Countdown to Winter Break Day 10: Beat the Boot

LAST DAY!! WOOHOO!!

Countdown to Winter Break Day 10

Beat the Boot

Today is nonsense day because I am sure you all are feeling that way anyway!  You may not be aware of the fun game Beat the Boot, but it is based on the idea that Chromebooks boot up in 8 second and all games are on an 8 second timer.  It's a fun waste of time more or less!  Check it out!

Countdown to Winter Break Day 9: Gmail Tricks

1 More day!!

Countdown to Winter Break Day 9

Gmail Tricks

I know you have heard about Gmail many times but today I want to share with you three tips that you can use to be more efficient and organized!  Take a peek at these few that I picked out and if you want to get super nerdy, check out this blog post by Joe Stych: A Guide to Optimizing Gmail.  

Tip # 1: Pick your Inbox

I used to hate the tabs that come as a default in the newer Gmail setup (Primary, Social, Promotions, etc) but have grown to absolutely love them because they sort all the "junk" out of my main email so that I am only focusing on what needs to be done.  If you don't love them, however, and want to play around with different type of inboxes including an inbox layout that places all unread email at the top of your inbox, here's how to get started: 

1.  Click on the cog wheel at the top right of your screen. 

2.  Click on Settings

3.  Click on inbox in the top navigation of that window

4.  For the first option (inbox type) select a different type of inbox.  Once you save, it will refresh your Gmail screen and let you see what that inbox type looks like.  Play around with different options and find one that works for you!

Tip # 2 : Archive Your Emails

I know many of you keep all of your emails in your inbox because you are afraid to lose them.  Yes, you're sort of right in doing that because any emails placed in the trash will automatically "delete forever" in 30 days.  There are other ways of managing this though that will help you be more productive.  Why does it matter?  Well, when you have 3000 emails in your inbox, there is a very highly likely chance that you are missing important ones or having trouble finding that one that "you know you saw yesterday".  

Solution: Archive.  

If you have emails that you think you might have to refer back to, you can put a check mark next to that email, then click the archive button instead of delete.  

This will save your email in the archive area.  You can then retrieve it by searching for it or by going to "All Mail" in your left hand navigation.  

Tip #3: Advanced Search

I love showing this feature to people because it is quite easy to miss but is one of the best tools Gmail has to offer.  Especially for those of you that keep thousands of emails and have trouble locating them when needed.  Advanced Search is found in the top search bar of your Gmail Screen......alllll the way to the right.....that little arrow.  Here's a pic:

Just click on that little arrow and a wonderful window will come up.  Put any sort of information that you know into the fields provided and click the search button to find your email!  

Also note that once you perform a search, it will also locate items in the trash, but you will have to click the "View them" link in the deleted messages area under the emails.  (see pic below)

Countdown to Winter Break Day 8: Wonderopolis

2 Days to Go!

Countdown to Winter Break Day 8

Wonderopolis

Wonderopolis is not a new website by any means but one that I don't hear anyone talking about too much anymore.  For that reason, I wanted to bring it back to your attention.  This site answers all sorts of questions such as "Where is the deepest place on earth" and "How do birds know to fly south?"

They also have a new educator resource called Wonderground.  Sign up for it and receive the free educators guide!  

Countdown to Winter Break Day 7: Powtoon

3 more Days!

Countdown to Winter Break Day 7

Powtoon

Do you like creating videos and presentations or having your students do them for class projects?  Powtoon "brings awesomeness to your presentations" in a fun and easy way.  Start with a template, add embellishments and amaze your friends!  This is a great tool. The free version does use the Powtoon Branding but still has many features. Make sure it has all you need before you use it with your students.  

Countdown to Winter Break Day 6: The Why Files

4 More Days!

Countdown to Winter Break Day 6:

The Why Files

I've shared tools for the news in the past such as News in Levels, the news resource that shares the latest news in various reading levels and Skimm, which emails you the news every day in an easy to read and sometimes humorous way.  
Today, I want to share The Why Files, a website dedicated to explaining the science behind the news.  Look for an update on this site every day with scientific explanation of things like "Eating to Extinction (Happy Thanksgiving, Bird Eaters)" and a lesson on sinkholes responding to the event "Crews Fill Two Sinkholes in Florida, One of Which Swallowed a Car".  

Countdown to Winter Break Day 5: Google Maps

Half Way There!! 5 more days!!  

Countdown to Winter Break Day 5

Google Maps in the Classroom

You may use Google Maps to help you get from place to place but you may not realize that Google Maps has a wide array of uses for the classroom.  Google recently launched the Google Maps Gallery that houses maps ranging from World Climate Change since 1910 to the Saturation of the Eight Largest Fast Food Chains in the US.  There are countless ways to use the maps that have already been created in the map gallery.  Take a peek at the Google Maps Gallery and find a map that might be useful for your classroom!

Also, from virtual field trips to showing 3D models of important landmarks, Google Maps is a great resource for showing students parts of the world that they might otherwise not get to see.  Here are some resources that will help you get started using other parts of Google Maps in your classroom!

Google's Site for Google Maps in Education
http://maps.google.com/help/maps/education/

Using Google Maps for Virtual Field Trips
http://usingtechnologybetter.com/using-google-maps/

Five Ways to Have Fun with Google Maps in Class
https://www.fractuslearning.com/2014/09/30/google-maps/

Countdown to Winter Break Day 4: Inklewriter

7 more days!!  

Countdown to Winter Break Day 4

Inklewriter

Write as you play! Inklewriter helps you move through the writing process with an interactive website. This site makes it fun and easy to write a paper and is in a design format that most students are used to using in other websites.  Give it a go! It's easy to get started!

Countdown to Winter Break Day 3: Garbology

8 Days to Go!!!

Countdown to Winter Break: Day 3

Garbology

Garbology (gahr-bol-uh-jee) n. 
The study of what we do with our trash. (click here to learn more about garbology on wikipedia)

Do you know why you should recycle?  Do you know what you should recycle?  The Garbology Site by Naturebridge will will you figure it all out!  

Why is this important?  Because we need to be aware of where our trash goes and what happens to it when it gets there.  This is the start to understanding our environment so that we can help make it better.  

This could be a great site for Earth Day activities but can also be incorporated into the K-12 curriculum at any time of the year!  Check out this site to see the activities they have then, look at the teacher help section for lesson plans and additional activities for the classroom! 

Countdown to Winter Break Day 2: Easelly

9 more days!!  

Countdown to Winter Break Day 2

Easelly

Easelly is a great website for infographics and is quick and easy to get started.  With many shapes, backgrounds and stickers, it makes displaying data fun!  Upon opening the website, you will see many templates to help you get started or you can start from scratch.  Whichever you choose, I think you'll find that Easelly is a great tool for showing information to your students or having your students create posters displaying data.  

Visit www.easel.ly to get started!

Countdown to Winter Break Day 1: Codecademy

10 Days to Go!!!

Countdown to Winter Break: Day 1

Codecademy and The Hour of Code

Codecademy is an interactive website dedicated to teaching how to code.  Great for extending computer science lessons or just giving students a new knowledge for something relating to their every day life!  
Today marks the beginning of "The Hour of Code".  This is a world-wide collaboration (lasting until December 14th) focused on teaching students and adults alike the basics of coding.  The goal is to spend 1 hour learning (playing) and realizing that it isn't all that scary!  It's actually quite fun!
Interested in helping your students learn to code?  Check out the teaching guide and let me know!  I'd love to help you participate in this event.  

Coffee with Santa!

Each year during the month of December, I like to remind you of some fun websites that are great to share with your students or your own kids during the holidays. Most of these involve Santa in some way, but not all of them.   None of these require too much thought and are just a fun way to help make your December more exciting!  Next week, plan to get a techie tip/tool each day as a countdown to Winter Break!!

Reindeer Cam
This may not work for you at school but is a great way to see the reindeer.  Watch for special feeding times from the elves or even Santa!  
http://reindeercam.com/

Seussville
A great accompaniment to the book/movie, this website has tons of great activities and printables.  Be sure to check out the daily good deed.  Could be a great addition to your classroom or family this season!
http://www.seussville.com/

Portable North Pole
Create and send customized videos from Santa!  We do this each year and it is so much fun!
www.portablenorthpole.com

UnCommon Goods
Looking for a unique Christmas gift?  This site has interesting items to make your gift giving the most exciting of the year!
http://www.uncommongoods.com/

Fireplace on your computer
Every year I am asked how to get a fire crackling on the computer screen.  Great for holiday parties when you don't have a real fireplace in your home!  

Chat with an Elf
Want to know if you're on the Good List this year? Chat with an elf to see!  
http://www.santasgoodlist.org/

Track Santa
There are now two websites I like for tracking Santa.  The first, and most well known, is NORAD Santa Tracker.  Get the app for your phone too and follow santa through his journey around the world on Christmas eve!  It's a ton of fun for adults and kids alike!  
The second, which is fairly new is the Google Santa Tracker.  I like this one because of the countdown calendar with a new game each day.  

Google Apps Tips

Update: The link in this post has been suspended.  Instead, here is another article on 10 things you should know about Google Docs!  I hope it helps take the place of the other article!

Original Article:
I was sent this article today on "5 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do with Google Apps" by James Ferreira.  Take a moment to look at what he has to share.  Then, feel free to browse the Apps4Gapps website as they have a lot of information there that can help you as a Google user.
What tips and tricks do you have for using Google Apps?

The Monster Project

My awesome friend Chad Lehman just posted an article on his blog about The Monster Project he just did with his 3rd and 4th grade classes.  While he chose to do it with 3rd and 4th, it could easily be adapted to other grades as well. Take a look at what he wrote on his blog (sorry, his blog is blocked for SCS teachers so I had to copy and paste):

"My third and fourth grade classes are participating in the Monster Project. All five of my classes are connecting with classes in Illinois, California, Florida, and Alberta. The project is rather simple, but really, really fun. Students create and draw a monster. Then, they write a descriptive paragraph about their monster. The writing is shared with another class and the new classes draws the monster based on the written description. Then, the monster drawings are compared. If the students do a great job in their writing, the monster pictures should look pretty similar. If not, the students can take a look at their writing and see where they could have improved. Pretty cool, huh?"

Great project and he used Google to do it.  You could use Google Drive to write the descriptions and use Google Drawings to draw the monsters!  If you attempt a project like this, I'd love to hear about it!

Technology Habits: Rewired

Everything in moderation, and there's a perfect balance in this life if we can find it." ~Ryan Robbins

This article, How to Break 5 Soul Sucking Technology Habits,  could be a great way to start a discussion with your students or even begin a great writing activity in your class.   It discusses some of the cons to this wonderful digital age we live in.  Many, many of our young people are falling into this internet addiction and while the internet is our friend, we need to use it properly.  Take a moment to read it and feel free to comment on ways you, your family or your students find to combat this problem.  

Holiday Gift Guide

Every year around this time, CNet shares a Holiday Gift Guide featuring techy gadgets that those on your shopping list might want this year! There is a section for top gifts under 50.00, one for phones and even one for best laptops.  This is just part of the list so I'm sure if you're looking to buy technology this holiday season, you'll find something here to help you make your selection.  Check out http://www.cnet.com/holiday-gift-guide/ to get started!

Google Drive Suggestion Mode

Google Drive recently added Suggestion Mode allowing teachers to do edits on student work easily and more efficiently.  When a student shares a document with you, you can click on the editing button and get a menu for editing, suggesting or viewing.  

In editing mode, you will be able to edit the document directly meaning that any changes you make are automatically added to the document. (Reminder: You can still view edits from other people in the revision history...under the File menu)


In Suggesting mode,  any edits become suggestions and are listed out to the right of the document as an option to update the document.  When you make a "suggestion", the student can then press the check mark to accept the change or the x to clear the change and not use it.  If they accept it by pressing the check mark, the change will automatically be inserted into the document.   (See the image below)

To make a suggestion, just make sure you're in suggestion mode and start typing or changing the document as you normally would.  You'll see it will highlight the suggested area for changing and keep the former typing in case the student doesn't want to make the changes you suggest.  (See the image below)

This is a great tool to be used in conjunction with Google Classroom and a fantastic option for grading papers within Google Drive.  

New to Google Drive: Manage Revisions

Google Drive has always allowed for you to upload any file including Microsoft files and pdfs.  The problem was that if you shared these files with anyone, you would have had to reshare any revisions.  Google makes it easy now to share new revisions of non-google files with your students and coworkers.  Google Guru has a great video detailing how this can be done.  Check it out by clicking here!  

Poster My Wall

Do you run a club or sport?  Do you teach about campaigning or marketing?  Do you want to have a yard sale this weekend?  Do you use posters in your class?  If any of these apply to you, Poster My Wall is a great option for you!  

Not only is it easy to create your own posters from scratch with Poster My Wall, but you can also work from templates that are already designed for various needs.  Categories for templates include: Campaigns, Yard sales, Event Flyers, Fundraising, School Posters and tons more!  

Once you have created a poster, you can download it, share it with social media or order a high quality version to be printed and delivered to you!  Here is an example of an already created poster:

The Skinny on Skimm

NOTICE TO READERS:
Due to all of the issues with Youtube, blocking and general network mayhem in school districts, I will be going old school with regular blog posts rather than videos.  I hope this will allow everyone the ability to stay up to date with new cool techie tidbits.
I apologize for any inconvenience.

Now back to the show....

A while back I posted some information on News in Levels, a great resource for various reading levels.  I discovered that tool while looking for a news option that broke down the most important events going on each day in an easy to read format for busy people, for students, for those that get panicky every time they watch the news, or anyone else that likes to stay informed without spending a lot of time doing it.  This weekend, thanks to Facebook, I learned about Skimm.  

Skimm is the answer I have been looking for!  It emails me every morning with the skinny on all things news related from world news to sports news.  To top it all off, it does it in a fun, simple format and includes additional links if you need to learn more.  I have only read two copies so far but I must say I am impressed. 

If this is something that could interest you, check it out at www.theskimm.com.  It will allow you to view previous days so that you can see if it is right for you before you submit your email. 

Google Classroom

Many ask me what is the best way to assign work to students, collect it, grade it and return it....all while being online.  Well, there are several resources to do that, but if you are in a district that uses Google, you now have access to Google Classroom.  It makes it so easy to use because it is the same login you and your students are already using for Gmail, Drive, etc!

This video, created by Google is a great resource for getting started with Google Classroom:

Sipping Through the Summer

Your nerd is taking a summer hiatus!  Coffee With a Nerd will return in September!  Have a great Summer!

Have you had your Beens today?

Been is a new website that I was fortunate enough to discover this week thanks to Discovery Education.  Been is a great way to bookmark websites, share those bookmarks and even browse collaboratively!  It is a fantastic way to share websites with your students for research projects.   I am in love with this new tool and I think it could be a great addition to the classroom or even your personal life!  I'm already making Beens, for example, to share with my children at home so they don't have to search the internet looking for games to play!    

Been has great videos of their own which are included, but I also did a short one to show what it looks like in action.  Be sure to check out all 5 videos below to learn more about this great resource!

NOTE: If you're doing CEU credit, count this post as 3!  

My video on using Been

1. This is a Been from Been on Vimeo.

2. Create a Been from Been on Vimeo.

3. Gather Together from Been on Vimeo.

4. Surf Together in Class! from Been on Vimeo.

A special thanks to my Been Buddies, Dave and Sang for allowing me to help test the product.....and fall in love with it! Y'all are awesome and have really created a fantastic tool!  Best wishes to you as you continue to grow!

Google Voice for Teachers

Google Voice is a great tool for teacher communication.  Here's why:
1.  You get a special Google Voice phone number so that you don't have to give out your personal cell # anymore
2.  It will save (and sometimes transcribe) all of your voicemails so you have a record. 
3.  It will save a call and chat history of all of your communications.  Easy call logs!!
4.  You can make it ring your personal phone so you can answer and even send calls using your personal phone without sharing your number!
5.  You can block phone numbers or even force all calls to go to voicemail for special time periods like weekends and breaks!
6.  There's an app for it!  Use the app on your phone to send and receive calls and texts with no hassle! 
7.  Don't want to use your phone? No problem.  You can also send and receive calls via the google voice dashboard on your computer!

Sold yet?  Here's a video to get you started:

Geniverse: Solve Genetics Problems

I was recently asked to review this genenics-based gaming site to see if it would be good to use in the classroom.  I thought it to be quite interesting so I thought I'd pass it along.  The video below is from the website and they explain it a bit to you.  
Personally, I thought it was a pretty good tool and it sure did use my brain!  In each stage you are dealing with genes, eggs, sperm, etc to match up or create certain types of dragons.  It is fairly simplistic, yet difficult enough to try your brain.
The only thing I noticed from a gamer standpoint is that (in the demo mode at least) it was very easy to accidentally click on the wrong button, sending you back to the beginning of the game.  The fix for this is signing up for the real version which tracks the students and saves where one left off.

Click here to go to the Geniversity Website to get started with the Geniverse Game.

Building Flowcharts with Lucid Chart!

Lucid Chart is a great tool for creating flowcharts in the classroom.  Not only is it very easy to use but it also integrates with Google!  You can create charts via the Google Drive screen and they save right to your Drive!  Lucid Chart also offers free accounts for schools so check with them if you need a free account.  (If you are with Stanly County Schools, please email me for login information.)

This program could be used in any standard that requires learning a process.  Teachers can use it to create flowcharts for teaching and students can use the program to practice putting steps of processes in order.

Check out this video to see how easy it is to get started with Lucid Chart!  Or, visit them at www.lucidchart.com

Google Drive Drawings

Google Drive Drawings is a great tool for many reasons:

1. Create Images with Text such as diagrams
2. Create Classroom Seating Charts
3. Collaborate on Newsletters
4. Teach/Learn Shapes
   And more!

Check out this video to learn more!

Piktochart for Infographics

Infographics are a visual and interesting way to display data.  They are great to accompany research projects and an option to show information while teaching.  Piktochart makes it very easy to create infographics!  A special thanks to Kellyn Brooks for sharing this resource with me!

Link to Piktochart

Google Keep

Google Keep is a great way to store lists, notes and more. Really easy to use and you can access anywhere you have internet!
 

Feedly: A tool for blogs

Feedly is a great tool for keeping blogs all in one spot.  Why would you want to use it? To learn more about things you are interested in such as cooking or education or gardening!  I like feedly because it keeps my email inbox from being too crazy.  I always subscribe to newsletters and never read them because when I'm in my email, I'm not in a mindset for reading a blog.  Now, when my mind is ready to read, I just go to Feedly!

Coffee With a Nerd to get a new flavor!

Coffee With a Nerd will be making some changes over the summer.  I know it is early to be sharing this but I wanted everyone to know as soon as possible.  As I am sure you have noticed, it has been increasingly more difficult for me to get a video out every week.  
Next year, the videos will come out once per month and if you are in the Stanly County School system, there will be a few extra obligations in order to receive CEUs.  In addition to Coffee With a Nerd, I will be offering online courses on various topics. Some of those lessons will (hopefully) be out prior to the end of this school year as they are in production phase right now.  
Thanks for tuning in!  I am excited about the changes that are coming and I hope you will enjoy them too!  

GClass Folders for Google Drive

Are you using Google Drive a lot with your students? Now might be the time to create folders for each student to turn in their assignments to you!  GClass Folders make it easy!  This video will help you get started. Be sure to check out the GClass folders website: gclassfolders.com

Uploading Files to Google Drive

Learn how to configure your settings properly AND the steps needed  to upload files to Google Drive!

Discovery Education Board Builder

It's still the Month of Discovery here at Coffee with a Nerd!  I hope you are learning lots of great stuff! This video will show you Discovery's newest tool: Board Builder.  Think poster, but online!  Add videos, text, pics and more to your teaching posters...or have your kids create them!  These are so much fun!

Discovery Ed: Finding and Using Resources

This is part 2 in Discovery Ed month here at Coffee With a Nerd! Today, learn how to search for and use the resources available to you in Discovery Education! Don't forget, there are more than just videos here! Find worksheets, lessons, texts, pictures and more!

Discovery Education Overview

January, here at Coffee With a Nerd, is Discovery Education Month! This will be the first of a series of videos dedicated to Discovery Education. This first one is longer, so if you are counting it as credit, you can count it as two!!