Symbaloo -Accessing your bookmarks anywhere

Symbaloo | Access your bookmarks anywhere | iGoogle alternative

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Symbaloo! It has made my life so much easier in the classroom.  My kids are able to find websites SO much quicker.  They do not have to type in urls and I can set up tabs at the top of Symbaloo for each subject that I teach and put websites that I want them to visit.

Here is a picture of my Symbaloo homepage.

Check it out.  It is SO easy to use.  It is FREE.
Here is their website. http://www.symbaloo.com

Check out this quick video to learn a little bit about Symbaloo.

Symbaloo Tutorial for Teachers

Google Hangout Comprehensive Tutorial

The purpose of this blog post is to provide you with a comprehensive tutorial that can help you as an educator make the most out of your Hangout Sessions.  

Below is a list of what this video tutorial covers:

1.     Types of Google Hangout:

2.    How to create a Hangout

3.    How to add people to a hangout

4.    How to record a Hangout history

5.    How to archive a Hangout to retrieve it later

6.    How to delete or block individuals from a Hangout

7.    How to use text chat Hangout

8.    How to send an image in a Hangout

9.    How to add people to circles from a Hangout

10. How to start a video call in the Hangout

11.  How to manage the settings of a Hangout

I hope that you find this tutorial helpful!

Oh, by the way... I just love his accent in this video.... He, he, he!

Hardware Needed for Google Hangout

Hardware Needed for Google Hangout

Here is a list of Hardware that I suggest each teacher have for a Google Hangout:

1. A laptop or desktop with a built-in webcam or if you have access to an external webcam which can be connected to the computer.

2. A projector which connects to the computer so that all students are able to see. 

3. Connection to speakers or an external sound system.

4. A built in-microphone or an external microphone that can be connected to your computer.  This is so that the students at the other location are able to hear them.

Below are pictures of devices that we have at my school.

More On Google Hangouts

Do you participate in Mystery Hangouts? If NOT, you are missing out!

They are SO much for and very educational.

The 4th Grade classes at my school just absolutely LOVE Hanging Out!

When they are finished with one Hangout, they are immediately asking me when the next one is scheduled.

By participating in a Mystery Hang Out you, as a teacher, are able to incorporate so may Common Core Objectives which is preparing your students to be college and career ready. 

Just a Few Benefits to Google Hang Out:

Up to ten people can "hang out" at one time in a virtual "room."

Great for connecting classrooms throughout the USA and around the world.

Great way to connect children book authors with students 

Have students connect with other experts (i.e. Scientist)

Students are able to engage in connected learning experiences with their peers  

Increase Map Skills

Increase speaking skills

Increase use of technology in the classroom

Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts: What It Is and How to Use It

It has come to my attention that some of my friends and family aren't familiar with Google hangouts. If you have a Google account (which, at school, we all do!) you can use this awesome communication tool. 

Here's a great link on how it works. 

On a laptop, using Chrome as your browser, it's easiest to google "google hangouts for chrome." Go to the Chrome Web Store and Click Add to Chrome.

You should then see the google hangout symbol next to your omnibar. Click on that.
You should get a Hangout area in the lower right hand corner of your screen. 
Click on New Conversation. Type in an email address. 
You can then text or video call that person. They need to have Hangouts, too, though. 
You can make a group to chat with several people at the same time.
Lots of webinars are using Hangouts, too!

Enjoy!

Backing Up Your Files

Backing Up Your Files 

(Because you are getting a different laptop 2016-2017!)

This information is very important mainly if you are not returning to South Harnett, you are transferring to a new school and/or because you are getting a newer laptop!

You will need to do several things in order to keep all of your files.

If you are transferring to another school within the county or out:

Directions for Backing up your desktop files (these are the files you see on your screen when you first login)

• First, insert the USB memory stick into an available USB port.
• On Windows, this will bring up a window showing the memory stick is now seen as a drive on your computer (e.g., "Removable Disk" E: drive).
• You'll also get a menu of options for using the device. Select "Open folder to view files" at the bottom.
• Alternatively on Windows, you can also get to the drive by going to your Computer (or My Computer) folder and finding the new drive letter there.
• To copy files to the USB memory stick, right click on the file you want to copy and choose copy. Then right-click in the flash drive window and click paste.
• Do NOT just drag the files over. This creates a shortcut on your flash drive to your desktop. When you take the flashdrive out of that laptop, it won’t “see” those files anymore.
• Want to copy several files/folders at once?
• Click Ctrl-A to select everything (Then right click on one thing and choose copy)
• Or Click on one file and hold down Ctrl to click on several more
• Or Click on the first file, then hold down Shift and click on the last file. When you're done, right-click on the drive and select "Eject" so you can safely remove the drive.

If you are going to a new school that won’t have SmartBoards, click HERE for information on how to save your Smart Notebook files.

If you are leaving HCS:

• In addition, you will want to backup your google files. Here’s a good How To. Click Download your Data and then Click manage My Archives. From there, follow the instructions.
• You will also need to turn in your iPads by June 8th and your teacher laptop by June 9th.

How to Convert Smart Notebook to Powerpoint to Google Slides

How to Convert Smart Notebook to Powerpoint to Google Slides

Steps to Converting Smart Notebook files to

Powerpoint and then Google Slides

To export a Smart Notebook file as a PowerPoint file

1. Select File > Export > PowerPoint.

The Save As dialogue box appears.

2. Browse to the folder where you want to export the file.
3. Type a name for the file in the File name box.
4. Press Save.

After you do this, you might want to upload it to your Google Drive.

Let the fun begin!

Converting documents into Google format

If you want to upload Microsoft Word/Excel/Powerpoint files, you can change a setting in Google Drive to convert files.

 Note: You can only change Google Drive settings from your computer.

1. Using a computer, go to drive.google.com/drive/settings.
2. Next to "Convert Uploads," check the box.

Upload Files or Folders to Google Drive

In Google Drive,

1. Click New
2. Click File Upload (or Folder upload if you have a whole folder of files)

I hope you found this information helpful.