Want to use a virtual geoboard?

If you would like a free and easy to use Geoboard - check out the Chrome app - Geoboard by The Math Learning Center.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 42 second YouTube tutorial I created.

There is a free iOS app as well.

Take care,
Brad

Want to create a podcast, store it, and share it easily?

If you ever had the desire to create a podcast I have created a short blog post on one way you can do it with just your phone (my example is using an iPhone). There are numerous other services that could accomplish creating and storing a podcast, but I found this way to be pretty simple.

I use the Opinion App  (I purchased the $3.99 paid version). From there all you need to do is launch the app and press the red circle and the recording has begun. Once completed you will see the recording and listen to it (you can also cut/trim certain sections as well). When you select your recording you then have the options to send the recording on (I downloaded the SoundCloud  app (free) - so I just sent my recording straight to SoundCloud. You will be asked to name your podcast, add an image if you like, as well as your location. Remember to select Upload & Share (bottom right).

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 43 second YouTube tutorial I created.

You will need to log on to SoundCloud and create your sign-in (I used a Google sign-in). From there you will be able to change your profile, see your stats, who you follow, etc.

Once you select profile you will then see your podcast that you just sent from your phone. You will see the share button as well as see the ability to edit your track, download, as well as delete your podcast). 

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

Please feel free to reach out if any questions. Again, there are many ways in which you can create and share a podcast - this is just the simplest way that I have found.

Thanks!

Brad

Want to find your art doppelganger? Try it out in the Google Arts and Culture App

If you have ever been curious if there is a piece of art work out there that looks like you - give Google Arts and Culture app a shot.

Here is a quick description of what the site is all about (from Google). I previously created a blog post last year about the site - you can find it here.

Keep exploring with Google Arts & Culture. Meet the people, visit the places and learn about the events that shaped our world. Discover collections curated by experts from the most famous museums. Be moved by stories depicted in thousands of photos, videos, manuscripts and artworks on every type of screen and in virtual reality. Find your favorite artworks, create your own collections and share them with friends.


However, what is going "viral" is that the app matches your face with famous paintings. All you need to do is scroll down on the home page to the 4th "section"

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 58 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

Want to change the location of downloaded files in Chrome?

If you have downloaded files when using Chrome and would like to change the location of where they are downloaded - it is a simple solution.

1. Select the almighty three dots (upper-right corner)
2. Settings
3. Advanced
4. Downloads 
1. Location - change
5. Select the new location to store your files(s)

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 35 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,
Brad

How to search for previous posts easily in Facebook

If you have ever searched through Facebook for a post either you or a friend created it can be frustrating unless you know this simple little option.

Web Version:

If you are using the web version of Facebook simply enter into your account (or friend's profile) and after the profile name put a space and type in a keyword (baseball, Christmas, birthday, etc.) You will then see the posts that came up regarding that keyword (along with other options as well).

App

If you are using the Facebook app - simply enter into your account (or friend's profile) and next to their name in the bar at top you will see a magnifying glass. Select the magnifying glass and type in a keyword (baseball, Christmas, birthday, etc.) You will then see the posts that came up regarding that keyword (along with other options as well).

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 33 second YouTube tutorial showing the two different ways.

Take care,

Brad

Create your own Star Wars Crawl

If you would like to start a lesson with the Star Wars crawl (including music) select this link and create what you would like.

2 words of advice when creating with this site:

1. Make sure to type up your crawl in Google Docs, Word, or somewhere you can refer back to just in case you want to edit in the future.
2. I would hide your bookmarks (on Chrome Ctrl Shift B) as it is difficult to see the Editor and Share button (top right on the site).

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 42 YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

How to merge multiple Google Slide presentations into one.

If you would like to merge multiple Google Slide presentations into one, you will need to follow these directions:

1. Make sure to select the last slide in the 1st presentation.
2. Enter into the slide you wish to copy to the 1st presentation.
• Select the 1st slide
• Hold down shift
• Select the final slide (all should be selected)
• Select Ctrl C
3. Return to 1st Slide presentation
4. Paste the copied slide project (Ctrl v)

There you have it. If you are wondering why you would want to do this, one reason would be when your class is working on different parts of a topic. In the 4th grade class I was working with today, they were all working on different parts of the Appalachian Trail. The students would then have all information discussed in one slide presentation.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 57 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

It's back! You can take a snapshot picture right in Docs, Slides, and Drawings.

The feature to add a snapshot picture directly in Docs, Slides, and Drawings is back. I think of this feature like Bitmoji - except it is really you! Enjoy and use it!

• Docs:
• Insert image - camera

• Slides
• Insert image - camera
• Select image icon - camera

• Drawings
• Insert image - camera
• Select image icon - camera

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 50 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

Want to find a site that is similar to one you are using?

If you have ever wondered what sites on the web are similar/related to other ones, try this Google trick.

In the Google search type in related: site. 

In the embedded GIF and 30 second YouTube video below you will see me search for sites similar to ESPN.com and Google.com.

Take care,

Brad

Here's a fun one - what is a celebrity's 'Bacon number"?

This Google function involves the concept of "six degrees of separation" - the belief that we are all no more that six degrees apart. In this feature, no celebrity is more than six co-stars away from actor Kevin Bacon.

Embedded below is a GIF showing this feature with Barack Obama.

Brad

Want an exact search in Google? Try surrounding your search in quotation marks.

If you have ever looked for specificity when searching in Google, try using quotation marks before and after the search. This will allow Google to look specifically at your exact search.

In the embedded GIF and 26 second YouTube video below I show you how to search for the oldest baseball stadium.

Take care,

Brad

How to search for publicly shared Microsoft and Google files (including docs, sheets, slides, forms, etc)

If you would like to search for publicly shared Microsoft and Google file types try the following:

1. Type in your search (example - water cycle lesson plans)
2. Select Settings: Advanced Search
3. Scroll down to file type - this is where you will see Excel, PowerPoint, Word (among others)
4. To find Google files scroll up to site or domain: and type in docs.google.com 
• water cycle lesson plans site:docs.google.com
5. Your results will now show all publicly shared Google Docs
6. To find shared Google Slides - type in /presentation after docs.google.com
• water cycle lesson plans site:docs.google.com/presentation
7. Your results will now show all publicly shared Google Slides
8. The same can be done with forms, spreadsheets, etc

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 12 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

Check123 - Video Encyclopedia with video lengths of 1, 2, and 3 minutes

Check123 is a website that includes educational videos that are either one, two, or three minutes long.  You can search videos by length of video, subject, and topic. Check123 lets you search by keyword or you can browse the subject categories.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 5 second YouTube video.

Take care,

Brad

How to connect Google Photos to Shutterfly

A little over a year ago I created a video tutorial and blog post on how to upload your Google Photos directly into Shutterfly. Well, within the past month the Google Photos icon was no longer there (Facebook, Instagram, and Smugmug are). I received a number of messages from disappointed users and I tweeted Shutterfly. They stated that this option is no longer available - what a bummer.

Today my wife and I were working on a calendar for my parents and noticed that the Google Photos icon shows up once you start working on a project.


I would suggest making a new album in Google Photos and then you will have that album ready to go for your Shutterfly project.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 1 minute and 21 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,
Brad

Shared a file in Google Classroom and all students have editing rights? Here is the quick solution.

If you have shared a file such as Eric Curts's Build a Snowman in Google Classroom and notice that students have full access to your file it can be extremely frustrating.

Here is a quick and simple solution.

1. Enter into the file you shared and select the blue share button.
2. Select advanced
3. See who has access to the file and their rights.
4. Edit as you see fit (chance  to can view).
5. Problem solved!

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 41 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

Shorten a long URL into a "customizable" link with Bitly

If you would like to share a link easily with a group of students or participants in a meeting, try using Bitly (free to sign-up).

What is nice is that it takes your link, no matter how long it is, into a shortened customized link that is easy to type in.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 54 second YouTube tutorial.

Thanks for reading!
Brad

How to Display Calendar Items in the Side View of Outlook

If you would like your calendar items to display in the side view of Outlook - try the following:

• View
• To-Do Bar
• Select calendar

Embedded below is a GIF followed by an 18 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,

Brad

Save any picture you find on the internet right into Google Photos!

If you have ever found an image on the internet and you wanted to use it - it can be a hassle. With the Save to Google Photos extension it makes it so simple. Once the extension has been added all you need to do is right-click on the photo and save it right into Google Photos.

What is great about this is that with Google Photos' unlimited photo storage - you don't need to worry about storage. Do remember copyright rules when/if using the image you selected.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 39 second YouTube tutorial.

Take care,
Brad

2 ways to have a split screen on your Chromebook without an extension

While there are plenty of extensions that allow users to split your screen. My personal favorite is Tab Resize - allows users to easily split their screen a number of ways (see embedded picture below).

However, if you want a quick way to split your screen, here are 2 ways.

1. Double tap next to the new tab section above the URL - you can then grab a tab and drag it to the other side.
2. Alt [ to open up the left side of the screen or  Alt ] for the right side.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 42 second YouTube video.

Take care,

Brad

2 Supermoons in one month (January 1st and 31st) + some facts

"A supermoon happens when the full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth in its orbit. Supermoons make the moon appear a little brighter and closer than normal, although the difference is hard to spot with the naked eye."

Click here for a  nice site to explain what a supermoon really is  (from Space.com).

For information about the year's largest supermoon click here. There is no specific time to go out and look - just some time between dusk and dawn.

For facts about the moon for kids - click here.


Enjoy!
Brad