Infographics team

Infographics-

For the past few weeks in Techxperts, we have been working on Infographics with different topics, one of them is the middle school service attainment and staistics. We gathered information and created an Infographic to show the school how they’ve been doing.  

Introducing: Google Apps Ninja Dojo

We are excited to tell you about the launch of our Google Apps Ninja Dojo training program. Knowing Google Apps well is important for successful communication, organization, collaboration and more at UWCSEA. To help you skill-up on Search, Drive, Sites, Gmail, and Calendars, we have set-up a fun, graduated learning program for you. Check it out:

As you progress through the different belts for each Google app, you'll be tested to see if you're up to the 80% benchmark. If you are, you can move ahead to the next level. Your results will be available on the Leader boards on each site (coming soon) and once you've reached Master level (and have passed all previous levels) you'll be awarded with a badge sticker which you can proudly display on your laptop or wherever you like.

Since Gmail and Calendars are so important right now, we suggest you start your journey there young grasshopper. So, what are you waiting for? Go to the Ninja Dojo site and get started! 

Advanced Editing for Google Sites

This is a post for the advanced editing of google sites, it covers the basics of inserting images, embedding video and google docs into google sites (or other sites if they have HTML editing) using HTML.

Inserting Images




Embedding Video [HTML]

Here is a video on how to add a Vimeo, Metacafe (or any video on the web that has a share button and HTML code for the video) into a site that has an HTML editing option. The example will be a google site.






Embedding a Google doc into a Google site [Video Below]

How to Embed a Google Doc in a Google Site

Editing: Color

Basic Editing on Google Sites

This post covers some basic but essential ways that you need to learn to edit your site. In the following videos, you will be given information on the various functions of editing on the site.
You can start editing by clicking on the 'pencil' on your google site.

This screen cast will show you the various functions on the editing bar (dock)

They are other two screen cast that will be uploaded later that will teach you basic formatting and changing the layout of your page and how you can insert attachments like images, etc.

3 Tips to make a great looking portfolio.

Students should customize their ePortfolios so that they reflect who they are as learners. This post covers some of the ways you can customize your Google Site and have it look great.

1. Choose a color scheme (and stick to it).
To change the color scheme of your site to to the "More" button and select "Manage site"
Then, select "Colors and Fonts" to change the background color, font, etc. for each of the areas of the site (header, body content area, background, etc)


Several sites exist that help you select colors that look good together. Some of our favorites are:

• Kuler where people design color "swatches" and share them. You can choose from any of these schemes and use them as background, font, title, etc. colors. 
• Color Scheme Designer 3
• Sphere Color Visualizer

What's your favorite? Share them in the comments below.

CRAB poster by Noah Katz

2. Use C.R.A.B. to design your site.

C.R.A.B. stands for Contrast, Repetition, Alignment, and Balance.  By applying these principles consistently to your design, you will make a visually appealing design. 

3. Make a custom header.

Custom headers are an easy way to express yourself on your site. Several sites like Picmonkey allow you to create headers to a size you specify and then upload them into your site.  

You can also make custom header images using tools on your Mac like Pages, and the screenshot utility. ePortfolio assets including the UWCSEA logos are found in this shared Google Drive folder.  This video show how that's done. PDF instructions

Once you've created a header, you need to add that to your site.
Click on the "More" button and select "Edit site layout" NEW!
Click on the top of the site in the header area and the header editor will open.

Tick on Height - Use logo size

Tick on Custom Logo and then "Choose File"
to select the your custom header image.

You'll also find it helpful to go to "More" and "Manage site" and then "General" and untick display site name on every page.

Creating your ePortfolio Google Site

The first step in setting up your Google Site that will house your ePortfolio is to log in to your "gapps" account and select "sites" from the Google tool options.

Once you've done that, press the red "create" button.

After that, you have to click on the "browse the template gallery" link and search for the word "white." The MS Portfolio Template - White should come up.  That's the one you need to select.

Once you've selected this template, you need to give your site a name.
Important: your site name & URL must be your gapps username (last name and numbers)

 See this example -->


Once you've done that, press "create" again at the top of the page and you've made your site!

Note: the site is just a template of the portfolio site, you should customize the look and feel to make it reflect who you are. There are some specific bits of information on the site template about how what is expected to be in your portfolio. Please keep that information until your portfolio is nearly complete and you're sure it is set-up properly with everything that your mentor teacher expects.

Creating Your very own QR Code
What many people do  not realize is, that using goo.gl  you can not only shorten your url, but you can also create your very own QR code!

What is a QR code:

A QR code is a black and white barcode looking image, that you can then use your phone/computer/ipad to scan. Above, is what a typical QR code looks like. Once you've held your phone/computer/ipad up to it and take a photo of the QR code. It will "scan" the picture and take you to the site it links to.

Click play to watch a tutorial on how to create your own QR code:

CiteLighter Tutorial

Citelighter is a great and a easier way to cite and capture parts of websites to help your project. Each time you highlight a part of a website, you get to capture it and citelighter will cite it for you. the citations are in the form of  MLA, APA and Chicago format. You can then go and edit those citations if something is missing or you can export it to Word, Google Docs and via Email. Citing has gotten a lot easier. 

easel.ly: Create Infographics online

infographics from easel.ly on Vimeo.

Today I started to use this awesome and free web app that allows you to create good looking info graphics in minutes,just choose a theme and get to work with the easy UI. This software is still in beta so it has some missing features that the developers are probably going to include in the official program.This software becomes useful at school to create posters about a project or raise awareness about a GC. I really like this web app and I am looking forward to the official release and downloadable app.

Google Search Education

Google Search had many tools than many people don't know about. Most people use Google by typing in the search and finding there way to a good website from there. Google Search Education is a website that explains the different tools that can be used to make finding a good website or picture easier. Some of the most helpful tools are. 

Any Color: A tool that helps find pictures based on the color you want

Any Time: A tool that lets you chose the time you want the website or picture from

Any Type: which lets you chose what type of website or picture you like.

There are many more tools that could help making searching easier this could help lots of kids in school find websites for the projects easier. The Google Search Education website has many lessons and videos for you to learn from.

LINK: http://www.google.com/insidesearch/searcheducation/