Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Virtual Math Manipulatives

FREE Virtual Math Manipulatives for Chromebook and Computer Users


Virtual Math Manipulatives Glencoe Math by McGraw Hill.

McGraw Hill has another small selection of virtual manipulatives.

The Math Learning Center

The Math Learning Center has web apps (these also are available as iPad apps and Chrome extensions) that are fabulous.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

iTools has several easy to use math manipulatives for a variety of grade levels:

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

OMNI ID SSO for Students

Just like teachers have an OMNI ID Portal SSO, students have one as well.

SSO = Single Sign On

So once students sign into it, they are signed into many things and don't have to sign in again.

The Student Link for this is at the top of the Eagle Lake Media Page.

This is the student's OMNI ID Link.


  These are the apps that they get into                                                                    when they log in one time.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Math Manipulative Apps - in any browser online - no installing necessary!

This week's Tech Tuesday is a collection of math manipulative apps that can be used in any web browser, no installing necessary!  Geoboard, fractions, money, number line, number pieces, pattern shapes, and more. 

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

IXL on ipads

Have students use the IXL app on their ipads.  The first time that anyone logs into the app, they must type the "@mankato", and then it will ask if they want to "save" the @mankato.  If you click "yes" the students won't have to type that again.

You might want to go through and have one student fix this on all your classroom's ipads.  If you have younger students, talk to a 4th or 5th grade teacher and have them send one of their techs to help you do your ipads.  I just taught Boston in 4L to do his classes.  He could come do lower grades...

Thanks.
Shelly

Wep Paint Extension


Web Paint is a GREAT extension I found that can help teachers write over top of anything in the Chrome browser. It also has a screenshot tool to take a picture of annotations if one wishes.

Teachers can certainly get this extension if they are interested:



Once you download it, it appears in the upper right hand corner of your screen.

Inline image 1

It is the one that looks like a paint palette.  
-- 

Monday, May 22, 2017

Transferring / Upload ALL files to Google Drive

Transferring / Upload ALL files to Google Drive

During the summer, our techs will re-image computers to keep our district operating systems secure. Computers can/will move rooms. There is no guarantee that your desktop computer will retain all its data. Please move your data over to Google Drive. Moving “your stuff” can be a time consuming process, but once everything is in Google Drive you will always have your data safe, secure, and accessible anywhere on any device.
There are three options to save your data:
  • Use Google Drive (provided by MAPS)
  • store all files on a USB memory stick, jump drive, or SD card (not provided by MAPS)
  • burn them to a CD or DVD (not provided by MAPS)
By moving your files online you will not lose your files in the event of a computer crash, theft of your device, virus infection, or an accidental spill of your favorite drink on your device.

Video by Tyler Hintz MS from Hoover Elem on backing up data (5:33)



First: Watch Google Drive: One safe place for all your stuff (1:16)



Second: Drive Settings- DO NOT Convert your documents into Google formats
If you want to upload files like Smart Notebook Files, and do not want them formatted as a Google Doc, you can change a setting to NOT convert files to Google format. You can always convert your files over to a Google format later.


  1. In Google Drive, Click the gear
  2. Choose Settings or go to drive.google.com/drive/settings.
  3. Make sure “Convert Uploads” is NOT SELECTED
  4. Click “Done


Third: On your laptop and/or desktop computer (s) - Upload files to Drive


On your laptop/computer, you can upload from drive.google.com. You can upload files into private or shared folders.
TIP: We recommend moving all your materials (docs, photos, videos, downloads, bookmarks, etc...) to Drive into one folder first, ex: folder name with your name or something like Teacher Transfer. Create a folder on your desktop, or where you save your documents. Then drag/move all materials into that folder.  
How to: In Drive Select, New, Folder Upload, and select your folder you created ex: Teacher , then sit back and let the upload happen (this may take quite some time depending on how much stuff you have, so leave your machine on, and laptop plugged in) go teach, take a coffee break, or go home. If needed, repeat these steps if you use multiple computers. Any folder structure you have will be uploaded as you had it.
By using just one folder, you can see if all the materials transferred into Drive. Anything missing you can find and then repeat this process. After the upload you can organize as you wish.
Alternative methods: Google’s method for uploading from their Google Drive Support Site:

Drag files into Google Drive
Use the Google Drive application for your Mac/PC
  1. On your computer, go to drive.google.com.
  2. Open or create a folder.
  3. To upload files and folders, drag them into the Google Drive folder.
  1. Install the application on your computer.
  2. On your computer, you'll see a folder called "Google Drive".
  3. Drag files or folders into that folder. They will upload to Drive and you will see them on drive.google.com



On your Pad / iPhone - Auto backup photos and Videos to Drive (fastest way):

  1. If needed: Install the Google Drive App on your iPad
  2. Open the Google Drive app.
  3. Tap Settings bar in top left  
  4. Tap Settings
  5. Adjust the sliders for the Google Photos Folder and Auto Backup so they are blue:.   
  6. Chose the type quality you want (remember we get unlimited storage)
  7. Make sure you select Over Wi-Fi only for both Photos and Videos
  8. At the top of the screen, Tap the Back arrow, and then Exit out of settings.
  9. Sit back and watch the transfer happen.


If Needed: On your Pad / iPhone - Upload other files to Drive

  1. If needed: Install the Google Drive App on your iPad
  2. Open the Google Drive app.
  3. Tap Add .
  4. Tap Upload.
  5. Find and tap the files (photos and videos, or More) you want to upload. Tip: Upload about 10-15 photos or 1-2 videos at a time to not overwhelm/crash the app.  
  6. At the top of the screen, Tap Done to upload .
  7. You'll see a status bar at the bottom of your screen. To view your file(s), touch Locate.


Import settings from another browser

When you first download Google Chrome from http://www.google.com/chrome, your personal data -- like your browsing history and homepage -- is automatically imported from your default browser into Google Chrome. If you want to import additional settings (like bookmarks, search engines, and saved passwords) or settings from another browser, follow these steps:
  1. Close any other browsers that are open.
  2. Open Google Chrome.
  3. Click the Chrome menu Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.
  4. Select Bookmarks.
  5. Click Import bookmark and settings.
  6. In the "Import bookmarks and settings" dialog that appears, select the application that contains the settings you'd like to import.
  7. Click Import.



iTunes on a Chromebook

iTunes doesn't work on Chromebooks, but you can listen to your music collection by moving it to Google Play Music, a free alternative service. This will make your music available for listening over the web on Mac or iOS, PC, Android and Chromebooks.
To move your music collection to Google Play Music, install Google Play Music for Chrome.
You can also use other services like Spotify or Deezer to enjoy a huge library of music on the web.

Backup iTunes to Google Drive

Follow instructions on Apple Support site: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201625
When you get here: Drag the iTunes folder from its location to an external drive [select Google Drive as your destination]. Your library and media files copy to the drive.



Move your Downloads folder from your local Chromebook to your Google Drive

On a Chromebook there is a small amount of local storage. By default the Downloads folder stores information there.  Move this to Google Drive so you can access these files anywhere.
  1. Open Google Drive
  2. Create a new folder titled “Downloads
  3. Open Chrome.
  4. In the top right, click Menu Chrome menu.
  5. Click Settings.
  6. Click Show advanced settings and scroll down to the "Downloads" section.
  7. Adjust your download settings:
    • click Change and select the folder you named ‘Downloads’ in Google Drive.


Leaving the district - I want some or all of the stuff I created in my new position
Google Takeout- Any G Suite product can be downloaded and transferred through this process. NOTE: download a few at a time. If you try to download them all at the same time, it will fail.
Google Transfer - Drive files you own and Email to another gmail account

Monday, May 8, 2017

Digital Breakout EDU

Click here for the link to get started.

All the students need is a Chromebook and access to Google Drive.

The difficulty levels are out of 10 and are subjective. The levels do not correspond to grade level. Levels 1-4 are good for elementary, 4-6 for middle school, 6-8 for high school, and 8-10 for adults. All games are appropriately challenging for their level. 


Friday, April 21, 2017

Google Docs - Change the Capitalization in a Document


A new feature in Google Docs lets you change the 
font selection to all upper case, all lower case or Title.

Click here to see how.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Looking for an alternative to posters or slideshow reports?  Try one of the following...

Click here for a link of project ideas that are Poster Alternatives!



Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Amazon Inspire Beta


Amazon is rolling out a free service for the search, discovery, and sharing
of digital educational resources.  You can sign up now to be one of the first to have access to this new, free resource.  Go to the link above to register.

Check out the video on the link to see what it's all about.

BookFlix Trial

Scholastic BookFLIX Trial for Eagle Lake Elementary ....

See the link to Bookflix on the upper lefthand side of our EL Media Webpage to have your students get to the link for Bookflix.    We have a trial from now - the end of May.

Username is bkflix
Password is cherry

Scholastic BookFlix is an online literacy resource that pairs classic video storybooks from Weston Woods with related nonfiction eBooks from Scholastic to build a love of reading and learning. The engaging way to link fact and fiction, BookFlix reinforces early reading skills and introduces children to a world of knowledge and exploration.



We also have access to 2 new Scholastic Websites:  
Give them a try and let us know what you think.
Providing credible,       accurate, reliable content on almost every core-curricula subject, Scholastic GO! ®offers endless resources for research in a multitude of media. Explore nonfiction texts, world newspapers, videos and more with this easy-to-navigate digital resource designed to strengthen content knowledge, vocabulary, and core proficiency skills.

To access your free trial, please visit: http://go.grolier.com/freetrial 
Username: groliergo 
 Password: cherry 
 Access expires: 5/15/2017 

Offering dozens of units to supplement social studies and science core curricula learning, TrueFlix® is a highly-engaging multimedia resource that can be used in the library, the classroom, on mobile devices, or at home.

To access your free trial, please visit: http://trueflix.scholastic.com/freetrial 
Username: trflix 
 Password: cherry 
 Access expires: 5/15/2017