Google Logo Coding Activity

--This week's guest post comes from Laura Smith at SSMSES --

Did you ever notice how Google changes their logo for holidays or just for fun? Recently, my 5th grade students, under the direction of Angie Catalone, completed a Google coding activity where they were able to create their own Google logo. We started by watching a video in the classroom to catch their interest and give them a brief summary of what they were going to be doing. We worked in the computer lab by first signing in and registering which went smoothly. The kids then had to watch short video clips of how to change different features of the Google logo. They did this on their own with headphones. They could create backgrounds, use themes, change the letters to swirl or animate, and many other things. The kids had a lot of fun doing this, and I was surprised how quickly they caught on. They were proud of their work. Each student created something very different and unique. It was a fun activity and I liked how they could work at their own pace. 

-- Laura Smith

If you would like to try the Google logo coding in your classroom click here:

Google Logo Coding Activity

Introduction Video

Save to Google Drive...With the Click of a Button!

The Save to Google Drive extension can be easily installed and used if you want to quickly grab information from a Google Chrome tab on the internet, and don't want to have to copy/paste that information into a new document. 

This little extension takes a screenshot of the current Chrome tab and saves that data in one of the following formats:

• .png
• .html (source of the page)
• .mht (web archive)
• Google Doc

*It also will allow you to save .pdf files directly to your Google drive.

Installing Save to Google Drive

1. Open Chrome.
2. Navigate to the Save to Chrome extension page.
3. Click ADD TO CHROME.
4. When prompted click Add Extension.
5. Allow the installation to complete.

Configuring Save to Google Drive

Right-click the small Google Drive icon to the right of your Chrome address bar and select Options to configure the extension. From the Options page, you can set the following:

• The Save To location for Google Drive (it will default to the root of your Google Drive)
• Save As file format (.png, .html, .mht, or Google Doc)
• Convert saved link to Google editor format

Using Save to Google Drive

Save to Google Drive is simple to use. When you're on a page you want to save, left-click the extension icon and the file will be saved. A popup window will appear, giving you the chance to rename or delete the file.

November's Tech Badge Spotlight!

If you haven't had a chance to check out this year's Tech Badges, try to take a minute to stop by and check it out!

How to Get Started:

1. Go to the TechSpot Badging Center.
2. Select a category: Communication, Google, Assessment, Flipped Learning, Social Media... etc.
3. Find a badge that you already deserve, or want to earn. If needed, use links to tutorials and/or meet up with a tech coach to learn more
4. If you haven't already, start using the tool in your classroom
5. Fill out the badge request form.
6. Anxiously await the arrival of your digital and print badges
7. Display them proudly on your door & website.  
8. Share what you know with others.

Our spotlight badge of the month is the Hour of Code. 

The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science.  It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts.  Check out the tutorials and activities here.  The official Computer Science Education week will be December 4-10, but you can participate in coding anytime!

What Should You Do To Get Started??

• Go to code.org and click the Sign In box in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
• Log in with your teacher account or create one if you don't have one.  
• Create a New Section for your class and sign them up.  (You can delete out any old classes you may have in your account).
• Print out sign-in cards so students will know how to log in.

If you have any questions or need help, feel free to contact a tech coach for assistance!