Taylor ISD DuckLink # 60
empowering student success and school improvement
September 27, 2016
a publication of the Taylor ISD Technology Department
Still Not Using Google Docs?
Microsoft Word may have all the bells and whistles you could imagine but do you use them? Here are 10 reasons to use Google Docs.
- Automatically Save- You don't have to remember to save. It does it for you.
- Access Anywhere- You can pull up documents on any Internet connected device.
- Instant Updates- You no longer have to send revision after revision to others.
- Real-time Collaboration- Work on the same document with multiple people at the same time using the commenting, editing, or suggesting features,.
- Use as a Webpage- Publish your document directly as a webpage.
- The Research Tool- Easily add images, scholarly information, quotes, tables, etc in your document.
- Revision History- See all the revisions that you or others have made.
- Easily Share- Give access to anyone else you want to comment, view, or edit the document..
- Complimentary Apps- Update your documents using Apple or Google play apps.
- Voice Typing- Simply say your text and it will type it.
Start using Google Docs today! https://docs.google.com
Have You Noticed Training for Google Apps?
We now have a neat feature built into Google for training. Have you noticed the question mark symbol in the top right corner of the webpage? Whenever you work in any part of your Google drive you can click that for tutorials that will help you with the feature you are in. Give it a try.
Engage Students with Pear Deck
Get ready to see your class come alive with this great interactive tool called Pear Deck. We now have the Premium Version of Pear Deck for all students and staff. Some of you have been using Nearpod, Kahoot, Quizziz, and other great tools to share interactive presentations, games, etc with students. This tool has some very comparable features that I think you will love.
You can learn more by watching this video I created below.
Pear Deck Overview
Apps to Check Out
EDPuzzle
Epic Books
Newsela
Newsela builds reading comprehension by delivering daily news and nonfiction at the reading level that's just right for each student.
Reminders!
Here are some reminders that may be helpful.
- Brainpop- Getting Started with BrainPOP
- Discovery Education- Creating a Discovery Education Account
Subscribe to the IT Blog!
Visit the Instructional Technology blog. I hope to post a few tech tips per week. You can get a feed of the post via Google+ or visit the blog and sign up via email.
Help Desk Contact
Eduphoria Help Desk- http://eduphoria.taylorisd.org/
Phone: 512-365-5015 or x1900
Be sure to visit the Taylor ISD Technology site for more information.
Contact Information
JP Hale
Director of Instructional Technology
Taylor ISD
Email: jphale@taylorisd.org
Website: http://www.taylorisd.org
Location: 3101 North Main Street, Taylor, TX
Phone: 512-365-5015
Twitter: @haleedtech