#TCEA16 Favorite Finds

What did I learn at TCEA? What did I not learn! The annual state technology conference always leaves me in a mindblown state; one that takes me a while to process. I always leave the conference on information overload. This year I took several Photoshop sessions, sessions on improving professional development and anything Google. 

Since Google is my first love, I thought I would share some of my favorite finds from this year.

Voice Typing in Google Docs

• Google Docs now has voice typing. 
• When you open Google Docs, go to Tools and click Voice Typing. You will have to enable the microphone on your computer (that should just pop up when you click on it).
• Then click to speak on the microphone that appears.
• The microphone will turn red when it begins to record your voice. 

     

Inserting Non-YouTube Videos in Google Slides
Adding YouTube videos to Google Slides is an easy process, but getting other video formats into a Google Slide can be tricky. Here are the steps to add a non-YouTube video. (Tutorial video)

• Find the mp4 file you want to include in your slide in your Google Drive.
• Take a screenshot of the video to serve as a hyperlink placeholder to your mp4 file.
• Go back to Google Slides, and find the slide you want to add the video link to.
• Insert the screenshot you just took.
• Downsize the screenshot as you see fit for your slide.
• Select the screenshot and insert the hyperlink.
• You can do this with CTRL + K (on a PC) or Command + K (on a Mac).
• Paste the shareable link of the mp4 file in Google Drive.
• Click Apply once you’ve pasted your link.
• Now, your image is hyperlinked to take the user to the video located in Drive.

Google Tips and Tricks

• Remote Sign-Out for Google Account in Gmail
• Forgot to log out of your Google Account on someone else's computer? No worries. 
• Log in to Gmail > Scroll to bottom right > Click on 'Details' > 'Sign out All Other Sessions'
• Reopen a Tab/Recover a Tab in Chrome
• Closed a tab in Chrome by accident?
• Reopen a Tab: Shift + Command + T (mac) OR Control + Shift + T (Windows)
• Recover a Tab:  Control + Tab
• Bookmark all Tabs in Chrome
• To Bookmark:  Right click over a tab > Select 'Bookmark All Tabs' > Save into a New Folder > Title Your Folder
• To Find Bookmarked Tabs:  Chrome Settings > Bookmarks > Locate the Folder > Open All Bookmarks
• Find Someone in a Google Doc
• Not sure where someone is typing in a shared Google Doc? 
• Click on their profile picture (square up in th top right) to jump to the spot on the document where they are.
• Share a Google Doc via Comment Feature
• Bring another person into the conversation by adding them via their Google account.
• Add as follows: Click on insert comment and then type the plus sign and their Gmail account
• Example: +kjohnsontech@gmail.com

Coming Soon...Google Academy

Coming to you soon...1st EVER Google Academy for Carroll ISD staff this summer. Whether you are a teacher, paraprofessional or administrative staff, Google is an essential tool for learning. There's more to Google than just a search engine. Come and learn ways to use Google Drive, Google Chrome, Google Forms, Google Docs, and much more. Participants can register in Eduphoria (click here to register). After registration you will be given the opportunity to customize your learning.

So what can you expect when attending a Google Academy? Here are just a few things Google can do for you!

Google Chrome Tip

Add goo.gl URL shortener extension to Chrome browser so you can shorten a website URL, copy the URL to a clipboard, or create a QR code of the website. Click here to download.

Google Sheets Tip
Take a Google sheet and transfer it into a set of online flash cards using Flippity.net. Once the flashcards are published no internet is needed to access the flashcards. Once you try flashcards, also give Flippity Quiz Show and Flippity Progress Indicator a try.

Google Docs Tip

Google Docs is more than just a word processor. The research tool feature allows users to perform research within the document by using basic Google search, search for images, use the dictionary and even include a citation with a footnote in the format (MLA, APA, etc) of your choice at the bottom of the page.

Google Forms Tip

One of my favorite new features of Google Forms is the template customization. Now instead of having a standardized template, users can choose their own header, font size and style, page background, form background and more.  Click here for a tutorial.

Google Drive Tip

Did you know you can upload Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel files into Google Drive? When uploading, if you choose to convert the files to Google format you will not be charged for space used. For example, each user has 15gb of space in Drive and only files that are not Google format are charged against you. Time to start Googling!!

Don't forget to sign up for the Google Academy in Eduphoria. You will experience two days of vigorous training and challenges to learn more about implementing Google Applications in your classroom.