Friday, February 6, 2015

Google Keep


Google Keep is basically post-its for your Google Account. You can color code them, mark items off, share them with others and more! 

Check it out:
On Android http://g.co.keep


3 Minute Tip: Bookmark Basics



A Menagerie of Chrome Extensions



Warning

Be aware of the force being applied to your spine... 


23 statements that will make you rethink the world around you


Just for fun: 

MyLifeElsewhere.com

MyLifeElsewhere.com is a website that lets you compare statistics about the United States to other countries throughout the world. 

The site pulls data from the 2014 CIA World Factbook and puts comparisons in easy-to-understand formats using icons in graphs and also explains the data in sentence form.

It also shows you a geographic comparison by overlaying the outline of the comparison country over your current location.

There's also a short "Brief History" of the country at the bottom of the page and at the top, a section called "Worldwide Etiquette" where you can view the basic etiquette standards for a small number of major countries. 

Check it out: MyLifeElsewhere.com

Automatic "Make a Copy" in Google Docs, Sheets & Slides

In Google Docs, Sheets & Slides you can easily turn a file into a template!

When editing the document, at the end of the URL take out the word "edit"... 

... and replace it with the word "copy". 

When someone opens the link it will automatically ask them to Make a Copy of the document! Wallah! Your Docs, Sheets or Slides file is now a template!

Khan Academy revisit

Khan Academy has grown over the past several years and now includes even more subjects. Check out the full list

Khan Academy also now includes not just videos but also interactives, assessments, articles, handouts and more!



Friday, January 23, 2015

Booktrack: Soundtracks for Books


Booktrack.com is a website (and apps also) that provides background music while you’re reading an ebook! The music usually goes with what you’re reading, so its helping set the mood. It looks like they already have some of the classics available. 


For anyone who's not much of a literature reader it could really help motivate them to want to read! 

There’s also Booktrack Classroom where teachers can create classes for students.

Teachers can control which books their students have access to (grade / age appropriate, etc.). Students can also “create” their own books with their own writing and add sounds to it!
o   They add music based on Emotion, Genre, or Style (so it really gets them thinking about what they’ve written.)
o   You can add sounds for very specific sections of text, or a whole chapter.  Very cool!
o   They can’t add pictures.  Its text only.
o   Students can read & rate each other’s books in their Class!

It might be cool for teachers to give students this as an option for reading!

Here's an overview video.

Using Google Drive to Improve Student Writing

Carroll ISD recently posted a blog entry on Using Google Drive to Improve Student Writing. It includes several tips and suggestions in addition to a list of helpful Google Docs Add-ons.