Friday, March 17, 2023

Typingclub.com How to sign-up as a teacher and get your class started using Google Classroom. (Clever is an option as well)

 If you would like your class (or classes) to practice their typing and be able to keep their progress, give Typingclub.com a try.

To get started, make sure you enter into https://www.edclub.com/ and signup for your class and choose the free edition (or other if you wanted to try that).

Once you create your account you will need to add your first class. Please know you will need to add a class first and then you will see the ability to add through Google Classroom or Clever. Once you created your first class, take a look near the top of the classes page and choose Google Classroom. You can then import your class or classes.

I would recommend going into the settings and adjust what you would like (I removed the ability for students to see other's progress).

Place the link Typingclub.com into Classroom and have your students sign in with Google.

They can then start their typing and it will keep their progress!

Embedded below is a 2 minute video tutorial.



Take care,

Brad

Thursday, March 16, 2023

How to access Picture in picture for a YouTube video.

 If you like to watch videos on YouTube; however, you would like to do some work on the same screen - you are in luck.

On the video you would like to watch, quickly right click two times on the video. 


Once you select Picture in picture you can now take this video and place it where you would like on your screen and/or adjust the size of the video.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 46 second YouTube tutorial.







Take care,
Brad



Wednesday, March 15, 2023

On a Windows-based device, here is how to free up some of the room in your taskbar. Hint - you don't really need that search bar.

If you are on a Windows-based device and would like a bit more room in your taskbar, you can remove it. What is really nice is that the search feature isn't gone - you just need to click on the Windows Icon and start typing.

In order to remove the search bar, simply right click in the taskbar and choose search and then Hidden.



Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 52 second YouTube tutorial.







Take care,
Brad

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Ever try scrolling on a website and all of a sudden you are taken to your desktop? That and other solutions in this tutorial.

 If you have ever been typing on your Windows -based device and you meant to scroll up or down with your trackpad but it shows your desktop - here is how to fix it.

  • Select the Windows Icon (bottom left)
  • Settings icon
  • Devices
  • Touchpad
    • scroll down to Three-finger gestures
    • change it to nothing
You will also notice other options with your trackpad as well as sensitivity and scroll/zoom options.

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 59 second YouTube tutorial.





Take care,
Brad



Monday, March 13, 2023

Factmonster is a free reference site for students, teachers, and parents. Get homework help, find fun facts, and play games!

 Factmonster is a fun site to use to find some fun facts revolving around World, US, People, Math & Science, Language Arts, Homework, Tools, Teaching Resources, and Games!

Please note that when you click on a page it may state that it was last updated in 2017. When you click on a link, you will notice that the topic will show when that was updated. You will see an example in my 2 minute and 13 second embedded video below.


Take care and enjoy playing Simon Says! 😉
Brad


Sunday, March 12, 2023

On a Windows device how to quickly go to the desktop and how to quickly lock your screen.

 If you use a Windows based device, here are 2 shortcuts that will definitely save you time. 

  • Windows Key + D
    • This will quickly take you to the desktop. This is great because you don't have to close out your window to go to your desktop.
    • To go back to the window you were using, simply select the Windows Key + D to go right back.
  • Windows Key + L
    • This will allow you to quickly lock your screen.
    • This is helpful especially when you need to step out for a few minutes and you do not want to leave your computer unlocked.
Embedded below is a 29 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,
Brad

Saturday, March 11, 2023

A few tips and tricks when it comes to using Google images.

Many of us (and students) use Google to search for images. A few quick tips revolving around images.

  • A reminder when you are on the Google search page you will see the camera icon. This allows you to use Google Lens and the options you see below.

  • When you search for images in Google please note that if you want to make sure the image can be used without attribution, please select Tools and then usage rights.
  • When you see an image you will also see the Google Lens option again so that it will provide you with more information.
  • An extension that is beneficial is the View Image extension. This extension allows you to see the option of "View Image" in a new tab. This is a nice option as you are provided with a nice picture of it.
Embedded below is a 2 minute and 18 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,
Brad


Friday, March 10, 2023

Looking for a quick and easy way to display 2-9 dice? Try this extension.

 If you would like a simple way to have anywhere between 2 and 9 dice, try the extension Really Good Dice.

Once you add the extension, simply click on it for a quick roll of one die. If you would like to add more dice, as well as sound, simply right-click on the extension and choose options.

Embedded below you will see a screenshot of the 9 dice as well as a 1 minute and 30 second YouTube tutorial.






Take care,

Brad

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Looking for a way to teach telling time on a clock? Try this very helpful clock demonstrator.

 If you are in the need of a clock demonstrator tool, click on this link.




As you can see in the image above you have many options, including showing past/to as well as a digital clock and Roman Numerals.

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 32 second YouTube tutorial.




I hope this website helps with teaching time.

Take care,
Brad


Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Looking for a cursor highlighter for your lessons? Here is an easy to use highlighter for free.

 If you are presenting your computer screen and would like to use a cursor highlighter, check out the extension Cursor Highlighter.

Once you add the extension you will then see the options you see below. If you would like to have a color other than rose, cyan, or lime, make sure to choose the black rectangle and then select the color you would like.

What is really nice about this extension is the ability to quickly and easily enable and disable the highlighter.

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 26 second YouTube tutorial.


Take care,
Brad


Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Need assistance with pronunciation of a word? Try Google's Pronunciation tool built into the search bar.

 Google's pronunciation (built into search) is a very powerful tool. As a user, simply enter in the word you would like to hear pronounced (pronunciation of sherbet) and then you will hear the word said aloud, what it sounds like, as well as a "video" on how the mouth should move (see image below).



Embedded below is a 1 minute and 35 second YouTube tutorial.



A few ways that this tool can be used and why:

Learn correct pronunciation of words

One of the most obvious uses of Google's pronunciation tool is to learn the correct pronunciation of words. Simply type in the word you want to learn and the tool will provide an audio clip of how the word is pronounced. This can be especially helpful for learners who are studying a language that has a different phonetic system than their native language. By hearing the correct pronunciation, learners can begin to internalize the correct way to say words in their target language.

Practice pronunciation

In addition to using the tool to learn the correct pronunciation of words, learners can also use it to practice their own pronunciation. Simply record yourself saying a word or phrase and then listen to the audio clip provided by the tool to compare your pronunciation with the correct pronunciation. This can help learners identify areas where they need to improve and can provide a valuable tool for self-assessment.

Improve listening skills

Another way to use Google's pronunciation tool is to improve your listening skills. By listening to the audio clips provided by the tool, learners can begin to train their ears to recognize the sounds and intonations of their target language. This can be especially helpful for learners who struggle with understanding spoken language.

If you have any questions, please reach out.

Take care,

Brad

Monday, March 6, 2023

Looking for a Free Cloze (Fill-in-the-Blank) Generator? This is the site for you.

 


As a teacher, one of the most challenging tasks is to create engaging and interactive materials for students. With the advancement of technology, there are now many tools available that can help teachers make their lessons more fun and effective. One such tool that can be incredibly useful is a fill-in-the-blank generator. One such generator you can access by clicking on this link.

You can access a video tutorial by clicking below.




A fill-in-the-blank generator is a program that allows you to create custom sentences or paragraphs with blanks that students must fill in. This tool can be used in a variety of subjects, including language arts, science, history, and more. Here are some of the reasons why a fill-in-the-blank generator can be an excellent tool for teachers:

Enhances Learning: Fill-in-the-blank generators allow students to actively engage in the learning process. By filling in the blanks, students must recall information, think critically, and apply their knowledge to the task at hand. This type of active learning can be more effective than passive learning methods such as reading or listening to a lecture.

Provides Immediate Feedback: When students use a fill-in-the-blank generator, they receive immediate feedback on their responses. This feedback can help students identify areas where they need improvement and can also reinforce correct answers.

Customizable: Fill-in-the-blank generators are highly customizable. Teachers can create their own sentences and paragraphs to match the specific needs of their students. This tool can be used to create everything from simple vocabulary exercises to complex critical thinking tasks.

Saves Time: Creating materials from scratch can be time-consuming, but a fill-in-the-blank generator can save teachers a significant amount of time. By using a generator, teachers can quickly create materials that are engaging and effective without spending hours creating them from scratch.

Encourages Collaboration: Fill-in-the-blank exercises can be used as part of a group or collaborative learning activity. By working together to fill in the blanks, students can learn from one another and develop important teamwork skills.

In conclusion, a fill-in-the-blank generator is an incredibly useful tool for teachers. It enhances learning, provides immediate feedback, is customizable, saves time, and encourages collaboration. If you're looking for a way to make your lessons more interactive and engaging, consider using a fill-in-the-blank generator in your classroom.

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Curious if a piece of literature was written using Artificial Intelligence? Try this site by the creators of CHAT GPT.

 If you are curious if a piece of literature that was submitted to you, click here for AI Text Classifier (by the creators of GPT3). While nothing is perfect, this will give you another resource to try.

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



Take care,

Brad


Saturday, March 4, 2023

Thisissand.com - Fun and unique playground for creating and sharing amazing sandscapes on your computer or mobile device.

 Thisissand.com is a very unique website that allows you to utilize your computer or mobile device as a place to create awesome sandscapes.

Enter into the site and start making your creation. In order to change the color make sure to select the color in the upper right and choose a new one.

It is a very relaxing site as you can just play with the sand and make whatever you would like.

In order to save the creation make sure to use a decent amount of sand, I had to make it go beyond the halfway point of the page.

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 29 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,

Brad

Friday, March 3, 2023

Want to have some fun with emojis? Try combining 2 into 1 with Tikolu.net's Emojimix

Tikolu offers the ability to have some fun with emojis by allowing the user to combine 2 emojis into one. An example I created is below. I combined a germ and covering your mouth.

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 2 second YouTube tutorial.



I asked opeanai on ways to use Emojimix and you can see an edited version below.

Emojis are a popular way to add some fun and personality to our online conversations, and Emojimix takes it to the next level by allowing users to create custom emojis. As a teacher, there are many ways you could use Emojimix in your classroom to engage your students and enhance their learning experience. Here are some ideas:

Storytelling: Have your students create custom emojis to represent characters, objects, and settings in a story they are reading or writing. They can use these emojis to illustrate key scenes and events, and share them with their classmates to help visualize the story.

Vocabulary Building: Use Emojimix to create visual representations of vocabulary words or concepts. For example, have students create emojis to represent different parts of speech.

Digital Citizenship: Emojis are a fun way to teach students about digital citizenship and appropriate online behavior. Have them create emojis to represent positive online interactions (e.g. kindness, empathy, respect), or to illustrate what cyberbullying looks like.

Classroom Management: Emojis can be a fun way to manage behavior in the classroom. Create a set of custom emojis that represent different levels of engagement, and have students use them to indicate how well they are understanding the material or participating in class.

Overall, Emojimix is a great tool for promoting creativity, communication, and engagement in the classroom. So why not give it a try and see how it can enhance your teaching and your students' learning experience?

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Explore the weird and wonderful things on Google Street View. Great for a story starter as well as many other possibilities.

 The website Google Street View allows the users to explore some fun, weird, and wonderful things on Google Street View.

The user is presented with an "interesting" image (see below) with a small description and where it is located. You can then like the image as well, share the exact image with someone else, and then choose random to see another image.


Embedded below is a 55 second YouTube tutorial.




I decided to use openai to see how it would create a blog post revolving around using street view and ways educators could use it. See below for the response. It has some good ways to use Google's Street View as an educator (just remember to drop in Peg Man). 

As a teacher, there are many resources available online that can be used to enrich your classroom experience and bring learning to life for your students. One such resource is the website "Wonders of Street View," which provides a fascinating and educational virtual tour of some of the world's most iconic landmarks and natural wonders.

Geography and Social Studies: Use the website to teach your students about geography and the world around them. The website includes a wide range of locations, from famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal, to natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef. Students can explore these locations using the street view feature and learn about the geography, history, and culture of each place.

Science: The website is also a great tool for teaching science. Students can explore natural wonders like Yellowstone National Park or the Amazon Rainforest and learn about the plants, animals, and ecosystems that exist there. They can also use the street view feature to explore science museums and other educational sites, and learn about different scientific concepts.

Art and Literature: Many of the locations on the website are famous for their cultural significance, such as the Louvre Museum in Paris or the Globe Theatre in London. You can use these locations to teach your students about art and literature, and to inspire them to create their own art or writing based on what they see.

Virtual Field Trips: With many schools still unable to go on in-person field trips, the website can be a great way to take your students on a virtual field trip. You can choose a location to explore as a class, and then have students write or present about what they learned.

Creative Writing: Finally, you can use the website to inspire creative writing assignments. For example, you could have your students choose a location from the website and write a descriptive paragraph or short story about what they see.

Overall, "Wonders of Street View" is a fantastic resource for teachers who want to bring the world into their classrooms. Whether you're teaching geography, science, art, or literature, the website offers a wealth of information and inspiration for your students. So why not give it a try today and see what wonders you can discover?

Take care,

Brad 

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Create animated GIFs from a screen recording using Gifcap.

 If you are anything like me, sometimes a video or a GIF along with directions is very much appreciated. A simple way to create a GIF is to use the website Gifcap

  • Once you select start recording it will prompt you for the tab you would like to record. 
  • When you are finished make sure to select stop sharing (under the URL in blue).
You can then edit, delete, or download.

Embedded below is a 2 minute and 15 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

How to transcribe a voice memo into text.

 If you would like to take a voice memo (in this example I am using an iPhone, Google Drive, and Office 365) and have it be transcribed. With the transcription you could share it with other users and/or translate it for students in a classroom.

  • Take your voice memo and upload it into Google Drive
  • Go into Google Drive on your computer and download it
  • Open Office 365
    • if you work in a school, there is a strong possibility that you have a free account
  • Open Word
  • Choose the microphone (on the right side under Catch Up
  • Choose transcribe
  • Upload the file
    • Add to document with the options you see below

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



Take care,
Brad

Monday, February 27, 2023

One way to check to see if a paper was written using Artificial Intelligence.

 If you have a paper that has been submitted to you, or you see a paper that you are curious if Artificial Intelligence was used, give GPTZero a look.

You can either copy the selected text or upload the file into GPTZero. Once you choose Get Results it will state that your text is either likely to be written by a human or AI. It will also highlight the sections it believes to be written by AI.

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 11 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,

Brad

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Create realistic images and art from a description in natural language using DALL-E-2.

 DALL-E-2 is an AI site that allows the user to create realistic images from a description in natural language. 

So, what does this mean? It means pretty much whatever you can think of it can create. Take a look at the image below from the website of teddy bears mixing chemicals as part of a 1990s Saturday morning cartoon.


Embedded below is a 1 minute and 17 second YouTube tutorial I created. 


Take care,
Brad