Lemon Tech Tidbits

  One of my favorite tricks in Google Docs is the ability to use a table to help format the information the way I like and then turn the borders to white so it becomes “hidden.” Now, it has gotten even better with a new update from Google in which you can split cells. You can decide to split a row into halves or a column into two or more depending on what you need. To see this is action, take a look at their GIF below. To find more information, click on this link. 

  This list was put together by WeAreTeachers. I am spotlighting just a few. If you would like to see the entire list as well as summaries as to what they are about, you can read the blog post here.   Turkey Hokey Pokey (2:25 min) PreK Thanksgiving for Kids by Homeschool Pop (10:07 min) PreK-Grade 2 Turkey Facts for Kids by Homeschool Pop (10 min) PreK-Grade 2 Bet You Didn’t Know About Thanksgiving by History Channel (2:48 min) Grade 4-MS Deconstruction History: The Mayflower by History Channel (2:41 min) MS Chapter 1: The Pilgrims by PBS American Experience (6:32 min) HS

  You probably already know about Canva and the free education account. But, did you know there are over 170 different Jamboard templates within Canva ready for you to use? Before I explain more, let’s go over a few things. First, what is a Jamboard? Jamboard is a digital interactive whiteboard created much like a Google Slide or Doc that can be shared with a class of students through Google Classroom. How do I create a Jamboard? Simply go to jamboard.google.com and then click on the huge plus button in the lower right-hand side. What is the deal with the Canva templates? A Jamboard always starts with a blank whiteboard but maybe, you want to start with something a little bit more special. In Canva, you can find already created templates you can then customize to fit your class or students. Simply do a search for Jamboard templates. Find the one you like, customize it and then download it as a PNG. Next, go to Jamboard and select the plus sign. On the new Jamboard, click on Set Back

  There are many features of Google apps that we hear about and then quickly forget. Voice Typing is one of those. If you have a student who struggles with typing and writing, try having them use the voice typing feature built into Google Docs. Once it is turned on (go to Tools - Voice Typing), all they have to do is speak.  In the latest blog post by Kasey Bell , she shares other reasons why you should use the voice typing feature in Google Docs: Saves time - Voice typing is often faster than typing by hand, especially if you are a slow typer. Dictate notes from a meeting or the current spelling words Support littles who can’t spell yet Support struggling writers Have your students practice speaking in another language - there are over 90 different languages available. Have them speak and then turn in their paper as an assignment. Use your phone app and dictate as you go

  You may have already heard about this site but if not, I thought I would share it. Classroomscreen is a display you can project to your students throughout your lessons that is customizable to what you want. You can embed a timer, a sound monitor, information for bell work, QR codes to easily share websites, polls, and more. In fact, there are 19 widgets you can add to your classroom screen. Throughout the day, you can easily add to your classroom screen to help communicate with your students.  There is a free and paid version of the app. The free version allows you to use all 19 widgets while the paid version allows you to save your screens and customize the background for $29.00 a year.

  Canva recently announced all teachers and students can access its entire range of services for free with an educational account. This includes the ability to create and edit videos. You can start with a video template or create your own. You can insert pictures to create a slideshow video or insert videos you have recorded from your Smartphone or Chromebook. Once you have the videos, there are editing features that allow you to fine tune your creation. One of those features includes removing a background much like a greenscreen does…without having to use a greenscreen.  In this video , Richard Byrne shows you how easy it is to use this new feature: https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=srKSst87zQU&t=109s

  Casey’s is offering grants for classrooms from $3,000 to $1 million dollars and it is super easy to apply!  All you need to do is answer three questions. Applications for 2023 are due between October 1 and November 30, 2022. All public and non private schools in states in which there is a Casey’s store (Kansas is one of them!) can apply. Schools can only apply once per year. Here are some ideas on grants that have been funded: Renovations of educational spaces, technology supplies and other materials to enrich the education of students, teacher professional development, and community and school collaboration.  (info is from an article on WeAreTeachers. You can access it here )

  Today in tech class, I was showing the students how to quickly find information on a document or webpage by using Control F. I thought I would share with all of you in case you didn’t know. All you have to do is simply hit control + F and a search bar will appear at the top of your screen. You can quickly search for one word or a phrase. It will then show all of the instances that work or phrase appears on the document or webpage. Use the up and down arrows to quickly scroll down to where they are located. Another trick I wanted to share after finding out how many 8th graders didn’t know is the right-click. On a Chromebook or laptop, two fingers at the same time on a touchpad will result in you performing a right click. Why is this so important to know? Because right-clicks open up menus that will easily allow you to do a wide variety of things.