GoogleKeep, Security, TED-ed

Updates to Google Keep Make It Even More Versatile

Skill Level: Beginner          Use: Organization & Collaboration

Two weeks ago I wrote about Google Keep, a fantastic tool for keeping lists, bookmarks, etc., and sharing them with those with whom you're collaborating. Last week Google announced that Google Keep will be fully integrated into G-Suite services, making it an even more awesome tool!

You can quickly access your Google Keep notes within Google Docs, and if you are working on a Doc and think of something to add to your to-do list for a project, you can access your Keep notes without leaving docs. Pretty sweet.

When you are in your Doc, click TOOLS. Scroll down and click KEEP NOTEPAD. Your Keep notes will display in a pop-up window on the right side of your screen. Here is a quick demo and HERE is a link to Richard Byrne's Google Keep playlist on YouTube that has short video tutorials on different ways to use Google Keep. Check it out!

Keeping Your Accounts Secure

Skill Level: beginner          Use: Internet security of personal information

Earlier this week my tech-y son emailed me with information on Cloudbleed, a recent internet security breach. Once again I was reminded of the necessity of having secure internet passwords and keeping track of places where I have added to my online identity by creating an account.

Is it time for you to update your internet passwords to add a level of security to your accounts?

Here is a short Common Craft video that offers some great suggestions for beefing up security of your online presence and for creating more secure passwords.

Is the anticipation of Spring Break a distraction this week? 
Try a TED-ed lesson to keep your students engaged.

Skill level: beginner          Use: Interactive lesson

Need a little something extra to keep the students in the game this week as they anticipate their Spring Break? Try a TED-ed lesson.  Search for lessons by grade level and subject area.

Start with a pre-made lesson that includes a video to watch, stimuli to Think, Dig Deeper and Discuss. Then customize the lesson to fit your students' needs.

Need a brain break? Try something short like "How super glue was invented" (Credit to Larry Ferlazzo for posting about this video on his blog last month) Then brainstorm other tools that have uses beyond their original intended use.

GoogleSlides, Chromebook, GoogleKeep

Google Slides Update

Skill Level: Beginner           Use: presentation tool

Google Slides got some updates last week that will make your job easier. You can now insert a video from your Google Drive into Slides. Hip Hip Hooray!  In the past, you could only insert YouTube videos.

Google Slides also offers some awesome video options. You can choose to have the video automatically start when you are in presentation mode. You can mute the audio on the video. And you can select a portion of the video to show by adjusting the start and stop times. Gotta love that!

Love Your Chromebook

Skill level: everyone     Use: customize keyboard

I love learning from other teachers! A great big thank you to BHS math department for showing me how to turn the search key on my Chromebook into a caps lock key. (Confession: I'd never even noticed the search key. Oops!) When you are in Chrome, click on the three dots in the upper right corner of your screen. Then click on Settings. Scroll down to Device and click on the gray box labeled Keyboard Settings. The first option is the Search Key. Toggle the arrow and select Caps Lock. That simple!

And thanks to the awesome AES teachers who showed me that pressing CTRL and the key above the 5 toggles the display from mirrored display to extended screen display. That will be a huge timesaver for me in the library!

Chromebooks don't have Delete keys either, but if you press the ALT key and the BACKSPACE key at the same time, you get delete. I know! It's the little things that matter!

For more keyboard shortcuts, click HERE.

Get rid of those sticky notes with
Google Keep

Skill Level: beginner     Use: organizational tool

Three smart phones ago, I used Google Keep, but after moving from Android to IOS, it's been off my radar for a few years. No more. Google Keep has gotten some upgrades over the last couple of years, and it's a great tool for everyone! You can access it from your computer or through the Google Play app or the IOS app on your personal device.

On your Chromebook, just open a new tab and type keep.google.com. You can create a digital sticky note, assign a label (tag), add collaborators, and turn the list into checkboxes. If you are working on a project with your team, department, or partner, you can keep track of the to-do list all in one place. When one person checks a box as completed, the item moves to the bottom of the list with a strike-through.

If you have a personal gmail account, Google Keep is a great way to share the grocery list with a spouse or the daunting to-do list with a senior applying to college, etc.