Improved Management of Google Drive File Uploads

One of the things that I like about Google Drive is that I can upload and store just about any file in my account. Additionally, I appreciate that I can have Word files automatically converted to Google Docs format. That feature is great when I'm working with someone who insists on using Word because they can send me their files and I can quickly convert them to the format that works for me. Then I download it and send it back. The snag that can occur with this process is when I receive a new version of the original file because until now Google Drive would store both copies.

Yesterday, Google released a new Google Drive feature that will automatically replace the old file with the most recently upload version. The original upload will be moved to revisions and the updated version will be the one that you see in your Google Drive. Of course, if you prefer to have multiple copies, you can still keep both files by simply selecting "keep as separate file" when you upload new versions.

Watch my video embedded below to learn how to enable automatic conversion of Word files that are uploaded to Google Drive.

How to Conduct a Reverse Image Search

Tineye is a free tool that helps you conduct reverse image searches. In a reverse image search you're searching for the places where an image has been posted online. In the video embedded below I demonstrate how to conduct a reverse image search.


Applications for Education
Conducting a reverse can be a good way for students to discover information about an object or location featured in a picture. As demonstrated above, when the image is located through Tineye students can click through to the source to see how the image was used and what was written about the image.

Conducting a reverse image search can provide students with a good lesson on digital footprints. Have them conduct a reverse image search for images they have posted online and then count the number of places where that image has appeared.

How to Accept Multiple Correct Responses on Google Forms Quizzes

The Flubaroo Add-on for Google Sheets is a powerful tool for quickly grading multiple choice and short answer quizzes created with Google Forms. Flubaroo has been around for years and almost every week people ask me questions about how to use it. One of the things that I'm frequently asked about is the possibility to accept more than one response to an open-ended response question. You can accept multiple correct responses. In the video embedded below I demonstrate how to accept multiple correct responses and have them graded for you with the Flubaroo Add-on for Google Sheets.


Read this article for an explanation of how using Flubaroo is different from using the quizzes feature in Google Forms.

Free Webinar - Digital Storytelling With Storyboards

Next Tuesday evening (September 13th) at 7pm Eastern Time I will be hosting a free webinar sponsored by Storyboard That. The webinar will focus on designing and delivering stories through the use of storyboards. In particular, we'll be spending time looking at using storyboards to have students to tell stories about themselves, their interests in school, and favorite moments. We'll also look at how students can use storyboards to design presentations for your class.

Storyboard That rolled-out a bunch of new features at the end of 2015-2016 school year and throughout the summer. So if it has been a while since you tried Storyboard That, join us on Tuesday evening at 7pm to see the new features in action.

New! People who attend the live webinar will receive a certificate of attendance. Depending on your local licensing policies, you may be able to use that toward license/ certification renewal.

I can't attend, can I get the recording? - Yes

The recording will be available to those who cannot attend the live webinar. Complete the form below to receive the recording of the webinar. You do not need to email me for the recording.

Add Audio to Images In SeeSaw Digital Portfolios

SeeSaw is a great platform for creating digital portfolios. Whether students use the free SeeSaw iPad app, the Android app, the Chrome app, or just the website they can add all kinds of media to their digital portfolios. SeeSaw supports uploading videos, documents, slideshows, and audio recordings. Students can also include hyperlinks in their digital portfolios.

Students can add pictures to their SeeSaw portfolios in two ways. As previously mentioned, students can upload pictures to their portfolios. They can also use the cameras on their tablets, Chromebooks, or laptops to snap a picture that is directly added to their portfolios. Regardless of which method students use to add a picture, they can add audio commentary to their pictures. Once the picture is added students will see a menu just below it that includes an "audio" button. When they tap the audio button students can immediately start recording themselves talking about the pictures they've added to their portfolios.

Applications for Education
Adding audio commentary to images can be a great way for students to explain the significance of a picture in their portfolios. It's also a good way for students to explain to you an understanding of a concept that they've illustrated.

Disclosure: SeeSaw is an advertiser on FreeTech4Teachers.com