Two nifty tools for Mac/Chrome users!

via GIPHY

One of the biggest bummers of being a Mac user is that you simply cannot click a button and make your windows magically appear all at once. If you are working with multiple spreadsheets or if you are viewing a video while taking notes...you know what I mean ;)

In a future post, I will write about the large library of FREE extensions and apps available in the Google Chrome store. For now, I want to introduce you to a great extension, Tab Resize. Download it and click on the extension whenever you are using Chrome and need to maintain multiple windows on your screen simultaneously. 

My other neat little tool is GIPHY. With this great website you can search for GIFS or make your own using Quicktime (the free version!). The GIF above showing how to use Tab Resize uses GIPHY. 

In order to make the GIF above I first created a screencast using Quicktime (something new I learned today too!). In Quicktime just click on FILE, then NEW SCREEN RECORDING and in minutes you can record screencasts that you can turn into a variety of formats (like a gif or upload to YouTube).  

My Tech Tools for Educators Checklist

Let me set up the impetus for my latest blog post and newest edTech resource. This is the first time in ten years that I will not be teaching my own classes, rather I will be helping educators integrate technology into their classrooms. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with so many great tools available, and the fact that new tools pop up regularly.

I was listening to a terrific podcast on my way to one of my schools the other day and had an epiphany. During this podcast episode, the host quickly listed different categories: learning management systems (LMS), formative assessment, maker tools, and communication. I said to myself, "YES, I can put together a simple document of resources that would help my colleagues". The purpose of this resource would be to encourage educators research different tools for each category and begin the process of mastering a tool in each category.

Here is the fruit of my vision: a five category Google Doc that lists tools for each of the categories listed below. I included a blank Content Specific Tools category since an educator should have the goal to master a tool that is specifically made for particular content areas. Obviously, I didn't list every tool that exists for each of these five categories. I listed resources that I either have personally used or resources that have a good reputation. Knowing my love affair with tweaking things, I am sure I will make adjustments to my checklist in the future.

I hope you can find a few gems to use in the coming school year!

Do you know what GAFE stands for?

I have been a big Google Apps fan for many years. One of the best decision my school district made was adopting the Google tools. I have been doing some research on the various Google Apps that exist to share with my fellow colleagues. The product of my work is this Google Doc (did you expect something else?) with GAFE tutorials, tips, and tricks for users of all levels.

It can be quite overwhelming researching the various Google Apps. However, with more practice, the better you will become. My goal this year is to become more adept using Google Classroom. I am like how it is still relatively simple platform without too many bells and whistles to distract the students or me. On that note, I highly recommend you spend the 20 minutes or so to listen to this terrific podcast about Google Classroom. I was so impressed by the tips the guest Alice Keeler, that I purchased her book on Amazon. I can't wait to read it so I can use and share her tips.

Happy Googling!