Embed a PDF into your Google Site

Want to embed a PDF in your Google Site? Check out this site for the URL required.



To just use the embed code, here it is. Copy and paste:
http://ejimford.com/gadgets/embed_pdf_google_sites_drive_url.xml

Creating a Newsletter using Google Slides

This short video demonstrates how to create a newsletter using Google Slides. Check it out!!

Google Classroom

Check out the three part series below on Google Classroom:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Changing favicon in Google Sites

Want to change the favicon in your Google Site? Follow the instructions below:
Change the favicon by clicking on more button; manage site; attachments; upload. Upload your favicon image. It MUST be named "favicon.ico"

Gmail Cheat Sheet

Check out this Gmail Cheat Sheet below by clicking on the image:

Composing a Gmail

Watch the video below to learn how to compose an email in Gmail.

Adding Attachment in Gmail

Watch the video below to learn how to add an attachment to a Gmail.

Restoring a Deleted Calendar Event

Did you know you can restore a deleted calendar event? Check out the video below to see how!

Want to be a Google Educator/Trainer?

Do you want to be a Google Educator, Trainer, or simply learn more about the Google Platform? Check out the video below.

Making Images The Same Size

While working on one of my Google Sites, I was placing a series of images on the page. I wanted these graphics to all have the same dimensions. (I was sharing some of the books I had read recently). I did some searching and discovered a Converting Your File website. It works extremely well and the end result can be multiple file types, according to what your needs are. Check it out!

GAFE paper.li Publication

Check out the GAFE paper.li publication. Many great ideas! Select the image below or this link.

OK Google

What are some of the commands you can ask "OK Google"?  Here is a list below that I found on this site, greenbot.com.  Check out the video as well. Have fun!

Some commands:

1. How old is [Neil deGrasse Tyson]?
2. Where was [Louis C.K.] born?
3. Define [colloquial] (Or “What does [colloquial] mean?”)
4. What time is it in [Tokyo]?
5. Search for [photography tips]
6. Show me pictures of [the Leaning Tower of Pisa]
7. Do I need an umbrella today? What’s the weather like? What’s the weather in [New Orleans] [this weekend]?
8. What the [Google] stock price? What is [Apple] trading at?
9. What’s [182 yards] in [miles]? What is [12 ounces] in [liters]?
10. What’s [135] divided by [7.5]? (A great many types of math equations will work.)
11. Search [Tumblr] for [cat pictures] (more apps are added to this search-within-apps function all the time)
12. Open [greenbot.com]
13. Take a picture (“Take a photo” also works)
14. Record a video
15. Open [Spotify]
16. Turn [on / off] [Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Flashlight]
17. What’s the tip for [123 dollars]?
18. Set an alarm for [6:30 am]
19. Set a timer for [20 minutes]
20. Create a calendar event: [Dinner with Glenda, Saturday at 9pm.]
21. Remind me to [buy coffee at 7am] (try locations! Remind me to [buy coffee filters at Walgreens])
22. What is my schedule for tomorrow? (also: What does my day look like [Friday]?)
23. Where’s my package? (tracking confirmation must be in Gmail)
24. Make a note: [update my router firmware] (also try “Note to self:” This works with multiple apps, and you can even email yourself!)
25. Find [Florence Ion’s] [phone number] (Works with all info in your contacts - addresses, birthdays, etc.)
26. Show me my bills. (or: My bills due this week.)
27. Call [Cartman] on speakerphone
28. Text [Susie] [great job on that feature yesterday] (also works with relationships: Text [mom] [I’m not going to be able to pick you up from the airport, period, I’m a bad son, period])
29. Send email to [Robert Baratheon], subject, [hunting], message, [I don’t think you should drink so much when you go hunting, period]
30. Post to [Twitter]: [Oh my god the Red Wedding episode!]
31. What is French for [I am Charlie]?
32. [Send a Hangout message] to [Dad].
33. Send a [Viber] message to [Derek]: Hang on, I'm going to get more coffee. (works with WhatsApp, Viber, WeChat, Telegram, and NextPlus)
34. Where is the nearest [sushi restauraunt]?
35. Navigate to [Willis Tower, Chicago] 
36. Directions to [Fisherman’s Wharf] by [bike] (also try “Directions home” or “How do I get home?”)
37. Where is [the Louvre]?
38. Show me the menu for [Green Chile Kitchen]
39. Call [Asian Art Museum]
40. Show me my flight info
41. Where’s my hotel?
42. What are some attractions around here?
43. How do you say [good night] in [Japanese]?
44. What is [50,000 yen] in [dollars]?
45. What’s the flight status of [United] flight [735]?
46. Show me restaurants near my hotel -or- Give me directions back to my hotel (this works if your hotel confirmation was sent to your gmail account
47. What is the loneliest number?
48. Do a barrel roll!
49. Tilt
50. Go go Gadget [Spotify]
51. When am I?
52. Make me a sandwich
53. Sudo make me a sandwich
54. Who’s on first?
55. Who are you?
56. Beam me up, Scotty!
57. What is [Jennifer Lawrence’s] Bacon number?
58. What is the meaning of life?
59. Remind me to....
60. Wake me up in....

Play some music (opens “I’m feeling lucky” radio station in Google Play Music)

1. Next Song / Pause Song
2. Play [Happy] (songs must be in Google Play Music on your device)
3. Watch [The Lego Movie] (movies and TV must be in your Google Play account)
4. What’s this song?
5. Listen to TV
6. What songs does [Pharrell] sing?
7. Read [Hunger Games]
8. Did the [Giants] win today? What’s the score in the [Warriors] game?
9. What movies are playing [tonight]? Where is [Toy Story] playing?

Color Coding Emails

Check out this video about color coding your emails making them more visible.

Quickly downloading a youtube video.....

If you need to download a youtube video, just add "ss" after www. See the video below!

Read and Write for Google

I am participating in a Read and Write for Google presentation this morning in Edmonton.

Lindsay Ballance and Kim Bizuk's presentation is here https://goo.gl/KdAGdY

A nice summary video is below. Check it out!!

The Growth Mindset: Carol Dweck

I just finished "listening" to The Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck. I downloaded the audio book on Audible.com. It's a great book.

Here is a 10 minute youtube clip of Dweck speaking to The Growth Mindset.

Android VS Apple OR Apple VS Android

I am about to share an experience I have had over the past month and a half, and continue to experience, on a daily basis (in a good way). Before you read on, this blog is not about "you must purchase product apple/android because the other is terrible." The truth is, both platforms have wonderful phones and platforms. It just depends on what suits you. By the way, I'm creating this blog on a Macbook Air.

My Experience
In August 2015, I began a new job with a new school division and it was necessary for me to purchase another phone. At the same time, my teenage son's contract was finished on his mobile device.

We began and finished our journey with Pete from T-Booth at the Bower Mall in Red Deer. I've never witnessed anyone so knowledgable and willing to earn business and provide the customer with the best contract possible. If you are looking for a new phone, Pete is your guy!

My son wanted a new Samsung Galaxy Note. As you know, when teenagers have their minds set on something, they tend to have a very narrow focus. Jacob, my son, was the first in our family to go to the "android" side and stray from Apple. (Prior to this, he had a Samsung Galaxy S4 and quite liked it). His mom, myself, and his two sisters, all had iPhones and could not understand his recklessness in venturing to "the dark side" and figured he would return to the IOS product after the S4. He did not. He quite enjoyed the user experience.

Upon arriving to TBooth, I had my mind set on getting an iPhone for me and the Galaxy Note for Jacob. Pete had other plans :)) (Or solutions if you will.)

To be perfectly honest, it was money (and Pete) that helped with my decision to go with the LG G4. To make matters "worse", there just happened to be a promotion on the LG G4 on this particular day. If I chose the LG, we would be able to get both phones at $0.00 net cost (The promo on the LG would cancel out the cost of the Samsung). Anyone who is a dad and has a family understands the value in $0.00. Thanks, Pete.

So, Jacob and I both left TBooth with shiny new devices, excited to get home to try them out and test their capabilities. Jacob fell in love with his Note immediately, sharing with me all the things he could do on it (who cares :)) and was just as excited for me as well (all I wanted was to text and check email).

So fast forward two weeks into the new devices, and I was not a happy camper. The LG was not like my old iPhone, I had to relearn a system, it froze on me, it hung,.......I texted Pete: "This is not working for me, Pete. I'm thinking I

need to go back to what I knew...iPhone. After all, the iPhone 6+ looked like a gorgeous phone (it is) and had the IOS I was familiar with. I'm old. This change is hard on me. All I want is a phone that works.

Pete explained that it would be quite costly to change at this point and asked why I did not like the LG. This is what I said:

1. I'm old. Old people do not adapt to change easily.
2. The LG is not my old iPhone. It's different. :((
3. It freezes. I may be texting and it will "hang".

Pete, being the helpful guy he is, suggested that I do a factory reset on my LG. My limited understanding is it wipes the device and returns it to a "new" state. He also suggested, along with my son, NOT to have many widgets going, as that eats up my precious resources. Who knew?

I wiped the device and got rid of the widgets, not believing this would solve my problem, because I am an "apple guy." To my surprise, the LG has been stellar ever since (for the past 3 weeks).

If you are contemplating going down this platform road, here are a couple of things I have learned:

1. Be patient.
2. Ask questions (especially from younger folk).

There are several things I have added to my LG that have made the transition to Android a very exciting one:

1. I installed the Nova Launcher. I did not realize I could customize my device this way. I can change the number of apps on each screen, the size of the apps, the picture that is the app itself, etc, etc.
2. I installed SlideLock. It allows me to have notifications come up on my locked screen, just like they did on my iPhone. 

Last Words

I am delighted that I was "encouraged" to make the change from IOS to Android. I can do so many things with my LG phone. And, it takes incredible photos. Thanks Pete.

Is one platform "better" than the other? Not in my opinion. I have had the opportunity to use both. I actually like the Android platform more because of its customizability. If customizability is not important and you are familiar with the IOS platform and you do not mind putting out a few shekels for the device, the iPhone is for you. It truly is a great device. If customizability is important, and you enjoy personalizing how your device operates, you are probably ready for the Android experience. Heck, I'm even looking at alternative tablets to the iPad!

Whatever you choose, Android or IOS, both are winners and will easily accomplish the tasks that you challenge them to complete.

If you have questions or comments, drop me a line. Listen to me with all the techy lingo :))

Response to Intervention

A big thanks to @MikeFlieger from Clearview School division for tweeting this. You can find the site here.  Information about RTI resources.

Recording Audio On iPhone

My wife, Sheila was wondering what app to use for recording audio on her iPhone. There is a free app called iTalk by Griffin. See the video below.

EBook Creation Using Google Slides

Check out the video below on how to create an EBook using Google Slides. I saw this on the Gooru. If you have any questions, send me an email with "Tech Question" in the subject of the email.