Teacher Gmail Gets Cluttered: Create Filter to Skip the Inbox

 

Email is the primary form of communication among educators these days. A common pain point most of us share is too many emails. While the majority of the messages we receive are important and need our attention, many are nice to have, but clutter the inbox. A cluttered inbox can make you miss important messages. 

In my role, I support multiple school sites and, each day, I receive "daily bulletin" emails from each. Daily bulletin emails are important, but usually don't require my immediate attention. Using filters in Gmail, I created a system where these messages bypass my inbox and go directly into a label (folder) for daily bulletins. I know if I ever need to see a current bulletin or one from the past, I can open my Bulletins label and find the message. This system is one way I keep my inbox decluttered.

Below is a screenshot of my work Gmail account. On the left you see a Bulletins label and on the right you see the messages filed in that label. Each message in this label has the word "Bulletin" in the subject line. These messages never once appeared in my inbox. They immediately were filed in the Bulletins label upon receipt. I know that if I ever need to go check a bulletin, I can find it in my Bulletins label.

Start by clicking the weird little control panel looking button at the far right of the search bar at the top of Gmail.

A dropdown menu will appear. In this menu, you have a plethora of options for which to filter your search of Gmail. You can filter by who sent it (From), Subject and much more. If you are looking to filter emails from a certain edtech coach, this is the tip for you. In the example below, I chose to create a filter for emails with the Subject "Bulletin". Any email with the word "Bulletin" in the subject line will be put into this label.

After clicking Create filter, in the next pop up, you will set some more rules for your filter. To bypass your inbox and be placed into a label, first check the box for Skip the inbox (Archive it). Next, check the box for Apply the label. This option will let you select which label the message will be sent directly to. If you haven't created the label yet, you have the option to create a new label here. 

Creating filters for messages to skip the inbox is one way to declutter your inbox. You can create these for virtually any type of message you get often. For what will you create a skip the inbox filter? If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

Better Support English Learners: Two Easier Ways To Translate Text in Google Docs

Translating text to help English learners better access content can be a struggle if you don't speak the other language or have to deal with a clunky translation workflow. I speak a bit of Spanish, but I'm not that good where I can quickly translate text I type in Google Docs. I don't like having to tab hop constantly to copy and paste translated text from Google Docs. It's not difficult, but it is annoying.

Check my two favorite ways to translate entire documents or pieces of text within Google Docs WITHOUT having to tab hop, copy and paste.

Did you know there is a translator built right into Google Docs? It's hiding in plain sight within the Tools tab. The Translate document option will create a separate copy of your document in your selected language. This makes it super easy to create separate, non-English versions of Google Docs for English learners. 

When using this feature, the pop up you see below will appear. Click the button you see circled to choose the language from a long list of languages. When you click the Translate button, a new Google Doc will appear in a new tab with all the text translated.

Your new Google Doc will say it's been translated in the the title. This title can be renamed.

To help with English learners' development with the English language, it's a great strategy for them to see text in their own language, side by side, with the same text in English. They can begin to see patterns and make connections between the two languages. If you don't want to create a completely separate version in a different language, the tip demonstrated below is for you.

Start by going to Add-ons in the Google Docs toolbar. In the dropdown menu, click Get add-ons.

A Google Workspace Marketplace window will pop up. In the search bar, type translate. The first search result is Docs Paragraph Translate. Click that one.

Click the Install button to add it to your list of Add-ons.

In the sample below, I created a T-Chart with English text in one column and Spanish in the other column. I selected the English language text and then opened the Docs Paragraph Translate Add-on. The Add-on opens as a menu on the right side of the screen. Since I selected the English language text, all I had to do is click the blue Translate button. Immediately, the Spanish translation appeared in the box below. From there, I clicked on the document (Spanish column) where I wanted the translated text to appear and then clicked the Insert into Doc button.

Immediately, the Spanish translation was inserted into the place on the Doc where I wanted it.

Whether you want an entire separate, translated version or to translate certain parts of a Google Doc, you don't need to constantly tab hopping to Google Translate and copying/pasting. You can accomplish your translation with fewer clicks and all within the same tab. How will you use these tips to make Google Docs content more accessible for English learners?

If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

Help English Learners with Translator Chrome Extension for FASTER Translation

Vocabulary is very important for all learners, English learners in particular. Translating vocabulary, instructions, etc. isn't difficult thanks to the magic of free online translators such as Google Translate. The issue with translation it can be cumbersome. I could create separate versions of Quizlet study sets, Quizizz quizzes, instructions, etc. in another language, but that is time consuming. 

To help with their development with the English language, I like to have definitions, instructions, etc. translated into home languages side by side. I want them to see it both languages at the same time. To accomplish this, in the past, I kept Google Translate open in a separate tab. Tab switching isn't hard, but it's annoying. I have also used the Google Translate Chrome Extension which allowed me to select text, right click and select Google Translate, but it opens Google Translate in a new tab. 

To streamline my workflow, I looked for an alternate to the Google Translate Chrome Extension and I found the Translator Extension. Click here to add it to Chrome. With this, when highlight the text I want to translate, an icon appears. I click it and a pop-up appears where I can immediately see my text translated. I click the copy button and add to my document. This allows me to stay in the same tab the entire time.

 

The example below is how I use it when I translate Quizlet definitions into Spanish, side by side with English. 

I start by adding the English definition. Next, I select the text and click the Translator icon that appears next to my text.

A pop up appears showing my text translated into Spanish. There is a copy button in the top left of the pop up.

With my copied Spanish text, I paste next to the English text.

Not having to switch tabs makes translating much easier and less cumbersome. What are you looking to translate for English learners? If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

Increase Engagement with Flipgrid......Get Certified Too!

 

For kids these days, apps like TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube Shorts are all the rage. Students engage with these apps voluntarily. If you're looking to leverage the engagement students have with those apps with what you're teaching, give Flipgrid a whirl. The aforementioned apps incorporate video, filters, etc. Flipgrid is a great way to leverage those things with your students.

If you are reading this, it's very likely you're familiar with the basics of Flipgrid. If you're looking to up your Flipgrid game and connect with likeminded educators, check out Flipgrid's Certification program. Flipgrid offers three certification levels. Level 1 is called Certified Educator. Level 2 is called Certified Expert. Level 3 is called #GridGuide. Click here to begin your journey.

I, myself, recently completed the Level 1 Certification and am raring to have a go at Level 2. To get started with Level 1, Microsoft has created user friendly training course that will give you many ideas for how to use Flipgrid. Upon completion, you'll receive a badge like the one you see above.

For me, Flipgrid has been an invaluable tool for helping to empower and engage my English learners. It really helps increasing opportunities for listening and speaking. How will you use Flipgrid to increase engagement? 

If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

Get Started with "Choose Your Own Adventure" Stories Using Google Forms

 

Just the other day, I wrote a blog post on how to get started with "Choose Your Own Adventure" Stories using Google Slides. It's a great way to give multiple perspectives when students read as well as inject a little bit of voice and choice. If you're a fan of Google Forms, you can create these types of experiences with Forms too. One advantage Forms has over Slides is ability to track accountability. When students complete or submit, there is a record of them reading and which path they chose. You could have kids read all versions and do a comparison of the characters' journeys. The possibilities abound.

Take a look at the screenshots below to get started with the bare bones basics of creating "Choose Your Own Adventure" Stories with Google Forms.

The example below gives three options for students to choose. Jack and Jill went up the hill, but there are three forks in the road. They can fetch a pail of water, get a better view of the city or plant an oak tree. For this example, I typed the opening of the story as a multiple choice question and each option was a choice.

After putting the three options, I added a section for each option. Click the Add Section button (bottom right of the screenshot) to add sections for each option.

Below you can see the sections for each of the options kids can choose.

Next, I added a title and description to each section. Click the button you see circled (on the right of the screenshot) to add a title and description. In the title and description is where I typed a version of the story. Repeat this process for each section. For this example, I set each section or story version to dovetail at the same conclusion. At the bottom of the screenshot, you have a dropdown menu where you direct readers where to go next in the story after reading their chosen section. In this case, I directed them (in all three options) to go the end.

Below you can see the options of where to direct readers after reading a section.

Now we need to circle back to the original fork in the road and set it so each choice directs the reader to its respective version of the story. In the bottom right corner of the question, click the three dots.

In the menu that appears, select Go to section based answer.

You will see a "Continue to next section" button appear next to each option. 

Click each "Continue to next section" button to determine which section the reader will go to based on their choice. Repeat this for each choice.

Below is what it looks like once you've set the destination for each choice.

The example shown above is a very basic way to get started. The story was not overly complicated. The more versions and or forks in the road you put will require more planning and sections. My advice is to start simple and slowly branch out to create more in-depth stories. The GIF below shows all three versions of the story shown in the screenshots.

How will you use "Choose Your Own Adventure" Stories? If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com.  My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

Get Started with "Choose Your Own Adventure" Stories Using Google Slides

 

A "Choose Your Own Adventure" Story is a fun, simple way to empower students to explore a variety of possibilities when reading a story. Instead of everyone reading the story in the same timeline, students can choose where to go at "forks in the road" of the story. The magic of linking text boxes to other slides makes this relatively easy to create with Google Slides.

Start by putting all the pieces of your story and the various versions onto their respective slides. Once your slides are created, at "forks in the story", create text boxes for kids to choose the direction they want to go. In the example below, there are two options. 

For each option, select the text with your cursor and right click. In the menu that appears, click Link. 

After clicking Link, select Slides in this presentation. This will allow you to choose which version of the story the student will navigate to.

Choose the slide that corresponds to the respective version of the story. Repeat this process for each version.

Below is a simple example of what it would look like if a student chose Option 1. 

Below is a simple example of what it would look like if a student chose Option 2. 

How will you use "Choose Your Own Adventure" Stories in your class? If you have some cool examples, please share on Twitter with the hashtag #OrganicEdTech or send me a link to ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

Quickly Translate the Text on Your Google Slides

Back to School Night season is upon us and Google Slides are a valuable tool in presenting your classroom's rules, expectations and more to parents. For parents who speak a language other than English, it can be difficult to translate an English language presentation. For English learner students, not being able to see Slides presentations in their home language is a learning barrier. 

To help remedy these issues, take a look at the Translate My Slide Add On in Google Slides. Below is a sample slide typed completely in English. The Translate My Slide Add On will translate the text typed on the slide to a myriad of languages.

Start by clicking the Add-ons tab on the toolbar. From there, click Get add-ons.

The Google Workspace Marketplace will appear. In the search bar, type translator. Among the results, you'll see Translate My Slide. Click it to open and then click Install.

After installation, the next time you click the Add-ons tab, Translate My Slide will appear as an option. Click it and then click Start a new translation.

On the right side of your presentation, the a menu will appear. In this menu, choose your source language and target language. At the bottom, toggle the switch to Translate all slides with 1 click. Click Translate to start the process.

Depending on the amount of slides in your presentation, it only takes 10-20 seconds to translate. The larger the presentation, the longer it will take. When finished, you'll see a Job done alert.

After closing the Job done alert, you'll see the text boxes in your slides translated into the language of your choice. 

If you want to keep your original English language version unscathed, make a copy of it and run the Translate My Slide Add-on on the copy. This will give two versions, in different languages. For what will you use the Translate My Slide Add-on? If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.