Reposting: This is one of my favorite Chrome Extensions. It’ll WOW you every time.
Webpage Screenshot is a wonderful Chrome Extension. It allows you to edit information on a webpage. Great for summarizing, finding the topic, defining words in context clues, and so much more. Check out this video I made. It’s easy to use and has many classroom applications. What will you use it for?
So my friend Alice Keeler created a short video of what a ‘Modern Classroom’ looks like. Before you look at the video, image what most classrooms have looked like:
Here is one from 1909:
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by Wystan
Here’s one from 1963:
cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by Michael 1952
Now a more recent one, and oddly enough it’s entitled ’21st Century Classroom’:
cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by Michael B.
This last photo looks a lot like the one from 1909. Yes, there are some changes; students are sitting in groups, but really it’s the same. Students still sit in seats at desks, whether they are single or in groups. We have progressed from blackboards to whiteboards to interactive boards. Most classrooms have computers, but sadly that’s all that has physically changed.
Our methods and theories have most certainly changed. No longer do students sitting and listening all day (or at least they shouldn’t be). We allow students to move throughout the day. We expect collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. So my question is; why are we still setting up our classrooms based on 19th Century models? I know what you’re thinking…”I don’t do that”. Um, yes you do — and so do I. Yes, you may have ‘centers’, sitting areas, a cozy reading corner, but it’s still basically the same as it’s always been. All that is about to change! Think about the happiest places to work. For me, Google comes to mind. What makes them different? They are comfortable, fun places to be. Shouldn’t schools be that way too? I think so and so does Alice. Check out this classroom!
I would love coming to school if I were a kid in that classroom! So while we are educating students for the future, let’s give them a classroom that reflects that, not one from 1909.
Inserting a Document, Presentation, Form, or other Google products is as easy as Insert > Choose > Save
This is a quick tutorial on how to insert an image using Google Sites.
This is a step by step video that shows you how to create a Site in Google Sites.
Sites is great for classroom uses. You can create a classroom website. Students can collaborate to create a website on a particular subject matter, such as fractions.
Google Drive is easy to use, and it’s in the cloud. So… What’s NOT to love? Here are some basics to get you started.
So you’re new to Google Chrome and are ready to install some extensions. Great! On your Chrome Homepage, you will notice a ‘Store’ icon. Go ahead and choose ‘Store’.
You now notice that you have several options. You can browse by categories, on the left, or you can browse suggestions on the right. You can also type in the name of a specific App or Extension. For this example, I want Webpage Screenshot.
After pressing Enter, I am given several options. Notice that I chose Extensions at the top of the page. When I did that, the Extension I wanted came right up. From here, I locate the blue ‘Add To Chrome’ button on the right, and choose it.
Once I choose to add the Extension, a Pop-out appears and asks if I want to add the Extension. Since I do, I choose ‘Add’.
My Extension is now added. I can see the small icon located at the top right corner of my page. Success!
And for those of you who also need to hear it, like me, here’s a video I made.
There are so many features to Google Search it will boggle your mind. Well, it boggles mine. I find it fascinating that I can search for a news article from 1865 or 1968. I no longer have to go to the library and use the old-school microfiche. Okay, who am I kidding. I never did that. But, if you did you will love this option in Search. Here is a quick video I made showing you how I found a news article from April 1968 regarding Dr. Martin Luther King’s death.
This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to be a presenter at CUE RockStar Express in Paso Robles, CA. As always, the energy at this CUE event was amazing!! There were many insanely fantastic presenters and attendees. I met some great educators! And like always, I left feeling renewed and energized. This was the first time that I was on the other side of an event. I’m usually sitting and soaking up all the great information. It was fun to be on the presenter side, sharing my enthusiasm and knowledge.
It was at this event that a plan was hatched. Recently I wrote about how some educators feel uncomfortable with technology in It’s Beyond Me. Many just don’t feel they know enough and when listening to others, they feel that it’s above their heads. I am NOT the only person that has heard this. As several of us were talking after the event, we hatched a plan! Now, it’s still in it’s infancy stages, but we feel that it’s a super fantabulously groovy idea! Ready??? Okay, here it is!! (I’m soooo excited about it)
Have an event (or more precisely several across the state) that is designed for tech newbies. Fantastically groovy, right? We’re talking small groups working on basics. We’re talking bringing in local talent to lead. This way, no big shots to intimidate newbie presenters or attendees. Now, I don’t want to give too much away, but I DO want to hear what you have to say.
So, what do YOU want to learn to do? Set up a Google account? Forward emails? Figure out what a URL is? What a browser is? Seriously, this is exciting. I want to hear from everyone. What are your ideas?
Nowa Techie 