Control Google Slides Remotely from Any Device

The Remote for Slides Chrome extension allows you to control Google Slides remotely from another device. While I am not a big fan of constant lecture from endless words on a presentation, there are times when you need to show information, images, etc. from a presentation and you don't want to be tied to your computer. Sure there are remote presentation clickers, some with fancy timers, but why pay money if you can use this for free.

Here are the steps to getting this tool up and running: 

1. Install the Remote for Slides Chrome extension onto your computer
2. From your computer, open up a Google slides presentation (if you already had one open, then refresh) and click the 'Present with Remote' button
3. From your phone or tablet, open up a browser and go to s.limhenry.xyz 
4. From your computer, hover over the loaded presentation and click on 'Show ID & Start Remote'
5. Enter the displayed code on your phone or tablet
6. You are now connected and can proceed through the slides from your phone.  

Cropping YouTube (Or Google Drive) Videos in Google Slides

Google Slides has video options available, so when you put in a YouTube or Google Drive video you have the ability to have only a select portion of that video play. Here is a quick two minute tutorial on how to make it happen. 

Video was made quickly...so no judgement. ;-)

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. 

Mash-up: Student Created Animated Dictionaries (UPDATED)

Updated as of June 2020.

An animated dictionary is a fun way for students to see vocabulary words come to life. The students can select a video that they feel best represents the word an create a GIF. Here is an example with the word geyser. 

To create an animated dictionary I suggest using the following tools:

• Google Slides
• gifrun.com (or another GIF maker website)
• YouTube

Here is a quick video showing you the steps I took to create the animated dictionary. 

I suggest having the students write the definition, in their own words, of the vocabulary word in the presentation notes section. 

Implementation Ideas:

• Create a dictionary for each unit and have students collaboratively build animations based on unit vocabulary.
• Group students and assign various roles (example: GIF Maker, Word Maker, Definer).
• Have students collaboratively create a whole class animated dictionary.
• Have students create individual dictionaries and share with one another.

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: