Tag Archives: krms

Google has added speech recognition to its Google Docs add-ons

I have been playing with Google’s Speech Add-on.  It actually works quite well.  It appears to recognize some speech recognition commands but not all. For example, saying “new line” starts the next sentence with a capital letter.  “Saying “full stop”creates a period, “question mark” creates one. Google “speech recognition commands” to get a full list of possible commands.  The add-0n is at the Google Store.  This works better than most speech recognition software I have tried in the past and it is free.

 

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Neil deGrasse Tyson’s response to a six year asking about the meaning of life

This is Neil deGrasse Tyson’s response to a six year old that asked him about the meaning of life.

 

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The Lucidpress App Online Desktop Publishing Alternative

For quite some time I have been looking for either an open source or online alternative to “Microsoft Publisher” and “Adobe In Design”.  I think I have found it  Click on “Connect more apps” on the “New” drop down menu in “Google Drive” and add it to your apps.  There are easy to use templates for brochures, business cards, pamphlets, invitations, photo books, newsletters, magazines, etc.  If you go to “Lucidpress” pricing, you will see that this app is free for educators and students.   The final publication can be downloaded to the computer and printed.  It can be exported to Google Drive.   “Lucidpress”  can be used on Chromebooks. It is encouraging to see that more and more cloud apps are being developed that provide alternatives to traditional software.  The WeVideo app also provides a cloud alternative to “iMovie” and “Windows Movie Maker”.  These apps make Chromebooks even more useful in the classroom.

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10 Classroom Ideas To Try in 2015 fromEdWeek

EdWeek for teachers has 10 ideas for 2015.  Some I have already used but some have some interesting twists that look quite interesting and effective. 10 Classroom Ideas to try in 2015.  The Twitter Tuesday idea is new to me.  Here is a great intro to Twitter from Miles MacFarlane. Click here to Check out his poster on how to use Twitter.  Twitter is my lifeline to finding and sharing ideas.

 

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Technology Integrator midyear reflection for the Governor Wentworth School District

This is my mid year reflection for the 2014-2015 school year. It reflects how we are trying to address both teaching and infrastructure challenges.

For the 2014-2015 school year I am continuing to use the same guidelines that are included in the District Technology Plan. The SAMR model of technology integration (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition), the district ICT standards, (I can statements),and Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy. During the fall of 2014, I have continued to meet with media personnel and teachers throughout the district. We have collaborated to implement multimedia projects that enhance student publications. I have provided training for Google Classroom and helped teachers enhance their Blizzard Bags. I have continued to stress the  proper siting of images and materials that are “free to use” on the Internet. I feel that we have made real progress in exposing students to the Creative Commons concept. I am already seeing an increase in the acceptance of CC in the middle school. This is because the students have been introduced to CC in the lower grades. I presented a workshop on Creative Commons at the Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference. I also conducted a video making workshop. To face the challenges in technology infrastructure, I have been working with IT to provide solutions that include the increased purchase of Chromebooks, adding RAM to to units that can accept upgrades, establishing criteria for future purchases, and addressing issues of bandwidth. The goal is to provide each student in the district with adequate technology access whenever and wherever it is appropriate. It will also be necessary to provide this quality of access for online testing. The task force is also looking into the feasibility of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). The good news is that bandwidth issues are surfacing because of the acceptance of Google Apps and Internet usage. Now that our staff is showing the ability and willingness to use technology tools, it is important that we provide them with the proper resources. I would like to see staff members taking advantage of online learning opportunities and the task force is looking at internal webinars. I continue to follow many education experts via Twitter, blogs, and curation sites such as “Scoop It.”. I will continue to share ideas using district e-mail and my blog. I continue to be one of the administrators of the district Google Console and I am the webmaster for the middle school. Rebecca Bureau, Jo Williams, and I advised the students who successfully submitted a completed three minute video to the Governor’s “Manufacturing is Fun” film making contest. This is the kind of project that is very gratifying for both the students and the teachers involved. The students were very proud of what they accomplished. We were proud of them. Unfortunately my schedule makes it difficult to keep up with helping students to continue to create the KRMS TV show. I am hoping that perhaps collaboration with Jo Williams and Scott Geiessler may lead to the continuation of this program. In the future I intend to continue to work with teachers and media personnel throughout the district. I am encouraged by the progress that has made made. I see my task as being there to help get beyond the substitution and augmentation levels in the SAMR model. Through collaboration and a willingness to take risks we can all enhance what we are already doing.  We will be able to redefine how we teach using technology, not as a means to an end, but rather as a tool that can enhance powerful student and teacher learning.

 

It is now possible to open and edit Microsoft Office files in Google

With the Chrome Extension, you can now upload, open, and edit Office files in Google.  Docs, Sheets, and Slides work with any file, anywhere (with suggest edits too).

Google Doc Update-Adjust image Colors and Filters

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Here is a new update for  Google Docs.  You can now adjust image colors and filters.  This was recently introduced to Google Slides and now you can take advantage of this in a Google Drive Document.  Adjust Image Colors and Filters

I post the  awhile back but this is a reminder that Read and Write for Google is a Google Chrome extension.   It is available in the Google Chrome Store .  Once you have installed the trial version, you can register as an educator, and the extension is free.  The yearly subscription is normally $100. The registration is on the upper right hand corner of  of a Drive document.  Listed below are some of the things Google Read and Write can do.  Also check out TextHELP for more information on this useful  extension.

  • Read Aloud with dual-color highlighting
  • Word Prediction
  • Translator
  • Talking and Picture Dictionaries
  • Fact Finder
  • Highlighters and ability to collect highlights
  • Vocabulary Builder to easily create a list of words with text definitions and images
  • Annotations (PDF and ePub)
  • Navigational tools (PDF and ePub)

Enhancements for Google Classroom

How to Create Interactive Collages Using PicMonkey and Thinglink from Richard Byrne

Another great idea from Richard Byrne. His “Free technology for Teachers” website is full of ideas for using free technology in the classroom.

How to Create Interactive Collages Using PicMonkey and Thinglink

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Going to the Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference in Manchester New Hampshire  on December 2-4?  Rebecca Bureau and I  will be presenting “Inexpensive Video in the Classroom” on Tuesday December 2. We will also be presenting “Bring Your Students Notebooks into the 21st Century” on Wednesday December 3.  I will also present “Using Creative Commons in & out of the Classroom” on December 3.

The Ultimate Guide to Creative Commons from foter.com

This is a great guide to the various Creative Commons attributes.  The ultimate Guide to Creative Commons by foter.com.

 

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Create Your Own Storybook from mystorybook.com

This looks like a neat story book creating site that would be great for language students as well as younger students.

My Story Book

 

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Murder at Stillwater Lodge