Everything Tips!

Explain Everything is one of my favorite apps right now because you can do...well...everything with it!  You can add images, videos, create actions while putting together a video, and list goes on!  I like how you can have multiple slides in one project but don't forget about the infinite white space of each slide.

While I've been experimenting with Explain Everything I have put together 5 tips to keep in mind when using the app to record your voice.

And another very important point to keep in mind is to always save or backup your work.  Nothing is worse than putting all of your energy into a project and then have part of it disappear.  Really, how do projects show up one day and then they are gone the next?  Sometimes an app will have glitches, but I don't want to lose my work.  There are several options for integrating other apps with Explain Everything, but I am selecting Google Drive as my source for saving and backing up my projects.  Explain Everything allows projects to be exported as a video, document, image, or project.  While I'm still working on it, I will use the Project file type to save to Drive.  When I am completely done with a project I will save it as a video or an image depending on what I want to do with the project.  Watch this video to see how to connect Explain Everything to Drive and export a project.

I can't wait to see more projects created in Explain Everything!  Have you tried it lately?

The Power of Voice

There are many times I find myself getting caught in my reading where I know I am not fully committed to hearing the words on the page.  One way I help myself focus is to to use the Speak accessibility option on my iPad.  I can select any text, in any app or website, and tap Speak.  Then the text is read to me.  I like the fact that this option also will highlight the words as it is being read.  Have you tried this option for yourself....or your learners?

Try it and see how you like it!

Pictures Tell a Thousand Words

Pictures tell a thousand words.  I love pictures.  A story is more impactful when you have pictures to go with it.  I am frequently asked where learners can find images to use with their projects.  Google is so easy, but images we find on Google are not necessarily available for anyone to use.  Copyright and Fair Use is always a part of the conversation.

This week as educator asked me if I could create an infographic for learners to reference when looking for images.  I already had one resource I have used with learners specifically looking at fair use resources.  Here it is...

Here is the infographic I created this week using Google Drawings.  When I was ready to share this file with learners I wanted the links to be clickable.  So, I changed the share settings for the document to "Anyone can view,' but I took it one step further.  When I copied the link I changed the very end portion of the link from "edit" to "preview."  By doing this, when someone accesses the image it will open up on a web browser and look more like a web page rather than a Google Drawings document.  Click the image below to see for yourself...

How are you asking learners to find images for their projects?  How are you modeling digital citizenship with the use of images in your classroom?

Connecting

I know my day is always better when I make connections with other people.  I wonder how making connections within a learning environment can change our learners?  In this episode of the Coppell Digital Learning Podcast Alli, Kasey, and Megan join me to discuss the who, what when, where, and why of connecting our classrooms.  Now you can listen to our conversation:

Take a look at the 6 Step Connection Challenge

Click the image to explore ideas for how to connect...

Looking for ideas for content connections?

How will you lead your learners to make connections?

Mirror, Mirror, Should I Split?

Do you sometimes feel constrained by the limited space available to view different windows on your computer?  Do you need to share a document with your learners, but at the same time you want to be taking notes about observations of your learners or need to submit your attendance for that class period?  Have you tried splitting your screen using Apple TV?

Next time you are connected to your Apple TV take a closer look at the menu options.  When you open the Apple TV menu you should see Open Display Preferences. 

From the Built-In Display menu you will select Arrange. You have the option to click Mirror Displays, so that what you see on your computer screen is what is displayed through your Apple TV.  

Or, you can move to an extended desktop view, by unchecking the Mirror Display option.  Then you will have 2 different areas for working and viewing of your one computer screen.

You will only see the display options when you are connected to a projector or Apple TV.  There is one more place to look that will make switching between these screens so much easier.  When you click AirPlay there is another option on your menu.  Have you ever noticed that once you are connected there is an option to Use As Separate Display?

Yes, that easy!  You can select the Separate Display option and you instantly will have an extended desktop!

When you are done either Turn AirPlay Off or select Mirror Display.  Easy peasy! Aren’t you so happy to learn a quick and easy way to manipulate the views of your screen!

What's Coming Up in October

The Coppell Digital Learning Team is gearing up for a month of professional learning opportunities in order to help support teaching and learning in your learning environment.  There will be webinars and Twitter chats to support your understanding of digital citizenship!  And we are excited about our upcoming webinar to support stress management with our partner Surana School in Chennai, India.

Where will you participate this month?

YouTube for Learners

I love I can look up and instantly start learning at anytime on YouTube.  There are so many amazing tutorials made by so many different people I don't always know where to start!  This can also be a little overwhelming for young learners.  And, I am always looking for ways to keep content for learners with the least amount of distractions as possible.  But the real question is, how??

First, you can view all videos in full screen mode to help eliminate advertisements, comments, and other suggested videos.

But, did you also know you can combine the power of Google Slides with YouTube?  By using the video URL and embedding a video in Slides you have more control over what your learners see.

Now that the video is embedded on a Slide, right-click to select Format Options. Here you can adjust the start and stop time of a video, along with other formatting options.

Use these features to help keep learners focused on the content. Do you notice a difference in how your class responds to videos shared using these tips?