The Techy Coach Chrome Extension

Techy Coach Video Tutorials are now available to users as a Chrome Extension.  Now you can access tutorials through a popup window, allowing you to work while you learn.  

Topics available through the extension include:

• Google Drive
• Google Docs
• Google Sheets
• Google Forms
• Google Slides
• Google Drawings
• Google Classroom
• Gmail
• Google Calendar

Just go to the Chrome Web Store and search for Techy Coach.  You can also use this direct link.

Create Pixel Art with Google Sheets

Several articles  over the last few years have been posted on the web about creating Pixel Art on Google Sheets.  To give everyone out there a visual explanation, I've created this tutorial on how to create your own Template.  Enjoy and feel free to download the template below the tutorial to try your hand at pixel art.

Download the Pixel Art Template

Google Sites vs. Google Classroom

Classroom vs. Site

This year, our district has made significant strides toward being a Google Apps for Education school district.  All of our faculty and students have their own Google Account and have been working to understand the benefits afforded by working in the cloud.

As we drew the year to a close we started Summer training for our English Language Arts teachers, as they would be receiving a Chromebook cart in each of their classrooms.  As part of that training, one of the questions that popped up was,  "Which is better? Google Sites or Google Classroom."

To answer that question, I've provided a few pieces of information for you (benefits of each), as well as a few videos to help newbies understand each tool:

Google Classroom

• Teachers can assign students to their classroom.
• Assign and grade work within the classroom.
• Use the stream to post announcements or assignments
• Link to Google Drive to assign work.
• Add links to YouTube Videos
• Add links to URLs
• Allow students to post or comment (easy to disable)

Google Classroom

Discussion Forums using Google Classroom

Google Sites

• Freedom to create the look and feel of a Teacher Webpage/Site
• Add multiple pages
• Link to Google Drive to add assignments
• Create a File Cabinet to share files as a department
• Create an Announcements Page to post thoughts and discussion topics
• Embed any content you need (YouTube, Easel.ly, Etc...)
• Add links to websites, etc....
• Open site up for discussion boards
• Embed a Google Calendar for a list of events
• Have students create their own Google Site as a digital portfolio
• Use a Google Site as a Wiki where students can work on group projects.  

Setting up a Google Site

New Google Tutorials - YouTube, Google Slides, and Google Search

A new crop of videos have been posted to my YouTube Channel this month.  Here they are so you can see them.  Also, visit my Video Tutorials Page to see the entire playlist of Google Tutorials.

Google Search Tips

Google Slides:  Mask and Crop Tools

YouTube Captions for ELL/ESL

QR Codes and Back to School

It's a little soon to be talking about the first day of school, I guess, but a class I taught today got my mind going about back to school.  In a class on QR Codes, we were discussing the different ways that QR codes can be used in the classroom.  When you take into consideration that mobile devices can open up so many options for learning, QR codes seem an obvious pathway to providing tips, hints, or answers to frequently asked questions.  But as we talked it became evident that one clear cut solution for back to school is to provide a QR code for new students and parents.  That QR code could be a link to:

• your syllabus
• a supply list
• an introductory video
• a guided tour of the school/classroom

In order to create your own code and provide access to these and other pieces of information, you need to keep a few things in mind.  

First, where will you store your information?

• Google Drive - Store documents and slideshows in your cloud based account.  Just make sure that in your sharing options you have set your document so that it can be viewed by anyone with the link.  Click Share and change "who has access" to "anyone with the link".
• YouTube - Any video that you create for tours or introductions to your parents and students can be stored on your YouTube channel.  Just copy the link to share.  

Second, how can you create your QR Code?  Make sure you copy your link from the item you want to link back to from your code, then go create a code on one of these sites.  

• QR Stuff - This site makes it easy to create a QR Code from any link.
• QR Code Generator - Easy to use with ability to customize color.
• Custom QR Code Creator - Create your own code complete with your own logo and customization.

Third, before you post your QR code on your website or print it off and post on your classroom door, make sure you use a QR Code scanner to test your code:

• QR Reader for iOS, Android or Windows Mobile

Finally, make sure when you print off  your code or post it, you do the following:

• Let users know what information is being shared (i.e., Syllabus, supply list, Meet the Teacher Video)
• Provide users with a link to a QR Scanner if they don't have one.
• Print or post it large enough that it is easily seen and easy to scan.

Here's an example of a QR Code linked to a Back to School Doc:

When you create your code, post it on your door so that parents and students can scan it during schedule pick up or meet the teacher day prior to the start of school.  If you do this, you have the satisfaction of knowing that your students will have easy access to a supply list prior to the first day of school.  Plus, your parents will love you for getting this out of the way early!

Adding annotations to YouTube videos

Found this tutorial on adding annotations to YouTube videos. Thought it might be helpful to those of you who are flipping your classroom by making your own videos and adding them to your tube channel.
http://bit.ly/O23xEB
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