Here are my favorite Chrome Hacks. Please share these tips with fellow educators and students. They will love you for it.
If I failed to mention your favorite Chrome tip, please share in the comment section below.
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips. Show all posts
Chrome Hacks: Mind-Blowing Tips and Tricks
I love Chrome. I refuse to use any other browser, unless I am forced to and even then I am kicking and screaming.
Here are my favorite Chrome Hacks. Please share these tips with fellow educators and students. They will love you for it.
If I failed to mention your favorite Chrome tip, please share in the comment section below.
Here are my favorite Chrome Hacks. Please share these tips with fellow educators and students. They will love you for it.
If I failed to mention your favorite Chrome tip, please share in the comment section below.
Newest Features in Screencastify
Screencastify is one of my go-to tools for screen recording because it is so easy to use and uploads to Google Drive or YouTube automatically. The free version allows you to record video up to ten minutes.
The extension recently had an update that now allows the recorder to highlight important areas on the screen with a mouse pointer or pen feature. Here is a quick video that will show you the latest updates.
If your Screencastify hasn't made the update you can right click on the Chrome extension, remove from Chrome and then re-add in from the web store.
The new tab tools (mouse pointer and pen) work on the majority of websites. If you start recording and the tools don't appear you know you have found one of those websites where the tools are not enabled.
The extension recently had an update that now allows the recorder to highlight important areas on the screen with a mouse pointer or pen feature. Here is a quick video that will show you the latest updates.
If your Screencastify hasn't made the update you can right click on the Chrome extension, remove from Chrome and then re-add in from the web store.
The new tab tools (mouse pointer and pen) work on the majority of websites. If you start recording and the tools don't appear you know you have found one of those websites where the tools are not enabled.
Using Collections in TweetDeck to Save Tweets
TweetDeck is the perfect tool for following along during a Twitter chat because it allows you to build columns to keep track of the chat feed, notifications, mentions, home feed, etc.
If you have ever participated in a twitter chat then you know how hard it can be to check out the resources shared and keep up with the chat. There are many different methods for 'saving' the resources shared. I personally use the collections feature in TweetDeck to gather those resources to review at a later time.
Here is how to add a collection and start saving those wonderful resources people are sharing.
Step 1: Click on Add Column
Step 2: Click on Collections
Step 3: Click on Create Collection
Step 4: Name Collection
Step 5: Check the Collection Name and Click Done
If you have ever participated in a twitter chat then you know how hard it can be to check out the resources shared and keep up with the chat. There are many different methods for 'saving' the resources shared. I personally use the collections feature in TweetDeck to gather those resources to review at a later time.
Here is how to add a collection and start saving those wonderful resources people are sharing.
Step 1: Click on Add Column
Step 2: Click on Collections
Step 4: Name Collection
Step 5: Check the Collection Name and Click Done
Create a Custom Search Engine for Your Students
As more and more classrooms are moving in the digital age, teachers are encouraging students to conduct research online. After all textbooks are becoming outdated the minute they are printed. While the internet is great for finding answers it can also be a daunting experience for students. Custom Search Engine is the perfect way for teachers to control which websites the students are directed to when conducting a search.
Custom Search Engine should not be used for everything, as teaching students how to decipher the online world of information is important. With that said, there are times when you want to guide students into a more focused search.
Below will show you how to create a custom search engine in five easy steps.
Step 1: Open the Custom Search Engine website.
Step 2: Enter sites students can pull information from
Step 3: Name the search
Custom Search Engine should not be used for everything, as teaching students how to decipher the online world of information is important. With that said, there are times when you want to guide students into a more focused search.
Below will show you how to create a custom search engine in five easy steps.
Step 1: Open the Custom Search Engine website.
Step 2: Enter sites students can pull information from
Step 4: Click Create
Step 5: Get the public URL and share with students
Here is what students see when they click on the teacher's custom search link:
Use Crafty Text Extension to Project Text Bigger
Crafty Text Chrome Extension makes text appear bigger in the center of your screen. It works on top of any website.
Click on the Crafty Text extension, enter text into pop-up, hit enter, and voilà.
Need to project a shortened URL? Use the goo.gl Chrome Extension to create the URL and then paste the address into Crafty Text. Now everyone can see it!
15 Integration Ideas for Teaching with Maps
Last Tuesday's #gafechat discussion I posed various scenario questions. One of the questions pertained to students learning about various locations in the world via maps.
Here are the technology integration ideas that stemmed from our discussion.
Have the students...
Here are the technology integration ideas that stemmed from our discussion.
Have the students...
- use Periscope to see the world through the eyes of someone else. (
- use My Maps to build collaborative maps with placemarks, video and images. (
- show the different locations with streets, buildings, etc. via Google Earth.(
- take a screenshot of the map using Awesome Screenshot Minus and annotate/add text. (
- build a tour around the world using Google's TourBuilder, so they can add text, images, videos and more. (
- add maps to a Google Drawing or Google Slides and collaboratively add information about the location. (
- build a map using Google Maps and a Fusion Table. (
- explore the locations via Google Maps/Earth street level. (
- find locations via a scavenger hunt on Google Maps that ties to political and cultural geography. (
- use Screencastify to record a video explaining how they used websites to identify the locations. (
- identify locations via GeoGuessr, a game that requires you to guess a particular location based on street view. (
- create an interactive map using batchgeo.com and Google Forms. (
- label a map using Thinglink - a tool that allows you to add text, videos, images and more. (
- use Google Cardboard to experience locations around the world. (@LISDTechie)
- use Scribble Maps to build an interactive map. (@LISDTechie)
Here are some addition resources to help with your integration:
Around the World in 60 Minutes by Michelle Armstrong
Example using Fusion Table (shared by
Revision History: Great Feature in Google Drive
Revision history gives teachers and students a record of the additions, changes and deletions that are made on a Google document, spreadsheet, slide, or drawing. You must be an owner of editor of the file in order to access revision history.
Here is a quick demonstration on how it works:
Here is a quick demonstration on how it works:
Video Production with Students - Helpful Tips and Resources
Here are some takeaways from the April 21st #gafechat discussion on Using Google Tools to Produce Videos. There were so many amazing tweets and ideas being shared.
Benefit of Students Producing Videos
What to Consider When Producing Videos:
Examples of Videos Students Can Create & Possible Tools Needed
Stages of Video Production & Helpful Resources
Here are some of the stages that students will need to go through to produce a video. Depending on the type of video determines whether or not they need to complete each stage.
Brainstorming
The brainstorming part if crucial for students to be able to determine what type of film to produce. Tools students can use to brainstorm:
Scripting/Storyboarding
Students work on the writing process when creating a script. Pre-writing, drafts, revisions and collaboration are a huge portion of writing a script. Tools students can use to write a script:
Filming
Here is where students demonstrate their learning. You will be amazed at how engaged and focused a student can be when trying to capture the right shots. Tools students can use to film:
Editing
This requires students to think through a process from start to finish. Tools students can use to edit:
Sharing
Students need to know that their work matters. It is also a great way for the students to gain feedback and then reflect on how they can improve for the next video. Ways students can share their work:
Here are a couple additional resources teachers can use with students to help through the production process:
Benefit of Students Producing Videos
What to Consider When Producing Videos:
Examples of Videos Students Can Create & Possible Tools Needed
- Screen Capture for Tutorials/Demonstrate Understanding
- Document camera
- Screen capture tool (ex: Screencastify, Snagit, Camtasia)
- Stop Motion (example)
- Stop motion camera
- Google Slides and screen capture
- Argument Videos (thanks @MrSchoenbart for the example)
- Camera (mobile device, webcam, video camera, etc.)
- Green screen app or green sheet
- Editing software/website
- Silent Films (thanks @Mizgibson for the examples)
- Camera (mobile device, webcam, video camera, etc.)
- GIF creator (Snagit)
- Informational/Talk Show (thanks @Flems_English for the example)
- Camera (mobile device, webcam, video camera, etc.)
- Editing software/website
Stages of Video Production & Helpful Resources
Brainstorming
The brainstorming part if crucial for students to be able to determine what type of film to produce. Tools students can use to brainstorm:
- Google Document
- Padlet
- ReadWriteThink
Mindmaps : Lucid Chart, Gliffy, Mindmeister, Mindomo, Mindmup
Scripting/Storyboarding
Students work on the writing process when creating a script. Pre-writing, drafts, revisions and collaboration are a huge portion of writing a script. Tools students can use to write a script:
- Google Drive: Spreadsheet, Document, Slides, Drawing
- Storyboard That
- Story Guide - downloadable templates
- Amazon Storyteller - lets you visualize your script
Filming
Here is where students demonstrate their learning. You will be amazed at how engaged and focused a student can be when trying to capture the right shots. Tools students can use to film:
- Camera on mobile device, flip camera, etc.
- Screen capture tool: Screencastify, Snagit, Camtasia (desktop)
iPad Apps: Tellagami, Sock Puppets, ChatterPix Kids- Interactive Whiteboard apps: Educreations, Screenchomp, Baiboard
- Interactive Whiteboard websites: Aww - Web Whiteboard
- Google Hangout on Air
Editing
This requires students to think through a process from start to finish. Tools students can use to edit:
- YouTube Editor (YouTube Creator Academy)
WeVideo - iMovie (app and Mac)
- Animoto
- PowToon
- GoAnimate
- Camtasia
(desktop)
Sharing
Students need to know that their work matters. It is also a great way for the students to gain feedback and then reflect on how they can improve for the next video. Ways students can share their work:
- Social Network: Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube
- Use videos in
place marks in maps (thanks @alicebarr) - Create QR codes to place around the school
- Upload into Google Drive and share link with parents, teachers, students, etc.
Here are a couple additional resources teachers can use with students to help through the production process:
- Website on how to produce a video (thanks @HallsvilleTech for sharing)
- Blog on scripting tips (thanks @briandittfeld for sharing)
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