2.29.2016

Master Google tools in your classroom

Using Google to Transform Student Learning is open for registration, and this FREE, online conference will begin Saturday, March 26, at 10am EST.

Our Google trainers have helped hundreds of people just like you with:

-Implementing technology into your classroom

-Improving student collaboration and communication

-Taking your class on virtual fieldtrips

-Creating interactive student or class projects

-Enhancing your lessons in any subject area with free apps

-Flipping your classroom with Google Hangouts

-And more!

If you are interested in learning more about how Google tools can transform your classroom, then you need to attend this FREE online conference.

2.26.2016

How to Insert Non-YouTube Videos Into Google Slides

Watch here!

Including videos in your Google Slides presentation can boost your audience’s attention and interest, especially when it provides comedic relief after a few serious slides. It’s a piece of cake to include a YouTube video in your slide, as you’ll see in the above video.

However, if you’re in an organization where YouTube is blocked, as seen in some education and government organizations, adding a video isn’t as simple. Here’s a quick work-around to show you how to include any mp4 file in your Google Slides presentation.

To embed a YouTube video:
Click Insert on the menu bar.
Select Video.
A window will appear where you can search for a YouTube video, or you can select URL at the top of the window, and paste a URL for a specific YouTube video.
Click Select.
Your video is now embedded in your slide.

To embed a non-YouTube video:
Find the mp4 file you want to include in your slide in your Google Drive.
Take a screenshot of the video to serve as a hyperlink placeholder to your mp4 file.
Go back to Google Slides, and find the slide you want to add the video link to.
Insert the screenshot you just took.
Downsize the screenshot as you see fit for your slide.
Select the screenshot and insert the hyperlink.
You can do this with CTRL + K (on a PC) or Command + K (on a Mac).
Paste the shareable link of the mp4 file in Google Drive.
Click Apply once you’ve pasted your link.
Now, your image is hyperlinked to take the user to the video located in Drive.

2.25.2016

The Voice typing tool in Google Docs

The Voice typing tool in Google Docs is new and improved. For six months, you’ve been able to type with you voice, but today you are able to use a long list of commands to do a whole lot more. Some of the new commands include adding tables, moving around to different lines of your document, and even formatting your text to align right.

To start typing your document with your voice, watch the short video above and follow the steps below.

To turn on Voice typing, go to Tools, and then select Voice typing.
Next, click on the microphone that appears to the left of your document. When you click it, it will turn red and will begin recording. Watch here!


2.23.2016

Chromebooks in the Classroom 101

A Free Online Conference for Teachers

Saturday, March 12th
10am-3:30pm EST

Conference Schedule

Chromebooks 101: An Intro to Using Chromebooks in the Classroom
Presented by Jerry Swiatek
10-10:30am EST

20 of the Best Chrome Extensions for the Classroom
Presented by Lori Maldonado
11-11:30am EST

Go Paperless with Tech Tools for Chromebooks and Tablets 
Presented by Monica Burns
12-12:30pm EST

Get Started Creating Engaging Student Projects with Chromebooks
Presented by Naomi Harm
1-1:30pm EST

Using Chrome Extensions to Differentiate Instruction
Presented by Jenna Linskens
2-2:30pm EST

Google Chrome: One of the Best Browsers for Educators
Presented by Chris Casal
3-3:30pm EST


2.22.2016

Kahoot: Games For Review and Assessment

Kahoot is a wonderful classroom tool that lets you create fun and easy games out of your existing content! Click the picture or here to watch a video tutorial!

Kahoot is ideal for:
Quizzes

Surveys
Discussions
Timed Activities
Teacher-Led (Not Self-Paced)
Pictures and Videos, YouTube or Other



2.17.2016

Teachers: Free Conference on Chromebooks

Master Chromebooks in your classroom with this Free Online Conference:


On Saturday, March 12th our expert trainers will start with the basics of Chromebooks in the classroom, and then build from there to help you feel confident using Chromebooks with your students.




2.16.2016

A Guide to the Google Apps Marketplace

From Gooru:
There are thousands of apps available and it can be difficult to decipher which ones will truly help your organization run more smoothly. That is why we created this guide.

The Guide to the Google Apps Marketplace contains:

17 pages of information about Google Apps Marketplace Apps
14 different App categories
56 Marketplace Apps


2.08.2016

EXPLORING GOOGLE IN THE CLASSROOM

Do you want a step-by-step way to explore all that Google has to offer in your classroom?

Join SimpleK12’s expert teacher trainers for this free online conference.

On Saturday, February 27th from 10AM-3:30PM EST…

Register for this FREE, Online Google Conference for Teachers

Join us for a day of fun and community as our expert Google presenters
share their secrets and ideas for ways Google can improve your classroom!

2.03.2016

4 Ways To Increase Your Efficiency In Gmail

1. Use Google Inbox, the biggest change to email since Gmail launched

2. Setup a Priority Inbox to separate important emails from the rest of your flow


3. Configure a Tabbed Inbox to keep your promotions, social emails, and updates in different views

4. This Chrome Extension teaches you Keyboard Shortcuts to cut down on the time you spend in your inbox

2.02.2016

Google Calendar


Using these 6 tips, you can utilize the full feature set that Google Calendar has to offer. Making a separate calendar for a conference room or embedding a video call in an event invite can drastically increase efficiency and clarity in your life and schedule.


2.01.2016

6 Things From Excel That You Didn't Know You Could Do In Sheets

Over the years, Sheets has done a lot of catching up and is now a valid alternative to using Excel, with much of the same functionality and more intuitive security and collaboration features. Mastering these skills and feeling comfortable navigating and manipulating sheets can drastically improve the overall efficiency of your business and your workday.