Tuesday Tips January 26, 2021

 TECH TIP: Emoji keyboard

I shared this tip in the PD session that Tom and I ran last week and it was one that even Tom didn't know about (I love when I can teach him something tech related lol!).  There is a quick keyboard shortcut that will create a pop-up emoji keyboard.  You could use this to leave emojis as feedback in Canvas grades, but could be used anywhere! It looks like this:

To do this, on a PC, hit Windows Key + Period Key.  On a Mac, it is Ctrl + Cmd + Space Bar.

BOOK TIP:  Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis

 This is a young adult novel that is gripping and riveting with a strong female lead character.  It is a story of survival in its truest sense.  After a night of partying and camping, Ashley runs into the woods in a drunken rage, only to find herself completely lost and unprepared.  She ends up deep in the Tennessee woods, injured, alone, with only the clothes on her back to survive.  You will root hard for her to persevere and keep going.  

Tuesday Tips January 12, 2021

 TECH TIP:  Overviewer App:  Turns Your Phone Into a Document Camera

  Overviewer is a new (free!) app for iPhones and iPads that quickly turns your phone into a document camera that will connect to Zoom and other video conferencing platforms.  The developer's wife is a kindergarten teacher and he created this app to help her teach her students remotely.  You can connect your phone either through Airplay to Zoom or using a cable to connect your phone to your computer.   The developer has made a 6 minute tutorial video on the set up, features and use of the app that is worth watching.  

BOOK TIP:  Anxious People by Fredrik Bachman

  Anxious People is the latest from best-selling author, Fredrik Bachman,  whose other works include Beartown and A Man Called Ove.  Anxious People tells the story of a disparate group of people who show up for a real estate open house and end up getting taken hostage by a bank robber.  But what sounds like it would be a harrowing event, ends up uniting these people across their shared stories.  It is a book that is charming, thoughtful and, at times, laugh out loud funny.