Google Mail Checker

An extension that will show you if you have gmail messages  

In case you have not heard, Green will be switching to Gmail on May 21st.  Training at GPS and GIS for teachers has already occurred and training for GMS, GHS, and Greenwood is coming.  Today I would like to introduce to you an extension that may prove to be helpful after May 21st. The extension is called “Google Mail Checker” and it lives in the extension area of your Chrome browser.  Once added this extension will give you a visual cue letting you know that you have new emails. You can also launch Gmail by clicking on the extension making it the fastest way to get into your gmail account.

How to install:

1. Open your Chrome browser
2. Login to your Google Account
3. Access the “Web Store”
1. On a Laptop or Desktop computer you simply click the Apps Button in the upper left corner .  Then click “Web Store”
2. On a Chromebook click the circle in the lower left corner.  Then Click “Web Store” . You may have to scroll to see the “Web Store” app.
4. In the “Web Store” type “Google Mail Checker” in the search box, then Search.
5. Click the “+ADD TO CHROME” button
6. Click “Add extension”

That is it, your extension is added in the upper right portion of your browser.  It now keep track of your Gmail account and let you know if you receive email. If you want to see the email simply click on the extension and your gmail will load.

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

Green Local Schools

Tech Integration Team

Google Calendar

Green is moving to Google Gmail/Calendar May 21st!  

I have made my rounds to each building and provided training to all teachers regarding Google Calendar (next month will be Gmail).  I am going to try and plan training opportunities for the rest of the district staff (secretaries, custodians, maintenance, aides, cooks, drivers, etc.).  I am providing video demonstrations of each part of my in-person training.

Google Calendar:

• View the training presentation
• Playlist of Videos (6 videos)

Videos By Topic

• How to access Google Calendar (1:08 min)
• Across the Top of Calendar (4:05 min)
• Clean up the Left Menu of Google Calendar (4:25 min)
• Add an Event to Google Calendar (5:59 min)
• Sharing Calendars (2:11 min)
• Add a New Calendar (1:20 min)

Be watching for information to come on how to set up calendar on your cell phone.

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

Green Local Schools
Tech Integration Team

Flipgrid

Where social learning happens. Every student has a voice. Let’s amplify  

Flipgrid is where your students can go to share ideas and learn together. It’s where students amplify and feel amplified. It’s video the way students use video. Short. Authentic. And fun! That’s why it’s the leading video discussion platform used by tens of millions of PreK to PhD educators, students, and families in 150 countries.

One of the great things about flipgrid is there is no login required.  This makes it accessible to students at every grade level. As the classroom teacher you can prompt the class with a topic and then students are able to provide a short 1 minute 30 second response.  Students can watch and listen to their classmates responses as well.

Other features:

• Password protect the topic
• Allow users to share a grid, topic or video on twitter, facebook or Google Classroom
• Allow students to download their videos after creating a response
• Teachers can receive an email notification when new videos are added to a topic
• Auto generated captions can be added to assist students with hearing difficulty

Let’s Try it!
I have created a flipgrid for you to see how it works.  Go to https://flipgrid.com/dcbf53 and click on the .   You will want to use a computer/chromebook with a webcam and microphone.  Just record your answer and move through the steps. This will give you an idea of how easy it will be for your students as well as provide you with some ideas from your colleagues.  

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

Green Local Schools
Tech Integration Team

Roster to Slides

Quick way to provide a slide for each student in your class in the same Google Slides presentation.   Collaboration made easy!  

This is a great resource created by Alice Keeler!  This add-on will create a slide for each of your students allowing your class to work collaboratively on a single Google Slides document.  Simply follow the steps below and you will have a Slides presentation ready for your class to build  together on any topic you choose.

Roster to Slides

1. Make a copy of this Google Sheet - Click here to make a copy
2. From the add-on menu choose “Roster to Slides” - give them  a second to load
3. Choose setup
4. Authorize the script by clicking continue
5. Choose your Google account and click “Allow”
6. Paste or type your class roster into column A in the Sheets document
7. From the add-on men choose “Roster to Slides” and choose “create slides”
8. Script will run and create a Google Slides presentation in your Google Drive
9. Go to your Google Drive and open the new Google Sheet called “Roster to Slides”.  
10. You can rename this file by right clicking and choose rename if you would like.

This Google Slides document now has a slide with the student’s name followed by a blank slide for them to work on.  You can make the Google Slides available to your students through Google Classroom.  Simply make a new assignment and use this document, but be sure to NOT give each student a copy.  This will allow them to all work on the same presentation and add content to the slide you made for them. This is a great way to make a collaborative class assignment where each student is able to add their own specific piece to the overall project.

Pear Deck in Google Slides

A great way to increase student engagement in your Slides presentation  

It is a new year and perhaps you are looking for a way to increase student participation and engagement in some of your tired old presentations.  Pear Deck has been around for quite awhile, but just recently has been added as a free add-on to Google Slides.

What can Pear Deck do for me and my class?

• Add interactive content
• Multiple Choice questions within the presentation
• Short answer text directly on your slides
• Number response options
• Drawing with a sketch tool to illustrate their understanding
• Click and drag options to make engaging interaction
• Works on Google Slide presentations you have already made!

Still need to see more?

How do I get the Pear Deck Add-on?
To install the Pear Deck Add-on follow these simple steps.

• Login to your Google Account
• Open up an existing OR blank Google Slides presentation
• From the Add-on menu choose “Get add-ons…”
• Search for “Pear Deck”
• Click the “+Free”

Using the Pear Deck Add-on
Once you have added Pear Deck, you can begin using it by going to the Add-on menu and selecting “Open Pear Deck Sidebar”.  This will launch the sidebar with several templates for you to start using right away.  Just add the slides you want to use directly into one of your existing Slides presentations.  

Using the presentation with your students
When you are ready to start using the presentation with your students simply open your presentation, go to the add-on menu and choose Pear Deck and “Present with Pear Deck”.  The screen will display directions for your students to join and follow along with your presentation.

Be watching for an after school session on this Add-on and other Slides Add-ons coming in February!