Let Google Drive

Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Dropbox have all been good, but why stick with good when there is better? Google Drive allows you to keep everything you create in one place and easily share it with others. Not only can you share your files, you can collaborate together on projects in Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, or Google Forms to name a few. I can work in peace and quite at home on a project while my coworkers or classmates add to the same project at a loud coffee shop. We can both view each other's live edits without physically being at the same place.

Another benefit of Google Drive is that you can access your work anywhere at anytime. You are not tied down to one device that may crash and burn and loose all your hard work. I can work on a project at home, save it to my Google Drive and then access it later on my phone or at work. In regards to saving a project, I never have to worry about forgetting to press save. All changes are automatically saved. If I want to revert to a previous version or take note of what a collaborator added, I can view revision history.

Google Drive contains many wonderful apps. The most popular are Google Docs, Google Sheets and Google Slides. You can search for more apps to add to your Google Drive in the Chrome Web Store or by selecting to "Connect more apps" under the "New" button in Google Drive.

Most recently I have been experimenting with Google Forms. Within Google Forms I can create a survey or quiz for my students. Check out this quiz my students are going to take this week over area models for multiplying and determining the number of terms in an expression.

There are so many wonderful features and apps in Google Drive. Go for a test ride and let Google Drive. If you wish to download Google Drive to any of your devices, visit Google Drive's website.

If You Are Cool, You Will Use Gmail

I love Gmail and I'm so glad my school district has seen the light and switched to the brighter side.  There are so many Gmail features that I appreciate more now that it is the platform for my work email.  

Labs

I wasn't quite sure how to describe labs, so here is Google's definition:  "Gmail Labs are experimental, pre-release features that users can enable to add key business functionality to their Inboxes."  If you go to settings, you will see a bar of options.  Near the end of the list is a link for labs.  Go through the list and find which are best for you.  Two of my favorites are including my Google calendar on my home screen and including an unread message count on my web tab.  

Quite a few of my classmates have mentioned that they like having an authentication label on their emails.  This feature can be turned on in the labs.  Another lab feature is having a preview pane.  Since my district recently converted to Gmail from Outlook, some teachers are more comfortable with Outlook and like the ability to set their screen to match Outlook's setup.  Find out more about Gmail labs here.  

Labels

Labels are like folders but better.  I am able to assign my emails labels and then archive them so they do not fill up my inbox.  When I need to find that email again, I can go to the search bar in Gmail and type in the label.  All emails with that label pop up.  One reason I like labels better than folders is because I can assign multiple labels to one email.  Find out more about Gmail labels here.    

Check Gmail out.  It's what all the cool kids use.

Google Search Tips

Well if you thought you liked Google, there is more to love.  I have always used Google as my go to search engine.  Sometimes I would be overwhelmed by the number of findings for my question or topic.  Other times I would be frustrated because I couldn't quite find what I was looking for.  Hopefully this doesn't discourage you from using Google.  Google is very user friendly and can be customized.  Here are few of my favorite tips for the next time you use use Google:

Search by File Type
Limit your search to a particular file type.  For example, I could search for perimeter and area worksheets and include filetype:pdf and narrow my search to pdfs.  I used this feature this week and saved quite a bit of time by not clicking on links only to find out that I have to pay a membership fee to download worksheets.  Here is a website with a list of popular file type extensions.

Search by Image
Have you ever been working on a presentation and needed some graphics?  Do a Google search for your topic and select images.  When you find an image you like, click on it and drag it up.  You will see a box like this where you can drag your image and search for similar pictures or sites that have info pertaining to your image.

And There is More
I could go on and on, but that would be boring.  Watch this cool video to learn more.

Create Your Own Google Search Engine
Another way to narrow your search in Google is to create a custom search engine.  I created this custom search engine to share with my students when they need math help at home.  When I set up the custom search engine, I was able to type in the websites that I trust as good math help.  My students can search for the topic we have been studying in class and not have to decipher which are good websites to use.  Go ahead and give my custom search engine a try.

Get Math Help at Home

Has Chrome Convinced You?

I never thought I would be a blogger, ever, and well here I am.  This week I have learned quite a bit about Google Chrome as a browser.  I had no idea chrome was so cool!  I wouldn't consider myself hipster when it comes to Chrome.  I mean I wasn't using it before it was cool, but I did join the bandwagon when it was the new cool thing on the block.  After many frustrating experiences with Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer, Google Chrome only had one option:  it had to be better.  From my vast computer experience to my insufficient tech lingo, I would like to inform you of some of the advantages of Google Chrome over other web browsers.

So what are my options when it comes to web browsers?

What first convinced me that Chrome was the way to go?
We have all experienced websites that don't seem to run quite right.  Sometimes this may be because of poor internet connections on our part.  More often than not, this may be because a webpage was designed to run best through a particular browser.  I was first convinced that Chrome was best because it was able to handle these particular finicky webpages with ease.

From a more knowledgeable and experience driven outlook, let me introduce you to some cool features of Chrome.
1. First off, Chrome appeals by looks alone.  Everything is clean and simple with customization features.  I am able to set a background theme and the search engine is in the url bar (also known as the omnibox).  This omnibox not only searches the internet, but it can perform simple math facts like 4 x 12.

2. Another reason I love Chrome is for the chrome web store where I can search for apps and web extensions to download to by Chrome server.  From the picture above you can take note of some of my favorite apps.  I have found quite a few apps that help my students visualize and interact with the math I am teaching them.  This is especially helpful for struggling students.
3. In a digital age like today, everyone used the internet and computer.  I hate to keep a paper trail.  I try to keep everything electronically.  ICloud and Google Drive are handy to be able to access my information anywhere, but what about the Chrome apps I downloaded, or bookmarks I saved, or autofill options for info I am asked all the time?  Google Chrome is the answer.  By signing into Google Chrome, these features follow you user on any device they may sign in to.  Check this website out if you aren't convinced.
4.  Although I have never used this feature, I know many teachers who would like to try it.  With Google Chrome, chrome cast will allow one to display what is on their computer to a TV screen for others to see.  As school districts move towards 1-1, teachers' ability to project their students' screens on the board for all to see and discuss would be awesome.

Well if you weren't convinced before now, maybe you have been persuaded to try Google Chrome.  I don't think you will ever regret it.  Here is a link for you to be able to download Google Chrome to your own computer.