Weekly Tech Tips

9/22 - Mote

I often get asked how someone can record their voices in Google Slides. I usually go to a website called Online Voice Recorder. Then record my voice, download the recording, upload it to drive, then insert the link into my Slides. It's so time-consuming.

Today I discovered a way better way to record my voice on Slides, Docs, AND Forms. It even works with JamBoard!

Check out Mote - It's so easy to use and is an awesome way to give feedback to students.

Here's a quick video demonstrating how to use it!

9/27 - Homework Tracker

There is an amazing Chrome extension that allows kids to easily track their homework right in the Chrome browser. It's called Homework Tracker - It's super easy to use and even leaves a little indicator that there are assignments due. Check out this quick video to see how it works.

Also, my schedule is going to be a little different the next couple of weeks. I am going to be at the Marshall Mondays and Tuesdays and the Locke Wednesdays and Thursdays until October 19th. Fridays will remain the same. My schedule will return to normal after that.

10/12 - Insert Learning

This week's app of the week is Insert Learning. This Chrome extension allows users to make websites interactive. You can add a video, note, or audio to a website to guide students through an article. Insert Learning is a paid website. However, you can create 5 lessons for free. This would be a great blended learning tool! Check out Kasey Bell's article on how to use Insert Learning in a blended learning lesson.

10/22 - Iorad

This week's Chrome Extension is iorad. I have made tutorials and how to documents for years and it usually means I am copying and pasting a TON of screen shots. This extension eliminates ALL of that. You simply click the extension. Click through the steps on a website and then edit. It takes less than 5 minutes to make a tutorial.

Educational Uses: Use the Chrome extension to demonstrate how to get started on using an app or website and use that time to check in with students.

Here's a video explaining how it works: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/iorad-the-tutorial-builde/kjfmedbganalpkohkeghhpppicoigdal

10/26 - WebPaint

This week's Chrome Extension is super cool. It's called Web Paint. The extension allows you to write on top of a website. For example, you could be teaching a lesson on how to navigate a website or what to look for when a student is doing research. Web Write will write on top of whatever website you have open.

11/9 - How to Change Caption Size in YouTube

YouTube has the ability to use closed captions for it's videos. However, if you've ever tried to use them in class they are really tiny and hard for students to see in the back of the room.

Well.... did you know...that you can move the captions to other places around the video AND increase the size by clicking the + button on your keyboard!

Check out my tutorial below:

https://youtu.be/23TZovD71RE

11/15 - How to use the @ Feature in Google Docs

Google recently released a new feature to make adding features (image, table, etc.) to a Google Doc even easier. Just click shift + @ and a menu opens up that allows you to add features to a Google Doc. They added the @ to tag collaborators a couple of years ago. Now that feature is enhanced!

Check out my video below to see how it's done.

https://images.app.goo.gl/MF5jNiaWLa2eFftV8