Adding Audio Files to Google Classroom

There are a couple options for adding audio files to your Google Classroom and having students access that audio file. You can add an audio file that you have already placed into your Drive or you can attach an audio file from your computer. You can create audio files using Vocaroo. Check out my tutorial on this tool. 

Some ways for teachers to use audio files in class:

• oral administration of assignment
• read a story
• audio version of notes
• recorded lesson
• famous speeches

Students can also record their own audio file and upload and turn it in via Google Classroom. 

If you need extra assistance with Google Classroom, please check out my resource that shows both the teacher and student view. 

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. 

Chrome Extensions of the Week - October 6th

Here are my Chrome Extension picks for the week. Google Dictionary, Hide YouTube Comments and Quick Add are extensions that I have turned on all of the time. I only turn on SpeakIt when I have a need for that particular extension. When you have over 100 extensions, like I do, you have to turn extensions on and off as needed.

Click on the image to access the drawing.

#1 Google Dictionary
Type: Search Tools
Summary: I love this extension! This extension allows me to quick find a definition by double-clicking on a word. It will even pronounce the word for me. This is a must have for anyone!!!

#2 Hide YouTube Comments
Type: Productivity
Summary: I am not a fan of the comments people leave on YouTube. It seems most comments are negative and hateful and really don't serve any true purpose. This extension will block the comments for you, so you don't have to be bothered with them. 

#3 Quick Add! Create Quick Calendar Events
Type: Productivity
Summary: Quickly add an event to your Google Calendar from any open tab. 

#3 SpeakIt
Type: Productivity
Summary: SpeakIt is a great reading extension. Highlight text from a website and SpeakIt will read the text to you. This is a wonderful extension for struggling readers or anyone who wants to have text read to them. 

If you are new to Chrome or want to learn more, click here to see some of the great things Chrome allows you to do.

Guide to Using Google+

I completed my Guide to Using Google+. It is sectioned by the different components of Google+, so I hope you find it useful and helpful. 

Click here for my Guide to Using Google+

Chrome Extensions of the Week - August 18th

Here are my Chrome Extensions for the week of August 18th.

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

Building Your Google+ Professional Learning Network

Google+ has proven to be a powerful tool in sharing and finding educational resources. It has taken a couple of years to take off, but now that it is I absolutely love it. It is another social media avenue, like Twitter and Facebook, for educators to get new and fresh ideas. The inspiration I get from the people in my circles and the communities I am a part of is priceless. 

Building your Google+ Professional Learning Network (PLN) is quite easy. On Twitter you follow people and on Google+ you add people to a circle. A circle is simply a way to organize people. For instance, I have the following circles: Educator, Google Educator, LISD (my district), and EDU Companies. This allows me to post to or view posts from certain circles. You can have as many or few circles as you would like and you can add people to multiple circles. 

There are so many great educators using Google+, so I couldn't possibly list them all, but here are a couple I recommend: Kasey Bell, Brandie Cain-Heard, Sue Gorman, Molly Schroeder, and Jim Sill. Oh and myself of course ;-). 

To build your PLN, I recommend going to see who the people you add have added in their circles. Check out people's posts prior to adding them. If what they post doesn't interest you then don't add them because their posts will appear in your stream. 


Once you build your PLN it is time to start sharing the ideas and resources you create or come across. If you are new to Google+ here is a Google+ Overview Cheat Sheet and a Creating a Google+ Post Cheat Sheet. Basic posting is pretty self explanatory, but there are some pretty cool features that I want to make sure you don't miss out on. 

Google+ Overview Cheat Sheet

Creating a Google+ Post

When you create a new post, Google+ looks at the wording and gives you some suggested hashtags. You can choose to keep the suggestions or add your own hashtags. Just like in Twitter, those hashtags make it easy to find posts and resources on a specific topic. Search a particular hashtag in the 'Search for people, pages, or posts' field. 

I can't wait to have you as part of my Google+ Professional Learning Network.

10 Ways to Add A Google Calendar Event

One thing I absolutely love about Google Calendar is all the different ways you can add an event. I don't think Google could make it any easier. 

Here is a presentation that I put together on 10 Ways to Add a Google Calendar Event. Feel free to share with others.  

http://goo.gl/DwCHoa

Purpose of Google+ and Hangouts

I will be honest, I am relatively new to Google+. My district has just recently decided to open it up for staff. I felt the need to create resources to help them through the transition. This week I created a Google+ Overview Cheat Sheet, Starting a Google Hangout Cheat Sheet, and Participating in a Google Hangout Video Chat Cheat Sheet.

I have gotten a lot of great feedback from those cheat sheets. I love creating resources that others find useful...after all why would you create something that people won't use. 

Now that the basics have been created I feel like I need to address the purpose of using Google+ and Hangouts. 

First off, it is a great tool to use professionally. We teach in a time where teachers should no longer have their "door" closed. I mean that metaphorically, of course. If we expect to make a great impact in education, then we need to come together and collaborate worldwide.  

Google+ opens the door for educators to come together to build a Professional Learning Network (PLN). Here are just a couple ways to build your Google+ PLN:

1. Find educators you trust and admire and add them to your circles. 
2. Join a community that specializes in  your interests and/or subject(s) you teach.
3. Ask questions, request help and find resources through your circles and communities.
4. Share your resources and ideas.
5. Lead/Attend a professional development via a Google Hangout Video Chat

I know Google+ is not the only way to build a PLN. I am also active on Twitter and love my Twitter PLN, but why limit myself to only one source. 

Secondly, Google+ is a great tool to use with students. I am going to be working on a resource in the near future that will highlight various ways, but until then let me highlight just a few: 

1. Participate in a Mystery Hangout - this will introduce students to other students around the world, as well as help them develop their questioning skills. 
2. Bring experts into the classroom via Hangouts - invite authors, engineers, community members, etc. into the classroom via a Hangout
3. Have students create study groups
4. Host tutorials via Google Hangouts Live on Air - have students use the chat feature to post their questions/needs

Here is a link to a blog that was written on Google Hangouts. They shared several ideas, as well as featured one of the resources I created. 

If you are on Google+ please add me and become part of my PLN.