There may NOT be Shortcuts in Life, but there ARE Shortcuts in Keyboarding

You know what they say about shortcuts...there are none in life. Whoever said that was definitely NOT talking about shortcut keystrokes when using a computer. Shortcuts, keystrokes - whatever you prefer to call them can make you more efficient in any digital process and efficiency is what we are going for when it comes to required daily tasks! 

We recently blogged about MacBook shortcuts. That made me wonder are we teaching our students shortcuts? If not, we should be. 

Our secondary students are currently using Chromebooks for their 1:1 device. So today, I am highlighting some great shortcuts and resources for teaching Chromebook shortcuts or at least making them visible in the classroom. 

⌨️ Basic Shortcuts

Need a great keyboard shortcuts poster for your wall? Download the one pictured below here for free and display in your classroom. Focus on one shortcut a month to fine tune students' skills. (Note: this poster will open in Canva for you to download. You can create a Canva account using your Keller ISD credentials by logging in with Google. Canva is an amazing educational resource.) 

Would you prefer to teach a lesson on shortcuts? No need to create a resource, check out this Chromebook Tips presentation, a collection of sketches by Wanda Terral! 

⌨️ Navigation Shortcuts

Ever wanted to get somewhere on the Chromebook faster? Use these cool navigation shortcuts!

• Alt + Tab = Switch Windows
• 3️⃣-finger swipe (right or left) = Switch tabs
• Ctrl + W = Close a tab
  (click w multiple times to close multiple tabs)
• Ctrl + Shift + T - Reopen a tab (this one is a lifesaver 🆘!)
  (click T multiple times to reopen multiple tabs)

⌨️ Text Editing Shortcuts

These text editing shortcuts make linking, navigating, highlighting and deleting text a breeze!

• Ctrl + K = Insert link
• Ctrl + L = Highlights the URL of the site you are on
• Ctrl + right/left arrow = Navigate from word to word
• Ctrl + up/down arrow = Navigate from paragraph to paragraph
• Ctrl + Shift + right/left arrows = Highlight words
• Ctrl + Shift + up/down arrows = Highlight paragraphs
• Ctrl + backspace/delete = Delete words (instead of characters)

⌨️ More Resources

Chromebook Keyboard Shortcuts from Chromebook Help

The World at Your Fingertips: Google Lens

Now You’re Speaking My Language

If you are like me, I have an affinity for trying new foods. The best places are generally the hole in the wall places you hear about from a friend and are usually as authentic as it gets. Along with that can be a language barrier. My favorite Korean restaurant has many things in Korean. That is no longer a problem! Scan it with Google Lens and hit “Translate”. I can now order like a pro! No matter what your translation needs are, you can scan the image, poster, menu, etc and read it in your native language.
                              

I Love Your Shoes!

Have you ever been standing next to a stranger, looked down and realized their shoes are the best things since sliced bread? Too shy to ask them where they got them? Easily find where to buy them by snapping a picture and searching “Shopping” on Google Lens. PSA, you might want to ask if you can take a picture, but most people will be excited if you love their shoes as much as they do and agree.

I Just Saw the Best Quote

Motivational Monday sometimes hits me when I see the best quote printed on a side of a building or on a shop wall. Simply snap a picture and ask Google Lens to capture the text. Best thing is you can save the text and share it via Google Apps. One better, you can have it read the text to you!! Amazing, right? Now be motivated any day of the week when you save your favorite text in your Google Drive or Google Keep.

Is That Poison Ivy?

Leaves of three, let them be. Except when I don’t know if that plant has three leaves or are those just three parts to the leaves? Take a picture and identify the plant! Hiking or simply walking in the park doesn’t have to be so perilous. This also works for animals as well! Want to know what that bird that keeps circling you while you are trying to enjoy nature? Take a picture and search! Try not to get too close to the animal before taking a picture. We do not want to make the news about local animal attacks. There are better ways to become famous.

Remember Algebra? Me either…

I vaguely remember doing some kind of mystical math using letters and numbers in high school, but it was so long ago. Google Lens can produce step by step help after simply taking a picture of the problem! Become the expert in your household and amaze with your step by step help on all of those crazy problems that mix numbers and letters!


You’re sold right? Head over to your App Store on IOS or Google Play and grab Google Lens. You are now going to be the smartest person in the room! You have so much knowledge at your fingertips!

https://lens.google/

Announcing the Amazing APPLE CLASSROOM App

 

If you are a teacher with a MacBook, a teacher iPad and student iPads, you need to know about the amazing Apple Classroom app!

Apple Classroom is a Teacher App that assists you with guiding students during learning, sharing exemplary student work and managing a classroom of student devices. Apple Classroom can be used on BOTH the teacher iPad and the MacBook. Download Apple Classroom through Keller ISD's Self-Service App on either device. Note: Students do NOT need the Apple Classroom app.

🟠As a teacher, you will be able to:

• 🚀LAUNCH a specific app, website or book page to all students, a group of students or an individual student;
• 🤝SHARE documents between teacher and student;
• 📺SHARE student work using Apple TV;
• 👀VIEW what apps students are working in;
• 🔇MUTE student devices; and
• 📊Receive a SUMMARY of student activities at the end of a class.
  
  

🟠Setting up Apple Classroom is easy. In Keller ISD, your Apple Classroom classes will roster automatically. 

If you don't see rostered classes like the ones above, check the following:

• Are you and the students logged into the devices with your Keller ISD credentials?
• Is bluetooth turned on for all devices?
• Are the teacher and student devices on the same wi-fi?
• Do the teacher and student devices have the same iOS update?
  Note if you are not in Keller ISD, you can create your own classes in Apple Classroom and connect student iPads. See more information and help here.
  
  

🟠Now that you are set up, let's use Apple Classroom. Don't worry, we have plenty of resources for you!

    ☝️Click to open one of your classes.

    ✌️Use the VIEWS button to toggle between Student View and Screen View.

    👌Launch an app, a website or a page in Books to the class, a group or an individual.

    👊Use teacher actions on the class or on individual screens such as hide, lock, mute, and AirPlay.

    🖐Finally, end your class to see a Class Summary!

There is so much that makes Apple Classroom amazing! Dig into more resources below:

• KISD KIC Site - Apple Classroom (Look for the Apple Classroom button.)
• KISD EdTech Apple Classroom Playlist
• Apple Classroom Help by Apple
• Want 1 EQ Credit for learning? Watch the learning in a Canvas course. Find it here.