Set an Expiration Date for Doc, Sheet, and Slide Files

I am so excited that Google added the 'Expiration Date' feature in Google Drive and even more excited that it is finally available in our district. The latest update to sharing will now allow you to remove access to a file from those whom you give commenting or viewing rights. 

The feature is only available for Google Apps customers, so don't go looking for this in your personal Google account. It is available for all Drive files, except for Drawing (which I personally hope comes soon). This feature will come in extremely hand when sharing files with students, parents, student teachers, and teaching fellows. 

Google Drive: Set Date/Time to Auto Expire for Shared File/Folder

One of the best features of Google Drive is the ability to communicate and collaborate with other people. When you share files and folders with other people, you must manually take those permissions away. Sometimes you want to be able to share with other people for just a short period of time. The auto expire script keeps you on top of things and does the work for you. 

Steps to activate the script:

Step 1: Click on this link to access the script (it will automatically make a copy for you).

Step 2: In line #3, replace the existing URL with the URL of your shared Drive file or folder.

Step 3: In line #7, replace the existing date and time with the date and time you want the file/folder to automatically remove permissions. Note, the time must be according to the 24 hour clock, i.e. 3:00pm would be 15:00.

Step 4: Click on File, select 'Project Properties,' and choose your time zone.

Step 5: Click on Run, select start, and authorize to run. 

Close the script editor window, sit back, and relax because the script will do all the work for you. 

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...

1. use Periscope to see the world through the eyes of someone else. (@AlexaSchlechter)
2. use My Maps to build collaborative maps with placemarks, video and images. (@alicebarr, @THLibrariZen, ShakeUpLearning, LISDTechie)
3. show the different locations with streets, buildings, etc. via Google Earth.(@MLunoff)
4. take a screenshot of the map using Awesome Screenshot Minus and annotate/add text. (@SPFTech_Treglia)
5. build a tour around the world using Google's TourBuilder, so they can add text, images, videos and more. (@jcalvert4, @LISDTechie)
6. add maps to a Google Drawing or Google Slides and collaboratively add information about the location. (@MLunoff)
7. build a map using Google Maps and a Fusion Table. (@VCSataylor)
8. explore the locations via Google Maps/Earth street level. (kilgoretech)
9. find locations via a scavenger hunt on Google Maps that ties to political and cultural geography. (@MattHarrisEdD)
10. use Screencastify to record a video explaining how they used websites to identify the locations. (@MLunoff)
11. identify locations via GeoGuessr, a game that requires you to guess a particular location based on street view. (@bluebutterflysm, @MathDenisNJ )
12. create an interactive map using batchgeo.com and Google Forms. (@kilgoretech)
13. label a map using Thinglink - a tool that allows you to add text, videos, images and more. (@curryhj2000, @AlexaSchlechter) 
14. use Google Cardboard to experience locations around the world. (@LISDTechie)
15. 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 @VCSataylor)

Golden Treasure Series on Geography by Kasey Bell

Batchgeo.com and Google Forms tutorial

Tour Builder Information/Tutorial

Google Maps Information/Tutorial

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:

Photos to Slideshow in No Time Flat!

Here is a tutorial on how you can take photos from your phone/tablet and quickly turn them into a YouTube slideshow. 

There are also some advanced features you can use to make your slide show more personal. Here is how to add text to your slideshow:

New Look When Sharing a Google Drawing

Google Drawing has changed its look when you go to share the file. Click here to see the changes. 

New Google Drive Quick Start Guide

Google Drive got a facelift a couple weeks ago and although there are a few things I miss, such as updated items are no longer bold, I do like the new look. 

If you are part of a Google Apps for Education district you might not see the new look just yet. Be patient as it is coming soon. The company rolls out updated products in shifts. If you have a personal Google account and you have not been switched to the new look, you have the option to switch yourself. From Drive, go to settings and select 'Experience the new Drive.' 

Here is a summary of some of the most notable changes that were made:

• The Create button is now called New
• Shared with Me is now called Incoming
• New show link button that appears when you select a file/folder
• Two ways to create a folder or file.
• Sort files/folders by last modified, last edited by you, last opened by you or name.
• Easily enable offline access through settings

Here is a New Google Drive Quick Start Guide that I created. My district has not switched over yet, but I wanted to be prepared for when the switch is made. 

New Google Drive Quick Start Guide