February 21, 2016

NEW! Use Gradient Colors on Google Slides

Google Slides just keeps getting better and better!

You can now choose gradient colors for your background or shape in Google Slides.

It's very simple, just select Background, click Color and then select the Gradient tab on the right. When you’re happy with your color hit Done.

You can do way more with Google Slides than a simple presentation. Here is an article from Tony Vincent on how teachers can get creative using Google Slides in their classroom.

Get Creative With Google Slides

• Some of the ways include: • Narrations

• Connect Four

• News Letters

• Math Manipulatives • Graphic Organizers • E-Book Creation

• and many more 

February 21, 2017

VocApp - Multimedia Flashcards on iOS and Android

This article comes from Richard Byrne’s excellent blog Free Technology forTeachers.

VocApp is a tool that allows you to create digital flashcards complete with audio.

“To create flashcards on VocApp you need to create an account and sign-in. Once you're signed-in you can click "create flashcards" and begin writing out a list of words. Choose the language that you want to learn and VocApp will automatically translate words from English to the language you've selected. On the flashcard creation screen you can add an image to represent the words you're entering into your flashcards. The case of common words, VocApp will automatically add images to your flashcards. To help students learn how to pronounce words, VocApp offers audio support.

VocApp does offer some pre-made flashcard sets for sale, but you don't have to purchase anything in order to use the service to create and study your own flashcards. There is also a large gallery of public flashcards created by other users and made available for free.”

February 14, 2017

NEW UPDATE:

You can now insert video from Google Drive right into Google Slides!

Before, the only way you could insert a video directly into Google Slides was if it was on Youtube. The problem? There are many great video’s online that are not available on youtube. Plus, if a student creates their own video using something such as iMovie, there was no easy way to add it into a Slide presentation.........until now.

All you have to do is upload the video directly into your Drive folder. (in some cases, it maybe easier to download onto your desktop and then upload into Drive). Once you have the video into your Drive account, open up the Slides presentation you want to insert the video into. Next, click on Insert - Video. There is now an option to select video located in your Google Drive. Navigate to the right video and viola! - you have it inserted! To make it play automatically, you will need to right- click the video to designate a start and stop time.

To watch a short video on how to do this, click here:
https://youtu.be/q4nbJjxIFxM

This new update will be slowly rolling out so if the feature is missing from your Drive account - please be patient. 

February 14, 2017

Google EDU Google Tips

This site was created by Google Edu as a way for teachers to share how they are using the features available on G Suite for Education. It is updated with a new “slide” every Tuesday.

Much of the tips revolve around using Google Classroom efficiently and effectively but occasionally, there are tips for Docs, Slides, and more.

Today’s tips include:

• Integrating current events into Classroom by use of third-party apps
• Why setting up a class just for all of the Seniors in your school can be extremely useful
• Ways you can use rubrics within classroom.

Check out the site yourself at:

goo.gl/7UH8vB

February 7, 2017

Three Android Apps for Creating Whiteboard Video’s.

From the blog: Android 4 Schools comes this post about android apps that can be used to create whiteboard videos.

Know Recorder is a free Android app for creating whiteboard-style instructional videos. In only four steps, you can create a video on the app and upload it to youtube to share with your students.

To watch an video how to use Know Recorder, click here: https://youtu.be/2f_VnLvi1qI
Know Recorder also uses what it called a Know Lounge in which you can store and share your videos. Here is Richard Byrne show you how to use it: goo.gl/83NwnH

Clarisketch is a very easy to use app that has been around since 2014. You simply take a picture, highlight the details while recording your voice, and share it with others.

To watch a video on how to use Clarisketch, click here: https://youtu.be/njKSAu2ilDY

The last one is one that has also been around for a while but is till good to mention
and that is Explain Everything. The problem with Explain Everything is that is it really good.....but does cost. However, it might be worth the $3.99 if you use it over and over again. 

February 7, 2017

Reminder about Thinglink and Haiku Deck

After reading the post about apps for Androids....I started thinking about other apps/websites that have been around for a while that we forget to use. In particular, two of my favorites: Thinglink and Haiku Deck.

Thinglink is so very easy to use. You simply start with a picture and then you can layer on text, video, graphics, links, and more.

To find out more, please watch this video: https://youtu.be/SlEAmtuR4Do

What is great about Thinglink is there are so many already created by other educators. All you have to do is remix to add in your own content or edit what is there. Here is how: https://youtu.be/SbhdEXZ_Jkw

Another one that I absolutely love due to how easy it is to use is Haiku Deck. Haiku Deck lets you add pictures and text to create an amazing presentation. It is now available on the web as well as an iPad app.

To see how to create a Haiku Deck, watch this video: https://youtu.be/5crVTsJk9QE 

January 31, 2017

Is this website/ online source CRAAP?

An easy to way to check to see if the source you found online is trustworthy is to use the CRAAP test. This acronym was developed by California State University Meriam Library and is a sure way for students to remember. It stands for the following:

• C - Currency: what is the timeliness of the information?
• R - Relevance: does it fit with what you need?
• A - Authority: who is the author/ publisher/organization. Can you trust them?
• A - Accuracy: what is the reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content? Can it be verified by other sources?
• P - Purpose: Why is the information online? Is it to sell, inform, or persuade you?

For more information: goo.gl/fBQub7

For younger students, have them use the F.A.R.T. test: goo.gl/p2j5F7