Friday, December 8, 2017

Weekly Tech Tips and News for December 8, 2017

Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette
St. Michael's Church, Ballinasloe, Ireland
Today we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception, meaning the Blessed Virgin Mary was born with out the stain of original sin. This feast was not widely celebrated until the mid 19th century. Although the concept of the Immaculate Conception had been debated in the Church for centuries, it was after Mary appeared to St. Bernadette at Lourdes and proclaimed "I am the Immaculate Conception", that it acquired more significance. It was officially declared part of the Catholic Church dogma by Pope Pius IX in 1854. There is your abbreviated Church history lesson for the day.

Returning to the technology theme of this blog, there are lots of tips for everyone this week. Learn how to speed up your Windows PC, personalize your Gmail, play holiday games and create cards. For math teachers, find out how you can create math quizzes, and other math games and resources. Check out the topics below and learn something new.




How to Refresh and Maintain Your PC's Performance


How to Use a Custom Background in Gmail

How to Use a Custom Background in Gmail, from How-To Geek by Michael Crider
So many of us love to customize our computer wallpapers and themes to reflect our personalities. Did you know you can do the same to your Gmail account? There are a wide variety of themes from which to choose - or you can use your own image. Mine is the colorful, blown glass by the artist Dale Chihuly. What will yours be?

Making Google Forms Quizzes with Math (Free, Easy and Quick)

Making Google Forms Quizzes with Math (Free, Easy and Quick), from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Yes, Math teachers, you too can automate your quizzes!

Seven Tips for Getting More Out of Google Slides

Seven Tips for Getting More Out of Google Slides, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
There are some really great tips here, such as adding fonts, masking or editing your image, getting help with Explore, and more.

Play "Mystery Animal" with Google

Play "Mystery Animal" with Google, from Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts
Looking for a fun way to kill time, but also teach questioning skills and critical thinking skills? Mystery Animal by Google is a great choice.

Math Games and Resources

Math Games and Resources, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
There are 16 different sites listed in this post, for both Elementary and Middle School ages. Suggest them to kids and parents for drilling those skills, or have your students use them in class.

Four Alternatives to YouTube Kids

Four Alternatives to YouTube Kids, from How-To Geek by Justin Pot
Many complaints lately have highlighted that YouTube Kids is not completely kid-safe anymore. Here are four truly safe viewing options for your kids.

What's a Holiday Without Kahoot!?

With several holidays approaching, of course there's a Kahoot! for that. They'e outdone themselves this year with a calendar, where they will be adding a new holiday-themed Kahoot! each day during December. These games will cover all of this season's holidays:  Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year. There's even a contest to go with it. Check out the calendar and full details on the Kahoot! holiday page.

Holiday Greeting Card Creators for Kids

Holiday Greeting Card Creators for Kids, from Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne
This year when your students are creating greeting cards, try making them digitally, using Storyboard That or Canva.
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