Unable to connect to the Internet? When in Chrome do as the Chromans do.

Did you know that if you are unable to connect to the internet there is a game in Chrome you can play while you wait.
That little dinosaur you see on the page, telling you that Chrome is unable to connect, is the main character in a simple game.

Click your space bar and the fun begins as your challenge is to jump over the cacti!

Printing From The Cloud (Google Docs etc ...)

Are you having trouble printing from your google docs ... follow the easy steps in the short video below and you will be printing trouble free in no time!

Setting Passwords On Your Computer

Part of good computer security is using passwords.  Your user account on your computer should have a password attached to it.  If you do not have one, you can follow the video below to set one up.

Keep your password safe and only share it with your parents and (if necessary) teacher.  Many accounts that people think are "hacked" are not.  It is more a case of carelessness with passwords!

Good passwords often have 8 characters or more, both capital and lower case letters, and at least one special character ...

For additional security, DON'T set up a password only to have your computer remember it - this means that anyone who accesses your computer easily has access to all your private information.

7 Super Google Add-ons for Teachers

Do you find yourself working with Google Docs Daily?

Do you want to increase your productivity with in Google Docs?

Do you want to do this for FREE? 

Here are 7 Super Google Add-ons that are DYN-O-MITE!

Enabling Google Add-ons for Google Drive is quite simple. View the video below that shows you how to unleash the power of Add-ons.

1. Workflows

As a teacher, do you ever need to collaborate or get agreement on a new document or procedure? Do you have to track a list of students to see if they have done something? Do you need to sign off on student's work? This Add-on is your answer. You could also have peer reviewers sign off on work and track it this way as well. Download Workflows here and see the video below on how Workflow operates.

   

2. EasyBib

Ever have students type an English paper and site their bibliography wrong? Do they ask you how to format sitings depending on the format of the paper they are writing in? Then have your students install the EasyBib Add-on here and see the video below on how EasyBib operates.

3. Mindmeister

Need to make quick mindmaps for a graphical depiction? Need to have students do the same? This Add-on is a fascinating way to convert a table of contents or outline for a paper into something visual. Mindmeister is a quick and easy way to get students to create a different take on organizing notes, thoughts, and processes. Have your students install the Mindmeister Add-on here and see the video below on how Mindmeister operates.

4. Template Gallery

Do you miss the standard Microsoft templates that you used in Office? Did you know that you can access those same templates from a Google Doc file? Did you know the SFS letterhead templates are saved here as well? Install the Template Gallery Add-on to have those templates right at the tips of your fingers again.  Install Template the Add-on here.

5. Kaizena

Have you ever been marking papers at home and wished that you could explain to a student exactly why they received the grade they did? Have you ever wanted to tell a student a piece of their writing was fabulous? The Kaizena App allows you to talk over Google Docs and give instant, precise feedback to a student, either vocally or written. You can download the Add-on here and see a brief video explaining Kaizena's functionality below.

6. Vextab Music Notation

Music teachers rejoice! (Cue the choir... hallelujah) This Doc Add-on lets you render standard music notation, drum notation, and guitar tablature in your documents using the VexTab notation language. You can find our more and download VexTab here.

7. Table of Contents

Ever work with a department to create a multipage document for a unit or a trimester of lessons? Have you spent time searching through the long document for a certain unit or chapter? The Table of Contents Add-on will save you tons of time as it creates a live table of contents on the right side of your screen that allows you to jump to different headings throughout a document. It truly is a timesaver. Download the Add-on here.

There you have it. Now at your next PLC meeting, you can share with your fellow colleagues some of these 7 Super Google Add-ons that will make their lives easier too. You might get the reaction below, but take the time to share an Add-on or two that made your day of teaching a little smoother!

iMovie for iPad (iOS 8)

Saving an iMovie to Google Drive

Free Typing Programs

We are often asked for recommendations on typing programs and sites. It is surprisingly difficult to find good websites and software for typing. Much of it has not been updated as computer operating systems have changed, resulting in crashes and buggy software that doesn't work well.

We rated the programs out of 5. The criteria used was:

• Home key based (hands must be grounded on the home keys)
• students get an accuracy rate (expressed as a percentage) - they should aim to be between 90 and 95% Accuracy
• lessons progress in small increments, allowing students to build strong neural pathways.

Dance Mat Typing  * * *

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr

Features:

• interactive site from BBC
• 4 levels
• 12 stages of typing

Pros

• home row key approach
• great graphics
• visual keyboard cues
• fun

Cons

• no speed or accuracy
• allows students to progress when they have not mastered the keys.

Best For

• grades 2 - 4
• supporting main program at home

ABC-ya * *

http://www.abcya.com/kids_typing_game.htm

Pros

• fun - space-invaders style

Cons

• pretty random in terms of letter sequencing

Best For

• supporting main program at home

Byte Back Typing * * * *

http://byteback.org/students/student-resources/typing/

Pros

• Home row based
• provides specific feedback on errors
• Good progression

Cons

• a lot of reading
• tells you your errors but not accuracy percentage
• drill based … no fun!

Best For

• learning

Peter’s Online Typing Course **

http://www.typing-lessons.org/preliminaries_1.html

Features:

• complete course - includes ergonomics
• minimalist approach
• 18 interactive lessons
• 8 exercises

Pros

• home row key based

Cons

• lots of text
• does not give speed and accuracy, only number of mistakes and time

Best For

• adults

Sense-Lang Typing * * * *

http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/

Features:

• 15 online interactive lessons

Pros

• home key lessons
• can add customized text into the tutor (copy and paste)
• gives speed and accuracy
• has extra extension typing with articles

Cons

• reading age in articles.
• site can be unstable - not consistent in opening

Best For

• upper elementary

PowerTyping ****

http://www.powertyping.com/qwerty/lessonsq.html

Pros

• can set wpm goal
• home row keys approach

Cons

• does not give you accuracy %.

Best For

• classroom support and home practice

FreeTyping Games *****

http://www.freetypinggame.net/play.asp

Pros

• fun and interactive for younger children
• has typing lessons that focus on two keys at a time
• can change game levels and the keys covered so tailor it to support keyboarding lessons

Cons

• no relevant information provided in games except a score
• some games are too visually distracting to type efficiently

Best For

• reinforcing skills taught in a drill session on other software.