Google Drive - 3 Quick Tips

1.  Download the Google Drive App to your iPad and you can edit Google Docs on the fly!

2.  Make PDF's editable using Google Docs!  With the correct Upload Settings, Google Docs will convert a PDF into a document you can edit/add your own text/ add your own images!

3.  Don't start from scratch!  Google has plenty of pre-made templates for you to use!

Diigo

Need a quick and easy way to collect links to share with your students or colleagues?  Try out a
social bookmarking site called Dijjo.  Instead of saving your favorite websites to your Favorites, use Dijjo as a Favorites Bar that you can open on any device with an internet connection.  You can also easily share lists of your favorite websites with students and friends.  Dijjo is like pinterest for your links!
Diijo Video Overview 

Using Diigo in the classroom...

Would you like to join my Diigo Group?

3-13 Staff Meeting Tips

1. The folder icon on your desktop's bottom task bar is a shortcut to your My documents, My Pictures, and My Videos folders.

2. You can change the look of  a folder you are viewing by choosing different options from the Folder View menu. If you choose list view, you can sort by date or file type.

3. When viewing documents in a folder, you can print multiple documents at once without open each one individually. Just select all the documents you want and click print!

Windows Button Shortcuts

Most PC keyboards have a special “Windows” button that looks something like this...

When some programs like KidPix or Kidspiration run, they take up your whole screen. There may be
times while using these programs that you want to get back to your desktop without quitting the program and losing your work. Clicking the "Windows" button activates your bottom task bar. From there you can view other files or programs on your computer.

Here are some other shortcuts:

+ Space Bar = peek at your desktop
+ D = minimize all windows and show the Desktop
= M = minimize all windows
+ 1 (or 2,3 etc) = open the task bar program of the corresponding order
+ Down Arrow = minimize current window
+Up Arrow = maximize the current window
+Plus Sign or Minus Sign = zoom in, zoom out

Quadblogging

Looking for a authentic audience for your students' blogs?  QuadBlogging sets you up with 3 other classrooms around the world so your students can share their blogs in a safe environment!  Here is a video that explains more... http://youtu.be/w8J8Jrr_eq4 

Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Apps

Whether or not you are googly-eyed over Google or bewildered by it, it is important to know the difference between Google's Drive, Docs and Apps

 - Storage in the cloud!  Upload, save and share files, pictures or video and access them from any device that connects to the internet.  This home/storage for Google Apps, is free with your Google Account.  Access through any web browser or through a smartphone or tablet App. (It's like your own personal X Drive, accessible anywhere, sponsored by Google.)

Create and share documents, presentations, spreadsheets, drawings and forms.  Access your Docs from any device with an internet connection.  Docs are automatically saved to your Google Drive. 

 Applications to make your life more enjoyable.  Apps include, Gmail, Picassa (picture editing), Google Maps, Google Earth, Chrome.  Google Apps are browser based, but some can be downloaded directly to your computer, tablet of smartphone.

Educreations

Educreations is an easy to use, free app that records your voice and the iPad screen while you are explaining a concept.  Teachers can use it to teach concepts to children who need repeated instruction or leave lesson instructions for substitutes.  Students can use the app to demonstrate understanding of a math concept, vocabulary word or science experiment.