Tag: Google Search

Increase your Professional Performance

Over the years, I’ve collected numerous tips for better teaching, better presentations, making course materials, and presenting your best professional face to the world – both in person and online. This talk will include a collection of at least 10 such tips.

The best Teachers are Life-long Learners

With this presentation, I hope to convey to you that becoming life-long learners is the #1 best way to become a better teacher. Over the past 10 years, I’ve accomplished the following and grown immeasurably:

  • 170 Lynda.com (LinkedIn Learning) courses
  • 100+ books (Audible.com)
  • Online Master’s degree (Full Sail University)
  • Online Nanodegree (Udacity)

If you want to stay “ahead of the curve” in any industry (or even keep up, let alone catch up) you need to become a life-long learner and make a habit of keeping up to date with the goings-on in that industry.

Contents

  1. Google
    1. Google Classroom
    2. Google Tips
    3. Google Drive
  2. Korean
    1. Korean Grammar
    2. Korean Vocabulary
    3. Korean Games
  3. Apps
    1. Lightshot
    2. Audacity
    3. LinkedIn
  4. Bonus
    1. Bullet Journal

1.1 Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a great way to stay organized as a teacher and distribute assignments to students in a whole class or individually. Check out the following links for some of my other presentations on Classroom:

1.2 Google Tips

Google Service is the most ubiquitous, powerful, and yet also the most under-utilized Google service. Follow the link below to get some tips for making the most of it. There are 10 other Google Services listed as well:

1.3 Google 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)

Plus, Drive is a great way to keep your USBs safe (by simply not using them). But if you insist on hanging onto your USBs, you should really install Panda USB Vaccine to disable Autorun that often gets you viruses when you plug it into an infected computer.

2.1 Korean Grammar

As you learn more Korean grammar, you’ll be better able to teach English grammar. You’ll be better able to pick out common mistakes and explain English grammar patterns in a way that is easily understandable. 

But first, you might want to learn Hangul touch typing. This will save you loads of time in the future, if you type in Korean much. It can also be quite beneficial in class to type 명사, 동사, and 형용사 (noun, verb, adjective) and other things to help you explain the grammar patterns better.

2.2 Korean Vocabulary

Did you know it’s possible to learn 3600 new vocabulary words in 4 months by only practicing for around 30 minutes per day? Have you ever tried it? I’m living proof that the method outlined in the link above works.

And here’s a video with 10 more suggestions to learn new words. Use it yourself or share it with your class:

2.3 Korean Games

Learning a little Korean pop culture also provides you with a great opportunity to connect with your students on a new level and make classes more interesting and engaging for them. Here are three games that they’ll all be familiar with that you can learn in class to teach new vocabulary:

3 Korean word games to test or improve your Korean vocabulary

3.1 Lightshot

Lightshot is hands down the BEST screenshot app I’ve ever come across (yet). It’s so good, I install it on every computer I have access to. I’ve also installed it on every computer in the lab at the high school I work at. 

  • Simply press the PrtSc button to darken the screen and get a crosshairs mouse pointer
  • Draw a shape around the area you want to copy, print, or save
  • The editing tools in the app also give you the ability to DRAW or type anything within the space you’ve outlined
  • Key point: Basically, you’ll be able to create an instant on-screen whiteboard in any class to draw on scans of the book or highlight grammar points in a document you’re showing on the projector

3.2 Audacity

Audacity is the best FREE audio editing app, and it’s great for making listening tests. It’s so versatile that I’ve used it for the following:

  • Recording podcasts
  • Editing sound for movie production
  • Creating pop song remixes and mashups

3.3 LinkedIn

Find me on LinkedIn here. I’ve optimized my profile to showcase my professional skills and abilities. These days, your “resume” isn’t just something you hand in on paper. Every employer can (and will) Google Search you, so it’s important to have something online that is complete, professional, and highlights your accomplishments.

There are plenty of great books online to help you optimize yours. 

Bonus: “Real” online resumes with WordPress

If you couldn’t tell by the rest of this site, I’m a big fan of WordPress (this site is built on it as well). WordPress is the BEST way to get started cultivating your professional online presence. You have two to choose from:

  1. WordPress.com is a managed host – you just pay the bill
  2. WordPress.org is self-hosted – meaning you need:
    1. URL name registration (around $12.95 for a .com)
    2. Hosting (affiliate) (starting at $2.59/mo)

Bonus: Bullet Journal

If you really want to stay organized (a very good idea in today’s busy world), going analog (paper) is so much better than taking everything digital (too many distractions). The Bullet Journal is one of the best methods I’ve found for staying organized. Check out the following for more details:

Conclusion

Let me leave you with three quotes from some of my favorite authors and public speakers regarding your “Professional Performance.”

Either run the day, or the day runs you… Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time… Time management is the best kept secret of the rich.

Jim Rohn

The whole purpose of time management and getting more done in less time is to enable you to have more time to spend with the people you love, doing the things you enjoy.

Brian Tracy

‘Time management’ is really a misnomer – the challenge is not to manage time but ourselves. The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.

Stephen Covey

Bio

Aaron Snowberger is a Google Certified Educator, Trainer, and G Suite Administrator. He teaches Computer Science & Graphic Design at Global Prodigy Academy and English at Jeonju University. He also does freelance graphic design and website programming work, specializing in WordPress and React. He has designed multiple publications, websites, and KOTESOL posters, and has previously presented at the KOTESOL National and International Conferences, as well as the Seoul WordPress Grand Meetup. Apart from work, Aaron also enjoys cycling and playing musical instruments (like bass guitar).

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!