How to Force Copy of Drive File and Shorten URL for Easy Sharing

 Did you know there is a quick and easy way to force someone to make a copy of a Google Drive including Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings? When you are editing one of these types of documents, you will notice the word "edit" appears at or near the end of the URL. If you delete the word "edit" (and any text following it) and replace it with the word "copy", then share the new URL with someone, it will force them to create their own copy.

The new hyperlink is still too long to type out so unless you have a place to post the link, you will need to use a URL shortener to create a link that you can share either verbally or writing on a board.

Applications for Education
There are times when we need to share documents with colleagues or students and we don't have time to share it in and email or push it out through a service like Google Classroom. If someone is new to Google, they might not know how to create a copy of a doc and this trick saves them from having to complete that step.

Here is an example of what this process looks like:

Read&Write Assistive Technology App

Read and Write is an extension from texthelp that is designed to help students feel more confident with reading and writing. Teachers can get free access by installing the extension then filling out a request on this page. Once you complete this step, your trial account will be converted to a premium account for one full year.

This assistive technology app makes text more accessible for students. One of the features of this app is that it include the both text and picture dictionaries. Students highlight a word and then they can either view the definition of the word or view an image that represents the word. Students can also use the FactFinder button to access a Google search that contains a highlighted word. There is another feature that allows students to highlight text and collect it in a new Google Doc or opt to have the words turned into a vocabulary list. If they choose the vocabulary option, a Google Doc is automatically generated which contains a table and has a column for the word, its meaning, a symbol for the word, and a blank column where students can write notes or use the word in a sentence.

One of the most useful aspects of Read&Write is the read back feature. This feature allows the students to select text on a Google Docs, website and common file types to be selected and read back to them.

Applications for Education
Students of all ages could benefit from some or all of the features found in this app. Students who are learning how to read or who struggle with reading can use Read&Write to have text read to them at their own pace. Students could use this app to create their own customized vocabulary lists.

G Suite Training App

The GSuite Training is a Chrome extension that provides interactive tutorials on a variety of Google Apps including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Sites, Classroom, and Slides. The extension exists within each app and the tutorials change depending on which app is open.

When you open the extension you will see a searchable list of tutorials. When you open a tutorial, an audio clip begins to play and the extension takes over your screen. You are prompted to complete a series of tasks. It is almost like having a Google coach sitting right next to you. You can play the tutorial over and over again until you are confident that you have mastered the task.

Applications for Education
Schools can install this extension for all of the users in a domain. Students could be directed to use the extension to find answers to their questions about how to use a certain tool before asking for help.

10 Uses for a Classroom Blog

Regardless of the blogging service that you choose to use, here are ten things you can do with a class blog:

1. Posting assignments and reminders.
2. Posting enrichment activities.
3. Continuing discussions beyond the classroom walls.
4. Creating a central location for links to student resources.
5. Posting videos to supplement and complement class content.
6. Posting audio to supplement and complement class content.
7. Keeping parents informed of what their child is studying.
8. Providing a place for students to turn in assignments.
9. Giving students a wider audience for their work.
10. Insert your idea here...

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