Laptop tips & saving files

Laptops can be convenient for class use but can also be a source of frustration for students and teachers.  Some helpful tips have been posted here.  I especially like the emphasis on how laptop use for a classroom takes more time to get all users signed on and ready to work but it's equally important to consider how much time is needed at the end of class for students to properly shut down, return and ensure that the device is being properly recharged.  It's tempting for students to close the lid on a laptop before it's fully shut down.  Doing so would result in the laptop still running (hot) and not being logged off for the next user.

As a result of laptops being re-imaged for quicker login times, file saving can be a bit more cumbersome.  Default settings cause files to be saved to the C: drive of the laptop rather than to H: drive (personal directory).  This can also be frustrating for students trying to find a file when they use a different laptop.  Here's the solution for file saving: 

To open existing files, hold down Ctrl+Alt+X to retrieve Windows Explorer:

On a re-imaged laptop, opening "Documents" in the Libraries would lead directly to the C: drive (laptop hard drive).  To access your personal files (H: drive), click on the directory with your name on the left menu tab (found under "Computer").  In the H: drive, My Documents is a preferred folder for saving files and creating sub-folders.  Note that the shared drive (S:) might be a good alternative for students saving work to be easily accessible by the teacher, especially the "Sandbox" folder.  To learn more about the Sandbox folder, click here.

Shortcut keys for laptops are the same as the desktop computers.  Click here for an overview of the various shortcut keys for SD28 laptop and desktop computers.

Making PDF files readable

Have you noticed that Google Read & Write for Chrome gives you problems reading PDF files?  It would be nice if Read&Write could read anything and everything but unfortunately, this is not the case.  PDF files need to go through a conversion process to become readable with Read&Write.  

For many textbooks that are used with the BC Curriculum, this has already been done by ARC-BC in rich text, kesi (Kurzweil-supported) or accessible pdf formats.

They have a searchable database and you can create an account.  In order to download an item, you will need to specify for which designated student(s) the resource will be used.  If the text is not available, you can send ARC-BC a hard copy of the book for them to create a digital copy.  Please contact me if you need more support with this process.

The creators of the Google Read&Write for Chrome extension, Texthelp, also have solutions to make pdf files readable with texthelp pdf reader.  Some PDF files do not require any conversion process.  In Google Drive, right click on the pdf file and select open with "Google Read&Write for Chrome."  This video clip explains how: 

In some cases, when you attempt to open the document with "Google Read&Write for Chrome," it will state "We can't find any text in this document - it may not have been scanned using OCR"

Here are 2 options to solve this problem:

1. For smaller pdf files (<10 pages), I recommend using the PDF to Word conversion that Adobe provides.  Scan the file through the printer with better resolution settings (600 dpi and grayscale).  Click here for the step-wise explanation of this process.  

2. For larger files, the conversion process can happen using Snapverter, a chrome app that provides up to 10 conversions for free and one free scan per week subsequently.  Here's a short video to explain how Snapverter works:

Here's a chart summarizing the options that I've described: https://bcnewcurriculum.weebly.com/uploads/2/7/9/7/27977917/pdf_readability.pdf

Given that technology is progressing quickly, I am hopeful that there will soon be some better alternatives in the very near future.  Let me know if you would like any support in making pdf documents accessible for your students.

WriQ: Writing Assessment made easier

The creators of Google Read&Write for Chrome, Texthelp, just released a new tool called WriQ.  This is an extension available from the Chrome Web Store that works in Google Docs for the purposes of assessing writing.

To learn more about WriQ, here's a deeper explanation.  Check out this introductory video on how WriQ works:

Currently, WriQ is available for teachers free of charge for 2018/19.  It does a reasonable job of analyzing conventions and calculating an age-equivalent score for the writing.  For any given genre of writing, there is a rubric that you can use to assess the quality of writing.

Texthelp have self-learning courses available to learn more about using Google Read&Write for Chrome and EquatIO (math made digital).  Click here to go to the self-directed tutorials and certification site.

WriQ and Read&Write links are available from the Language Arts page of the weebly site.  EquatIO is available from the Math page of the weebly site.  Let me know if you'd like more information or support with any of these programs.