Tag: Google

11 Great Google Services (for your classroom)

I want to briefly introduce you to 11 powerful Google Services that can have a big impact on your teaching. These are things that I personally use nearly everyday. I’ll start with the most commonly used and easiest-to-learn tools, and progressively take us through more difficult or less commonly used tools.

View Slides →

Self Introduction

  • Google Certified Educator & Trainer (Feb. 2017)
  • G Suite Admin @ GPA HS (Certified Feb. 2017)
  • Computer Science & Graphic Design Teacher @ GPA HS (Feb. 2013)
  • ESL Teacher (Jeonju University Mar. 2010, Korea July 2006)
  • WordPress & web designer/developer (2010)
  • Freelance Graphic designer (MFA Apr. 2011)

Overview

I want to briefly introduce you to 11 powerful Google Services that can have a big impact on your teaching. These are things that I personally use nearly everyday. I’ll start with the most commonly used and easiest-to-learn tools, and progressively take us through more difficult or less commonly used tools.

  • Easiest (Search, Gmail, Translate)
  • Normal (Drive, Docs, Slides)
  • Harder (Forms, Drawings, Classroom)
  • Expert (Photos, Sheets)

Please, join my Class:

Class code: qa3d0gu

Easiest

#1 Search

The most ubiquitous Google Service is also the most powerful, and the most under-utilized Google service. Here are some tips to get the most of it. I’ve also linked to Google’s full Tips & Tricks page below.

Find stuff for class:

Use in class:

All Google Search Tricks →

#2 Gmail

Personally, the greatest 2 tricks to using Gmail are:

25 Gmail Keyboard Shortcuts that save me 60 hours per year →

#3 Translate

I know many people don’t think Google Translate is a really efficient tool, but there have been some really great updates to it recently that make it a much better tool.

  • Handwriting
  • Audio input (speak in English, HEAR and SEE the Korean response)
  • Camera input (for signs, etc)
  • Tap to Translate is the BEST thing I’ve recently discovered – it allows me to use Translate within ANY app, without switching
  • Translate dictionaries are also available OFFLINE

Tap to Translate video

Normal

#4 Drive

Drive acts like a hard drive in the cloud, but has some pretty unique features that you may not know about.

  • Sharing & simultaneous collaborative editing
  • Preview files you don’t have programs for (.AI, .PSD)
  • Review Drive activity ( Info)
  • Review File Revision history
  • Add-Ons (DriveTunes)

#5 Docs

Google Docs acts as an online Word document editor – but it has some unique features that are only available through a cloud service like this.

#6 Slides

One of the most powerful features in Google Slides is the ability to crop and edit images directly within the Slides window itself.

  • Templates & Master Slides View > Master
  • Image manipulation
    • Crop into shapes Format > Crop image
    • Recolor Format > Format options

I’ve previously created a complex PPT using the cropping images feature. I’ve included a link to this PPT below.

I’ve also linked to some really great Slides Templates and an alternate to PPT (slides.com) – that this presentation is based on.

Harder

#7 Forms

Google Forms allows you to create self-grading assignments and quizzes.

I’ve personally used Forms for Homework, surveys, quizzes, and chapter tests. It allows you to specify

  • Multiple Choice answers
  • Checkbox answers
  • Dropdown answers
  • Short answers

And if you need more flexibility and grading features, check out Flubaroo as a Google Sheets Add-on which can also analyze your student data and help you to see which questions were the most troublesome for a class.

#8 Drawings

Google Drawings allows you to create complex vector shapes (like logos). They can even be embedded into Docs.

But one of the most useful features I recently discovered was the “yellow handle” (shaped like a diamond) on some shapes that allows you to change its dimensions. I was able to recreate the KOTESOL logo in Google Drawings using this feature:

#9 Classroom

I’ve previously presented on Google Classroom at the KOTESOL 2017 International Conference. One exciting new feature that I’ve discovered since then is that it’s now possible (since January 2017) to assign work to INDIVIDUAL students as well as the whole class. This allows me to personalize assignments for students.

Expert

#10 Photos

Google claims you can have UNLIMITED storage of photos and videos on their service – at a reduced quality (their uploader converts it automatically) – I haven’t run out of space yet.

You can also create Shared albums that people with the link can “Add” themselves to and add their own photos. This is great for schools, families, and groups that want to easily encourage participants to upload and share their individual photos.

Read more about this on the article Google Photos adds smarter sharing, suggestions and shared libraries.

  • Unlimited storage with file reduction
  • Share album to allow uploaders

#11 Sheets

Sheets is a VERY powerful program once you start getting beneath the surface of things. It includes at least TWO useful features I’ll introduce here: Data Validation and Pivot Tables.

I’ve previously presented at the JNJ KOTESOL 2012 Conference about this topic – to create a Gradebook that only accepts certain values.

BONUS!

You can get Google Certified too!

There are two levels of Google Educator, tests are $10 each (online, and require a web cam).

Review & Resources

This is a list of ALL the resources I gathered for this talk.

  1. Search
    1. ALL Search Tips & Tricks – Inside Search
  2. Gmail
    1. Keyboard Shortcuts
    2. The 25 Gmail Keyboard shortcuts that save me 60 hours per year
    3. Gmail Guide: Inbox Management and Labels
  3. Translate
    1. Translate
    2. Camera Input example: La Bamba
    3. YouTube: Introducing Tap to Translate
  4. Drive
    1. View activity & file versions
    2. DriveTunes Add-On
  5. Docs
    1. Docs Template Gallery
    2. Google Fonts
    3. Version History
    4. How to Add Stock Photos to Google Docs
  6. Slides
    1. Slides Template Gallery
    2. SlidesCarnival.com (Copy additional, stylish Slides Templates)
    3. Slides.com – Make Better Presentations
    4. KOTESOL slides: Become a Better Presenter
    5. How to crop & edit images
    6. Editing Master Slides
  7. Forms
    1. Forms Template Gallery
    2. Flubaroo Video (better auto-grading of Forms)
    3. Flubaroo Sheets Add-on Link
    4. Example of my Google Site with Quizzes
    5. Create & grade quizzes with Google Forms
  8. Drawings
    1. 8 Creative Uses of Google Drawings
    2. Google Drawings for Graphic Organizers – Link
    3. KOTESOL Logo in Google Drawings
    4. Google Drawings: Semicircle
    5. Google Drawings on YouTube
  9. Classroom
    1. Using Google Classroom (5 page) – Link
    2. Google Classroom Manual (15 page) – Link
    3. Aaron.kr: Google Classroom 101 Talk
    4. Google Classroom updated
    5. Digital Differentiation with Google Classroom
    6. Individual Assignments & Small Group Work
  10. Photos
    1. YouTube: Introducing Shared Albums
    2. Google Photos About
    3. Shared memories made easy with Google Photos
    4. Google Photos adds smarter sharing, suggestions and shared libraries
  11. Sheets
    1. Sheets Template Gallery
    2. Data validation in Google Sheets
    3. Get Organized with 2 Google Spreadsheet Features
    4. My KOTESOL Gradebook Presentation
    5. How to Create a Pivot Table in Google Sheets
    6. Google Sheets Pivot Table Tutorial
    7. Pivot Tables in Google Sheets (Ultimate Guide)
    8. Tutorial: How to make pivot tables in Google Sheets
  12. BONUS! Get Google Certified
    1. G Suite Training – Chrome Web Store
    2. G Suite Training
    3. Training Center: Certification
  13. Other Resources
    1. Naver Office

Thank You!

Google Classroom 101

Google Classroom is an excellent way to stay organized as a teacher and distribute learning material to a whole class or individual students. This presentation gives an overview of how Google Classroom works and how you can use it to your advantage.

View Slides →

Self Introduction

  • Google Certified Educator & Trainer (Feb. 2017)
  • G Suite Admin @ GPA HS (Certified Feb. 2017)
  • Computer Science & Graphic Design Teacher @ GPA HS (Feb. 2013)
  • ESL Teacher (Jeonju University Mar. 2010, Korea July 2006)
  • WordPress & web designer/developer (2010)
  • Freelance Graphic designer (MFA Apr. 2011)

You can get Google Certified too!

There are two levels of Google Educator, tests are $10 each (online, and require a web cam).

Overview

  • Intro
  • Student View
  • Teacher View
  • Tips

Caveat

You (and the students) need a Google Account in order to use Google Classroom. But only you need a Google Account to use Google Drive. I’ll show you both. We’ll start with Google Drive.

So, please, join my Class:

Class code: jklasdf

Student View

While you’re joining my class, let’s take a look at some student opinions about Google Classroom.

Now, let me introduce you to the most common types of files I share in Google Classroom. You have access to all these files when you click the “Open” button.

Now, please complete the “Assignment” in the Google Doc and Turn it In using the button in the upper-right of your Doc.

Teacher View

While you’re completing the “Assignment”, let’s take a look at what some other teachers have to say about Google Classroom.

Let me show you some more of what Google Classroom can do from the Teacher’s Viewpoint.

  • Share files – View only
  • Share files – Editable
  • Each student gets a copy
  • Assign topics and due dates
  • Schedule assignments (or Save Drafts)
  • Grade assignments

Tips

This all seems well and good, but what if you can’t, or don’t want to, force all your students to use Google? The next section will give you some tips and suggestions for using Google Drive and Google Classroom, even without adding students to a class.

  1. Throw away your (insecure) USB key
  2. Go paperless
  3. Run a more organized classroom
  4. Use Google Sites and Forms for Quizzes and Homework
  5. Flubaroo for grading Form answers
  6. Use Naver Office if you want the Korean version
  7. Make better PPTs with SlidesCarnivaland Slides.com

Check out what Flubaroo can do.

Review & Resources

Here’s one more video reviewing all I’ve just covered.

  1. G Suite Training – Chrome Web Store
  2. G Suite Training
  3. Training Center: Certification
  4. Docs Template Gallery
  5. Sheets Template Gallery
  6. Slides Template Gallery
  7. SlidesCarnival.com (Copy additional, stylish Slides Templates)
  8. 8 Creative Uses of Google Drawings
  9. Forms Template Gallery
  10. Example of my Google Site with Quizzes
  11. Google Drawings for Graphic Organizers – Link
  12. Using Google Classroom (5 page) – Link
  13. Google Classroom Manual (15 page) – Link
  14. Slides.com – Make Better Presentations
  15. Naver Office
  16. Flubaroo Video (better auto-grading of Forms)
  17. Flubaroo Sheets Add-on Link

Thank You!

Quick Tip: Learn the basics of SEO and non-coding WordPress Customization

WordPress currently powers over 23% of ALL the world’s websites. It powers sites such as CNN, Jay-Z, and Mashable.

So, you want a highly customizable site without coding?

Divi WordPress Drag and Drop Theme
Divi WordPress Drag and Drop Theme

Find a drag-and-drop Theme like Divi or Enfold for something easier to build (no code – EXTREMELY customizable). You’ll need to go self-hosted (no more WordPress.com).

You want easy SEO?

WordPress plugin SEO by Yoast
WordPress plugin SEO by Yoast

For SEO, sign up for Google Analytics to start tracking your site and learning which keywords attract visitors. Also, get a good couple of good WP plugins like SEO by Yoast (which is the highest ranked and most downloaded SEO plugin for WP in history). Also get Google Analytics by Yoast for better tracking.

Here’s the Definitive Guide to WordPress SEO by Yoast.

You want to learn the basics of SEO tactics?

Jon Duckett's HTML & CSS book
Jon Duckett’s HTML & CSS book

I recently read through HTML & CSS by Jon Duckett and it has a simple (though comprehensive) 2-page walkthrough on SEO. The basic things you should know are:

  1. On-site SEO tactics and
  2. Off-site SEO tactics

On-site SEO tactics include:

Having your targeting keywords appear in every:

  1. Page <title>
  2. URL
  3. Headings <h1>
  4. Body text 2-3 times each
  5. Hyperlinks  (make them descriptive, not just “click here”)
  6. Image <alt> attributes
  7. Page <meta> description

(The Yoast SEO plugin takes care of ALL of this for you on a page-by-page basis).

Off-site SEO tactics include:

Getting links IN to your site from other (relevant) sites. You can do this through:

  1. Social Media sharing (and enabling social sharing buttons with other plugins)
  2. Commenting (and ADDING VALUE) on other blogs in your industry with a link back to your site (no spam and no “Nice post” stuff either)
  3. Guest posting on other blogs with a link back to your site.

Hope this helps you build a better website!~