Pull the Paragraph Add-on

This is an add-on that will allow you to see all of your students google doc written assignments in one place without opening each of them individually AND let you easily provide written feedback to them.

I have had several teachers tell me that one issue they have with using Google classroom with assignments is that it takes too long to open each student’s document to look at it and make comments. This Add-on script allows you to grab what students wrote into a Google Doc and put all of the responses into a spreadsheet. This allows you to save time from opening each Google Doc individually.  The add-on was created by Alice Keeler, but it has not been formally added to the list of Google add-ons at this point, but the steps below will show you how to get it and start using it with your Google Classroom assignments.

Step 1: Create an assignment in Google Classroom
The first thing you need to know is that this only works with Google text docs (not with sheets or slides).  Create your Google Classroom assignment and either give each student a copy or allow them to upload a google doc to the assignment.  Again they have to do the assignment in Google Docs.

Step 2: Download the Pulltheparagraph template
Since the add-on itself is not one that you can get yourself through the normal method, you will need to make a copy of the template created by Alice.  Here is a link to make a copy for yourself to use: [Make a copy of the template].  This sheets document will have the add-on already set up.  You will use this document every time you want to see student work and leave comments for them.

Step 3: Run the Add-on
Open the Pull the Paragraph Template.  Go to the add-ons menu and choose “Pull the Paragraph” then “start”.   You will be asked for authorization, choose “continue” and then “allow”.  

1. On the right side you will see a button that says “Choose a folder”.  Click this button and ”select folder” to choose the folder inside your classroom folder that has the assignment in it. Remember every assignment you make in Google classroom will automatically have a folder created for it inside your Classroom folder.
2. You will be given a reminder that you can provide feedback in column C.  Click “Ok”. The sheet will be created in which each row represents the work typed by a student.  
3. Scroll through the document to read each paragraph they typed.  
4. When finished add your comments in column C for any student you want to provide feedback.  This feedback could include the grade you have given them.
5. When all the feedback has been added, click the “Send Feedback” button on the right.  This will add your feedback to each student's document.

Step 4: Return the student work
In order for the students to see your comments, you will need to go back into Google classroom and return their work.

If you would like to see a video of me performing these steps it is available [Here].

To see Alice Keeler’s description of the Add-on visit her site.

For more helpful information and the archive of previous Check This Out! Digests, go to http://www.greenlocalschools.org/technology.aspx

Clipular

Great tool for grabbing images off the web to be easily used in G-Suite or other online applications.

As we say goodbye to 2016 and look forward to a nice long winter break, I thought I would share another easy to use Chrome extension that will make grabbing images off the web easier.  The extension is called “Clipular” and it will run directly from your Chrome extensions.

Step 1: Add the Clipular Extension to your Chrome browser
Login to your Google account and go to the web store (here is a reminder of how to access the webstore).     Search for Clipular and choose “Add to Chrome”, Then “add the extension”. Be sure that you are adding the extension, not the app.

Step 2: Using Clipular
Once Clipular has been added, you will see a teal box with the letter “c” in it sitting in the upper right side of your browser window.  You can now use this extension to grab any image off a webpage or to copy an entire screenshot. Once you find an image or page that you want to copy, click the “c”.  The scissors will allow you to grab a single image and the camera will allow you to take a picture of the entire page. If you click on the camera a screenshot is taken and saved.  If you use the scissors you will have to click on the image you want to copy then it will be saved.

Step 3: Using the images you have saved
All of the images and screenshots you save are stored in the “My Clips” area (green notebook).  From the “My Clips” area you can download the images, copy and paste the images to use in another application, or if you have the “Save to Google Drive” extension you can use it to get a copy of the image saved in your Google Drive.

If you would like to see a video of this tool in action, I have created a demo for you to watch.  Please note - you should always consider copyright when using images off the web.  It is possible within Google to search for images have various usage rights.

For more helpful information and the archive of previous Check This Out! Digests, go to http://www.greenlocalschools.org/technology.aspx

Google Communities

Introducing Green’s Tech Integration Showcase.

If you have not used Google Communities before this may be one tool you want to investigate.  Google

Communities are groups created on a specific subject. They provide a place for people to interact with each other.  In a Google Community you can post something you would like to share with the rest of the community OR post a question to the community that they may be able to help you find an answer.  To find the google communities:

1. Login to your Google Account
2. Click on the Google Apps Button
3. Click on the Google+ App
4. In the left menu click on “communities”

From here you can search for communities to join that match your interests.  Allow me to recommend a few that are good resources for all things Google.

• G Suite for Education (255,000+ members)
• GEG Ohio (local people)
• Google Apps in Education (144,000+ members)

Just go to the community and click the green “join” button on the left.  These Communities are great places to post questions and get answers from other users of Google tools.

I would also like to recommend that you join the “Green Technology Integration Showcase” community.  My thoughts here are that is will be a place for you to share projects and ideas you have used with your students.   This will be a place that Green staff can get ideas from each other on how to integrate technology into their classrooms.  Click Join and post some of your ideas. This is a quick link to the Community: http://tiny.cc/techshowcase

For more helpful information and the archive of previous Check This Out! Digests, go to http://www.greenlocalschools.org/technology.aspx

Google Cast for Education

Turn your computer into a wireless screen sharing device.

Looking for a way to quickly and easily have your students share their screen with you and to the class?  Then Google Cast for Education is the app for you. This app allows a student to request their screen to be shown on the teacher computer.  With the teacher computer connected to a projector, the entire class is able to see what is on the student computer. This is a great tool for showing student work, student presentations, or showing what they have found during a research session.

The app is easy to setup allowing you to invite an entire google classroom of students to participate.  Here is what you need to do:

1. Go to the chrome Web Store and search for “Google Cast for Education”
2. Click “Add to Chrome”
3. The app is easily accessible from the Apps section in your browser.   (directions on how to access the webstore, launch apps  and add apps).  
4. Click the “Show Apps” button .
5. Click on the “Google Cast for Education” app to launch it.
6. You will need to give your computer or receiver a name.  This is the name the students will see when they try to connect to you.  Add a name and click save.
7. Click the Share button
8. In the Add people section, click on the box that says “Emails, groups, and classes”.  You should see your Google Classrooms. Select the class you want to connect. Leave the setting “Teacher can present, Students can request”.
9. You are now setup and ready to have students connect to your computer.
10. Have the student you want to project their screen on your computer go into their chrome browser.  They need to click on the three dots in the upper right corner of the browser and choose “Cast” from the menu.   They will be asked what device they want to “Cast to”. They select the name you gave your computer.
11. The teacher computer will get a request from the student. Click to allow the cast and the students screen will display on your computer.

Once finished click on the X at the top of the screen to end the cast session for that student.

This is a great way to engage students!

For more helpful information and the archive of previous Check This Out! Digests, go to http://www.greenlocalschools.org/technology.aspx

G Suite Training Extension

Adding this extension will create an interactive training and walk through area that lives right within Google Apps

It is safe to say that Green is now a “Google District”.  Most of you have begun embracing using the various applications available in Google.  Where do you go to get help when you need it? Last month I introduced to you the “Tech Integration” category in our Help Desk system.  In this digest I would like to show you a Chrome extension that you can add that will create an easy to access reservoir of helpful tutorials and training videos that are specific to the application you are working in.  Here is all you have to do to add the “G Suite Training for Google Apps” extension.

1. Launch Google Chrome and login to your Google account
2. Access the webstore (directions on how to access the webstore and add extensions)
3. Search for “G Suite Training”
   
   
4. Click “Add to Chrome”

Next time you go into a Google product (Docs, Classroom, Sheets, etc), you will see this icon in the upper right corner of the app. If you click on this icon a menu will appear that shows you all the topics available.  For example in Docs:\

• Insert a Chart 
• Using Voice Commands While Editing
• Adding Fonts

If you click on any of the topics in the menu you will be given assistance with that specific task within that specific app.  Just-in-time training and assistance right when you need it - while you are in the app!

If you need help adding this extension or using it, put in a Help Desk Ticket.  Be sure to choose the “Tech Integration” category and include a time that works to come help you in the description.

For more helpful information and the archive of previous Check This Out! Digests, go to http://www.greenlocalschools.org/technology.aspx