Lemon Tech Tidbits

YES! You can now schedule an assignment in Google Classroom for more than one class at a time! If you do not see this update in your Google Classroom, just wait a little. It is coming on a slow rollout to everyone. For more information, click here .  Did you see all the new and cool features you can now do by inserting a table into a Google Doc? You can sort rows, pin the header row, move rows and columns easily, and a whole lot more! To see all the updates, click here. Create a Gmail Template letter in Google Docs. Google has made it easier for everyone to create, collaborate, and use an email template by combining the new possibilities in Google Doc with Gmail. Think of the time this can save you and everyone at school! To learn more about Gmail Templates with Google Docs, click here . Embed Google Form responses as a chart into a Doc, Slide, or Drawing. “ When new form responses are received, anyone with the proper permissions can refresh an embedded chart by simply clicking th...

As the school year nears it’s quick end, things get very hectic for both teachers AND students. One way to stay organized is to use Google Task! (and make sure to show students how to do this as well) What is Google Task? It is a to-do list app that works within all of the other Google applications. To learn how to use Google Task, read this blog by Adam Juarez titled Digital Organization Tips for Students with Gmail, Tasks and Calendar . It explains everything you will need to know including step-by-step directions to get started. If you prefer to watch a short video, try this one Beard Squared: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFW0qxOWdc0&t=50s

Go to sketch.metademolab.com to turn a regular picture or sketch into an animated drawing! There are only a few steps involved. Step 1: Upload a sketch or picture of ONE character that has been drawn on white paper with no wrinkles. The character could be anything you want such as an animal, human, alien, or monster. Step 2: Once the picture is uploaded, resize the box to make sure it fits the character pretty closely. Step 3: Highlight sections of the character if need be so the arms and legs can be identified. Step 4: Find the character joints. Align the dots to each of the joints. This is where the character will “bend” to move. Step 5: Add Animation! Decide if you want your character to dance, jump, run, wave, etc.  Step 6: Share your work! You can share it with a link or by email. Enjoy!

     One of the features that was released with Google Smart Canvas is the ability to quickly link to a person or file using the @ character.      No matter where you are on a Google Workspace app, typing in the @ character (shift 2), will open up a drop down menu. This allows you to quickly add in a link to a file, meeting notes, calendar event, image, table, or person.      Use it instead of a hyperlink or comment as it will allow others to easily view the documents together without having to open up a new tab making it easier to streamline collaboration amongst all of the apps. If teachers or students are collaborating together on a project, using the @ character will automatically assign a task or reminder.      By using the @ character before a person’s name in your contact list, you are placing what is referred to as a “smart chip” allowing them to become more interactive. If you make a comment and use the @ character b...

Lately, there has been a lot of talk regarding Google Smart Canvas in technology blogs. I want to explain very briefly what this is and how it will affect how you use Google in your classroom. What is it? It is a series of improvements to existing Google products such as Slides, Sheets, Docs, etc. that make collaboration work easier between the apps and for you. How will it work? Smart Canvas has been slowly releasing new features since last year with a few more still to come. In all, there will be 12 new features designed to encourage collaboration between users and the apps in Google Workspace. Is it free? It is free for those that have Google Workspaces for Education but for regular users to Google who signed up with just a gmail account, it is not. To get the extra features will cost a monthly subscription of around $6.00. How does this affect my classroom? As these new features are released, it will change how students and teachers can collaborate and work with each other so i...