Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Do more on the go with new features in the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides Android apps

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 02:13 PM PDT
The latest versions of the Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides Android apps include several new features that make it easier to work on your mobile device. You can now:
§ View more content at one time in Sheets - Now, when you scroll down or zoom in on a spreadsheet, we’ll hide your toolbars and headers so that you can see more of your content on the screen at one time. To bring those toolbars and headers back, simply scroll up or zoom out.
  
§ View existing filters in Sheets - If you apply filters to your data in Sheets on the web, those filters will now appear in the Sheets Android app as well (previously, you might not have known that you were viewing filtered content).

§ Paste only values, formatting, and more in Sheets - Already available in Sheets on the web, the Paste special feature in the Sheets Android app allows you to copy content and then paste only the associated values, formatting, formula, data validation, or conditional formatting. You can also paste everything but borders or paste your content in a transposed order.
  
§ Hyperlink text and shapes in Slides - You can now insert new and edit existing links in your presentations directly from the Slides Android app toolbar and context menu.

§ Use superscripts and subscripts in Docs and Slides - Create superscript and subscript text in the Docs and Slides Android apps using the text formatting palette.

Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release

Rollout pace:
Gradual rollout (potentially longer than 3 days for feature visibility)

Impact:
All end users

Friday, October 23, 2015

SMART Board Resources

SMART Board Resources

As a reminder, you do not always have to create SMART board lessons from scratch. There are many websites that offer ideas and pre-made activities for teachers to use.  The SMART Exchange in particular, offers lessons made for Notebook software by educators.  These lessons are organized by grade and subject.  Once you join the community, which is free, you may download and edit the lessons in their library. The SMART Exchange is also accessible under the Gallery in SMART Notebook.

Another great resources in the Notebook software is the Lesson Activity Toolkit.  Here you will find a variety of templates that are easy to edit and use.

Below are a few websites with a variety of interactive activities, books, and videos to use on the SMART board...many of which support the units we teach in K-3.


Interactive Websites:   http://interactivesites.weebly.com/

EPIC digital books  (also has a free app)  https://www.getepic.com/app/

Friday, October 16, 2015

Digital Citizenship Week

Get ready for Digital Citizenship Week, October 18-24! Check out my Digital Citizenship Toolkit with resources, discussion topics, and lesson ideas that can be quickly and easily shared with students.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Request access to files with the Google Drive Android app

Posted: 08 Oct 2015 12:43 PM PDT
A new version of the Google Drive Android app is now available on Google Play. This release adds the ability for people using the Drive Android app to request access to Drive content links―received via email, Hangouts, etc―to which they don’t already have access.

Launch Details
Release track:
Launching to both Rapid release and Scheduled release

Rollout pace:
Gradual rollout (potentially longer than 3 days for feature visibility)

Impact:
All end users
 
Action:
Change management suggested/FYI

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Flexible editing and sharing options with the latest version of the Google Drive iOS app

Posted: 06 Oct 2015 12:52 PM PDT
A new version of the Google Drive iOS app is now available in the App Store. New features include:
§ Open, edit and save back to Drive using other document editing apps
§ Back up and share photos and videos from the iOS Photos app

IMG_8062.PNG

Launch Details
Release track:
Launched to both Rapid release and Scheduled release