Year: 2021

If you’ve been teaching remotely, you’ve probably done a bunch of Google Meets or Zoom calls. Have you ever wondered how you look and sound to your participants? This is now very easy, assuming you’re using Google Meet. Check out the new “green room” feature which makes it easier to check everything is working properly, and you look presentable, before you actually join a video meeting.

You can access this feature before joining a meeting. Just click the “Check your audio and video button.” read more

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Looking for a free whiteboard option? Check out Google Jamboard…you can get to it right from your apps launcher! It is also integrated into Google Meet. 

Google Jamboard is a great tool to use for demonstrating a skill, flow chart, diagram, or any concept. Click on the plus sign tostart a new jam and name it.

Change your background and start drawing on your whiteboard. Note that you can even upload your own custom background. 

Jamboard even has sticky notes that you can use for text, and you can bring in your own images. The last tool is a laser which you can use to circle information, and then it disappears.   read more

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Although Google Sites is very simple to learn and use, that simplicity comes at a price – limited customization. Until very recently, you used the Themes panel to choose the look of your site. You could choose a color option and font for the entire site, but that’s it.

No more! 🙌

Recall that when working with text you can choose from Normal text, Title, Heading, Subheading, and small to format your text boxes. That has not changed.

What has changed is that you can now choose text options just like you can in any other Google app. read more

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Oftentimes, we find ourselves providing the same information in an email. This may be in response to a general inquiry. For example, when parents send an email asking for the yearly supplies list. You may copy the list and paste the information into a reply message and hit the send button. However, this still takes work. 😅

Gmail offers a feature to create an email template that will contain your email response. You will enter a specific subject to the template message and ask others to use that subject when messaging you about that topic. The subject will trigger the template to be sent. Whenever I think of using Gmail’s Automatic Email Response, I recall the Rice Krispie advertisement. If you need a quick laugh, click here to view. 😆 read more

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NOTE: It has come to our attention that the tip we shared yesterday may not work in every district. Each school district is responsible for their own web filtering according to their district policies. We apologize for any confusion that this may have caused. You should always contact the individuals responsible for filter management and policies for any issues related to access to websites you need for classroom instruction.

Several times in the last month I have been asked if there is a way to show YouTube videos without the ads. My only solution up to this point has been to suggest getting YouTube Premium which costs $11.99 a month and there is no easy way for schools to purchase for all their teachers. read more

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