#TCEA16 Favorite Finds

Guest Post by Rebecca Gould, Carroll Senior High School French Teacher

I felt so blessed to attend the TCEA Conference February 3-5 in Austin. I’m always eager to learn and incorporate new strategies in my classroom. TCEA did not disappoint. There was a wide array of classes and workshops to attend, covering a huge variety of topics. 

As other attendees have mentioned, I enjoyed learning more about Google Add-Ons, which have all kinds of applications.

I have also enjoyed discovering Quizizz and using it in class. We use Kahoot to review, then Quizizz as a formative assessment. The students can quiz on their own devices, go at their own pace, and get immediate feedback. The instructor can then get the class results in an Excel spreadsheet to enter as a grade. You can upload images to accompany the questions.

I couldn’t be more excited about the Google Cultural Institute (art project, historic moments, world wonders) for art, history, geography, social studies, and world language teachers. I didn’t even know it existed before the conference. I’m going to enjoy taking my students on virtual tours of French art in museums around the world

I’m also excited to try Microsoft OneNote, an amazing digital note-taking app. 

There are two main reasons that I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to attend TCEA:

1. My comfort level with new technology increased. I’m willing to take more risks with new apps and software, which ultimately improves student engagement and learning. 
2. It was so much fun! I developed relationships with amazing teachers from other CISD campuses and had the opportunity to swap insights.

#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

#TCEA16 Favorite Finds

Guest Post by DaNeil Hill, Old Union Elementary School Kindergarten Teacher

Things I learned from TCEA:

Google Tools

• In the Google search box, enter “timer 5 minutes” for a timer.
• In the Google search box, enter “stopwatch.”
• Even your non-readers/emergent readers can work in Google documents; they just need to use Voice Typing. In a Google Document, pull down the tools menu to “Voice Typing”. Click the mic and start talking!
• When you are speaking text in a document, there are several phrases you can use to add punctuation:
• "Period"
• "Comma"
• "Exclamation point"
• "Question mark"
• "New line"
• "New paragraph"

Nearpod

Use Nearpod in the classroom to immediately assess students digitally. This awesome tool is described on the website as interactive lessons, real time assessment, and used across various devices. Create any task for students to complete. Give them the Nearpod code to type in when they open the app. Student show their work on the iPad, and the answers are immediately sent to the teacher. Great for use in math, science concepts, vocabulary…the possibilities are endless. Nearpod even has some already made lessons for teachers to use.


San Diego Zoo – Kids

Take a virtual field trip to the San Diego Zoo.  Watch live cameras of various animals in their zoo habitats.  Explore the videos put together by the zoo keepers at the San Diego Zoo that teach about various animals, their habitats, how they live from day to day, etc. New videos are added all the time. They even have games and activities for the kids to enjoy. My students love watching the live animals…especially the polar bears and panda bears.

Meet Google Keep - Organizing your thoughts wherever you go

This time, it's going to be different. With a brand new year, brimming with opportunities, one of the top ten new year's resolutions is to "get organized". With so much of our lives online, to say things can get overwhelming is an understatement. As you devise a plan to get more organized, Google Keep is a note taking application that you may want to look at. 

Google Keep is a note taking application developed by Google and is available as a mobile app for the Android and iOS mobile operating systems and as a web application.

Google Keep lets you:

• capture, edit, on your notes on any device, any device, 
• add notes, lists, photos and audio to Keep.
• organize your notes with labels and color coding
• share and collaborate your notes with others
• Automatically transcribe voice recordings created through Keep notes
• Archive notes and create copies of notes
• sync notes between devices using the user's Google account

To download go to https://www.google.com/keep/

Apps for the Holidays

If you are like me, you are probably on holiday overload, from all the shopping, to decorations, to preparing for travel and much more. Take a break and check out some of my favorite apps.

The following app categories are:

• Shopping - learn some ways to save a buck during the holidays.
• Food - from mobile ordering to recipe collection
• Photos 
• Social Media - I've embraced Snapchat as a way to communicate with my college daughter
• Travel - apps to help police sightings, places to stop and where to find cheap gas
• eReaders - check out ways to get free books via Overdrive and much more
• Music streaming
• Television apps - catch up on all your favorite shows
• Games - fun gaming apps to play with others and stand alone
• Crazy Photo/Voice - have fun with your children making fun video with crazy faces and voices

Below is a Thinglink with descriptions and links to the app. Hover over the picture of the app to read the description and get the link. Many apps can be found in the iTunes store and the Google Play store. However, the link for each app is for the iTunes store.

https://www.thinglink.com/scene/728274771581599744

How to Google Efficiently, Organize Research, and Share Learning

Continuing our discussion on PBL and Design Thinking, students need to know how to research efficiently and effectively, how to organize their research, and how to share their knowledge. 

How to Google Efficiently and Effectively

If you were asked to find information from NY Times articles about test scores in college (but not the SATs) written between 2008 and 2010, how would you search for that? The graphic below dissects the proper search term for finding that information:

Source

Ways to tailor your Google search:

• Search only a particular site with the search term "site:"
• Use a tilde (~) to search for synonyms of a particular search term
• Use quotations (" ") to search for an exact phrase
• A dash (-) placed before a word will exclude it from the search
• Two periods (..) will show results from a range of time

This PDF from United Tribes Technical College Online will give you lots of ideas for getting more out of your Google search, and it would be great to share with older students. Younger students will appreciate this "How to Do Research" site from the Kentucky Virtual Library. 

Archiving Student Learning

As students research, it's important for them to have a clear vision about how they will keep track of ideas, concepts, links, and resources. As the Dragons Go Digital team learned during our day of learning in October with Sabba Quidwai from EdTechTeacher, students should think about the 4Ss before deciding on a system for note-taking.

The 4Ss:

• Does the system support me as a learner?
• Can I save my notes across devices?
• Can I search my notes?
• Can I share my notes?

Suggested Tools for Archiving Learning:

• Google docs or slides
• Microsoft OneNote
• Notability app
• Seesaw Learning Journal
• PaperPort Notes

Student Voice

Finally, students must have a tool through which to tell the story of their learning. Here are some tools we recommend:

• Padlet
• Google docs or slides
• Tackk
• ThingLink
• Haiku Deck
• Shadow Puppet Edu app
• Book Creator app
• Adobe Voice app

This post is part of a blog series from the Carroll ISD Instructional Technology Specialist team. Watch for upcoming posts about student assessment, brainstorming, and project ideas. 

References

• "Get More out of Google." United Tribes Technical College Online. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.
• Quidwai, Sabba. "PBL-Southlake." EdTechTeacher. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.

10 BOY Tips for Teachers using Google Forms

Google Forms are incredible tools! Free and powerful, Google forms are ideal for teachers to gather information at the beginning of the school year.

• Data and results are easily shared and accessed online.
• Responses are summarized and organized in a spreadsheet.
• Google Forms is in Google Drive right beneath the word processor, spreadsheet and presentation Apps.  

Practical ways to use Google Forms in the Classroom at the BOY

1. Getting to know your students:

• Student self reflection - after summer holidays get to know your students. 
• Education World First Day Surveys

2. Getting to know your parents: Since you don't need a log in to complete a Google form, it is a great way to gather insight and opinions from parents, encouraging better communication between home and school. Link your Google form to a QR code to handout to parents for easy access.

• Parent and Volunteer Survey - Collect information, email addresses, twitter handles, goals for the year and information on what volunteer opportunities parents are interested in this year. 
• Parent Contact Forms on Pinterest

3. Getting to know your peers

• Whole school or department survey- Collect fresh ideas and feedback on professional development, committee planning, lessons and campus events. 

4. Placing orders: Lunch, t-shirts, books etc.

5. Reading survey: find out about the reading habits of your class.

6. Student Project Management

7. Tutorial Signups and booking/ making reservations.

8. Differentiate with Google Forms: Group students in as many ways as you like; by reading level, interest, by learning style, by skill, or by readiness and SHARE to that group in Google Apps.

• Offer assignment choices
• Flexible learning paths
• Group students

9. Informal Assessment

• Exit tickets and instant feedback quizzes
• End of Topic Tests - Allow students to create their own questionnaires about a unit of work. 
• Self grading tests with Flubaroo
• Create rubrics and graph results of a survey

10. Setting Class Culture: Gather students 5 top words about what they value most as learners and create a Wordle.

Check out these additional resources for using Google Forms in the classroom.

Resources:

• Teach Interactive

• Google Forms Cheat Sheet for Teachers

• Innovative Ideas for Using Google Forms

• Tons of Google Forms for Teachers, Administrators, and Students

• How to Create Rubrics Using Google Forms

• 81 Interesting Ways to Use Google Forms in the Classroom

• Fried Technology, Amy Mayer - YouTube Channel

• Ideas for using Google in the Classroom Thinglink

Free Agent Learners, EdTech 50 Best Blogs, Google Education Online and Dallas Makerspace

Posted by Dr. Faustina DuVall 

Free Agent Learners - Students creating opportunities to learn for themselves
Project Tomorrow, SpeakUP 2015

Does this sound like the students in your class or your children at home?

“I have many apps on my phone that help me at school a lot. I have a homework app that organizes all of my homework and reminds me when something is due. Also, I have another app where it is like an online note card and it’s easier for me to test myself on a subject outside of school instead of bringing my papers where I go. On my tablet, there are applications that have almost every subject and teach you lessons for instance, a lesson in algebra 2 or how to balance an equation for chemistry. I find all of these apps very helpful because of technology.” Female student, Kennedy HS, Guam (SpeakUp2015). 

Understanding technology and the effect it has on teaching and learning in the lives of today's students is on the minds of every teacher, principal and parent.

Julie Evans, is the CEO at Project Tomorrow, a national educational organization, which has surveyed 4 million parents, students and teachers since 2003 about STEM education and digital learning.  (jevans@tomorrow.org).

Evans points to the key trends and data from the 2014 Speak Up data:

• Increased urgency around digital learning
• Interest in new models - mobile, blended and flipped learning
• Usage of digital content in classroom on the rise
• Recognition that teachers are pivotal to adoption
• New approaches to measuring impact
• Focus on using technology to personalize learning

The Project Tomorrow survey data shows that students are using a wide range of technology tools outside of the classroom and school to:

• Reinforce learning concepts at their own pace best suited to individual learning styles
• Explore related academic topics and ideas to a deeper level and challenge the learner with new ideas and different perspectives
• Develop college and career 21st century skills (critical thinking, creativity, communication and collaboration). 

As educators implement blended, virtual, STEM and mobile learning environments for digital natives, Evans and the Project Tomorrow SpeakUp challenges us to address two big questions:

1. Are we ready to support a new kind of educational ecosystem that acknowledges learning as 24/7 enterprise?

2. What do we need to do today to enable and empower these kinds of student-centric digital learning experiences for all students?

Educator Learning Opportunities and Resources: 

1. Blogs: One way educators can get ready for the 24-7 learning enterprise and and provide student-centric digital learning experiences is to follow EdTech's 50 Must Read Blogs for 2015. This year's list highlights blogs from innovative teachers, technology directors and educational technology experts.

These expert blogs cover STEM classroom resources, student engagement and digital leadership, new channels of communication, student led education resources, Google education solutions, video and learning platforms and empowering teachers to transform traditional teaching with technology and thousands of other educational technology topics.

2. Google Education on Air - a free, interactive online conference that will take place Friday, May 8 from 10am-3pm EDT and throughout the day Saturday May 9.
Topics include inspirinig learners with the power of storytelling, the skills of the future, tools for creative problem solving and 100 other topics and sessions.
To register go to: https://educationonair.withgoogle.com/live/2015-may

3.The Dallas Makerspace is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, shared community workshop and laboratory. An organized group of local artists, engineers, makers and thinkers work together to provide tools and learning resources to the public. These resources promote science, technology and art and encourage learning within the community.


Resources:

http://www.tomorrow.org/about/about_PT.html

http://www.slideshare.net/ProjectTomorrow/ten-things-mobile-learning-speak-up-j-evans-april-2015?related=1

http://www.portical.org/blog/say-hello-to-the-free-agent-learner-that-is-a-typical-middle-school-student/2164.htm

http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2015/04/50-must-read-it-blogs-2015

https://educationonair.withgoogle.com/live/2015-may

http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/pdfs/SU14StudentReport.pdf

http://dallasmakerspace.org

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.

Favorite Finds from TCEA

Guest post by Tracy Brandt, 2nd grade teacher at Johnson Elementary

My name is Tracy Brandt, and I’m a second grade teacher at Johnson Elementary.  I attended TCEA for the first time this year as a part of the Dragons Go Digital program and came home with many new and fun ideas.  Below are some of my favorite finds. I hope they will benefit you as well!

Here are my top 3 favorite finds:

SnapType is a free app available for iOS that allows you to take a photo of any worksheet or workbook page with an iPad, and then use the keyboard to type on the page. You can save the annotated document as an image, make it a PDF, or a SnapType Document. Then you can print, email, or message the document.  SnapType is very useful for students who have handwriting difficulties or occupational therapy.

Smarty Pins is a feature that turns Google Maps into a geographical trivia game.  You can start a game immediately or choose from a variety of topics such as Arts & Culture, Science & Geography, Sports & Games, Entertainment, or History and Current Events. Players start the game with 1,000 miles (points).The goal is to correctly answer as many questions as possible before running out of miles (incorrect answers subtract from your mileage.). To answer, you drop a pin on the city or area that correctly answers the question. Players get bonus points for answering within 10 seconds without using any hints.

Canva.com is a powerful, versatile, and easy creation tool. It uses formatted “canvases” for multiple forms of social, business, and educational media such as infographics, brochures and email headers, invitations, posters, etc. Canva comes with a library of photos, graphics, symbols, layouts and text arrangements for you to use and most are free.  It is also available as an app.  It is very simple to use, just drag, drop, and create!

Favorite Finds from TCEA

This year I focused my learning on all things Google. I wanted to have more in-depth training on the way Google was being used in the classroom. Wow, did I come across some great workshops. One of my favorite finds at #TCEA15 was more theory-based than a "how-to" for using Google tools. It was about application and what that looks like in the classroom.

The workshop was titled "Learning Design with Google in Mind" by Tracy Clark. The concept was how to use Google+ Communities to push challenged-based questions to students. (DISCLAIMER: This concept works best with secondary students because a Google+ account is needed.) The workshop itself had four challenges for the participants to complete centered around the Four C's of Technology Integration.

Here's the 411 of implementing this with your middle school or high school students:

1. A Google+ Community would need to be created for the learning.
2. Challenges would need to be created and loaded to the Community prior to sharing with the students. (Feel free to look at Tracy's examples. She even loaded videos with some challenges.)
3. Students should be placed in groups before access to the Community.
4. Benefits of designing a lesson with Google+ in mind:
• Students are given a challenge-based question that requires deep thought process.
• Students use one of the Four C's of Technology Integration to complete the challenge.
• The challenge is not complete without answering the reflection piece.
• The learning becomes deeper when it is more than recall, memorization or drill and kill.

Although I've know about Google+ for a while, I did not see the value of it for the classroom. This concept was so eye-opening. I love the idea of students having a community to complete challenges and apply reflections with everyone in the classroom and also globally. 

Resources:
Tracy Clark's Smore - Learning Design with Google in Mind

5 Things Tech Tools Can Do That You Didn't Know

1. Travel Smarter with Google Maps

• Planning a trip using Google Maps provides users with the following features:
• Create a new map.
• Save places to stay on the new map.
• Save travel plans and transit on the new map. This will show traffic and local public transit along with the cost.
• Enable the weather feature on the new map.
• Explore the area of the new map by enabling the webcams of the street view.
• Plan the itinerary by exploring food and activities on the new map.
• Read the full article by clicking here

2. Smart Ways to Use Cloud Storage

• Just a few unique ways to use cloud storage
• Share large photo albums with friends and family via cloud link
• Family history vault
• Store owner manuals
• Create video quizzes on Google Drive
• Read the full article by clicking here

3. How to Get Wifi Free

• Ways to get free wifi
• Get free wifi from your cable company - Cox and Time Warner Cable - click here
• Tether your phone from your computer - iOS device; Android device
• Read the full article by clicking here

4. Things I Didn't Know My Smart Phone Could Do

• My smart phone is too smart; it can now...
• Measure my heart rate (iOS device; Android device)
• Detect metal (iOS device; Android device)
• Name that tune (iOS device; Android device)
• Become reading glasses (iOS device; Android device)
• Measure large objects or longer distances (iOS device; Android device)
• Read the full article by clicking here 

5. Dictate Emoticons to Your Phone

• Emoticons are so fun but did you know you could add emoticons through voice activation?
• iOS Device - turn on Siri and say "winky", "smiley", or "frowny" to get the emoticons.
• Android Device - say "smiley face" or "frowny face" to get the emoticons.
• Read the full article by clicking here 

BONUS:
5 Battery Saving Tips for your Mobile Device - http://www.edudemic.com/battery-saving-tips/

Ten Tech Tools to Try this Year

The 2013-14 school year has begun so why not check out some technology tools to use in your classroom this year. Be sure to check out the SAMR model on how to integrate technology in the classroom. It is a simple model that provides assistance when using technology. Click here for the graphic on the four steps of the SAMR model. As you read below considering trying new tools this year or implementing forgotten tools. Whatever the case, take time to click each tool below to learn more information.


Mobile Device Polling:  Poll Everywhere
   ☆ Poll Everywhere allows for live audience participation via texting, web, or Twitter.
   ☆ Cool new feature...results appear in live word cloud and countdown timer.
   ☆ Read more about new features.

Online Bookmarking with Annotation:  Diigo
   ☆ Free educator accounts - click here
   ☆ Bookmark/archive webpages, annotate with highlights/sticky notes, organize by tags/lists.
   ☆ Share one item or whole collection.
   ☆ Great use for research in any class.

Collaboration:  Google Drive
   ☆ Access files anywhere, anytime. Share files and folders.
   ☆ Shared files and folders allow for collaborators to update in real time.
   ☆ 15GB of file storage.

Webmix Collage:  Symbaloo
   ☆ SymbalooEDU available to teachers for their use in the classroom.
   ☆ Symbaloo just went social - read how to share your webmixes with friends/colleagues.
   ☆ Educational Benefit: you can store websites needed for class projects on one page (called a webmix) so students do not have to surf the web. Great for any grade level.

Customized Browser:  Google Chrome
   ☆ Signing in to Chrome brings your bookmarks, history, and other settings to all your computers.
   ☆ Customize Chrome by adding apps, extensions, and themes from the Chrome Web Store.
    ☆ List of my favorite Chrome Apps and Extensions - click here.

Classroom Book Management:  Classroom Organizer
   ☆ Need an inventory system for classroom novels or a way to track checked out books?
   ☆ Scan barcode on books to add them to your account, checkout/return books online or via app.
   ☆ Read more about this free web-based program to help organize your classroom books.

Voice Comments on Google Doc:  121 Writing
   ☆ The fastest, simplest way to give high quality feedback on writing.
   ☆ In Google Drive, right click on Google doc, open with voice comments, highlight and speak.
   ☆ Take grading papers to another level by using voice comments.

Week in Review:  Flocabulary
   ☆ Quality, educational hip-hop videos created to display world events in the Week in Rap.
   ☆ Videos are free and great for social studies or humanities classes for grades 5-12.
   ☆ Check out other free videos on the site by subject and grade level.

Digital Clipboard:  eduClipper
   ☆ Digital clipboard very similar to Pinterest.
   ☆ Clips can be liked, reclipped, shared, or viewed.
   ☆ New feature: create presentation portfolios (add Google Docs, Office files, Images, PDFs, videos).

Parent/Student Contact:  Remind 101
   ☆ Need to get short updates to parents or students? Try Remind 101.
   ☆ One way texting service that can be pushed to users via website or app, schedule texts, 10 classes with unlimited participants, and easy sign-up process.
   ☆ Click here for teacher resources...parent letters, etc.

Google Chrome: Reasons to Try it Now

Having a job that requires many hours online, I've been reluctant to switch from Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox to Chrome browser. However, I've come across enough extensions and apps to make switch. The additions really make the use of the internet faster and more efficient. I will share a list of extensions and apps that have made a difference in my work day. First, let me describe the difference between Google Extensions and Google Apps.

Google Extensions are extra features and functionality that you can easily add to Google Chrome. By using extensions, you can customize Google Chrome with features you like, while keeping your browser free of things that you don't use. Extensions are added to the upper right side of your URL bar. See example below:

 

Google Apps are web apps that are designed to be entirely used within the browser located on your Chrome dashboard. The great part of installing applications is that when you sign into Google on any computer your applications will follow. See picture example below:

My Favorite Google Chrome Extensions and Applications:

Download Google Chrome browser and give these extensions and applications a try. They are time saving applications and really enhance your time spent on the computer. 

Google Apps and Extensions from Kristie Johnson

Apps and Sites to Make Holiday Travel Easier

Many of us travel during the holidays, some to remote and exotic locations and others to Small Town,  USA where internet and cell service might be hard to find. Or maybe you are going to have a stay-cation and enjoy the comforts of home. Here are five of my favorite go-to apps to use for holiday travel and other times, too! All the apps listed below are free and work on both Android and iOS devices as well as your personal computer.  You will want to refer back to this post again when spring break and summer travel beckons.

Hipmunk is a great site that makes finding flights and hotels easy. The interface provides a visual organization with the best possible flight combinations on just a single screen.  You can sort by price, times and more and book your flight directly from hipmunk.You can see what you give up or what you have to pay to get more or less amenities.  If you want one stop shopping for flights or hotels, then check out Hipmunk.



The Wifi Finder app will use your device's GPS, find the  closest wifi hot spot, and provide directions on how to get there. This app is a great way to save on data charges when traveling or even when you are out for the day at home. The app can access over more than 650,000 locations in 144 countries!Another plus is that you can filter by restaurant, café, hotel, etc. Download in the App Store or in the Google Play Store.


Around Me takes the guess work out of wondering what restaurants, gas  stations, banks, hotels, movie theaters,  supermarkets are nearby. No matter what your need, you can find what is close by. This super simple app uses your GPS and provides the location on a map, with easy directions on how to get there. Download in the App Store or Google Play Store.

Stay connected when you travel or anytime with Google Voice! Google Voice is a very powerful free tool. It provides you with a US phone number that you can link to your existing cell.  You can use this to receive an place calls for free. You can forward calls from your current phone to your Google Voice number and you can send and receive text messages for free.  Link it to your Google Voice account. It will allow you to place and receive call as long as you have wifi connection. You will not use any minutes/texts from your plan. All the communication will use your Google Voice number, completely free. (coming soon in an upcoming post...how to use Google Voice in the classroom!)
 

Why pay $$$ and international fees when you can get Unlimited FREE, calls and texts to anyone in the world over WiFi or 3G/4G without using any cellphone minutes??  Talkatone is an app for Android and iOS devices that will turn your Droid, iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone into a true internet phone! Link Talkatone to your Google Voice number to place and receive calls as long as you have a wifi connection. These methods will not use any minutes/texts from your plan. All the communication will use your Google Voice number, completely free. This app is very useful if you are traveling abroad.

 

Hopefully, you can stay connected, explore your surroundings and get there economically with these free Apps! Happy Holidays to all.

Improve your Searches with Google Search

Improve your

Searches!

If you are like me, you probably use Google daily or at least weekly. However, sometimes I can't locate exactly what I am wanting. Google uses an algorithm to generate search results. Also, many advertisers pay big bucks in an auction to be forced to the top of the search in the light colored peach box and on the right column of the webpage. Avoid those and start reading around the middle. Get accustomed to this and train your eye to start reading in the middle section.

Try these ideas to assist you.

1. One-Words: Try entering only one word or short phrases into the search box. Example:
• Map [enter city]
• Flight [enter number and airlines]
• Translate [enter word and language] This one was amazing to me! No need to find the right translation website.
• Convert [enter units]  example: 10 miles to feet
• Movies [enter city and movie name]
• Weather [enter city]
2. Natural Language: Use words that you would in everyday natural language. Example: 
• "What is the story with the energy panels on the top of Carroll Middle School?" or
• "What is up with the traffic outside of the DFW Airport?" (I use this one regularly. Ugh.)
• "How did the dye your hair blonde start with Southlake football players?"
3. Open the Door Phrases: Add these phrases AFTER entering the topic you want.
• How-to 
• DIY (Do it Yourself)
• Overview
• Tutorials
• Introduction
• Summary
• Background
• Help
• FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
• Lesson
• Image
• Video
• Review

If you want to know more about how to find information more efficiently and effectively, then be sure and attend the Web Literacy Workshop being offered this summer in Carroll ISD!

WEB SITE:
www.SignUpGenius.com
Spring is about to be upon us. That means many field trips, celebrations, graduation parties, etc. Go green and forgo the paper sign up sheet. Use www.SignUpGenius.com to create an online sign up sheet. I have used it many times. If you need assistance, ask your campus instructional technology specialist or email me.
It even sends email reminders to those that sign up! Wow!

Tip of the Week:
On a PC, click +Ctrl and the letter "F" to bring up a search box to find what you need. On a Mac, click Apple/Command and the letter "F."

Almost all of the above information was gained at the TCEA conference. All information can be located on the TCEA website.

Google Forms - They can make your job easier.

Google Forms are a great way to instantly gather data from a variety of sources – parents, students and colleagues - with very little effort on your part and without requiring them to have a Google account of their own.  All they will need is the link to the live form that you create. Whether you have 20 students or 125, creating a spreadsheet from scratch and adding data yourself can be quite time-consuming.  A Google form will automatically create a spreadsheet  that is populated in real time with data that others enter into your online form.

Here’s more information on creating a Google form, sharing it with students or parents, and accessing the spreadsheet and  66 interesting ways to use Google forms in the classroom. This is a Google presentation created and shared by Tom Barrett from Nottingham, England. He has given everyone rights to add their own ideas to this presentation so more examples are sure to be included.

Just for fun - if you would like to try out a simple form, click here. You can see your response and others  in this spreadsheet.  Note: the share settings were changed so that anyone with the link can see the spreadsheet even without an account. 

Tip/s of the week:

#1 – In most browsers, you can right-click on a hyperlink to choose to open it in a new tab rather than a new window.  You can also hold down the Ctrl key while clicking a link to open it in a new tab.

#2 – If you accidentally close a tab in Internet Explorer or Firefox, you can reopen it by pressing Ctrl-Shift-T.

Web Resource – Thinkfinity is a great free source of lesson plans and educational resources for all grade levels and subject areas.

Google Voice: A Great Communication Tool for Educators

What is Google Voice?

• Google Voice is a free online phone service that allows multiple phone numbers to route through a single number.

How does it work?

• Sign up for a Google Voice account and choose a number. 
• Set your Google Voice number to link with your mobile, home, and/or work number
• Place calls from your regular devices (phone or computer) and your Google Voice number is the number that appears on caller ID
• Forward all incoming calls to the email of your choice
• Send and receive SMS (text messages) via computer or your smart device (Apple and Android apps available)
• Transcriptions of voicemail sent as an email or SMS
• Google Voice is NOT Skype or Vonage. You still need a standard phone connection to use Google Voice.

Educator Advantages of Using Google Voice:

• Send class reminders via SMS without using your personal mobile number
• Communication with students/parents without giving your personal mobile/home number 
• Forward calls to your Google Voice inbox if you do not wish to receive phone calls
• Send bulk SMS without charges from your mobile phone carrier

Google Voice Guide: (click here)

Tip of the Week:

Screen shot on a Mac:   shift + command + 4  (you choose what area of the screen)

Web Resource:

AppShopper - find iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch apps all in one place. Sign up for a free account, download the free app, and begin putting apps on your wish list. Be sure to turn on "push notifications" so you will be notified when apps go on sale.

Super Searches

Have you ever wanted your students to use something other than Google or Wikipedia for research (assuming they have already consulted our library databases)? Here are a few clever and fun specialty search engines to check out. As with all recommended resources, please look at these sites first to determine their appropriateness for your students.

 

QuinturaKids is a fun, visual, and intuitive search engine that allows kids to refine their search by clicking on words in a tag cloud. As a bonus, Quintura also has an iPad and iPhone app available.

Yippy is a simple search engine that categorizes the search results on the left of the search result window. The search can then be narrowed by clicking on any one of the topics.

Twurdy provides a readability rating for each of the web site results it returns for any search. This is especially helpful for students who often find themselves accessing information on web sites that is much too difficult for their age and/or reading ability.

Sort-Fix is a search engine that narrows the millions of results that might otherwise be returned. Students can drag and drop power words they want to add to or exclude from their search.

Tip of the Week

Get more from Google by taking advantage of its advanced search feature.  Do you want only sites with easy readability or only sites that contain images? You can even see your results categorized in a concept map. Click on Advanced Search at the end of the search field.  Enter the topic you are searching for. Next to "Reading Level", choose basic (easy), intermediate (a bit harder), or advanced (the most difficult). Now, click the Advanced Search button in the lower right hand corner.  You can easily modify the reading level on the search results page. The Wonder Wheel (concept map), Timeline, and more can be found under "All Results" on the left.

Web Resource - Picnik

Picnik is a great photo editing site.  It has many of the photo fixing tools that you might need - crop, rotate, resize, sharpen, exposure, red-eye fix, and more. PLUS, there are loads of text options, effects, and stickers to add to your pictures.