Going Google
Volume 7
Google Tip #1 - Chrome Search by Image
You already know how to search FOR an image, but did you know that you can search BY an image with Google? Even if you are not using the Chrome browser, you can install the Chrome extension or Firefox extension to be able to search by image. Use your own photos or photos from the web.
Drag and Drop - select an image from the web or from your computer and drag it into the google image search box.
Uploading - Click the camera icon on the Google Images screen, then paste in the URL or select a file. You can also right-click on an image to copy the URL.
Drag and Drop - select an image from the web or from your computer and drag it into the google image search box.
Uploading - Click the camera icon on the Google Images screen, then paste in the URL or select a file. You can also right-click on an image to copy the URL.
Imagine if students researched using only photos of a piece of art or landmarks! Create an interesting scavenger hunt using pictures of historic objects or celebrities. It’s also a way to find out where an image has originated.
Google Tip #2 - Autocrat Script
Have you ever wanted to autogenerate a document from spreadsheet or form data? Well, now you can with the help of the Autocrat script.
What do you need: a form with corresponding spreadsheet data or just a spreadsheet AND a corresponding Google Doc for the data to merge into.
When would you use this? To generate letters of recommendation from student applications (via a form), to create certificates of attendance from spreadsheet data, or any other document you want merged.
How is this different than Microsoft’s mail merge? Well, with Autocrat, you can have the merged form auto-sent via email to a list of recipients. This is great to do at the beginning of the year when students and parents fill out their contact information in a form. It can merge that information into a corresponding document (like a welcome letter with classroom information) and email it to each of the students/parents.
Directions:
Create the templates
Install Autocrat scrpt
Run Autocrat script
Now, your spreadsheet will automatically generate a Google Doc with the necessary data anytime someone submits a form or fills out the spreadsheet.
Follow this tutorial for some ideas on using Autocrat in the classroom.
What do you need: a form with corresponding spreadsheet data or just a spreadsheet AND a corresponding Google Doc for the data to merge into.
When would you use this? To generate letters of recommendation from student applications (via a form), to create certificates of attendance from spreadsheet data, or any other document you want merged.
How is this different than Microsoft’s mail merge? Well, with Autocrat, you can have the merged form auto-sent via email to a list of recipients. This is great to do at the beginning of the year when students and parents fill out their contact information in a form. It can merge that information into a corresponding document (like a welcome letter with classroom information) and email it to each of the students/parents.
Directions:
Create the templates
- First, you need to create a Google form/spreadsheet to gather data.
- Then, you need to create a Google Doc template where your merged data will appear.
Install Autocrat scrpt
- Next, go to Tools--Script Gallery.
- Search for “autocrat”
- Click on the “install” button next to Autocrat (be sure to choose the one in English)
- On the “authorization required” screen, click OK.
Run Autocrat script
- Click on the authorization tab on your spreadsheet (after tools and help) and click: run initial configuration.
- Step 1: Choose a template--browse for the Google Doc template you created earlier. Click “Save Settings.“
- Step 2: Select the spreadsheet that contains the data--browse for the current spreadsheet. Click “Save Settings.”
- Step 3: Set Merge Conditions--leave this one blank. Click “Submit.”
- Step 4: Set Field Mappings--Match the Google spreadsheet titles with the fields on your Google Docs template. Click “Save Settings.”
- Step 5: Set Merge Type: Click on corresponding box to save merged files to Docs, give the merged files a file-naming convention, select the type of file you want to create with your merged documents, and select whether or not to send merged files via email. Click “Save Settings.”
- Step 6: Preview/Run Merge: You can do a preview on the first row to see what it looks like. Click to run merge automatically.
Now, your spreadsheet will automatically generate a Google Doc with the necessary data anytime someone submits a form or fills out the spreadsheet.
Follow this tutorial for some ideas on using Autocrat in the classroom.
Google Tip #3 -Google Clock
Do you need a clock on your computer to give you an audible alarm? Google Extensions are extra features that can be added to your chrome browser to add functionality and productivity while using chrome. One of the extensions available is Google Clock. Google Clock allows you to open a clock in your chrome browser and set reminders with sound that will alert you at a specific time. The clock remains hidden until you need it.
To install Google Clock go to your chrome settings and open your google extensions. Search for google clock and add to chrome.
To install Google Clock go to your chrome settings and open your google extensions. Search for google clock and add to chrome.
Open Clock
To open the clock you will need to click on the clock hands icon in the upper right hand corner of your chrome browser. The link is next to the chrome controls icon.
Set Preferences
Once the clock opens, you will want to set your preferences and reminders. Click on the gear in the lower right hand corner of the clock window.
Customize your Preferences
Customize the features of your clock and go to reminders to set your reminders.
To open the clock you will need to click on the clock hands icon in the upper right hand corner of your chrome browser. The link is next to the chrome controls icon.
Set Preferences
Once the clock opens, you will want to set your preferences and reminders. Click on the gear in the lower right hand corner of the clock window.
Customize your Preferences
Customize the features of your clock and go to reminders to set your reminders.
Setting Reminders:
- To set a reminder start by labeling your reminder.
- Attach a sound to your reminder by choosing one from the Sound drop down menu. No sound is the default.
- Set the time for your reminder.
- To repeat the reminder click on the repeat button. You will be given the choice to repeat every day or just certain days.
- Click on Add New Reminder to save.