On the Road Again: Google Lit. Trips

 WEBSITE WEDNESDAY

Bud, Not Buddy  is a story of an orphaned 10 -year old boy who during the Great Depression goes on an adventure of a lifetime in hopes of finding his long, lost father.  The only clues he has are the flyers about a band left by his mother in an old suitcase. Along the way he meets interesting characters who lend a helping hand in the search for his father.

Now imagine while reading this story with your class, you can follow in Bud's steps and experience his travels? You can with Google Lit. Trip. 

Google Lit. Trips are downloadable files that mark the journey(s) of character(s) from famous works of literature on the surface of Google Earth.

To begin your first  Lit. Trip

1. Go to Google Lit. Trip
2. Fill out the GLT Globel ED Member Registration so that you can      access all the incredible trips and resources.
3. Install Google Earth on your laptop or desktop.
4. Browse the Lit. Trip Library *The library holds titles for all ages from  The Armadillo from Amarillo to My Brother Sam is Dead to The Grapes  of Wrath. 
5. Request a Lit. Trip

But wait...Google  Lit. Trip is more than just following a story's map on Google Earth. Along the way there are links to audio files, websites with more information on a topic, videos, and much more. 

What adventure will you and your class take this year? 

A book is a device to ignite the imagination.

–Alan Bennett

Tech Tip Tuesday: Making a Connection

We all want an easier way to move and copy files from our computer to the cloud - Google Drive Sync makes that happen. Simply install Google Drive Sync from the Software Center (icon on your computer) to your desktop or laptop and then select what files to sync. This will make moving and copying files so much easier.

After the install is complete, open Windows Explorer and you'll see your Google Drive listed in Favorites. To move a file from your computer just drag it to the Google Drive folder. To copy a file, hold down the Shift key while you drag the file.

An added bonus - changes you make while working in Google Chrome will automatically be made in your Google Drive housed on your desktop or laptop.

How to Add Google Sync

*If you are unable to locate the Google Drive Sync in Software Center, please contact the Help Desk for further assistance. 

Staying Organized with Google Keep App

I wrote a blog post last year about Google Keep (Using Google Keep to Keep Up) and it is still one of my favorite Google resources, but this time I wanted to focus on the mobile app. All I had to do was download the app from the app store (iOS or Android), sign in with my Google Account and all of my notes from my computer sync up on my phone (or tablet).

Here's what I can do with the Google Keep App:

1. Write or edit a text note

2. Make a list or a grocery list (it will even make suggestions at I type my list)

3. Take images notes

4. Record audio notes

5. Create drawing notes (android only)

6. Capture web or app content in a note

7. Create notes and lists with your voice (android only)

Just like the web version, I can share notes or copy them into Google Docs. This is my go to resource for quick note taking, creating project lists or saving images to reference at a later date. It's quick and it's easy to use!

Step-by-Step Google App. Help is a Click Away

Google Apps Learning Center is dynamite.

This website is a guide full of tips and examples to help a new user get started and get the most out of their Google Apps for Education.

The step-by step directions are easy to follow. Moving from topic to topic is a breeze.

Open Sesame: An Undo for Accidentally Closed Tab

 

As we begin another school year, one is always looking for new lessons to use in the classroom or to make the office work a little more efficient.
Have you ever been working so hard and realize too late that you closed that tab?  That one tab that you needed information from. Sitting there, sighing, and thinking how do I get back? If Google Chrome is your web browser of choice, then problem solved.
Simply press Ctrl+Shift+T (undo close tab), and it's as if saying "Open Sesame!". The accidentally closed tab will reappear, and you can continue your search for awesome material or ideas to use in the office or classroom.