Tuesday, November 30, 2021

Mote: Advanced Features

We all know that Mote is an awesome tool. If you are new to Mote, check out the “Mote Basics” document to get started. Below are some of the awesome additional features that Mote offers (some may require a subscription). 




Mote QR Codes

Create audio QR codes to Mote audio.

  1. Click on the Mote extension and click the Mote icon to record your audio.


  1. Click on “My Recent Motes”.


  1. Click the “Share” icon.


  1. Click “QR code”.


  1. Click “Save image”.


Check out this video to see this in action.




Mote in Gmail

Want to send a quick Mote audio clip through Gmail? Here you go! 

  1. Open your Gmail and click Compose.

  2. Click the Mote icon at the bottom. It will start recording your audio.


  1. Click the center icon to stop.


  1. Your Mote will be embedded in your email for the recipient to hear.


Check out this video to see this in action.




Mote in Forms

Want to add your voice to your Google Forms? Check this out!

  1. Create a form. When you are in the question field click the Mote icon at the bottom of the editing box.


  1. Record your audio. Click the check icon to stop recording.


  1. The Mote audio is placed in the text box. (It will be viewable as an audio player if the recipient has the Mote extension installed, but only as a link if the reader does not have the extension installed.)


If you want to add audio to the choices (multiple choice type questions) you will need to follow these steps:

  1. Enter the choices into the form.

  2. Click the Mote extension icon in the top right of Chrome. Record a Mote. 


  1. Stop the recording by clicking the check and the link is auto-copied to your clipboard.


  1. Paste this next to the choice you want it added. 


This is what the recipient sees (if they have the Mote extension installed):


Check out this video to see this in action (Mote Playlist).

Check out this video to see this in action (My Video).




Motes Saved in Motebook

If you plan to use the same audio clip multiple times it is helpful to set up a Motebook to have access to your often-used clips. You will need to create a new recording using the Mote extension.

  1. Click on the Mote extension and record an audio clip.


  1. After recording open the clip back up by clicking on it in “My recent motes”.


  1. Click “Save as…”.


  1. Create a Motebook title (this is the tile for this audio clip). Hit “Enter” on your keyboard to save.


  1. When you go back to the Mote extension or icon in a comment long-press the record button and you will see a list of all your Motebooks. Click the one you want to use. 


Check out this video to see this in action.




Access All Your Recordings

Want to see (or hear) all your past recordings?  

  1. Go to mote.com and click Account>My Activity


  1. Click the Mote extension, then “My activity & engagement”.


  1. From here you will see all your recordings. You can share them, mark them unlisted/hidden/or delete them, view them on a landing page, and listen to them on this screen.



For more “how-Tos” and advanced features check out Mote’s YouTube Playlist Here!



*REMINDER: for the best experience, make sure students also have the Mote extension; otherwise, they will need to click a link and listen to the comment audio (in comments only) in a new tab. Google Slide’s audio will still play normally (no extension needed to hear it). 



If you want these directions in a Document click HERE!






Monday, November 22, 2021

Add Audio with Mote

The sound of your voice has power, especially with students. Being able to give feedback with our own voice carries more impact than just text. With tools like
Mote, you can add your voice to comments, Slides, Docs, Forms, and many other tools. Check out what Mote can do for you and your students!




Using Mote in Comments:

  1. Install the Mote Chrome Extension.

  2. Head to the tool you want to add an audio clip.

  3. Look for the Mote icon in a comment box and click that icon to record your comment.


  1. Click the purple check to stop recording.


  1. Click “Comment” to complete.


  1. Click the purple “Play” button to hear your audio.




Adding Audio to Google Slides:

  1. Open a Slide Deck. (Make sure to have the Mote Extension installed first.)

  2. You will see the Mote icon in the top right. Click on the icon.


  1. Click the “Click to Start” icon.


  1. Your audio is recording. Click the purple check to stop recording.


  1. Click the “Insert” button to add this audio to your slide.


  1. You will see the Mote icon appear on your screen (you can drag this anywhere you want it) as well as the Slide’s audio option on the right. Set them to whatever you need.


  1. You can resize, recolor, or replace the Mote icon with anything.

    • Resize Icon: Click and drag the corner of the icon


  • Recolor Icon: Click the Icon>Format Options>Recolor  


  • Replace Icon: Right-Click the icon>Replace Image>Choose File from Location




Accessing All Created Motes:

Want to see (or hear) all your created Mote audio clips? 

  1. Click on the Mote Extension and click:


  • My Recent”: to see recent Mote recordings


  • My Activity & Engagement”: to see all and details of each recording.






Experience the power of your voice! Give Mote a try!



*Note: for the best experience, make sure students also have the Mote extension; otherwise, they will need to click a link and listen to the comment audio (in comments only) in a new tab. Google Slide’s audio will still play normally (no extension needed to hear it). 






If you want these directions in a document click HERE!

Monday, November 15, 2021

Charts in Google Sheet

Looking for ways to visualize your data? Google Sheets can create awesome charts and graphs. Open a Google Sheet, add some data, and EXPLORE!














Thursday, November 4, 2021

Replace Image Background (Using Canva)

So, you have that perfect picture but you really want to have a different background. For example, your students are studying landforms and you want to put a picture of them on the top of a mountain. If only you could take the object of the picture (your students) and put it on a different background. The good news, you CAN! You can use Canva to strip the background of any image away and make it transparent so you can overlay it on a new background. The curricular possibilities are endless! Give Canva a try! 

*Make sure you sign up for Canva for Education to get all the FREE upgrades!


Remove the Background of an Image:

  1. Head over to Canva.com.

  2. Click on “Create a design”.


  1. Choose “Education Presentation” or custom size.


  1. Click on “Photos” on the left to search for free images from Canva to add to the background or you can click on “Upload” to upload your own.


  1. Make the image fit the canvas. It is ok to go outside the canvas.


  1. Click on “Uploads” on the left and upload a picture of yourself from your device. You can use your camera and create an image on your device before you do this.


  1. Click on the uploaded image and move and resize the image to where you want.


  1. Make sure your image is selected and click “Edit Image” at the top and click on “Background Remover”. 


  1. When it is done click “Apply”.


  1. You can still edit this image. When you are ready to download it click the “Download” icon and click “Download”.



You have just transported the object of your image to a new location! Just think of all the curricular opportunities this offers!




If you want this “How To” as a video here it is: Remove Background






If you want these directions in a Document click HERE!