Five More Add-Ons for Google Docs

Inspired by Theresa's post from last week, and Greg's post from March, here are five more add-ons for Google Docs. Just like add-ons do in G-Forms, they allow you to extend the use of Docs and make it work hard for you.

Scroll to the bottom to learn how to get and use add-ons in Google Docs.

Easy Accents

Allows you to easily insert accents for different languages from a sidebar in your Doc.

MathType

Allows you to type and hand write notations for mathematics and chemistry.

Doc To Form

Allows you to quickly and easily create a form text in a Doc.  Teachers can turn a paper test into an online test with just a few clicks.

HelloFax

I know it's 2018, but some people still like faxes.  This add-on allows you to add a fax number and cover page to a Doc.  Click send, and the add-on sends the fax!  You even get an email when it arrives.

DocuTube

Users can embed videos in Google Slideshows, but not Docs.  But with this add-on, now you can!  Add videos to Google Docs that you share with your students, so that students no longer need to leave the doc to watch a helpful video.

How to GET add-ons in Google Docs

In Google Docs, click Add-ons > Get add-ons, then look for the add-on you want.  Once you find it, click the blue button to add.

  

How to USE add-ons in Google Docs

In Google Docs, click Add-ons > the add-on you want to use.

What add-ons do you use??  Let us know what else is out there in the comments.

Google NEXT '17 Highlights for Teachers

Google recently held a conference in San Francisco entitled Google NEXT ‘17.  While I wasn’t there, I have been reading a lot about news and announcements coming out of this event.  There are lots of exciting things going on, so I thought I would share some of them with you.  I am certain that they will impact your teaching in some way in the next five years.  

1. Team Drives - Greg has already shared this one with you, which allows you to create a shared space in Google Drive for teams that work together often.  This could be departments, grade level teams, or classes.  Any file that is placed into this area can be manipulated by any member of the team, so plan accordingly.  For more information on team drives, watch this video.
2. Hangouts Meet and Hangouts Chat - Google Hangouts is getting an overhaul.  If you use this to collaborate with colleagues, you may have noticed a number of changes over the past few years and none of them seemed efficient.  This is an attempt to compete with a company known as Slack to create a place for whole teams to collaborate in real time.  There are improved video features, too.  I just want the original extension back, but I’m ready to try it out!
3. GMail Add-Ons - You may use some add-ons in other G Suite products, such as Doctopus or Flubaroo in Sheets.  Now you will be able to add functionality to your email with add-ons for GMail.  Right now they are just announcing that developers can start creating, so once something great comes out, we will let you know.
4. Jamboard - Will the next interactive whiteboard be mobile?  All other classroom tech is.  This whiteboard comes on a stand and can be used by a whole team at once, to allow for seamless collaboration.  I would love to get my hands on one, but they price at $4,999.00!

I’m beginning to feel like every blog post I make has a list.  I hope you appreciate lists, cause I’m definite a list creator.  Check these things out because they will definitely impact your working in the future!

Formative Assessment Tools Online

We’ve all had those moments in the classroom when we think the students understand, but as it turns out, most really don’t.  As teachers, we feel frustrated.  Students probably even more so.  We can avoid lengthy reteaching lessons by conducting quick formative assessments.  We can move beyond the exit tickets and the “show of hands” scenarios with some incredible online tools.  There are so many great tools out there, so here are just a few.

Formative lets teachers create digital assignments for free.  After assignment is created, students access by a “quick code” or a unique URL.  Syncs with Google Classroom!  Teachers see responses in real time.  Includes a “show your work” option, which lets students create freehand answers -- they can draw what they learned or show their work on a math problem!  Use your existing Google account.

Socrative allows you to instantly connect with students as learning happens.  The free app allows you to quickly assess students with prepared activities or on-the-fly questions to get immediate insight into student understanding.  Students access your activities by entering your Socrative classroom name.  Use your existing Google account.

Kahoot is a popular class quiz game that students and teachers enjoy.  Students access your quizzes by entering a unique code; they can also make their own to share with the class.  Teacher shows questions via projector; students see answers on their devices.  Inspiring ways to Kahoot!

Spiral transforms any classroom into a live learning space.  Activities include “Quickfire” formative assessments, “Team Up” collaborations, “Discuss” interactive presentations, and “Clip” video quizzes.  Syncs with Google apps!  Use your existing Google account.

As I said, there are a ton of web tools.  Here are some more awesome lists:

• Tony Vincent made a great list of 17 Tools for Formative Assessment
• Kathy Dyer cultivated a list of 55 Digital Tools and Apps for Formative Assessment Success
• Common Sense Education has their own list of Top Tech Tools for Formative Assessment

How are you using formative assessments in your classroom? Tell us in the comments!

Google Explore

“This presentation looks boring and bland.  How do I make it better?”

If this sounds familiar, Google is a step ahead of you -- they launched their updated EXPLORE feature just this month.

EXPLORE has been a feature of Google Sheets for quite some time, allowing users to see data in color graphs and summaries.

But now users can EXPLORE in Google Slides and Docs as well!

In Slides (Google’s version of PowerPoint), EXPLORE prompts users to enhance the look and feel of individual slides and entire presentations.  As the Google Docs Blog explains, “as you work, EXPLORE dynamically generates design suggestions… apply a recommendation with a single click.”  This saves you time AND makes you look good!

Using EXPLORE in Google Slides is an excellent addition for making intriguing presentations.  With Google’s integration of presentation themes and compatibility with third-parties like Slides Carnival* and Slide Share**, everyone can create and update presentation masterpieces.

In Google Docs, use EXPLORE to get suggestions based on your document’s content.  Recommendations could include images and content, as well as related information from the web or YOUR DRIVE.

Read more about Google’s EXPLORE feature on their blog: "EXPLORE in Docs, Sheets and Slides makes work a breeze -- and makes you look good too."

* Slides Carnival hosts Google Slides themes for all occasions.  Simply download a theme, then import it in Google Slides.

** Slide Share allows you to share what you know through presentations and infographics -- you can browse, download, and edit what others share too.

Discover Databases

Every year, we ask students to complete several research papers and projects.  Every year, we remind them to use credible sources (and what credible sources are/are not).  It is our instinct to “google” stuff, which is great for quick facts and information.  

But how do we find credible, research-paper-worthy information quickly?  

And how do we help our students do that?  

The answer is databases.  

The libraries utilize several subscription and free databases, which are available for anyone to use on and off campus.  They are accessible through the school library websites:

High School Library Resources

Middle School Library Resources

This short video explains what databases are and why we need them.

Databases cover topics from history and science to literature and art to engineering and current events, plus everything in between.  Benefits of databases include:

• Better information faster
• Availability of current, historical, and primary source materials
• Access to information from anywhere, anytime (it’s online!)
• Pre-formatted MLA citations available

Please encourage your students to begin their research using databases.  From there, they can branch out to other internet sources.  And of course, we have plenty of books available!

If you would like to learn more about databases, or for your students to learn more, please contact your nearest librarian!

Quick Tips for Google Docs

The other day I was teaching a lesson and telling students to make a new Google Slides set by clicking the red button in Google Drive, but all of their buttons were blue. It can be frustrating how much and how many updates there are to online programs, especially Google. Google updates more than 600 times a year, so almost twice a day. These are usually small changes that we don’t even notice or when we do, they are easy to just say, “Oh, ok, got it.”

Here are some additions or changes that you may have missed but which could be useful to you.

What it is - Expiration dates

How it works - You can share a document to a student, coworker, or outside collaborator but share it for a limited amount of time. To do this, follow these steps:



How you could use it - If you don’t want students to have access to an assessment the following year, you can set the expiration date to the end of the year. If you want input from coworkers or other collaborators, but want to close out opportunities for input to a certain deadline, you could set the expiration date to that deadline. If you want students to work on an assignment, but don’t plan to grade it right away, you can make the expiration date the deadline for the assignment so they can’t make further changes.

If you have other ideas for how to use this, please let me know!

What it is - Share a link that automatically makes a copy

How it works - When a user clicks on the link you provide them, instead of taking them to your original document, it prompts them to make a copy in their own drive.

To use this, follow these steps:



So the address might look like this to begin with:


And then you will replace where it says edit to copy:



And then hit enter and the screen will look like this:


When you share this link, the person who receives it will see the same option. This allows them to edit a new version for themselves instead of editing your original, or making them go through the steps to make their own copy.

How you could use it - Have students make a copy, then share it back to you to fill out a worksheet. Share a template that you would like coworkers or collaborators to complete.

Do you have more ideas for how it could be used? Send them my way?

These tips could be something that saves you a few steps in the future, so try them out! As always, if you have questions, you can email me or stop by!

Useful tech tips to save time

Based on some recent interactions I’ve had with students and teachers this week, I thought everyone might enjoy learning a few tips that helped someone out.

A student’s browsing history

While working on a research project, I suspected that a student was more off-task than on-task.  I checked his browsing history in chrome and it showed me that he had been opening other assignments for other classes and had not even opened what he was supposed to be working on during that time.  I used this opportunity to re-direct him and get him on task.

To view his browser history, I used the 3 horizontal lines in chrome (aka the hamburger menu) and selected, “History.”  From there I could see all the recently closed tabs and click again for further information.  It will also show from the past few days or sites that are accessed on other pages.  Students are not able to clear their browser history because this option is turned off for student accounts. This can also be helpful if you closed a tab that you need back.

Finding something in Drive/Gmail

Need a file but can’t remember the name?  In the search bar at the end on the right, there is a small triangle with the point facing down.  Click this and it will allow you to choose more options to further filter your search results.  These can include who the item was from, what type of file it is, or if it contained attachments.  This can save you the headache of trying to locate it in your folders (especially if you don’t bother with folders, like me).

Gmail advanced search

Google Drive advanced search

We hope these tips can help save you time or sanity as the end of the year really picks up pace!

Useful Chrome Extensions

In a previous post, Liz explained why you should be using Google Chrome if you aren’t already.  Along with Google Chrome, you can add extensions that will extend Chrome’s capabilities.  In the following information, you may find one that can help you get organized, boost your productivity or be more prepared.  Follow the links to add them to chrome.

• Make a screencast with Screencastify or MediaCore.  These are great for making a video for your students on how to do something with the chromebooks.  Students can also use them to create a video presentation on a topic that they have researched.

• Schedule e-mails to send later with Boomerang.  If you want to send an email but don’t want it to go out until a certain day, use Boomerang to tell it when to send.  If you need Boomerang to re-send you an email and move it to the top of your inbox, tell it when to remind you as well.

• Organize your e-mail like a to do list with Sortd.  If your e-mail functions as a checklist of tasks, you’ll like this one that allows you to sort it into different lists, check them off as you complete them, and even add other non-email tasks under 3 different customizable headings.  There’s nothing more satisfying than hitting “DONE!”

• Make a functional home screen in a new tab with Momentum.  This extension will give you the local weather, a to do list, a place to put in your goal for the day and an inspiring photo from around the world to relax you.  Each time you open a new tab in chrome, you will see the photo for the day.

• Quickly save something to the cloud with Save to Google Drive.  Do you see something on a website that you want to save for later?  Click on the icon for this extension and it will quickly save it to your Google Drive for you to use later.

• Look at your calendar for the day without loading the calendar in another tab with Checker Plus.  If you just want to quickly reference something without waiting for the whole calendar to load, this can save you some time.

If you have one to share or I missed one that has changed your life, feel free to send them my way.  If you have questions about using one of these, let us know!

Thinking about Moving to a Digital Portfolio?

A teaching portfolio is an essential part of your professional development. It is a document that records your achievements, allows you to reflect on your teaching, holds evidence needed for evaluations, and supports your applications for tenure and promotion.*

An electronic portfolio (also known as an eportfolio, e-portfolio, digital portfolio, or online portfolio) is a collection of electronic evidence assembled and managed by a user, usually on the Web.**  It serves as digital version of a traditional hard-copy teaching portfolio.

How to Get Started

Choose a platform to build your portfolio.  Weebly and Google Sites are free and easy to use.  Teachers and students use these web tools regularly.  Other great options include Wix, Doodlekit, and Moonfruit.  It’s a matter of personal preference, but these tools will accomplish the same goals.  They’ll all let you customize your URL so it’s easy for you to remember and share your portfolio later.  Each tool will also allow you to choose a template to match your style; keep the design clean and simple, and make sure you have permissions to use any photos.

What to Include

Clearly labeled navigation is important.  Include a title and a menu.  You can organize the pages to suit your needs.  Since we’re evaluated in the four Danielson domains, it might make sense to include a page for each domain.  If you like, you can add an “about me” page as well.  Depending on the platform you’ve chosen, you’ll be able to upload your artifacts in various forms.  Feel free to add text, images, videos, links, PDFs, and whatever else you’re able to.

How to Maintain It

The beauty of a digital portfolio is that you can update it anytime, anywhere, with anything.  Whenever you do something that you deem “portfolio-worthy,” you can quickly log on to your portfolio to add them where you like.  

What They Look Like

You can use use a web platform to host your teaching portfolio.  You can showcase everything you need to meet evaluation criteria, and send them to administrators (and whoever else!) via a customized URL.  Take a look at some examples here:

Theresa Bartholomew

Liz Brobst

If you have any questions or would like help in person, please contact your building librarian!

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* Adelaide

** Wikipedia