Monday, March 23, 2015

Google Calendar App now available for iPhone

If you are a iPhone user, like me, you may have noticed that the only apps available for Google Calendar were third party apps.  Well, as of March 10th, that changed.  Google has finally released their own Google Calendar app.

You can download the new app via the App Store.

To learn more, check out this video.


Monday, March 16, 2015

Choosing Fonts in Google Docs

Were you aware that you can choose from hundreds of fonts to use in Google Docs?

Google fonts are available at www.google.com/fonts all of which are available for use in Google Docs.



Click on the pop out icon to find out more about the font (see below).



Select the Pairings link to find complementary fonts to use with your newly selected font. It is recommended to use no more than three (3) fonts in one document.


If you want to add the selected font to your font options, choose the Add To Collection button.




To use the font in Google Docs, go to click on the arrow next to the current font, and select "More fonts" at the bottom of your font list.







On the next screen, locate the font that you just added from google.com/fonts and click on it. It will then add it to the list on the right hand side of the page (see below).

Click OK and the new font will be added to your font list and available to use in your Google Docs.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

10 Google Tips

by Kathleen Grace and Andrea Zampitella, WHS
Here are 10 useful Google Tips to help you in your classroom.


  1. ChromeCalculator.png
    Calculate numbers using the Google Search Bar in Chrome Calculation totals will appear just below your equation OR hit return to have the scientific calendar appear (see right).







  1. Download Youtube videos
    1. by adding a ss after the www.
      https://www.ssyoutube.com/watch?v=52ZggYKlGmUsavefrom.net.png
    2. Go to KeepVid.com and paste the URL of your YouTube video

KeepVid.jpg


  1. Google Docs.
    Use Research Tools to add citations.
    ResearchTools1.jpg

  1. Search Drive From Gmail


  1. Convert Microsoft Word Documents to Google Doc in Drive
    1. (1) Select your Word document previously uploaded to Drive
    2. (2) Click on the three dots which gives More options
    3. (3) Select Open with
    4. (4) Select Google Docs
ConvertWordToDocs.jpg
  1. Download Docs in PDF format
    Google Docs allows users to easily save and share their docs in PDF format. Here is how it works: in your Google Doc, click on “file”then on “download" and select “PDF Document”.
    .
  2. Use Google Keep to have online sticky notes and keep To Do lists
    (Rubicks cube - select more and choose Keep)
  3. Edit Google Drive Images Online
    Installing the Pixlr Editor on your Chrome web browser will enable you to edit photos on your Google Drive. Once you have Pixlr Editor, right click on any of your pictures and open it. Pixlr Editor comes with many basic tools Photoshop has and should be more than sufficient for basic editing needs.
  4. Add some Extensions to Chrome
    In Chrome, click on the three bars to get to settings
    Choose More Tools -> Extensions
    Choose Get more extensions at the bottom of the screen.


    Some cool extensions: 
    1. Snag It - Screen Capture and ScreenCasting
    2. Read and Write for Google
    3. SpeakIt - Screen Reader
  5. Bookmark this blog (www.WPS-TechEd.blogspot.com)
    (click the star in address bar to put on your bookmarks bar)
    Also, you can follow the blog by email and new entries will be emailed directly to you.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Backing up your iPad

Backing up your iPad

Things to consider when backing up an iPad so that you don’t lose work:
  1. Photos, music, and videos
  2. Projects: iMovie, Book Creator…
  3. Calendar (if you're not using your GMail)
  4. Notes and Reminders


Backup your files to iTunes.
This is a link to syncing with iTunes: http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201253
and more about backing up to iTunes: http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203977
  • Things like your apps, iPad calendar, and reminders need to be backed up to iTunes not iCloud.


Do not backup to iCloud.


Backup to Google Drive
The best option to save projects, photos, and videos from your camera roll is to upload to your Google Drive. To do this,
  1. open Google Drive on your iPad.
  2. Click the Plus Sign in the upper right.
  3. Choose Upload Photos or Videos.
  4. Select your item and click the blue check mark to upload it.


Backing up projects:
Your Ipad apps will fall into one of these categories:
  • Many apps such as Keynote and Book Creator allow you to “Open in Another App” so you can easily choose Google Drive, and then click upload to Google Drive.
  • Other apps such as iMovie and 30Hands will need to be saved to the camera roll first, and then uploaded to Google Drive.
  • Educreations and other apps that require teacher accounts to be backed up, need to be saved to your online account.

Before you hand in your iPad:
  1. Save any photos, videos, or projects that you want to keep
  2. Sign out of iCloud
  3. Remove your passcode from the iPad


How do I sign out of iCloud?
  • Go to Settings
  • Choose iCloud
  • Choose Sign Out
    (You might need to put in your iTunes password in order to sign out)


How do I remove my passcode?

  • Go to Settings
  • Choose Passcode
  • Enter your Passcode
  • Choose Turn Passcode Off

Monday, March 2, 2015

Google Docs: Customize Headers and Footers


Google Docs headers and footers have added functionality making it easier to use Docs for MLA and APA formatting, creating documents where page numbers start on page two, and having a title page without page numbers, headers, or footers.

Add Page Numbers to your Document

Adding page numbers to your document is easy.  Simply choose Insert -> Page number

There are four Page number choices:

  1. Add page numbers to the top of page.  First page should be numbered.
  2. Add page numbers to the top of page.  Do not number first page.
  3. Add page numbers to the bottom of the page.  First page should be numbered.
  4. Add page numbers to the bottom of page.  Do not number first page.
Select the option that best meets your needs.

For example, I selected the first option (see image below).  My page number was added to the top of page, including page 1.  
 

Different First Page Header/Footer


In the image above, notice the checkbox which allows you to have a different header/footer on the first page of your document.  This is perfect for a title page and is a must when using APA formatting.  When you check the box, any content in the header/footer will be removed for page one.  You may add new content as you see fit.