Microsoft Office Tip May 15, 2012
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Useful Stuff , add a commentIf you are using the newer versions of Microsoft Office that have the ribbon at the top, you can view more of the document you are working on by temporarily “minimizing” the ribbon. It’s really easy to do … simply double-click on whatever tab you have open in the ribbon, and the ribbon will disappear. When you want it back, double-click on the tab again and it will re-appear!
Happy Computing!
~Katrina
360º Interactive Images May 8, 2012
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Web Resource , add a commentThis is one of the coolest websites I’ve seen in a while. The 3DTOAD.com website includes various collections of images that you can “spin” around to see all sides of the image. So for example, if you are studying the human skeleton, you can access this site, find the picture of the human skeleton and use your mouse to turn the picture to see all sides. The image collections include:
Animal Skeletons, Ballet Positions, Chemistry, Computer Networking, Coral, Dental Hygiene, Dental Program, Dissections, Emergency Preparedness, Fossils, History, Human Skeleton, Music, Geology, TRX Workout, Yoga.
Check this one out … I think you might find some great visuals to use in your classroom!
Happy Computing,
~Katrina
A Game A Day May 1, 2012
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Web Resource , add a commentThe A Game A Day website, is exactly what its name implies … a website with a different game for everyday. Actually there are two games for every day, a Level I game and a Level II game. The games are all word games of different types, and some of them are actually quite challenging. This is definitely a site for the older kids, but one that will get them thinking and encourage them to expand their vocabulary skills. Many of the games do require Java, which is a free download.
Happy Computing,
~Katrina
Reading Logs April 24, 2012
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Useful Stuff, Web Resource , add a commentFrom the “TeachersFirst” list of Classroom Resources:
“Reading Logs simplifies reading, spelling, and vocabulary practice and organization. Spelling, reading goals, and vocabulary word lists are provided (online) for you! Upload learning materials to access online. These items are incorporated into the electronic reading log, vocabulary card creator, and the spell practice system. Upload reading lists and reading goals. Goals can be weekly or monthly and can be set up to track the number of minutes or the number of books read. Post vocabulary lists that can be printed or viewed online. Information can be accessed on stand-alone computers, smart phones, and tables. Registration requires an email address.”
I haven’t had a chance to really dig into this site, but at first glance it looks really handy. As a parent, I would love to have the spelling lists, etc. accessible all the time — that would do away with the “I left my spelling list at school” excuse and make it much easier for me to ensure my child has done his homework. Check out ReadingLogs … perhaps a great resource to help you get parents involved.
Happy Computing,
~Katrina
The Awesome Highlighter April 17, 2012
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Useful Stuff , add a commentHighlight What’s Important
The Awesome Highlighter is an easy-to-use tool for highlighting, clipping, saving and sharing what you find interesting on the web. Using the tool, you can highlight chunks of text from a website and save just that text, along with the URL, to your Awesome Highlighter account. You can also add notes to the text, sort your clippings by date or domain and sort them into groups (for example: text, images, videos). To use the online tool, you will need to install a bookmarklet that you click while viewing any page. If you don’t want to install the bookmarklet, you can simply enter a URL on the homepage to take advantage of all of the highlighting and sharing options.
Click Here to Access Free Tool
Happy Computing,
~Katrina
Top Ten Tips for Troubleshooting your Computer Problems March 13, 2012
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Uncategorized , add a comment- Double check that all electrical connections are firmly plugged in, and any surge protectors you are using are turned on.
- Double check that all connections for your computer peripherals (mouse, keyboard, etc.) are plugged in tightly, and are plugged into the correct spot.
- Restart your computer.
- Your computer is locked up and won’t let you restart? Hold down the power button (usually for about 5 seconds) — the computer should restart.
- Having troubles logging on, or your password doesn’t seem to be working? If you use the number pad on the right side of your keyboard, be sure the “Num Lock” is on. Also, be sure that “Caps Lock” is not on!
- Make sure that the domain line says MCSD.
- Are you using the correct password? It’s easy to get them all confused these days.
- Is your document not printing? Check the lower right corner of your screen to see if there is a little printer there. If there is, double click on it to see what the status of the print job is.
- If there is no printer and it appears that your document should have printed … go through the steps to print it again, but don’t click the print button again. Instead look to see what printer is listed. Perhaps your document did print — just not to where you intended.
- Restart your computer … I know I said it before, and it sounds kind of lame, but 9 times out of 10, that will fix whatever is ailing your computer!
Then, if all of these things fail … visit your media center to see if someone on staff can help you. If they can’t then it will be time to submit a work order to the Technology Department.
Happy Computing!
~Katrina
Dropbox March 6, 2012
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Mobile App, Useful Stuff , add a commentDropbox is a cloud-based service that allows you to save files and access them from anywhere you can gain access to the Internet AND also allows you to easily share files with other people. Files that are put in your dropbox are automatically synced across all of your various devices, making it easy to obtain your files whether you are at your desktop computer, using a laptop or tablet, or even on your smart phone!
Signing up for, and using Dropbox is free, and very simple to use. Visit www.dropbox.com to sign up for a free account. Once you are signed up, you can use the site either by visiting their website, or you can “download dropbox” which will add a folder to your computer(s) which you can literally drop files into and they will automatically sync with all your other devices. There are also Dropbox apps available for iPad, Android and iPhone. You can make folders within your dropbox to keeps things organized and you also have the ability to share specific files with people, should you choose to do so.
Dropbox is an extremely easy way to make sure you have access to your files no matter where you are, and much easier than emailing files to yourself.
Give it a try. An invite is not required, but if you’d like one, let me know and I’ll send one your way.
Happy Computing
~Katrina
Tabbed Browsing February 28, 2012
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : How To , add a commentTabs are one of the best additions to Internet browsing software! Tabs really allow you to multitask and keep things you use often, handy. Here are some basics associated with using tabs.
1) To open a new tab, click on the “new tab button”
2) To open a link in a new tab, use your scrolling ball on your mouse as a button to click on the link.
3) To re-open a tab you recently closed, use the keystroke CTRL-Shift-T.
4) You can rearrange tabs by clicking on the tab and move it to the left or right to have your tabs appear in the order which works best for you.
5) You can set your browser to open multiple tabs upon start-up.
For Firefox: Navigate to the options screen (Firefox | Options | Options). Once at the options window, enter the URL’s of the webpages you wish to have open on start up placing a vertical divider between addresses. The vertical divider can be found on the key directly above the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
For Internet Explorer: Navigate to the options screen (Tools | Internet Options). Once at the options window, enter the URL’s of the webpages you wish to have open on start up on separate lines.
If you haven’t tried using tabs yet, I encourage you to make use of this very useful browsing software feature.
Happy Computing
~Katrina
Using the Advanced Search option in Google February 21, 2012
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : How To, Web Resource , add a commentIf you’ve never done more than a basic search in Google, you’re missing out. Actually all search engines have an advanced search option, and for the most part, they all work in a similar manner, but today I’m going to focus on Google’s advanced search. By using the advanced search option in Google, you can really narrow down your search results, and usually you can get to the good stuff a lot faster. The advanced search option used to be a small, unobtrusive link just below the main search box, but with the latest changes Google has been making they have moved it and made it (in my opinion) a bit harder to find, but it’s still there.
To use the advanced Search option, simply click on the gear in the upper right. If you are logged into a Google account, the gear will be next to your name.
If you are not logged into a Google account, the gear will be down just slightly, and you may have to type in your search before you see the gear. Click on the gear and choose “Advanced Search” from the options listed. You will then get this screen:
This screen gives you the ability to search by multiple words, an exact phrase, or a set of up to three words that would be acceptable. You can also indicate any words/terms you would like to totally eliminate from your search. The bottom half of the page is where you can get really specific though; under the “Need more tools?” section you can choose a reading level, language and what file types you are looking for. If you click on the “Date, usage rights, usage and more” link you can limit your results to items that were just posted in the last 24 hours, past week, past month, past year, and you can choose to search for things that are free of licensing restrictions. This last option is a great tool to use when looking for graphics for presentations and publications.
Try using some of these advanced search features … you’ll find that you spend less time slogging through search results and more time getting right to the information you need.
Happy Computing
~Katrina
RIF Reading Planet December 6, 2011
Posted by Katrina Gormley in : Web Resource , add a commentThe RIF (Reading is Fundamental) Reading Planet Book Zone webpage is not only a fun place for kids to visit, but also a great place for parents and teachers to find out more about books. Students can also become a member of the “Reading Planet Club”, for free. This membership allows students to:
- Vote on what goes into the Reading Planet website.
- Get a sneak peek at contest and new features on the Reading Planet!
- Track their reading!
- Get an eCard from RIF on their birthday.
- Answer monthly Sound Off questions and be entered into drawings to win prizes.
A great website to help encourage young readers. Check it out!!
