Use a Hyperlink Instead of Sending Long URLS
Ever wonder what the "chainlink" icon is in the toolbars of Google Docs, Google Slides, and even your Gmail? It's a handy little tool that allows you to insert a link to a website without including the whole URL.
So instead of your reader seeing this: https://sites.google.com/a/banderaisd2.net/bisd-digital-learning/home
Your reader sees THIS, a clickable link that navigates directly to the website.
Just highlight the text that you want to link, click on the "chainlink" icon, and paste in the website's URL.
Google Slides Just Got A Whole Lot Better
Last week the G Suite blog highlighted new updates to Google Slides. And they're pretty amazing! The .gifs embedded in their blog showcase the updates better than I could ever explain with words, but here are the highlights:
- Enabling add-ons such as searching for Adobe Stock photos or Shutterstock without leaving Slides. Super cool!
- Integrating Google Keep with Google Slides. This is a game changer in helping our students collect information to put in their presentations.
- Adding Grid View so you can view all your slides at once
- Linking Slides from multiple presentations to update all presentation with a click
- Enabling Apps Scripts to automatically pull in information from Sheets' databases
Click HERE for the full post. If you or your students are Slides users, this post is definitely worth the read.
Voice Typing in Google Docs: An Awesome Tool for Struggling Writers, ELL Students, and Busy Teachers, Too!
A couple of Fridays ago I got to spend the day with my librarian tribe at the Region XX Library Resource Roundup. Kasey Bell, who works with ESC 10 and blogs at ShakeUp Learning shared Google writing tools including Voice Typing in Google Docs. My first thought was, "Why would I use Voice Typing?"
Good thing I didn't voice that question out loud because she blew me away with her explanation. Here are my favorite three of her seven reasons to use Voice Typing.
1. Is typing slowing your students down at the elementary grades? Use Voice Typing to get down that first draft.
2. Have an ELL student who needs to write an essay or respond to a quiz question? Use Voice Typing in his/her native language and then translate the page to English.
3. Need to make the most of your time while waiting for the kids at soccer practice? Use Voice Typing...and even add punctuation and formatting info.
Kasey has simple screenshots to guide you. Click HERE for her full post.
Kasey has simple screenshots to guide you. Click HERE for her full post.
