The EdTech Connection

Whether you are an administrator, teacher, or instructional coach, Nearpod has created a variety of sessions tailored to meet your needs and enhance your technology skills!

Some themed sessions include:

• Nearpod & Flocabulary best practices
• Engaging students through active learning experiences
• NEW Flocabulary & Nearpod features for back to school
• SEL, data-driven instruction, formative assessment & more

Register and see the full agenda HERE!

One of the things I'm asked about most often is how to organize and be more organized with Google. Because Google is a search-based platform, we sometimes forget that we can actually organize in it and with it to make our lives easier. So today, I want to share some of my favorite tips with Google that make me more efficient.

🔖 Organized tabs and bookmarks in Chrome

I have LOTS of bookmarks, but I keep them organized in folders. I even have one folder called "Let's Go!" that has the bookmarks I use everyday. When I log in to my computer in the morning, I can easily right-click on the folder and select "Open All in Tab Group" to open them all at one time.

When I find myself with two different Chrome windows and a million tabs, I can also organize the tabs I have open into different groups, which just makes it easier for me to find what I'm looking for.

Lastly, I keep Classlink as a pinned tab. As long as I have closed my other window first, it will remain pinned the next time I open Chrome!

📁 Folders in folders in color-coded and "iconed" folders

To help me find things more quickly in Drive, I have certain folders that are color-coded and "iconed." By that I mean that I have added an icon to the beginning of my most-used folders (ex: 🖥️ EdTech Coach). This way, they are sorted at the top of the list when sorted alphabetically. I also have colors on the same folders, because it makes my eye go more quickly towards them.

To add an icon, you can press the Windows key plus the period key to bring up your emoji keyboard. On a Mac, use Ctrl + Cmd + Space OR use the "globe" (🌐) key. If you're not a fan of emojis but would like certain folders to appear first, you could also rename them and number them, since numbers come "alphabetically" before letters (Ex. 01. EdTech Coach).

To change the color of a folder, right-click and select "Change color."

⭐ Other Organization Tips

Another way to quickly find your most-needed items is to "star" them so that they appear under your "Starred" list. To add a star to a file or folder:

• Right-click on it when in Drive and select "Add to starred." OR
• When you have an individual file open, click the star to the right of the file name.

Next, you can create a Workspace on your Priority tab. Every year, I create a new workspace and add the items I use most frequently to it. While I was finishing my doctorate, I also had one called "EdD Prep" and when I was still working with Lambert Dance Co, I had one called "LDC." Since I don't need either of those anymore, I simply chose to hide or remove them once I was done with them.

Finally, I completely ignore the "Shared with me" space. It can't be organized into folders, so instead I just search for what I need. If I really need to be able to organize a file to find it more quickly, I add a bookmark to it in my Drive, which allows me to add it to a folder.

Did you know that you don't have to wait on me or your ETC to answer your Canvas questions? FCS has partnered with Canvas to provide our teachers and staff 24/7 Canvas support. You can chat with a support person online OR, if you'd rather talk to someone on the phone, you can call the number!

To find these options, click the "Help" button and select "Chat with Canvas Support" or get the phone number to call them.

Keep in mind though that these options are ONLY for our teachers and staff. Canvas Support is legally obligated to not talk to students or parents, so don't share links or phone numbers.