Google Search: Image Reverse Look-up

Did you know you can reverse look-up images in Google? This can be helpful when trying to find sources that your students used for images and content related to the images, among other things. Reverse look-up results include information on where else the image is being used online, a list of visually similar images, and pages that include matching images.

Save the image to your computer. Then drag it to the search box at images.google.com.

More detailed instructions: https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/1325808?hl=en

American Panorama: An Atlas of United States History

American Panorama is a FREE historical atlas of the United States for the twenty-first century. It combines cutting-edge research with innovative interactive mapping techniques, designed to appeal to anyone with an interest in American history or a love of maps. 

Common Sense Graphite's review of the website.

Grammarflip

Teachers can register on GrammarFlip for free and create online classrooms in which they can track their students’ progress on the lessons they have completed.  The concise tutorials are designed to engage students and grab their attention while allowing pause and playback at any time.  Students are awarded virtual badges when they successfully reach certain milestones to build confidence and provide encouragement.  GrammarFlip can be used with any computer, tablet or mobile device connected to the Internet.

Learn more by visiting GrammarFlip’s website!

Google Classroom: Share from Gale

Any resources found through Gale (access through MackinVia) can be shared directly with your students through Google Classroom.

Instructions for adding a Gale item to the Google Classroom linked here.

Instructions for downloading a Gale article (with notes and highlights) to Google Drive linked here.

Video tutorial on using Gale with Google Classroom linked here.

Video tutorial on adding Gale resources to Google Drive linked here.

Google Drive: 4 Things You Can Do Right Now to Get Organized

The Gooru posted an article titled 4 Things You Can Do Right Now to Create a Perfectly Organized Google Drive. Tips include:

• Use Folders
• Use Colors
• Use Naming Conventions
• Shared with You to My Drive

Read more

Graphite's List of Math Apps

Common Sense Graphite put together this list of math apps. Several include high school content. Read more

Happy Pi Day! #PiDay #PiDay2016

Formative Assessment Apps & Tips

Common Sense Graphite put together this short list of apps and a few resources that are helpful for formative assessment in your classroom. They recommend these apps: Poll Everywhere, Socrative, Kahoot or Formative.

I also ran across this article from Ms. EdTechie listing many more formative assessment options.

If you would like to talk about any of these apps or other formative assessment options, please let me know!

Google Docs: 3 Helpful Updates

Google released 3 helpful updates for Docs this week. 

• Document outlining tool (Computer & Android app)
• Export Docs to EPUB format
• Select, copy and paste from the print screen (Android app)

Click here to read more 

Google Docs: Voice Typing

Voice typing is now a built-in feature for Google Docs. This is fabulous news for slower typers. You just need a microphone (built in, mic'd headset, AVer doc cam, etc). Say punctuation (ex: "how are you question mark") for it to be included. 

For help and tips, check out Google's Type with Your Voice help.

Google Classroom: Assignments

When adding an assignment in Google Classroom, if you are providing a template that you want students to type in and click Turn In when finished, the item you attach must be in Google Docs format and attach it using the Drive icon. Click on the picture above for a larger view.

Google Classroom: Notifications

It's a good idea to turn off your email notifications and also have your students turn off their notifications too. 

On computer (teachers and students):
Click the 3 lines in the top left corner.
Select Settings.
Un-check the box.

On mobile app (teachers and students):
When installing the app, when asked "Classroom would like to send you notifications" select Don't Allow.

If notifications were turned on (Allow) initially, to change...
From the Google Classroom mobile app...
  Click the 3 lines in the top left
  Select Settings
  Select Notifications
  Turn off all notifications
  Go back to Classroom
  Select Done