10-17-2023 Tuesday Tech Tips

  

In today's Tuesday Tech Tips, read all about adding interactivity to (and removing ads from) YouTube videos, connecting your classroom with experts and organizations around the world, annotating your Google Slides presentations, & more! ➡️ ➡️➡️

💡 Quick Tip 💡 By default, the compose window in Gmail is popped into a small window in the bottom, right corner in Gmail. For some of us, that small window feels claustrophobic.  Have you ever wished you had a larger composition mode? In this week's Quick Tip, learn not only how to change the compose window to full-screen, but also how to make this the default view in new emails, plus how to go to full-screen in reply emails.

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New Tool: Interactive Questions for YouTube Videos in Google Classroom

We recently shared some information about avoiding ads in YouTube. Subsequently, there were changes in Google that made some of those directions obsolete. In response to that, we'd like to share another option, which is a new functionality in Google Classroom: Interactive Questions for YouTube. Teachers can use interactive questions for YouTube videos to:

• Create interactive YouTube video assignments (think Edpuzzle)
• Save time with the autograde tool
• Simply share YouTube videos in Classroom to make them ad-free even without adding the interactive questions (we think*)

*Throughout our testing, it has been the case that this process removes ads in YouTube, although we haven't been able to find any documentation that explicitly says that.

As always, make sure the video you're working with is labeled "Watchable by greececsd.org" or "Video approved for greececsd.org," otherwise your students won't be able to access it. Staff members can approve videos labeled "Video not approved for greececsd.org," but keep in mind that doing that approves the video for all GCSD students, so please exercise caution.

Plenty of details and directions on this exciting new feature are available HERE.

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Make the World Your Classroom

One of the most transformative ways to leverage technology in education is to break through the four walls of the classroom, and collaborate with experts from around the world. A resource that can help you connect with virtual learning opportunities is the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC).

CILC partners with world-renowned museums, zoos, science centers, experts, and more to connect individuals to live, interactive, virtual visits that inspire learning. Just a few of the hundreds of providers accessible through CLIC are:

• National Museum of the U.S. Army (info HERE)
• Smithsonian American Art Museum (info HERE)
• The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (info HERE)
• National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum (info HERE)

Registration is free, as are hundreds of the videoconference opportunities found there.  Visit CILC by clicking HERE, and reach out to your ITT for any support you need.

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Annotate your Google Slides with its New Pen Tool

Google has introduced a feature that lets you highlight or emphasize key content while you present in Google Slides. With the new pen tool, you can circle, underline, draw connections or make quick notes directly on your presentation.

Whether you're delivering a lesson with your students, or you're in a department meeting at District Office, annotations can help make your presentations more engaging, interactive, and impactful.

All the details can be found HERE.

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For assistance with these topics, or anything else related to instructional technology, please click HERE to book an appointment with your building's ITT.