Create a Google Contact Group from a List or CSV File

Google updated Google Contacts last year. With last year’s update they “broke” the way we created contact groups easily. I did a write up (here) sharing a workaround. Google now released a way to create a contact group, and upload many contacts easily. YOu can create a group using a list (must be comma-separated) or a CSV file. Check out both ways below!

Create a Contact Group from a List of Email Addresses:

This is the fastest and probably the easiest way. 

1. Get all of your email accounts into a list. You can use a document or a spreadsheet (you don’t need headers in a spreadsheet). 

2. After each email address, you MUST have a comma. 
1. Document: Just have the list of addresses and add a comma at the end of each address.

2. Spreadsheet: Make the cell to the right of each email address contain a comma.

3. Copy this list. If you are using a spreadsheet make sure to copy both columns (email address and comma).

4. Head over to contacts.google.com (or use the Google Waffle to click on the link).

5. Click the “Create contact” button.

6. Click on “Create multiple contacts”.

7. Paste your copied list into the space for addresses.

8. Select an existing Group or create a new Group.

9. Click “Create”.

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Create a Contact Group from a CSV File:

This is an easy way if you already have a list of Names and Addresses. 

1. Get all of your email accounts into a spreadsheet. Download this file to your computer as a CSV file.

2. Head over to contacts.google.com (or use the Google Waffle to click on the link).

3. Click the “Create contact” button.

4. Click on “Create multiple contacts”.

5. Click “Import Contacts”.

6. Add or create a new Group and click on “Select file”.

7. Select an existing Group or create a new Group.

8. Click on “Import”.

Use these newly created groups in emails and Drive Sharing!

If you want these directions in a document click HERE!

Interactive Videos with Edpuzzle

Have you ever shared a video and wish it would automatically pause at spots to ask questions? Maybe even give a scored quiz? Or even better, make someone go back and watch that section again of they answered incorrectly? Well, Edpuzzle is the tool for you! Edpuzzle allows you to insert pauses, comments, open-ended questions, and multiple-choice questions into a YouTube video easily. When your students watch the video they have to answer the questions to continue. The data you can get back is amazing. It is free, but there is a limit of 20 videos for no cost. There is an option to get more through referrals. Once you have an account, share your referral link and you will get more video space! Edpuzzle is easy to use once you get in and learn it. Explore what you can do with Edpuzzle!

Set Up Account:

1. Go to edpuzzle.com and set up an account (sign in to Google to allow integration to your Google Classrooms!).
2. You can set up your “Classes” and link them to a Google Classroom.

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Create Content:

1. Head over to YouTube and find a video you want to work with. Copy the URL and paste it in the search box in Edpuzzle.

2. You will be given the choices of:

• Crop
• Voiceover
• Audio Notes
• Quizzes

3. Choose to create a Quiz. Play the video and pause it when you want to add in a pause. Click the green box with the question mark to choose what to enter. 

4. You will have the choice of 3 different interactive elements:

• Open-Ended Question
• Multiple Choice Question
• Comment

5. If you choose Multiple Choice you will have the option of choosing answers and marking (green check) which ones are correct.

6. After creating the interactive element click “Save” at the bottom.

7. After you have entered in all your questions, click “Save”, then click “Finish” in the top right.

8. There are some settings you can explore (Prevent Skipping and Turn on CC).

9. This will allow you to share the video with your class.
• You can set it as an assignment to one of your Google Classrooms.

• You can get the public link to share just the link.

10. If you assigned it to one of your Google Classrooms you can get data on how your students did by visiting “Gradebook” in the top right.

11. All your created videos are stored in the “My Content” section.

12. You can always go back to a previous video and Assign, Edit/Add questions, Duplicate, or even Delete.

13. You can see student progress (and scoring) in the “Gradebook” section.

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Use Other’s Content:

1. Another great tool is using (and even editing) others’ content. Click on any link under Popular Channels or your own school.

2. Click on any of the videos that come up. You can then Edit, Copy, Assign, or Share for your own use!

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Get More Videos:

You get 20 videos for free. If you want more, follow these steps!

1. Click on your Account Profile Image. Click on Refer to Earn Space.

2. Click on “Invite Teacher”.

3. Share that link to get more videos.

Click HERE for the official Edpuzzle setup and create directions.

If you want these directions, click HERE!

Chromebook Dictation

We all know that typing is not always a strong suit with many of our students (ok, I will admit it is not my strong suit either). Sometimes it is almost painful to get our students to type up projects for publishing, especially our youngest students. The good news is that Chromebooks have a built-in tool to help with this. All you have to do is enable the “Dictation” tool and students can use their voice to type. Give it a try! (This only works on Chromebooks, not Windows/Mac.)

1. Sign in to your Chromebook. This will need to be done in each student account).
2. Click on the clock in the bottom right and click the Settings Gear.
   
   
3. On the left click on "Advanced" and click on "Accessibility".
   
   
4. Open the "Manage accessibility features" section.
   
   
5. Scroll to "Keyboard and text input" and enable "Enable dictation (speak to type".
   
   
6. Close the settings screen.

Any time you want to dictate text, you only need to click the microphone icon on the Chromebook Tray.

Video Link Here!

If you want these directions in a document click HERE!