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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Rotate Text in Google Sheets



Whoa! 
It is FINALLY here! 
The elusive Rotating Text in Google Sheets cells! Many of us have been waiting a long time for this. It is finally here! Follow the steps below to see how to rotate text in Google Sheets cells!






Rotate Text in Google Sheets

  1. Type text in a cell.
  2. Click on Format, then “Text rotation” and choose how you want to rotate.





Here are the Text Rotation options:
    1. None: No rotation
    1. Tilt Up:
    1. Tilt Down:
    1. Stack Vertically:
    1. Rotate Up:
    1. Rotate Down:
    1. Degrees:


Now start editing all that text you have been begging to rotate!
If you want these steps in a Document click HERE!
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Monday, February 13, 2017

Insert Google Drive Videos into Slides



It is finally here! The long awaited ability to insert Google Drive videos into Slides! We have always been able to insert YouTube videos, but now all those videos you have stored and shared in Drive are now able to be inserted into a Google Slide. Thi sis big news, especially for all those who have students share their video work through Google Classroom or Drive. Follow the steps below to learn how to insert all those Google Drive videos directly into a Slide!
Insert Google Drive Videos into Slides

  1. Open the Slide you want to insert the video into.
  2. Click on “Insert”.
  3. Click on “Video”.

  1. Select “Google Drive”.

  1. All your available Dive videos will be listed. Select the one you want to insert and click “Insert”.

  1. You can move, resize, and add border. Click on the video, then click:
: adds a border and allows you to select the thickness.
: choose the border style
: adjust the color of the border.

  1. For more options, click “Video options” to bring up options on the right.

  1. “Autoplay when presenting” allows you to have the video start playing or require a click to start in presentation mode.
  2. “Mute Audio” turn off the audio when the video plays.



Start adding your Google Drive videos to your Slides today!


If you want these steps in a document, click Here!

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Google Forms Animated Header


We all love Google Forms. It is such a great tool to collect data, give quizzes, and many other uses. As with any tool, we want to make the most of its features. Here is a way to add a little pizazz to your Google Forms and make them a little more “animated”! Follow the steps below to make your landing spot a little more interesting.





Google Forms Animated Header

  1. Decide what GIF you want to represent your Form. Here is a great way to find a premade GIF. If you have an editing program (I use Snagit or Camtasia) you can make your own. Also keep in mind that you can use Google Photos to create animated GIFS from any of your photos!
    1. Google search for the topic of your GIF.
    2. Go to “Images”.
    3. Go to “Tools”.


  1. Go to “Size”.
    1. The size that you are looking for is 800x200 as a minimum (2000x400 works as well).


  1. Then select “Type” and choose “Animated”.


  1. For Copyright guidelines, remember to choose the correct “Usage Rights”.


  1. Download the GIF you want to use to your computer.
  2. Click the “Palette” icon, then the “Upload” icon. Upload the GIF you downloaded.



  1. Crop to best fit then click “Select” to apply.


  1. Enjoy your new header!

Try to find a GIF that reflects your Form. Colors of the image/GIF change the theme of your Form. Play around to find one that creates the theme you want.
If you want these steps in a document, click Here!
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Sunday, February 12, 2017

Google Classroom Animated Header



We all love Google Classroom. It is such a great tool. As with any tool, we want to make the most of its features. Here is a way to add a little pizazz to your Google Classroom and make it a little more “animated”! Follow the steps below to make your landing spot a little more interesting.



Google Classroom Animated Header

  1. Decide what GIF you want to represent your Classroom. Here is a great way to find a premade GIF. If you have an editing program (I use Snagit or Camtasia) you can make your own. Also keep in mind that you can use Google Photos to create animated GIFS from any of your photos!
    1. Google search for the topic of your GIF.
    2. Go to “Images”.
    3. Go to “Tools”.


    1. Go to “Size”.
      1. The size that you are looking for is 800x200 as a minimum (2000x400 works as well).




    1. Then select “Type” and choose “Animated”.


    1. For Copyright guidelines, remember to choose the correct “Usage Rights”.




  1. Download the GIF you want to use to your computer.
  2. Click on “Upload Image”.




  1. Choose the GIF you downloaded.
  2. Crop to best fit.
  1. Click “Choose Class Theme” to apply.


  1. Enjoy your new header!



Try to find a GIF that reflects your Classroom. Colors of the image/GIF change the theme (web icon, text icons, and header bar below image) of your Classroom. Play around to find one that creates the theme you want.

If you want these steps in a document, click Here!
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Saturday, February 11, 2017

Create Research Note Cards in Slides



I remember when we had to go to the library and do research for class reports. We would bring a stack of index cards and write our notes out on them to use later. We would have to record bibliography info from the source on the card so we could cite it later. All this writing was so time consuming, and if you were not organized well you would surely lose one of the cards (and usually the most important one). There is a better way to do this. These days nearly all our research s done on the computer. Instead of writing out all those cards by hand and having a chance to lose them you can now use a simple template in Google Slides to create, edit, organize, and print these cards. Follow the steps below to get started.


Create Research Note Cards in Slides

  1. Open the template here (template created by Rachelle Wynkoop @RMWynkoop) or have students create their own.

  1. You can do research by doing regular web searches or using the “Explore” tool to find information within Documents or Slides. You can even insert images into your notes and the citation is attached to the image.

  1. Fill in the Title text box with the topic of your research.

  1. Put your notes in the large text box. If you need to you can change the font smaller to fit more info in the one box.  

  1. Copy the web URL and other info in the Source box.

The best part is that you can keep these note cards in your Drive so they will not get lost! Another bonus is that reorganizing is as simple as dragging the cards into any order you want on the left side! If you want each subtopic of your research to stand out you can change the background color make them stand out.



Start planning your next research project without all having to hand write out all those index cards and having them fall all over the place and getting lost!
If you want these steps in a document click Here!




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Thursday, February 2, 2017

Share Computer with Chrome Remote Desktop



As a Tech Coach (and a tech savvy family member) I am always trying to help staff/family troubleshoot tech issues or explain how to do things. Often times I am not in the same building or available to sit with them in person. Often time I wish I could just control their computer from wherever I am. The good news is I can! By installing the Chrome Remote Desktop App on the person who needs help and my computers, I can be granted permission to access and control their computer. This works well when someone just needs a quick tip or a long how-to help session and I am not sitting right next to them. Follow the steps below to start helping others from afar!
Share Computer with Chrome Remote Desktop


  1. The first step is to make sure BOTH computers have the Chrome Remote Desktop App installed. This is found in the Chrome Web Store. Just search for “Remote Desktop”.

  1. Once the app is installed launch it. You will be asked to approve access and asked to install a small program. Go ahead and approve.

  1. After both computers have installed all software click on the Chrome Remote Desktop app again. The computer granting access will now click on the green “Share” button.

  1. You will get a code to share with the person you want to grant access. Share this with them.
  2. The person gaining access will type this into their box after clicking “Access”.

  1. Once these steps are done, the person granted access will have control of the other’s computer. This will include browser, desktop, and full computer access.
  2. When you are finished and are ready to cancel access, click “Stop sharing” at the bottom of the screen.
  3. Both computers will get the notification that the session has ended. Close the dialogue box and continue about your business with the new knowledge you gained for your session!
  4. In addition to helping others, you can also access your own personal computers through this app.




Install the Chrome Remote Desktop App and start connected remotely!
To have these steps in a document, click Here!
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