Google Tricks and Tips

Wondering how to pass the Google Certified Educator exams? I get asked all the time, “How hard are the Google Certified Educator exams?” The answer depends on a lot of things, so I decided to put together this set of tips and tools to help you prepare. It’s a free download: How to Pass theContinue Reading

In this blog post and podcast episode, you will learn 13 Tips to Organize Your Google Drive. Google Drive is the heart of G Suite. Google Drive allows you to store your files securely and access them from any device, as well as create, open, and edit your files. I have thousands of files storedContinue Reading

Google Certifications Explained! This is your complete guide to all of the Google Certifications for Educators: Google Certified Educator, Level 1 & 2, Google Certified Trainer, and Google Certified Innovator. This guide will help answer all of your questions and clarify the differences between all of the certification options. In this 19-page handbook, you willContinue Reading

Today, I am going to share with you 9 Ways to Improve Student Writing with Google Docs! There are so many amazing digital tools that teachers can use to support writing in the classroom. As a former writing teacher, I can’t help but geek out a little at all the possibilities. But when it comesContinue Reading

In this video and podcast episode, I’m going to share with you a little-known secret–how to create drag and drop activities with Google Slides. My favorite G Suite tool is Google Slides, not because it is an easy-to-use presentation tool, but because it does so much more than just create presentations. I frequently refer toContinue Reading

It’s that time of year again! As many teachers begin to wrap up the end of the school year and prepare for summer, let’s make sure everything is clean and organized! I’ve put together some Google Classroom cleanup tips for the end of the year! Google Classroom and Google Drive can get quite messy throughoutContinue Reading

The long-awaited Google Slides audio feature has finally arrived! We can now insert audio in Google Slides–this can be voice, music, narration, sound effects, any type of audio you have access to or want to create. For many years, teachers have been asking me how to add audio–usually narration or background music–to Google Slides. GoogleContinue Reading

How to Force Users to Make a Copy of Google Drive Files Here’s an easy way to force users to make a copy of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides or Drawings! By hacking the URL you can prompt users to make a copy! Have you ever shared a file with a student or colleague and instructedContinue Reading

Google tools help support teachers and students in many different ways. As the role of instructional coach and tech coach continues to grow, I thought it would be useful to take a look at some Google tips through the lens of a coach. In this guest post by Pam Hubler, you will find many usefulContinue Reading

60+ Awesome Apps that Integrate with Google Classroom Check out this list of more than 60 Awesome Apps that Integrate with Google Classroom! Did you know that Google Classroom plays well with others? Yep! Google is known for making their applications open to working with third-party applications, and Google Classroom is no exception. I haveContinue Reading

Let’s face it. As teachers, your time is precious. You only have so much time with your students, and you want to maximize that time for learning. We don’t want to end up wasting valuable time searching for documents, websites, or setting up our lessons. We need to use technology to help us save instructionalContinue Reading

Did you know you can search your Google Drive from the Chrome address bar? That’s right! With this one little trick, you can search right from the search box (aka the Omnibox) in Google Chrome. If you are anything like me, you store EVERYTHING in Google Drive. I use Google Drive to backup all ofContinue Reading

The Google Drive Advanced Search is a thing of beauty. My Google Drive is not the most organized, and I frequently rely on the search tool to find what I need. I have never been good at keeping all my digital files inside perfectly organized, color-coded, nested folders. It’s a good thing that I don’tContinue Reading

Yes! 15 Google Classroom Tips for Teachers! Google Classroom is one of the most popular digital tools for the K-12 classroom. It has improved vastly over the years, and teachers have learned how to make the most of this flexible assignment manager and communication hub. A few weeks ago, I asked the members of theContinue Reading

See a great Google Doc or Slide deck that you want to use? MAKE A COPY! How to Make a Copy of Google Files IS A MUST-HAVE GOOGLE SKILL! If you are a Google-using educator, you must know how to make a copy of Google files. When you come across a Google file that hasContinue Reading

The Google Docs Explore tool brings you quick access to your Drive files, web search, images, recommendations and more. Explore is available in Docs, Sheets, and Slides and it uses machine learning to try to predict the things you need as you compose and create. The features vary across applications so this post will focusContinue Reading

Google Docs Cheat Sheet! I am #superexcited to announce the release of a brand new, updated, Google Docs Cheat Sheet for teachers, students, or anyone! In this handy, Google Docs reference guide, you will get access to beautiful screenshots of all the main features of Google Docs. This is a great reference guide for experiencedContinue Reading

Chances are that you are doing it wrong, and I’m going to show you a better way to manage and toggle between multiple Google accounts. This is one of my favorite Google tips and has made my life so much easier! A lot of Google users have more than one Google account, often a school/work accountContinue Reading

Did you know you can edit images inside Google Docs and Slides? In just a few clicks, you and your students can add some pizazz to your images in Google Docs and Google Slides! Editing the images gives you the ability to add a professional touch to your presentations and documents. These tips may seemContinue Reading

What if I told you that you could create a class template inside Google Classroom? You can! I’m going to show you how to create a class template in Google Classroom that can be reused over and over again. In 2018, Google released several significant updates to Google Classroom. One particular update allows us toContinue Reading

Did you know you can go incognito in Google Chrome? It’s a fantastic feature, and there are many reasons you should try it. Here are 8 Awesome Reasons to Go Incognito in Google Chrome! You Need to Go Incognito in Google Chrome! Here’s Why: Yep, I’m talking about Google Chrome again! One of my favoriteContinue Reading

Ready to Join Google Classroom? Join the Google Classroom revolution! It will completely change the way you deliver assignments, communicate and collaborate in your class, and give your students future-ready skills! Google Classroom is a free application designed by Google to help students and teachers communicate, collaborate, organize and manage assignments, go paperless, and much more!Continue Reading

160+ Chrome Apps and Extensions for Teachers and Students I have put together a Google Chrome App and Extension Database for Teachers hat is loaded with apps and extensions for productivity and classroom integration. In this post, you will find 160+ Chrome Apps and Extensions for Teachers and Students! This database is searchable and filterableContinue Reading

45+ Google Tips for Teachers and Students The Shake Up Learning community never fails to amaze me! They are always sharing new ideas, lesson plans, tips, tricks, and asking insightful questions. This week was no different. Each week I pose a new question to the Shake Up Learning community on Facebook. (Join here!) This weekContinue Reading

The Best Google Classroom Tips, Tutorials and Resources for Teachers I’ve been curating Google Classroom tips, tutorials, and resources for teachers, which now includes over 350 Google Classroom tips, tutorials, and resources for teachers. As Google Classroom continues to grow and improve as a platform, we have no shortage of resources. With new updates comingContinue Reading

5 TCEA Presentations You Need to See! I have five TCEA Presentations that I want to share with you this week! I have had the privilege of presenting at many conferences over the last several years. I enjoy connecting with educators face-to-face and sharing ideas. Earlier this month, I presented at the TCEA convention. IfContinue Reading

The 18 Challenges for Teachers in 2018 ©! Who’s ready to kick off 2018 with a bang? I am, and I have put together some AWESOME challenges for any teacher that wants to kick things up a notch in the classroom this year. This is Shake Up Learning’s annual 18 Challenges for Teachers for 2018! Inside thisContinue Reading

Did You Know You Can Create a G Suite Template by hacking the link? Yes! This G Suite trick will let you change some words in the URL of your file and magically create a template link! This is a game-changer, y’all! Templates make life easier, especially as a teacher. I make copies of interestingContinue Reading

4 Common Questions About Google Classroom Assignments Google Classroom is quite a robust platform for teachers and students to communicate, collaborate, and manage assignments digitally. Google is continually updating and giving us new features that make it an even more powerful tool. Whether you are new to Google Classroom, or a savvy expert, there isContinue Reading

Voice Typing in Google Docs is a Game-Changer! As a former ELA teacher, I am naturally drawn to technology that supports reading and writing. Google Docs is fully-loaded with some features that can save us time in and out of the classroom, and often times can even save us a little heartache when it comesContinue Reading

Citing Sources in Google Docs Did you know you can EASILY cite sources without ever leaving Google Docs? Yep! It’s so easy! This is just one of those amazing features of Google Docs that you have to see! This may be old news to you, but just in case, I feel that it’s my missionContinue Reading

Using Google Tools to Support the ISTE Standards for Students If you have followed this blog for very long, you know that I frequently share Google-related content. I also have a podcast with my friend Matt Miller, The Google Teacher Tribe. But despite the sometimes Google-centric ideas, I am a firm believer in a focusContinue Reading

Do you listen to podcasts? I do! I love them. Podcasts are a great way to get PD on the go. You can listen in the car, on your run, during your workout, or whatever you prefer. I teamed up with my friend, Matt Miller, from DitchThatTextbook.com to create The Google Teacher Tribe podcast. WeContinue Reading

Lessons Learned from a Google Expeditions Pilot Below are 8 Tips for a Google Expeditions Pilot from Heather Kilgore, an Instructional Technology Coordinator for Commerce ISD in Commerce, Texas, where she shares the lessons learned from their Google Expeditions pilot program. As we all begin to find ways to bring Google Expeditions, Google Cardboard, and other virtualContinue Reading

Using G Suite in the Primary Grades, Yes They Can! In this episode, Matt and I interview Christine Pinto, a Kindergarten teacher, who shares how she uses Google with her littles. Christine explains how she uses G Suite, including Google Classroom in Kinder. She also shares an awesome lesson plan for models and equations thatContinue Reading

Up Your Skills With the G Suite Training Chrome Extension Ready to take your Google skills to the next level? No time for extended workshops and training, but need hands-on guidance? Need an easy way to help students learn and navigate Google Classroom, Gmail, Docs, etc.? This awesome G Suite Training Chrome Extension from GoogleContinue Reading

How to Differentiate With Google Classroom (Episode 5 of the Google Teacher Tribe Podcast) In this episode, Matt and I discuss differentiation strategies with Google Classroom. We also have some Google news and updates to share, and some great resources from our blogs. You can play the first episode using the player below, or subscribeContinue Reading

Video Just Got an Upgrade in Google Slides! This is a super-sweet G Suite treat! Just a few days ago, Google released some new video options for Google Slides that teachers and students will love. This update is such a big deal that I had to make sure everyone knows about these four, new featuresContinue Reading

All About the New Google Sites in Episode 3 of The Google Teacher Tribe Podcast In this episode, Matt and I discuss the new version of Google Sites, what we like, what we don’t, and ways to use it in the classroom. We also have some Google news and updates to share, and some greatContinue Reading

Google for Education Tuesday Tips! Google for Education has introduced, “Tuesday Tips,” a weekly spotlight on Google for Education tools. I wish I could take credit for this one! No, this is not about new tips from Shake Up Learning. This post is to let you know about a fantastic new resource from Google forContinue Reading

How to Differentiate Assignments in Google Classroom I am often asked about differentiation strategies that will work in the Google Classroom application. Google Classroom is a very robust tool that can make differentiating digital assignments a reality. I often present on digital differentiation, and until now, differentiation in Google Classroom has been more of creativeContinue Reading

Episode 1: Empowering Teachers We did it! We released our very first episode of The Google Teacher Tribe Podcast! I am so excited to share this with you! In this episode, you will learn what to expect from our new podcast as well as learn about your hosts Matt Miller and Kasey Bell (me), andContinue Reading

The Google Teacher Tribe Podcast with Matt Miller and Kasey Bell Today I am making an official announcement about my new podcast with Matt Miller from DitchThatTextbook.com, The Google Teacher Tribe Podcast! We are still in the planning stages, but we hope to launch our first episode in early 2017, and I wanted YOU toContinue Reading

Wow! 2016 has flown by! As Shake Up Learning approaches its third anniversary, I want to reflect, learn and find new ways to serve teachers and students. I have put together a list of the most popular Shake Up Learning blog posts of 2016. These are the top blog posts with most views and comments. TheContinue Reading

Last week, Google announced a new name and new branding for our beloved Google Apps: G Suite. This rebranding is also true for our educational suite of applications, now G Suite for Education, as well as the rest of the world using what was formerly known as Google Apps for Work. The core suite ofContinue Reading

Using Google Apps to Support Reading and Writing in the Classroom Below is a webinar that I gave on August 2, 2016, with Texthelp, the makers of Read & Write for Google and Fluency Tutor. Included in this webinar at tips, tricks, extensions, ideas and more to help you better support reading, writing and researchContinue Reading

Google Drive has become an indispensable tool in my digital toolbox. There are so many great Google Drive tips and tricks to share; it’s difficult keep this list of tips at just five! I use Google Drive for just about everything, including my presentations, my notes, my collaboration with other educators and colleagues, and IContinue Reading

Google Slides Did you know that Google Slides can be used for much more than just presentations? Google Slides is one of the most flexible learning tools in the Google Apps suite. In fact, I used Google Slides to create my eBook: The Teacher’s Guide to Google Classroom! That’s right! Google Slides made the processContinue Reading

7 Google Tricks to Try During Spring Break! Who’s ready for Spring Break? I know I am! Spring Break is a great time to relax, vacation, spend time with loved ones and recharge. It is also a great time to sharpen your saw! So I have put together this quick list of Google tricks forContinue Reading

How to Create a Google Classroom Header Image Google Classroom is a great application for Google using educators and students to manage assignments, communicate and collaborate, and go paperless! Google has made great strides in updating this application based on the feedback submitted by educators like you. Google Classroom is only going to get better!Continue Reading

2015 has been such a fun and exciting year! As Shake Up Learning nears its second anniversary, I want to reflect, learn and find new ways to serve teachers and students. I have put together a list of the most popular Shake Up Learning blog posts of 2015. These are the top blog posts with mostContinue Reading

  Google Classroom is designed to help teachers and students communicate and collaborate, manage assignments paperlessly, and stay organized. This robust application is a must for teachers using Google Apps with their students, and allows them to focus more on teaching and less on “teching.” Google has also created the Share to Classroom Chrome extension that brings,Continue Reading

I’m sharing the secrets to keeping up with Google! To update one of last year’s most popular posts, The Guide to Keeping Up with Google, I am putting together a new guide and blog series with tips for keeping up with Google. I often get asked, “How do you keep up with Google?” Well, firstContinue Reading

I was so honored to be a presenter this weekend for the Google Edu On Air conference for educators! It was so exciting to participate in this conference as a learner and as a presenter. I was happy to see friends from Texas, across the U.S. and Canada, participate, and it was a thrill toContinue Reading

Google Tips & Tricks: Turn a YouTube Video into a GIF! Animated GIF images are so much fun, and can make it really easy to show students and teachers how to do things. This is an easy trick using a tool called GIFYT. Simply type the letters GIF after www., and before youtube, and youContinue Reading

Here we go again! I’m not sure how many parts will be in this series because there are just so MANY hidden treasures with Google! (Actually, I think I could blog for a couple years with this topic!) We are not even scratching the surface my friends! So here is Part 3…Are you ready toContinue Reading

Google Sheets CHEAT SHEET You asked, and here it is: a Google Sheets CHEAT Sheet for teachers and students! Google Sheets is a wonderful spreadsheet tool for teachers and students. It is loaded with functionality and features! This Google Sheets Cheat Sheet will help new and experienced users learn how to use and understand Google Sheets. This cheat sheetContinue Reading

Yes! You can edit your Microsoft Office files in Google Drive! This feature is no longer new, but has been on my list to share for a while. When first made available, some people struggled to get this feature to work on the desktop. Others may not even know this is an option. But IContinue Reading

 The Top 20 Shake Up Learning Blog Posts of 2014! As Shake Up Learning approaches it’s one year anniversary, I thought it would be great to look back at the most popular posts of 2014. No surprise that the Google Cheat Sheets were particularly popular. For a full list of all the Google Cheat SheetsContinue Reading

Easy Shortcut to Share a Preview Copy of Google Docs Super easy shortcut to share published versions Google Docs, Sheets and Slides! This little secret was revealed in an Google Apps Show episode a couple weeks ago. This is soooooo simple! There is an even easier way to allow others to preview Google Docs, Sheets or Slides.Continue Reading

  One amazing feature of Google Drive is the ability to work offline. This comes in handy when you are traveling. It is also a great tool for students and teachers with limited or no Internet access at home. With the New Google Drive, offline editing is even easier! Below are the steps to getContinue Reading

Google and Apple CAN PLAY NICE! Google and Apple are two very different ecosystems. Both provide great technology and digital tools for use inside the classroom and beyond. When these two worlds collide, they offer a powerful toolbox for educators giving you the best of both worlds. When iPads were first introduced, they did notContinue Reading

Save Time and Share Files Quickly with a Google Contact Group!  Do you find yourself sharing Google Drive files with the same group over and over again? You may share with your collaborative team, your department, your staff, parents or even your students. Here’s a quick tip for sharing with groups: create a contact group. InsteadContinue Reading

  Publish Your Google Doc to the Web! Such an easy way to create a clean and simple web page! This is another one my favorite tips for Google Apps! I use this feature to quickly publish information online. Sometimes you really don’t want to just share a document. You may not need others toContinue Reading

Betcha didn’t know you can search for great images without ever leaving your Google Doc! Finding great images for your Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms and Drawings is even easier than you might think. This is a hidden gem! You can actually search while still inside the document. Even better, you can search for imagesContinue Reading

Saving Google Drive Files to Multiple Folders Google Apps and Google Drive in particular are full of great features. I love to share tips and features that have made my life, work, and classroom easier. This week’s tip is one that I only recently learned. (Not sure how i missed this!)When organizing your Google Drive intoContinue Reading