Thursday, November 29, 2012

Maximize Your Google Search Results

"Google-it!" I say it all the time. It is synonymous with 'search for' or 'look up' on the internet. The tough part isn't typing in a query, though, it's sorting out the millions of results.

Here is a tip for you (really a blast from the past): Put quotation marks around what you are looking for if it is more than one word. This will eliminate all of the pointless and irrelevant results and give you only hits on the words, phrase, or sequence you are looking for. 

If that was too easy or maybe you just want to see what else Google can do for you, try out the following "power-search" features~>

Google Knowledge Graph:

Google Image Search Using an Image:

Google Search By File Type:

And last, but not least, there is Google Scholar


Monday, November 5, 2012

Document Cameras & SMART Boards

I have been asked to help hook up document cameras many a time in my years as a teacher, tech guy, SMART Certified Trainer, consultant, and now technology coordinator. As is the answer to most questions, I say "Sure it's possible, but what exactly do you want to do with it?"

Let's begin with the hardware. I am currently working in the Lower Yukon School District where most teachers have a MacBookPro, Notebook Software, and a document camera. These cameras are either the Elmo TT-02s or the Avervision 300AF+ models. All of the ideas I share here are also possible on Windows and, of course, other document cameras.

To begin, your camera is a simple device. It has a switch on it to provide users with 1 output while accepting 2 inputs. The design is meant for you to press a button, use your computer on a projector (or SMART Board or monitor), press another button, and display what it in the view of the camera. Simple enough, but I want to use both the computer and the camera at the same time!!




AVerVision

Here is how it's done: Download the Avervision Flash plug in and follow my directions:

Click on the (Mac) version:

You will also need to download the SMART Notebook for Mac html tester below:

file:///Applications/AVerVision%20Flash%20Plug-in/SecuritySettings.html 

Open Notebook and click on the Insert Menu > Flash > Applications > AVerVision Flash Plug-in > ....swf file.






ELMO 


For the Elmo, you will need to download the Image Mate Software for Mac. CLICK HERE.

Once you do, watch this video to see how to view through Notebook: 


Things to remember:
  • Keep the end result in mind, and don't overcomplicate things if you don't need to. 
  • Use the Ink Layer (Notebook 10) or SMART Ink (Notebook 11) any time without the Notebook hassle.
  • Capturing annotations can be done in numerous ways, but I find screen shots to be the simplest (Command+Shift+4 or Command+Shift+3).