MacBook Keyboard Shortcuts (+ extra tool)

So I often get asked about shortcuts so in this blog entry I thought I would try to include an additional tool besides the infographic above.  

That handy-dandy infographic was made with a really cool tool called Canva. 

Canva has been available in the Chrome Store for awhile- but recently added the companion iPad app.  Both are fairly easy to use, and the nice thing is all of your creations show up across your platforms.  

So, go forth and ⌘ + 

And if your feeling really adventurous make an infographic while your at it.

Google Drive: Google Formatting... Answering the Question "Why Can't We Edit?"

Google Drive: Google Formatting... Answering the Question:"Why Can't We Edit?"

Campustechnology.com,. (2014). Retrieved 12 September 2014, from http://campustechnology.com/~/media/EDU/Camp

Just a Quick Google Drive Tip:  When you upload Microsoft files to share with others (especially those excel spreadsheets) and leave them in that format, you are missing out on the functionality afforded to you from Google Drive.

For example, if you upload a Excel Sheet - you can share with others, but you do not have the ability to collaborate and edit in real time; i.e. you can't just click and make changes.

This can be solved with just a few easy clicks.

Go to Your Settings on Google Drive

Click Upload Settings

Choose Convert Uploaded files to Google Docs Format

You can also simply check Confirm Settings Before Each Upload, in order to insure you have just the format you need.

Can I Use This Picture- Great Infographic

Check out this great infographic discussing how to tell whether or not you can use an image on the web.

Link to a Specific Spot in a Google Document

So sometimes when you share a document in Google Drive- you may want someone to jump directly to a spot in that document.  Recently, I came across this tip and will attempt to share the instructions here :)

It is very easy to do.

First, open your Google Document; then locate the point you would like the person to "jump" to and INSERT Bookmark:

After inserting your bookmark- you will see a menu under your designated text.

RIGHT CLICK on Link and you will see a Menu Pop Up

Choose COPY LINK ADDRESS, and use that link to share, this allows your reader to pop right to that bookmarked text- pretty cool right?

Copyright

So if your like me- copyright is this abstract concept of rules and regulations that you struggle to maintain compliance with.  An important skill-set of which you are "pretty sure" you know, and try to abide by but sometimes you cross your fingers and just go with.  Below is an excellent graphic representation of copyright:

Where Did That Go?

So have you ever been frustrated looking for your own files in Google Drive?

If your like me (or most people)  you probably have a lot of files in your Google Drive and it can sometimes be difficult to sort through or even organize them.  In addition, sometimes your naming convention that seemed totally logical at the time may have slipped you mind and now for the life of you- the name of the file "cannot be found".

Below is an excellent video outlining how to use advanced search operators to locate those sneaky files.

                                    If you are unable to view the above video please click HERE.

Making Google Docs "So Fancy"

So if you are a google docs user, you probably have noticed there is a lot of "white space", which is not a big deal- but hey if you can upgrade, I say go for it!


Below is a  video detailing how you can fancy up your google docs with a simple add-on called "stylish".

Happy "Stylin".

If you cannot see the above video please click HERE.

Did You Know You Could Do that With Google?

Random, Fun, and Interesting Things You Can Do in Google

Chat With Aliens

The Mars Feature on Google Earth allows users to explore the surface of the Red Planet.  Enter "Meliza" into the search box and you can chat with an alien (bot)

Do A Barrel Roll

Google page will roll if you enter the phrase "do a barrel roll" in the search box and hit enter.

Track a Flight
Just enter the desired airline and flight number into the search box and see arrival and departure times right in the results.

Fly Using Google Earth
Visit Google Earth, press CTRL+ALT+A on a PC or Command+Option+A on a Mac, choose your aircraft and fly.

Search Faces
In image search click search tools, hit "Type", and select the "Face" option to narrow your results to exactly what you are looking for.  It works for .GIFs as well, choose "animated" option.

Use Google as a Proxy
If your school or office stops you from visiting certain sites, type "cache: WEBSITENAME.com" in the ominbox and avoid the block.

Search in Klingon!
If you are a Star Trek fan, try using Google's custom Klingon search.  There is also a Klingon translator and dictionary.

Track Packages
Enter any package tracking number in Google Search to see exactly where it is- no matter what the carrier.

Synonym Search With a Tilde
Adding a Tilde (~) to your search terms will tell Google to include related search terms or synonyms you may have missed. This improves your results page.

Beatbox With Google Translate
Typing a random string of letters into Google Translate, then hit the listen icon will prompt Google to beatbox whatever you wrote down.

Cut Down Email Length
If you only want to reply to a particular section of text someone sent you highlight the area before hitting reply.  This will add only that selection of text to the reply.

Search Like Elmer Fudd
Google Preferences lets you search in any language- Even Elmer Fudd.  Just go to Preferences, click "Language" and choose "Elmer Fudd".

Browse the Classics
Google Book Search lets you thumb through the pages of classic books.

Play Games on YouTube
Visit YouTube, pick a random video, and type 1980.  This will bring up a missle defense game where you will have to protect your video from attack. 

Reference: "Awesome Quotes." : 95% People Don’t Know These Hidden Features of GOOGLE. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 June 2014.

Why use Chrome?

So I have a problem- I am a little bit of a Chrome junkie- but hey; the first step is admitting that you have the problem right?

Well, I get a lot of questions in my Google Trainings, and many of my other trainings for that matter, like- "why do you suggest chrome" or "what internet browser do you use"?

My answer varies from "this program works better with Chrome" to "the customization features".

But seriously having a browser that allows customization, security, synchronization, and reliability at the level in which Chrome does is so convenient- why would you choose another?

Here is a great article outlining some of the reasons why to use Chrome.

In a world.....

So I recently read a great article discussing the fact that the average high school student of today has never been in world without Google.   Feel free to read the article in its entirety HERE.


A quick "google search" will tell you that Google has been around since 1998....which in some of our minds seems like only yesterday, but is in fact 16 years ago. Yep- let that sink in....

So below is a great infographic (don't you just love those)- illustrating a world without Google.

What's the Difference Between an App and an Extension on Chrome?

So one of the best things about using Google Chrome is the ability to customize your browser to include Applications and Extensions.

But what is the difference?

Here is a great article discusses the difference:

The Difference Between a Chrome Web App & an Extension

Question: What's the Difference Between a Chrome Web App and an Extension?

The Chrome Web browser and Chrome OS introduce a new way to think about browsing the Web. Traditional browsers have extensions and themes, but what is this new Web app idea for Chrome? What's the difference between that and an extension?

Answer: Web apps are basically websites. They run within Chrome's browser, and they may not even require any downloads. Sometimes they may need to install a small component on your local machine, but that will only make a difference when you're using that particular Web app. An example Web app would be Google Docs. It runs within the browser and doesn't require you to download anything, but it has its own user interface.

An extension, on the other hand, affects something global on your browser. For instance, an extension may add the ability to save items to your Amazon.com wish list. When you install the extension, that feature is available on every single site you visit, not just on Amazon.com. Extensions use downloaded components to modify your browser.

Why is Google making a site with apps that are basically just links to websites? Some of it is to acquaint users with this method of using a Web browser. Another reason is to facilitate payments. Not all apps are free, and Google is hoping to set up the Chrome Web App store as a method of purchasing these Web services.

*"What's the Difference Between a Chrome Web App and an Extension?"About.com Google. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2014.

Primary Documents at Your Fingertips

We can all go on and on about the death of text, research, and even the good old card catalog, but the ability to access information at our fingertips has never been at its current level.

One of the most astounding bits of information I have come across recently is this:

"A typical smart phone has more computing power than Apollo 11 when it landed a man on the moon"*

The fact that we can access all of this information- including primary documents- which used to be reserved for museum visits and the occasional exhibition is something to be celebrated in the classroom.

Below is a quick tutorial over the National Archives app which available for free currently in the iTunes store.

If unable to view video click here.

*Gibbs, Nancy. "Your Life Is Fully Mobile | TIME.com." Time. Time, n.d. Web. 10 June 2014.

Google Drive: Collection, Collaboration, Creation, Communication

Drawing with Google

Drawing with Google

So the big talk about Google in Education is of course Google Drive.  In conjunction with Drive, you get into Docs, Spreadsheets, and Slides.  However, the poor lonely little step-child (at least right now) is Drawing.

Google Drawings allow all the cool stuff that all of your Google "stuff" does:  saving to drive, sharing, and collaboration with the added creativity of drawings.

Something as simple- and as those of us in the classroom know- as complex as a Venn diagram now has real-time collaborative capability.  Below is just a quick youtube video on how to get started using Venn diagrams in drawing.


Have fun!

If you are unable to view the video please click here.

Looking for an Educational App?

First World Problems

First World Problems

It's easy in this day and age of instant gratification to forget that our connectivity is a blessing.

If you are unable to view the above video click here.

EdTech in the Classroom

EdTech in the Classroom

Found this great video that creatively discusses the challenges of Educational Technology.

Technology can be expensive and buying lots of devices does little good if there isn't a meld of training and integration embedded in the roll-out of new devices.

If you are unable to view the video please click here.

Getting Started

Welcome, to my blog.  This blog will serve as a one-stop-shop for all my EdTech musings.  Here you will find resources, articles, observations, as well as tips, tricks, and sure well maybe some cheats that I have found along the way regarding Educational Technology.

I don't pretend to know it all and am a little suspect of "those people".

I train a lot on iPads, Google, and various classroom techniques regarding technology integration.  I hope to impart some of that knowledge here.


Thanks for visiting!