Rotated Text in Google Sheets

Do you still believe Google can't do everything Word can do?  Google Sheets now allows you to rotate the text! (Format > Text Rotation)  This is very useful when you need to fit a long header name into thin columns, or when you want to fit more text on one screen.

Simply select the desired cell/s, select Format, and text rotation.  You can then choose from a variety of styles including stacking vertically or angled to any of the above angles.

Need to include a table in your document?  Add borders and take a screenshot! (Command + Shift + 4)

Embedding Videos in Google Slides

The Google Suite has been a game changer in the classroom.  Collaboration and formatting features have increased communication and organization for both students and staff.  In true Google fashion, new features are always being added and improved.  Google Slides which is often used by teachers and students, now permits embedding videos directly from your Google Drive as well as from YouTube.  You can even set your video to start automatically or to start at a certain point in the video. Simply right click on the embedded video for more options!

Select Insert/Video

Enter the YouTube Url, search YouTube or select from your Google Drive

Click on your video selection/Select

Right click for more options

Pin Tabs

Do you avoid shutting down your computer because you don’t want to lose your open tabs in Chrome?  It is important to regularly shut down your computer.  But if you pin your most used tabs, they will open automatically when you re-open Chrome.  

Pinning tabs also provide additional space on your computer screen when researching or planning a lesson.  I have pinned my favorite tabs but I still have many tabs open as I work on a project.

To pin a tab, simply hover over the tab and then right click (two finger click) on your trackpad.  A new menu will open allowing you to select 'Pin Tab'.  To unpin a tab, simply right click again and select “Unpin Tab”.  

You will also notice some other options on this menu.  You can open and close tabs, bookmark tabs or even mute a tab.  

Another great shortcut to remember is how to re-open a tab you accidently closed.  You can use the same drop down menu or select “shift + command + t” simultaneously.  Your last tab/s will reopen!  

Check out this brief video to learn how to pin tabs!

Just Read Extension

Today’s tip is the Chrome extension, Just Read.  Often times articles, websites, and blogs will have excessive amounts of advertisements, comments, and other unrelated text.  This can be very distracting to the reader.  With one click, Just Read removes the excess text so just the article (and pertinent images) appear on the page.  You can use this tool for articles you display whole class or each student can have ease of reading at their fingertips.  You can also change the background color or size of the text for any students with visual challenges.

The excess text, comments and advertisements are removed once you click on the Just Read extension at the top right of your screen.

This extension has been pushed out to all 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. But you can also add it to your Google Account from the Chrome Web Store.