Noel Erskine, Technology Coordinator Norris Schools

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Some free apps, free PowToons accounts, awesome web resources and more! Here is the list for this week.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014


Web sites and tools:
Awesome project - Smartphone as a microscope-this project could bring science to the masses http://goo.gl/0z7Hqe I hope this comes to market soon!

Google's Photo Sphere Camera App (Free) for IOS allows you to make your own 360 degree photos and post them on Google Maps. PhotoSphere Home page is here, and You can browse photo spheres on the Views community. More info on making them with your Android or DSLR camera's can be found here

10 Word Cloud Generators to try  -Wordle is awesome, but some of these other ones have some great features too. 



Once again!!! - Powtoon is giving away $5 million worth of free accounts to educators. You can sign up for your free educator account at http://www.powtoon.com/lp/toonup/ <---REGISTER NOW!  (Promo code: ToonUp5M)

If you have not tried Canva -- You need to give it a try!  It may be the best and simplest design program out there.  It's online and free... two of my favorite words. :) 






Online photo editing:

Online Photo Editing for staff and students - My quick tutorial and reference sheet. <---Just made this tutorial/info sheet- Check it out!



Google Apps:

How to add a file to multiple folders in Google Drive:
One of our favorite tricks in Google Drive is the ability to add a file to multiple folders. This 1 1/2 minute video will walk you through the process with both the new and old Google Drive. 

5 Time-Saving Ways Teachers Can Use Google Forms.

Lucid Charts and Lucid Press - Upload your own fonts!  Including DJ Inkers - and more. This how-to doc should help.  KUDOs out to the Elementary for using Lucid Press for their newsletter!  If you have not seen it yet, check it out here 


5 Tips to get Organized with Google Calendars5 Tips to get Organized with Google Calendars - Edudemic - (Personally, I think every Gr 3-12 teacher should be doing tip 1!) 


Chrome apps, extensions & tips:

Video Downloader professional - A great extension for downloading videos, works about everywhere, except YouTube.

Google sheet tip:
For vertical text in a Google Sheet, you can insert text as word art and rotate it 90 degrees. 
  Insert--> Drawing
  Click the T (text box)
  Type the text and adjust font
  Rotate the text box with the top handle
  Click Save and Close
  Move the text box to the right place on the sheet

10 best Chrome apps for students 

Snagit for Google Chrome is free; you can download the capture extension here and the editing app here (you will want both of them). Note - These are featured below in the Googel Classroom section. 

The Ultimate Chrome Sync Hacks For Swapping Between Desktops -Includes one of my favorites - LastPass For Swapping Between Desktops -Includes one of my favorites - LastPass. 

Google Classroom:

Mickie Mueller's livebinder of resources, now includes GGoogleClassroom resources

Make assignments more engaging when you use Snagit to attach images in GoogleClassroom. Features a nice Chrome App and Extention. 

YouTube:

New ViewPure for Distraction-free Viewing of YouTube Videos  ViewPure- Home Page 

IOS apps:

10 Powerful iPad Apps For English And History 


NumberStax for iOS is a new math game from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt that is free as of 8/27; normally $1.99 - http://goo.gl/KNngSX

GET $49 WORTH OF PAID APPS FOR FREE: 8 more awesome paid iPhone apps you can download free right now.

Google Slides is now out for the iPad

Use a tablet to teach handwriting in the elementary classroom:

Kids Handwriting HWT: Teaching with Google Play for Education -Short 1 minute YouTube on the classroom uses.   featuring these free Android apps on Google Play. (Kids Handwriting HWT apps)

Some IOS apps that may work for this - since the above video is for Android apps  
Android Apps:


The best Android clipboard apps 

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