Monday, November 30, 2020

Go beyond the Hour of Code πŸ’» with studio code org - teacherπŸ‘¨‍🏫 and student πŸ‘©‍πŸŽ“point of view. Amazing for asynchronous learning as well.

If you would like to participate in the Hour of Code (December 7-13, 2020) I created a blog post that you can visit.

If you are interested in continuing to have your students code and have the information save, then make sure to log on to studio.code.org/courses (this is also the link to place in a site such as Google Classroom where students can log on throughout the year).
  • In the upper right select sign in and then create an account (if in a Google District I would recommend choosing Continue with Google).
  • You are then in "My Dashboard"
    • On this screen you can scroll down a bit and create a new classroom section
  • When you select Create a section you can then choose picture, word, or personal logins. If you work in a Google District be sure to scroll down just a bit and choose Google Classroom.
  • Your students can now go continue with their coding and continue to use it throughout the year (they can pick up where they left off)
You can also see a 2 minute and 15 second YouTube tutorial I created showing the above as well.


Take care,
Brad

Hour of Code 2020 πŸ’» - December 7-13th - remember to create certificates for your students πŸ˜ƒ

Hour of Code is upcoming (Dec 7-13th). If you click here you will be taken directly to the site that includes "How To", "Activities", "How to Promote",  as well as "FAQ".

  • Please note that you do not need to sign up your class for accounts if you do not wish to (if you do - click here for a short video - Going beyond the Hour of Code). 

I hope you and your students enjoy this time for students to be creative, show some grit, laugh, and have fun creating!

Embedded below is a 2 minute and 30 second YouTube tutorial I created followed by information from Hadi Patovi (founder of Code.org).



Hello,

The Hour of Code is a month away, happening this year from Dec. 7-13, 2020, and we’re excited to announce 115 brand-new tutorials and lesson plans! Many activities were created with remote learning in mind to support the various classroom models taking place during this time.

Introducing CodeBytes: New mini-lessons for virtual classrooms
We hope everyone can join us this year for CodeBytes, our brand new series of
easy-to-digest, 20 minute interactive lessons that will stream twice daily during Computer Science Education Week, Monday through Friday, December 7-11. If you’re planning for a classroom that’s gone fully virtual, CodeBytes are designed to fit smoothly into a distance learning plan. Episodes are tailored to different grade levels.


Whether students have a computer or a smartphone, they can interact with and tune-in to every episode. Each lesson is hosted by Code.org staff and blends computer science with real-world topics, including artificial intelligence and #CSforGood. Take a look at our planned activities, and add your favorites to your calendar so you don’t miss out.

Explore endless computer science topics with brand-new tutorials
This year’s activities dive into tons of different CS topics like AI, data processing, and app & game design, as well as programming concepts like events, loops, and variables!


Students can explore the oceans with SciGirls, learn to code and meditate with CodeSpeak Labs, build a climate clock with Vidcode, or try out another of the 30+ new #CSforGood themed activities and lesson plans! See them all at hourofcode.com/learn.

No computer? No problem. Unplugged resources for students
Every student deserves to learn computer science regardless of what technology they have at home. A number of engaging new unplugged options from our partners at Google, Kodable, iRobot, and elsewhere are available to learners with low or no connectivity or limited device access.

We’ve also created a printable Hour of Code Unplugged Activity Packet for ages 4-18. Please include these resources in your next communication to parents and caretakers so that your students can still join this global event.


Find a remote volunteer for your Hour of Code
To make this year’s event even more engaging for students, try inviting a volunteer to speak to your classroom! Many volunteers* are eager to help in-person or virtually and are also CS professionals who can speak about their career path.

Whether your students are learning in-person, at home, or a hybrid of both, we hope that these resources can make it simpler than ever to bring an Hour of Code to students of all ages. However you choose to participate, we can’t thank you enough for your effort and support.

Hadi Partovi
Founder, Code.org

*Please note that Code.org is not responsible for individuals who sign-up to volunteer 

How to get a class list of students in your Google Classroom

 If you would like to have a complete list of students in a particular Google Classroom there are a few quick steps to make it happen (Google currently does not have this readily available).

Below are the steps:

  • Access the classwork section of your classroom
  • Choose an assignment and select view assignment
  • Select the settings gear (upper right of page)
  • Copy all grades to Google Sheets
  • I like to remove the first 5 rows to clear out the excess data
    • I also like clearing column C
  • Since all cells are frozen you have to unfreeze the columns
    • view>freeze>no columns
  • Since Classroom has last names in column A simply highlight column A and drag to column B
  • In the example I highlight 1 A - hold down Shift and then select the last name in Column B (in this case it is 8 B) 
  • Right click (or Ctrl C) Select copy and now you can paste where you would like to place the names
  • Make sure to rename your Sheet as well for future reference
Embedded below is  a second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad

Sunday, November 1, 2020

How to change your audio, video, and microphone while in Zoom

 If you are in a Zoom meeting and would like to change your video output to another video, i.e. IPEVO, BRIO, etc, try the following:

  •  Select the carrot next to the Video Icon and choose your camera

If you are in a Zoom meeting and would like to change your microphone or speaker try the following:
  • Select the carrot next to the Microphone and choose your microphone as well as speaker.

If you would like to adjust your Microphone and Speaker on your Windows device make sure to enter into your settings and then choose system>sound

Embedded below is a 1 minute and 18 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad






Tuesday, October 27, 2020

How to embed a certain section of a YouTube video for your students/viewers into a Google Slide

 There are times when you want to show your class only a certain section of a particular video. To do so try the following in a Google Slide:

  • I like to make sure the Slide layout is blank
  • Then select Insert > Video
  • Either search or enter in the specific url for the YouTube video and press select
    • I like to center the video
  • On the right side of your screen you will see Start at and End at
    • adjust the times to your specifications
  • Choose whether you want to autoplay when presenting as well as  mute audio
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 29 second YouTube tutorial that includes showing a clip about the Boston Tea Party.



Take care,
Brad

Friday, October 23, 2020

Take your Google Form to the next level with Paint-by-Numbers

 The other day I saw a video tutorial by Teaching It that ran through the steps of using Paint-by-Numbers in Google Forms - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rDzbGrU3Bo 

It got me thinking of how much fun it would be for students of all ages to answer questions and see their answers fill in a color in a painting!

Embedded below is a GIF followed by a 5 minute and 56 second YouTube tutorial that I created.




  • In order to do this you will first need to find a website for a color by numbers. A simple website to use is http://coloritbynumbers.com/online.
    • You can then choose a picture
      • I recommend taking a picture (snipping tool) to be used later on in your Form
      • Then, choose the number 1, color in, and then take a picture.
      • Continue on until the painting has been completed.
  • Then, start your Google Form and add fields for first and last name.
    • I also added the original picture to show the students what they would be coloring in
  • Next, add a new section to the form
    • Add a title (color the ones or something like that) as well as adding something like "Answer the question below to color in the ones."
    • Then, add your picture.
  • Add your question
    • Make sure it is Short Answer
    • At the bottom (next to required) select the three dots and add response validation
    • Choose Number  > Equal to > answer
    • Add custom error text (keep trying)
  • Add a new section
  • Upper right of next section make sure to select Duplicate section
    • update the title, description, etc.
  • For the image - select where it says Image Title 
    • Add Image Title
    • Choose the three dots and select change 
    • You can now change out the image and add the "ones" picture
  • Continue until all questions and images have been added

Take care,
Brad


Wednesday, October 21, 2020

How to adjust microphone levels on a Chromebook Make sure to update Google Chrome

 If you (or your students) have been having issues with being either too quiet or too loud on Zoom or Google Meet, here is one thing to try.

  • Make sure your Google Chrome is up-to-date.
    • Select the three dots in the upper right
    • Settings
    • About Chrome (it is located bottom left after you select Settings)
    • Select check for updates
  • Once updated select the bottom corner of shelf (time)
  • You will see the volume level
    • select the carrot to the right (audio settings)
  • You can then adjust the microphone levels
Embedded below is a 48 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad


Monday, October 12, 2020

Where are my extensions in Google Chrome?

Ever added extensions in Google Chrome and then can't find them? I have 2 quick suggestions to try:

  • See if you have what looks like a puzzle piece to the far right of the url (looks like what you see below.
    • if you see the puzzle piece simply click on it and then "pin" the extensions you want to see by clicking on the pin
    • if you want to remove this puzzle piece you must go into chrome://flags/ and then type in extensions and disable the experiment Extensions Toolbar Menu
    • you will then need to relaunch Chrome for this experiment to be removed
  • The 2nd way is that possible it is hidden to the right of your URL.
    • you can try either clicking on the three dots in the upper right of Chrome and seeing the extensions there
      • or go to the left of where the extensions are stored and drag the bar to the left.
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 30 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad


 

How to check for Zoom updates

 If you would like to check Zoom for updates, below I have created a video of one way to do this. I have also included Zoom's help center as well.

How I did it was to open Zoom's Cloud Meeting on my computer and then sign in and check for updates.

Another way to get to Zoom's Cloud Meeting is to start a meeting and then end it. When you end it - make sure to sign in and then select your icon in the upper right and then check for updates.








Embedded below is a 52 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad

Friday, October 9, 2020

How to quickly have a split screen on a Mac (control shift 2)

 If you would like to have a split screen on your Mac there are a few ways to do it; howevr the easiest I found was to select:

  • control shift 2
If you want 4 screens to come up try control shift 4

Embedded below is a 28 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad

Thursday, October 8, 2020

How to make sure users receive their form in an email in Google Forms (release score)

If you have created a form in Google forms and would like to return the form to the participants (a quiz to your students) after you have reviewed and added any feedback simply follow these steps:

  • in forms make sure you select the settings gear next to Send
  • in the general tab be sure to check collect email addresses (you can see other options as well below that)
  • in the section 2 over from General you will see Quizzes
    • choose to make it a quiz
    • release grade 
      • in my example below I show Later, after manual review
        • this is important for marking open-ended questions as well as leaving feedback
  • select save
  • send your form to your participants (students)

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

How to share a contact group in Outlook

 If you would like to share your contact group you have created in Outlook, follow these steps:

  • Open a new message.
  • Open Contacts.
  • Drag the distribution list from Contacts into the message body.
  • Send the message.

Friday, October 2, 2020

How to share a YouTube video so it will show in full screen.

 If you would like to share a YouTube video with others but do so in full-screen mode try this...

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Issues with audio/video not working on a specific site? Click on the lock (view site information) in Google Chrome

 If you are on a website (such as Zoom) and are having audio and/or video issues (like video is not showing at all) - check out what looks like a lock next to the beginning of the URL (in Chrome). This is called view site information and will give you some helpful info such as cookies used, location sharing, JavaScript, etc.

Embedded below is a 51 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,

Brad

Read&Write Extension Have documents and webpages read aloud

 If you would like to have documents and webpages read aloud to the user - try the extension Read&Write.

The extension (free version) allows the user to have a webpage or document read-aloud as well as the ability to practice reading a selection aloud and listen to it.

Embedded below is a 2 minute and 42 second YouTube tutorial.



Take care,

Brad

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

How to create a topic in Flipgrid and send to multiple groups.

 If you create a topic in Flipgrid and would like to send it to multiple groups - try the following:

  • Create the new topic
  • Once topic is created, go to the actions and duplicate the topic
  • You can then add the topic to multiple groups
    • This also works for previously created topics - please note videos are not duplicated
Embedded below is a 1 minute and 30 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,

Brad


Monday, September 28, 2020

Google Drive trash items will be automatically deleted after 30 days starting on October 13, 2020

 This is just a friendly reminder that if you place any file within Google Drive in the trash they will be deleted after 30 days. Previously, trashed items would be retained indefinitely until the trash was emptied by the user. 


While this is a change if you really like the idea of placing items in an area and returning to it later on, one work around is to create a folder called "Trash" and place the files in there. 





Take care,
Brad


Friday, September 25, 2020

Feedback in Flipgrid - teacher and student point-of-view

 Flipgrid is an amazing tool for amplifying student voice. Built into Flipgrid is the ability to add feedback to a student's response. 

  • For educator's to add feedback - scroll down to the bottom of the screen when creating your topic and you will see the option for basic as well as custom feedback.

  • When students add their videos scroll down and select the feedback link directly under the video.

  • Add the feedback and then you have the options that you see below. You can copy the feedback link and send on to the specific user or select email feedback. The issue you may have with email feedback in schools is the fact that outside emails may be blocked by your organization. You could talk to your IT department about opening it up. However, I would suggest the students use the link https://my.flipgrid.com/
  • The Myflipgrid link allows the students to see their videos and see any feedback available.


Embedded below is a 2 minute and 11 second YouTube tutorial.




Take care,
Brad


How to make sure your name (or your student's name) comes up in Zoom while on a Chromebook.

 If issues have come up with student names not coming up properly in Zoom on a Chromebook take a look at the steps below followed by a 1 minute YouTube tutorial. Click here for the same information below available in a Doc.

  1. Click on the x when Zoom launches.



  1. Choose join from your browser.



Make sure to type in your name, the unique captcha code, and Join.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Create your own Star Wars Crawl

A few years ago I shared one way to create your own crawl, unfortunately that site no longer works. However, if you click on this link -  https://starwarsintrocreator.kassellabs.io/  you can then adjust the text to fit your needs and then share the link with others.

I would recommend typing up the information in a Google Doc, Word, or somewhere you can refer back to just in case. 

It is nice though because you can use the unique URL that is created for your creation and edit in the future. However, I do not know how long that URL will last. So please keep your work in a Doc. 

Please note there also is a Game of Throne, Westworld, and Stranger Things Intro creator.

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




Take care,

Brad