Want free images and videos to use anywhere?

If you are in need of images or videos that are released free of copyrights here are a few examples.

1. Pixabay - you will see an embedded GIF followed by the same video on YouTube (with audio). All the other sites are very similar so you will not see a GIF or video associated with them.

2. Pexels

3. Stocksnap

4. Unsplash

Google Classroom now lets you share with families

Starting today Google Classroom  now allows parents/guardians to subscribe to a daily or weekly summary of activities in your Google Classroom.

After reading about it - here are some key points
- The school's teachers and administrators must choose who can invite parents and guardians.
- The families only need to be invited once regardless of # of teachers the student has (important in later grades).
- Teachers have the option to send e-mails from Google Classroom to the families.

For the link from Google - click here.
You can also click here to see what is new.

Take care,
Brad

Padlet - great site for posting thoughts, pictures, videos about a singular topic from any device.

Padlet is a virtual wall where collaborators can post thoughts, pictures, videos, etc about a singular topic on any device. This "wall" can be shared easily, printed out, shared virtually, and used again in the future with different classes.

Thinking in the education world this site has numerous uses not limited to... note taking, exit slips, questions about a topic, a "Thank You" wall, book reviews, sharing thoughts/opinions.

The 6 minute embedded YouTuve video created below will walk you through the basics of Padlet.

Should you have any questions please let me know.
Brad

Google Cast makes it easy to have a student (or group) share their Chromebook screen to your screen for presentations

Google Cast for Education is a game changer for allowing students to share what is on their Chromebook to your screen for instant display on a projector. No more having to see what is on a student's Chromebook and then having them share it with you - or you having to look up what is on their screen.

Looking forward to seeing how this works for those that use Google Slides for animal reports, state reports, etc.

This feature was announced at ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) in June.

Take a look at the embedded 1 minute YouTube video by Google.

Here is a GIF on what the APP looks like on your screen.

Here is a 47 second embedded YouTube video on what the App look like on your screen and how to get the App up and running for your class.

As always, any questions please let me know!

Brad

Want to show YouTube videos without distractions? Check out these two sites.

Inspired by Richard Byrne's earlier post this week - it reminded me of two awesome sites for showing YouTube videos without the fear of distractions or YouTube's suggested videos.

The first site is Viewpure. All you need to do is paste the URL from YouTube and it will "purify" the video and eliminate the distractions on page. 

Below is a GIF of how to use Viewpure followed by the same 20 second YouTube video (with audio).

The second site is Watchkin.com . This site is great as it will clean-up the video (like Viewpure) and eliminate the distractions in a "family-friendly" environment. You can simply paste the URL and the video will be shown in a clean "safe" environment. 

What I really like is the search feature that Watchkin scans the content and will block what they feel is not "family-friendly".

Below is an embedded GIF showing how to use the search feature as well as the same video below on YouTube with audio.

How to blur faces in a video.

If you want to share a video; however, you need to blur a face (or more) you can use YouTube's blurring effects. Below you will see three videos followed by step-by-step instructions.

The first embedded video (36 seconds) shows how to blur all faces in a video.

The second embedded video (1 minute 33 seconds) shows how to customize the blurring effect.

The 3rd embedded video (37 seconds) simply shows what a customized blur looks like when completed (it is the result of the 2nd video you see above).

Here are the steps to follow.

1. Select enhancements (looks like a magic wand) - the second option next to the pencil.

2. On the right-hand side select blurring effects.

3. You then have the option to blur all faces or the option to customize the blurring effect.

4. When you save your video - it is recomended to save as a new video. This way you still have the original you can revert back to (if need be).

As always, let me know if you need anything!
Brad

Want to stabilize a shaky video? Try this feature on YouTube.

If you upload a video to YouTube and you would like it to be less shaky, simply do the following...

1. Select the Enhancements button - second rectangle under the video  (looks like a magic wand).

2. Select stabilize (right-hand side of screen).

All you need to do is sit back and let YouTube do the work for you. The video may take up to 20 minutes to stabilize, but the end result is a much easier video to watch.

Below you will see a GIF followed by and embedded YouTube video (same as GIF but with sound).

Hope you enjoy!
Brad

Want to keep track using a progress bar? Try Flippity.net's progress indicator bar.

Flippity.net's progress indicator bar is a great way to see where everyone is in relation to a goal that has been predetermined.

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Embedded below is a 1 minute and 47 second video tutorial on how to use Flippity to create progress indicator bars.

Enjoy the progress!

Brad

Want to keep track of badges earned in your class? Try Flippity's Badge Tracker

Flippity.net's badge tracker can come in handy when you need to see who in your class has already earned badges and who has not.

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Take a look at the 2 minute and 28 second embedded video below on how to use the site to keep track of badges.

Keep up with those badges!

Brad

Like MadLibs? Want to create your own? Try Flippity.net

Flippity.net has created a Google Spreadsheet that you can alter to fit your needs to create your own MadLib.

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Check out the embedded 2 minute and 9 second video below.

As always let me know if any questions!

Brad

Fun with spelling - try Flippity.net

Flippity.net can take a Google Spreadsheet and turn it into a fun spelling activity that can even e-mail results (if you would like it to).

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Below is an embedded  2 minute and 50 second video showing how to use Flippity for spelling.

Any questions, let me know!

Brad

Want to make an online quiz that users can earn a certificate? Try Flippity.net

Flippity.net's certificate quiz is a fun way for users to take your quiz that you created and earn a certificate at the completion of getting all the answers correct.

An embedded 2 minute and 18 second video is embedded below to show you how to create such a certificate quiz.

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Everyone likes to feel rewarded - give this site a try!
Brad

Create Flashcards using Flippity.net

If you are looking for a site to help create online Flashcards that can be stored for years to come - try Flippity.net.

Flippity uses Google Spreadsheets to help create some excellent tools (flashcards, random name picker, spelling list, etc.) A nice feature is that the spreadsheet will store in your Google account - so make sure to give it a name and store it where you will remember it in your Drive.

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 53 second video showing how use Flippity to create your own flashcards.

As always, any questions let me know!

Brad

Need to pick a name randomly? Try Flippity.net's random name picker.

Flippity.net's Random Name picker can not only randomly choose a name from a set of names, but it can create teams of 2-12, groups of 2-12, as well as make a seating chart and a lineup.

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The 2 minute and 3 second embedded video below will walk you through how to use Flippity to make a random name picker.

Enjoy the randomness!

Brad

Create a game show like Jeopardy using Google Docs and free? Try Flippity.net

Many times students and others like playing review games like Jeopardy. We have all found some others have made on-line but they may not fit with what you wanted to do exactly. Now you can easily create a review game using Flippity.net. Below is an embedded YouTube video (2 minutes and 44 seconds) that I just created to assist.

Here is the direct link to the instructions.

If you have any questions please click on the More Information link.

Enjoy making those game shows!

Brad

Need to create a permission slip or field trip letter? Try Template Lab. Has 30+ templates.

Template Lab is a website that has 35 permission slip templates to be downloaded for use (Microsoft Word).

Example of a permission form on the site.

Below are three GIFs on what the site has available for you to get a glimpse of what the site has available.

If you are in need of creating a permission slip - give Template Lab a try.



Brad

In need of a virtual stopwatch? Literally - just type in "stopwatch" in Google and it's there.

If you are in need of a quick stopwatch, simply type in stopwatch in Google search and one will come up for you. You can even enlarge the stopwatch so it will take up the entire screen.

Below you will see a GIF followed by the same video with audio on YouTube.

Enjoy!

Brad

Want a countdown timer? Use Google Search

If you need a quick countdown timer simply type the amount of time you would like the timer to be and hit enter. An alarm will go off when the timer has counted down. Nice and easy.

Below you will see a GIF followed by the same YouTube video with audio.

Have a nice day!

Brad

Want to record your iPhone or iPad screen?

One way to record what you see on your iPhone or iPad to send that video to someone else is to use the Quicktime player on your Mac (it is free).

Simply connect your device to your Mac with a USB and you are good to go.

Not only can it record your iPhone or iPad, it can also record the screen of your Mac.

Below you will see a GIF with a 19 second YouTube video embedded below (same as GIF but with audio).

Any questions - please let me know. I would be more than happy to provide you with more information.


Brad

Not sure what song you're listening to and have an iPhone? Siri can tell you.

Listening to a song and not sure what the name of it is...

Ask Siri, "What song is this?"

Siri will say, "Let me listen..."

After about 5 seconds or so Siri's suggestion comes up.

This update (partnership with the app Shazam) came out in 2014 with iOS 8.

Enjoy listening!

Brad