Terry's Tech Tips

Google has been working hard on a Gmail revamp.  They have cleaned up the interface to look more crisp and modern while letting you do more without leaving your inbox.  They have added some new features like ' Snooze ', ' Smart reply ',  and ' Nudge ', along with some upgraded security features.  The Gmail upgrade should be available to us in the next few weeks (or days!). Upgraded Inbox Google has created a 'cleaner' look with updated and easier to find buttons.  Along with the visually cleaner interface,  you can now access more Google apps you use like Calendar , Keep , and upgraded Tasks through a sidebar without leaving your email.  Click here for a 'Cheat Sheet'. You can also find attachments quickly, access commonly used button more easily, or Snooze an email.   What does  Snooze do?  Let's say you receive an email which requires more time than you currently have.  You might...

If you have used a scantron to grade exams in the past, you may have been frustrated with the Scantron availability, speed, accuracy, and data.  Consider using Zipgrade , a free app that leverages the camera in your cell phone! Why Should I use Zipgrade? Quick -  grade your exams as fast as your phone camera scans! Easy to use! Accurate! Cost effective  - 100 scans per month free! Convenient  - grade tests when you want, not when the machine is available! If you change the answer key, Zipgrade re-grade s all exams automatically! Easy to analyze data by student and question! How do I use Zipgrade? Create Account & Download App Navigate to  https://www.zipgrade.com/login/ and create an account. Download the Zipgrade app from the appropriate app store for your phone: App Store Google Play Create a Class While logged into Zipgrade's web application, under the  Class heading, select Add New Class ...

If you feel overwhelmed by your email, you are not alone! 95.2 GB    Space to store my email  28%   Time in the workweek spent handling email.  (1) $10,000.00 Cost of an average worker per year due to email distractions. (2)  38% The percentage of emails that are "important".  (3) Email overload is a real problem, both in the business world and in Education.  The costs above are a little astonishing.  This research highlights the real cost of interrupting your concentration to check your email, impairing your decision making and leading to stress.  Many studies suggest that once interrupted, it is difficult to immediately return to the task you were working on, and some conclude that you can lose up to 40% of your productivity. (4)  The good news is that efficiency experts are suggesting strategies to overcome email overload.   The strategies are based both on 'habit of mind' and effec...

This week's blog post features Guest blogger Robin Cicchetti explaining the ins-and-outs of Google Scholar! Do you ever get frustrated with web searches? When your students do research do they come back with unimpressive sources? Even when using advanced search strategies the Internet can feel like a barren place as you paw through endless pages of returns! Skimming the Surface That’s because Google and other current search engines are only skimming the surface web (Goodman, 2015). The algorithms that direct web crawlers identify metadata through hyperlinks and then index the site. They don’t have access to the proprietary content that lives in the deep web which consists of: Results of database queries Subscription-only information and other password-protected data Pages that are not linked to by any other page Technically limited content, such as that requiring CAPTCHA technology Text content that exists outside of conventional http:// or https:// protoc...

Do you use Google Sheets?  Here are a couple of quick tips to help make your experience more efficient! Search: If you have a lengthy Google Sheet, looking for specific information in cells can be hard!  Click Command + F , and a search box appears!   Type in your search, and click the up or down arrow next to the search box.  Sheets will take you to each instance there is a match on your search text and highlight the cell in green!  (Ignore the static green cells you see on this sheet to the right!) Move text to a new line within a cell: It can be really handy to start a new sentence or thought on a new line within a cell.  To do that, place the cursor after the line existing in the cell.  Click Command + Return to go to a new line within the same cell! Enjoy a restful and relaxing spring break!

Inquiry-based learning   (noun) is a form of  active learning  that starts by posing questions, problems or scenarios—rather than simply presenting established facts or portraying a smooth path to knowledge.    Source:   Wikipedia This week I thought we would explore another classroom where inquiry-based learning is being utilized!   Claims 'Supported by Science':   Ryan Palmer (along with many of the Chemistry teachers) now uses part of his class on Fridays to do ' Science Friday '.  Named after the popular Science Friday NPR radio program, Ryan will pick a current topic making a claim 'supported by science'.  Ryan used the video below created by the Jimmy Kimmel Show to introduce the topic ' Are GMO's Bad for you? does science support the claim that GMO's (genetically modified organisms) are detrimental to your health?  Students are given 10 minutes to research the topic and determine an a...