Weekly Tech Tips and News for February 10, 2017

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As I post this, the Kindergartners across the hall are celebrating 100 day.  As they are walking around in their 100 capes, I realize we have had 100 days of learning and adventures this school year, and have at least 100 reasons to celebrate. We are well over halfway through the school year. The time goes by so quickly! Here are some updates, as well as some ideas for your classroom. Hopefully you can find some inspiration that works for you and your students. Keep warm and continue inspiring them to follow their curiosity and never stop learning.

• Keep Chrome Up To Date or Lose Gmail
• The G Suite Show: Classroom Updates
• Differentiation with Google Classroom
• 4 Fun Literacy Activities with Google Docs
• Try Know Recorder for Creating Video Lessons
• 10 Ways to Create Interactive Multimedia in any Grade/Subject
• 7 Places to Find Free Music & Sound Effects for Multimedia Projects

Keep Chrome Up To Date or Lose Gmail

Google has announced that for security reasons, Gmail will no longer work in older Chrome browsers by the end of the year, to be exact, version 53 and below. The current version is 56. Chances are if you are using the Chrome browser on a Windows or Mac computer, it's automatically updating, but it won't hurt to check it just in case. If you are using a Chromebook, it usually requires a restart to complete the automatic update, so pay attention to the little up arrow

when it appears in the status area (lower right corner-see image at right). The video below will show you how to update Chrome.

The G Suite Show:  Classroom Updates

Differentiation With Google Classroom

Differentiation With Google Classroom, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
There are several ideas - with examples - for differentiating assignments for your students with Google Classroom. Some of the ideas are based on student skill level, while others are based on learning styles.

4 Fun Literacy Activities with Google Docs 

4 Fun Literacy Activities with Google Docs from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
The activities are presented in both written and video form. Give them a try.

Try Know Recorder for Creating Video Lessons

Try Know Recorder for Creating Video Lessons, from Practical Ed Tech by Richard Byrne
I've talked about the benefits of screencasting in previous blog posts. Know Recorder and Know Lounge allows you to screencast from your iPad or Android tablet. It also gives you a whiteboard space on your device for live session with your students.

10 Ways to Create Interactive Multimedia in any Grade/Subject

10 Ways to Create Interactive Multimedia in any Grade/Subject, from Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller
Sutori is a free tool that lets students and teachers create multimedia projects (called stories) in a sequential or timeline manner. This is an exciting way to replace those posters and timelines with something interactive. Read the post for a full description, as well as ways for all grade levels to use it.

7 Places to Find Free Music & Sound Effects for Multimedia Projects

7 Places to Find Free Music & Sound Effects for Multimedia Projects, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne

In the same way photos and images can be copyright protected, so can music and sounds that you would like to use in a presentation or video. There are several sites that offer royalty-free music and sounds. Read about them here.