deck and seamlessly translate it using Canva.


Why Use Canva for Translating Google Slides?

Canva isn't just a design tool—it’s a powerhouse for educators! If you have an educator account (which is free for teachers), you can access Canva's full suite of features, including the built-in Translate function. This allows you to convert your Google Slides into another language in just a few clicks, all while keeping the original formatting intact.


Step 1: Import Your Google Slides into Canva

  1. Sign in to Canva – If you don’t have a Canva for Education account, sign up for free.
  2. Go to “Projects” – On the left-hand side of the Canva homepage, click on Projects.
  3. Click “Add New” – Select Import from an App.
  4. Choose Google Drive – If you haven’t connected your Google account, Canva will prompt you to grant access.
  5. Select Your Slide Deck – Find your Google Slides presentation, click on it, and upload it into Canva.

Step 2: Use Canva’s Translate Tool

  1. Open Your Imported Slides – Once your slide deck is uploaded into Canva, open it like any other Canva project.
  2. Go to “Apps” – On the left-hand toolbar, hover over Apps, then scroll down to Translate.
  3. Select a Language – Choose the language you want to translate your slides into (e.g., Spanish, French, or any other available option).
  4. Choose What to Translate
    • Entire Slide Deck – Translate all slides in one go.
    • Selected Text Only – If you only want to translate certain parts, you can specify which text boxes to convert.
  5. Adjust Translation Settings
    • If you duplicate pages, you’ll get both English and translated versions side by side.
    • If you turn off duplication, the entire deck will be fully translated into the new language.
  6. Click “Translate” – Watch as Canva works its magic, converting your entire slide deck!

Step 3: Export and Share

Once your slides are translated, you have two options:

  • Download & Upload to Google Drive – Click Share > Download > Save as PowerPoint (.pptx), then upload it back to Google Slides.
  • Share Directly from Canva – Simply copy the Canva view-only link and share it with students and colleagues.

Why This Matters for Educators

Using Canva’s translation tool saves hours of manual work while maintaining your slide deck’s original design. This is especially useful for:
Supporting ELL students with translated lesson materials
Collaborating with multilingual educators
Providing accessible content for families who speak other languages

With this easy trick, you can bridge language gaps and make learning more inclusive—all in just a few clicks!

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

📌 Must-Have Google Chrome Extension for Teachers! 🏫✨ Add to Google Classroom

 

📌 Must-Have Google Chrome Extension for Teachers! 🏫✨ Add to Google Classroom

Managing digital assignments just got easier with the Add to Google Classroom extension! If you're a teacher who regularly assigns resources in Google Classroom, this extension simplifies the process with just a few clicks. Best of all, it works with any site, not just Google Docs or Slides—you can quickly add articles, videos, and other online content directly to your classroom.

Getting Started

First, install the extension by selecting Add to Chrome and then Add Extension. Once installed, don’t forget to pin it for easy access. This ensures the extension stays visible on your toolbar, ready when you need it.

How It Works

Whenever you’re on a webpage, document, or resource you want to assign, the Add to Google Classroom button lets you quickly share it without navigating away from your workflow. Here’s how:

  1. Open the webpage or document you want to assign.
  2. Click the Add to Classroom extension.
  3. Choose your class and select an action (e.g., create an assignment, ask a question, or post material).
  4. Fill in assignment details, including the title, instructions, and points.
  5. If sharing a document, select Make a copy for each student (if applicable), then hit Assign.

Once assigned, students can access the link directly from Google Classroom. The extension ensures correct sharing permissions are applied automatically, preventing access issues.

Why Use It?

  • Saves Time – Assignments are created in just a few clicks.
  • Works with Any Website – Share articles, videos, interactive tools, and more.
  • Eliminates Sharing Issues – Automatically adjusts document permissions.
  • Seamlessly Integrates – Works with all Google Classroom features like due dates, grading, and student responses.

If you're looking for a simple way to enhance your Google Classroom workflow, this extension is a game-changer. Try it out and see how it can streamline your digital classroom!

Got questions? Feel free to reach out. Happy teaching!

Monday, February 10, 2025

🎤📽️ AI Presentation Generator Instantly Create Exportable Slides from Any Content! 📊✨

 

🎤📽️ AI Presentation Generator Instantly Create Exportable Slides from Any Content! 📊✨

Creating presentations can be time-consuming, but what if there was a tool that could generate a complete slide deck in under a minute? Enter MagicSchool.ai’s Presentation Generator, a game-changer for educators looking to streamline lesson planning.

How It Works

This AI-powered tool allows users to input a topic, standard, content, or objective, and it will instantly create a structured presentation—no images, just well-organized slides. The built-in Prompt Assistant even suggests refinements, such as analyzing the impact on society and technology or ensuring key elements like three discussion questions are included.

In a quick demonstration, a PDF on the American Revolution was uploaded, and within 45 seconds, the tool generated 20 slides, covering key points and even including interactive elements.

Exporting & Editing Options

Once generated, presentations can be edited within the tool or exported to Microsoft PowerPoint for further refinement. While exporting directly to Google Slides sometimes encounters issues, the workaround of downloading as a PowerPoint file and then re-uploading to Slides works smoothly.

Why Educators Should Try It

  • Saves time – No more manually structuring slides.
  • Customizable – Add objectives, refine prompts, and ensure key elements are included.
  • Flexible export options – Use PowerPoint or Google Slides.

MagicSchool.ai’s Presentation Generator is a powerful tool that supports lesson planning with efficiency and ease. Give it a try, and let technology do the heavy lifting while you focus on engaging your students!

Have questions? Let’s discuss in the comments!

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Create a Flippity Video Game for Review with ChatGPT! 🎮🔥

 

Create a Flippity Video Game for Review with ChatGPT! 🎮🔥

Keeping students engaged during review activities can be a challenge, but Flippity makes it easy to turn a standard quiz into an exciting, interactive game! In this post, we'll walk through how to set up a Flippity multiple-choice game and introduce a time-saving script that will help you quickly generate questions and answers.

What is Flippity?

Flippity is a free tool that converts Google Sheets into a variety of educational games. The multiple-choice game is one of the most engaging options, allowing students to answer questions in a fast-paced, arcade-style format.

Step-by-Step: Creating a Flippity Multiple-Choice Game

1. Get the Flippity Template

  • Visit Flippity and select the Instructions tab under the multiple-choice game.
  • Click Make a Copy to generate your own editable Google Sheet.

2. Quickly Generate Questions with This Script

Instead of manually typing questions and answers, use the following script to generate structured quiz data in seconds. Simply paste this prompt into an AI chat:

Prompt:
*"Can you provide me with questions and answers that I can place in a Google Sheet? Please ask me for the topic and how many questions. Structure the data so that:

  • The question is in Column A
  • The correct answer is in Column B
  • An incorrect answer is in Column C
  • Another incorrect answer is in Column D"*

Example Input:
"Fourth Grade Multiplication, 15 questions."

The AI will generate the questions and answers, which you can then copy and paste directly into the Flippity Google Sheet.

3. Copy & Paste into the Flippity Template

  • Highlight the AI-generated content and press Ctrl + C to copy.
  • Open your Flippity Google Sheet and paste (Ctrl + V) it into the corresponding columns.

4. Publish Your Game

  • Click File > Share > Publish to Web.
  • Select Publish, then copy the provided link and paste it into the designated cell in the Google Sheet.
  • Your game is now live and ready to play!

How the Game Works

Once launched, students will see falling asteroids with multiple-choice options. Their goal is to select the correct answer before the asteroid reaches the bottom.
Correct answer → Earns 10,000 points
Wrong answer → Loses a life, but keeps points

Customization Options

  • Adjust the game speed for different skill levels.
  • Let students create their own games to reinforce learning.
  • Use the type-in mode for an extra challenge.

Why Use Flippity?

Fast & Easy: No coding needed—just fill in a spreadsheet!
Engaging: Turns review into an interactive challenge.
Student-Created Content: Encourages ownership of learning.

Flippity’s multiple-choice game is a fun and effective way to make review sessions more dynamic. Try it out, and let the learning (and gaming) begin!

Have questions? Reach out—I’d love to hear how you’re using Flippity in your classroom! 🚀

Saturday, February 8, 2025

🌈🎨 Flippity's Color by Number A Fun and Engaging Way to Review! 📝💡

 

Friday, February 7, 2025

🎉 Effortless Jeopardy-Style Review Game Creation with ChatGPT! 🎯

 

🎯 Effortless Jeopardy-Style Review Game Creation with ChatGPT 🎮✨ Generate Engaging Trivia for Any Topic in Minutes! 🚀

Gamifying learning is a great way to keep students engaged, and setting up a Jeopardy-style quiz game has never been easier! This guide walks through how to use Google Sheets, Flippity, and ChatGPT to quickly generate and format quiz questions. Whether preparing for a test or just adding fun to lessons, this method saves time while ensuring an interactive experience.

Step 1: Generating Questions with ChatGPT

Instead of manually creating every question, ChatGPT can do the heavy lifting with the right prompt. The following structured prompt ensures the generated questions fit perfectly into the Flippity Quiz Show template:

Flippity Game Setup Prompt - ****  please be sure to copy this prompt  ****

Instructions:
Before generating the setup, ask for the topic of the game.

Categories and Format:

  • The game should include six main categories in a single row at the top.
  • Each question should appear directly below its respective category in the first available row.
  • Each answer should be placed directly below its corresponding question in the same column.
  • Questions and answers should alternate within each category column.

Final Category:

  • The seventh category should be titled "Final" (not "Final Jeopardy").
  • This category should contain only one question and one answer related to the topic.
  • The Final question should be the most challenging one related to the topic.
  • The answer should be placed directly below the question, following the same alternating format as other categories.

Formatting Requirements:
✅ Do not include labels such as "Question 1" or "Answer 1."
✅ The output should contain only:

  • One row with the six category titles + "Final"
  • Alternating questions and answers below each category
  • One Final question and answer in the "Final" category
    ✅ Structured for direct pasting into a Google Sheet:
  • No extra line breaks
  • No additional spaces
  • No misalignment due to text wrapping
    ✅ The entire setup must be enclosed inside a code block for easy copying and pasting.

Using this prompt ensures a fully formatted, game-ready quiz setup without any manual adjustments.


Step 2: Setting Up the Flippity Quiz Show Template

Now that the quiz content is ready, it needs to be placed into the Flippity Quiz Show template:

  1. Visit Flippity.net and select Flippity Quiz Show
  2. Click on Instructions, then Make a Copy of the provided template

Step 3: Adding Questions to Google Sheets

  1. Open the copied Flippity template
  2. Click on cell B2
  3. Paste the ChatGPT-generated content (Ctrl + V or Command + V on Mac)

All questions and answers should now be properly structured within the template!


Step 4: Publishing and Sharing the Game

To make the game live and accessible:

  1. Click File → Share → Publish to the web
  2. Select Publish, then Copy the generated link
  3. Paste this link into Row 3 of the Flippity template

Now, the game is fully functional!


Step 5: Playing the Quiz Show

With everything set up, the quiz show is ready to be played. The interface allows for:

  • Up to four teams to participate
  • Customizable settings, such as hiding the timer or shuffling questions
  • Clicking on any question to reveal the answer
  • Final Category play, where students tackle the toughest question

Why Use This Method?

This Flippity + ChatGPT workflow makes it incredibly easy to create an interactive quiz game in minutes. Using a structured approach ensures that all formatting is correct, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. Whether used for test reviews, subject-specific challenges, or engaging classroom activities, this setup saves time while maximizing engagement.

Try it out and bring some game-show excitement into the classroom!

Thursday, February 6, 2025

📺✨ Want a summary of a YouTube video?🎥🔍 🚀 Try Summarize Tech for quick insights! 📝⚡


 📺✨ Want a summary of a YouTube video?🎥🔍   🚀 Try Summarize Tech for quick insights! 📝⚡

Ever found yourself needing a quick summary of a long YouTube video? Whether it's a lecture, a government meeting, or a live event, watching the entire video might not always be the most efficient option. That's where Summarize.Tech comes in!

How It Works

Using Summarize.Tech is incredibly simple:

  1. Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want summarized.
  2. Paste it into Summarize.Tech.
  3. Click Submit and wait for the magic to happen.

Within seconds—sometimes up to 30 seconds for longer videos—the tool generates a concise summary, giving you a quick overview of the video's key points.

Why Use It?

  • Saves Time – Get the main ideas without watching the entire video.
  • Great for Research – Quickly scan through multiple videos for relevant information.
  • Easy to Use – No complicated setup, just paste and go.

If you often find yourself needing quick takeaways from YouTube videos, Summarize.Tech is a handy tool to keep bookmarked. Give it a try and streamline your video-watching experience!

Got questions? Feel free to reach out!

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

🌟 Google's Hidden Gem 🌟 🖱️✨ One-click printing 🖨️, sharing 📤, translating 🌍, and so much more! 🚀🔧

 


🌟 Google's Hidden Gem 🌟   🖱️✨ One-click printing 🖨️, sharing 📤, translating 🌍, and so much more! 🚀🔧

Ever wished you could copy a link, create a QR code, or print a webpage with just one click? Google Chrome has a hidden feature that lets you do exactly that! With a few simple steps, you can customize your Chrome toolbar to make your browsing experience more efficient.

How to Enable Chrome’s Shortcut Toolbar

  1. Open a new tab in Chrome.
  2. Click Customize Chrome in the bottom right corner.
  3. Scroll down until you see the Toolbar section.
  4. Toggle on the options you want to enable, such as Forward, Incognito Mode, and other tools.

Once enabled, these icons will appear directly on your browser, making them accessible with a single click.

Key Features to Speed Up Your Workflow

Now that your shortcut toolbar is active, you can take advantage of these handy tools:

  • Copy Link – Quickly copy any webpage URL to share or save.
  • Create a QR Code – Generate a QR code for any webpage, perfect for sharing with others.
  • Translate with Google Lens – Instantly translate an entire webpage into another language.
  • Print with One Click – Instead of using Ctrl + P, simply click the print icon to get a hard copy immediately.
  • Reading Mode – Remove distractions and focus on the text of an article.
  • Send to Your Devices – Seamlessly transfer a webpage from your computer to your phone or tablet.
  • Task Manager & Developer Tools – For advanced users, access Chrome’s built-in performance tools.

See It in Action

In the video, Brad demonstrates these features by visiting ESPN. He copies a link, generates a QR code, translates a page, and prints content—all in just a few clicks. If you frequently perform these actions, enabling this shortcut toolbar can save you valuable time.

Final Thoughts

Chrome’s hidden shortcuts allow you to streamline common tasks and improve your workflow. Whether you’re a teacher sharing resources, a student organizing research, or just someone who loves efficiency, these features are worth exploring.

Want a quick walkthrough? Check out the full video here: Watch on YouTube.

Have any questions? Feel free to reach out. Happy browsing!


Tuesday, February 4, 2025

🗣️ Speak, Don't Type! How to Use Dictation in Outlook on the Web to Write Emails ✉️🎤

 


🗣️ Speak, Don't Type! How to Use Dictation in Outlook on the Web to Write Emails ✉️🎤

Certainly! Here's a blog post based on your video transcript:


How to Send an Email Using Your Voice in Outlook on the Web

Ever find yourself wanting to send an email but not in the mood to type it all out? Good news—Outlook on the web has a built-in dictation tool that lets you compose emails using just your voice! Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Start a New Email

First, open Outlook on the web and click New Mail. Enter the recipient’s email address, add a subject, and move to the body of the email where you'll dictate your message.

Step 2: Find the Dictation Tool

At the top of the email editor, you'll see several tabs like Home, View, and Help. Click on Message, and look for the microphone icon—this is the dictation tool.

Step 3: Grant Microphone Permissions

If you’re using dictation for the first time, Outlook will prompt you to allow microphone access. Click Allow to proceed. Once set up, you're ready to start speaking!

Step 4: Start Dictating

Click the microphone icon and begin speaking. Outlook will convert your words into text in real time. If you make a mistake, you can either edit manually or click the microphone again to make corrections.

For example, if you need to add punctuation, you can say:

  • "Hello everyone period" → Outlook will insert "Hello everyone."
  • If something is missed, you can click back in the email, place the cursor where needed, and continue dictating.

Step 5: Send Your Email

Once your email looks good, simply hit Send—just like any other email.

Why Use Voice Dictation?

Using voice dictation can be a huge time-saver, especially if you:
✅ Prefer speaking over typing
✅ Want to compose emails hands-free
✅ Need accessibility-friendly tools

Outlook's dictation feature is a simple yet powerful tool to improve workflow efficiency. Try it out, and let me know if you have any questions!


Monday, February 3, 2025

📺 How to Watch & Share YouTube Videos 🎥 Ad-Free 🚫🛑 (Easy & Legal!)

 


📺 How to Watch & Share YouTube Videos 🎥 Ad-Free 🚫🛑 (Easy & Legal!)

Hi everyone! If you’ve ever wanted to share a YouTube video but were worried about ads popping up at the wrong moment, you’re not alone. Whether you're an educator, presenter, or just someone looking for a cleaner viewing experience, there are two simple tricks you can use to share YouTube videos without distractions.

1. The Popup Trick

This method allows you to open a YouTube video in full screen with no ads or related content. Here’s how:

  • Find the YouTube video link. It will look something like this:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcdefg
  • In the URL, after the word watch, insert _popup. Your link should now look like this:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=abcdefg
  • Hit Enter, and the video will open in full-screen mode with no ads!

2. The Embed Mode Trick

Another quick way to create an ad-free experience is by using YouTube’s embed format.

  • Take your video link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcdefg
  • Remove everything after youtube.com/ until you get to the video ID (the part after v=).
  • Replace it with embed/, so your final URL looks like this:
    https://www.youtube.com/embed/abcdefg
  • Open this link in a new tab, and just like that—no ads!

Test It in an Incognito Window

To make sure your modified links work properly, try pasting them into an incognito window. You’ll see that both methods open the video cleanly without advertisements, making them perfect for classroom use or professional presentations.

These quick tricks help keep your videos distraction-free, making them easier to share with students, colleagues, or anyone else who needs a seamless viewing experience.

Have any questions? Feel free to reach out!


Sunday, February 2, 2025

📄❌ "Unknown Error"? Fix That Scanned PDF with PDF Candy! 🍬✅

 

📄❌ "Unknown Error"? Fix That Scanned PDF with PDF Candy! 🍬✅

Hi everyone, this is Brad!

Have you ever tried uploading a scanned PDF to ChatGPT, hoping to analyze or discuss its contents, only to be met with a frustrating "Unknown Error" message? You’re not alone! This common issue occurs when AI tools struggle to recognize scanned documents as actual text. Fortunately, there’s a simple workaround using PDF Candy.

Why Does This Happen?

When you scan a document and save it as a PDF, the file often consists of images of text rather than actual selectable text. AI tools like ChatGPT rely on readable text to process the document, so if it’s just an image, it won’t work properly.

How to Fix It Using PDF Candy

To resolve this issue, we’ll use PDF Candy to convert the scanned PDF into readable text. Here’s how:

  1. Go to PDF Candy – Visit PDF Candy and select the OCR PDF tool.
  2. Upload Your Scanned PDF – Click Add File and select your document.
  3. Start the OCR Process – Scroll down and ensure OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is selected. This tool extracts text from scanned documents.
  4. Wait for Processing – Give it a moment. Processing times vary depending on the document size.
  5. Download the Converted PDF – Once finished, download the new PDF, which now contains selectable and readable text.
  6. Re-upload to ChatGPT – Go back to ChatGPT, click the Upload button, and select your newly converted PDF.

Success!

Your document should now be readable by ChatGPT, allowing you to engage with its content as intended.

Final Thoughts

If you ever run into this Unknown Error again, just remember this quick fix with PDF Candy. It’s a fast and easy way to make sure your scanned PDFs are AI-friendly.

Hope this helps! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Take care,
Brad

Saturday, February 1, 2025

🚀 Supercharge Student Engagement with Any Article Using the Brisk Extension! 📚✨

 

Boosting Student Activity with the Brisk Extension

Engaging students with online resources can sometimes be a challenge, but the Brisk extension provides a powerful way to boost student activity and interaction with digital content. Whether you’re working with a historical article on the Revolutionary War or any other subject, Brisk helps transform passive reading into an active learning experience.

Why Use Brisk for Student Engagement?

Brisk isn’t just about simplifying texts or pulling key vocabulary—it offers interactive features that encourage students to actively engage with content. The Boost Student Activity tool allows educators to generate structured learning tasks, create interactive prompts, and even monitor student participation in real-time.

How to Set Up Brisk for Student Activity

  1. Choose Your Content – Select a webpage or article relevant to your lesson. If you want students to have a printed copy, use Ctrl + P to save it as a PDF and print.
  2. Activate the Brisk Extension – Click the Brisk icon and select Boost Student Activity from the menu.
  3. Customize the Activity – Choose from available options like Tutor Mode and set the reading level (e.g., 6th grade).
  4. Generate and Share – Once Brisk creates the activity, you can preview, edit, and share the link or QR code with your students.

What Students See

  • The article appears alongside learning objectives to guide their reading.
  • A chat feature allows interaction, but messages are visible to the teacher.
  • Students engage by answering key questions, such as identifying major historical events.

Real-Time Monitoring & Teacher Controls

One of Brisk’s standout features is the Monitor Activity function. Teachers can:
✅ View student responses in real-time.
✅ Pause individual students if needed.
✅ Disable chat for specific students.
✅ Download an activity report (CSV format) for easy assessment.

Why This Matters

Using Brisk ensures students aren’t just skimming an article—they're engaging with the material, applying critical thinking, and staying accountable for their learning. Plus, with built-in monitoring, teachers can provide instant feedback and adjust instruction accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Brisk’s Boost Student Activity feature is a game-changer for tech-enhanced learning. Whether you're using it for history, science, or literature, it helps bridge the gap between reading and interactive learning. Try it out, and if you have any questions, let’s connect!

▶️ Watch the full walkthrough here!


This blog post keeps it light, informative, and easy for educators to follow. Let me know if you'd like any tweaks! 🚀