How to Eliminate Choices as They're Used on Google Forms

This afternoon on Twitter I was asked if there is a way to have choices eliminated from a Google Form as they get used up. For example, if you want to offer meeting times without the possibility of people double-booking you. Yes, you can do this in Google Forms with the help of the Google Forms Add-on called Choice Eliminator.

To use Choice Eliminator start by creating your Google Form as you normally would. Then enable Choice Eliminator on your Form. Once Choice Eliminator is enabled you can select the question or questions that you want to have choices removed from as they are used.

Click image for full size.

Now You Can Embed HSTRY Multimedia Timelines Into Your Blog

HSTRY is a great multimedia timeline creation tool that I have been raving about since it launched to the public last fall. There are two features of HSTRY that make it stand-out from the crowd. First, as a teacher you can create an online classroom in which you can view all of your students' timelines. Second, as a teacher you can build questions into timelines that you share with your students. You can even build-in explanations of the answers to your questions.

This morning an email from HSTRY's marketing department contained the news that you can now embed timelines into your blog or website. To do this you will have to make your timeline public. Any public timeline can be embedded. To embed a timeline into your blog just copy the embed code provided in the upper, right corner of the public timeline that you're viewing. Then paste that code into your blog post just like you would do if you were embedding a YouTube video.


Applications for Education
While this isn't a major update to HSTRY it is a convenient update. Embedding timelines could make it easier for students to include them in their digital portfolios. It also makes it easier for you to share review material with your students.

How to Privately Share Audio Recordings on SoundCloud

Last week I shared a post about how SoundCloud is making it easier for anyone to publish a podcast. That's a great option if you're trying to reach a large audience. But what if you want to share with a limited audience. For example, let's say that your students are just using audio recordings to share with you their efforts at learning a new language. They might not want to share those recordings with a public audience. So in that case SoundCloud's private sharing option is handy. In the video embedded below I demonstrate how to create and share a private recording on SoundCloud.

Hip Hughes vs. Tom Richey - AP Review on a Google+ Hangout

Last week I introduced you to Tom Richey's excellent videos for AP US History, AP European History, and AP Government students. In that post I also mentioned, for the umpeenth time, the videos produced by Keith Hughes AKA Hip Hughes. They have now teamed up to create a Google+ Hangout on Air event for AP US History students.

On Thursday, May 7th at 8pm EST Tom Richey and Keith Hughes will host a Google+ Hangout open to any student reviewing for the AP US History exam.

Throughout the week Tom will be holding other Google+ Hangouts on Air for students reviewing for the AP exams in European History and US History. Click here to see the schedule for the week.

Game-Based Digital Literacy with Digital Compass

This is a guest post from Jennifer Carey (@teacherjencarey) of EdTechTeacher, an advertiser on this site.

Common Sense Media has released Digital Compass, a new tool to teach students about navigating the digital world. The game is targeted at middle school students, an age when most children are getting cell phones and social media accounts (like Facebook and Instagram).

Through playing this digital, “choose your own adventure” game, students explore topics like: cyberbullying & “digital drama,” self-image & identity, internet safety & privacy, creative credit & copyright, as well as relationships & communication. The game is currently available online with iOS, Android, and edmodo apps coming soon.


Common Sense Media also provides educational material for teachers and parents. You can even get involved via social media through their Where's Wink hashtag (#whereswink) on Twitter. This tool works well in conjunction with an existing digital citizenship course or as a stand alone activity. Students can even play the game at home with a parent or guardian as a way to encourage discussions about digital citizenship outside of the classroom. This game provides a great avenue for parents and schools to help children make good decisions online.

If you are looking to learn more about using digital tools with students, consider taking part in Practical Ed Tech Summer Camp or one of the EdTechTeacher Summer Workshop Series.