Tag Archives: google apps

New! HTML Coding for Chromebook Users

Teach HTML coding using Chromebooks

TechnoHTML5 has always been a favorite top seller for educators. With the current focus on STEM education, teaching HTML coding is more relevant than ever. Now that Chromebooks are prevalent in the classroom, TechnoKids has modified this popular project specifically for Chromebook users. Using a web-based text editor that integrates with Google Drive makes HTML coding a breeze. Now when you order TechnoHTML5 you will receive two versions: one for desktop HTML text editors such as Notepad or Code Writer and a version for Chromebook users that uses a free app such as HTML Editey.

STEM Activities to Learn Life Skills

I wrote in a previous blog about the reasons to teach programming. Of course, not many students will choose careers as computer scientists or program developers, but that’s not the main rationale for coding lessons. Strong communication skills and personality traits that lead to success in life and the workplace are critical goals for students. Learning to code does just that. As they learn to plan, organize, write, edit, and troubleshoot, students build invaluable life skills. Perseverance, problem solving, analytical thinking, creativity, and collaboration are enhanced by learning programming. These crucial personal habits will benefit students for life.

Everything Educators Need to Teach HTML

TechnoHTML5 for Chromebooks is an introductory HTML project for middle and high school grades. Students build a web page using HTML and CSS. They style text, graphics, and hyperlinks. Optional challenges have them format lists, add a background image, create a class, add animated gifs, and more! Step-by-step instructions with checklists in the Student Workbook build organizational skills. The Teacher Guide includes assessment tools such as a summary of skills and customizable marking sheet to evaluate the completed web page projects. Digital resources include sample files, reference sheets, review questions, and skill reviews for practice.

Students design a web page on the topic of their choice using TechnoHTML5.

Chromebooks Make HTML Coding Easy

HTML Coding is fun and easy using a Chromebook and Google Drive. coding for Chromebook On a desktop, I found it cumbersome to always save my work in the text editor then toggle to a browser and refresh to see a preview. But using a free text editor for Chromebooks such as HTML Editey provides instant feedback. Two panes allow the user to write code and see immediate results.

There are many other great features to HTML Editey that we’ll write about in an upcoming post.

How to Share TechnoKids Files Using Google Drive

At TechnoKids, we’re often asked how our templates, samples, or workbook files can be shared with students. One common option is to use Google Drive. The only prerequisite is that each student must have an individual Gmail account.

Before getting started it is important to refer to your site license agreement. TechnoKids files cannot be placed in the public domain. The folder MUST BE KEPT SECURE and only shared with approved users.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TEACHER

Make a Folder in My Drive

Sign in to the teacher’s Google Drive account.
Make a folder:
1. Click New and pick Folder.
2. Name the folder with the name of the project you’re using, e.g., Bookmaking, Toon, or Journal.
3. Click Create.
Upload the files to the new folder:
1. Drag and drop the files from the folder OR click New and choose File Upload.
2. Navigate to the location of the files, select them, and click Open.

Copy files from the TechnoKids student folder to a Google Drive folder.

Convert the Files (OPTIONAL)

IMPORTANT: Google Docs does not have a native format. This means that TechnoKids templates are Microsoft Office files. To make it easier for your students to open the templates, convert the files into Google Docs files.

If you are using a TechnoKids project that has templates such as TechnoBookmaking, TechnoMe, or TechnoRestaurateur then do this step.

If the file is a Microsoft Office file type (pptx, docx, or xlsx), double click on it.

Is the file a template? If yes, do this step.

Select Open with and pick the Google application such as Google Slides, Google Docs, or Google Sheets.

Open the file with the Google application.

The file will open in the Google application. This will create a Google file that is easy to share with students. Close the tab (X).
You will notice you have TWO files – one is the original Microsoft Office file – the other one is the new Google file. DELETE the original file. KEEP THE GOOGLE FILE.

Delete the original file and keep the new Google file.

Repeat to convert all templates and delete the original files. For example, the picture below is for the project TechnoRestaurateur.

Now there is only a Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides version of the files.

Share the Folder

Go back to My Drive. If necessary, close any tabs that were opened for the converted files.
Select the folder.
Click Share.

Enter the email addresses of all students. You may have created a directory so they can be all added at once.
Click the edit options and choose Can view only. This step ensures that students cannot edit the file unless they save a copy.

You may want to add a note to your students. Students will receive an email with a link. Click Send

TIP: You may want to share a link with students instead of send an email. To do this, click Get shareable link. Select can view. Share the link with students. MAKE CERTAIN THAT WHERE YOU POST THE LINK IS SECURE AND THAT IT WILL NOT BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE STUDENTS

Open the email and click the link to go to their Google Drive OR open their Google Drive.
Click Shared with me.
Open the folder.
Right click on a file OR single click the file and click More actions.

Pick Make a copy.
Go to My Drive and double click the Copy file to open it.
Rename the file. Now students will be able to work on, edit, and have a copy of their own file.

WHAT ABOUT THE PDF ASSIGNMENT SHEETS?

Each TechnoKids project has a Workbook folder. In it, are digital assignments that students can use to follow instructions and type their answers. Your students must make a copy of each PDF assignment. This will save the file to their Google Drive. They can then use the Chrome extensions XODO or KAMI to open the file and type their answers. To learn more read the blog article, PDF Reader for TechnoKids Files or watch the video, Annotate with XODO TechnoKids Workbooks.

Google Docs Keyboard Shortcuts

In a previous post I listed some keyboard shortcuts for Google Slides. Here’s a list of some Google Docs keyboard shortcuts for a PC that may help to speed up your work.

keyboard shortcuts google docs

Action	Keyboard Shortcut
Working with a Document
Open a file	CTRL + O
Insert a page break	CTRL + ENTER
Find	CTRL + F
Find again	CTRL + G
Find and replace	CTRL + H
Insert a footnote	CTRL + ALT + F
Find the word count	CTRL + SHIFT + C
Go to the beginning of the document	SHIFT + HOME
Go to the end of the document	SHIFT + END
Print a document	CTRL + P
Editing Shortcuts Common to Many Apps
Undo	CTRL + Z
Redo	CTRL + Y
Copy	CTRL + C
Cut	CTRL + X
Paste	CTRL + V
Paste without formatting	CTRL + SHIFT + V
Duplicate	CTRL + D
Select all	CTRL + A
Text Shortcuts Common to Many Apps
Bold text	CTRL + B
Italic text	CTRL + I
Underline text	CTRL + U
Insert a numbered list	CTRL + SHIFT + 7
Insert a bulleted list	CTRL + SHIFT + 8
Insert a link	CTRL + K
Increase font size of selected text	CTRL + SHIFT + >
Decrease font size of selected text	CTRL + SHIFT + <
Working with Paragraphs
Left align	CTRL + SHIFT + L
Right align	CTRL + SHIFT + R
Center align	CTRL + SHIFT + E
Justify	CTRL + SHIFT + J
Increase paragraph indentation	CTRL + ]
Decrease paragraph indentation	CTRL + [
Apply normal text style	CTRL + ALT + O
Working with Images and Drawings
Resize larger	CTRL + ALT + K
Resize smaller	CTRL + ALT + J

If I’ve missed any that you use and find handy, please let me know. To see a list of PC, Mac, and Chrome OS shortcuts for computer, android, Iphone and Ipad go to Keyboard Shortcuts for Google Docs.

Spanish Resources for Teachers

Are you teaching in Spanish? Do you have English Language Learners who need support? Is your classroom bilingual? Do you need quality instructional materials to engage students and help them succeed? Great news! TechnoKids Inc. has released a collection of technology projects in Spanish. These Spanish resources have lessons designed for elementary, middle school, and high school students.

NEW! Spanish Resources TechnoKids Technology Projects

The Spanish Bundle by TechnoKids Inc. is a collection of three of our most popular technology projects – TechnoToon, TechnoResearch, and TechnoCandy. Each technology project has a teacher guide, workbook, and resources. All instructional activities, materials, and assessment tools are in Spanish. The lessons have detailed instructions for Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides. They are ideal for a language learning program. In addition, they can be used to help students that are not yet proficient in English to succeed in a classroom setting.

Spanish Activities for Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Slides

The lesson plans in the Spanish Bundle use a project based learning approach. Students use technology to create a digital story, design a research card, and manipulate data to develop a solution. The Spanish activities blend technology skills with language arts and mathematics.

Spanish resources for teachers and students.

TechnoToon: Create a digital story using Google Slides. Combine images, text, and animation to produce an animated comic strip. Have students write the story in Spanish or use the Spanish worksheets to assist English Language Learners who need support.

View a digital story made using TechnoKids Spanish resources.

TechnoResearch: Design a Fun Fact Card using Google Docs. Research a topic and then organize information into an informative publication. Develop essential Internet research and word processing skills. Have language learners write the fun fact card in Spanish or have Hispanic students use the materials to independently follow instructions.

TechnoCandy: Boost candy sales. Analyze data using Google Sheets and then recommend a solution in a Google Docs report. Teach essential spreadsheet skills. Integrate technology into a language learning program or provide English Language Learners with Spanish resources to succeed in the classroom.

View a sample spreadsheet lesson in Spanish.

Computers and technology are valuable tools that can help students learn a language. Activities from the Spanish Bundle use Google Apps to provide meaningful tasks that encourage independence and make learning fun.