My team and I have been working to help educators feel more comfortable using iWorks with their learners. One of the pieces I am trying to share with educators is using Numbers as a workflow guide. The idea is that each sheet is 1 step for the directions. Within the document you can create links to outside resources, step by step directions, and anything you want your learners to have access to in order to support the project.
One thing in particular is naming the individual sheets. Did you know if you are using a MacBook you have an emoji keyboard built in? All you have to do to access this gem is press Control, Command, and the Space bar all at the same time. Then...just like magic you can insert an emoji!
Take a look of this example of emojis used within naming each sheet. Try it! It will make your day!
Another thing you can try is adding "fancy" titles! Fonts is another little thing that can make you feel happy about your documentation. I found a solution of using Canva to create the title. Check out this video to see how.
What "tricks" do you like to use to make your documents shine?
I love working with graphics because pictures truly are worth 1000 words. I love how an images combined with colors can take a lonely document and bring it to life! It's funny how a few minor changes can make such a big difference. I remember during one of my classes in graduate school taking the time to talk about design of instructional materials. Images matter.
One thing that really drives me crazy is when an image is used in a document where there is a background that clearly does not belong. It could be a piece of clipart that was saved and inserted into a slide show or maybe a flyer hanging on a wall, but I can always see that white background sitting there...watching me...why won't it just go away and put me out of my misery?
There are so many different tools you can use that with a simple click of a button or swipe the background will disappear forever! Did you know iWorks has one built in all of the core programs just waiting to be utilized! With the swipe of a finger you to can have images without disruptive backgrounds. And with my favorite button of all time, Undo, you never have to worry about going too far! Check out this video where I demonstrate how to use Instant Alpha while I'm working on a Keynote project...
Try this out the next time you are inserting images in Pages, Numbers, or Keynote!
Have you ever found a great resource, but then wanted to change it up just a little bit to make it more unique? I do all the time! Recently I learned about the Break Apart feature found in iWorks (Keynote, Numbers & Pages). You might already know this little trick, but it's new to me so I want to share! Check out this video to see how...
I have had some time to play around with Keynote since the podcast episode Alli and I recorded in January. I had not spent too much more time with it, but it was always in the back of my mind of how can I use this again? This is my first animation I made...
On multiple occasions I have tried to think how I could use Keynote, but it just didn't seem like the right fit and you shouldn't force a tool on a project. Then, I had a brilliant idea to collaborate with my daughter! She had recently found out about the No More Straws campaign to end the use of plastic straws. We worked together to share the message and use a new tool! We learned together!
I can't wait to see how this learning will lead to new creative ideas!
